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E. MERTON COULTER THE ATHENS DAILY BANNER. * f > ■ J \s voL. in. ATHENS, GEORGIA. SUNDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 27,1881. NO. 11 The following extracts from a scr* mon preached by Bishop MoTjeire, ' during the Ecumenical conference of Methodists in London, are published at the request of a friend: singing. The Gospel wss sung by angels be* fore it was preached by men. Wes leyan songs were a power in the Wes leyan Reformation, Methodist sing, ing was onco proverbial. It was spir itual, it was general. Thirty year* ago I heard a High Church Bishop say to his congregation : ‘Sing, sing like the Methodists. 1 Our doctrines have been set to metre. All shades of experience aro in our hymns. This has been our principal liturgy : This —and Amen. What has become of our singing ? Which way went the spirit ot praise and of psalmody from os to others ? Alas, wo must lorsake most of our city congregations and go to the country and to tliu camp-niceiing to hear the old time melodics. Solos and quar telts arc too often the entertainment of the hon«e of God. Sopranos and tenors are employed not to help the congregation sing, but to ting lor them. Ballad and operatic musio has invail.ai the sanctuary. For choirs and orgsus as helps to congregational singing I have contended when they had fewer I fiends, and now my trou ble is to contend with them—lest they osurpfand pervert llio singing. If they will lead tho people, I am still for them; but rather than have a multitude stand up in the psws, silent as statues, while songs too high and artistic tor them to jo:n in are being sung over their heads, I would go back to the old fashion of lining the hymn, so that with Wyndham or Ux bridge all the people might praise the Lord. There is a power in sacred song. It sweetens the hearts of worshipers; it deepens the effect of the preached word; it increases the lervor ot prayer; it gives voice to the deepest feelings ot the soul; it is a means of gracs in a very high sense. Whenever there is spiritual life and power in a congre gation, congregational singing breaks forth. VVOItLDLtNESS. Wordlimssis a fact—an evil—a sin I tow to describe it, to indentity it, to locale it is not so easy. Like malaria, chill-poison, you cannot weigli it or measure it. It must be studied by its manitestaliont—in the various forms of disease produced by it. Potent, but subtle; pervading, hut impalpable; fell, but not seen. Worldincti is developed principal, ly in amusements. Two men may work in the same shop for months,and not drink into each other’s spirit so much ns they will in a day of pleas ure-taking together. Wotk is gener ally regulated by necessity. It is in amusements that wo follow ouriastes, and unbend, and tend to a common level with our companions. The Church eucounters worldliness main ly in the form of worldly amusements. Let us appeal to your own cons sciousiiess. In your meat spiritual frames when your communion is close with God, and yon can say, ‘All my springs aro in thee,’ do you de sire the opera or theatre f When your prayers are lielptd by tho Spirit are not these vanities loathed ? Inquire lor I ho men and women, in any of the churches, who aro fore- moat in usefulness; pillars, in whose piety *U have confidence. Are they the patrons ot the turf or dice table? Ifa eying sinner calls for help, if a mourner is to be comforted, would they lie sent for ? Nay, tho awaken ed soul would turn on them with warning", rattier than seek light and guidance and prayer from them. Suppose a thorough Gospel revival to be in progress in any city or town that can lie ooinpaiaed by one topio end permeated by ono influence. The work of repentaucs, and restitution, and confession, and salvation is goiug on. Old grudges and enmities aro being'buried; aliens are reconciled; prodigal sons are returning; the peo pie think and talk of conversion, ot the witness and work of the Spirit, of hoiiness and eternal life; backsliders are reclaimed, and hardened sinners are yielding to be saved by grace. Would that be a good time for a star aetor to oome along ? Think you the ‘Moral Combination Circus’ would pay expenses? Would, the ‘bop’be a success? These ero con trary. The war between the flesh and the Spirit—the irreconcilable conflict—ia evident. The theatre ana the dancing party are felt to be grand impertinence at such a time. They succeed best when religion is at a low ebb; when a cold ministry and a lukewarm membership prevail. That is their opportunity tor patronage. One or two Churches notoriously give mncli iicenso to their members in this direction, nod thereby weaken, the testimony of all those who profess and call themselves Christians, and make discipline in other Chnrvhes more difficult, Lent is with them a ssason of penitence and prayer and special devotion to a religious life. For for* ly days they endeavor, in a kind of protracted meeting, to bring the peo ple to realize spiritual and eternal things, and to mortify the flesh with tho lusts and affections thereof. No dancing is allowed in Lent. The fashionable theatres., close- jo Lent. No balls and routes and masqurades now. Why ? Became tbeao things are felt and declared to be incousis* tent with an effort to he very relig., ious lora given time. But if inimical to vital godliness for forty days, why not for three hundred and sixty-five days? Who has granted to them a dispensation from I lie observance of the conditions of Chrsstiamty for three hundred and twenty five days in the year ? THE HAW WHO KNEW HOW TO SAT NO. A handsome,'bright southern lady was visiting Ocean Grove lost sum mer, during a grand encampment of the northern Methodist church. The exercises were varied, and among the ambitious displays ot theoceaeion was a Sunday school exhibition. The con* eour-e was immense. All the Meths odist elergymen were present to ' wit ness the proficiency of the pupils. The' theme of instruction seems to have been tho inculcation of the grand idea: ‘How aad when"to say No” The lady teacher stepped graceful ly to i he front and said m her most melodious tones: ‘Children, you have been taught the value ol the power ot saying no. How beneficial and bene, fluent the result may be of knowing when and how to utter that small monosyllable. Give mo, ono of you, an example of the great heroism that prompts such an utterance and leads to such deeds of daring as compel the admiration of the world. Give mu tho nartc of the great hero who knew how and when to say no to an im prudent and tyrannical demand.’ Imagine the horror and consterna tion ot that vast crowd of stalwart preachers aiid their lomalo sympathi zers, when a small voieu piped up ‘Jefferson Davis' The lady teacher fliirhe I even te the roots of her linir. (olio rushed angrily toward ll o offend ing urchin, aud exclaimed ill words and tone intended to make sore with her audience : ‘How dare you call that name within thc-e sacred pte- cincts ? You had no such instruction from me.’ The confusion that ensued was im mense. The finest line of triple nlate silver, ware ever showiiin tins market, a: J. II. Muggins’. Hits the Noil IodUntpoll. Sentinel. It is now universally admitted that the Ninth Massachusetts regiment behaved most outrageously while in Riohmond, Vn. It would be anjust, doubtless, to say that this organized, mob of roughs represented Massachm setts culture and refinement; lint, since Massachusetts scouts the idea that it is to be judged by such a gang of outlaws, it may be induced in future to he more just in its esti mate of tbe Southern people. Tbe.New Furniture Store. Messrs Patman & Bird desire to call attention to tho fnot that they are offering splendid bargains in furniture, coffins, burial robes etc., at thoir new store on Thomas street. Their goods are all new and are bound to please. Special inducements to country morclianla. Mr. Zeke Edge is now with this house and any one de siring any thing in the undertaker’s line should call on him. Remember tho place. oct21-d*w-tf Proclamation. The Exposition is in full Mast, Good board and lodging in Atlanta from five 1 dollars per week upward. Railroad fares lo be still lower. Me Bride's stock of china, cutlery, show cases, &e., the finest and cheapest in the United States. You have bnt one chance in a life time to see such a show as the Cottop_ Exposition. Dou’t'Tsil to come. McBride* Co. Nov3-lt TAILOR AXDGLITEK. Thomas Jackson, Tailor and Cut ter, Broid street, Athens, Gu. I am prepared to do cutting and tailoring of any kind, in tho best stylo and at short notice. Prices lower than any where else, and satisfaction gnaran teed in every instance. X. keep u' goad stock ot cloths, cassimofey, *to., on hand, of the best quality, and those patronizing me may fed assured of perfect satisfac tion both in the fit and the quality ol tlie garm I will sj ask aishaf ftp pains to please, and HwIMstronagc. Te Jackson. READY FOR KING FROST. M. MYERS & CO., Would announce that the/ have just root rad a full line of Black & Colored Cashmeres, Zand Fancy Dress Gocds.S BQBM&NS CLONES, Iu New Design*. Full Line ot Blankets, Quilts, Balmorals ami Shawls. A complete lino ot WOOLEN UNDERWEAR, A new lot of MB2SPS NOBBY HATS. .MEN’S, LADIES’, AND CHILDREN’S RUBBERS. SHOES, SHOES, SHOES,, OF ALL KINDS- HANDSOME STOCK OF j CLOTHTN‘ r & OVERCOATS.] ( omo and iw us aud he con vineed. Kerp l,c tlullv, 1-JL. efcJ OO. COLLEGE AVENUE ATHENS, GA. Important Announcement,] TO THIS CITY AiND VICINITY: *>., Aianoiiesier, t uned stock ot Fine Dry Good! ^CONSISTING IN PART OF RICH SILK, MOHAIR AND OTHER DRESS GO JDS. Paisley, Camel’s Hair,|Ottoman, Imlian& Cashmere Shawls West of England Hrondcloths:. Fancy Cassimeres: Scotch, French and English Tweeds Moscow Beaver: Carr’s Meltons, Fine Diagonals. ■« AGENT FOR THIS COUNTRY, J- O HJI W ALLS. Utooftlio Eirmof WALLS * BYRNE, Importers. 4S Franklin Street, Now York. ha. en raged twenty Salt-man, who willo#* tor trapeetfm andAte, pnrtloMnt the .bow goods. and from tho low price, nt which they will bo ntfjtO(l,.ho feelo conflict of a epoedy clearance. A LARGE QUANTI t'Y OF REMNANTS IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH BROADCLOTHS BEAVERS. Tweeds. SCheviots and Ca-simeres. Which belonpd to the Tailoring Department ot tho abovo firm, and .-’iiot: will bo sold In lo‘» to privato families at Considerably] Below. Manufacturer’s Prices. -This is' the greatest o-rm-tiity ever offered to tho ladies to have their own Ulsters made to fit, out of tho finest ma terial, which is impossible to have in ready-made goods. ONE PRICE WILL BE -CHARGED, o abatement wMV [11c j jewelry ■wro, on Saturday tie. The above f oodpjoan bo soon at tho store next to A. .... waWoys. „ JOHN WALLS, Ciller Agent, Iate\qf Firm of Messrs. TWfi A^Byrne, Importers,■48 flrankUn St. K. Y. SEATS, HATS. HATS! J. A. HATTER. L H,Olarke. Agent. No’6 "Whitehall Street fSPThe public will pic arc notice that l have purchased the InUmU ot* Above ft.tR, end In continuing tbe business at this well known stand, l propo*o to keep the finest line of Cwhtonabla good* kept In the city, bought direct Irotn tho manntacturer, and snail Bull at insido figure a, tad by courtesy and square dealing merit your patronage. nov24d&w J. A, QXXRXSTL&XT, O Wh.vb»hfcil, A+lanfra, Ox.