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HITCHCOCK & WALDEN, Publishers.
YOL. 11.
The Methodist Advocate
18 PUBLISHED WEEKLY
FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
At No. 19 Alabama-Street,
ATLANTA, GA.
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The Omnipresence and Goodness
of God.
BY REV. A. W. TAYLOR.
“ Who can, by searching, find out God P”
“ Still, that he is, all nature cries aloud.”
To every external sense is addressed
the proof of his existence; and upon our
immortal soul is impressed the feeling of
his omnipresence, and the dread and fear
of his majesty. The sun which spreads
its light upon our path; the air breathing
fragrance from the vegetable world, or
made tuneful by the feathery tribes; the
thunder of his power when it roareth in
the heavens; the vast expanse of ocean,
tossing its stormy billows, or in calmness
reflecting back the wonders of the sky;
the deep and awful stillness of the night,
when the moon and all the planetary host
glide on in solemn silence above our
heads; the earth on which we tread yield
ing its grateful fruits for the use of man;
the changing seasons, and the rolling
year; man himself chief of this lower
creation, and fitted to contemplate and
admire its wonders; all proclaim alike
the necessity and the existence of a Great
First Cause.
But if sensible that he is, we strive to
conceive of him, to approach him, and to
behold him; if conscious that in him we
live, and move, and have our being, and
assured that he is not far from every one
of us, we seek to find him, and to hold
converse with him, if we would come to
his seat, and order our cause before him ;
how vain the attempt! “Behold,” said
one, “I go forward, but he is not there;
and backward, but I can not perceive
him; on the left hand, where he doth
work, but I can not behold him ; he hideth
himself on the right hand, that I can not
see him.” And if fearful of his scrutiny,
and anxious to avoid his inspection, we
strive to conceal ourselves from his view,
this is alike in vain. “He knoweth the way
that I take; he knoweth my down-sitting
and mine up-rising; and understandeth
my thoughts long before. He'is about
my path, and about my bed; and spieth
out all my ways; for lo! there is not a
word in my tongue, but thou, 0 Lord,
knoweth it altogether. Whither shall I
go then from thy spirit, or whither shall
Igo then, from thy presence ? If I climb
up into heaven, thou art there. If Igo
down to hell, thou art there also. If I
take the -wings of the morning, and re
main in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there, also, shalt thy hand lead me,
and thy right hand shall hold me. If I
say, surely the darkness shall cover me,
even the night shall be light before me.
Hell is naked before him; and destruction
hath no covering.”
And when, in addition to these views
of his omnipresence, we reflect upon his
power and greatness, how vast are the
proofs which present themselves to our
minds! It is he who stretcheth out the
North over the empty space, and hangeth
the earth upon nothing. Hennaketh the
clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the
wings of the wind. He looketh upon the
earth, and it trembleth. He toucheth
the hills, and they smoke. He hath his
way in the whirlwind and in the storm;
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry,
and drieth up all the rivers. The mount
ains quake at him, and the hills melt, and
the earth is burned at his presence, yea,
the world, and all that dwell therein.
Even the pillars of heaven tremble, and
are astonished at his reproof. “Who is
like unto thee, 0 Lord, among the gods?
Who is like unto thee, glorious in holi
ness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
Just as these inquiries are, there are
not wanting considerations to avert de
spair and to inspire hope. Man, though
born of the dust, and infinitely below the
greatness of the Creator, was yet made
in the image of God. The spark of life
which animates his bosom was kindled by
the breath of the Eternal. His origin is
immediately from the hand of the Su
preme. And immortality is his inalienable
birthright. This alone might give him a
title to the regard of God. But consider,
also, his great capacities. Look at his
noble qualities and endowments. To
what heights have not his soaring facul
ties aspired! What depths have they not
penetrated! What recesses explored!
In the whole visible creation, what objects
are so remote that they have not been
brought within the compass of his inves
tigation ! What so minute that they have
not been submitted to his review! To
the farthest bound which his assisted eye
can reach have his thoughts gone forth;
and then has he ascertained the laws,
measured the distances, scanned the mo
tions, and foretold the changes, of the ce
lestial orbs. And when coming back
from the utmost limits of all visible
things, to that which, invisible is nearest,
and every-where near him, the viewless,
graspless atmosphere, he has separated,
detained, and analyzed it; when having
thus acquainted himself with all things,
both seen and unseen, which press upon
his outward sense, he has looked within,
and there, buried in deep processes of
thought and calculation, he has demon
strated the abstract properties and rela
tions of number, of quality, and of mo
tion ; how does he rise before us in dig
nity and in consequence, as a being, above
all others, whom we behold nearly allied
to God.
And can it be that he who gave to man
these faculties, capable as they are of al
most infinite progression and improve
ment. is totally unmindful of him on
whom they are bestowed? Shall he neg
lect him whom he has formed the master
spirit of this lower world? Or shall it
be said of him that he despiseth the work
of bis own hands? But let us look fur
ther: Consider man as a sensitive be
ing. Think of his capabilities of suffer
ing and of enjoyment. See him now
lifted up in ecstacies of pleasure, and
again sunk down into the depths of afflic
tion and distress. Look at him as, re
garding the past, he is awakened to feel
the half-forgotten sorrows which rankled
in his heart; or lives over again scenes of
delight which are forever gone. See him,
when regarding the future, he is excited
by hope, or overcome by fear. Behold
him, lord of this lower creation, suffering
deaths in apprehension, or living in im
aginary scenes of felicity to come, of
which all other creatures, confined to the
perception of this present moment merely,
can have no consciousness. Think of him
as thus connected, in his nature, with the
past, the present, and the future; and
formed capable to receive from each the
most exquisite enjoyment, or the most
poignant suffering. And then let us see
if he is not a being, if not fit for the con
verse, yet deserving the notice, of God!
These are claims upon which, had he
remained in his state of primitive up
rightness, we might insist, to show that
man was not beneath the notice of the
Most High; and in proof, how reasonable
it is that he should condescend to visit
and regard him, we might go back and
tell of a blissful period when, as the cool
of the day came on, and the breeze of
evening sighed through the foliage of
Paradise, the voice of the Lord was heard,
walking among the trees of the garden,
which he himself had prepared and fitted
for the abode of human beings in a state
of felicity; when God was the conde
scending companion of man, and man
was permitted to be called the friend of
God. But, alas! the scene is sadly
changed. Those days are gone; and
with them all those high and honorable
claims to the intercourse of the Supreme,
which marked the innocence of our first
estate. Not now for his dignity, his
worthiness, his noble faculties, his lofty
ATLANTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1870.
original, would we dare to hope that God
would condescend to look upon us.
There is now a melancholy, but a more
powerful reason, why God should inter
pose and recognize the creatures of his
own hand. Our claims rest not now upon
our merit, but upon our need. They are
not the high and equal claims of right;
but the humble and suppliant appeal, ad
dressed to mercy. The creature that
was made pure and upright, is depraved
and debased. Ho that was great in his
birthright, and great in his destiny, is
humbled and in ruin. And now the only
plea which he can urge for the favor and
regard of God, is his degradation, his
misery, and his sin. And js this a plea
to which Infinite Goodness can listen and
not sympathize? Is man, in his low es
tate, a spectacle upon which God can
look unmoved? Is there not mercy in
God? And shall there be no wish to re
claim? No desire to restore? No effort
to redeem? Is there not sympathy with
the Eternal? Does he not recognize the
workmanship of his own hands? And
though countless myriads of beings, who
have kept their first estate, obey his will,
and rejoice in his dominion and his care,
will he not, like the good shepherd, leave
the ninety and nine, which hatfe not
strayed, and himself come down to seek
and to save that which was lost?
Washington, D. C., Sept., 1870.
Camp-Meeting Fire.
Shall we have it all the year?
BY REV. J. H. JAMES.
During the Summer, forest altars have
flamed with pentecostal fire. We wait
with intense interest to see how much of
this shall be transferred to churches and
vestries, to class-rooms, and family altars,
and closets; how much shall be carried in
glowing hearts to stores, and shops, and
homes; how much shall reach and bless
poor, lost sinners. We are expecting,
henceforth, a perpetual pentecost.
A few suggestions may, by the Divine
blessing, help the reader to realize it in
personal experience:
Ist. We are dependent upon God alone.
On the mount of transfiguration, the
disciples would have given to Moses and
Elias equal honor with the Master. We
may be betrayed into a similar error in
regard to men or means, to emotions or
manifestations. What are these but in
struments in the Almighty hand, or gifts
from the inexhaustible treasury of bless
ings? Not in the possession of any or
all of them, but in the presence of the
living Christ, are we strong, and safe, and
victorious. In Him dwelleth all the full
ness of the Godhead; and stripped of all
besides, we are complete in Him. We
can not, then, too soon, or too thoroughly
learn to lean upon Jesus only.
2d. We need to advance constantly in
Scripture knowledge.
Spiritual blessings come to us through
the truth. In order to be the channel of
Divine influence, the Word must be un
folded and applied by the Holy Ghost,
but the hidden depths of meaning even
in a single text can not be learned all at
once; nor can the manna provided for
to-day supply to-morrow’s wants. The
diligent, prayerful student, has an illu
minated Bible. To him is made known
the “word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God,” to meet the soul’s neces
sities. He alone receives “day by day”
his “daily bread.”
3d. We live by faith.
Have wonderful attainments been made
in the divine life? They were gained
through faith, and “by faith ye stand.”
Does the Spirit reveal possibilities, and
awaken longings unutterable? “What
things soever ye desire when ye pray,
believe that ye receive them, and ye shall
have them.” Do responsibilities, difficul
ties, perils meet us at every step? “This
is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith.” “All things are possi
ble to him that believeth,” but “without
faith it is impossible to please God.”
“The work of faith will not be done,
Till thou obtain the crown.”
4th. Ceaseless activity is a necessity of
spiritual life.
“We can not but speak,” said the dis
ciples, and every one filled with the Spirit
feels a like impulse to labor for Christ.
Moreover, the “ power from on high ” is
given to be used in witnessing for Jesus.
To stop testifying, is to lose the gift.
And then, think of the demand for effort!
A slumbering Church is to be roused, and
a perishing world is to be saved, through
the labors of living Christians.
What is this remarkable outpouring of
the Spirit, but God working in his people
“to will and to do ” this very work? To
such as have received the Divine anoint
ing, then, there is a special meaning in
the injunction, “Work out your own nnl
vation with fear and trembling.”
Reader, would you abide in the “ pente
costal dispensation?”
“ Wait only upon God;”
“ Search the Scriptures
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ;”
“ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might.”
Morning on Lookout Mountain.
BY REV. 11. STEVENS.
Beautiful the lovely morning
In her azure robes appears,
Smiling through the glittering dewdrops.
Like a lady through her tears;
Never brighter dawned Aurora,
Never purer shone her light,
Since the first celestial dawning,
Rescued from chaotic night,
When the Sons of God, rejoicing.
And the Stars of Morning sang
With the heavenly choirs in chorus,
Till the dome of heaven rang—
Bright by contrast with the darkness
That has swiftly passed away,
Dissipated by the coming
Os tlie gold-robed king of day,
Like the heart when disappointment
All its prospects shades in gloom,
Bursting through its dark surroundings,
When the Morn of Hope has come—
Misty vapors iu confusion
Struggle with the Sun’s first beam,
Flashing up the war-scathed mountain
Like the bayonet’s fiery gleam,
When the legions of Joe Hooker,
In their martial spirit proud,
Charging up its rugged summit,
Fought the foe above the cloud —
Now before SoYs fiery chariot,
Mounting up the eastern sky,
Night’s black curtain parts asunder,
And the twilight shadows fly;
Morning now in all her glory
Bursts upon the charming scene,
Mingling every hue of beauty
In her ever-changing sheen.
[f this life were all a morning,
From all clouds and tempests free,
If no sadness ever marred it,
0, how happy it would be!
jlekcM.
Fraternization.
It is now pretty well understood that
the Methodist Episcopal Church South is
opposed to organic union with the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, and that it
discourages discussion of that subject,
even to the extent of refusing to allow
members or ministers to be heard in favor
of such a thing through its papers. But
while it has taken this ground openly
and unequivocally, we have understood
from the expression of its organs, and
from the action of its Conferences, that
it was in favor of fraternization. It may
be that we have mistaken the tone and
meaning of its utterances, but there can
be no doubt that some encouragement has
been given to this notion.
Having received this impression, we
have watched its movements in this
direction, especially since its General
Conference, hoping to see some indica
tion of a disposition to conquer its preju
dices, and show something like the
fraternal spirit which it has been in
voking. And our looking and hoping
have been rewarded. During the recent
sitting of the Kentucky Conference, in
Covington, we went over, and were kindly
received and courteously introduced to
the Conference —the Bishop even giving
the name of our Church without the
redundant appendage “North,” which is
so generally used. Many of our breth
ren, both of the Kentucky and Cincinnati
Conferences, were favored with like
courtesies; and in our intercourse with
the preachers of the Conference we heard
nothing but the warmest expressions of
delight that the fraternal spirit was
growing, and the hope was plainly ex
pressed that union would come. All
this was encouraging; but the courtesies
went still further. Many of the pulpits
in Covington and in Cincinnati were
tendered to the members of this Southern
Conference, and by them accepted and
tilled. To us this seemed right, and we
were pleased that the fraternal feeling
was reciprocated.
But this was on the “border,” or what
used to be the “ border,” now happily a
border no more. Right here, in a city
where they have one charge and we four,
they could afford to be kind. But did
they let their Church know how they
“fraternized” with “North” Methodists?
We have read their detailed reports of
the Conference, given in their papers
with great care, and very full, even con
taining the names of all the persons
introduced to the Conference except only
the names of those belonging to the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Did this
exception happen by accident ? Did the
same accident occur to all the editors,
reporters and correspondents, and in all
the offices ? If so, it was marvelous!
This is a little thing—yes, exceedingly
small—but it is the littleness of it that
means something, and no great sagacity
is required to read its import. The
philosophy of the little development is
wonderfully plain.
Another straw has just been given to
the wind. The Conference of our own
Church had a session in Nashville a week
or so ago. Bishop Scott was there, and
so were several of our honored brethren.
We learn that one brother from the
rural regions, belonging to the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, was present,
and was introduced! Nashville is the
seat of the Southern Methodist Publish
ing-House. There are the Editors, the
Agents, and many pastors. They all
want “fraternity,” they say; they de
plore the alienations and contentions that
have prevailed; they look longingly for
the day when all branches of the great
Methodist family shall sit down joyfully
in “fraternal” love and fellowship—so
they say; but when the first possible
opening for a slight exhibition of frater
nal feeling presents itself, they all stand
back and snarl! When by the force of
circumstances, in sections where they feel
their weakness, they bend a little, and
show the commonest courtesies to min
isters of the Methodist Episcopal Church;
and when they accept our courtesies and"
hospitality, they carefully and system
atically conceal the fact from their own
people!
We make no complaint of them on our
own account. The Methodist Episcopal
Church is not suffering for want of cour
tesies, and is not likely to be distressed
in this particular. But the cause of
Christ is always wounded by duplicity on
the part of professed Christians. We
mourn when we see men bearing the
sacred office of the ministry, whose mis
sion is peace and good-will, betraying
the spirit of hatred, and feeding the fires
of jealousy and discord. In all our
intercourse with the Church, we have
never, by word or deed, with pen or
tongue, laid one straw in the way of the
rapid return of fraternal feeling; nor do
we ever expect to be guilty of an offense
so terrible; but self-respect, the love of
truth, and Christian charity itself, all
demand that hypocrisy be exposed, and
that the real animus of Southern preach
ers be made known. Our own conviction
is that “ fraternity,” if genuine, will lead
to organic unity; and we think the masses
of Southern Methodists believe the same.
But we can not close our eyes to the fact
that the leaders of public sentiment in
their ministry are totally opposed to
everything that tends to bring the bodies
closer together. They talk “fraternity”
in order to prevent their people from
talking unity, but they intend nothing of
the kind.
Forced to this conclusion, as we are,
our view of duty toward the Methodist
Episcopal Church remains unchanged.
We ought to contemplate, as an ultimate
end, nothing short of an organic union
with all the Methodism of the continent;
and we should ourselves cultivate the
fraternal spirit, and show it always and
everywhere, just so far as we find it pos
sible without conniving at the wickedness
of double-dealing. And above all else,
when we extend a courtesy to our South
ern brethren let us stick to it, and never
be ashamed of it.
Since the above was in type a brief
note in the Kentucky department of the
Nashville Christian Advocate of October
Ist acknowledges that many preachers of
the Methodist Episcopal Church were
introduced, and also that our pulpits
were tendered and accepted. This tardy
justice modifies the views taken above,
although the reason for omitting the
acknowledgment in its place with others
does not appear.— Western Christian Adv.
Death of General Lee.
Robert E. Lee, formerly of the army
of the United States, and more recently
commander-in-chief of the army of the
Confederate States warring against the
National Government, and, last of all,
President of Washington College, Lex
ington, Va., died at that place Oct. 12th,
of paralysis. Thus ends a strange and
eventful personal history—a career at
once eminent and the saddest of failures.
General Lee was a Virginian—an F.F.V.
of the highest order—the nearest living
representative of the family of Washing
ton, and in character possessed the best
and the worst characteristics of his class.
He was the favored and petted friend of
General Scott, and he stood high in all
army circles.
E. Q. FULLER, D.D., Editor.
He was abroad when the rebellion
came on; and when he returned he re
mained for some time about Washington
City, and was freely consulted about army
matters. He afterward visited his Vir
ginia home, and soon identified himse.M
with the cause of the insurgents, whose
leader he became and continued, till he
surrendered his sword and hist army to
General Grant at Appomattox.
The name of General Lee must live as
long as the history of hi* country shall
endure, but its glory must be at all times
Y* an inverse ratio to that of his pavnw
Intimately connected with the American
nationality by his birth, by his military
education at West Point, and by his mili
tary commission, he broke asunder, and
cast off all these sacred ties to follow—
though evidently most reluctantly—his
native State into rebellion. This w T as his
supreme mistake. He rose to the com
mand of the rebel army as a matter of
course; but his greatest admirers confess,
as was evident to all, that he never dis
played any enthusiasm in the cause he
had espoused. His position was through
out a false one, and, while he maintained
it with sullen stubbornness, he lacked the
hopeful zeal requisite to lead an army to
victory. He could defend, but not attack
with success. It is said that during the
progress of the war he seldom talked
about its affairs, antt after its close this
reticence became almost absolute. It is
evident, however, that he thought much
upon the subject, and there can be but
little doubt that the terrible pressure of
his thoughts—may it not be said his sad
regrets? —respecting these painful affairs
upon his nervous system was the occasion
of his death.
There was very much in the character
of General Lee worthy of admiration;
but what avails all excellences, if misap
plied? The manner of his acceptance of
the verdict of war, and his careful absti
nence from every thing that might revive
or perpetuate its painful memories, are
honorable to his memory; and as he
steadily and persistently discountenanced
among his friends all public recognition
of the “ lost cause,” so should he be com
mitted to his last resting in respectful si
lence. All public honors to the mighty
dead are in such a case disrespectful, and
in very bad taste. — N. Y. Chris. Adv.
A Layman’s Opinion.
Os course I do not know anything
about sermonizing, but I know what at
least we laymen want in a sermon. We
crowd to hear certain popular preachers,
because they give us, in different ways,
the one thing we laymen want. That is
not learning, rhetorical display, dramatic
power, educational excitement, doctrinal
instruction, but spiritual life. The whole
week I, for example, am at my law office
or in the court-room. My evenings are
spent at home, but generally in my libra
ry. I live in a sea of passionate excite
ment, rivalries, jealousies, strifes, hate.
The whole atmosphere of my life is money.
There is not from Mondaj 7 morning to
Saturday night anything to remind me
of the higher Christian truths and expe
riences, of the transitoriness of those
objects and interests which make up my
business world. When Sunday comes I
turn the key of my library. It is a
closed room. I want to leave this world
behind me. I want to breathe a different,
purer, better atmosphere. I want to
leave the brawling crowd for an hour in
the Mount of Transfiguration. I want
to feel in my own heart the heart-throbs
of one whose world is different, whose
experiences are higher, nobler, better
than mine. Not that I want him to be
oblivious of my world. I want him to
know it, to teach me, yet more, to impel
me to carry this higher life into my secular
affairs. I want my Christ with me in the
office and the court-room. I want a
preacher who shall conduct me to an
every day Christ, a secular Christ, a
Christ who is the son of a carpenter. He
who does this most effectually is the best
preacher, at least to me. The man
whose spiritual life is rich and full, who
is abounding in the grace of God, and
who by the power of spiritual sympathy
strengthens and uplifts me, is the true
minister. Ido not go to Church to be
taught nor to be tickled. It is not every
man who can be eloquent. This is a gift
vouchsafed to but few. Ido not believe
that “orators are made.” But every
minister can lay hold of Christ with one
hand and conduct his storm-tossed,
tempted people thither with the other.
It is Christly preaching which is power
ful. — “Laicus,” in Christian Union.
Zion's Herald says that nine thousand
frog-shops are kept by papists in New
Ingland. The keepers of these “hells”
are in full communion in the Romish
Church ! About three-fourths of all the
paupers and criminals in Massachusetts
are papists. The Herald calls for prohibi
tion laws, and for the interposition of the
priests to “suppress the fruitful cause of
so much misery.”
NO. 44.