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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. Tiro Dollars a year, Invariably in advance? All traveling preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church are authorized agents. All letters on business, orders for books, subscriptions for the paper, ordering changes in the address of subscribers, or advertising, Should be addressed to the publishers, Hitchcock & Warden. All articles for publication should be addressed to the editor, E. Q. I'ULLER. Names of persons and places and dates should be written as plainly as possible. Remittances must be made by Post-Office Money Orders, Draft or Express. We take no rißk in currency by mail. Orders for periodicals or books should be on separate Bheets, each having the address, date, Conference, and signature of the writer. This arrangement saves delay and confusion. Subscriptions must close with the volume. terms or advertising: Single insertion Scents per line. Any number of lines, 3 mo’s, each insertion, 10 cents per line. Any number of lines, 6 months or longer, each insertion... 8 cents per line. Price to end of the Volume, 32 cts. 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.