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THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. Yol. XXIX.—No- 6. "Comsponknct. TEMPERANCE REVIVAL. Mr Editor: Informer days and prior to the war, much was said in your paper and others, on the subject of Temperance. But for years past, but little has been said or done as far as we know. Temperance or ganizations have all, or nearly all gone down. During the war, intemperance greatly in creased and made fearful ravages in the armies, and slew its thousands; and since its close, it has been doing its work of de »truction upon a laree scale. Some of the friends of humanity in this place, have been mourning over the evil, and have been speaking one to another in reference to its destruction, and finally thus came to the conclusion that a revival of the Sons of Temperance, would be the most efficient organization, that coula be adopted. But difficulties met us here. We did not know whether there was a Grand Division in the State, and if so, who were its offieers, or whether there were any sub ordinate Divisions in existence in the State. We at least determined to organize a Di vision, which we did on last evening with, the following officers : F. A. Lantznester, W. P., N. M. Thorn ton, W. A., E. M. Sherum P. W. P., J. C. Simmons Chap., Willis S. Cox, R. S., J. K. Burnum, F. S., J. C. Mamfi“ld, Tress., J. W. Simmons, Conductor, M. L. Thorn ton A C & John Singer Jr. I. S , and several other members, which will warrant praise from all who feel interested in Sons of Tem perance. Having done this we determined to write to you and ask all the informa tion you could offor us, in relation to the Grand or Subordinate Divisions in the State (if there be any) and elsewhere, and try to enlist you again in the cause. Give it to us through the Advocate. Let us have in it a Temperance department, and it may greatly improve your paper. This is an opportune time to commence a movement of this sort. Many have mourned over the decline of the Temper ance cause in this country, and the spread of intempernce, and long to see a revival in this direction. There are no party politics in the coun try now, and nothing to hinder a great work. Try to stir up the church, ard the philanthropic on this important subject. By giving this room in your paper you will greatly oblige * F. A. LAN TZN T ESTER, 1 W. P. Willis S. Cox, R. S. Lumpkin Ga. Jan. 24th. [Will some of the officers of the Grand D.vision please give the information asked for ? We are willing to do all in our pow er to advance the Temperance cause.—Eu. S. C. Advocate ] OXFORD LETTER. The AdY 'cate—lmportance of a Church Pap jr—The Pa tora.e—Emory College—a Tornado. I congralu'ate you and (he numerous readers of the Advocate , upon its greatly improved appearance. I say numerous read ers, because I cm hardly suppose that the Methodist public will permit so meritorious a Journal of its doings and defender of its faith, to larguisli ior want of adequate support. And yet, lam inclined* to fear that the preachers, (myself ii chided.) un de. value the importance of a well-conduct ed prefS, sn 1 hence do not urge with sufficient z?al and constancy, the im portance of fostering its interests. I read with peculiar interest and pleas ure your ed.torials on Methodist econ omy. To those wio have given themselves time or troub'.e to think upon the subject at all, it is apparent that the importance ol the pastoral office and relation in the Meth odist church has been too long and too gen erally undervalued. Unless our economy is so mod fied as to give to our people a more permanent interest in tbe labors of their preachers —unless some plan is adopted by which our ministry shall be able to secure a more respectful and affectionate defer ence, especially from the young, we m»y look for further defection and decline in our Methodist Zion. I once read of a woman of high position in the church, who always appeared with a patch upon some part of her forehead, much to the annoyance of the good pastor, who preached at it most furiously for twelve months,, with no other remit than to gain for himself the name of Pastor Patch. Another secured the name of Dr. Topknot for a similar reason. I much fear those who are earnest y calling for changesjr the economy of Methodism, will fare but little better. Students are slowly coming in and it it hoped before Spring the number will be largely augmented. The friends of Emojy (College should at once rally to its support PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & CO., FOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH and not suffer this cherished institution to be given up to the moles and bats. A terrible tornado passed over the lower part of this county last week ; prostrating trees, fences, and in some instances unroof ing and carrying away houses At Sandtown* (Newborn) the residence of Mr. James CJ Baily, was blown down and scattered in, ev ery direction, and himself and wife, and a little girl residing with them, it is supposed were instantly killed, for their mangled remains were found some distance from where tl e house stood. A colored man was a'so killed. Dr. Montgomery apgl iady were Beriously injured. Several other houses and out houses were b'own down, and persons more or less injured. The storm came up about dark. Mr Baily was but re cently married to a very estimable and pi ous jourg lady, the youngest daughter of John W. Pitts, Esq. They were both much respected, and their untftnely and mourn ful death has cast a deep gloom over the entire community. May God comfort and sustain tbeir many bereaved kindred and friends. Oxford Ga , Jan: 26. J K. Stled’oits, From the Episcopal Methodist. Work for the Next General Confer ence. The next General Conference must do something worthy of the church, and in keeping with the demands of the age in which we live. It is no time to mince mat ters. Great questions are before us, and they must be met in a firm, bold, manly aud independent manner, or the tide will leave us. There should be no hesitation about thq introduction of* Laymen into the legis lative and executive councils of the chuich. It is too late in the day to be debating this question. Public sentiment, and the voice of the church have settled this matter. It is idle to say they have not. The laity have not spoken uut in any formal action upon the subject, except to a limited extent, but it is not hence to be inferred that the intelli gence of the church, as fouud in the body of the laity, is not almost unanimously in favor of such a change in struc ture of our church government, as to admit the laity to equal rights aud privileges, un der Scriptural regulations and limitations, in the legislative councils of Southern Methodism. Call this radicalism—call it what you please, the time has fully come ior r'fompt.and immediate action in meeting an issue that is cjearly made up, and cannot be ignored by tbe approaching General Con ference without irreparable damages to the hopes and prospects of our church. The church needs the laity in all our ecclesiasti cal councils, nor can she dispense with their presence and invaluable services. Asa matter of enlightened policy, to say nothing more, the door should be opened, and they should be invited to stand side by side with the ministry in our legislative councils. We shall have more to say on this subject. THE ITINERACY. The Richmond Advocate in entering on the discussion of the extension of tbe pas torate, begins with an estimate of the rela tion of the itineracy to our entire system and inquires into the propriety of holding it as essential to Methodism. He says: “ The most careful provision has been made to carry out the itinerant idea. Yet Method ism has not such a law of itineracy as to deprive itself of particular advantages which itinerant labors could not secure. The law is after all general, not universal, in its up plication to the ministry. We have local ministers who are not affected by it at all There is, also, special provision made for de tailing ministers for particular local work— such as missionaries, teachers, editors, and pastors of churches iu certain localities, as in New Orleans. “ When, therefore, a constitutional amend ment is proposed, and its influence on itin erary is considered, let us remember that while the principle of itineracy is the idea of Methodism, yet the law is not universal , and the practice not invariable. Also, let it be understood, that the pastoral • term has been several times extended, while the itin erant principle is yet preserved. It. is by keeping such a view of the whole subject before our minds, that we shall be able prob ably to avoid narrow prejudices and empiri cal methods in discussing the constitutioua amendments- that # may be pr tposed. The great question, we think, to ho determined is concerning the future application of the principle of itineracy. We call it the great question because it involves, either in whole or part, nearly all the points in dispute con cerning our ecclesiastical polity, and in volves the final fate of itineracy itself. If this piiuciple finds its application iu fyruis that enhance the power ot the church, and where it will smoo hiy work only useful re sults, it will contiuue iu favor aud increase iu iuflue.ee and abide iu honor; hot if its forms of application be found, for any reason, Macon, Ga., Friday, February 9, 1866. no matter what, to occasion dissatisfaction, discord, or deterioration of ecclesiastical in fluence, it will only struggle hopelessly against an ever increasing tide of opposition for a season, and ultimately give place to something less objectionable. No mere glory in the past will save it. No hallowed memories will save it. No description of its wondrous achievements will redeem it. If the idea of its practical utility, that orig inally gave it a system and made it honor able, shall give place to the conviction that it has done its work, and cannot longer pro mote the great ends of religion, it will be substituted, like thousands of other princi ples of machinery that have had only a tem porary application. “ If, then, itineracy , which is valued only as it is useful, is to be preserved, it must have the most efficient plan of action. Its best friends mu-fc devote themselves to remedy every defect that may exist in its present application, and seek for it the best forms in which to illustrate its power in promoting the interests of the church. What, then, is proposed ? We shall an swer the question next week.” THE MOBILE CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. The Episcopal Methodist is much pleased with the resolutions of the Mobile Confer ence, respecting the alteration of the term of the pastorate. It docs not pledge itself to sustain that change in preference to any that may be offered, but it thinks it em bodies the best proposition yet made. It says: This Conference proposes to substitute the following, in the duties of bishops, for the present rule: “To make the appointment of preachers in the Annual Conferences, provided he (the bishop) shall not allow any preacher to re main in the same appointment more than three years without change, except the pre siding elders, supernumerary aud superan nuated preachers, appointees of the General Conference, and such preachers as the An nual Conference or a Quarterly Conference may , by resolution , request to be continued for a longer time.” » i On the italicised clause in this rule, the Episcopal Methodist says: “ A large number of the Annual Confer ences have recommended the extension of the term of the pastorate; some proposing three or four years as the limit beyond which a preacher shall not be allowed to re main on the same charge; others preferring to remove all restrictions as to the term of years, and allow the bishop to return preach ers, by annual appointment, as loDg as it may he mutually agreeable to the preacher and his charge. The Mobile Conference proposes to fix the limit at three years , be yond which the preacher shall not be re turned to the same circuit or station, unless the Annual Conference of which he is a member, or the Quarterly Conference of the charge of which he has been pastor, shall, by resolution , request the bishop to appoint him for a longer time than three years. This strikes us favorably. It extends the pres ent time by one year, at least. Then it al lows the bishop, under certain conditions, to extend the term of service, from year to year, as he may feel authorized to do by resolution of the Conference, or by resolu tion of the Quarterly Conference, represent ing the wishes of the charge which has been served .by the preacher, whose return, for a longer time, is requested at the hands of the bishop. This plan certainly has the merit ol obviating some difficulties that would be likely to embarrass any other that has yet been proposed for extending the term, without positive limitation. Three years , und-r the change proposed by tie Mobile Conference, would form the limit beyond which a bishop could not return a pastor to the same charge, unless authorized to do so by the Annual Conference, or by the warrant of a' resolution from the Quar terly Conference interested in the matter 1 There would be a positive limit as to the term, in the absence of a qualification or condition, beyond which the tishop could not go; and such a condition as a bishop could not originate on the ons hand, nor countervail on the other, by anjother pow er than that with which he is invested by the General Conference. He would feel bound to respect the resolution ly which he was requested to exceed the three years, as much as he respected the law in the case allowing him to return the preacher to the same charge for the space of thrie consecu tive years; but he might, in tbe one case as in the other, remove the preasher to an other charge, for reasons satisfadpry to his own mind, at the end of any one year of pastoral oversight." —i From tlie Nashville Christian Advocate. WHAT WE NEED. We have referred several tirnsg in our column i.to contemplated changes inOur econ ouiy, ami have published several d|cuments suggesting some of the changes sofcrdently wished for by our brethren. to -ugge-st that that which we perbips most need, is an elevation of the ministry. We I mean to say that our ministry must be im proved in two respects. First, the stand ard of literary and theological attainments should be elevated. There is no use in disguising the fact, that many of our preach ers seem to be satisfied withji very slight stock of knowledge. They have little taste for mental culture, and give evidence of indifference to such a degree, that they become unacceptable to the people, and ex ercise but a small influence upon the Christ ian public. Young men enter the ministry with a ve ry limited knowledge of the arts and sciences’ and with no knowledge whatever of the languages; and instead of devoting their energies to intellectual culture, they attain a smattering, and never seem to have a pur pose to go beyond the first rudiments. They make no proficiency, but dwarf themselves in the outset of their career. They never acquire much taste for reading and study ; indeed, they have never learned how to study. To patient, persevering, laborious investigation, they are total strangers. Hence they never make any progress after a few years’ service in the ministry. They are full grown, or fully dwarfed, by the time they are ordained elders in the Church of God. Having attained to fall orders, they seem to content themselves. 8 Their books are neglected, their study abandoned, and they feed upon the bare pastures on which they have grazed until there is nothing left hut dry stubble. Hence their leanness; having nothing on hand, they have nothing to impart. Their flocks are not fed, or if fed at all, it is on dry , stale food, that gives neither pleasure nor fatness. We speak plainly. The time has come when ministers of the gospel, to be accepta ble and useful, must make themselves wise, able to bring things out of the treasury, both new and old. He, therefore, that fails to study and improve, so far as he has op portunity, sins against himself, aud against the Chqrch, and is disapproved of God#' The Church must be more rigid in its re quirements of those who are received into the ministry; and when young men are re ceived, they must be required to keep their pledges. It is improper to confer orders on men who give no evidence of a desire to make themselves able and efficient min isters of the New Testament. Secondly. We need an increase of zeal. Many preachers of the gospel are so engross ed with worldly matters that they devote too little time to their heavenly calling. The Church wants—greatly needs working preach ers—men who labor day and night in the Master’s vineyard. Zeal in preparation for the pulpit; zeal in preaching the gospel, in visiting the sick —instructing the children in doing good. Men of one calling, one work whose only business it is to feed and take care of the sheep of Christ, and to warn sinners to flee the wrath to come. THE PROPOSED CHANGES. The St. Louis Advocate thus expresses itself with respect to some of the changes proposed in the economy of Methodism: 1. The Advocate does not sanction the proposed abolition of the Presiding Elder ship—at least, until something better has been proposed. 2. It does not sanction the proposed in definite extension of the ter* of the pastor ate; that is to say, it does not favor the proposition to so change our rule as that a Bishop may appoint a man to the same charge for an indefinite term of years. 3. It does not favor the proposition to so increase the number of Bishops as that there may be one for each and every Con ference. 4. It does not favor the proposition to bui'ld up a great Book-Concern, Publishing- House, Publishing interest, or by what other name it may be called, which may tend, as it has done in the North, to secu larize the Church, aud ultimately to put its controlling power in the hands of a few score men. Our books can be edited by an appointee of the General Conference, and then published by an agent of the same body—a good business man from among the laity would be preferable—wherever he could procure the work to be dhne best and cheapest; and thus books would be fur nished our people as promptly and more cheaply than on the other plan. 5. For the same general reasons, the Ad vocate is opposed to any and all appropria tions by the General Conference, or by any officer or agent thereof, of money to sustain weekly papers unless they be in missionary fields. If a weekly religious paper is what it ought to be, the people will sustain it lib erally. If it be not what it shouhi be, the sooner it dies the better. In a matter of this kind, real merit, and not prestige or patronage, should bsar the palm. There are some other things proposed as the work of the next General Conference, to which the Advocate is opposed, but they need not be mentioned now. On the other hand, there are propositions for changes which it would favor readily and cheerfully; such, for instance, as— 1. A change in the form for receiving members into the Church; doing away en tirely with what has been called the “ pro» bationary ” system. E: H. MYERS, D.D., EDITOR. Whole Number, 1470. 1 2. Although it has 1 not, so far as the Ad vocate knows, been proposed, it would favor the formation of Episcopal Districts by the General Conference—say four, five or six Annual Conferences in a district; appoint ing a Bishop to each district; requiring him to live within its bounds, and there to preside in the Conferences and oversee the general interests of the Church during four successive years; and then be, by the Gen eral Conference, removed to some other dis trict, and thus be made to itinerate like other poor Methodist preachers. 3. It would favor the introduction of lay men into all the councils of the Church to a greater extent thara has ever yet been practiced among us. godritu anil <%raentt, A PERVERTED CpNSCIENCE~ The true work of conscience is to reprove personal sins. Its right action is within. It is not to be wounded'by the sins of oth ers. Love may suffer because of them, and conscience prompt love to work for their re moval and their forgiveness. Conscience, guided by love, takes truth and goes forth to win others by it away from sin, and its companion sorrow, and its doom, death. If it fails, it is not turned into hatred. If it withdraws, it is beeause it has ceased to hope. It does not scowl, but weeps when it retires. But in the case of fanatical and persecu ting zeal, conscience performs a different function. Not being au enlightened con science, it does not perform its appropriate work. It does not act on personal sins. It is wounded by the sins and beliefs of others. It works itself out from under the mountain load of its own iniquities, by which it might be crushed into humility, and be made to bleed in contrition, and it rushes against the sins of others, and is maddened into pride and resentment, and fierce self assertion, which it sanctifies with the holy name of zeal. . In this misdirection of a perverted conscience, it does not abandon love, for love was never with it; but it takes with it the whole dread sisterhood of the malignant passions, and it is these which it drives on to the work of converting, coercing / perse cuting, and destroying. The true defini tion off anatical persecution then seems to be that it is a perverted conscience employ ing hatred, to do the work which love alone can do. Then it is a Jehu in his chariot, from whom not ■alone thtf enemies, but the friends of God must flee if they would live. And that which is most awful in this por tentous wickedness, is that it considers it self eminently righteous. Never are the malignant passions so horrible as when driv en on by conscience. When men persuade themselves that it is their duty to be vin dictive, to let loose their evil passions, to hate and persecute, and torture, then will there be such fiendish developments of hu manity as are never elsewhere witnessed. It is to be observed that it is not often the truth which is thus used in the service of persecuting zeal; but it is some perver sions of truth, or half truth, or single truths separated from those, without which they are errors; or it is simple errors and false hood which are thus employed. Holy truth refuses to be used except by holy love. The spear of Gabriel can not be fitted to the hand of Lucifer. This persecuting fanaticism is Phariseeism, destroying the spirit of the law oy the letter, and imposing upon men hu man traditions in the place of divine laws. It is Judaism, ignorant of the spirit, and yet clinging to the forms of an abrogated econo my. It is Mohammedanism with its false its flaming sword, and its impure heaven. It is the zeal of the Jews that as sailed Panl in the Temple, and racked around him in the Sanhedrim. It is the zeal of the Inquisition, the zeal of Alva, the zeal of Philip of Spain, and Louis XIV, of France, the zeal of those who followed the Saints ot Savoy with fire and sword to their mountain fastnesses, and drove the Huguenots, noble martyrs and confessors, into the wild glens of the Cevennes. “ Oh, my soul, come not into their secret: unto their assembly mine honor be not thou united. ” It is an utterly hateful and hor rible spirit. Let us be far from it. Testimony for Missionaries.-— The London Saturday Review, which is not re markable for speaking favorably of religious matters, has some remarks in a notice of Krapf’s Travels and Labors in Eastern Afri ca, which are of weight, coming from such a journal: It would be difficult to find a vol ume which cuts more completly across the silly, popular platitude that missions to the heathens are useless, and that wise men would confine themselves to our own heathen at home. It is strange that, if a man goes merely to hunt, or to make geographical dis coveries, he is loudly applauded by the very people who speak so slightingly of nes. To bring some hundreds of tusks and teeth, and skins, or to show where a river ri ses, and what is the altitude of a mountain range, is thought a noble achievement; but to have crossed the plains where elephants range and to have ascended those unknown heights m order to give the greatest of bless ings to the men who live there, is thought Quixotic, and derogatory to the wisdom 8 of The real facts are jut the