Newspaper Page Text
THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
Vol. XXIX.—No. 36.
Befos from % Cjprtjjcs.
Revival in Monroe, Walton Cos., Ga.
Mr. Editor: To tin: devout, a compari
son of the spiritual state of this community
with what it was a f w months past is deep
ly interesting. Then, frivolity ruled the
hour. All serious reflection was destroyed
by dancing as it were upon the graves of
the martyred dead, whom the war had con
signed to their dreamless slumber. The
Church was not discharging all her duties.
In ju-rtice, however, it should be said, that
a portion of the membership were endeavor
ing to bring about a better state of things.
Social prayer meetings were revived, and
here and there a family was visited, and the
Interview closed with prayer.
In this state of affairs a meeting was
commenced at the Methodist Church on
Friday night, April 27th, 1866, superin
tended by two individuals from abroad.
These two ministering servants of their Lord
seemed to have been specially commission- j
ed for the work. The services opened with 1
a vivid description of the need of a faith,
that should rise above all of the afflictions
and calamities of the times, that should
recognize the hand of Cod in them all. So
convincing, under the power of God’s Spir- i
it, was the preaching that some returned to
their homes thankful that, losses and dis- 1
tress had come upon them. The founda- j
tion of the discourse was the bereavements i
and sufferings of Job.
The meeting continued with the excep
tion of a few days for two months, day and !
night. There was no abatement of its in- |
forest from its commencement to its end. i
Several days elapsed before there were any j
conversions. The ultimate fruits were over i
one hundred converts. Many backsliders j
have been reclaimed and the Church gen- i
erally has greatly increased in faith and spir ■
ituality. The community never tired of
the services of the house of God, during
all the time. The work of the Spirit was
thorough and powerful. Its fruits are of a
blessed character. They are permanent.
Unless prevented by unfavorable weather
prayer meetings are being held each night
in the week except the Sabbath night when
we have ."reaching arid on. Saturday jrigiit
somewhere in this community and its vicini
ty. At these meetings the new converts
very generally pray as they are called upon.
The prayer meeting, instead of the dancing
saloon, has become the place of resort.
Songs of praise to God and the Lamb havcl
supplanted the music of the violin. Peace,
order and decency reign. The whole com- ]
munity with a few exceptions are under the I
dominion of God’s grace, love and mercy.
The Church is engaged in laboring to save
and permanently secure the fruits of so ex
traordinary u revival. May success attend
the effort.
During the meeting, after toiling all day,
many persons walked for miles to the night
services and returned home converted and
rejoicing in the God of their salvation.
At a church called Zoar, not far from
Monroe, under charge of the Protestant
Methodists, a meeting was also in progress.
The Spirit was in such power that individ
uals were stricken down and remained help
less and speechless for hours.
A gracious revival has also taken place at
the M. E. Church, South, at Pleasant Val
ley, four miles from Moriroe.
[n conclusion I would observe that God’s
Spirit is the author of this complete change
in all the moral feeliDgs, tastes and senti
ments of the entire community; that the
people have not nor could not have thus
changed themselves; that experimental re
ligion in the heart is altogether supernatu
ral ; that by its power alone can this land
be redeemed from the moral leprosy where
with it is sorely smitten and awfully 7 afflict
ed ; that oppression will continue to lay a
heavy hand upon us so long as the people
continue to put the wicked in power; that
drought and famine, starvation and pesti
lence will be the portion of our inheritance,
unless the people generally repent, abandon
their wickedness, turn to God, exercise
faith of the highest character, and embrace
Jesus Christ, as their Saviour.
H. 11.
Eatonton Ct., Ca- Conference.
Mr. Editor: Our colored Sunday-school,
organized about four months ago, numbers
300 scholars taught by 38 or 40 white
teachers Bros. Credille, Jenkins, B. F.
Adams, Gowles, Harwell, Collinsworth, Den
nis, DeJarnette and Hudson, and ladies of
like position, aided by youths of either sex,
secure for the school public approval, and
make it, by their zeal and punctuality, of
liveliest interest to the negroes, and promo
tive of great good. Some weeks ago, we
forwarded to the Tract Society, New York,
S3O for spelling books, catechisms and Tes
taments fur the school, and in return re
ceived sixty dollars worth, the Society
granting as many as we purchased. Before
their receipt we hid distributed among the
negroes 375 spellers. Many learn promptly.
We hare two training for the ministry.
Dr. Pierce and llev. W. J. Parks hare
each addressed the school, and it was thril
ling to observe the interest these venerable
PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & CO., FOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
men, each unequalled in some great special
ities, felt in the enterprise, and the absorbed
attention the negroes gave to the words of
cheer and counsel they uttered.
The white Sabbath-school, superintended
by D. It. Adams and as-istants, numbers
over a hundred pupils and teachers. Fif
teen or twenty of the pupils were recently
converted, twelve of whom together afofmed
the vows of the Church, a J i&blmhs
a:>o, iri the presence of a largc'eongiWpuion
deeply, impressed by the imposing and beau
tiful scene. '* -
We have I .re an excellent membership,
and though in the midst of the Sheriiian—
i/.od district the cheerfulness with which
they provide for the minister and family,
and the readiness with which they co-oper
ate with him in religious movements, leave
little to discourage him save his own failure
to conduct them into-“the deep things of
God.” This one thing they lack, “the
baptism of the Holy Ghost” to impart life,
joy, spirit, light to “ their works of faith
and labors of love.”
Indeed, is not this now the great need of
the Church generally ? The zeal aud fixed
ness of heart with which our ministers
cleave to their work, amid the Church's
poverty, the solicitude and decisiveness with
which many of our representative members,
adhere to the hopes, the principles, the
polity and enterprises of the Church, be
speak “settled—deep within”—“zeal for
God, ’ “ knowledge of His ways,” “glory
ing in Christ,” “steadfastness of faith,’’ an
immutable purpose though He slay to trust
in Him; to “to enter in at the strait gate,’’
to “ work the works of Him who hath sent’’
them. Why, then, do we not as aforetime
enjoy religion.'' A hundred and twenty
disciples, just after the ascension of Jesus,
were in “heaviness through manifold temp
tations ’’ Y\ ith strong cries and tears they
prayed unto G<‘d day and night, until “they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost.’’ Then
“heaviness” gave place to “unspeakable
joy,” and rapturous visions of God; and
the light and warmth of “fire from heaven”
attested that they were the Lord’s, beloved,
accepled, cared for in all these trial-days. '
8o it is with us in these days of our
“ manifold temptations.” We are none the
less the Lord’s because of them. Faint,
wc yet piursuep “ cast down,” we yet “strive
•for -ctnr fiil&By ; wiill
yet knowing Him,in whom we have trusted,
who hath said, “ I will help thee,’’ we hope,
labor, believe, pray until “the Comforter”
doth come. With Him the days of joy
will have returned, the days of harvest—
shouts because of the “ full sheaves’’ we
gather from the seed the churches have
“ sown in tears.’’
I purpose to read to my congregation
next* Sabbath your editorial, “ a Flea for
Sunday-schools,” in the Advocate of the
24th iust. Its “ fitly spoken ’’ words are
“ coals from oft’ the holy altar.” Would they
were let into the hearts of the hundreds of
thousands of hearers waiting on our Church's
ministry !
Yours fraternally,
R. W. Big ham.
Eatonton, Ga., Alienist 31s/.
A Great Work of Grace.
Mr. Editor: W T e have just had a re
freshing season from the presence of the
Lord at Centerville, Georgia Conference.
The meeting continued for seventeen days,
aud the Church was greatly blessed.—
■Several mourners in Zion were happily con
verted. Three candidates were received,
baptized, and admitted into the Church.
Brothers Mattox and Stewart, (local) and
myself, assisted by Bros. Harris, (father
and son) of the Baptist Church, have just
closed one of the most remarkable meetings
I ever witnessed, at Evans Chapel, in Tal
bot Valley. This Church was formerly con
nected wit h Talbot, Ct., but was left out of the
plan of the Circuit many years ago The
building is now the property of John B.
McCoy, Esq., and is open to all denomina
tions. Bro. Mattox, a zealous local preach
er from Merriwether, Ct., has had a regular
monthly appointment at this place for seven
years. Our meeting lasted just one week,
aud resulted in the thorough awakening of
the entire community, and in the conversion
of quite a number of souls.
The congregations were large, yet on per
haps mere than one occasion, every un
converted person in the house appeared at
the altar as an humble penitent. The old
men, middle-aged men, heads of families,
moralists, crowded around it, and in accents
of agony often cried aloud, “Men and breth
ren, pray for us.’’ Father and sons, moth
er and daughters, were often seen kneeling
side by side, cryiug for mercy. Often
the Divine Influence, “as a mighty rush
ing wind,” seemed to fill the place, and sin
nvrs by scores prostrated themselves and
confessed the place “none other thau the
house of God,” and many found it the “very
gate of heaven,” #
This was a. union meeting whore Baptists
and Methodists laying aside sectarianism,
stood elbow to elbow, shoulder to shoulder, to
push forward the car of salvation. We can
not therefore furnish statistical results; but
there can he no doubt that the adjacent
Churches, Methodist and Baptist, will en
joy the benefit of “this bread cast ou tbo
! waters many days hence.”
Macorij Ga., Friday, September 7, 1866.
The last night we remained in this beau
tiful valley, and among this hospitable aud
now happy people, was one long to be re
membered. Though dark aud threatening
clouds were lowering all around, soon to de
seend in torrents upon the “panting lips of
perishing nature,” the 1 1 r crowd gather
ed within the walls of Evans Icbapol.
VV heu pitchy darkness had enshrouded
all nature without, and the capd.les within
gave but a flickering, uncertain light,
while the rain descended in torrents upon the
roof, and pattered unceasingly, all around,
Bro b. discoursed to the a I insist breathless
multitude upon these solemn (words, “He
that being oftened reproved, i/ardencth bis
neck shill suddenly be destroyed, and that
without remedy." The sword of the Spirit in
the hand of the impassioned speaker, glit
tered, as it were, ever and anon, around his
head, ard then as often descending, in sud
den, sweeping application, careless Gallios
became trembling Felixes. The effect was
indescribable. At' the conclusion of the
services, the invitation being given, the en
tire congregation, one by one, Vatne forward,
and extending their hands, in token of fra
ternal love, with streaming eyfitaod broken
accents, we all promised that by the help of
God wc would meet again in Heaven. I
could fill pages with striking incidents con-
with this meeting, but must content
myself with this ueneral, yet very imperfect,
account of a meeting where every service
was blessed with the manifest presence of
God. To Him, give we all the glory.
Yours, &c., /L. R. R.
Decatur Ct., Ga. Conference.—The
llev. J. J Morgan writes:—birice writing
last, God has. continued to bless us. Our
meeting at Mt Calvary was a Complete suc
cess, resulting in a general revival of the
church, and twenty two new members. We
have just closed a mec ing at Rough aud
Ready, one of our Mission appointments,
where God was with us in the conversion
and addition to the church of twenty-two
members. This was quite a triumph for
this hard place, as many of the people had
not been to meeting in five or,ten years, and
some not in twenty or thirty. On this oc
casion, they all came and all the congrega
tion would come to be prayed dor. 1 have
* •’vw-- fcctfttjMMTS Ue-vp
work in an old and well established church.
Having no house, we worshipped under
a budi arbor. Just before this meeting one
of the employes of the M. E. Church,
came up to a local preacher’s appointment
at this place, and very politely walked up
to the table laying his Bible aud Hymn
Book upon it, and seated himself in the
“par. on’s chair” and in this unheard of
manner, undertook to wrest our nice new
arbor out of our hands ; but a Southern
congregation, of course, had too much self
respect to submit to such an outrigs. Just
as all were wondering what to do for the
best, the Rev. gentleman was politely in
formed that “ this was Bro. O.’s appoint
ment,’’ when lie fell back a few paces in
good order, and when Bro. C. had finished
his sermon he renewed the conflict in a
milder form, asking the privilege for him
self and Bro. Waters to have an appoint
ment there, which was declined. We have
heard nothing more from him.
Troy, Al\.—The Rev. A. Dowling
writes : —lt is refreshing to communicate to
brethn n abroad what good things the Lord
has done for us at Troy, in the Oiion Dist.,
Montgomery Conference. And let me pre
face by saying our good meeting was begun
by combining—on the 27, 28, July—our
3d quaiterly conference and a District Meet
ing. A great many of the official brethren
were piesent. Bishop McTyeire presided
in the meeting. The session was harmoni
ous and edifying. The preaching was good.
The Holy Spirit was with us in power.
Many were converted, and S’xty-six joined
the church—two by transfer and eight by
letter. Os the rest, 28 were [white, and 28
colored Asa crowning act pf the meeting
an infidel who, has pubiicly denounced the
Bible as a book of lies, professed and joined
the church. The meeting Was couiinued
ten days aud closed in triunph and praise.
Canton Ct., Ga. Conf:rence.—The
Rev. Job- R. Parker writs:—We have
had some interesting mectinii, on the Can
ton Ct. this Summer. D ring the last
month there have been a geat many con
v. r-ions—about 100 added o the church.
The Lord has graciously vis ted his people
at Canton, Pleasant Hill, Mt Gilead, Little
Kiver, Orange and Andrew Chapel. We
still hope fur better times.
Edgefield Ct., S C Cob- —The Rev.
W A. Clarke writt s :—At ujy fourth quar
terly meeting held at McKeijjree s church,
on this Ct, the Lord graciously revived his
people, and powerfully manifested himself to
us on Monday and VVednesdawiii theawaken
ing of sinners, and cunverlion of several
who came and asked an interest in the
prayers of the people of Gifi —sonic who
had been members and mourners for years.
Addition to the church, fourteen whites and
seven colored.
Upson Ct , Ga Cone.—The Rev. J O
A. Cook writes:—l have just closed an
interesting series of meetings, during which
the church has been gloriously revived,
many made to cry out, “ What shall I do
to be saved ?” Twenty-four added to the
church, about the same number to the col
ored church, such I trust as shall be saved
in the end,
Lafayette, Ct., Ga. Cone.—The Rev.
W. T. Hamilton writes:—The Lord is
graciously reviving his work on this Ct.
We have had interesting meetings at La
fayette, Mt. Carmel and Salem, resulting in
over twenty conversions. We have just
closed a nice ing at Cedar Grove, of nine
days continuance, which resulted in filty
one additions to the church, and over sixty
conversions. .
SylvAnia, Ct., Ga. Cone.—The Rev.
J. M. Stokes writes :—We have a fine meet
ing in progress at Sylvania now. There
were, 1 presume, fifty mourners at the altar
last night. There have been several con
versions, and the ohureli—long dormant—
is up and doing.
__ Manasses Ct , Ga. Cons.—Rev. C. 11.
Ellis writes :—God has visited the people
on this Ct. with reviving, convicting, and
converting grace. We suppose itiat more
than 10 ) have been added to the church.
Glory to God, that in the midst of wrath
He has remembered mercy.
Russellville District Meeting.—
Dr. McFerrin, Secretary of the Domestic
Mission Board, has lately returned from an
interesting meeting in Russellville Dis
trict, Louisville Conference. It was con
vened by tbe presiding elder, the llev.
W. H. Morrison, at Bethlehem, in the
Logan Circuit It was well attended by
traveling and local preachers and lay
men —nearly every charge was represent
ed. Ihe Reports from the Churches were
very encouraging—seasons of refreshing be
ing enjoyed in nearly every place. But all
seemed to be impressed with the necessity
of greater spirituality, zeal, and effort, in
promoting the cause of Christ. More sys
tem and energy are needed in sustaining the
institutions of the Church. The questions
discussed referred to the style aud manner
of preaching, class-meetings, prayer-meet
ings, Sunday schools, collections for the sup
port of the ministry and missions. Devo
tional exercises, sermons, etc , added to the
1 '•ewrest gjßod !•:•«*-
pected to result from it. The meeting en
dorsed the action of the General Confer
ence in regard to lay-representation, and
resolved to cheerfully acquiesce in the de
cision of the Annual Conferences in refer
ence to the proposed change in the title of
the Church. The Secretary says the cause
which he has specially in charge found great
favor with the Meeting. Bethlehem Church
is famous in the history of Kentucky Meth
odism ; and the brethren in attendance at
the Meeting were entertained with the
usual hospitality. The Secretary reports the
crops of con and tobacco as very fine in
that part of Kentucky.— Nash. Advocate.
H&ctrinc anb (Crptmucr,
The Minimum Christian.
The Minimum, Christian. And who is
he ? The Christian who is going to heaven
at the cheapest rate possible. The Christian
who intends to get all of the world he can,
and not meet the worldling’s doom. The
Christian who aims to have as little religion
as he can without lacking it altogether
The minimum goes to church in the morn
ing, and in the afternoon also, unless it
rains, or is too warm, or too cold, or he is
sleepy, or has headache from eating too
much dinner. lie listens most respectfully
to the preacher, and joins in prayer and
praise He applies the truth very sensibly
sometimes to nimself, of'tener to his neigh
bors.
The minimum Christian is very friendly
'o all good works. He wishes them well,
but it is not in his power to do much for
them. Ihe Sabbath-school he looks upon
as very good for the negleeted and igno
rant. It is not convenient, however, for
him to take a class. His business arrange
ments are so pressing during the week, that
lie needs Sabbath as a day of rest—nor does
lie think himself qualified to act as teacher.
There are so many persons better prepared for
this important duty, that he mast beg to be
excused ; still, he will do it if he must. He
is in favor of visiting the poor ; but he has
no time to take part in those labors of love.
He is very friendly to home and foreign
missions, and gives his “mite.’’ He thinks
there are too many “appeals,’’ but he gives,
it nut enough to save his reputation, pretty
near it—at all events he aims at it.
1 he minimum Christian is not clear on a
number of points. The opera and dancing,
perhaps the theatre and card playing, large
fashionable parties, give him much trouble,
lie can’t see the harm in this, or that or
the other popular amusement. There is
nothing m the Bible against it. He does
not see but a man may be a Christian, and
dance or go to the opera. He knows sev
eral excellent people who do. Why should
not he ?
In short, the minimum Christian knows
that he cannot serve God and Mammon
he would if he could—but he will come just
as near so doiug as lie cun. He will give
E. H. MYERS, D.D., EDITOR
Whole Number, 1500
to himself and the world all that he may,
and to God as little as he can, and yet not
lose his soul. He stands so close to the di
viding line between the people of God and
the people of the world, that it is hard to
say on which side of it he actually is found.
Ah, my brother, are you making this at
temp ? Beware lest you find at last that
in trying to get to heaven with as little re
ligion as possible, you have missed it alto
gether—lest, without gaining the whole
world you lose your own soul The true
child of God does not say, “How little”—
but, “How much may I do for my God ?”
They thus judge that if one died Ibr all, he
died that they which live should no more
live for themselves, but for him who died
for them. Leaving the things which are
behind, they reach forth towards those that
are before, ever exclaiming, “What shall I
render unto the Lord for all his benefits ?”
Reader—Are you a minimum Christian ?
There is reason to fear that such are no
Christians at all. “Not every one that saith
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the .kingdom
of heaven, but he that, doeth the will of my
Father which is in heaven.’’
Teach us how to Pray.
Help me, Father divine, to tread this sa
cred ground with hallowed feet and lifted
heart. Well we know it is indeed more
than the words and rising voice that find
echoes in yonder courts of heaven and
lodgment in the ear of the Almighty; yet
very prone are we to engage in the act of
prayer, as though our blessed Saviour was
afar ass, but just ask, over and over again,
for blessings and mercies to rest upon and
follow us all our lives. What a thought!
We, frail, erring, dependent creatures, bend
ing the knee before the great and holy, but
very compassionate Father, and really trou
bling our hearts with cankering care about
coming duties away on in the future, and
telling t his all-wise Master that we are afraid
we shall fail or falter somewhere*iu the
shining road to heaven; and when he bids
us to stop, we shall be unable to obey!
Why, is this not complete distrust? And
are we looking right up to Calvary, and
watching the overflowing blood, and behold
ing bis wounded hands—or vainly gazing
over the obscure meadow-land of futurity ?
TeU me, Christian, is Jesus near, this
uour; arid does the Holy Spirit sweetly
whisper in your heart, “my Father, my
Father;’’ and does he closely press your
trusting heart; and do you now, this mo
ment, see him interceding there for you ?
If not, is there anything more you ought to
have; and can your soul rest short of its
attainment! Let alone, then, the nice
form of words, the faultless expressions of
mental appreciations of “ goodness, mercy,
and long suffering;’’ just let the heart
plead; let the soul cry and cast its arms of
faith about the cross, and bring it down to
earth, and bear it, “all stained with hallow
ed blood,’’ through evil as well as good re
port. Why, I would rather listen to the
lisping of a child before the throne, than
hear a “fine, eloquent prayer;” this talking
so beautifully to the King of kings and
Lord of lords, is enough to make the heart
blood course wildly through the veins, and
tbe cry comes up from the deep of the soul,
—precious, loving Saviour, pity our ignor
ance, and teach us simplicity ! Oh, what
light and glory crowns the mercy sett; and,
as the heart sits calmly in the shadow of
the cross and looks up only to the spotless
Lamb es God, how earth and earthly things
vanish from our views ; all worldly honor
and human glory is void and groveling, for
Jesus is revealed; his all redeeming love
pervades tho soul. And while we tarry
here, great tenderness and sympathy rush
from the eye and trickle down the cheek
and we venture nearer and nearer the
“eternal throne,’’ until our conscious union
with the blessed paviour is so full of sweet
ness and joy ineffable, that we feel our
communion is, iudeed, within the veil, and
our fellowship with the Father aud with his
son Jesus Christ.
Glory ! glory be to the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost forever!
Faith in God.— Have faith in God.—
Faith will be staggered even by loose stones
in the way; but if we look God ward, faith will
not be staggered even by inaccessible moun
tains that stretch across and obstruct appa
rently our onward progress. “Go forward,”
is the voice from Heaven, and faith obey
ing, finds the mountains before it as flat as
plains. “God with us,” is the watchword
of our warfare, the secret of our strength,
the security of our triumph. “If thou
canst believe, all things are possible to him
that believeth.’’ How strong faith is when
we are just fresh from the fountain of re
deeming love ! A good conscience, and then
faith will do all tnings, for it is in its very
nature such as to let God work all ; we may
say that it is most active when it is most
passive, and that it wearies least when it
does most work.
Ho that thinks he hath no need of Christ
hath too high thought of himself; he that
thinks Cnnst cannot save him hath too low
thoughts of Christ.
M Cheyne used to seal his letters with a
sun going down behind the mountains, and
the motto over it, “The night cometh.’’