Newspaper Page Text
... V./ *-r- * —— '
111 - ■
Yoi XXIX '
% —-—— :
The Lumpkin District Meeting
Was at Dawson, Terrell Cos., Ga.,
Sep U lith and 15th, 1866. All official
members of the Church in the District, pre
sent, were resolution, declared members
of the Conference. There were representa
tives from all the circuits and sta
tions L. P. E. of the District,
not being present, the Meeting was organ
- ized by the • election of Rev. Jno. C. {Sim
mons, President, «.\d W. B. Merritt, Secre
tary. The P. K. afterwards arrived, and,
though declining the Chair on account of
feeble health, added inttvest to the meeting.
k The following topics vere subjects of re
port by committees, wh>§£ names are,appen
ded in the order ofHthej appointment:
Ist. Missions, and tie arrangement of the
work; including the»B4bject of the colored
people within the District.—W. B. Merritt,
Jj. T. Ainsworth; W ley—to which, on mo
tion, the ChaiPw4| atlclgd.
2d.' Finance, the subject of the
support of the Ministry, collection of Mis
sionary and Conference money.—A. 11.
Flawellen, C. R. Moore, P. L. Willburn.
3d. Sabbath-schools. —W. A. Parks, W.
M. Peoples, R. Reeves.
4th. The Spiritual Condition of the
Church, and the means of promoting its
prosperity.—J. Scaife, C, A. Crowell, B. J.
Baldwin. ; ;> - ; A
sth. Religious Literature. —H. Fielder,
J. B. Wardlaw, W. P. Jordan.
By order of. the Meeting, I herewith
transmit to ydtPfdr publication in the S. C.
Advocate, the reports of the several Com
mittees, except that of the Committee on
Finance, as data for a report not being fur
nished this committee until a late hour, their
Chairman was requested to prepare
lish in Advocate, his report.
A resolution of thanks to the citizens of
\ Dawson for their kind hospitality, and a
\short time spent in eai%est prayer for the
baptism of the Holy Spirit, closed a roost
Peasant and profitable conference. The
LWiet Meeting is a success. ;
\ fours, truly,.
.... W-. B, Merritt.
. Th ujion of Re
* Vj.-ues or cur neglect of*duty, in the employ
ment of the means und agencies which our
Heavenly Father has placed within our con
trol, to advance His and Kingdom on
earth, and it is one of the crying evils of the
times in which we live. This neglect is
without reasonable excuse or mitigating cir
cumstances on the part of those Christian
parents, whom God has blessed with the
means, and who do not furnish to their fami
lies, as they grow up around them, not only
religious Journals and Periodicals, but well
selected works which tend to inculcate a
pure and enlightened moranty and Christian
sentiment, and to make them intelligent as
to the history, the ends and aims of our holy
religion. Many who plead the want of ad
equate means to do this, in their every day
practice, afford the observing public the ev
idence, that the plea is not founded in
truth.
We are able to buy the fashion plates, and
the goods to make the costume to conform,
as often as Fashion, in her facile changes,
renders the old wardrobe unpresentable at
the house of God or at the gay soiree.
These fashionable and costly ornaments, do
not tend to humility and the other virtues
that should claim the hearts of the young
in order to incline them to God ; but they
foster pride, vanity and self-will, and tend to
tie them in sympathy and affection to the
world and all its vain allurements, and pre
pare their young hearts and minds, by pre
mature hardness, to resist the Holy Spirit.
When compared in effects, with what might
be accomplished by a far less expenditure,
for storing the mind and cultivating the
heart, and where they exclude these, they
are subject to unqualified condemnation, for
j the reason, that the robes which ornament
the body, are worn only for a few times and
are then cast aside forever. W hile these or
inents of the mind, and the polish of the
Jeart and soul are to be worn with increas
ing brightness’and splendour through time,
and will be reproduced with tenfold brillian
cy beyond the grave, and continue through
the duration of undefined eternity.
If we desire the bodies of our children to'
grow and mature, we must feed them with
convenient foS. If this be withheld, they
become dwarfs. If we feed them habitually
with unwholesome food, we will not fail to
witness the development and ravages of phy
sical disease, and consequent decay.
This doctriue is no less true, when applied
to the mind and heart of the young. Food
they must have, or it is vain to look for that
decree of development arid perfection which
wifi fulfil our hopes and expectations in our
offspring. If the food is pure, wd may just
ly hope to see reflected in their lives, that
line of conduct in the Church and State, and
the social circle, which is becoming to the
descendants of Christian ancestry. If the
?}u
n
PUBLISHED BY J W. BURKE & CO.. TOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
—. ; T ; 1
food is impure—if the unguided judg
ment—or the want of judgment—in the
young is permitted to select the food
that is to rear and train the immortal mind,
and devclope and mature the heart, from
the mass of miscellaneous corruption, that
covers our literary field, as the turbid waters
the great deep—if they are permitted to
drift at will into the current that is so de
basing to public morals, and which almost
seems to be bearing the feeble bark of Zion
itself down to the sea of destruction, what
hope can we justly entertain for the rising
generation ? What hope that they will pass
through purged and purified, and when they
follow us to the future estate, that we may
be reunited in bonds of eternal love?
The idea that a pure morality will spring
spontaneously in such times as these —that
the natural depravity of the human heart,
will guide them to God and Heaven, is
one of the unpardonable fallacies of igno
rance, or the result of spiritual indolence
that endangers the future prospects of., the
Church. Good must be and im
pressed by precept as well as by example.—
Evil must be denounced and made odious to
the young, before the bad passions have too
strongly entwined themselves about their
hqarts.
The committee commend to the Church
at large the vital subject suggested by the
foregoing remarks ; and especially to Sab
bath-school superintendents and teachers,
both of the white and colored pupils, the
propriety of a more general circulation of
the primary works of approved religious and
moral bearing—adapted to their feeble
minds and limited comprehension, and which
tend to inculcate the virtues taught in the
Holy S.criptures, and which are calculated
to bring to their understanding the subject
of salvation as revealed in God’s word.
We think that the threatening aspect of
public affairs renders these suggestions the
more pressing upon public attention in view
of the great importance cf pre-oceupying the
minds of the colored people, with that which
is good and tends to their peace and wel
fare, instead of leaving them to the baneful
influences to be apprehended from such pub
lications as are directed not so much by love
to the African, as by hatred to his former
owner.
For the want of time we pass for the pre
sent the numerous works and publications
which we should be glad, by name, to com
vite the sp-ciaj B at\entj/ : ? of the Church
per, “ The Sotdherrt ChifStian Advocah?)
published at Macon; and of the ministers
and official members of the District to the
great importance of renewed and persistent
effort to give it circulation.
ON MISSIONS.
The committee to consider Missions—
the arrangement of the work, and the color
ed people, beg leave to report:
Ist. As to Missions in the bounds of the
District. That in view of Christ’s commis
sion to his apostles, and his own declaration,
that “the poor have the gospel preached to
them,” it is the evident duty of the Church,
as far as possible, to furnish the gospel to all
men. But “how shall they hear without a
preacher, and how shall they preach except
they be sent?” We, therefore, commend
the missionary operations planned by our
Church, to the hearty and liberal support of
our people. Yet these operations, however
efficient, as the general organism of the
Church for a given end, cannot, under ex
isting circumstances, be carried on, and sup
ported on a scale, to accomplish all that the
gospel contemplates, and a Mission Church
desires. Much, therefore, will be left for
Church and individual Christian enterprise.
We suggest to quarterly conferences and to
individual societies, to ascertain and provide,
as may be possible, for localities and neigh
borhoods in the bounds of their work, that
are destitute of the means of grace. Ex
pansion and occupation , not contraction and
abandonment, is the duty and destiny of the
Church of Christ.
The mission work of the Church will not
havebeen accomplished, until “ the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as
the waters cover the sea.”
2d. As to the arrangement of the work,
we recommend to the Conference, to leave
the arrangement of the work and consolida
tion of the Churches, to the quarterly con
ferences and the particular societies invol
ved, and commend their requests on this sub
ject to the Annual Conference. We ap
prove of the consolidation of contiguous
churches, where it can be done without
abandoning territory already belonging to
us. We pressingly suggest to our brethren
in the ministry and of the laity, the proprie
ty and duty of ascertaining destitute and
neglected places, and expending labor there
in. “Go out into the highways and hedges
and compel them to come in, that my house
may be filled.’’ So shall “the wilderness
and the solitary place be glad for them; and
the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the
rose.”
3d. As to the Colored People, we declare,
that we have an abiding interest in the re
ligious wellyfl of this race, and that their
altered reWnon does not absolve the Church
from obligation to seek their salvation. We
regret their partial alienation and its conse-
Macdn/Ga, Friday, October 5, 1866.
SVe regard it to be of our Church
fevering, in the plans and operations among
them for their religious benefit. We re
pommend, therefore, on the part of the min
istry and Chu reh, the prudent and Vigorous
appliance of those means of grace —preach-
ing, instruction, Sabbath-schools and such
like— which, under the Divine blessing,
Will interest and improve them religiously.
Looking to the moral elevation of the
race, we hold that it is proper to encourage
tnd assist thqm in the acquisition of letters,
:o the extent that they may be able to read
for themselves the Word of God ; and that
aboi* directed to these ends is honorable,
jommendable, philanthropic and Christian.
- STATE OP THE CHURCHES.
The committee upon the Spiritual
Condition of the Church and the best
neans for promoting its prosperity, respect
?ully submits the following report:
Upon inquiry into the condition of the
Different stations and circuits, we feel justi
ied in feporting a general improvement.—
Doubtless, the great storm that has swept
over the land has been sanctified to our
good. 14 has brought us nearer to God—
feeling more our dependence —trusting more
in the Father’s care —more resigned to His
will, and more consecrated to His service.—
While the Church is drawing near to the
j mercy seat, the divine blessings are begin
ning to descend. But we feel that it is only
a beginning. God gives “grace for grace.’’
He censures us for being too easily satisfied
j with the crumbs, droppings and beginnings,
and exhorts us to ask —drink freely—press
forward, and to come boldly to the throne of
grace. May we never cease, until the Holy
Ghost is poured out upon us, and our char
ges presented as living sacrifices, holy andac**
c*eptable unto God.
How shall this be accomplished ? To
the ministry we would say, “allure to bright
er worlds and lead the way.” Brethren, let
us be mose consecrated to the service* of
God—seek for a richer baptism of the Holy
Ghost. Especially in pastoral duties, let us
be more laborious; let us entreat that every
brother apd sister do something to advance
the cause of God ; call upon a#* tor a Sacri
fice, and let our motto be, “pardon, hdjpßess
and heaven.’’ %. ’ ‘ , :£s**
v To thfVlaity, IcMstkiramird you iffiß&fir
aril tb^® n^‘f^ tr : r,a S^ > %ed toJTifn, laborers
she'utffcb
have you won for Him ? “He that t-uthirs
not with mescattereth abroad.’’ Thanks be to
God, it is yet day —“ go labor in my vine
yard,’’ for the night cometh—from the per
ishing souls around you, gather gems to deck
your crown in glory.
THE COMMITTEE ON SABBATH SCHOOLS
Beg leave to make the following report:
Owing to the want of statistics from the
circuits and stations in the bounds of the
District, an accurate report of the condition
of Sabbath-schools, cannot be given. But
it is encouraging to know that in many
Churches, the Sabbath-school is properly ap
preciated, and doing much good.
Recently more than ever, the Church has
been awake to the importance of religious
instruction of the young and tender heart.—
It is the universal observation and testimo
ny of ministers of the gospel, that a large
number of old and middle-aged, are imper
vious to the most searching truths of the
gospel. Resisting the power of divine truth,
it has become to them, a “ savor of death
unto death.” If they will not hear us, we
can but abandon them to their fate. The
hope of the Church is the young and rising
generation. It is of vital importance that
their minds should be properly instructed,
and their hearts impressed with the truths
of the gospel.
Too many lose sight of the fact, that the
religious character is formed in youth. Ma
ny,—even Christian parents adopt the poli
cy of leaving the mind unbiased upon relig
ious subjects. But while the youthful mind
is impressed with religious truth, it is cer
tain to imbibe immoral principles which
generally lead to immoral conduct.
Aside from parental instruction, the feab
bath-school is the proper and best place to
sow in the youthful heart the seed of gospel
grace gathered from the garden of Heaven.
The nursery of the Church is the portion of
the vineyard, that now demands our atten
tion. „
It is to be deeply regretted, that some of
the preachers and so many of the laity feel
and manifest so little interest in this time
honored and Heaven-appointed institution
—the Sabbath-school. In fact, the prosper
ity of thd Church depends largely upon its
success. Is it not the observation of all,
that when the lambs of the flock are uncared
for, the sheep of the pasture wander too .
And that when the Sabbath-school is prop
erly conducted and successful, the Chuich,
too, is prosperous, and annually souls are
converted to God ? .
In every Church, let the interest of the
Sabbath-school be properly cared for, by the
ministry and heity, and the pious instruc
tion of’ children, gb hand in hand with tho
preaching of the gospel, and we will rejoice
in seeing the spread of scriptural holiness
all over these lands.
K '" i
Not only should preachers, by counsel and
advice, encourage Sabbath-schools, and assist
in conducting them, but, frequently , sermons
should be preached at such times as may be
most convenient, especially to the children,
adapted to their young minds and tender
hearts ! Besides the religious instruction,
this will prove a great auxiliary to the Sab
bath-school. We must not only care for the
“little folks,” but we must let them know
that we care for them !
It is true, many Churches are destitute of
books, owing to straitened finances; but it
has been proved that most interesting schools
can be conducted without any books except
the Bible! Oral religious instruction is
best suited to children. Experience has also
demonstrated, that much exercise in singing
in the School, gives much life and vitality.
Your committee would further beg leave
to offer the following resolutions for adop
tion :
Resolved, lsi. That this District Confer
ence recommend and urge greater diligence
and zeal, in Sabbath-schools throughout the
bounds of the District.
Resolved, 2d. That we recommend the
preachers, 16cal and itinerant, to make ap
pointments especially for , and preach direct
ly to the children, such sermons as they can
understand and appreciate.
Resolved , 3d. That we, as official mem
bers of the Church, and as parents, endeav
or to be more diligent in the instruction of
children.
All of which is most respectfully submit
ted.
Sabbath-school Celebration at Oak
Bowery, Ala.
Mr. Editor: —I have just read the com-*
munication of my friend and brother, Rev.
Anson West, on Sabbath schools. I hardly
know how much of his article to accept. I
do not advocate union schools where we can
organize schools of our own. They embar
rass us in teaching to the children the doc
trines of ; the Bible as our Church under
stands them, and sometimes denominational
ill-will is engendered. But there are neigh
borhoods and communities so conditioned as
to seem to require this union of churches in
building up Sabbath-schools. Indeed, the
choice lies between such schools or no
schools, between the use of Union Sabbath
school books or no books. And no thought
ful man can long hesitate in regard to the
side ouwhich the choice lies.
Iu rf gard to Sabbath-school celebrations,
deneads upon tl\e manner in
I whiYD emxdnjjvted- The abuses of
a <'Ood thin? qjp not demand the abolition of
it, but rather the correction of the abuses.
Disorders crept into t ie eucharistic services
of the Church in the days of Paul, but he
sought to remove the former and not to dis
continue the latter. So in conducting our
Sabbath school celebrations, let us avoid
everything of the “ earthly and the sensual,”
all excitation to “ pride, vanity, jealousy,
hatred, dissipation and worldliness,” and see
that nothing incompatible with decency,
sobriety and religion enter into them.
I had the pleasure of attending a Sabbath
school celebration at Oak Bowery—Mont
gomery Conference —on the 14th inst., which
the most fastidious stickler for order could
not have condemned. It was under the di
rection of the Superintendent of the school
at that place, Bro. Joseph Harris, a man of
generous heart and deeds, whose devotion to
the Church, to her ministers, and to her in
stitutions is almost without bound or abate
ment.
Before 10 o’clock, A. M., a large number
had convened which was greatly augmented
by eleven. The neighbors for eight and ten
miles distance, together with the towns and
villaces were represented. The spacious
building used for the occasion was soon over
filled, leaving quite a number of disappoint
ed visitors without.
It was announced that the exercises would
begin and all was quiet. Prayer was then
offered to the Almighty Father, in which
thanksgiving and praise were rendered for
all past and present blessings, and His bene
diction asked upon the occasion, upon the
Church, her institutions and her children,
and especially upon Sabbath-schools.
Next followed singing by the children,
and let me say that there was an absence of ,
all operatic art and design. The hymnM
were well chosen, both for their adaptation*
to the occasion and for their evangelisfcl|
sentiment. The true elements of spiritual
music were present. The heart of
dience seemed stilled and subdued-while
they heartily and concordanjly hymned the
high praises of Jehovah. /
Then followed an address by one of the
members of the Sabbath-schooler. George
Norwood, who also was a soldier,
bringing home from the fidd of strife a
body ploughed and mutilated by the enemy’s
balls. His address was i*pon the Bible, the
lofty and divine morality it inculcates, and
the purity and nobility of character which
it secures to all who make its maxims the
rule of their lives. M »*that Blessed Book
be to him and to his interested audience a
“ vade inecum” through life.
At the conclusion of the address, there
succeeded several songs by the scholars,, and
dialogues. The character of the singing
we have noticed. The dialogues were not
designed to create Tun and merriment, - but
E. H. MYERS, D.D., EDITOR
Whole Number, 1664
were fraught with instruction upon high
moral themes and sparkled with pungent sa
tire against those who are too parsimonious
and indifferent to aid in the benevolent en
terprises of the Church. There were doubt
less some consciences that must have felt its
keen edge.
To the hungry, dinner is never unaccepta
ble, especially when the appetite craves, and
the imagination promises something savoury
and dainty. It was announced that the ex
ercises would be suspended for a physical
repast in the form of a dinner in an adjacent
grove. Thither we repaired Where under
the shade of beautiful and majestic oakswe
partook of nicely barbacued meats and
pound-cakes without stint, while neighbor
talked with neighbor, and friend with friend,
apparently oblivious of the saddening pres
ent or of the ominous future. I felt that
it “ was good to be there ” amid the smiles
and greetings of parents and teachers, apd
the smiles of pious and innocent children.
May God bless the children ! What a mis
erable and prosaic world this would be with
out them, and heaven itself would be less
of heaven, if these “ little ones ” were away.
I have never forgotten the remarks of »
writer which I sometime ago read upon the
art of keeping young. It was this, “ culti
vate a fondness for children and keep them
about you.’’ But says some hungry reader
“ what more about the dinner ?’’ It was all
that culinary art required to make it accept**
able to appetites edged by a good long in
terval of abstinence from food. All seem
ed to eat with a relish and to stop when they
had enough.
Dinner ended, the assembly repaired to
the Chapel to listen to an address from the
Rev. B. McCraw, of Lafayette. The speak
er remarked that his ground had been pre
occupied by some who had preceded him.
Yet he was not long in finding something
new and entertaining.
He reviewed the past of our country and
found in the review enough of pride and
insubordination to the divine will to account
for all the sufferings which have befallen us.
He urged upon the guardians of children
with great energy and force the importance
of thorough -and evangelical religious train
ing as a guarantee for the future prosperity
of the South. He insisted upon holiness
of heart as essential to success and happi
ness in this life, and as the only way to
happiness beyond the grave. The religious
impression of the address made it a fitting
finale to the exercises of the day. At its
conclusion the crowd passed lingering and
reluctant adieu, hsappy at having been
' at the Sabbath-school at Oak Bowc
ry. , * C. D. Oliveb.
iScpt. 1 3th, 18G6.
h;*; P :
TERMS OF COMMUNION.
The Nashville Christian Advocatfi #ayfi f
An excellent clerical correspondent asks -
« whether we have a right to take mourners
into the Church since the probationary sys
tem is done away.” We answer, categori
cal! y, Yes. If they renounce the devil,
the world, and the flesh, believe the Bible,
and promise a life-long obedience to God, we
dare not reject them; if they do not, we
dare not receirc them. The elimination of
the probationary system does not affect the
question, as probationers, being baptized,
were members of the Church, and entitled
and obligated to attend the Lord’s Supper
and all other ordinances of God’s house,
though they were not eligible to official sta
tions in the Church, and could be “discon
tinued” for delinquency, without formal
trial.
Many persons, from various causes, “go
mourning all their days,’’ though no one
doubts the sincerity of their piety. Instead
of driving them from the Church, they
ought to be encouraged to secure all its
privileges, and to be sedulous in the use of
all the means of grace. Let the preroga
tives of sonship be distinctly pointed out
to them —let them be assisted, in every
possible way, to realize the witness of the
Spirit in all its “meridian evidence.’’ “Let
the heart of them rejoice that seek the
Lord.” “The Lord hath anointed me—to
comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto
them that mourn in Zion, to give un
to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for
.mourning, the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness.” “ Blessed are they
that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, for the re
mission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.” “ And now why
tarriest thou? arise and be baptized, and*
wash away thy sins, calling on the name of
the Lord.’’ “ A bruised reed shall he not
break, and smoking flax shall he notquenoh,
till he send forth judgment unto victory.”
Dr. Summers sustains his opinion, by am
ple quotations from Wesley’s Sermons and
Charles Wesley’s Hymns, and conoludes
thus:
It is a remarkable and suggestive sac;
that those divines who are clearest and
soundest iu their views of the direct witness
of the Spirit-T-e. g., Mr. W esley and Mr.
Watson—should be among the most decid
ed in refusing to make a technical expe
rience a test of communion. What do chil
dren and other neophytes know about these