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... 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