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4 js<n%nt Christian MACON, GEORGIA, OCTOBER 5,1866. the work op the spirit. A Christian is one who is led and govern ed by the Spirit of Christ. There is no gospel truth more distinctly taught, than the direct and necessary agency of the Holy Spirit, in producing anew order of impulses, affections, and determinations in -men’s minds, hearts and wills. Notwithstanding this is true, the opinion is far too generally received —unfortunately has crept into the Church itself,—that Christianity, like the speculative systems of human origin, only demands an approximate conformity of the outward life to the law of God; and that nothing more is required, in order to attain such conformity, than the ordinary direction of the natural powers to this end. Than this, there can be no more fatal delusion. The Gospel is full of denials of this as sumption of a specious infidelity, and of a self-righteous creed. It declares, in various forms, that spiritual truths are received, and spiritual life is communicated, and spiritual duties are performed —and can only be re ceived, communicated, and performed —by virtue of the Holy Spirit, in aid of man’s mind, heart, and will. It asserts, with em phatic earnestness, that “ the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him : neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned ;” and that “ the car nal mind is enmity against God ; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be;” and, therefore, it must be removed by the direct and effective power of the Holy Spirit. “If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God;” and “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” The communication of the Spirit of God with the spirit of man, is put beyond dis pute by such clear and forcible declarations as the following: “ The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.” “Who hath sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts:” “and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.’’ “ Except a man be born of . . the Spirit, he cannot en ter into the kingdom of God.’’ The pres ence and working of the Holy Spirit in the heart, is so essential to making the promises and principles of the Gospel efficacious, that not a single individual would be saved without it. Every discriminating student of Revela tion, must be struck with the fact, lying outspread in every gospel and epistle, that the Holy Spirit is the only agent promised, commissioned, and competent to consummate the work of Christ in the world. This doctrine, that the spiritual part of the work of salvation is exclusively performed by the Holy Spirit, consciously dwelling in the heart, may be rejected as foolishness, by the world —it may be denied as incomprehensi ble, by nominal professors; but it is reject ed by the one, and denied by the other, sim ply because they have not put it to the test, by a genuine repentance towards God and an implicit faith in Christ, evidenced by doing all the will of God; for “if ye will do his will, ye shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.” And if there is any truth in the doctrine of natural depravity— any truth in the consciousness of the appe tency of the whole nature of man for sinful gratifications —any truth in the continual tendency of the will to resist and override judgment and reason—any truth in the natural propension of every faculty towards debauchery and prostitution—any truth in the inherent, persistent, and growing repug nance, and enmity of the mind and heart towards virtue and holiness, God and good ness—or if there is any truth whatever in the daily life-experience of every uncon verted person,— it is proof, too plain to be misunderstood, and too overwhelming to be denied, of the great fact revealed by inspiration—namely, tjiat the disabilities of man’s fallen, constitutionally depraved na ture, require the immediate agency of the Holy Spirit for their removal, so that he may be qualified, through the regeneration which it works, to practice and love virtue and holiness, God and goodness, and be enabled to resist and hate sin in all its forms. This is the Power, thoroughly working with in, and throughout every constitutional faculty and attribute of the Christian, by which he lives the life of piety, and dies the death of peace. Furth rmore, he has constant access to his Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit. There is a real, not an ideal, com munication between the Christian and the Throne of Grace. All his spiritual wants are supplied, his cares relieved, his injuries redressed, and his anxieties and woes alle viated, by the actual ministry of the Holy Comforter. He passes through fiery trials unconsumed, overcomes temptations, and maintains mastery over self, the world, and unseen evil powers, by omnipotent grace given him immediately by the omnipresent Spirit. His praises and prayers are borne to heaven, and answers from thence are borne to him, by glad ministering spirits, specially charged with these missions of mercy and love, in ready subordination to the ministry of the Holy Comforter. “We have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” “ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our in firmities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Such is the mode of spiritual intercourse, and such the intimacy of communication between the adopted child and his Heavenly Father. The occupancy and work of the Holy Spir it, in the heart of the Christian, is a con stant proof and guaranty to him of his Father’s solicitude for his present and future welfare—the earnest of his Father’s care and protection—the medium of hearing his Father’s counsels, precepts and will—the channel through which the Father pours into the heart of his beloved child full tides of spiritual, heavenly blessings. 0. ORGANIZING FOR PRAYER. We find in the Southern Presbyterian an extended account of a general revival of Union Prayer Meetings, as a stated means of grace, in Western, South Carolina. We have read the report with great interest, and regret that we cannot give it entire. But the facts are so instructive, that we must give a condensed account of these meetings hoping thereby to provoke others to love and and to good works. The writer says, that some months since when all was darkness and almost despair, when vice and immorali ty stalked abroad, and, iniquity abounding, the love of many waxed cold, the movement begun on a very humble scale, thus: — The Rev. B. F. Corley of the Baptist Church, and Dr. Horace W. Leland, a Pres byterian layman, both residing near the vil lage of impressed with the be lief that at such times Christians should pray but the more earnestly, organised them selves into a Prayer-Meeting, and agreed to meet every Friday afternoon at 4 p. m. They were soon joined by Dr. T. S. Blake, an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and these three alone for many months “con tinued,” allowing nothing* to postpone their regular weekly meetings. Their number then began to increase, and now they have eleven on their list, Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians, all as earnest and punc tual as themselves. But this was only the beginning of the good work. Members of other churches in the vicinity, some of their own accord, and others stimulated by dele gates from older organizations sent to tell them of this means of grace which God himself had blessed, successively formed themselves into similar associaions; and now we have them in successful operation in Bethlehem church, (Methodist,) Salem church, (ditto,) Siloam church, (Baptist,) and Greenwood, (Methodist and Presbyte rian.) And while we are writing this ac count, the intelligence has reached us of another organized at Liberty Spring Church, (Presbyterian,) through the agency of Drs. Leland and Blake. The churches are with in easy access of one another, in the dis tricts of Abbeville, Edgefield, and Laurens. Thri Ninety-Six, (Presbyterian,) Salem, and Bethlehem prayer-meetings are all held at the same hour, 4p. m. And on the Friday before the third Sabbath in each month, they unite in’ a Union prayer meeting at Siloam church. On this occasion they meet at 10 a. m., and seldom adj ourn before 3p. m. This time is occupied mainly in prayer and con versational discussion on matters of experi mental religion. From the distance most of these brethren hn ve to ride, they must necessarily devote the .whole day to that ob ject, and as they neve.' take refreshments with them, they are ola’ fashioned enough to believe in fasting as w ell a3 prayer . In fact, they think that truth' is as old as the. Bible, and have never been able to see that the modern innovations “ b eyond what is written,”, have in any way ten ded to purify its fountains. The chairman c;f this meet ing is Captain John Johnson,V deservedly esteemed one of the pillars of tht* Methodist Church in this section of the country. His earnest zeal, devotion, and self-sa orifice in propagating and sustaining these x\neetings in different communities can never suffi ciently rewarded in this life. Through his instrumentality a mocking was established at Greenwood, S. C., February, commencing with six Presbyi e rians and six Methodists, who have luboret. 1 in great harmony. One of the results of this movement is given thus, by the writer, who himself lives at Greenwood: The spirit of earnest devotion and self sacrifice, which characterized our noble women during the war, has not yet been sub dued. Their high hopes have been cruelly blasted, their fortunes have been wrecked, and many, very many, of their most loved and cherished ones, now sleep in the mar- SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. tyr’s grave. But with a faith unshaken, \ they now call upon God, that “ while his judgments are abroad in the land, the peo ple may learn righteousness.” Sustained by this faith, some fifteen of our ladies, of both denominations, in this village, have as sociated themselves in a prayer.meeting, similar to the one held by their fathers, brothers, and husbands, and met at the same hour in a private house. We have reason to know that this a heavy cross to most of them, for it requires no little faith for them to pray aloud, even in the presence of their own sex alone. But may we not hope that these precious prayers, though uttered with faltering tongues and trembling lips, will go up as memorials before the throne of God, and call down yet richer blessings on this community? Surely every Christian heart in all our churches will wish them Gods speed in their labor of love. The writer gives the following plan of the prayer-meetings: When those desiring to organize such a a prayer-meeting assemble for the first time, it has been usual, after reading a portion of God’s word, singing, and prayer, for each one to give a statement of his Christian career, beginning with his conversion and bringing prominently forward whatever he may have learned of his own heart from God’s dealings with him. In this way they will become introduced to the Christian character of one another, and the more can did and unreserved these statements may be, the closer will be the tie which they will soon feel drawing their hearts together. For a permanent organization it has been usual to appoint a chairman, (usually a lay man,) whose duty it will be to preside at all meetings, to appoint successively those who are to open and close each meeting with prayer, and to keep a record of the attend ance of members, of the subjects discus sed, and of such incidents and points of interest as he may judge worthy of preservation. At every meeting he is ex pected to call on each member for some individual statement, and none is considered a member who will not take part. This statement may be simply his religious experience since their last meeting, #r the calling attention to any difficulties or obstacles he may have encountered, or the discussion of any topic which may have been assigned for consideration at that meeting, or all these combined. The object in call ing on each member in succe.-sion is, that all may feel the obligation to pnrticpate in the proceedings, and to avoid that shrinking from any general call, so natural to some persons. No distinction is made between clergymen and laymen who may be members of the same organization, but all stand, or desire to stand, on the same platform of “ sinners saved by grace.” When the meet ing is large, it is usual for the chairman to apportion the limited time among the mem bers, so that each may have the privilege o-f being heard. The stated meetings are nev er to be fewer than once a- week. In enumerating the benefit derived from these meetings, the writer says: Our system, faithfully carriecFout, will make us acquainted with the “inner life” of our brethren, and it is astonishing how soon we learn to love one another. Men with whom we have worshipped together for years in the same sanctuary, we did not know till we became thus associated; and many of other denominations, with whom we were only brought in contact in the mere business transactions of life, we have learn ed to love as well as respect. The continued presence, too, of these wit nesses to our confessions, will be a salutary check upon us in our daily walk and con versation ; and what Christian does not need as many of such checks as can be imposed ? And then the enlarged Christian charity, which must necessarily result from this inti mate association of members of different denominations! But we are thus organized, not for our own good alone, but for the cause of Christ; and he has recently so abundantly blessed us, in this section ot the country, in the out pouring of his Spirit upon the churches, that we feel we have the seal of the divine approbation. Not that we would claim that these blessings are sent in answer to our prayers alone; for we know there are many faithful and eminent servants of God around us who pray as fervently and effectually as any members of our meetings; and we unite with them in giving all the glory to a prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God, in recording the following. The writer then proceeds to speak of many revivals, at the churches above men tioned and others in that section of South Carolina, some of which have been already reported in the Advocate. The length of this article leaves us no room to say more than that these facts sus tain the views we have advanced more than once this year, on the subject of these social meetings. They call to mind an article which perhaps our readers will remember, where we showed how a deplorable decrease in the Wesleyan Connection many years since drove the Church and ministry to prayer, and other social, meetings as the means of recovery. Happily for Metho dists, the procedure above described is noth- ing new to them. They are only our class a nd experience meetings under another foi ”m, and it will not be difficult for them to feet’ at home in such meetings, if they are partakers of the grace of God. Evan gelioal Lutheran — This is the title of a new weekly—“the recognized or gan of the Lutheran Synod of N T orth Ameri-i ca.’’ It is edited by the Revs. N. Aldrich and G. D. Bernheim, and published at Char lotte, N. C., at $3.00 per annum. We sa lute it, as a valuable co-worker in the field of evangelical journalism. May it find great favor with its people, and have great pros perity. Discussions between the English Wesley ans. We learn from a correspondent of the Western Christian Advocate , that there are some changes of policy mooted among the Wesleyan Methodists. He says : A lively debate ensued upon the presenta tion of certain memorials from Scotland, re questing the modification of our rule so as to allow a minister to return to a circuit one year after leaving it, instead of eight years. The aim of the memorialists was evidently to secure for Scotland, what was said to be indispensable, a settled Methodist pastorate. Dr. Waddy, one of our ablest debaters, fa vored the memorialists, while our Methodist Cyclopedia, Dr. Osborn, opposed them. The result of these contending forces was the re laxation of the rule for Scotland from eight to three years The main argument of Dr. Osborn against the change, that its effect would extend beyond Scotland, was not, but might have been claimed in its favor. For if the change prove a success, let it extend; but if not, let England profit by the experi ment in Scotland, and “ rest and be thank ful.” Here is a part of the proceedings of their Conference, that may be copied with great advantage, by ourselves: The greater part of one of the sessions was spent in a conversation about the state of the work of God. While nearly eight hundred ministers were bowed before God in prayer, confessing, by the mouth of one of their number, unfaithfulness, many hearts were broken, and an unusual depth of devo tional feeling was indicated by the subdued but simultaneous “xArnens” which were re peatedly uttered. The tenor of the love-feast conversation which followed, may be judged from two sentences, the one uttered by the President, and the second by Dr. Osborn : “The great point was for all the preachers to become filled with the love of God and the love of souls, and it would then be easy to couut our increase by the hundred thou sand.” “ Are we as we ought to be ? Are we such channels as this spiritual power, this influence of the Holy Ghost, may be dxnec ted to flow in ?” *, •. While Mr. Arthur, on the one hand, in sisted upon numerical increase as a fair test of success, Dr. Osborn, on the other hand, warned us against the demoralization of panic; , T Great Revival at Atpens, Ga —For the last few weeks a revival has bee l in progress in Athens, and for the past two weeks there has been a wonderful display of divine power. We learned about the middle of last week that above 200 persons had presented themselves for prayer at one time. We have beard from the meeting down to Monday. Old Christians had nev er seen any thing like it. All business was suspended, and tha community en masse was at the prayer meeting. Some 85 or 90 had joined the Methodist, 26 the Presby terian, and three the Baptist Church. Revs. J. S. Key and G. J. Pearce were assisting the pastor, Rev. H. 11. Parks. Taylor’s .Creek C. Meeting. —This meeting in Liberty co., is to commence on loth Oct., and embrace the third Sun day. The P. E., Rev. J. D Anthony, takes this method of inviting ministering brethren to attend on that occasion. Fort Valley, Ga. — There has been a good meeting in this pleasant little town. Bro. Cotter, the pastor, was sick, but the work was carried on faithfully and efficient ly by the local brethren. Some twenty-five or thirty persons had joined the church up tolast Sabbath, and others were yet seeking pardon. CONFERENCE SESSIONS. Since the first schedule of Episcopal appoint ments was published, several changes have been made. The following, we believe, is correct: FIRST DISTRICT—BISHOP PIERCE. Arkansas—Searcy, September 26. Little Rock—Arkadelphia, October 10. N6rth Carolina—Fayetteville, November 7. Virginia—Norfolk, November 21. Baltimore —Baltimore, March SECOND DISTRICT —BISHOP DOGGETT. Missouri—Richmond, September 5. St. Louis—Lexington, September 19. Kentucky—Winchester, October 3. Louisville—Elizabethtown, October 10. Western Virginia—Parkersburg, THIRD DISTRICT—BISHOP WIGIITMAN. Mobile—Enterprise, November* 21. Montgomery—Jacksonville, December 5. South Carolina—Marion, December 19. FOURTH DISTRICT —BISHOP PAINE. Memphis—Jackson, November 14. Mississippi—Natchez, November 28 Louisiana —Baton Rouge, December 12. FIFTn DISTRICT—BISHOP m’tYEIRE. Holston—Ashevilie, N. C., October 10. Tennessee —Huntsville, Ala , October 24. Georgia—Americus, November 28. Florida —Quincy, December 13. SIXTH DISTRICT—BISHOP MARVIN. Indian Mission—Bloomfie and, September 12. N. W. Texas—Waxahatchie, September 26. East Texas—Marshall, October 10. Texas—Galveston, October 24. West Texas—Seguin, November 7. SEVENTH DISTRICT—BISHOP KAVANAUGH Pacific—Petaluma, September 19. Columbia—Corvallis, October 10. Catalogue of Southern Methodist Books ; For sale at the Publishing House, Nashville, Tenn., and at the De positories. We have received from Nashville a New Catalogue. We are glad to see once more a long list of our own Books offered to the public. It is one of the best signs of the vitality of the Church, that the Publishing House is again in full blast. Let it now be patronized as it should be, and its success will be sure. Those wanting to know what our publications are, can get the Catalogue by writing to A. 11. Bedford, Agent, Nash ville, Tenn. ttefos from t|e Cjjurcjjrs. Dahlonega Dist., Ga. Conference Mr. Editor: I have just completed my third round on the District. My last trip was to Dahlonega, and over the mountains to a camp-meeting in Union Cos. At Dah lonega, 1 found the yellow fever raging, al though they boast there of pure mountain streams, and a healthy, invigorating atmos phere. It is, however, a very different type of yellow fever to that which usually pre vails on our sea coasts. Its cause is readily discerned. It is produced by a yellow sub stance which is found imbedded in the earth, and is known by the magic name — gold.- — Its effects are first perceived upon the brain, but its influences are soon communicated to the heart, and in some instances it proves fatal, as in the case of Achan. The people here, however, do not seem at all alarmed, but consider those most fortunate who come in contact with the greatest amount of it.— A perfect mineralogic epidemic is prevailing here at present. In company with Rev. L. Q. Allen, I left Dahlonega for the camp-meeting above men tioned. We cross 'd the Blue Ridge at Black Mountain gap. Surely no friend to human ity could advise a traveller to take that route, while it can be easily avoided. We passed through a little valley of rich land some eight miles in length, lying in a cove just beyond the main ridge, known as Canada -—so named I suppose on account of its ele vation and temperature. It was in this val ley that an ex-Governor of Georgia, when a boy, ploughed a horned animal as a substi tute for a horse. Lo ! what a rise was there ! Just as we entered this cove, we met a young man of whom we inquired the way to the camp-ground. He informed us ot two routes, but said one was “more furder” than the other. Os course we took er and thought that quite far enough. After a long and wearisome ride, howev er, we reached the place and tound all things ready for the worship of God, We had good order generally, and a gracious ipeeting The preachers in be in the Spirit and did their earnestly and well. We hope may prove a lasting blessing to of that country. There is still much bitter feeling existing between parties in that section, growing out of the late war, and occasionally someone is killed by some desperate band of outlaws. You can scarcely imagine what trials some of our preachers in this portion of our con ference are undergoing the present year. — Nothing but the grace of God could sustain them under the circumstances. They have all submitted to their situation with com mendable fortitude, and continue to labor faithfully and zealously, with one exception. Bro. Fowler who was on the Ellijay circuit left us a few months since, and joined the (Yankee) Holston Conference. A happy riddance of bad rubbish. Your prediction concerning him has proved correct. There have been several missionaries (so called) from the Northern Methodist Church, in the upper portion of my District, trying to decoy and lead off our people. Some Churches in Fannin county went over to them in the early part of the year; but from what I saw and heard while over there, I am of the opinion that most of them are al ready tired of the experiment. Bro. Brew er, I learn, is now operating in this county, endeavoring to lay out some missionary ground for the northern church. I have been told that he is to be paid according to what he accomplishes for his Church , and if this be the case, I honestly think it be hooves him to seek some surer and better way of making a living. We are now passing through the fires of adversity and persecution as a Church; but if our ministers and members are only faith ful to their trust, we shall ere long see southern Methodism growing as the cedars of Lebanon and flourishing as the palm tree. There have been many gracious revivals of religion in this District within the past few months, especially on the Cumming, Gainesville and Carnesville circuits. At Dawsonville, in the Cumming circuit, there has been a marvellous work of grace. The meeting has continued for several months with unabating interest. Nearly one* hun dred and fifty have joined Ae Church there. May the Lord send us a general, soul-clean sing revival all over the land, and save our country from ruin! We love the Advocate and you would get many subscribers in this section, if we had better mail facilities, and a few more green backs. hinancially we are in a deplorable situa tion. I cannot see how our preachers are to live here another year. May the Lord provide for us ! Yours in Christ, , W. P. Pledger. Carnesvili.e Ct., Ga. Conference.— Revs G. Hughes and H\ Cranford write : The Lord is graciously reviving His woik in