Newspaper Page Text
4
jStaaijjcrn Cjmstian
MACON, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 9,1866.
THE EIGHT GRACES.
Were mankind desirous of becoming con
versant with the elegant and exalted princi
ples of a godly life—or were all professing
Christians deeply concerned to make a
thorough analysis of the method of attain
ing and developing the main elements of a
perfect religious character—no passage in
the Scriptures would receive more of their
patient and prayerful thought and accept
ance, than the sth Chap, of the 2d Epistle
of the Apostle Peter. Here we are furn
ished with an assemblage of the purest and
most ennobling virtues known to man, and
an eloquent advocate inspires us to adorn
our characters with them. And who can
deny that the study and acquisition of such
rich adornments are worthy and worth the
chief exertions of a life-time.
Therefore, add to your faith, virtue,
knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness,
brotherly kindness, and charity—cultivate
and perfect these divine graces in your
minds and hearts, and you will regain the
happiness of Eden.
The crowning grace of the religious char
acter is charity. This term signifies love,
and no doubt it is that operative principle
of Christianity which makes men new crea
tures and “resembles them to God.” This,
like faith is an executive and acquisitive
grace. Lore perfects what faith begins.
A pure and active affection will necessarily
develope an appropriate and acceptable, a
fruitful and happy religious life. And with
out this, none of the other principles of
Christianity subsist in the heart.
The Apostle here does not advance the
idea that these graces are to be added the
one to the other at intervals, —that after one
has been perfectly developed, then the next,
in the order of enumeration, is to be taken
up and carried through the same process,
until the course is completed. The original
expresses conjunction and co existence. —
Each grace is to be joined with the other—
each and all to be put under training and to
begin a vigorous outward life at once—im
mediately on conversion. The moment the
penitent, believing sinner obtains pardon
and spiritual life from the dead, all these
attendant graces being at the same time im
planted and prepared for exercise, his duty
is, from that happy instant, to begin the
work of cultivating and bringing them to
yield abundant fruit, and of so ingrafting
them together that they shall form and be
seen but as a compacted whole in the mani
festation and perfection of the Christian
character.
Says the Apostle, “ If these things be in
you.” It is not enough that we perceive
and admire the beauty and excellence of
Christian faith, virtue and kindred graces.
These must be fixed in us as guiding and
governing powers. “If these things bo in
you and abound.” The stature of Christian
manhood is not to be dwarfed by that indo
lence which permits the noxious things of
the world to check its growth and sin to
poison its food, or by that parsimony which
grudges and stints the necessary outlays to
protect, supply and expand it. Every thing
requisite to give the religious character a per
fect and commanding form, is to be largely
contributed to it. It can only be individ
ualized, and stand in contrast to the best
specimens of the world, by a. more abuns
dant. display of the unequaled powers and
achievements of all the operative principles
of Christianity. “If these things (or graces)
be in you and abound, they make you.’’
Here the inspired writer enforces the im
portant truth, that these principles are ac
tive and powerful agents, constantly employ
ing themselves, or being employed, in the
moral development of the soul. Where
they are not, there can be no piety and relig
ious enjoyment; but to him iu whom they
are planted and abound, duty is a pleasure
and experience is a constant .round of de
lights. “ They make you that you be neither
barren nor uhfruitful—(idle nor unblessed)
—in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.”
It is perfectly plain, therefore, that whero
these graces are not, there the true knowl
edge ot Christ exists not; and that where
they do not abound, there can be uo pro
gression in the experimental knowledge of
truth, and no enlargement of the pleasures
of the Christian life. To know Christ, is
not simply to understand his prom pts, com
mands and doctrines, but to fed and per
form them. Christian knowledge is Chris
tian experience. To know Christ, is to ex
perience tl e indwelling and controlling in
fluence of the Spirit of his grace and love.
His presence and blessings are felt inward
ly, and they are to be given outward ex
pression, by working by his grace, walking
by his example, dispensing charity by his
love, scattering gifts out of his munificent
treasures, and openly rejoicing in the prac
tice of the duties he enjoins and the real
ization of his promises. True knowledge of
Christ will ever be discriminated from the
false, by its professors giving all diligence
to add to Christian faith, virtue of life and
the courage of determined perseverance,
the knowledge that makes one wise unto
salvation, the temperance that bridles all
tempers and passions, the patience that suf
fers long without anger and resentment,
the godliness that illustrates the walk and
conversation of our Lord Jesus, the benevo
lence that cares for the wants and woes of
the brotherhood, and the love that vitalizes
every other grace, and assimilates the whole
spiritual man to the likeness of Gol.
The Apostle immediately adds : “ But he
that laeketh these things is blind.’’ lie is
profoundly ignorant of what really consti
tutes a true religious life and experience.
“He cannot see a far off.” He shuts his
eyes to the light of truth, and closes his un
derstanding to the requirements of his pro
fession.’ He is glad to remain spiritually
ignorant, because the perception of duty
neglected might disturb his moral sense.
Nay, sometimes he displays no little ac
tivity and ingenuity in stultifying his reason
by inventing plausible arguments, and hush
ing his conscience by specious excuses,
against moving in any given direction in
which duty perchance might lay a claim on
him. No wonder that such an one hath
soon “ forgotten that he was once purged
from his old sins.”
Alas! this is too general a result of in
dolence and indifference in the Church of
the present day. now melancholy it is to
discover the once happy child of grace, be
cause of his non-improvement of the re
quired principles and duties of a living,
fruitful and saving faith, now a helpless
wreck on the surging billows of infidelity,
momentarily expecting to go down in hope
less death ! And this the frightful conse
quence of his own wilful folly ! Neglect
ing to begin or to prosecute the work of
completing his spiritual house, the exposed
foundation has been washed away. Refus
ing to follow the counsels of his Saviour
and the admonitions of the Holy Spirit, he,
too, has been soon swept out iuto the sea
of doubt. Darkness suddenly eclipses his
bright experience—a rebellious spirit drives
out his filial confidence in God —time in
creases his spiritual blindness and hardness
—wind and tide sweep him through other
scenes, and crowd the mind with other
thoughts, and fill the heart with other feel
ings; and if he ever throws back a glance
on past religious experience, he looks at it
as the ebu lition of youthful enthusiasm or
a strange delusion.
He has rapidly passed through the differ
ent stages of infidelity. First he doubted
the work of conversion in his soul—soon
forgot that, he had ever felt and confessed
anything like it—then asserted aud argued
the impossibility of obtaining a certain'con
scious knowledge of the forgiveness of sin—
presently denied its reality as a truth—in a
little while repudiated the possibility of se
curing pardon and peace in this life, even if
it were required—and, lastly, he has come
to the conclusion that it is a grand mistake
to suppose it to be necessary to seek forgive
ness and regeneration at all, since God is so
merciful he will grant salvation, whether
the conditions be fulfilled or not. Nothing
remains for him, but to deny that there is
any Revelation, Saviour and God, and then
to sink into outer darkness.
But the inspired teacher now comes to
his just and eloquent climax, on which no
comment need be made. “Wherefore, the
rather brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure; for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall: For so an en
trance shall bo ministered unto you abun
dantly into the everlasting kingdom of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
The important lesson taught in the pas
sage we have been considering is, that the
method of expanding and perfecting the
Christian graces, is by the industrious cuh»
tivalion, not of one, but of the mauy prin
ciples of religion. Faith is invigorated and
rendered more acquisitivo by its gains; for
titude is strengthened into the iron will by
exercise; knowledge is enlarged, and be
comes a source of great delight and an ele
ment of power, by reflection and persever
ing study ; temperance in all things, minis
ters physical health, mental quietude and
moral satisfaction, by strict observance; pa
tience extracts a thousand fretful stings and
carking cares from the bosom, by training it
to its perfect work; godliness in walk aud
conversation, makes a beautiful and attrac
tive manifestation of the chief and noblest
attributes of human nature, by encourage
ment in the daily labors of religion, and in
devotedness to the advancement of the great
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
first interest of humanity; the charities,of
brotherhood grow, and also multiply the
gratifications of a good heart, by being fos
tered and fixed through abundant use. But
if there be any one principle to which may
be attributed justly the all-pervading and
all-controlling power required for the devel
opment and perfection of the graces of
Christianity in the heart and life, this one
comprehensive principle must be love to God,
responding to his love shed abroad within
us. It njay be laid down as axiomatic, that
in proportion to the increase of thetHuistian’s
reciprocating love to his Heavenly Father,
will be the growth of all the graces of re
ligion in his heart and their manifestation
in his life. The supreme love of the Crea
tor, enthroned in the heart by the might
of its own invincible power, crowns the life
with a godlike attribute more glorious than
an earthly diadem, more enduring than
earthly power, more grateful than earthly
fame, more beneficent than earthly beue*
factors, more enriching than earthly treas
ures, and more refining and elevating, last
ing aud self-sacrificing, transforming aud
spiritual, than earthly affection. The first
bud of holy love, in conversion, is more
fragrant than “ beds of spices,” and move
beautiful than the “ rose of Sharon.’’ Ex
panded into full flower, it exhales a more
ravishing perfume than frankincense, and
unfolds beauties more entrancing than the
first blush of the garden of Eden. Grown
into fruit, plucked and partaken, it eradicates
the poison of “ the fruit of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil,’’ and infuses
anew into the soul a vigor capable of im
mortal deeds, and the activities of anew life
correspondent to the works and ministries
of 0.
Sacrifices in War and in Peace.
Could the Southern Christians ever he
brought to make the same sacrifices and
perform equal labors for the cause of God,
that they did four years for that of indepen
dence, what a marvellous change a very few
years would make in the religious aspect of so
ciety. The world, then, put the Church to
shame by its open-handed, large hearted liber
ality, and the citizen and the soldier distanced
the Christian and the Christian minister in
self-denying, self-sacrificing labors, and in
the endurance of hardships of the severest
character. Women and girls and hoys
caught the spirit of the occasion and wrought
and toiled with an energy and self-forget
fulness, that it would be refreshing to see
exhibited in the work of Christianity. But
the labor was all for naught. The prize wa9
not reached, and nothing remains but the
lessons of patient endurance that may have
been learned, and the discovery of the pro
digious capabilities for useful work that lies
latent among us —only waiting till we are
roused to apply it in the proper direction.
We remind our readers of these years of
toil and suffering to see if we cannot enlist a
like Zealand self-sacrificing energy iu u much
greater work, that offers itself to them, than
even that of achieving political independence
—the purpose which nerved them fur four
years to perform the mightiest labors. This
purpose might fail —has failed. But a work
is before them in which if similar efforts be
used there can be no failure—but rather a
triumph that will repay them for all their
toil. We exhort them to lookback to these
past few yfcars, and to ask if God’s work is
not worth the labor and sacrifices, that they
were then familiar with, and which they
performed and bore so heroically —so cheer
fully. If they find it so, let them not draw
back from the service, and they will be re
warded with such victories over the powers
of darkness, as will make the Church indeed
the light of the world.
We have been led to make these remarks
by the spirited letter from our correspon
dent from Mobile Conference, to whose let
ter we invite attention.
The East Texas Conference.
We have heard from this body, by a pri
vate letter from Rev. Jolm Fatillo, former
ly of Georgia, who is this year on Melrose
Ct. He informs us that the Conference,
after a day’s discussion resolved upon forin
a new Conference from part of its territory—
the Trinity Conference. It concurred in
the action of the General Conference in lay
delegation and change of name, by a vote
of 36 ayes to 6 nays, in both oases. He
informs us that the cotton crop in East
Texas is likely to he better than expected —
perhaps a half crop will bo gathered.
lie writes:—
“We are highly pleased with Bishop
Marvin as a presiding officer. Ho admira
bly combines the maviter in tnodo with the
for titer in re , so desirable in one occupying
his position. As illustrative of his sound
judgment and correct taste, upon some
preacher offering a resolution of thanks to
him for the manner in which he had dis
charged the duties of the chair, he refused
to put the vote, saying that his feelings on
that subject were so strong that he would
not sign the minutes of a Conference con
taining such a resolution. He further
strongly opposed the policy of such a body
voting a resolution of thanks to one of ‘ its
own members,’ not only as being in bad
taste, but as easily degenerating into ‘log
rolling.’ I think seven or eight located
and five were received on trial. Oue was
received into full connection.”
The Georgia Conference.
It may be proper to say to the preachers
who expect to attend the Conference at
Americus, that there is only a day train
from Macon to the latter point. There are,
however, night-trains on the Macon & West
ern and Central roads which make connec
tion with the day-train to Americus.
We will add, that it is this year very im
portant that all the preachers be at the Con
ference, if possible, on account of the gravi
ty of the questions which are to come be
fore that body. Nor is it les3 important,'
that they should be there on the first day,
as the question of the division of the Con
ference must necessarily come up and be
settled, before any progress can be made in
the stationing room. All who wish to take
part in deciding that question should be
present when the Conference opens.
THE TEXAS CONFERENCE
We learn faom a correspondent of the
Houston Telegraph, that this body met at
Galveston on 2<fth Get., Bishop Marvin
presiding. About 40 ministers were pres
ent —a small number compared with the
attendance of former years. But the Con
ference has been divided to form the N. W.
Texas and West Texas Conferences. The
editor says:
This, together with the poor support
the ministers have generally received this,
year, which has in some cases been insuffi
cient to pay their expenses to Conference,
is the cause of the limited attendance.
When the question was asked by the
Bishop “who are admitted on trial ?” the
answer was made that there were no appli
cations, eliciting the response that “ it was a
strange fact in the history of any Conference,
and should occasion humilitation, fasting
and prayer.’’
* Asa partial remedy for this the follow
ing transfers have been received: Rev.
Dr. Kavanaugh, of the St. Louis Conference;
Rev. E. F. Thwing, of the South Carolina
Coufercncc ; Rev, Mr. Tanzy, of the Mont
gomery Conference; Rev Mr. Allen, of the
Georgia Conference; Rev. Ivy H. Cox, of
the West Texas Conference.
A preamble and resolution was presented
from the Quarterly Conference of Chappell
Hill Station, in reference to establishing a
mission in Brazil, with a view to the future
organization of one or more Conferences
there, and the formation of the “ Indepen
dent Methodist Church of the Empire of
Brazil,” aud requesting that Dr. Robert
Alexander be sent there to take charge of
said missionary work. It was receive 1 and
referred to a select committee of three, con
sisting of James H. Wesson, U. C. Spence
and Dr. Kavanaugh.
Emanuel Hainmitt, a negro preacher from
Millican, was elected to Deacon’s orders.
It was stated that he could read the Bible
well, was a good preacher, and “ Southern”
in his feelings. The Bishop wished to
know if he held any of the superstitions
common among the blacks, and was inform
ed that he did not. The Bishop then stat
ed that in traveling lately through Harri
son county, on Red River he had found a
religious organization of the negroes calling
themselves The Angel Rand.” They
were under* the direction of an old negro
woman whom they called the “ God Moth
er,” and who they believed knew all their
thoughts and actions whether they were
present or absent. She prescribed punish
ments at pleasure which was received with
out opposition by the criminal.
It was expected that each per-ou should
receive a revelation from Heaven and relate
it to the society. One boy about fourteen
years of age, received no divine light and
was ordered to be flogged until the vision
came. This was done and a wonderful sto
ry was related. The Bishop asked the boy
how it was that the whipping gave him such
a revelation, and received the answer, “fen?
if you had been whipped as I was you would
have had a revelation.’’
The Home Monthly, Edited by Prof.
A. B. Stark and ltev. Felix II- Hill, and
beautifully printed at the Southern Metho
dist Publishing House, is most surely win
ning its way to fame and we trust to an ex
tensive circulation. The November num
ber shows steady improvement. We com
mend it to our young readers. Price so. oo
per annum. Address Stark and Hill, P.
0. Box 391, Nashville Tennessee.
__ - # ~
To Teachers. —Those peeking a good
situation may find an opening by referring
to our advertising column.
♦ «►"*■ —“
Prof. Darby is too well known to our
renders for Ins scientifle attaioaionts to need
that his Prophylactic Fluid should be com
mended to them. See his advertisement.
G, W. Williams, Esq., of Charleston,
our European correspondent, has, as we learn
from the Weekly Record, returned from
Europe safely and in good health. We ex
pect other letters yet from his pen.
The American Agriculturist, pub
lished by Orange Judd & Cos., 41 Park Row,
New York, at $1.50 per annum is one of
the best papers for the farmers, it is our
privilege to see. It is a. perfect museum of
of agricultural facts and directions, domes
tic receipts, etc., etc. “ All new sub
scribers to the Agriculturist for 18b7,
whose names are received during No
vember, will receive free of charge the
December number, which will be a very
valuable one. This will give 13 months for
a year’s price. The offer applies to all now
subscribers, singly, in clubs, in premium
lists, et.e. Extra time allowed for the ar
rival of names from the Pacific Coast and
other distant points, if started soon after
this notice is received. All new names
must be marked new, in order to receive the
extra number.”
Camsprtott.
EUROPEANLETTER.
In extent of tefritory Switzerland is
about as large as the State of South Caroli
na, aud is the oldest Republic in the world.
Surrounded by Kings and Emperors on all
sides, it is wonderful how she has been able
to maintain her republican form of govern
ment. The framers of the American con
stitution must have copied extensively from
that of Switzerland, as in many respects
the laws, customs and usages of the two re
publics are the same.
The people of Switzerland are hardy, ro
bust, industrious and economical. The wo
men, as in France, work in the fields, and
make themselves useful as well as ornament
al. The peasants are more comfortable and
look happier than the same class in France.
They retain their ancient manner of dress,
and live upon oat-bread, milk and cheese.
If a French peasant visits Paris a few times
she doffs her old costume, and is next seen,
especially on holy-days, in the gayest
attire. The plain white handkerchief is
supplanted by a small cap worn on the back
of the head covered with trinkets and brass
embroidery, and a boddice decorated with
gay ribbons, etc.
The houses in Switzerland, although gen
erally small, look clean, aud wear an air of
freshnesss.
I had heard much of Switzerland, arid
was prepared to find charming lakes lovely
valleys, and majestic mountains, but the
half had not been told. No country of the
same extent in the world presents such a
diversity of appearance and climate. You
look at the long range of Alps, with fright
ful precipices covered with perpetual snow,
and hundreds of glaeiers resembling so many
seas of glittering ice, and at the lower range
of mountains green with forests of fir, vines,
flowers and'grass, ou which herds of cattle,
sheep and goats are to be seen grazing,
watched by the lonely shepherd boy and his
faithful dog; and at the gentle verdant
valleys, as they nestle between the moun
tains with their crystal impetuous iced '
streams, as they come falling and dashing
thousands of feet over precipices and rocks
from the snowy regions; and at the gcntlo
charming lakes covered with steamers, convey
ing the delighted traveler, and rich manufac
tures of the beautiful cities that line their
borders. All these sights are to be seen in
a travel of a few days.
I had spent four days iu Switzerland and
thought I had seen enough of its beauties, and
was en route for Austria, when at the Falls
of the Rhino near Scbaffhausen —which an
English writer compares to Niagara, and
which are about as far short of the Falls of
Niagara as Tom Thumb is of the Russian
giant—l accidentally met with Judge Aldis
of Vermont, who, with his good wife, were
on their way to Pleffers, which they describ
ed as the most remarkable spot in Switzer
land. I decided to accompany them. We
sailed through the Lake of Constance to
Rorschalk. The Lake of Constance is tame
compared with other Swiss lakes. The pe
culiarity of this small lake is that it is bor
dered by five different States in a sail of as
many hours —your baggage is examined by
the custom house officers of Switzerland,
Baden, Wurtemberg, Bavaria and Austria.
From Horseback we traveled by rail, arriv
ing at Ragatz about 9 o’clock P. M. The
hotels were crowded and we found difficul
ty in getting accommodations. We finally
found comfortable quarters at Hotel Tami
na, where we met a party who gave such
glowing desertions of the Pass of the
Splugen over the Alps, we decided to g°
there also—thus taking me still farther out
of my route in the direction of Italy. We
arranged to be up at 5 o’clock next morning
and start for the Bath of Pleffers two and
half miles distant. We were nearly an
hour in ascending the steep mountaiu which
afforded the wildest scenery —arriving at
the Baths a little after sunrise. They are
two large buildings* connected by a chapel
a short distance above the roaring, ’la
mina. The narrow road leading to the
hot springs is grand beyond anything 1 had
seen. You pass through a mountain gorge
a quarter of a mile loug too narrow to ad
mit the rays of the sun, only a small skirt
of the sky is to be seen, and in many places
the mountain closes over jour head entire
ly. I could but thins of the possibility of
a land slide which frequently occurs in t hoe
ravines, in which event we should be shut
out from the world quite too long for our
comfort. At the extremity of the narrow
bridge you enter a tunnel dark as a dungmm,
which leads you to the hot springs. The
temperature is 120 Fahrenheit. In this
smoking, hot, supherous cavern you feel as
if you were not far removed from the gulf