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4 gotdfjern ®|risfaa MACON, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 30, 1866. God as the Supreme Governor. Man’s mind, will and affections are actua ted by conflicting good and evil principles unknown to any other moral intelligences of whom we have knowledge. He is conscious ©f this conflict. lie is perfectly aware, too, that violations of the laws of righteousness, do, and ought to, carry their own punish ments with them. Yet he voluntarily trans gresses the obvious principles of rectitude, and foolishly charges his Maker with in justice in annexing penalties to these neces sary laws of his] moral government, and he becomes exasperated when they are execu ted in vindication of the most benevolent and righteous administration under which he could be placed. Nevertheless, the sin ner, though he feels that his own judgment and conscience are at war with his wicked motives and godless life, will laugh at and •harge both the judgments of reason and the consciousness of guilt to the account of a superstitious education. But the Christian system of religion is as far removed fromj superstition, as the high est functions cf reason, and the strongest forces of moral separate truth from error. Incredulous smiles and paltry jests will never answer the philosophical inquiry of reason, “ How comes it that the universal mind and the universal conscience at once pronounce in favor of the principles of truth, honor, honesty, fidelity, benevo lence and virtue, —all necessary principles of religion,—and that the legal tribunals of •very nation enforce them with penal or other sanctions ?” It is a striking acknow ledgment of the necessity of the religion of Christ to good government, that its laws and the laws of human government are identical, so far as the latter are perfect. It shows that the principles of religion are written by the Creator, with more or less distinctness, on the judgment and conscience of man. This tribute to religion is being constantly given in the laws of our legisla tures, and in the decisions of our judicial tri bunals. Yet the world seems inconsistent enough to affect the belief, that while the principles of our holy Christianity ought to be recog nized as the purest and best formative prin ciples of all good human government; yet their authorship must be denied to the Creator. Or, if so much be admitted, he must be denied all connection with the im mediate execution of the penalties their vio lation always entails ou the mind and con science of the transgressor. Iu other words partial thinkers and inconsequent reason ed, conclude that for violations of the prin ciples of truth, honesty, honor, fidelity, be nevolence and virtue, a man ought to ex press sorrow and penitence only to his fel low-man, or to the judicial agents of the government by whom he is tried and con victed, and not to God, who, according to their godless theories, takes no account of such matters. This is an equivalent to the notion that God has excluded the race, by the laws of their being, from his own su preme personal oversight and control—an infidel notion contradicted by treason, ex perience and revelation. Bu man may assert ever so dogmatically, that the Creator has no concern with human affairs; and the question still remains, “Where is his proof?" It is a bare assertion, incapable of proof, even if it were true. But reason and con science, nature and revelation, unite to hold each individual responsible immediately to Almighty God, for the violation of the true and holy laws of his intellectual and moral being. Whatever may be attempted to be believed and taught to the contrary, man’s own judgment .and moral sense, will read him the old lesson, that the violation of the essential laws of Christianity, necessarily subjects the transgressor to punishment, by reason of our Maker’s own judicial fiat, and by virtue of his almighty ever-present power. The Name 4 ‘ Christian ” It is stated by the author of the Acts of ihe Apostles, that the disciples of Jesus were first called “ Christians" at Antioch. This designation was in pursuance of a com mon custom in that day dating from a re mote period. Authors of philosophy, and founders of sects, have bequeathed their names to posterity, as representative of their philosophical and religious peculiarities; and their systems and names have come to be synonymous. It was the means by which each school honored its founder and distinguished itself from all others. Fitly, therefore, was the religion of Christ, called by his Name. By this title, his disciples have been separated from the followers of all other philosophers, and the worshipers of all other gods. And whatever minor or local appellation may distinguish each of the various branches of the Church, that of “ Christians,” will forever remain the hon orable, impressive, and characteristic name of all the brethren of our Lord. This title is the badge of their faith in Christ, and expressive of their full sympathy with his •ause —the pledge of their fraternal union of purpose and effort to illustrate the doc trines, and promote the great work of a com mon Saviour. PROMISING AND PERFORMING. A Layman gives some useful hints about the best way of making Conference resolu tions in behalf of a paper tell on its pros perity. There is a special necessity that all preachers, who act for this paper, should act , as well as resolve. We copy from the Richmond Christian Advocnte: I notice in reading the proceedings of our Virginia Annual Conference, that year after year the preachers pass resolutions commending the Advocate, and pledging their efforts to increase its subscription list. I'have been a member of the Church for nearly twenty-five years, and, if my memo ry serve me well, I have not, in that time, heard the paper mentioned Jive times from the pulpit by the regular pastor, in the way of an attempt to secure subscribers. Nor do I remember as many instances as five, in which any exertion, that came under my notice, was put forth by the preacher in charge to obtain subscriptions by personal application in private. With such facts be fore us, the question naturally arises, Ho our ministers seriously intend to do what they promise ? If so, either their memories fail them very soon after Conference, or they quickly backslide fr#m their professions of zeal. 1 Better that thou should’st not vow, than that thou should’st vow and not pay.’ Can our brethren be sensible of the obliga tions thus deliberately self-imposed; or do they consider when they pass those resolu lutions, that everybody takes it for granted that it is mere matter of form. If the former, are they not greatly remiss ? If the latter, let m« advise you, Mr. Editor, to use your influence in the future, to quash all such expressions of intention to act —for to thinking, conscientious men, our preach ers present themselves in a very unfavora ble light in relation to this subject “ But there is a better way, aud that is to ‘vow and pay.’ If our Conference paper be a power for good, and our brethren so re gard it, let them have done with trying to nacify their consciences for neglect of duty, by annually ‘resolving’ to do it, and take the matter in hand in good earnest. Who doubts that one twelve months’ diligent and zealous effort on the part of two hundred ministers, would quadruple your present subscription list? Not I. Surely it would not add any material amount of labor to his regular work for the pastor to keep the Ad vocate in mind as lie visits from family to family, and to bring up its claims as a sub ject of conversation, among many others, of less importance, in which he engages with members of the household. Ido not be lieve that it is for lack of a sincere desire to see our paper in every family that the ques tion is not urged, but from sheer thought lessness The preachers and the people love the paper and wish it well, but not talking about it and not seeing it, the old adage is verified, ‘ out of sight out of mind.’ ” VIRGINIA METHODIST PROTES TANT CONFERENCE. The following resolutions were passed at the recent session of this body at Lynch burg, Va. Rev. G. R. Barr, brought in a minority report dissenting; but after some discussion the resolutions were unanimously passed. The report and resolutions are as fol lows : The Committeo to whom was referred the resolution of inquiry as to “what action, if any, is proper for this Conference to take with lef'erence to a union of the Methodist Protestant and the Methodist Episcopal Church," report, that after mature delibera tion upon the subject, they recommend the adoption of the following resolutions, viz : 1. Resolved, That in view of the proceed ings heretofore had upon this subject in the course of our inter-communications with the Virginia Annual Conference of that Church, we deem any-further negotiations by us, as a Conference, upon the subject unnecessary at present. 2. Resolved , That the proceedings of the General Conference of the Methodist Epis copal Church South at New Orleans upon this subject, and the overtures made by that body to our late General Conference at Georgetown, D. C., afford us great gratifica tion, and encourage the hope in us that measures may yet be adopted satisfactory to both Churches which shall ultimately lead to their formal union. 3. Resolved , That our General Confer ence, having referred the commissioners of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and their overtures to the consideration and ac tion of our General Convention, to meet in Montgomery, Ala., in May next, recommend our delegate.* to that, body to be instructed to use their iufluence to have corresponding commissioners appointed on our part to meet and confer with those of the Methodist Epis copal Church South upon this subject; and to facilitate the contemplated union of the two Churches upon such terms and princi ples as shall not compromise the integrity of the Methodist Protestant Church, and shall be satisfactory and honorable to both Churches, and to have their entire proceed ing in the case referred to our Annual Con ference for ratification or otherwise. Bishop Marvin’s Postoffice is O'Fallon, St. Charles county, Missouri. SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. THE PACIFIC CONFERENCE. From the Christian Spectator , California, we learn that this Conference sat at Peta luma, Cal., Oct. 10-15th, Bishop Kava naugh, presiding. The session was in eve ry respect pleasaut and spiritually profitable. The statistical report shows the following aggregate : Local Preachers, 31; Mem bers, 2,337; Candidates, 254; Conference Funds, §477.25; Sabbath-school collections, §1241.85; Churches, 57 —value, 61,800; Parsonages, 22 —value, 11,765 ; Conver sions, 431; Baptisms, 150 ; Adult, 228 in fant. The aggregate claim of the preachers for the past year amounted to §21,165 , amount received, §16,390 ; deficit, §4,7(5. The Conference Fund amounted to §637.50. The vote on changing the name of the Church was, ayes, 37 ; noes, 8 ; Lay-Repre sentation, Ayes, 40; Noes, one. The next Conference is to be held at San Jose. Death of the Rev. Allen Turner. The Rev. Allen Turner has departed this life. Religion and heaven were his theme in his life, and were his theme in death. I simply aunounce the fact of the aged pilgrim’s death. He passed off as if in a sweet sleep. No doubt a suitable obit uary will be written. Dabney P. Jones. Sunday-school Visitor. —We hope, says Hr. Summers, that the preachers of all the Conferences will make prompt and per severing efforts to introduce the Visitor into all the schools and families under their pastoral care. We also request superin tendents and teachers to bring the matter before their schools, that they may take im mediate action in the premises. We are making arrangements to issue a child’s pa per, which shall meet the wants of the Church in all respects. The first number is to be published on the first of January. It will be issued monthly, at 50 cents a year for single copies—4o cents when from five to twenty copies arc sent to one address —over twenty, 30 cents. Bishop Soule’s Library. —We have at the Publishing House nearly two hundred volumes from Bishop Soule’s Library, which we desire to dispose of on his account. We respectfully suggest that the lot would be an appropriate present to one of our College or parsonage libraries. It would be a fit ting souvenir of the venerable man, who has made so good use of them for the edi fication of the Church, whose ministry he has so lons adorned. The Book Agent lias ° i ° appraised the lot at about three hundred dollars. He will bo happy to receive an or der for them at as early a day as possible.— Nashville Advocate. The Rev J. Wesley Wigiitman pars ed through Nashville last week, says the Advocate, on his way from South Carolina to Kentucky. We understand that he is to take charge of Taylor St. Church, New port, vice Hr. Huston, who has been disa bled by sickness. War Poetry of the South. —Edited by William Gilmore Simms, LL. H., New York. Richardson & Cos., 540 Broad way. We are indebted to the publishers for a handsome copy of this volume of patriotic songs. It is dedicated to the “Women of the South” who “hare lost a cause, but made a triumph.” We find in it some of the contributions of an esteemed friend, Mrs. Cross, to the Southern Christian Advocate. The Round Table notices this book thus: Messrs. Richardson & Cos. are about to publish “War Poetry of the South," a hand some volume of four hundred and eighty two pages, edited by Mr. William Gilmore Simms, and containing over two hundred specimens of verse, good, bad, and indiffer ent. Asa collection it compares, favorably, we think, with the earlier collections of Mr. Frank Moore and Mr. Richard Grant White, showing the Southern poets to have been as much in earnest in celebrating their view of the war as ours were in celebrating our, and considerably more vehement, not to say vituperative at times. Vituperation and ve hemence are sot confined however, to any one section of this great continent, the more’s the pity. “Though sectional in its character," says Mr. Simms in his preface, “and indicative of a temper and a feeling which were in conflict with nationality, yet, now that the States of the Union have been resolved into one nation, this collection is essentially as much the property of the whole as are the captured cannon which were employed against it during the progress of the late war. It belongs to the national literature, and will hereafter be regarded as constitu ting a proper part of it, just as legitimately to be recognized by the nation as are the ri val ballads of the Cavaliers and Roundheads by the English, in the great civil conflict of their country.” All the Southern poets with whom we were previously acquainted are represented in its pages, besides a great many of whom we never heard before, and whom we never desire to hear again, having already more than enough of their fellows here at the North. Among the best known names are those of Mr. Henry Timrod, Mr. Paul H. Ilayne, Mr. James Barron Hope, Mr. John R. Thompson, Mr. A. J. Requier, Mr. Alex ander B. Meek, Mr. George H. Miles, Mr. Albert Pike, Mr. Henry L. Flash, Mr. James R. Randall, Mr. John Esten Cooke, aud Mr. Simms himself. To say that all these gentlemen have written fine poems would be more than the truth, as it would be less than the truth to say that most of them had not written exceedingly well.— Mr. Timrod is, perhaps the truest poet, as Mr. Randall is the most successful lyrist, nothing that the war has produced either at the North or South surpassing his My Maryland. Mr. Thompson is spirited and sarcastic, Mr. Simmsrhetorical but nervous, particularly in his balladry, while Mr. Ilayne is always poetical aud often effective in his measures. Some of the best lyrics in the whole volume are by comparatively un known writers, as Frank Ticknor, of Geor gia, whose Old Rijleman is an admirable little ballad. That prolific poet, Anony mous, has done himself, or probably herself in this instance, full justice iu this touching poem. ENLISTED TO-DAY. I know the sun shines, and the lilac l are b'owing. And summer sends kisses by beautiful May— Oh 1 to see all the treasures the spring is bestowing, And think—my boy Willie enlisted to-day. It seems but a day since at twilight, low humming, I r< eked i im to sleep »i h his cheek upon mine. Whi e R. bby, the four-year old, watched for the com ing. Os father, ailown the street’s indistinct line. It is many a year since my Harry departed, To come back no more in the twilight or dawn; And Robby grew weary of watching, and started A one on the journey his father had gone. It is many a year—and thi« afternoon sitting At R' bby’s old window, I heard the hand play, And sudd- nly ceased dreamina over my Irnutiog, To recollect Willie is twenty to-day. And that, standing beside him this soft May day morn ing, The sun making gold of his wreathed cigar stroke, I saw in his sweet eyes and lips a faint warning, And choked down the tears when he eagerly spoke : “Dear mother, you know howthe Northmen are crowd ing, They wouui trample the rights of the South in the dust: The boys are all fire; and thev wish I were going—” lie slopped, but his eyes said, ‘ Oh, say if I must!” I smiled on the hoy, though my heart seemed breakirg. My eyes filled with t< ars, so 1 turned them aw«y, And'answered him, “Willie, ’tis well you are waking— Go, act as your father would bid you, to-day 1” I sit in the window, and see the flags flying, And drearily list to ti e roll of the drum. And smother the pain in my nea>-t that lslying, And bid all the fears in my bosom be dumb. I shall sit in the window, when summer is lying Out over the fields, and the honey-bee’s hum Lnl s the rove at ihe porch from er tremulous sighing. And watch for the lace of my darling to come. And if he shoul fall—his young hfe hehnsgiven For freedom’s sweet sake ; and for me. T will pray Onee more w ih my Harry and Hobby in Heaven, To mee; the di ar boy that enlisted to-day. How I Managed my House, on £2OO ($1000) a year. Ry Mrs. Warren.— Lorinc, Publisher, Boston. For sale by J. Burke & Cos. This book has had a great run in Eng land, 80.000 copies sold. It i3 a simple story of a woman’s expedients in the way of economy —how to save, how to make much out of little, with many practical directions of housekeeping. It is worthy of perusal. Price 50c. “Somebody's Darling." —We are in debted to the publishers, through Messrs. J. W. Burke k Cos., for a copy of this very beautiful song —the words by a Georgia la day and the music by Leon C. Weld. We have rarely heard a more touchingly beau tiful melody, or one better adapted to the words accompanying it. Price 35 cents. Nora O’Neall, a beautiful ballad, by Will S. Hays, of Louisville, Ky. 35 cents, Beautiful Isle of the Sea. 35 cents. Meet me at the Lane, 35 cents. Putting on Airs, comic, 30 cents. Why must we part. —A touching bal lad, and deservedly popular. They send any piece of music published, free of postage, on receipt of the retail price. New Advertisements. Richardson & Cos., want Agents.— See the advertisement of this House, which is desirous of securing Agents to give its pouplar volumes general circulation. The National Publishing Company, want Agents for the Life and Campaigns of General Stonewall Jackson. Union Point Academy. —The com mencement of the Spring Term is announ ced by Smith and Thornton. Situation Wanted, by “Bellarmine,’’ for a Virginia Lady and Gentleman. Dr. T. P. Crutcher has returned to Ma con. He calls attention to the merits of his treatment of chronic diseases of a nervous character. Geo. Kimbrough, Attorney at Law, Starkville, Ga. Memphis Conference. This Conference met at Jackson, Tenn., Nov. 14th, Bishop Paine presiding. An unusually large number of the members were present. The editor of the Memphis Christian Advocate writing from the Con ference on the night of the 19th, says : “ The Conference voted on the question of Lay Representation, submitted by order of the General Conference. For concur- j rence, 65; against, 51. Several more votes, probably, will be received in the morning. “ This afternoon, the Conference voted on the question respecting a change of the name of the Church, submitted by the Gen eral Conference. For change, 78, against, ! 48. This result may be varied by some additional votes.” North Carolina Conference. Since the morning of November 7th, says the Fayetteville News, the N. C. Conference has been holding its sittings in this place. To characterize the assembling of this re ligious body as interesting will but poor.*y ! express the feeling which has been experi j enced here. Large numbers of people from ! all parts of the surrounding country have | beeu in attendance, and the pulpit and ses sion exercises have beeu visited by great crowds throughout. For months, the people in this section have been anxiously awaiting this occasion of hearing Bishop Pierce, and the effect of his grand serratn on Sunday morning, upon the minds of more than a thousand audi™ tori, attests that the shadow of the full man only came a little before him. \Ye will her# merely mention some others below him— Revs. Andrews, Mangum, Sehon, Deems, Mann, Moran, Reid, Hally and others, , whose talents are shining lights to the Church. As matters of general interest, we will state that the N. C. Conference voted to ad mit a lay delegation, and voted also to change the name of the "Church to “ Episcopal Methodist-,’’ —leaving off the word “South.” Dr. Deems, Editor of the Watchman, writes from Wilson, N. C., Nov. 16, to his paper : “The Annual Conference which I have been attending closed its session in Fayette ville, North Carolina, last Monday night. It was a brief, harmonious, and happy ses sion. I have never seen more unity among Christian brethren. All the departments of, the Church seem to be in working order, and some of them really prosperous. It is a matter of grateful surprise to me to see the rapid recuperation of the Church. Every formality of ecclesiastical discipline and ar rangement was as regularly observed as be fore the war. Os course, the finances of the Church have suffered greatly from the impoverishment, and depression of the coun try; but even iu this respecl the liberality of many portions of the Church has abound ed in the great poverty of her members. The schools and colleges have commenced operation, and some of them have signs of growth and usefulness. It was resolved to commence the publication of anew religious journal, to be called the Carolina Episcopal Methodist.” Hr. H. further writes that: “ The vote on the admission of lay representation to the council of the Church stood 48 for, and 22 against.” Week of Prayer for 1867. The British Evangelical Alliance have issued a circular, recommending, as in tho past few years, the universal observance of a week of special and united prayer, at the commencement of the year. The time proposed, and the topics for devotion sug gested, are as follows : Sabbath, January 6th. —Sermons on the Presence of Christ, with his Universal Church. Monday, January 7/7i. —Thanksgiving and Confession of Sin. Tuesday, January Bth. —Prayer for Na tions ; for “kings and all in authority for the increase of righteousness, the prevalence of peace, aud the holy observance of the Sabbath. Wednesday, January 9th. —Prayer for the success of missions among Jews and Gentiles, and for a divine blessing to accom pany the efforts to evangelize the uncon verted of all lands and classes. Thursday , January 10 th. —Prayer for all who have suffered from the recent wars; for our brethren emancipated from slavery, and for our fellow-Christians persecuted for the Gospel’s sake. j Friday, January 1 \th. —Prayfer for Chris tian families, for schools, colleges and uni versities. Saturday , January 12 th. —Prayer for the Catholic Church, for all ministers of the Gospel, and for the increase of holiness, fidelity, and Christian charity among its members. Sabbath , January 13 th. —Sermons on the unity of tho Church, and the duties of believers to manifest it by mutual recogni tion and active co-operation. The Mission Work M. E. Church North. The General Missionary Committee of the M. E. Church, held its annual session in New York, Nov. B—l3th. The New York Christian Advocate, noticing the proceed ings of the Committee, gives a general re view of their whole mission work, from which it appears “that the appropriations for last year for all purposes, including a large aggregate of contingencies, amounted to a million dollars. There was at that time in the treasury a large surplus —over four hundred thousand dollars —which it was thought best to reduce. Accordingly the aggregate amounts asked for from the Church, and apportioned to be raised among the Annual Conferences, was but seven hun dred and fifty thousand dollars. The sum actually paid into the society’s treasury dur* ing the late fiscal year (Nov. Ist, 18G5, to Oct. 31st, 1860, both inclusive) was seven hundred and two thousand eight hundred and three dollars, of which about fifty six thousand were received from other sources than the usual forms of Church con tributions. The disbursements for the year amount to a little over eight hundred and ninety thousand dollars, showing a deficit of receipts; as compared with expenditures; of