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138
Christian Jiibotatt.
MACON, GEORGIA, AUGUST 28, 1868.
REVIVALS.
The Church of God has been distin
guished, in all ages, by certain grand revi
val epochs. The ancient Church realized
their importance in the penitential prayer,
“Turn us, 0 God of our salvation, and
cause thine anger against us to cease. Wilt
thou be angry with us forever ? Wilt thou
draw out thine anger to all generations ?
Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy
people may rejoice in thee?” When God
brought back the captivity of Jaoob, He
wrought a great work for them, but their
hearts panted for more than temporal bene
fits, and they sought and obtained His con
verting and sanctifying grace.
In the apostolic Church, we read of nu
merous revivals or outpourings of the Spirit,
when sinners were converted and believers
were built up and established in the faith.
The most wonderful display of divine power
in apostolic times occurred on the day of
Pentecost, when three thousand souls were
converted and added to the Churoh. The
sermon of Peter, on this occasion, was a
plain, pointed,'earnest home-thrust to the
hearts and consciences of his hearers. He
described, in few words, well chosen, their
crime and wickedness in the crucifixion of
aud urged them to a prompt and
hearty repentance of their sins, and to faith
In the Lord Jesns, as the only way of es
cape from impending wrath. This was a
model revival sermon; it resulted in a great
awakening, and in the formation of a Churoh
of three thousand believing souls, whose
integrity and record wero pure and bright
to the day of their death. There were no
spurious conversions, no unstable souls
among all that vast multitude who were
brought into the Christian Church that
day.
We take this as a sample caso—a type of
what God intended to accomplish for the
world and the Church under the dispensa
tion of tho Spirit, and wc hold that revivals
and conversions may be as genuine and per
manent in their results now, as then, for
“it is the same God which worketh all in
.*11.”
after the death of Stephen, the
apostles were scattered into various sections
for their personal safety, and some of them
’commenced preaching at Antioch, to Ore*
cians, who, perhaps, had never heard the
gospel before. It is said they preached the
“Lord Jesus.’’ Mark well the theme—
Christ and Him oruoified—not philosophy;
not human wisdom; not circumcision or un
circumcision; but the “Lord Jesus.’’
And what was the result ? “The hand
of the Lord was with them; and a great
number believed, and turned unto the
Lord.”
The tidings of this good meeting spread,
and reached the Church in Jerusalem, who
immediately sont Barnabas to visit those at
Antioch, “who, when he came, and had
seen the grace of God, was glad, and ex*
horted them all, that with purpose of heart
they would cleave unto tho Lord.” It is
also recorded, that under the ministry of
this good man, at that time, “many were
added unto the Lord.”
And ho the whole history of the apostolic
Church is a history of special meetings, held
for the purpose of building up the Church,
by reviving its faith and adding to its num
bers fresh converts from the ranks of sin.
We might notice the corruption and de
generacy of the Church in the middle ages,
when forms and ceremonies and confossion
als had well nigh overrun Christendom and
banished from the heart of priest and peo
ple alike the scriptural and soul-saving doc
trine of “salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.”
God raised up Martin Luther to rebuke
this horesy, and, under, his powerful efforts,
aided by those of a few faithful co-laborers,
another Pentecostal revival was secured to
the Church, in the strength of which it was
able to live till God, in mercy to the world,
kindled anew fire under the labors of the
Wesleys and Whiteneld.
We hold that revivals are merciful pro
visions in the gospel economy for reclaiming
the backslidden, confirming the wavering,
enoouraging the timid, inspiring the de
sponding with fresh hope, and adding to
the vigor, zeal, faith, numbers and general
prosperity of the Church.
A Church without revivals, is like a field
without rain. The ploughshare of the gos
pel has broken up the soil, the good seed,
which is the word of God, has been depos
ited, germination has begun, the tender
plant has appeared in many young converts,
but unless the season of refreshing from the
presence of the Lord come—the Pentecostal
shower of revivals, with their convictions
and conversions, their tears and groans of
penitence, and songs and shouts of faith—
we may be sure that many a young and
promising plant will droop and djit/ They
t-ho refreshing water of grafe—the re
viving showers of the We need
— - uiuot liave thdy Ttr.—.--v.
as a Church, when we cease to en j°J these
special occasions refreshing from the
presence of the Lord.
There is no better cure for the present
tendency to formality and ritualism, than a
real, genuine baptism of the Holy Ghost,
in what we may eall an old-fashioned camp
meeting revival, where converts, in their
first glow of Christian love, and old mem
bers, with their cup full and running over
with heavenly joy, are fused together into
a common brotherhood, without restraint or
embarrassment. The preaching, the sing
ing, the praying, all attest that “where the
Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.”
Let us seek to keep up these precious
feasts in the Church, or else ours will |be
the history of all other Churches in which
revivals seldom, if ever, oeeur. Barren
ness, ooldness, formalism, worldliness, and
pride, that great bane of vital godliness, will
be the miserable and bitter fruit that will
abound through all our borders.
Our thoughts have been directed to this
subject because, this is the usual season of
the year when, upon our circuits, the op
portunity is afforded for making special ef
fort for the salvation of souls, and gathering
the harvests which have been maturing un
der the regular means of grace, daring the
previous part of the year. At this season,
the disciples meet together “with one ac
cord,” and unitedly pray and labor for the
building up of the Church.
The speoious reasoning against special
efforts and set revival occasions, we shall
not notice. We believe that Methodism,
under God, has done more for the evangel
ization of the people, and the building up
of a sound Christian sentiment, than all the
Churches pnt together that ignore revivals,
and adhere to the stereotyped plan of “reg
ular means.” That the Church ought to
be ablaze with revival fire all the time, we
grant; but that the Churoh is not so, is
the very reason why we ought to seek to get
her up to this high state sometimes. .Once
a year, if no oftener, let all her membership
go np to the feast, and thus will there be a
better prospect for a revival all the year
round. We once heard a preacher, who,
perhaps, never had a revival in his charge,
say, in speaking of a Methodist protracted
meeling, “I dislike periodicity.” And yet
that same preacher never hesitated to re
ceive into his Church communion, the con
verts made by these periodical efforts.
While thus positive in our opinion of the
advantages and necessity of these revival
occasions, it is proper to observe, briefly,
some of the causes which are calculated to
bring these meetings into disrepute, and
thus deprive the Church of Christ of one
of its most efficient means of growth.
The most important objection urged
against revivals of religion is, that in many
of them, the effects are too evanescent—the
remits are not abiding. We once heard
the venerable and now sainted James Dan
nelly say in a sermon, alluding to a meeting
which had closed a few weeks previously,
and during which some sixty persons—the
writer among the number—had professed
conversion : “Where is tlieir religion now ?
Gone, ‘like the morning cloud and early
dew’—nearly all backslidden.’’
Now, doubtless there arc, at all these
times, those who take their conviotions for
conversion—stony-ground hearers, who re
oeive the word joyfully, but who, having no
root in themselves, in time of temptation or
persecution fall away.
But we incline to the belief that most of
those who early fall away and go back to
the world, do so through the neglect of those
whose duty it is to watch over and guide
them—we mean the pastors, class leaders,
and old members of the Church.
The pastor labors diligently, day and
night, preaching the word, and visiting
from house to house, during the progress of
his meeting. The Lord blesses his labors,
and souls are added to the Church. Many
of them are young; all of them without re
ligious knowledge and experience, and they
need careful culture—tender nursing.
But the meeting closes, and the preaoher
goes home. Sometimes it is the last inter
view between the preaoher and his new
members. Conference comes on, and anew
man takes his place, who knqjvs nothing of
these young converts, who is unprepared to
sympathize with or watoh over them, and
thus, through want of care, many of them
“go back and walk no more with Christ. - ’
Our class-meeting system supplied, or was
intended to supply this defeot in our pas
torate, and secure a constant watoh-carc to
all this class of members who need religious
guardianship.
A faithful pastor will garner carefully all
the fruits of his revivals, by making it his
business to see and converse with every new
oonvert, so that he may advise, caution, en
courage, and in every possible way build up
and confirm them in the faith. When it is
possible, let them be organized into a prayer
or class meeting, with an old member as a
leader, who, in the absence of the pastor,
can train them in religious habits and fur
nish them with such counsel as they may
never obtain elsewhere.
Brethren of the ministry, lot us wipe off
this sad reproach from our revival meeting
records. Let us not only seek to win souls,
but to keep them after they are won. Let
not the devil undo our work, through care
lessness or unfaithfulness on our part. The
fields are everywhere white unto the har
vest; let us put in the sickle, and we shall,
doubtless, soon return again, bringing our
sheaves with us.
Profession of Polities.
A frank confession is good for the soul.
The editor of the New Orleans Advocate
(Northern) doubtless feels better, after con
fessing that he and all his co-editors in the
church are conducting papers which “in
spirit and letter” arc devoted to the elec
tion of Gen. Grant. The paper referred to,
says:
“The Western objects to our placing tho
name of Grant at the head of our columns.
Why ? Is the Cincinnati editor opposed to
Grant? If he is, let him speak out. There
is so much of Christianity involved in the
ooming Presidential election that we shall
consider our church papers recreant to God
and humanity if they do not speak out for
Grant and Colfax. And this, wc trow, they
will do, God being their helper. It is no
secret that the spirit and letter of our re
ligious press favor Grant’s eleotion, and it is
only a little more favor to pat the great
General’s name at the head of the column
“Dr. Merrill is quite inclined to write on
Southern matters —but not always correct
ly. Some time since he wrote in favor of
consolidating the colored Methodists into a
separate organization, which is fostering
caste in the church of God, and which
would expose the blacks to sad consequen
ces ; and now he takes us to task for putting
the name of Grant at the head of our coi-
HjwotvytiAw La
does not understand the situation. A little
more time on the editorial tripod will ena
ble him to sec things as other men see
them. Not less than 50,000 colored voters
directly or indirectly, look to the New Or
leans Advocate for political guidance. On
ly a few of them can read our editorials on
the great political questions of the day, but
nearly all of them, having learned their al
phabet, can spell out the name of Grant in
big letters at the head of our column; and
were it necessary to secure the election we
would fill every line of the New Orleans
Advocate with the name of Grant.”
Rev. J. P. Duncan.—This devoted
minister passed through Macon on Tuesday
evening, having,we are pained to announce,
received intelligence by telegraph of the
death of his daughter, Mrs. Col. Willis, at
the plantation in Baker county. Our be*
joved brother will have the prayers and
sympathies of the Chuich in his great be
reavement.
Respect for the Sabbath in Ger
many.—The printers of Germany, ia a pub
lic meeting, declared that there ought to be
no more printing on Sundays. Hence, a
number of daily papers have made known
to their readers that" they cannot henceforth
publish more than six numbers a week. It
is a great thing that many who are not un
der the influenoe of any religious motive
whatever, begin to recognize the Sunday as
a blessing to mankind.
Evangelical Labors in Italy.—ln
1866, the sales of religious books and tracts
in Italy amounted to 120,000 copies, and
during the last year 148,000, being an in
crease of 28,000 oopies. Some of these
books have gone through several editions.
Corrtspnietttt.
The Position of Prussia.
Letter of Chancellor Lipscomb to the Senior end Law
Classes of the university of Georgia-
This letter will be somewhat different
from the others which I have addressed to
yo.u. I propose to offer you a few thoughts
on the position of Prussia in the political
civilization of Europe, and to notice tbe
means by which, to the surprise of all other
nations, she has risen so rapidly and so tri
umphantly to her present commanding at
titude. Such a subject, I cannot but think,
wiil be interesting to you since it bears di
rectly on discussions in which you are often
exercised, and, moreover, is closely connect
ed with those laws of Political Economy
which you are now engaged in studying.
The political civilization of Europe has
proceeded in recent times on the idea of a
balance of power. No doubt the doctrine
had its logical and practical advantages. And
if Kings and Parliaments could legislate
natural laws into existence or out of exist
ence as they pleased, this formidable fiction
would have been a still more formidable
reality. But ordinances, decrees, and trea
ties, though backed by bayonets, have little
force against those silent, hidden, resistless
agencies which Providence has instituted
in the operations of Nature, and having
established, is sure to vindicate and uphold.
And hence, it is not strange to see a great
nation like Prussia not only expanding itself
beyond its accredited limits, but likewise by
that very act of expansion, crushing those
barriers which, by virtue of this doctrine,
had interposed factitious obstacles between
its legitimate interests and freedom of
growth. The most of Earope stood calmly
by, saw tho work magically accomplished,
and then came to tho sensible conclusion
that anew age had indeed dawned. Among
the immediate results of this, movement,
Austria has been reduced to comparative
insignificance, while England and France,
content with greatness at home, have abated
their pretensions abroad. Italy and Prussia
have ostensibly been the gigantic gainers
by the order of things just initiated ; and
yet all Europe will be immensely advanced
by reason of this extraordinary revolution
in its inter-state policy.
Time was, when such events as trans
pired two years ago in Germany, would have
produced a general war in Europe and per
chance in the world. By one great master
stroke, Prussia overthrew the influence of
Austria in German affairs—prostrated some
seventeen princes of the minor German
States, took under her national control
25 of the 35 divisions of the old confederacy,
and established her rule over 29,000-
000 people. It is idle to say that she was
merely tolerated in this stretch of her pow
er. Europe could not prevent a result so
astounding without a death-blow to her com
mercial and social welfare. If, therefore,
the sword has lost much of its international
authority, and can never again be so easily
unsheathed to maintain old boundaries, to
restrict natural growth, and to compel sub
mission to arbitrary laws, we have to thank
commerce and industry as constituents of
progress for these vast benefits. This is
the simple moral of that series of events by
which Prussia rose to such rapid eminence.
The military confederation which Mettcr
nich constructed as a bulwark against
France, gave to Austria a military suprema
cy in Germany, and, by this means, Prussia
was reduced to secondary importance.—
Finding herself in this crippled condition
and apprehending evils still worse, Prussia
identified herself with the industrial pur
suits of Germany, became the leader of
those interests ; inaugurated a liberal poli
cy of trade, and finally demonstrated that
Germany could be more thoroughly united
under her guidance and could prosper more
fully than under the old form of confedera
tion. It took time and patient exertion to
do this work. The internal organization of
Prussia herself was necessary as the basis
of tho effort, and to this, she addressed her
entire energies. How successful she was,
you all understand. The spectacle which
that country now presents, is indeed
so exceptional as to be almost anomalous in
the history of nations; nor can it be doubt
ed that, if her policy oontinue to be direct
ed by the able statesmanship she has re
cently evinced, she will, ere long, bo the
most powerful state in Europe.
On this account, Prussia is a study for
you in Political Economy as well as in Politi
cal Statesmanship. What you are specially
to observe is,that she has relied on her knowl
edge of industrial laws and grounded her
immediate and prospective policy on their
connection with tho unity, stability and
wealth of a people. Far better than any of
the German States, she understood these
laws; moreover, she had the skilled intelli
gence to organize means and measures for
their direct application to her resources and
to those of interior Europe; so that in this
combination of theoretic knowledge and
practical wisdom, she first developed her
self, and then, as the next step, absorbed
tho larger portion of Germany. Beyond
doubt, much of this is due to her active
mind and temperament. Something, too,
is attributable to her climate and position.
But these facts afford no solution of the
problem. To understand her growth and
prosperity, you must comprehend the prin
ciples oo which she has steadily and con
sistently acted.
I remark, therefore, that for an imperial
government, Prussia has been singularly free
from many of the vices which have always
inhered more or less in that form of authori
ty. Whether from original taste, or from
stern necessity, her Kings have been a
most economical raoe, restraining their ex
penses within moderate limits and even
converting parsimony into a virtue. No
such examples of stinted living have been
witnessed outside of Prussia. And these
Princes have done this on system and have
inflexibly adhered to their code of self-de
nial, while, at the same time, they have ex
acted the same rigid economy from all their
officers and from every part of tho govern
ment. One of the consequences of this
onroflll TVX nrlo »>f AWjvArwUtw.w'v b»r. Kann
preservation of credit unimpaired. Her
finances are proverbially sound ; so sound
that alike in peaoe and war, she has no
heavy national debt, no grinding taxation,
and is always able to keep her metallio cur
rency in advance of her paper currenoy.—
If this freedom from the tyranny of force
loans and enormous taxes has been of para
mount advantage to Prussia in her economic
affairs, it has probably been of equal or yet
greater utility in that direct moral influence
which it has secured to to the government
in its relations to the people. Whatever
may be said of Prussian ambition, of its
disregard of foreign treaties, and of its in
exorable obstinacy in reducing the power
of Austria, no one can deny that, through
every variety of fortune, its kingly rule
has been most closely identified with the
real welfare of its subjeots. Court and citi
zens have eherished the same spirit, culti
vated the same political and commercial
virtues, practiced the same code of precepts,
and clung with firm and patriotic tenaoity
to the same transcendent ends. This has
given Prussia that unity which is the funda
mental condition of strength, and which,
moreover, has secured her a momentum,
whenever obstacles have been assailed, that
no extraneous force has been adequate to
arrest.
Aside from these facts, Prussia exercises
a remarkable control over her subjects by
the twofold power of her educational and
military Bystem. At first sight, it might
seem that these unlike branches of adminis
trative government had no intimate connec
tion. Practically, however, they are ou or
dinate parts of the same soheme. Prussia
allows no option as to the fact of education,
though option does exist among her people
as to its extent or degree. Every boy,
whether or not, must be educated. Parents
and ohildren are, in this particular, under
rigid law, and full provision (at the expense
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
mainly of the government) is made to ex
tend to the utmost practicable compass the
benefits of education. A young boy in the
Gymnasium is under the eye of his country’s
government; if he is obedient and studious
he is performing duties to that government;
if, as.a scholar, he gains a reward, the hon
or comes from his government. But this
educational term is only one period of ap
prenticeship. Another discipline follows :
every young man enters the army, and is
subjected to its training. The active ser
vice lasts for three years, though if one join
the University, he is merely in connection
with the army for twelve months. Nov even
the royal princes are exempted from Tthia
regulation. The three years service coded,
Prussia still keeps her hand on every male
citizen, arranging her requisitions in such
a way as to allow him an opportunity te fol
low his business, and only putting him in
active military life when some exigency
demands. No doubt, this arrangement is
both inconvenient and arbitrary. Its evils
are palpable enough. But, on the other
hand, if the civilization of Europe is at the
mercy of bayonets, I am quite confident that
Prussia has adopted the must available and
least pernicious method for having a great
army at her disposal. It delays marriages ;
it keeps young men from entering early on
business-life ; it abates productive industry.
But, on the other hand, it trains mind and
body ; teaches obedience ; encourages self
restraint lor the good of the public, and in
spires a sentiment of devotion to country
that must tend to ennoble character. look
ing then at these two peculiarities o&thc
Prussian system ; at that education which
includes books, engineering, artisanship,
sword and lance,walking and riding,hard fare
and little pay, and at the vital
government to all its bearings, you
no difficulty in understanding how Prttwia
concentrates the intellect and heart of her
citizens in her grasp, and how she recon
ciles the apparent extremes of intense ex*
ecutive force and a large amount of personal
and social liberty. She is not a free state
in our sense of that term. Far from
it. But assuming her ideal of kingly
authority, she certainly blends the indi
vidual with society, in such a manner as to
promote his personal intelligence and hab
its of order, sobriety, and correctness
of outward action, while it would ap
pear that no more freedom is curtailed
than is required by those external dangers
to civilization, which, everywhere in Europe
underlie social and political institutions.—
Nor must you overlook the fact, that the
system is not obnoxious to tho charge of
oue-sidedness If the people are absorbed
in the State, so are the personal interests of
the monarchy. The two interests meet and
blend in the unity of the State so that
compactness of organic life and energy of
reciprocal activity are not only developed,
but they arc developed under circumstances
and by ways and means, that produce the
highest measure of mutual intensity.
First of all, then, Prussia has been sa
gacious in her commercial polioy. By de
grees she impressed this policy on the Ger
man States. Difficulties were gradually re
moved, obstacles surmounted, prejudices
mastered, until in 1839, she realized the
attainment of her commercial purposes.—
Previously to that time, the internal rela
tions of these States were extremely em
barrassing to trade. A bale of goods was
stopped at every custom-house and loaded
with imposts; and if it survived the gfeant
let and reached its destination, it paid an
enormous price for a safe deliverance. You
may imagine that when tho principles so
ably set forth by Prussia were finally adopt
ed, the wealth ol these States was rapidly
augmented And as they owed this in
crease of prosperity to her liberal policy
you can easily understand what an ascend
ancy this would guarantee to Prussia in
matters pertaining to German unity. And
now, when one looks at her positions in 1839
and in 1868, it s‘ecm3 like a gigantic tSfridc
in the direction of empire. It is
No such progress has been
this or in any other age. Prussia now rules
a large portion of Germany The old kings
are merely her subalterns in most of these
States; she determines the foreign policy ;
she controls the immense army; she dic
tates ideas and measures and ends ; and she
has accomplished all these vast results, as
already stated, by enlightened principles of
trade, and by such a system of education,
intellectual and military, as enabled her at
an auspicious moment, to bring all her skill
and power to bear upon a single object, viz :
the humiliation of Austria.
So far as I can judge, this amazing suc
cess of Prussia in gaining such a triumph,
indicates a coming change in the interna
tional affairs of Europe and of the world. —
Viewed in this light, it is much more than
the local aggrandizement of Prussia. Tbe
laws of industry, of free trade, of the inhe
rent gravitations of the welfare of one peo
pie towards the welfare of all other people,
have had no inconsiderable share of this
victory. If commerce could be thoroaglily
liberalized; if protection by tho agency of
tariffs could be abandoned; if nations could
be induced to see that man as a producer
belongs to the world and not to Politi
cal communities, we should soon have a
new and glorious epoch in the inter rela
tions of States. Enmities would abate, or
perhaps altogether cease; and that curse
of Europe—standing armies—would be so
far reduced as not to encourage war. I re
gard freo trade as the vital bond of Interna
tional Relations. Nor do I believe that
International Law will be other than
a cheat and a falsehood until its founda
tions have been relaid in the common, inter
changeable and reciprocal advantages of free
trade. The bloody sword and theselfish tariff
are only different shapes of tho same doc
trine; they have lived together, they have
worked together, and they will perish to
gether.
It has been pleasant for me to observe in
Europe, the growth of these sentiments.—
Barbarism has made a strong and steady
fight against their progress. Nor do I won
derat this when I remember that barbarism
is never so eloquent, never so pretentious,
never so defiant, never so insinuating and
overmastering, as when it wears
and assumes th'e fanctions'ororvittza'R>av'^~
But better days for Europe are inevitable.
And they are near and not afar off. I see
everywhere an impulse communicated to
industrial art. I see everywhere the ad
vance of edueatiou among working mea. I
see statesmen and governments catching
the inspiration of large-minded views and
principles. And what if this old world
should thus renew its youth and teach the
younger its sublimest lessons in the wisdom
of statesmanship ? Certainly there would
be great virtue in a successful experiment
of this sort in Europe since her national
life, distributed into so many varieties of
hereditary usage and industrial combina
tions, might fairly and finally solve the
problem whether the principle of interna
tional brotherhood is worthy of entire reli
ance as against the selfishness of the oppo
site system.
If this were a mere conflict of opinions,
a logical warfare between one set of nations
and another on the arena of Political Phil
osophy, I confess that the same ground for
hope would not exist. Men have but little
faith in great political ideas, and what faith
they have, is easily yielded to any adverse
pressure of circumstances. It is only when
physical and moral laws, operating through
the media of trade, commerce and social
institutions and thereby transferring, them
selves from the sphere of thought into the
tangible world of fact; it is only when these
laws vindicate thus openly and decisively
their divine significance, and threaten to
crush the spirit of nations into obedience,
that we can ordinarily expeot mankind to
give heed to their mandates. Thanks to
the material developments of the ago, this
authentication of providential law begins to
manifest itself, and political communities
are finding out to their shame and sorrow
how much has been ruthlessly saorifioed in
resisting the benefioent will of God.
In the midst of . these revolutions of
thought and feeling, former traditions de
caying, new and gigantic forces coming in
to active exercise, you will soon go forth
into the world and participate in the issues
of the age. You will not enter the world of
your fathers,nor the world recorded in books.
It will be a changed wtirld—in many res
pects strangely changed ; and it is well for
you to know in advance, that the exigencies
of the times will make iheir stern requisi
tions on your patience, your energy, your
endurance. Nor should you forget, that
the impulses of the day while they accom
plish most of their good through the young
er men of the community, not infrequently
find in them tbe outlet of their evils. And
you will best prepare yourselves for the
changes going on in the political and social
framework of the world, by clinging earn
estly and heartily to those doctrines and
duties which cannot change, and which,
like God, are “the same yesterday, to day,
and forever.” More than ever, I feel the
supreme necessity for the Bible—lor its au
thority—for its saving guidance—for its
sanctifying light and love. I feel it for you ;
I feel it for myself.
I beg to remain,
Yours, very sincerely,
Andrew A. Lipscomb.
March 28th , 1868.
Letter From Nebraska.
Mr. Editor; —This lovely Saturday morn
ing brought with it the familiar face of the
Advocate, the visits of which are more ap
preciated by me, than any visitor I have had
from Georgia since I arrived in Nebraska
Three months have elapsed since 1 have
seen a minister of the M. E. Church, South,
though I have a good many neighbors who
once belonged to that chu*roh, few of whom
still claim it as their church, whilo others
have joined the Cumberland Presbyterians,
or Baptists, there having been but little
prospect until recently of our church’s hav
ing an organization here.
Since my arrival, nearly three months
ago, I have spared no pains to ascertain the
sentiments of the people, before expressing
an opinion in regard to chuich matters
here, and upon a careful survey of the field,
I am convinced that an effort, in the right
way, is only necessary to tho establishing of
our church all over this country. In the
first place, the ministers and members of
the Baptist, Cumberland Presbyterian and
Christian or Campbellite churches, give to
Southern Methodist ministers a cordial,
hearty welcome, open wide their doors and
furnish them large attentive congregations.
These people love us, and sympathize with
us in our misfortunes, and many of them
have shared our cup of bitterness to its
very dregs. These denominations are not
so strong in Brownville as in the adjacent
country. The “Old School” Presbyterians,
are strongest in Brownville, ihe Methodists
(North) next, while the Missionary Baptists
and Episcopalians have each a good brick
church, and af. w members. While each
of these have an excellent church edifice, I
doubt if the entire memb:r3hi|> of the four
Churches will reach 250. Never havo I
seen so few church goers in a town of this
size, and I am puzzled to account for the
large number of vaoant pens in tho various
churches, when I know that the peoplo of
Brownville, about 3.000 in number, are
generally a high-toned, moral people. Two
miles from town, the congregations are fine,
and quite a number of tho town people visit
the country churohes.
Our church has an organization in Ne
braska city, in the county adjoining this on
tho North. It is said to be in a very pros
perous condition. There is also one in
E’alls City in the County South of this, and
one or more in Atchison County, Mo , East
of this and separated from it by the Mis
souri river. I started to visit Bro. McEwin
wh has charge of the work in Atchison Cos.,
Mo , but learned that he was not at home.
He makes his headquarters in a community
known as “Irish Giovc’’ so called from its
being first settled Fy a gentleman named'
Irish, I believe. That is the prettiest sec
tion of country I have seen in the North
West, having an abundauco of rich prairie
for cultivation, interspersed with clear run
ning brooks, well lined with timber, and nu
merous fine springs. Certainly, it is unsur
passed for stock raising, and the lands pro
duce all kinds of grain, vegetables and to
bacco abundantly. Here are the best or
chards I have seen in the country. The
people are intensely Southern, and though
almost every man is disfranchised, by a State
law which disfranchises all who even sym
pathized with the Southern side during the
war, they live in hope of a “better day.’’ I
noticed two elegant brick sehoolhouses. a
thing by no means uncommon in this
country.
Witbin twenty miles of the Missouri river
the crops are abundant, but farther West
the corn is nearly a failure, owing to the se
vere drought. There is but little sickness in
the country, and from all I can learn I con
sider this to be a*.healthy a country as there
is on this continent.
The tide of immigration is immense from
all parts of the United States, drawn hither
by the surpassing advantages which this
country presents. “Pioneer.”
Brownville, Nebraska , August Bth.
The Coiumous District-Meeting.
Mr. Editor: Some of your brethren
think they have discovered the locality of
which it was said, “Lord, it is good for us
to be here; if thou wilt, let us make —tab-
ernacles &c.” It seems to have lain at the
western extremity of the Oak Mountain in
Harris County, Georgia. Some how or other
it came to be known by the name of Hamil
ton, in so far as it was known at all. It was
not so obscure but that Wilson’s raiders
found it, and burnt it, in their vandal bar
barity. But after the heel of the oppressor
was lifted from it, the people of the Lord
took it into their heads to have a meeting
there. With a diligence and generosity that
might put to the blush many a wealthier
neighborhood, the citizens of Hamilton and
of tbe surrounding country, made prepara
tions for the congregating servants of God
and for their beasts. For Hamilton lies upon
nt> railway track, ancfrtbe neigh of the iron
horse has never waked the echoes of its love
ly hills. But better sotinds reverberated
there, when a couple of hundred people
stood in the simple and plain meeting- house
on one oi its highest knolls, and sung the
songs cf Zion, and listened with thrilled
hoarts to the preacher as he dilated on the
words, “Ye are the light of the world,”
on Wednesday night the 12th of August.
The District meeting was organized on
Thursday morning, and after the organiza
tion, the beauty and the duty of family re
ligion was set forth as none but Bishop
Pierce can set it forth. Tears attested the
feelings of penitence and holy resolve that
swelled in all bosoms. Atnight, Bro. Wright
of Columbus, with a soul that seemed all
kindled with his theme, descanted on Chris
tian philanthropy from the text. “Love
sceketh not her own.” Bro. Fulwood fol
lowed in a prayer that those who heard it
will never forget, so manifestly was it the
utterance of an inspiration.
On Saturday tho reports of the Commit
tees began to come in, and each one seemed
to augment the rising tide of Christian emo
tion. Nor was it mere emotion, a meteor
flash, to dazzle and expire: it was such emo
tion as accompanies the subsoiling of the
heart. Principles wero re asserted, delin
quencies confessed, unfaithfulness dragged
to light, measures of reform were devised
and established, pledges were made, and
such a mutual stirring up to good works
took place as has not often been witnessed
in these latter days. On Saturday night a
oall was made for demonstration of desire
for salvation, and well nigh the whole con
gregation confessed such a desire. The
scene is not to be described.
On Sunday morning the churoh was
crowded by persons assembled in a love
feast ; and such a love-feast! Simple heart
ed, honest, fervent, brief utteranoes, with
sobs, and quivering lips, and streaming eyes,
and the stifled laughter of unspeakable joy,—
who can describe such Bceues, such occa
sions ?
At 11 o’clock, a vast concourse assembled
in the College yard, for no church there was
large enough to hold it, —and the people re
fused to bo divided, —to listen to Bishop
Pierce. His theme was, The Obligation of
each Generation to Posterity. It is a noble
theme, and was nobly handled. lie showed
that, with all the acknowledged importance
of aggressive effort, missions, frontier exten
sions, and adult assimilations, yet the main
reliance of the church for internal replen
ishment and advancing piety is, and ever
has been, tradition and education: father
handing down to son the knowledge of God,
his law, his wonderful dealings of old; one
generation instructing its successor and giv
ing it all the benefit of its own experience;
the Christian law of progress; the slow but
steady evolution of the Christian character
and tho Christian churoh. It is, indeed, a
grand theme, and in so far as one sermon
could do it, the Bishop’s sermon gave us a
grand review of it, most happily connecting
it with individual parental responsibility and
the adaptedness of the Sunday school to
promote this work.
Mr. Editor, your correspondent had tc
descend from that Mount Tabor on Sunday
afternoon, but he has since heard that the
meeting of Sunday night was as full of
blessed results as any of the preceding.
One thing must not be omitted, —the
beautiful harmony and brotherliness that
exists amongst all the Christian denomina
tions in Hamilton. No doubt that had
much to do in preparing the way of the
Lord. Not odc of the Christian brethren
that attended the Columbus District-meeting
in 1868 will failVo record it,” as a notable
era in his spiritual life.
J. M. Bonnell.
The Union Springs District Meeting.
Convened in Union Springs Ala., July
22nd, 1868. Rev. J. B. Cottrell P. E., pre
sided over its deliberations, and by his ur
banity and patience he gave great satisfao
tioD, and the session was one of marked har
mony and good feelings. The opening ser
mon was preached by llev. J. W. Shores on
11. Tim. iv: 2 —“Preach the word.”
There were eleven pastors, (including the
P. E ,) twelve local preachers and thirty-six
laymen in attendance. Only three pastoral
charges were not represented.
Reports representing the spiritual, the
financial and the Sunday school departments
of the church were made. Committees on
the following subjects were raised, and
brought in able, interesting and appropriate
reports,viz.: On Education, Sunday schools,
Finance, Parsonages and Church property,
Domestic Missions, Church Literature, the
State of the Church and Discipline, Arrange
ment of tho Work, Religious Interests of
Frecdmcn and the Bible Cause. The re
ports on Education, Sunday sohools, Finance
and the Arrangement of the Work, elicited
much interest, and were freely discussed by
the members of the meeting, and it is evi
dent that our District is fully alive to the
great interests involved in theso subjects
The following were delegates elected to
the Annual Conference, viz ; W. II Parks,
Esq ,of Troy; Col. 11 11. Powell, of Union
Springs; L Roberts, Esq., of Greenville,
and Rev. C. S. Hurt, of Line Creek circuit,
Alternates; E. E Richardson, of Mt. Ida
Ct.; F. A. Boswell, of Pine Level Ct.; It.
H. Cross, of Rocky Mount Ct., and ltov.
G. W. Barker, of Brundidge Ct.
Revs. W. 11. Wild, E- D. Pitts and E-
J. llamill, of the Montgomery Conference,
and Dr. J. F. Dowdell, President of East
Alabama Male College, were introduced to
the meeting, and welcomed to participate
in the deliberations of the body. Tho two
latter represented the interests of the Col
lege at Auburn, and secured a contribution
of some 8300 to liquidate its indebtedness
The citizens of Union Springs entertained
the members of tho meeting with a gener
ous and Christian hospitality. Ti 'wa3 your
correspondent’s good fortune to be domi
ciled with Bro Win. Threadgill, the super
intendent of the Sunday school, and the
father-in-law of the Rev. W. M. Motley,
the pastor of our church in this place.
Truly was it a pleasure to lodge with such
a Christian family, l’icty is beautifully
exemplified in every member of the family.
The Lord bless the entire family for their
considerate kindness to me. J. must also be
allowed to express my gratefulness to other
brethren for courtesies and kind attentions.
The pulpit was occupied during the meet
ing by Revs. Dickinson, King, Dowling,
Wild, Dowdell, Harnill, Pitts and l’illey,
and the preaching was attended with the
visitations of the Spirit, and the services
were edifying and refreshing. The reli
gious exercises were continued a week after
the business meeting closed, and resulted
in the addition of a number of souls to tho
Church. J. W. Shores, Sec.
SPRINGFIELD, ILL-
Mr. Editor : Our District-meeting Con
ference convened in the Court-house, at
Mt. Sterling, on the 24th ult., W. R. Hav
ard, Chairman, T. B. Ilarbon, Secretary.
The usual committees were appointed,
and the usual business transacted.
The report on the State of the Church
shows a net increase of 50 per cent on the
entire membership, during the present Con
ference year.
The report on Missionary Cauic shows a
wide field open to our Church. If wc had
money and preachers, we would soon have
Southern Methodism established over all
these lands. We need a number of preach
ers. Oar cause is prospering.
Yours sincerely,
August 12. T. B. Harben.
Hartwell Circuit, N. Ga. Conference.
Mr. Editor : —Supposing you would like
to hear from this portion of vineyard of the
Lord, I have thought proper to give you a
sketch of pur Sabbath school celebration,
which came off at Hartwell, Ga., on the 15th
inst. Avery large concourse of the citi
zens of this county and neighboring ooun
ties were present to witness the exercises
and to give encouragement to the causo of
Sabbath schools by their presenco. Seven
schools were present, two of which were from
Baptist churches. A procession was form
ed in tho public square and marched to the
church, where the exercises were opened
with prayer, by the Rev. Benj. Thornton,
after which we had some speeches and com
positions from the little boys and girls, and
from larger ones of the various schools.—
The speeches were well adapted to the oc
casion. The compositions were indeed very
fine and well read, showing cultivation, re
search and mature thought, which was re
markable. The exercises were interspersed
with singiDg, which was well executed, es
pecially by the infant class as it was called;
a class of very small boys and girls—show
ing a thoroughness of training whioh was
remarkable for children so young, refleoting
the greatest credit upon teachers and pu
pils. We also had Mr. R. Hester, of Kl
berton, Rev. Thos. Crymes, of • Carnesville,
and Rev. A. G. Worley, of Elbert oounty,
who gave an increased impetus to the cause
of S. S., by their eloquent appeals. Rev. A.
G. Worley’s address on the study of the
Bible, was indeed grand, and I hope will
profit all who heard it.
The audience was orderly, respectful and,
apparently, muoh interested and well
pleased. I have heard but one opinion ex
pressed, and that was, the celebration was a
success, offering pleasure and profit to both
old and young who participated in or wit
nessed the performances which were closed
with prayer by the Rev. Henry Tyler.
I have, with the aid of the looal preach
ers, just closed three protracted meetings,
whioh included three weeks. Wo com
menced at Rcdwine, held on eight days.—
Some conversions—five additions to the
ohurch—the membership revived—back
sliders reclaimed.
I went from Redwinos to Providence,
where we had a refreshing time. Here wo
had some twenty-five conversions, eight
additions—the Church generally blessed —
Thej iy of salvation was restored to some
very promising young men, who, I have
faith to believe, will do work in the vine
yard of the Lord. In this church there arc
several very old members;, the most of whom
I have no doubt, are ripe for Heaven.—
Rev. H. Tyler, who assisted me, did good
service. So did Bros. J. Ledbetter, B. B
Parker and Sewell. The third week we
commenced atßethesda and continued eight
days This was one of the most powerful
meetings I ever attended.
additions—the Church groatly Messed.—
Many will.remember this meOTifig with
joy. Bro. Tyler was with me here also.—
He is one of tho most faithful local preach
ers l know. We are now oogaged in an
other revival. All praise to the great Head
of tho Church. L. P. Nkese.
Tunnel Hill Ct., North Ga. Con
ference. —The Rev. T. M Pledger writes:
“At the last session of Conference, I was
appointed to this Circuit. I arrived in
good time and went to work The Lord
has blessed us with a good degree of pros
‘perity. We have had many precious soa
sous—between fifty and sixty have been
added to the Church, so far A general
revival spirit now prevails throughout tho
work, and we look for gloriom results with
in the next two months. We held a four
days’ meeting, embracing last Sabbath, at
Mt. Vernon Church—the Church greatly
blessed—between twenty and thirty conver
sions. I have just returned from a meet
ing beyond iny ‘borders.’ Q tile a number
of conversions— than fifty penitents at
tile altar when I left Wc are endeavoring
to follow ‘peace with all men,’ and give
the peoplo a puro gospel, unmixed with poli
tics, and its effects are salutary. Political
Methodism seems t.o be fast dying out ia
this section Many who were inclined at
first to go off with the Norihern Church,
seem determined now to stick to the good
old Southern Church, since they understand
the true state of the caso.
“We shall have a good country here when
its resourcos are fully developed. Our
wheat crop was comparatively a failure, but
corn, clover, potatoes, etc., will be abundant.
To God bo all the glory ! Brethren, pray
for us!”
Troup Ct., N. G. Cons.—The Rev. T.
S. L. Harwell writes: “I closed, on last
Sabbath evening, our fourth protracted
meeting sinoe the Ist July. The first was
held at Asbury Chapel, and was a very pro
fitable meeting to tho Church. The second
was held at Harmony, with fine effect on
the Church and coinmuuity, with five addi
tions. The third was held at Big Spring
protracted from the quarterly meeting —a
gracious season of refreshing to the Church
—l3 added. The fourth was held at Bethel.
This was a glorious meeting—the best, I
think, 1 ever attended. Wc had about 40
undoubted, Holy Ghost conversions, about
as many reclaimed, and 28 accessions. Wc
have other meetings in contemplation, and
hope to report glorious results. Bishop
Pierce came to see us, but was too unwcli
to preach—hope, by this time, ho is in his
usual good health. Pray for us.”
Kingston Ct., N. G. Cons.—The Rev.
W. C. Dunlap writes: —“Four days ago wc
commenced a mooting at Pine Log—as we
thought, under very unfavorable circum
stances ; but God has shown Himself a won
der-working God. Up to this time, there
have been between 25 and 30 conversions,
and if the work increases as it has up to
the present, it will indeed be a glorious
success. At Shiloh, also, tho Lord has been
with us. Tho result of a week’s meeting
there, was between 20 and 30 conversions
and accessions, and the Church graciously
revived. At Oothcaloga and Mt. Carmel,
where we have made protracted efforts, re
sults have not been so groat, owing to sick
ness and other unpropitious circumstances.
Many thanks to tho Local preachers and
laity, many of whom are efficient coworkors.
To God be all th ■ glory.”
S. School Celebration.—W. C. Wor
rill writes : “We had, at Thomson, on tho
31st July, a celebration of the three Sab
bath-sohools in the Thomson cirouit. P.
E., W. 11. Potter, gave us a splendid lec
ture. The children sang beautifully. It was
the first we have ever had, and it was a joy
ful occasion to all, old and young. Pastor,
officers, teachers, parents and children were
delighted. The schools arc all in a flour
ishing condition. The next celebration will
be at Thomson, on the 4th Friday in Au
gust, 1869.”
Dawson Ct., So. Ga. Cons.—The Rev.
T. T. Christian writes; “Wo protracted our
meeting two weeks after the District-meet
ing. Twenty were received, and tho Church
at DawsOn much revived. We have just
closed a most excellent meeting at Salem.
Six were added to the Church. The indi
cations are very favorable all round the cir
cuit.’’
St. Bartholomew Ct., S. C. Cons.
Tho llev. L. Wood writes: “Bro. L. B.
Varn and myself held a meeting of four
days, including the fourth Sunday in July,
at which there were 31 conversions reported.
The Church was also greatly enlivened ’’
Tusiceoee Circuit, Montgomery
Conference.—The Rev. B. B. Ross writes:
“We have had a gracious work at Glenn’s
School house, for two weeks past —15 or 16
conversions—• 14 joined tho church—the
church muoh blessed.”
Juvenile Missionary Societies-
Mr. Editor: —l furnish you resolutions
of the Americus District-meeting, as re
ported by Committee on Sunday schools,
and most heartily endorsed by the meeting.
I hope you will urge the plan proposed
on the Sabbath-schools of the Georgia Con
ferences. In addition to bciDg a feasible
plan for tho support of Bro. Allen (lor if
he is our Georgia Sunday-school missionary
m China , we will certainly support him),
it is indoctrinating and training the chil
dren of the Church,who arc to be its future
men and women, in the missionary spirit
and enterprise. Yours truly,
A. A. Adams.
Whereas, a proposition hss been made
by tho Sabbath-school at Americus, inviting
the Sabbath sohools of the two Georgia
Conferences to a united effort to support, by
their own contributions, our worthy and be
loved brother, Young J. Allen,' a Geor
gian by birth, a graduate of Emory College,
and now a missionary of tho M. E. Churoh,
South, in China:
Resolved, Ist. That this Americus Dis
trict-meeting, in behalf of the Sabbath
schools within the Distriot, accept the prop
osition, and pledge ourselves and the Sab
bath-schools, for our full share in the ac
complishment of this very desirable end
Resolved, 2d. That we recommend the
formation of Missionary Societies in all the
Sabbath-schools, and a regular monthly or
weekly oolleetion be taken, and the proceeds
bo forwarded, from time to time, to Dr. E.
H. Myers, at Macon, to be applied to the
object designated.
Resolved, 3 d. It shall be the duty of the
several pastors to obtain from tho schools
in their several charges the amounts thus
raised, and report them at the next Dis
trict-meeting.
Resolved, 4 th. That these resolutions be
furnished tho Southern Christian Advooate
for publication.
[We cordially endorse tho plan, and hope
the sohools will at once organize themselves
into juvenile missionary societies. We
shall have more to say on the subject, at
another time.— Ed.]
Vol.xxxi. No. 35
Worthy of Imitation.
If the spirit manifested by sOmo of tho dig
nitaries of the Churoh of England were
adopted by all Episcopalians in this country,
how easy a thing it would be to have noth
ing but peace and friendship with them.
Dean Alford, of Canterbury, presided,
July 25th, at the anniversary of Chestnut
College, a dissenting institution founded
last century by Lady Huntington, tho dis
tinguished patroness of Whitefield. In an
after-dinner speech Dean Alford remarked
that, as a member and minister of the Epis
copal Churoh, he had considered it not be
sido the path of duty to occupy the chair
on that occasiou. Moreover, this College
represented a very sacred prineiplo—that of
hearty mutual recognition of all Christian
men as servants of one common Lord. This
truth had been largely forgotten in England,
but it was especially desirable to remember
it now; and that expression should be giv
en in the spirit of hearty, loving recogni
tion of ono another as brothers, and equals
in God’s work. The company loudly ap
plauded the sentiment, and the Dean went
on to say :
“But there is another reason, arising from
circumstances within the Established
Church herself. It is no matter of dispute
that her Reformation vesture was a coat of
many colors. (Laughter. ) Though in tho
main the hues were sobered, there were not
wanting pieces of the original soarlet,
and here and there a tinsel ornament re
mained, tolerated for old oustom’ sake, and
for the sake of those who cared for it. And
when fault was found with us, there were
many who could say—and my own feeling
wont with them—that we were far from dis
liking the effect oUafi. occasional stripe of
warm color, or tho
spangle; and the more s%ia' three ccutvu
ties’ wear had toned down ant harmonised
all; so that iu the brightrie.% there was no
glare, ami in the richness nil incongruity.
But, gentlemen, the ease is now widely al
tered. Men havo arisen who are for re
newing and widening thosa samo scarlet
lines; who want to
to
glt-s to he regilt and
say, if wc arc going to relit^^M
gray have its nay in the matt^H
( Laughter and cheers.) Let J
and renew the homespun as wei^|
fair play all round. (Loud ajH
If the bright bits arc to cross tlujH
burnishing, let the sober
our own looms, and let our worlcinj^H
have the re-weaving of it- If
remnants arc to be cherished,
the main fabric, woven as it was
prayers, and tears, and anguish and
And then, when the motley vesture isrclH
raw in its colors, and without the
ages, 1 aui much mistaken if John
nqt elcot lo have the whole garment liomPl
spuu—to relegate tho scarlet and tho span-j
glcs to the Vatican, and label them —‘Not'
wanted.’ (Cheers.) For this reason, also,
I heartily wish prosperity to this and liko
institutions, prosperity—let the word bo
truly understood—to Dissent itself. For
this, gentlemen, is your true prosperity—
not to swell vastly in apparent numbers—
not to flourish on the ruins of other Churohes
—but to give us the best example of this
godly purity, this orderly method, of tho
English faith; to lay up for yourselves and
us such a store of this garment, which no
moth can corrupt, that in tho crisis of Eng
land’s Church, we may bless God that we
possess Dissonters.’’ (Loud applause.)
Austria and the Papacy.
The breach between Austria and the
Holy See is widening. When the “godless
laws,” which struck at the root of the Con
cordat, were proposed, the remonstrances of
the ccclesiastios were loud and fierce, and
when they were passed, the Emperor at
tempted to avert their wrath and that of the
1 ‘ope by adopting a deprecatory tone as to
his own share in the matter, assuring His
Holiness that resistance would have cost
him his throne. As was anticipated, says
the New York Times, this admission by
Franois Joseph that his subjeots possessed
the right to constitutional regulation of
their own affairs, without regard to the ex
ternal authority of the Pope, and that his
duty simply was to carry out their will,
cveu when it clashed with that authority,
opened the eyes of the clergy to the fact
that their power was swiftly and irrevoca
bly passing away. They say that the move
ment in Austria was no mere temporary
popular ebullition, that priestly craft could
assuage or control. They saw that the
Emperor, hitherto their trusted ally, had
entered on the duties of a constitutional
monarch in good faith, and was neither able
nor willing to help them to evade the ex
pressed will of the pcoplo. They became
blindly furious, and after they had still
farther weakened their influence in the
Empire, by wild and intemperate denuncia
tions, the Pope came to their aid with an
allocution, couched id the style usual in
such cases. But both lie and the Austrian
olergy had gone too far. Hatred of foreign ,
influence had roused still further the deter- ’
ruination of the Austrian people to exert
their own constitutional rights, in the faoo
ol all attempts lo hinder them, and, as in
the caso of other nations before them, the
futile attempts of the Papacy to overawe
them, only served to excite their spirit of
independence. This time, instead of being
an apologetic letter from the Emperor, the
Austrian reply takes the form of a vigorous
note from Baron von Beust, in which,
speaking, as a resppssiblc minister, in the
name of the people, he plainly tells the
Pope that intermeddling with the domestic
legislation of Apstria, such as that attempted
in the allocution, is a violation of the inde
pendence and dignity of the Empire. This
is a clear and unmistakable enunciation of
a very important principle—one which the
Papaoy has often been before compelled
with bitterness to see other nations adopt,
bnt which has taken root in Austria with a
rapidity only to bo accounted for by the
violence of the natural revulsion from the
bondage of that Concordat whieh, it was
fondly hoped, was to enslave tho minds of
the Austrian people beyond hope of libera
tion. But the Austrians have now taken
the matter into their ojpti tufa, and, thanks -
to their present form of government, oan
announce their determination with no iueble
or unoertain~Yoice.
A Choice Artiole Wanted!
In a late London magazine appeared tho
following remarkable advertisement by the
deacons of Surrey Tabernacle, Rev. J. Wells
pastor, for a chorister;
A CLERK WANTED, to conduct the
Singing at the Surrey Tabernacle, Borough
Road. He must be one who knows vitally
tho truth for himself, and be able to give a
Scriptural reason of the hope that is in him.
Ono who lives as well as professes tho Gos
pel. He must also be a decided, a strict
Baptist.
Also, he must have a competent knowl
edge of music, and a voiee for giving the
hymns out as well as singing, suited to the
largeness of the place and congregation.
Also, ho must be one who can both give tho
hymns out in their significance, as one who
knows in his own soul what he is saying;
also, he must be sufficiently acquainted with
tho English language to pronounce his
words with propriety; one who knows where
abouts accent and emphasis ought to rest.
It is not desired that the hymn, in giving
out, should be growled out, nor squeaked
out, nor bawled out, nor whispered out, nor
hurried out, nor dandied out, but given out
as diotated by common sense and a feeling
heart, in a voioe distinct, earnest and im
pressive.
Also, it is dosirable that ho should be one
who in singing pronounces his words : not
glide with le, la, la, through the hymn, and
nobody know what he is singing; nor is it
desirable that he should bawl, ready to split
his throat, bnt sing easily and melodiously.
Os oourse, [perfection cannot be expeoted,