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THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. Yol. XXXII.—No. 31. CaatribiitioßS. Sabbath-school Convention. Heldat Taylor’s Creek, (?a.,«/u»«26fA,1869. Through the kird invitation of the mem bers of Tajlor'screek Sabbath-school, there assembled early in the morning, a consider able number of men, women and children, from the various neighboring Sabbatb ichools and adjoining neighborhoods, for the purpose of holding a Sabbath-school Convention. A procession of Sunday-school scholars, with teachers and Superintendents, was formed and marched from the Academy to the M. E. Church, where being assembled aod quiet being secured, the Rev. Jno E. Sentell opened the ezeroises with a Scrip ture lesson and prayer. After singing, one of the scholars delivered a neat and appro priate prelude to the exercises. The Rev. L. B. Payne who by invitation wa» present addressed the assembly in a forcible and instructive manner, proving that those who had experienced the bless ings of Sabbath school instruction, were under moral obligations that they never could repay. He also, illustrated the ad vantages of Sabbath-schools. Then Rev R. N. Andrews .was called upon, and addressed the children in a short and interesting manner. Rev. Jno. W. Farmer, upon being called, made a few pertinent remarks in favor of Sabbath schools—stating that as our govern ment and society were fast tending to de cay; his hope for the future was placed in the prosperity of the Sabbath-schools. After these interesting and instructive exercises were closed, the Convention or ganized for business by electing Rev L B. Payne, Chairman, and I. A. Girardeau as Secretary. Rev. Jno. W. Farmer, Jno. S. Norman and J. C. Fudge, in conjunction with the Chairman were appointed a Com mittee to arrange business for the Conven tion, which was then adjourned for dinner, and all partook of the abundance of good things prepared for the ocoasion. On re suming busiuess, the following report from the Committee to arrange business was read: The Committee appointed for the pur pose of suggesting matter for the consider ation ot this meeting beg leave to report the following subjects, viz : Ist. The best method of opening and closing Sabbath-sohools. 2d. The best mode of imparting Sabbath sohool instruction. 3d. The books, requisites and periodicals to be used in the Sabbath-sohool. 4th. Music in Sabbath-sohools. sth. The best mode of enlarging and ex tending Sabbath-3ohools. The report of the Committee was adopted and after a short discussion of eaoh subject, the following resolutions were adopted: Ist. Resolved, that the following order of exercises be adopted as far as practicable in opening and closing Sabbath-schools. Ist. A short practical lesson from the Scriptures,—the Superintendant making such explanatory remarks on lesson read as he may think necessary or practicable. 2d. Singing, animated and instructive song or songs. , 3d. Prayer, brief and pointed. After re citation of lessons, lively, animation and encouraging songs; closing with prayer. 2d. Resolved, that eaoh member of this Convention take a religious journal. 3 d. Resolved, we reoommend to Superin tendents and teachers, the importance of sacred musio in Sabbath-sohools. Ath. Resolved, that we as members of this Convention use all due means to extend the influenoe of Sabbath-schools. 5/A. Resolved, that Sabbath-sohools, should organize themselves into Missionary Socie ties, one half of the funds collected to go to Bro. Allen, Missionary to China, and the balance for enlarging the Sabbath-school library. 6/A. Resolved, that the minutes of this Convention be forwarded to the Southern Christian Advocate for publication. On motion the Convention was adjourned. T. A. Girardeau, Sec’y. Sunday-school Convantion at 'Wes ton, Qa. According to previous appointment, a large number of the citizens of Webster, Terrell and Randolph oounties, assembled in Weston, on 9th July, for the purpose of organising a S. S. Convention for Weston Circuit. After some preliminary exercises, consist ing of music from the choir, led by Dr. Moore, prayer by Rev. J. W. Mills, and an address from each of the speakers of the day, the Rev J. W. Mills was called to the Chair, and H. S. Bell appointed Seo’y. Messrs Moore, Moreland, Jackson, Red dick, Kendrick and J. A. Bell were ap pointed to prepare business for the meeting. The Convention then adjourned for refresh ment, met again in about an hour, and was called to order by the Chairman. The Committee to arrange business, sub mitted the following Preamble and Resolu tions, whioh were adopted by sections: Whereas, believing that it is the duty of the professed followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, to use all honorable means to promote the cause of S. Schools; and believing further, that this glorious cause can be materially advanced by the perma nent organization of a S. S. Convention, to be known as the Weston Circuit S. S. Con vention, to be held annually, within the bounds of the oircuit, therefore, Resolved Ist. That we hereby organize a S. S Convention, to be known by the above mentioned name, and that said Convention shall be eomposed of numbers of aoy and all S. Schools, within this Circuit, and suoh others, as may wish to join us in the promotion of this noble cause. Resolved 2d. That we proceed at onoe to the election of President, Vice-president, and Secretary and Treasurer as permanent officers until our regular annual meeting. Resolved 3 d. That the President appoint a committee of three to draft By-laws and Rules of order for the government of the Convention, to report at our next meeting. Resolved 4/A. That the President, Vice president and Secretary be appointed a committee to procure a suitable person to deliver the regular annual address before the Convention at our annual meetings. Resolved bth. That the President be re quested to give notice by publication, or otherwise, of the time and place of said meeting, and especially request the attend ance of the S. Schools of the oircuit. Resolved 6/A. That, as we have as yet no permanent By-laws, our next annual meet ing be held at Emmaus, on the 3d Wednes day in Sept., 1870. C. R. Moore, Chairman. In accordance with resolution 2d, the convention proceeded to the election of of ficers, the result being as follows: N. W. Dozier, President, N. T. Moreland, Vice president, and H. S. Bell, Secretary and Treasurer. On motion, the proceedings of the Con vention, together with the Preamble and Resolutions, were ordered to be forwarded to the office oi the Southern Christian Advo cate, Sumter Republican, Dawson Journal and Cdthbert Appeal for publication. On motion, the. President was appointed V Committee to prooure of the speakers of the day, a eopy of their addresses, for the So# lb mi Christian Julnotale. purpose of having as much of 'them pub lished as maj be deemed expedient. In "accordance with resolution third, Messrs. Moore, Reddick and Kendrick were appointed to draft By-laws and Rales of Oiaer; aod Messrs. H S. Bell, Jackson and Baldwin, to prepare a place for opening aod conducting Sunday-school, both com mittees to report at the next meeting of the Convention. After a few more beautiful songs from the choir, which elicited the warm applause of the audience, the Convention adjourned with the benediction. H. S. Bell, Sec’y. The Dawson Journal and Sumter Re publican please copy. Obituary of Rev. John B. Gains. Another workman has been called to his reward It is with sorrow that I inform yon that death has taken from ns one of our very useful and laborious men. The Rev. John R. Gains, of the N. Ga. Conference, died in Canton, Ga, 10th June, 1869. He was born in Abbeville Dist., S. C., Jan. Ist, 1830; was oonverted July 1856, and licensed to preaoh Nov. 1859 ; was admitted to the traveling cot? nection Dec. 1861, and traveled the fol lowing circuits : Canton, 1862; Lawrenee ville, 1863 and ’64 ; Alpharetta 1865, ’66 and ’67, and Canton again in 1868 and ’69 —was ordained deacon by Bishop Early at Columbus, 1863, elder by Bishop Pierce at Macon, 1865. Brother Gains was an earnest, good preacher, one who looked for blessings from every sermon and often seemed not to know how to cease exhorting until he saw the people moved to duty. He was a faithful pastor, visiting and praying among the people, and performing all the duties of a preacher in charge of a circuit. Spiritual ly minded he had the complete confidence of the people in his piety. For some months, the impression seemed to rest strongly on his mind that he would not live through the year. Hence he made some efforts to secure a permanent home for his large family; bat death came be fore any such result was accomplished. On the 11th of May he was taken sick with typhoid fever, superinduced by too much fatigue from manual labor in the field, and followed by labor in the pulpit. Bat after three weeks the disease seemed con quered, and his physician pronounced him out of danger. But suddenly on the night of the 9th June, a chill seized him, and on the morning of the 10th, he was a corpse. Thus, suddenly taken, he had not time or strength for many words. He had no fears of death; seemed rather, for himself, to long for it, although pained to leave his loved ones alone and unprovided for. Bat his heart evidently was with Christ in heaven. It is the common remark of those who visited him throughout his sickness, that his home seemed to be in heaven. He was trustful, ready to leave all hi3 interests to Him who ‘marketh the sparrow’s fall.' A good man is taken from our midst. We feel his loss, his flock misses the faith ful shepherd who gently led them to pas tures of heavenly love. He leaves to the community in which he lived, to his breth ren in the ministry; to his sorrowing wife and little ones the noblest legacy sinful du n odd give, a life ot goodness, exempli fying the power of Christ to save man up on earth, and raise him to a home in the skies. Wm A. Simmons. A Chapter in the Life of Bishop Soule. BY BISHOP WIGHTMAN. Bishop Soule, in a brief memorandum of his early life, now lying before tie writer, says: “I have traveled through all the United States, and most of the border ing countries. I have lodged many nights in the habitations of the Indians; and many more, with earth for my bed and heaven for my covering; and not a few, far distant from the habitations of civil ized men. I have twice crossed the At lcntic Ocean, and visited England, Ireland, and France. I have crossed the Gulf of Mexico six times, and four times the Ca ribbean Sea, and the North Paoifio Ocean. I have traveled many thousands of miles by stages and railroads, and by steamboats on nearly all the rivers and lakes in the United States, and some in Europe. I have seen disasters, and been in perils by land and sea: have been upset in stages many times, and in several instances in stages dashed to pieces, where many bones were broken. From a sinking steamer, 1 have seen men plunge into death all around me. I have been in the ravages of the most malignant cholera and yellow fever, where the triumphs of death were truly terrific. But out of every scene of danger and death I have escaped in perfect safety, without injury or loss. Surely I have been the child of Providence ! It would seem that ‘ man is immortal till his work is done.’ ’’ Asa specimen and illustration of the hardships and perils of some of the Bish op’s journeys, I wish to present to the reader the following particulars of a visit made by him in 1833, to the Missouri Conference, which was held that year in the Territory of Arkansas. The leading facts were kindly furnished me, some years ago, by the venerable Andrew Monroe, who has been identified for more than forty years with Missouri Methodism; and who, in the evening of his days, enjoys the re spect due to a long and consistent life, filled up with useful labors. In tho latter part of August, 1833, Bish op Soule took the Shawnee and Delaware Indian Mission Stations en route to the session of the Missouri Conference. At these stations he spent ten days of active service, preaching, visiting, giving counsel and encouragement, and promoting by his personal influenoe the good work among the Indians. These Missions, as well as a large part of the Arkansas Territory, be longed to the Missouri Conference at that time. Thomas Johnson had charge ot the Shawnee Mission and school, and his broth er William, of the Delaware. Accompanied by these brothers and Andrew Monroe, P. E. of the St. Louis Distriot, the Bishop set out on his journey. The route lay through a wilderness. The outfit of the little party was as fol lows : Bishop Soule drove a light but strong carriage, drawn by a pair of fine bay horses—small, but of the first class in point of strength and powers of endurance. Stowed away in his carriage were some nec essary camp fixtures and bedding, a small box of tools for purposes of occasional re pair, and a box of provisions. The rest of the company had each an Indian pony that had been raised in the woods, and was ac customed to live on gras.-. Setting out from the Shawnee Mission, a few miles west of the Missouri State-liue, they reaohed by night the oabin of an ad venturous settler, and were kindly enter tained. The close of the next day found the party at the Old Harmony Mission, whioh had been established some years be fore by the Presbyterians, and was then under the care of the Rev. Mr. Jones. At this Mission Station they were made quite comfortable. The next day our travelers left all the white settlements behind, and took their course through the pathless prairies for the Osage village on the Neo sha, where they found quarters with Dr. Dodge — one of the earliest missionaries among the Osages. This exoellent man had been there many years, and had spent -much money for the improvement of the Indians, jrith but indifferent suocess, as he told Bishop Saule. The following Jay was quite hot, and the Jrairie flies were exceedingly annoying; ut our travelers pushed on, and just after sunset, without having seen a human habi tation all day, reached a small water course, with stunted shrubs growing on its bfnks. Here they halted. The tent was pitched; sapper was cooked, and eaten with keen appetite ; and the little company enjoyed a quiet and refreshing night’s rest. The next day’s ride brought them into the Cherokee country, and they stopped at the Union Mission, an old station, in charge of the Rev. Mr. Yale, who received the Bish op and his company with a Christian hos pitality, and gathered a congregation and had preaching. From this station they traveled down the Neosha to Fort Gibson, and thence up the Arkansas to the resi dence of Col. Campbell, the Agent for the Creek Indians. Here they rested and were kindly entertained for several days, until the time eame for holding the Creek camp meeting. At this meeting, which was held a few miles south of the Arkar sas River, Bishop Soule preached with great unction and power, and mnch to the de light and edification *of those who heard him. The remainder of the journey lay through the country occupied by the Cherokees. The Mountain Spring Camp-ground was the place where the Annual Conference convened. It was in the mountains of Ar kansas, some three miles from any human habitation, and ten from the town of Fay ette. The Bishop and his party reached the camp-ground in good time, and in fine health and spirits. The little band of preachers—the Conference then numbered only forty-four effective men—had come together at that remote point, through many hardships ; and many were the out ward discomforts of the meeting. The people who supported it were for the most part new settlers, living at considerable distances, and with limited means. The tents were low and crowded. It rained in cessantly, and was very hot. The bedding became damp, the bread grew moldy, the meat spoiled. But Bishop Soule seemed to notice none of these things. He went deliberately on through the business of the Conference, his spirit as lofty and his face as serene and bright as though he were en joying the magnificent hospitalities of a session in the city of Baltimore. The men around him could but feel the inspiring in fluence wielded by their fearless leader. They were there, on the outposts of civil ized life, to concert plans for planting Churches and preaching the gospel in these mighty wildernesses of the West. At their head was the most heroic man of his time, whose grand spirit surveyed the whole continent, aod longed to see it every where obedient to the faith. Never did the lofty and commanding features of his character shine more resplendent than at this Camp-meeting Conference, out there at the confines of civilization, with many a dusky Indian face wet with tears, turned to the rustic pulpit, where “Jesus and the resurrection” was proclaimed with power from on high. After la-ting a week the Canferanoa a<3 journed, and the meeting closed, ’’ Bishop Soule, with several of the prcaohers, went to the house of a Brother Reece, a few miles from the camp ground, to repose for a night and make preparations for the re turn trip. The change from wet, disagree able quarters to a pleasant dry house, was very refreshing. It would have been well bad this venerable man, then in the 34th year of his active ministry, allowed him self a day or two of the rest and relaxa tion ; but urgent duties called him to other scenes of official service, and the next morning he left his parting prayer and bles sing with the kind family, and set his face toward Boonville, Mo., a distance of 300 miles. Good Sister Reece furnished an ample supply for the provision-box. The Bishop’s party now had an accession of two preachers, Brothers Green and Berry man. It was not long after setting out be fore the exposures at the camp meeting be gan to show their results. Bishop Soule had a chill, and became too sick to drive his carriage. In this emergency Brother Greene, who was also very feeble, got into the carriage and took the reins. The road was exceedingly rough; and to add to the trouble, a violent thunder-storm came up, accompanied with heavy rain, which drenched the men on horseback. Pocr Green had a severe ague in the course of the day; but the Bishop's fever had subsid ed sufficiently to allow him to resume the driver’s seat. Thus the day wore away; and wet and weary, they reached, at even ing, the house of a Mr. Walker, and found comfortable quarters. All the following day they traveled in the rain, and at night brought up at a so-called house of enter tainment. This was a log-cabin, 12 by 14 f*et, with a stone floor. The only bed the house boasted was on a scaffold of rough boards. The family occupying the shanty was large, and here was an addition of six men to be accommodated. The next house was fifteen miles farther on ; and there was no help for it, the party must stop. So, hobbling their horses on the prairie, and kindling a good fire, they warmed and dried themselves—none more cheerful or in better spirits than Bishop Soule. The hostess, it seemed, took frontier-life easily ; was very chatty, and entered into a lively conversation with her distinguished guest, much to the amusement of the whole par ty. The man of the house had been out hunting, and presently returned with sev eral wild turkeys, one of which was speedi ly selected, dressed, and cooked—l am sor ry I cannot chronicle by whioh of the preachers—probably several lent a helping hand. The lady of the house was too much interested in her ohat with the Bishop to trouble herself with the cuisine. But it was in good hands; and in due time the turkey was on the table, accompanied with some of good Sister Reeoe’s stores from the provision-box. The supper was pronounced excellent on all hands. After family-prayer, the Bishop and Brother Green had the bedstead assigned them; the rest of the company sought the softest place on the floor; and so got through the night the best way they could. Resuming their journey the next morn ing, they halted at noon, made a fire and prepared some coffee, which the Bishop enjoyed much. His friends began to hope that he would soon be well; but not long after starting, a chill, succeeded by a burn ing fever, came on; and he was quite ill when they reached the residence of Mrs. Robinson, the mother of one of the Mis souri preachers. Here they stopped. Med icine was administered to the Bishop, and before the close of the night his fever had abated. Being better in the morning— which was Sunday—the travelers accom panied the family to ehuroh, several miles on their way; held divine service; and then pitched their tent and remained until next morning, on the ground where the town of Boliver now stands. Early the next day, the tent was struck and they get under way—Bishop Soule feeble but im proving. In the oourse of the morning the Johnsons left the party, striking ont through the broad and pathless prairies for the Shawnee Mission, their point of desti PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & CO., FOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. Macon, Ga., Friday, July 30, 1869. nation'. A rough and fatiguing ride brougVL the rest of the company to the house of a Mr. Williams, who had been with Clark ~ and Lewis over the Rooky Mountains Hero they slept ou the floor; and the Bishop had a suffering, restless night. Next morn ing the woman of the house took an agus just as she was about getting breakfa*.. This devolved on our friend Monroe the task of preparing the meal. His hand wa in. He had played hostler, doctor, nurse “augur, medicus, magus” —and now he w*s cook; and sucoeeded in getting up an> spectable breakfast. The Bishop ate but little. His symptoms were unfavorable Nevertheless, the horses were harnessed, and hoping for the best, they took the road again. Soon, however, his fever rose tq an alarming height. They drove through an open prairie, destitute of water. The day soon became dreadfully hot, and the Bishop’s thirst was almost insupportable Afier some hours a shower of rain fillet', the wagon ruts, out of which the ooffee pot was supplied with water several times. This afforded partial relief. Reaching a rolling tract of country, they stopped, and the Bishop’s companions set out in searc of water, but without success. Return’ they found that he had gotten out of th;. carriage, and #as stretched on the ground, suffering intensely from thirst. It was some time before he could make the 'heo essary exertion to set oat * again. They reached a house in a few hours, but tin family were all sick. The Bishop said he could go no farther. There was, however in the house a clean spare bed, to which he was made heartily welcome. His fever was high, and he was flighty all the even ing. In the morning, though much re duced in strength, his indomitable energy carried him on. He suffered less than ot the day before; and a drive of five hoars brought them to Brother Walker’s, ; n Cooper county, twenty miles from Boon-. ville Here this eminent servant of God found not only desirable quarters with a ’ kind family, well situated, who felt it a privilege to minister to his wants, but suit able medical attendance. Dr. Evans, form erly of Wasnington City, a Methodist gen tleman well acquainted with Bishop Soule, was in the neighborhood. He was imme diately sent for, and promptly took charge of the ease. Bishop Sonle had been pres sing on in order to reach the session of the Illinois Conference. The Doctor satisfied him that it was a hopeless endeavor. Quiet ly submitting to what was inevitable, and thankful that he was in the hands of a skillful medical adviser, and surrounded by friends whose attentions were unremitting, after some little time he became convales cent. The foregoing details are interesting, as showing a pioture of frontier life a gener ation ago. They' exhibit also a phase of Methodist preaoher life and character, wor thy of all respect and admiration. These adventurous men, constrained by the love of Christ, and working in the admirable system of itinerant ministrations, went far and did much to rescue from heathenism a population, the germ of fature States; by toil, suffering, and self-saorifiee, they laid the massive foundations of public virtue in the profound convictions of religious truth, responsibility to God, and eternal retribu tions, produced by their Dreaching ; and they Delong to the same oompany ot men who, in the apostolio age, oarried the gos pel around and beyond the Roman Em- r pire. Honored be their memories ! Em balmed in the affectionate veneration of the Church be the name of the great leader, a glimpse of whose life of labor and endu ranoe the foregoing sketch has presented ! —Nashville Christian Advocate. From the Memphis Christian Advocate. Over the River—No. 2 BT BISHOP FIERCE. My last letter left me shaking hands with the good people of Mt. Zion. The district meeting, I am satisfied, will yield good fruit. I was delighted with the coun try round about, with the citizens, and with our chureh prospect*. The whole region along the base of Croley’s Ridge for eighty miles, and many portions of the Ridge it self abounds with fine farming lands. The common testimony, too, is, that it is as healthy as perhaps any portion of the State. The Ridge people, and the Bottom people, each olaim pre-eminence in this respeot. I cannot award the premium to either, for they look alike sound and vigorous to me It is at least oertain that people may live and enjoy life either up or down. A yonng man (Mr. Horner,) came after me from Jaoksonport, and with him I left when all the adieus were said. Two miles ahead I had promised to stop and baptize a child of Brother Thomas Hare. This work being finished, we went on to spend the night with Brother Applewhite, a brother-in-law of Dr. MoFerrin’s. Here I found “a lodge in the wilderness” whioh might tempt a man to linger, who loves the comforts of this life. It was a good place to rest, but to save me from rusting for lack of work, my friends had au appointment for me at Jacksonport Monday night, forty odd miles distant. Early in the morning, with my young friend, l set out, and rarely, if ever, have I seen such a road. From L’Anguille to White River, near forty miles, it is a bottom, or rather swamp, with a very economical supply of elevations above water. Long years ago, when this was a territory, the Governmentcut a path through “this boundless contiguity of shade,’’ and in reverence of the powers that be, it has been “loyally’’ let alone. No man hath touched it, either to mend or mar. But few have traveled it, and these will never repeat it if they can help it. Along here a man feels lonely, even with a companion. The immense forest, the unbroken solitude, the voice «:f the wind wailing with mourn ful cadence, the stagnant ponds, the wide lagoons, the everlasting shadows, become oppressive in their dreariness—one feels lost, forsaken, forgotten. With a faithful team, we passed on through mnd and water. Here and there, at long intervals, I saw the rotting relies of human habitation, but the occupants were gone. All was silence and desolation. One long grave—melancholy memorial of life and death—brought a deeper sadness over my thoughts and feel ings. Who sleeps there ? Perhaps—God only knows. If the solitary sleeper rests in Christ, the perished name, the oblivion of the earth, will matter but little—it shall be well with him at last. A long, hard, weary ride, brought us to our destination about five p. m. Resting an hour or two —supper over, I was in the pulpit, with a crowded house before me. I delivered my soul by a faithful testimony to the truth. May the word accomplish its mission. As the people seemed eager to hear—preached again next morning, and left for Batesville. The presiding elder, Brother Dannelly, met we with his horses and buggy, and gave me a pleasant ride to Brother Dye’s where we staid all night, and next morning went on to the Distriot-meeting. Brother Dye is an itinerant, and is fixed for travel ing. He has an eye for a fine horse, and drives a pair equal to all the exigeuoies of this country. I have tried them in Bwamps and mud-holes, up and down mountains, and onoe in swimming water, and they were faithful and true’all the time. Long may they stand on the effective list. I have en gaged them for a long trip next November. Batesville is a nice town, well located ! and well -populated. The attendance of delegates was not large. Wheat harvest was on hand and this is a farm operation that will not wait. Yet the congregation was full day and eight, and a very gracious influence rested upon the people. We closed Sabbath night with the Sacrament, and it was a time of power. We had seven converts and great rejoioing among the members. The services were continued by Brother Plummer, the pastor, and I hope for great results. Monday morning, in the rain, with the presiding elder and his better half, and his faithful team, I left to fill an appointment at Fair \ iew—twenty miles ahead, and a mountain to climb. On the way, we en countered a stream swollen to the swim ming point, and were delayed two hours ere we crossed. During the transit of pas sengers and baggage, we swam and “cooned a pole,” crossed and reorossed, single and double, and finally vehicle and eontents, animate and inanimate, were all on the other side. It was a time of incident and adven ture too tedious to describe. Sister Dan nelly is a heroine, and is not afraid of deep water. We were so far behind, I had dis missed all idea of preaching, but on reach ing the place, found the people quietly wait ing, and a sermon they must have. It was a good time, and I was glad to serve a peo ple so eager to hear. Peace be with them. Service over, we hastened on, spent the night with Brother Mosely, and next day drove into Searcy in time for preaching again. I was surprised on a week day to see a crowded house, and the house was large. I brought a strong will to the help of my weary body— spurred up my jaded mind, and lor an hour and more, tried to do some faithful work. Heaven save the seed from the fowls of the air. Went home with Brother Dannelly, staid all night, and yesterday he brought me to “Red Oak,” the place for the Little Rock District-meeting. Brother Dannelly has served me kindly and well. I thank him much. He is “a friend in need.” Peace to his house, and prosperity within his gates. June 24, 1869. Jerusalem Relics. A collection of articles, for the most part | the result us the excavations made by Lieutenant VVhiren in the East, under the auspices and direction of the Palestine Ex ploration Fund, has recently been opened in London. Most of them are of great an tiquity and all are instructive as illustrat ing Bible history and customs. The Lon don Christian Times gives the following description : _ The collection contains four cases of an cient pottery, one case of jewelry, one of glass, and two or three others which may be described as miscellaneous. Some of the specimens of pottery are in an extraor dinarily good state of preservation, both as regards their aspects and integrity. The patterns of some of the vases arc surpris ingly similar to those of the common earth enware teapots which are used at the pres ent day. The specimens exhibited, which have been dug up iu the vicinity of Mount Olivet, Mount Sion, Opbel, Robinson’s Aroh, under the Tyropean Valley, and in the rook-cut passage of the Virgin’s Foun , tain, ara both plain, and glazed. Some of the little lamps, whioh occupy the greater ‘part of one ease, arc like those in which oil is burnt in our own day. The eolleotion of jewelry comprises a horn, ostensibly sil ver, worn by Druse women, an ’nkstand and reeds for pens, and also by an arrange ment which is more suggestive than dis tinctive, a Samaritan service book. To carvings from Jericho, catapult balls from Jerusalem, a separate table is devoted. Some fragments of charred cedar from Jerusalem, the carving of which is consid ered very valuable in an artistic sense, form eonspiouous objects of interest to the visi tors generally, while the politician of tho period will find his bibiieal knowledge re vived by contemplating relics which at one time had their local habitation in the Cave of Adullam. Mosaics from Sharon and portions of a tesselated pavement do not afford any high degree of interest in an aesthetic sense. Among the articles in the ease appropriated to glass, are some curious tear bottles, which, we are infoimed, were u*ed, as their name indicates, by probably the upper classes of Jerusalem when they thought fit to indulge in weeping We say indulge, for the little bottles do not cer tainly suggest any striking association of grief. Os all the groups of articles in the dis play, the greatest interest of the greatest number will be directed to that in whioh the canoe stores employed by “Rob Roy” daring his recent voyage in the East are included. In it are his medicine chest, his toilet implements, a spirit lamp, and some bread and biscuit, which are des cribed as “unconsumed stores” of vari ous exploring expeditions, in juxtaposi tion with these are a pelican shot by the enterprising oarsman, and several other sou venirs of his last eventful visit to the East; a orab from the sea of Galilee, Dead Sea apples, roses from Jericho, a little pyx of manna, fragments of rocks and acaoia wood from Mount Sinai, and a specimin of fish skin, supposed to be identical with the badgers’ skin with which the tabernacle was covered, constitute, as may be readily un derstood, a very miscellaneous group of cu riosities, which recall seme of the most re markable associations connected with the history of Palestine. The names and posit'ons of the places where articles have been dug out are m de intelligible to the uninitiated by a large model and plan of Jerusalem, lent to the committee by Colonel Sir H. James, R. E , F. R. S., Director-general of the Ordnance Survey. No catalogue of the exhibition has yet been published, but descriptions from the pen of Mr. G. Grove, the assidu ous hon. secretary, have been placed over the most of the artieles for the instruction of the visitors. Lieutenant Warren is burrowing among the ruins of ancient Jerusalem identifying localities, discovering the marks by whioh the ancient builders laid the stones of the Temple in their proper order, and picking out the rubbish some curious relics of the ancient East. Though there may be noth ing in those relics that immediately informs the uninstruoted eye, they are worth a visit as the first fruits of the archaeological har vest which may be gathered on the historic soil of the Holy City. The whole of the exhibition, which is only as yet a small be ginning, has an interest of its own. It shows that many of the lost traces of ancient life may yet be found, and that one of the best sources of illustration for the Biblical narratives is the debris of ancient Jerusa lem, among whioh the Palestine Explora tion Fund proposes to seek it. Truth Unchangeable.—“ Take your time iu weighing the controversy, but when you have onoe deoided, be not easily moved. Let God be trne, though every man be a liar; and Btand to it, that what is accord ing to God’s Word one day, cannot be con trary to it another day; that what was true in Luther’s day and Calvin’s day must be true now; that falsehoods may shift, for they have a Protean shape; but the truth is one and invisible and evermore the same. Let others think as they please. Allow the greatest latitude to others, but to your self allow none.”— Spurgeon. Hffctrint (grnerience. Abide With Me. Abide with me; fast 'all* the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide; When other helpers fail, and comforts fUe, Help of the helpless, O abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dimwits glories pass away ; Change and decay in sll around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me. I need thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempters power ? Who like Toyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloulds and sunshine, Lord, abide with me, I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; Ilia have no weight, and tears no bitterness ; Where is death’s sting, where, grave, thy victory? Triumph s.ill, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thv Cross before my closing eyes ; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies: Heaven’s morning Dreaks, and earth’s vain shadows flse; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.— LyU. Anecdotes of the Wesleys. Zion’s Herald says : Rev Mr. Wakely has done the Church and public excellent servioe in collecting from many sourocs a mass of anecdotes concerning the Wesleys, father, mother, sons, and grandsons. Every kind of incident, illustrative of this famous family, finds a place here, literary and re ligious. It is deserving of very general cir culation, and will be an immense favorite with Sunday-sohools, replacing their usual fiction with its bracing illustrations of their piety and tact and talent. The following are a few of its moro novel and important incidents; Samuel Wesley’s First Parsonage. —Samuel Wesley, in 1691, was appointed Rector of the parish of South Ormsby, »ith a salary of fifty pounds a year and a parson age. It was a very mean and uncomfort able abode, butin.it he and Us youthful wile resided for years, and there five of their children were born, and most of his valuable books were written. Mr. Wesley desoribes it in cheerful verse as follows: “ In a mean cot c"mposed of reeds rnd clay, Wasting in sighs th’ uncomfortable day; Ne*r wnoro the inhospitable Humber roars, Devourmg by degrees the ne’ghborinc shores. Let earth go where it will. I’M not repine, Nor can unnappy be, while heaven is mine Samuel Wesley and his Dying Par ishioner —Samuel Wesley visited one of his parishioners as he was upon his dying bed—a man who had never missed goiDg to church in forty years. “ Thomas, where do you think your soul will go 7” “ Soul! soul !” said Thomas. “ Yes, sir,” said Mr. Wesley, “ do you not know what your soul is 7” “ Aye, surely,” said Thomas-; “ why, it is a little bone in the back that lives loDger than the body.” “So much,” says John Wesley, who related it on the author ity of Dr. Lupton, who had it from his father, “ had Thomas learned from hearing sermons, and exceedingly good sermons, for forty years.” Samuel Wesley on Ridicule. —There wero those in the University who ridiouled John Wesley. He wrote to his father con cerning it. He repied in these brave words: “As to the gentlemen candidates you write of, docs anybody think the devil is dead, or so muoh as asleep, or that ho has no agents left? Surely virtuo can ass >rd to be laughed at. The Captain and Master endured something more for us before he entered into glory, and unless we track His steps, in vaia do wo Lope to sLaro that glory with Him.” Susanna Wesley and her Grand children. —John Wesley never spoiled a story for the sake of relatives. In his ser mon on “ Training Children,” he says: “ In four-score years I have never met with one woman who knew how to manage grandchildren. My own mother, who governed her children so well, could never govern one grandchild.’’ John Wesley’s First Extemporane ous Sermon. —Mr. Wesley was at first a reader of sermons, and thought he could preach in no other way. An extemporane ous preacher will always have the advantage over a reader of sermons. Could White field or John Wesley have preached with such power or pathos as mere readers ? Mr Wesley related the following anecdote to Mr Thomas Letts, of Allhallows Church, Loudon. While he was putting on his gown in the vestry he said to him : “It is fifty years, sir, since I first preached in this church. I remember it from a peculiar circumstance that occurred at that time. I came without a sermon, and going up the pulpit stairs I hesitated, and returned into the vestry under much mental confusion and agitition. A woman who was there noticed that I was deeply agitated, and she inquired, ‘ Pray, sir, what is the matter with you ?’ I replied, ‘ I have not brought a sermon with me.’ Putting her hand upon my shoulder, she said, ‘ls that all ? Can not you trust God for a sermon ?’ That question had such an effect upon me that I ascended the pnlpit and preached extem pore, with great freedom to myself and ac ceptance to the people, and I have never since taken a written sermon into the pul pit.” How to Perpetuate Methodism. —In 1783 the Rev. Robert Miller asked Mr Wesley, “What must be done to keep Methodism alive when you are dead ?” Mr. Wesley gave the following answer: “The Methodist mast take heed to their doctrine, their experience, their practice and their discipline. If they attend to their doc trines only, they will make the people Anti mouians; if to the experimental part of re ligion only, they will make them enthusi astic ; if to the practical part of religion only, they will make them Pharisees ; and if they do not attend to their discipline they will be like persons who bestow much pains in cultivating a garden, and put no fence around it to savo it from tho wild boars of the forest.” Wesley and Shakspeare.—Wesley was a great reader of theology, philosophy, poetry, and almost everything else. A gentleman in Dublin presented Mr. Wesley with a fine quarto edition of Shakspeare. When Mr. Wesley died it was found that the margin of this volume was filled with critical notes by Mr. Wesley himself. The excellent John Pawson, one of the purest men that ever adorned the Church, resided in the parsonage, and had charge of City lioad Cnapel. He destroyed the book, and many of the writings of Mr. Wesley, be cause “ he judged they were not among tne things which tended to edification.” Alas for the loss to literature caused by good John Pawson I Thoughts of God —.suppose two per sons equally desirous to gain your affections —one far distant and not expecting to see you for a long time; the other always pres ent with you, and at liberty to use all means to win your love, able to flatter and gratify yon in a thousand ways. Still you prefer the absent one; and that you may keep him in remembrance you often retire by yourself to think of his love to yon, and view again and again the ; mementoes of his affection, to read his letters, and pour out your heart in return. Such is now your case: the world is always before you, to flatter, promise, and please. But if you really prefer to love God, you will fix your thoughts on him, often retire for medita tion and prayer, and recount the pleasant gifts of his providence, and especially his infinite mere/ to your soul; you will read frequently his Holy Word, whioh is the letter he has sent you as really as if it were direoted to you by name.— JPayson, “Let Th.y Widows Trust in Me.” From “Fellowship : Letters Addressed to my Sister Mourners ” I have hinted at what our fellow crea tures may do, and what they should avoid. Now let me endeavor to define what we may do for ourselves, for no human hand can really help us. The fight for strength lies between us and our God. It is He we want, and He must and will be sought. And let us remember that in all matters of practical faith, time, and much time, is understood; faith only becomes faith by the test of time—all Soripture promises to the troubled are in the future tense—im plying au interval of patienoe and trust in the supplicant. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be oomforted”— now they are comforted. I take for granted that, however sore the stroke, there is no rebellion in your heart —no wondering why you are afflicted. God must never be questioned. This is the only form in which wo first submit to the Di vine will. This submission, it is true, is a very negative affair—a necessity, not a free will offering; we must submit to the Great Giver and Taker. There is no choice for us left. Thus wo orave (at least I did) for the mere evidences that God did it. This avowal in the mouth of a Christian, seems little better than Atheism; but, as I have said, the characteristic of the fiery furnaoe is that the very foundations of our religion seems to fail us before its fury. And forth from the depths of the Holy Writ rise the great anoient, monumental notes, sounding in our ear, “Behold, he taketh away, who oan kinder Him 7 who will say unto Him, What doest thou 7” (Job 9 : 12.) “He doeth aooording to His will among the inhabitants of the earth; and none oan stay His hand, or say unto Him, what doest thou ?’’ (Dan. 4. 35 ) “I was dumb, I opened not my month; beoauae thou didst it.’’ (Psalm 34 : 9.) Ah ! it was no chance or aooident that has thus shipwrecked us. If God be in anything, He is in everything. There is no half-way creed. This great rodimental fact is, at all events, firm ground in the floods perpetually rising around us. But why this intensity of suffering, this unen durable weight of a lifeless life 7 And here again a fresh group of inspired words shino upon us, and how different to the in terpretation whioh our Job’s oomforters have put upon them 1 For Soripture never speaks of our woo being removed, but of the fruits (of comfort) it is afterwards to bring forth. It is always suffering first eonsoiation afterwards. “I waited patient, ly for the Lord, and (having so done) he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.’’ (Psalm 40: 1.) “Now no chastening for the present scemcth to bo joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterwards it bring eth forth the peaceable fruits of righteous ness to those who are exercised thereby.” (Hebrews 12 : 11.) And again, “After that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5 : 10 ) This suffering is to be for faith, and therefore comfort is in due timo to be born of it. This is God’s way toward us, aud in bearing tribulation, for an appointed time, without the sense of Divine oomfort, we are in reality permit ting God’s will to be entirely fulfilled in us. This is oomfort —though it be not re lief—for it is truth. Our posture, there fore, under agony is to wait; “patient in tribulation.” This is the grace we can ex ercise, and Scripture is fertile and preoise on this point. “Wait on the Lord; be of good oourage, and ho shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalm 27: 14.) We are now digging a field—no unusual field in this wear/ life; —we are not to ex peot suddenly to find a nugget of gold, and to be able to cease from our toil I no God fearing husbandman does that; but he does look tor a natural and blessed harvest in God’s time, and so may we. A dear old friend, bereaved like our selves, gave me in my first months of tor ture these three precepts. “Be patient— Trust God—Look not beyond tho day.’’ All these arc waiting precepts, and any of them, earnestly attempted, is a stay to the bewildered heart. And, dear sisters, be not tempted to try to feel, or talk about “strength and sap port.” Good people are naturally anxious that we should give evidence of the faith that is in us. But they are too hasty for us at this early period ; suoh asseverations are only spiritual ‘tours de force.’ Nor be induced to give assent to that exaggerated boast that if the lifting of a straw, as the conventional saying is, could bring the be loved one back, we would not lift it. Some poor mourners have not the moral courage to contradict this, lest they should be thought wicked. But, far from subscrib ing to suoh over strained professions, we know in our heart at this period of our Buf feting, that if the lifting a house oould re store them to us, we woula strain every nerve to do it—though we might not wish to own as much. In truth we are not called upon for such unnatural talk. Our nature is from God, and He does not re quire ui to force it, or to deny it. We can say, “the will of the Lord be done’’ when we can say nothing else, and we know that will to be right and wise, but we oannot at first feel it to be loving. For that we must wait until He gives us power —and He will give it ns. For next to mere submission, to the mere necessity of suffering, comes by slow de grees the more soothing, healing convic tion that not only Divine Power and Wis dom havo worked our woo, but a Divine feeling that wills our good. The solution to the mysterious contradiction between God’s love and our anguish—between his silence and our passionate appeals—is in taot one of the great arterial truths of the Revealed system, summed up especially in ouo ttxt, “For whom the Lord loveth He ohasteneth, and scourgeth (ah I how true is the very word!) every son whom He re ceiveth.’’ He thus compels us to seek Him, and this, in other words, is His way of seeking us.— N. Y Observer. A Fatherless Stanza: Mr. Webster in his New Hampshire speech, in 1648, quoted, as from “a prophet of the day,’’ the following: “Th« Avon to tho Severn rung, The Severn to the Sea, And vickhir* duet shall spread abroad, Wide as the waters be ” Wadsworth, in his ecclesiastical sketch es, has a sonnet with the same sentiment, and admits that he took it from Fuller’s Church History. A hymn of Martin Lu ther contains the same thought. All who have lately quoted it have obtained it from Webster’s speech. The translation of the lines ascribed to Luther runs thus: Did he compose it 7 “Flung to the heedless winds, Or on the waters cas>, The martyr’* avhe.i, washed, Shall gathered be at last; And from tha< Beat ered dust, Around us and abroad, Shall spring a plenteous seed Os witnesses for God ” Length of Sermons. —The question is asked, How long ought a sermon to bes Well, that depends on its thickness. We have heard some sermons so thick through with solid thought that the preaoher ought not to stop under two hours. We have heard other) so thiu that if the preaoher had ceased talking at the end of fifteen minutes it would have been of proper proportions ; so well proportioned, indeed, that it would hare been remembered otherwise than E. H. MYERS, D. D., EDITOR. Whole Number 1762 as a very good sermon. The general run of sermons should be oat off at the end of about thirty minutes. If a man takes an hour, or an hour and a half, he ought to be sure ho has got a th'ok sermon. Have meiey upon Mo. “Have mercy upon me, 0 Lord !’’ How suitable to every condition in life is the cry for mercy. It is first an acknowledgment of the justice of all the evil that has befal len us. It Is also a confession of our uttor weakness and incapacity for relieving our selves. It is next a confession of our faith in the power of God to give us succor if he will but undertake our cause. It is also a declaration that the divine compassions are so great that whatever our distress may be, we may safely rely ou him. Such a prayer befits us in health and in sickness, in life and in death. No moro appropriate words ever fell from the lips of mortals. No man ever promotes his own oomfort by denying the justice of the suf ferings ho is oallcd to endure at the hand of God. Let sinners always led and say that jus ioe is against them, and that their hope for anything good is in the divine mercy. God’s mercy gets great honor when it extends great favors to great sinners. We may safely plead with God to tjiat which will bo an honor to his attributes. No small part of spiritual wisdom con sists in knowing how to behave uudor severe and complicated trials. Some melt away under them, aud lose all heart and courage This is one extreme, and very dangerous. Others harden the heart and act as if God was not chastening them. In all our afflictions it is our duty prompt ly to enquire, “Wherefore oontendest thou with me 7” And it is always safe to take it for granted that a sufficient cause may be found in our corruptions and iniquities Ps. vi. 2, 4. He who knows not how to seek relief in prayer, is destitute of one of the most im portant secrets over made known to man; for “it is not wrestling with trouble within ourselves, nor venting our grief as natural men, which oan give us ease, but pouring out our heart before the Lord, which must do it. All my desire is bifore thee. ' Ps. xxxviii. 14. “No hatred is harder to overcome than that whioh is based on a wrong done to an other.”—Plumer's Studies in the Book of Psalms. Cornwall Methodists. “In my primitive districts the miners keep up the custom of their fathers, tho even ing funeral, and the singing of a hymn from the house of mourning to the grave. The joyous hymn to a spirit-stiring tune which is in general use on these occasions is, * Rejoioe for a brother deceased,’ and fitly on its latest line falls like softer music, Christ’s words of hope, ‘ I am the resurrec tion and the life,’ with which the English burial service opens, and at tho close, tho hymn, ‘CoW, let us join our friends above,’ is sung, as the crowd of mourners passes around the open grave. Alike shove and under ground, on sea and land, in fish ing-boats, forecastles, mines, and coal-pits. Wesley’s hymns on Death, Judgment, and Heaven are preaching tho Gospel to the poor, and teaching men to live in the light of the future. His hymns on heaven have sometimes produced a thrilling effect* on those who heard them for tho first time. Some years ago, the rcoital of one of them by the counsel in a murder case tried at Exeter, as having been the last words of a murdered girl, melted the Judge, the bar, the jury, and tho audience into tears.”— Isabella Bird in Sunday Magazine-. -. Tho Higher Life. I verily think, now, that Christ hath led me up to a notch in Christianity that I was never at before; 1 think all before was but childhood and children’s play. Either I know not what Christianity is, or we have stinted a measure ot so many ounce-weights and no more upon holiness, and there we are at a stand, drawing our breath all our life—a moderation in God’s way, now, is much in request. I profess that I have never taken pains to find out Him whom my soul loveth; there is a way yet of finding out Christ that I have never lighted upon. Oh ! that I oould find it out. If you would be a deep divine, I recom mend to you sanotifieation. Sanotiiio&tion will settle you most in the truth. Oh! His perfumed face, His fair faoo, His lovely and kindly kisses have made mo a poor prisoner; sec that there is more to be had of Christ in this life than I had believed. We think all is but a little earnest, a slight afternoon refreshment, a small tasting whioh we havo or that is to be had in this life—which is true compared with the inheritance; but yet I know it is more—it is the kingdom of God within us. The Sabbath for the Working-Man. The Sabbath is God’s special present to the working man, and one of iti chief ob- * jeets is to prolong life aDd preserve efficient bis working tone. In the vital system it aets like a compensating pond ; it replen ishes the spirits and elasticity and vigor whioh the last six days have drained away, and supplies the force which is to fill the six days succeeding; and in the economy of existence, it answers the same as the econo my of income it answers by savings bank. The frugal man who puts aside a pound to-day and another pound next month, and who, in a quiet way, is always putting by his stated pound from time to time, when he grows old and frail, gets not only the aama pound back again, but a good many pounds beside. And tho conscientious man, who husbands one day of existence every week, who instead of allowing the Sabbath to be trampled and torn in the hurry and scramblo of life, treasures it de votedly up-—the Lord of the Sabbath keeps it for him, and in length of days and a hale old age gives it back with usury The sav ings bank of human existence is the weekly Sabbath. —North British Review. Ungodly Choristers.—Tho National Baptist says: “A few years ago we hap pened to be preaching, one Sunday even ing, to a city congregation. To ward the end of the servieo we were re quested to omit tho closing hymn—tho reason being, as we afterward learned, that the organist was too drunk to remain, and had been taken off by his friends; and the choir, thus abandoned, tearing to be called upon, had a'so left the house ’’ None but Christians should lead “thoservioe of song.’’ “A Christian life is a pulpit whioh all may asoeud. It is unbeooming for the child t<F exhort its unbelieving parent, im proper for the pupil to direct his toaohor, or for the servant to rebuke his master. But by a holy life children can instruct their parents, scholars their teachers, and inferiors their superiors, and superiors their inferiors. Many, through ignorance, are unable to speak a word lor Jesus, oth ers oannot meet an objeotor, and others are disabled by timidity ; but all can preaoh a most eloquent sermon through the life. Be strong iu the Lord aad in the power of Christ, and nothing shall be too hard for you to overoome. Mountains shall be made plains, and valleys filled up. All things shall bo possible to him that believes aud relies upon that power to which nothing is impossible. With God all things are pos sible.