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THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
Vol. XXXII.—No. 33.
Cjntriktions. v
Macon District-meeting.
REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON CHURCH
FINANCE.
The God of Providence and grace,
in the perfection of his wisdom, insti
tuted the Christian church, and consti
tuted it the ark into which should be
gathered, as it traversed the track of
centuries, the hearts and hopes of the
human family, for time and for eterni
ty, from the days of the apostles down
to the last survivor of the race of man.
Bedecked with purity, radiant with
supernal beauty, the church was des
tined to breast the waves and winds of
infidelity and scepticism, survive the
fires of persecution, overthrow the
powers of darkness, and, making at last
its destined port, safely land its cargo
of precious souls beyond the reach of
peril, on the eternal shore.
It is a structure, reared upon the
apostles and martyrs—Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone,
whereon has been expended treasures
more precious than this material uni
verse could yield, were every one of its
cloud capped mountains a nugget of
spinning gold, and each drop of its riv
ers and oceans, “a gem of purest ray
serene.”
If this is true of the church, God’s
blessed visible church—one division of
which we claim to be—is itunimportant
how we, as Methodists, fulfil our obli
gations— all our obligations—for its
sustentation and perpetuation ?
Its great Head, has not thought it
beneath His dignity to lay his demands
upon even our poor services and means,
to employ even human agencies in the
accomplishment of liis great and glo
rious purposes in reference to man’s
redemption, or to admonish and exhort I
tha church, by the pen of inspiration,
to alacrity and efficiency in “devising
liberal tilings,” for the comfortable
maintenance of those upon whom he
has hqgf—frig commands to preaeh his
gospel. It becomes us, therefore, to
consider what measures we can devise,
and how we may best execute those
measures for the fulfillment of our ob
ligations to His church, that she may
answer and accomplish her great mis
sion in the earth, not merely in the
retention of her past conquests and pre
sent possessions, but in daily winning
fresh acquisitions from the empire of
satan, the enemies of Christ and the
opposers of His cause.
To this end your Committee, afte#a
deliberate consideration of the subject
and mutual consultation, beg' resent
the following Plan of Churcn finance,
so far at least as it relates to the sup
port of the ministry of the Church.
And we beg to premise, that in the
multiplicity of plans that have been
either tested or suggested—wo find, as
it seems to us, the middle course—a
compromise between divergent views
— that plan which appears most gener
ally applicable and practicable in its
> and
conditions of the work within our
bounds.
We first , then, recommend that in all
our churches, a subscription shall be
taken up at the beginning of each Con
ference year, from the membership and
congregation for the support of the
station, circuit or mission, to be paya
ble in the stations vtonthly, and in the
country quarterly in advance.
We think that thq plan of collecting
these annual subscriptions, whether
payable monthly or quarterly in ad
vance, should be left with the stewards
of the several charges. Some will find
it practicable to employ a single agent
for that purpose. Some may prefer a
voluntary payment on the part of its
subscribers, and others may divide the
subscriptions among the Board of Stew
ards—making them severally responsi
ble for the collection of the portions of
the aggregate subscriptions assigned
t hem. But we regard it as of the highest
importance that the plan of advance
payment bejygidly adhered to wherever
it shall not, in an exceptional case, be
found absolutely impracticable, and we
are of the opinion that no such excep
tion will be found to exist where the
plan has been fairly tested, and its ad
vantages clearly stated.
The same plan may bo adopted by
the preachers—in the opinion of your-
Committee—for their collection and in
behalf of the Bis Lops, the Conference
collection and the Missions, so that in
all our arrangements for the support
of the church in its great mission of
saving souls, its plan of finance may be
a unit, and of universal application.
Your Committee desire to state, be
fore concluding this- report, that in
their opinion the membership of the
church are yet doing much too little
towards meeting the claims of the
church, in the various departments of
its Christian enterprise and benevo
lence.
Contributions have not only been too
dilatory and uncertain, but also too
meagre, and thus the gospel has been
“bound” and trammelled, its enterpris
es rendered inefficient, and its triumphs*
over the powers of darkness, alas! too
infrequent. We think the minimum of
individual annual contributions from
the poorest member for church support
should be 85 20, or ten cents a week—
that there are few too poor to do that
much for the cause of God and the
good of souls, while there are very
many who, without any material di
minution of their fomforts, or any
sacrifice of personal convenience, could
—pay five, ten, or twenty times that
amount. Now suppose that* all the
membors of our church in the Macon
District, should so elevate the standard
of their piety, in this regard,'as to con
tribute only, on an average, the mini
mum of 85 20 each annually, what
would be the result ? Instead of rais
ing in this District, as was reported in
our Conference Minutes of last year
for support of pastors and their assist
ants, the sum of only 88091 34, we
should swell our contributions to an
aggregate of 818.616 00. Who shall
say we ought not to raise at least twice
that amount? And if an average of
even 85 20 were contributed by the
membership alone, of the South Georgia
Conference, the aggregate annual col
lections for ministerial support would
be 8108.472 00, exclusive of the Bishops’
and the Conference collection—instead
of the sum of
841.463 00. Who shall say that the
South Georgia Conference should not
at least double that amount? Or who
could estimate the glorious results of
such a measure of Christian liberality ?
These results are attainable. Breth
* reh, let us advance our standard —fur-
nish the church with the “sinews of
war,” and God will own the offering,
and gloriously bless His heritage.
And, dear brethren in the ministry,
sh epherds of the flock of Christ, while
we have striven to urge with all the
peal we could command, your just
Sentbcrn Christian A (Hotair.
the piety and Christian
of the membership made by
responsible for your sup
speak a word to you also,
with rafdrence to the collection for the
support of our beloved Bishops, who
having no particular charge to whom
they may look, under God, for their
support or that of their loved ones,
and are consequently dependent upon
you, as their stewards, as to the early,
earnest, and faithful collection of their
claim from your several churches and
people— pardon us. And also a word
in closing, as to the collection for the
superannuated, together with the wid
ows and the orphans of those of God’s
servants who have borne aloft the blood
stained banner of the cross in other
days, and now rest from their labors.
It is, let us remind you, especially nec
essary—inasmuch as the Conference
meets at an earlier day than usual, that
an earlier effort shonld be made to raise
your collections for this important
object.
As the subject of this report is one
of interest—of even vital importance
to the church throughout the Confer
ence we ask —if our report is approved
that this report be published in that
noble organ of our church, the South
ern Christian Advocate.
Adopted with request that it be pub
lished in Advocate.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON LOCAL
PREACHERS.
Methodism received its name in ridi
cule for its systematic methodical way
of conducting its its incip
iency, and wfoatwaspAfe in contempt
was retained by our foWiddrs, doubt
less, as appropriate and
perfectly consistent with its system
But it may be doubted
whether we continue to deserve, .by
Wisely devised "method in all our ope
rations, the appellation, so justly,
though it may have been contemptu
ously, bestowed upon, and accepted by
tbo great and good founders of our
church. This, perhaps, might be shown,
but we pause not to enter into the dis
cussion of thjs topic. In'.its most suc
cessful operations Methodism may be
comparable to a well executed, beauti
fully finished and methodically aT
ranged piece of machinery, upon the
harmonious working of every part pf
which, depends the accomplishment of
the design of the architect.
is obvious, that the disarrangement of
any one of the whirls of a beautiful
piece of mechanism* Sr even the remo
val of a single cog, in pn£ of them*, will
cause grating'afltl. jarring in its move
ments, if not entirely interrupt its ope
rations. So in Methodism, in its itin
erancy and local ministry, its General,
Annual and quarterly conferences, etc.
Tire local ministry constitutes a wheel
iu this machinery of Methodism, and
though it may be a little one, yet up
on the harmony and efficiency of its
movements depends, in some degree at
least, its success in the salvation of
souls and the establishment of believ
ers. This has been proved, by the re
ports we have had from different sour
ces at this District meeting, and it act
cords with the experience of every one,
who is acquainted with tho successes
and failures of our church.
Your committee are well pleased to
learn, that tlic loqal ministers within
the bounds of tbrsjlistriet, are report
ed to be generally laborious workers,
active coadjutors in the cause of Christ,
and wo heartily wish that it were so
universally.
We believe, however, that the great
est efficiency of this class of ministers,
has not been attained, in this country,
at least, from the commencement of
Methodism here up to the present date.
Two or three causes, we believe, hayo
contributed to this lamentable fact.
First, they have not studied to show
themselves workmen that may be ap
proved, rightly dividing the word of
truth and giving to each one his por
tion in due season. Secondly, there
has not been that harmony of coopera
tion between local and itineraut min
isters, that ought to have been ; and
thereby, their labors havejieen circum
scribed and in many instances too long
continued at one place.
Your committee are very much sur
prised that the General Conference
should have found it necessary to pre
scribe a course of study for itinerants,
and yet none for local ministers. We
suppose, however, in charity to them,
that they felt a delicacy, but we think
a mistaken one, in legislating for a
body of men who, up to the last meeting
of that body, had no voice in it. That*
however, is now done away with. If
it is necessary that a course of study
be pursued by the one class of preach
ers for the successful preaching of the
gospel, it is equally so for the other
class The local ministers are not so
much wiser than itinerants that they
need no preparation, no girding up of
the loins. They have tho same con
gregations to preach to, and their
hearers have, therefore, tho same intel
ligence, are as good judges of preach
ing, and would like to hear as good
sermons from the former as trom the
latter, and we honestly believe, that,
had there been a law prescribing a
course of study for them, they would
have been much better and more suc
cessful preachers than they ever have
been. We who represent the local
ministry in this District earnestly
hope, for tho good of the cause of
Christ, for the success of the ehwfch of
our choice, that the General Confer
ence will take this matter into consid
eration and will enact such laws as are
necessary in the case.
Your Committee feel that they can
not lay too much stress upon the exe
cution of that part of the Discipline,
which says that preachers in charge,
as soon as they enter upon their work,
shall apply to the local preachers, and
learn what amount of service they are
able and willing to perform, and then
draw up a plan by which their labors
shall be regulated. If this law is
known, we are iearful it is very little
regarded. Upon the harmonious co
operation of these two classes of min
isters, hangs the eternal destiny of
very many immortal souls. Oh! shall
we stand aloof from each other when
the salvation of souls depends upon our
affectionate union, our active and effec
tive co-operation? Speaking for the
local ministry, we ask shall we, breth
ren, permit jealousies, aud party
strife and envy, to enter into our
midst, mar if not destroy our useful
ness, hinder the progress of the gOspel
of Christ, and, thereby, let immortal
souls go down to hell, because we, will
not work together in and
help each other in love, in furthering
the cause of our adorable Redeemer ?
God forbid ! In the days of Mr. Wes
ley, local preachers were expected to
be ready to help the traveling preach
ers, whenever called on to do so, and
we believe it is still the case with tbe
Wesleyan Methodists of England. It
ought to be so with us. OI brethren,
let us preach together, pray together,
watch together, win souls for Christ
together, then shall the world behold
and say “See how these brethren love
one another.”
Lastly, we recommend all local preach
er* to change their appointments as
much as circumstances will allow, and
not continue from year to year to
preach at one place, simply because
some good old brother or sister insists
upon it, when there are other churches
within their reach, who need their
services, and where their preaching
would be equally as acceptable and,
perhaps, a great deal more successful.
We care not how great and various
a man’s talents may be, he cannot cofi
tinue, through a long series of years,
to interest the same congregation,' to
the same degree, and be productive of
as much good, as he can by an occa
sional change. After a while, he may
come back again and then ho will be
almost like anew man.*^;
Thus, by a proper course of study,
diligently pursued, an.active and hear
ty co-operation with the traveling
preachers; and change <£ app.ointmonts
as ofton as circumstances will allow
and tho greatest good of church
justify,,we propose to remedy some of
the hindrances to greater efficiency in
the labors of the local ministry. . •
In conformity with the above vjews,
we offer the following resolutions:
• Ist Resolved, That wo request our
delegates, and especially the local
preachers who may be elected to the
next General Conference to urge the
passage of a law prescribing a course
of study for local preachers
2 d Resolved, That tho local preach
ers. of this District will heartily en-
action by the General Con
ference, and readily acquiesce in it.
3d Resolved, That *we labor?h{Pr
moniouSly, and seek to advancc^Be 1
cause of Christ to tho best of our abil
ity varying our appointments as occa
sion may justify.
Practical Deism.
is the failing of this as of former
ages, for men to bo “wise above what
is written-*’-’ and in every gefieration
men arp found, who fancy tho keenness
of their intellects has discovereef new
lights upon God's hidden mysteries,
and divine truths— with rash hand at
tempting to rtflnove old landmarks, and
Opening the flmxPgates of infidelity.
Lattsrfy, among us, books have been
written, and opinions published, pur
porting to be by authors ofdirm relig
ious principles, yet falling in with the
options arguments of scientific
skeptics, of plater minds, but no less
erroneous views. It has become com
mon to discuss familiarly and flippant
ly, the history of creation as narrated
by Moses, and to question, (especially,
since, by the results of the late was,
we are placed in antagonistic positions
with our former slaves;) the truth of
the origin of the human race as given
in the Bible; and some even aflTect. to
doubt the existence of au immortal
soul in tho negro!
These are monstrous errors’and licr
osies, and spring, not from clearer rea
son, but blinded prejudice or passion.
As owners of slaTnfs, all good men held
thetmufKps aiyfciiardiaus of the race,
and rosnOTsible in a great meas
ure, sou» thmr eternal welfare. Our
change of relation, while it happily re
lieves us of responsibilities, often felt
to be almost too heavy to be borne,
does not affect the question of their
immortality, or our obligations to rec
ognize it. No matter what the physi
cal or mental differences may be, .they
belong to mankind, and they who jffiut
them out from Adam’s race, preclude
the hope to them of a Saviour. All
must allow that we, equally with them,
“groan” under the curse of sin wfcnd
who that hath “a hope.in himself,”
would admit the possibility that any
fellow mortal had no part iu the
scheme of redemption ?
A wise man wisely said, God never
intended to teach science from the
Bible. In doing so He would have had
to unfold all tho wondrouS truths that
belong to Him alone; glimpses of
which are revealed to human minds,
to lead theim not to doubt, but to adore.
In the b&yinnin i, God created all
things; that is the foundation of all
religious belief; how, ichen, or in what
space of time, we are Unable to compre
hend or understand, even if God should
see fit to make it known. Reason, that
often totters under the accumulation of
worldly lore, could no more bear this
crushing weight, than man could be
hold His face and live!
Moses’ account corresponds with the.
appearance of things as they were, are,
and ever shall be, till time shall have an
end. From chaos sprung order and
beauty ; from darkness, light; from
brooding silence, life. Waters were
above and below tbo firmament; tho
sun ruled the day, the moon the night.
He made the stars also. When, in the
stupendous infinity of time and space,
lie made those wondrous “lights,” who
dare ask, or even think ? “He spake,
aud it was done; He commanded, and
it stood fasti”
Itis enough—the great “First Cause”
is God, and grasping these fundamen
tal truths, wo need not pause to cavil
over points unessential in themselves,
and which were never intended to be
made plain. This presumptuous desire
after tho tree of forbidden knowledge,
which led our first parents into the
hope that they might “b4come as gods,”
tends now, as then, to disbelief, diso
bedience, death.
God created man in His own image
that is with immortal attributes—his
body from the dust; these truths are
self-sustaftyig. Other minor points,
(as to wfo lived at the time of Abel’s
death, and Cain’s banishment; whether
Shem, Ham and Japheth, are the heads
of the three races as generally allowed,
etc.,) we have nothing to do with;
leaving abstruse questions, we are
simply to follow tho Bible. Adam was
the father of the human race—all hu
manity being embraced under that
head—Cain was a murderer (the
first fruits of his parent’s sin;) Abel a
martyr, jSprototype of suffering inno
cence ana virtue— Seth the founder of
that line, which culminated in Christ.
These are the only necessary outlines
of human history. If it be difficult to
define, precisely, characters and inci
dents in history, comparatively few
centuries back, do we expect Moses to
give details which neither affect the
importance of his narration, or our
welfare? Man sinned—lost his happi
ness thereby, and experienced thef ex
istence of evil, and now lies “bo'und
under the curse.” Then comes the
grand truth upon which hangs all our
hopes of Balvation, "As in Adam all
died; so in Christ slgall all be made alive,”
and this life is unless we wilfully
destroy ourselves, by rejecting Him.
Al£ important truths are made so
plain in the scriptures, that “a way.
PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & CO., FOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
Macon, Friday, August 13, 1869.
faring man though a fool, need not eife
therein,” and it is not a proof of wis
dom, to wander out of these plain
paths.
The thousand little matters aboife
men love to differ, may safelk
Be set aside, till a better understand
ing is given us in the light of etornify.
Would the slave, searching for dia
monds among the river sands, pause tp
analyze the properties and worth of
meaner minerals, when rich and rare
stones of sufficient size andvalue to eij
titlo him to his ransom, lay befoife
fiim ? Would the pearl diver expend
his painful efforts, seeking in unknown
depths, objects of trifling value, when
“a pearl of great price” was within hte
reach ?
Yerily “the children of this world,
are wiser in their generation than the
children of light V’ • J.
Thomasville, Ga.
An Incident In an Itinerant's IrffAj
There is perhaps no man of
gence and observation who has uq>t
had to admire not only tbe
deeds of the works of mer
cy done bV tlje jj?aud old State of
Georgia. My present subject relates
to tho beautiful “Forest City,” whose
deeds of love wafted by every passing
breeze, reeeivingTtut little notice from
the world at largo, are.cherished with
grateful mcmciry by those who have
been their recipients.
At the Cigsc of the war, one of tire
preachers of South Carolina was sent
to an isolated and devastated section to
gather up what fragments might have
been left -and reorganize the # church.
Tho venerable man of Gdd bad never
hesitated before, though he had grown
grey in the service, and “home the
burden and'lieat of the /lay,” but this
time his appointment prtfvod a disap
pointment, and was indeed a sore af
fliction. Uuder tHt5 first impnlso he
said, “I cannot gobut after a mo
ment’s reflection, added, “yes I will; for
where God ami souls are is my placed
and I have never yet refused to go*
where the church sent me.”
It was in tho depth of winter, tho
ground was colored with ice and
suow, the distance was great and the
move expensive, without railroad fa
cilities for traveling; yet through the
kindness of friends, and indomitable
energy and perseverance, lie was soon
at his field of labor. The foot-prints of
the destroyor were still fresh upon the
sands, and were marked by_fuin, deso
lation and blood—for some who re
mained at home* were brutally mur
dered. Those- refugeed re
turned to find all -their possessions
swept away, with nothing to remind
them of their former existence but
heaps of ashes, blackened cinders, and,
chimneys without houses—to begin
life anew, with little; ‘assistance but
what was rendered- in-Savan
nah.
Good sister D. the modern Dorcas,
with love for her Master, and
Ilfk’caustf burniug in lfer heart, hca*
ing of the destitution o£. that section,
thought of the old preacher whom she
had known for years as a “faithful
servant”—enquired after him, and when
informed of his destitution and the in
ability of his circuit to relieve him of
the affiictions in his family and his want
of access to medical skill, had her great
Christian heart aroused to sympathy,
and, determined to do something lor
his relief, enlisted such names as Mc-
Intyre, Graham, Hejdt, Houston, and
others which may not appear here, but
are written in the “book of life”—a no
ble band of Christian brothers, and soou
several boxes containing provisions,
clothing, shoes, medicine, etc., etc.,
were borne across the waters of their
own Savannah river, to the parsonage,
making glad the hearts of its inmates
and bringing jiealth to the suffering.
After that, when the self-denying,
cross-bearing minister,*offered up the
morning and evening sacrifice, his Sa
vannah benefactors wero not forgot
ten.
And why was it that one who had
spent his youth and manhood in the
most unhealthy and laborious fields in
the S. C. Conference, should be thus
straitened and made dependant on the
members of the church in a sister
State ? Tho “overlasting hills,” more
than 200 miles'away on the summit of
which I now write, echoes why ? There
are those who might explain to their
own satifaction, bfffeiot to mine.
And now what shall I say for our
good brethren of Savannah, who most
ly supported our preacher ? May the
‘ blessing which maketh rich, and ad
deth no sorrow therewith,” be their’s
and their children’s forovor.
Observer. "*
•‘Tour Doctrines and Ours ar3 Pre
cisely the Same.’^
•This most false declaration is a favo
rite proselyting trick of Protestant
Episcopalians, especially of the elergv
of that church. «
When a Methodist is to bo influenced
by sneers he is told that “ Methodism is
a failure." (See Rev.'Jno. Fulton’s let
ter XIY to Rev. J. E. Evans, ibr in
stance ;) and has the “fanaticism” and
“dishonesty” of INorthern Methodists
flung into his face, etc. But, when
weak brethren a»-e to. be caught with
the chaff of flattery —they are told “We
are the same; our doctrines are alike :
Mr. Wesley, the first Methodist—your
founder—lived and died ati Episcopa
lian. You have all come from us;”
ending with “Why not come back and
all be in one church again ?” A tissue
of false statement, this, with one soli
tary exception i. e. Mr. Wesley, though
driven from their pulp.its, and perse
cuted by their clergy, did consider
himself a member of the ♦Church of
England until his death. Yet, he for
years before he died was not so con
sidered by any Bishop,
nor by any of the clergy of that church
except such as were Methodists or were
sympathisers with them.
The doctrines of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, South, and of the Pro
testant Episcopal Church are most
unlike. In all Protestant churches,
some general statements of doctrine are
Bimilar ift forih or substance. This is
true of course as to our church aud
that ; but, distinctive doctrines are most
apparent. They believe in predesti
nation,-see their Article on that subject.
We are Arminians. They believe in a
formal, sacramental regeneration , which
occurs at and through baptism with
water. We believe in regeneration by
tho Holy Ghost —a regeneration which
makes a new creature of tho subject—
that baptism with water has no regen
erating power —nor does it secure the
regenerating power of the Holy Ghost.
They believe in the fable of apostolical
succession, i. e, that no Bishop is a
Bishop and no preacher is ordained
unless ordained by Catholic (Papal or
Greek) hands, or by Protestant Epis
copal authority, holding that there has
been a succession from the apostles
down to them of regular ordinations to
the ministry and to tho office of Bish
op f .We believe no such thing. On the
contrary we believe that any man
called of God to preach, and set apart
to the sacred office by his brethren, or
by his church authorities, is truly a
minister of Christ. Most of them be
lieve in the efficacy of sacraments to'sal
vation—in the real presence in the
bread and wine of the Lord’s supper—
i. e. that our Lord Jesus Christ’s body
and blood are not merely represented
by these elements, but are actually
present in them.
But I forbear. It is certainly un
necessary to say a word more to show
that our doctrines and theirs are not
alike.
But it is equally untrue that we—
Methodists— .have come from the Epis
copal Church. Pefthnps not one in a
hundred of us ever were members of
that church. Perhaps not one in a
hundred of us had parents who were
-juembers of that church. Owing to
our active efforts in arousing con
sciences, and solemn preaching, of the
word, descendants of Presbyterians,
Baptists, Episcopalians and others do
become Methodists, but as there are
but 2,500 Episcopalians in a popula
tion of 1,000,000 souls in Georgia; and
as much the samo ratio obtains where
Southern Methodism is found, that is
here, in the South, consequently but
few of us ever were Episcopalians or
are descendants of Episcopalians. Many
of Mr. Wesley’s adherents in England,
wore Episcopalians, but many also—
undoubtedly most of them—were of
neglected classes, connected with no
church, who had lived iu ignorance and
sin.
Are Protestant Episcopal clergymen
and communicants j<o ill informed as
innocently to make such declarations
as afe referred to above? “Charity”
which "believeth all things,” would es
say even to believe this, but it Is hard
ly possible for h<?r tr4o so.
A Methodist.
To the Friends of Eduoational and
Missionary Enterprise Throughout
the Land-
Dear Friend: We, the unddrsigimd,
avail ourselves of tho kind, offices of
our church papers, and such others as
will do the cause the favor to copy, for
the purpose of communicating to you
flic following facts, and thereupon ear
nestly to solicit your aid and friendly
co-operation, while to you individually
we address this circular :
The Methodist Chflrch here, with firm
reliance on tho bleslfng of Almighty
God, and in view of material aid which
they hope to obtain both here and
abroad, have undertaken to purchase
lots, and to erect a suitable building or
buildings thereon ; with the view of
establishing, at this place, a permanent
Protestant School ot high order, to be
placed under the control and patron-
“West Texas Conference
Kin) <k*qjujuiutioual, wa
have no design to mal^reectarian.
We think tbo following considera
tions will servo to command the above
undertaking to all lovers of education
and an onlightcnod Christianity every
where. * First, There is not, nor can
there be apermanent Protestant School
in this place, until proper buildings are
provided, devoted to that use ; whilo
Roman Catholic zeal and enterprise
have long since erected good buildings,
and have had in successful operation,
two schools for years. These facts,
under, existing circumstances, threaten
serious encroachments upon protest
antism in this section of country.
Secondly, The school is not designed
simply to subserve tbo local interests
of this place, but is to be regarded in
tbe light of a Great Missionary En
terprise, having as its chief objects,
the emancipation of the Mexican peo
ple from the thraldom of Popery and
the introduction of a liberal dispensa
tion of the Gospel among them, both
in our midst, and along the borders of
Mexico.
This locality affords peculiar advan
tages for an enterprise of this charac
ter. Its contiguity to a large Mexi
can population ; its proximity to the
Mexican border; its being an entrepot
for Northern Mexico, and consequent
ly visited by numerous Mexican trav
elers, and the Spanish language being
freely spoken hero, make it a place of
prime ilfrportance, within tho boun
dary of the United States, for an evan
gelical school, from which to send the
properly educated Mexican youth,
with tho precious seed of the Gospel
to bo sown throughout their benighted
land. You perceive then, that it is
not alono the interest of a single town
or city, that is to be subserved in this
undertaking; but tho interest of»a
common civilization and Christianity.
Trusting in the supervision and di
rection of an allwisc and gracious
Providence ; we submit the above con
siderations with tho firm conviction,
after duo reflections upon the various
efforts that have been made-in this di
rection, that good schools offering
suitable inducements, are the most
practicable and efficient auxiliaries,
that - can be used in the accomplish
ment of the great end here proposed.
Now then, in view of our great
want; in view of the magnitude and
importance of the enterprise; we ap
peal to all lovers of that free and un
restricted religion, that places the word
of God in the hands of every man ; to
all who prize an enlightened and whole
some civilization ; to all earnest adher
ents to protestantism, and to all tho
friends of education generally, to send
forward, at once, whatever you may
feel disposed to contribute to this great
Missionary Work.
We earnestly request our ministerial
brethren, and Sunday-school Superin
tendents, to bring this subject before
their respective charges.
Very sincerely yours, etc.
O. A. Fisher, P. E.
J. L. Harper, Pastor,
Wm. Headf.n,
Treasurer of Board of Trustees,
,To whom all donations will be sent.
Corpus Christi, Texas, July Ith, 1869.
Prom the Nashville Advocate.
Lack of Ministers.
My mind has of late dwelt on one
subject until it has become a matter of
absorbing interest. I have been in the
field, and have surveyed the work, and
have witnessed tho want of laborers ;
yea, not only are preachers in demand
in Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Louis
iana, and Texas, Out iu California and
Oregon, to say npthhig of our foreign
missionary work, ’work among the In
dians in North America, in China, and
elsewhere beyond tho seas. You have
already published tho call from Mis
souri aud Arkansas; and you have
doubtless seen that Bishop Marvin
wants forty more preachers in Califor
nia and Oregon. Now, my mind ear-
nestly and anxiously inquires, From
whence are these helps to come ? Who
will fill up the thin ranks? Who will
enter as reapers into this ripening har
vest? Where are our young men who
have been converted jp the revivals
that have so refreshed the Curch ? It
is anew thing for' the Methodist
Church to be so destitute of preachers.
What is the cause? Perhnpß there are
two causes, : Tho demand is
greater. I have never seen a day, in
more than forty years, when there
wer§ so many calls for preachers.
Second: It may be that young men
are muefi more timid than formerly.
The state of society has much changed,
the people are more generally educated
than they were twenty-five years ago,
and the demand for cultivated minis
ters is increasing; henco young men
who are apprised of this fact fear to
go out without some previous prepara
tion, and they shrink from duty.
Add to these a third consideration :
It may be that the love of tho worli
too much influences tho minds of thoß
whom God has called to tho ministrß
and they begin*to excuse
by saying they are Too poor, and havf
no promise of ample support.
Now, allow me to suggest,
1. That tho preachors generally look
out for those whom they conjecture
God has called to the work of the min
istry, and when they have satisfied
themselves that such are moved by the
Holy Ghost, encourage them
strengthen their good
proper appliances It would liflH
too, in tho pulpit, tho
ing, and the-class-room, to
this important work, thus stimulatiM
those'’who might bo halting
duty and fear.
2- The whole church
this a matter of solemn
prayer. The command
is, Pnty ye the Lord of
lie imuid sind forth g|§|
ri st. \\ ho ran tell 11 ;
When the whole ehu
God in lervent, earlles
offered in faith—who el^M.' V H
re suit ?
3. Let there he one
( he church—ministers
joining in the good work
aid to young men who are
preach, ami who are deficient
cation, the means of mental
ment. It is true, that many men NB
close application and hard study, can
make themselves great ministers; it is
true, that many go from the plow
handles and workshops into the min
istry, and become eminent; but then,
there are thousands of others who nev
er make progress because they
lacked the opportunity in youth of
knowing how to study.* Six months,
twelve months, under the guidance of
a fifes l class teacher, where they lntvo
no opportunity of going father, will
be of advantage to them tho remainder
of their lives.
Put a young man on his feet, and
•letiiim feel that lie can stand,
is«tfcDnce inspired with confidence.
I close these suggestions at present,
hoping that tho minds of our brethren
may be directed to this important/mat
ter, and that we shall soon hear tho
response from many a young man,
Here I am, send me !
J. B. McFerrin*.
flottfine anb feeritnet.
JThe Experience of Chinese Convene.
The Wesleyan Methodists of the
Australasian Conference employ in
Castlcmainc a devoted Chinese cate
chist named Leong-on-Tong. Through
his instrumentality oighteen China
men have been brought to the enjoy
ment of saving faith in Christ during
the last three years. On Sunday,
March 7, a large congregation gath
ered at the Methodist Church, Castle
maine, to witness the baptism of throe
recent Chinese converts. After a ser
mon by the pastor the personal relig
ious experiences of the converts were
presented. Quon Ting Me, (Elias,) for
ty-six years of age. district of Hoo-
Paing, village, of Tong-Song, prov
ince of Canton, said :
I came hero to get gold. Not suc
ceeding at digging, I kept a gambling
house. What I gained 1 soon lost, and
I was so miserable that I took jj,dose
of opium iti- ordofyss destroy myself
God graciously sent a man to ljiy help,
and I recovered to Iqjjirn- the truth—
to repent apd bo converted. Leong
on-Tong, hearing about me, came to
see me, and told me of tliis good way.
I repented of my sins and believed in
Jesus. I was like a dead man, but
Christ made me alive from the dead.
My sorrow is turned into gladness;
and every night after work is over I
go to tho chapel of Iloa Pang, at Moon
light Flat, to read and study God’s
Word, and beg the Holy Spirit t J make
♦me more and more glad, and my faith
stronger and stronger. I have been
walking in this good way for six
months, and I respectfully ask for
baptism, and earnestly pray that the
Holy Spirit may make my heart clean
and holy, and admit mo to the holy
land in the life to come. This is my
desire. Amen. I hand Aiis to Mr.
King to read
Sum Frit, (Daniel,) twenty-nine years
of age, district of Sun Ning, village
Nam On, Canton province:
I came to this country to dig for
gold. I did not succeed, and heartily
wished myself back again. To drown
my disappointment I took opium I
neither cared for eating nor drinking
nor yet for clothing, if 1 could only
get opium. But I was often very mis
erable, and my bo'fy was too onerva-.
ted to work. Some Christian friends
catfie and persuaded mo to go tQ.the
chapel at Moonlight Flat, where I
lived I went, on a Sunday, also to
tho Chinese Church at Castleinaino;
and Leong-on-Tong, three evenings iu
the week, instructed ns at Moonlight
Flat. At first I saw but dimly, but
light and peace came at length ; and I
feel that if God had not given pardon
through Christ I cannot conceivo what
punishment would be my portion, for I
am a great sinner. But God has had
mercy sent his Son into
this worliff rflftit ‘whosoever believeth
on Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life ’ Therefore I have a
good hope, and I havo given up every
evil way and walk in this good way,
and rejoice in the Saviour that my
soul will be saved. I have worshiped
the true God for about five months,
and earnestly ask for baptism. And I
pray God to send the Holy Ghost, and
confirm my faith in him, and help mo
to keep his holy commandments, that
I may join all the disciples in heaven.
Lee Yim Sung, (Jonah,) thirty-six
years-of ag%<4Mtrict Sun Ning, village
of SavsHt'ftpng,-province Canton :
StaMflrggthe of Confucius
four years. Came to this country to
get rich. Hoped to go home iu three
years to see my mother’s faco again ;
but I could not do this, and fell
into evil ways and forgot all my moth
er’s instructions, smoked opium and
gambled. When I had spent all, I was
very unhappy, and I did not know how
to go on in a better way. I worshipped
images, and still hoped they would
bring me out of so misery. At
this time I went to hoar Leong-on-Tong
preach at Moonlight, and I began to
think my sins were very groat —more
than the hairs of my head —and that if
God let fall his wrath on me my soul
would be lost. But God in his mercy
allowed mo to learn his truth. And
Leong-on-Tong often came to instruct
mo, an draught me how to pray to the
Holy Spirit to enlighten my heart. I
iefy my sins are so many that there was
I>ut one way of escape ; therefore I re
pented and trusted in Jesus to-savo me
/from his death. My heart is very ear
liest in soeking to learn this truth add
seeking to walk in this way. On
IB day I go to church, and every
f' meet with Mark Ah Cow and
all $/o Christian friends, to learn this
GiwPel. It is now five months sinc^l
to learn this r
knom
composed
I have accidentally found In an ob
scuro*little volume, publishes in 1744,
a very interesting analysis of tho char
acter and power of Whitefield, and re
produce it as a valuable scrap of cotem
poraneous history. It will ho remem*
bored that Whitefield returned to
America in the latter part of tho year
1730, arriving at Philadelphia on the
second day of November. He remained
in Philadelphia ten days, preaching
with great power to congregations
numbering thousands. On the 14th of
November, 1739, he arrived at New
YVrk. He had been ordained Priest
of tho Church of England in the samo
year* previous to hie departure for
America, and was at this date tweuty-
of age.
In person, ho is described as a “man
of middle stature, of a slender body, of
a fair complexion and of a comoly ap
pearance.” llis success is detailed in
the following quaint and beautiful style:
“Among the hearers the person who
gives this account was one. I fear cu
riosity was tho motive that led me and
many others into that assembly. I
had read two or three of Mr. White
field’s sermons and part of his journal,
and from these had attained a settled
opinion that he was a good man. Thus
far I was prejudiced in his favor. But
then, having heard of opposition and
many clamors against hi in, I thought
it possible that be might have carried
matters too far, thatsomo enthusiasm
might have mixed itself with his piety,
and that his zeal might have exoeoded
his knowledge.
“With tlieso prepossessions, I went
into tho fields; when I came there I
saw a great number of people, consist
ing of Christians of all denominations,
and a few l believe that had no religion
at all. When Mr. Whitefield came to
the place before designed, which was a
little eminence on the side of a hill, he
stood s|ill and beckoned with his hand,
and disposed the multitude upon the
descent before and on each side of him.
He then prayed most excellently, in
tho same manner (I guess) that tho
first ministers of the Christian Church
prayed before they wero shackled with
forms.
“The assembly soon appeared to be
divided into two companies, the one of
which I considered under the name of
God’s Church, and the other tho Devil’s
Chapel. The first were collected round
tho minister, and were very serious
and attentive. The last bmi
themselves in the skirts of the assem
bly, and spent most of their time in
giggling, scoffing, talking aiyl laugh
iug. I believe tho minister saw them,
for in his sermon, observing the cow
ardice and shamefaced ness of Christians
iu Christ’s cause, lie pointed towards
this assembly and reproaclied the for
mer with the boldness and zeal with
which the devil’s vassals serve him.
Toward the last prayer, tho whole a£
sembly 'seemed more united, and .all
became'hushed and still; a solemn awe
and reveronco appeared in the faces of
most —a mighty energy attending the
Word. I heard and felt something as
tonishing and sliprising, hut I confess I
was not at that time fully rid of my
scruples. But as 1 thought a
visible presence of God with Mr. white
field, I kept my doubts to myself.
■Under this frame of mind, 1 went to
heap him in the evening at tho Presby
terian church, where ho expounded to
above two thousaud within and with
out doors. 1 never in my life saw so
attentive an audience. Mr. Whitefield
spake as one having authority; all he
said was demonstration, life and power
Tho people’s eyos and ears hung on his
lips. They greedily devoured every
word. I came homo astonished. Every
scruple vanished. I never saw nor
heard tho like ; and I said within my
self, Surely, God is with this man of a
truth.”
The writer, in another place, des
cribes Whitefield as of a sprightly,
cheerful temper, and moving with great
agility and life.
“The endowments of his mind are
very uncommon ; his wit is quick and
piercing ; his imagination lively and
florid, and as far as I can discern, both
are under tho direction of an exact and
solid iudgnj&it. Ho has a most ready
memory, and speaks entirely without
luotes. He has a clear and musical
voioe, and a wonderful command of it
He uses much gesture, but with great
E. H. MYERS, D. D., EDITOR.
Whole Number 1764
propriety. Every accent of his voice,
every motion of his body speaks, and
both are natural and unaffectod. If
his delivery is tho product of art, it is
certainly the perfection of it, for it is
entirely concealed. He has a great
master}' of words, but studies much
plainness of speech.—A. Y. Observer.
Unity of the Species.
A correspondent wishes us to print
our discourse on the unity of tho Hu
man Species —which he indorses—but
inquiros if any thing is risked by ad
mitting that there may have been dif
ferent centers, or different creations,
of the several races which constitute
the one species. We think there w r ould
be groat risk in making such an admis
sion. There is nothing in science
which favors it. History opposes it,
as we can trace all the leading races
to a Noachian, and, of course, an Ada
mic, origin. We lack historic data in
reference to the American Indians, but
analogy favors the opinion that thev
-are of tho same origin. As
tion, that is decisive as
“God hath made ofioj^j
HL** 5 „• W
MjgHgPSV 'fp.'
from Adam,
have no right to preach the
gospel to them, nor could they be bene
fited by its provisions. Conversely,
all who can and do receive tho gospel,
aud are saved from sin by it, ipso facto,
demonstrate that they are descended
from the “ one man,” Adam, whoso sin
made it uocessary for the “ Seed of the
woman,” “ tho Son of man,” to make
atonement for tho apostate race.—Nash
ville Christian Advocate.
A Great Movement in lljndoos
tan —The “Sacred City of tho Hin
dus,” by Sherring, just published in
London, is attracting attention, In an
exchango we find the following sugges
tive paragraph from the work :—“The
results of missions in India are not sur
passed by anything that has been ac
complished, of a religious character, in
modern times, either in England, or in
America, or any other quarter of the
globe. These results are both direct
and indirect —direct, in tho way ofcon
versions from the heathen; indirect,
in regard to the general enlightenment
and progress of tho people." “Christi
anity,” he adds, “is now a power in
India —a felt and acknowledged power
—which men of all ranks and castes,
including Hindus of the straitest sects,
respect and tear. What is the greatest
question at this moment agitating no
small portion of the millions of India?
Not the increased social happiness and
prosperity of the people, nor the aug
mentation of conferee and trade, nor
tho vast improvements of tho country
—visible on eveiy hand, wonderful as
they all are—but this, What is truth?
What constitutes religion ? What is the
destiny of idolaters, and what that of
Christianity in the coming ages ? Tho
people are thinking, comparing, argu
ing—not knowing exactly what to do.
India is much in the condition of Rome**
previously to the baptism of the Em
peror Constantine. Idolatry , here as
there, now as then, is falling into dis
grace. Men are-becoming wiser. Truth,
in its clearness and power, is gradually
entering their minds, and changing
their habits and lives.” Tho author
gives facts and anecdotes illustrative
of this moral revolution.
Irreverence —Mr. Punshon thinks
Americans particularly deficient m
veneration for sacred things. Describ
ing in the London Methodist Recorder
the Metropolitan church recently dedi
cated in Washington city, he says :
“The key-stone oi tho over the
pulpit iB from Solomon’s Temple, the
panels of tho pulpit are of wood from
the Garden of Gethsomanc, the caps
of the posts from the Mount of Olives,
etq. Some iconoclasts have risen up in
anger against these, as if they tended
to superstition, or to popery. Sooth
to say, the danger in America does not
‘lie in this direction at all. Plirenolo
gieally speaking, the American has a
finely developed head, but I have some
times thought that where tho organ of
veneration should be there must be a
perfect hollow. There is an infinitesi
mal reverence for sacred places, day*
and things. I have seen the hat worn
almost up to the altar, tho newspaper
read during tho sermon, tho roportftjr
writing his leading article during the
minister’s prayer. I should rather
welcome than rebuke anything that
would have a tendency to increaso the
national reverence, for as the expres
sions of holy things languish, the
things themselves are apt to become
enfeebled and die.”
The Third Head.— Tho editor of
one of our exchanges thinks that much
of the popular preaching of the times
come properly under tho third head of
“a certain French- preacher.” After
hearing a speculative discourse, ho
says: On coming out of the church, I
asked Mr. P , a distinguished and pious
lawyer, how ho liked the sermon of*
Dr. B. “I think, sir," said he, “that it
comes under the third head ” “How
so ?” said I. “A certain Fneuoh preach
er,” he replied, “after a long and pomp
ous introduction, said: T shall now
proceed, my hearers, to divide my sub
ject into three parts. 1. I shall now
tell you about that whioh I know, and
you do not know. 2. I shall tell you
about that whioh you know and that
whioh I do not know ; and, 8, and last
ly, I shall tell you about that which
neither you nor I know,’ ”