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gjniijirn Christian
MACON. GEORGIA, OCT 15, 1869.
Overlooked. —We presume that some
of the brethren have overlooked the very
distinct announcement, that the recent
propositions to extend credit for subscrip
tions to Ist Jan. 1871, requires that the
cash ACCOMPANY the order. These sub
scriptions are not to be charged even
to agents ; but th ■ cash must come to the
office with the order.
To Teachers.—l bave received a large
numberof letters in regard to the Teacher
for Abbeville, Ala. I have forwarded ail
to the advertiser, and suppose he will cor
respond with applicants. They need not
expect answers from me.
J. W. Burke.
Bishop Pierce at tho Missouri Con
ference
The Rev. J. W. Cunningham, D.D., re
cently of the Kentucky Conference, and
Editor of the Kentucky Department of
the St. Louis Christian Advocate, until
the expensive enlargement aQd improve
ment of the paper rendered economy at
other other points necessary, has transfer
red his membership to the Missouri Con
ference, and is stationed at Palmyra. He
reports from that body to the St. Louis Ad
vocate the statistics, as follows: Local
preachers, 112; white members, 18,806;
colored members, 101. Increase, 1,611.
Baptisms—Adults, 1,158; infants, 455.
Sunday-schools, 181; teachers, 1,396; schol
ars, 8,409 ; volumes in library, 25,652. —
Amount necessary to meet the claims of
the superannuated preachers and widows
and orphans of deceased preachers, $2,550,
and collected and applied on that account
$2,117. The claim upon the Conference
for the support of the Bishops, amounting
to S9OO, was paid in full. He further re
ports a service held during the Confer
ence, in memory of the Rev. Henry H.
Hedgepath, P. E., of the Savannah Dis
trict—“a superior preacher, an earnest la
borer —much beloved by preachers and
people—who died triumphantly.” He
writes:
‘‘lt was an occasion of great solemnity.
The singing of the funeral hymns added
to the feeling, and tears and weeping bap
tized and sanctified the occasion. The
Conference ordered a suitable monument
to be erected to the memory of our depart
ed brother, as it is accustomed to do in
reference to all who are called from labor
to reward.
‘‘Soon after the memorial service, Bishop
Pierce made the following farewell re
marks: He said he was under the neces
sity of leaving on the 2 o’clock train for
the far West, to attend the Indian Mis
sion Conference, and could not, therefore,
be present at the closing session. The list
of appointments was made, and lie deliv
ered it to Mr. Rush, with instructions to
read them at (be close of the Conference.
"The Bishop said he had desired at the
Bishop’s meeting to be assigned to this
episcopal district. He desired to meet
again the Miss uri Conference, not having
beeu with it for ten years or more. It was,
peroaps, not right to regret anything
which was providential, yet he was con
strained to say he was sorry that lie had
been providentially prevented from being
with them and serviug them as he had
desired. He was sorry tie had not been
able, on account of iiis illness, to mingle
with tlie preachers and people socially.
“He regretted his inability to pre-.ch to
them; was sorry that he had now to leave
before the Conference closes its session.
But tlie necessity was upon him ; lie must
leave by the first traiu, in order to make
connections and reach his destination in
time He was not accustomed to com
plain much, but be would say that lie had
been more seriously ill than many sup
posed, and he was glad he was so far im
firoved as to feel justified to start on his
ona journey westward.
‘■He hud doue his best, in tiie midst of
his illness, to make the appointments
He had been faithfully assi-led by the
Presiding Elders, and he hoped the ap
pointments would meet the approval <>f
p ople and preachers generally, though it
was probible there would be some cases of
dissatisfaction. It was difficult, often,
usiug ail the lights available, to r uder
satisfaction to all. He referred to the
touching memorial service justended, and
hoped that all would imitate the example
of the sainted dead, whom we had honor
ed iu liie memorial service. Let all, in
the spirit of their departed brother, go to
the fields assigned and do their work b:-
foie them, looking to God for his blessing.
He bade the Conference an atlectiouaie
farewell, aud invoked an interest in the
prayers of all.
‘‘Bishop Pierce had endeared himself to
the Conference during his brief sojourn
in affliction here.”
Revival at Emory College.
For the last week or ten days, the news
of a great revival iu Emory College has
beeu growing—until now, we learn, that
it has swept almost all the students into
the Church. These are glad tidings of
great joy—and they have carried comfort
and hope to the heart of many a parent.
There is in this fact, a demonstration of
wfeat we have beeu urging on our reuders
for years—that in our institutions of learn
ing we have our most valuable religious
nurseries, aud the church canuot afford to
let their prosperity decline. They are to
be kept up at all costs, aud enlarged and
endowed, aud made more valuable, year
by year, until their full power for useful
ness shall be developed. We hope lhat
our prosperous Methodists will lay it to
heart, throughout all the South, that all
our institutions need money, and, while
they are plowing and reaping aud gather
ing wealth, let them ever have it in view
to enlarge and endow these nurseries of
the Church, by ample appropriation to
them.
But we hail this revival as auspicious of
an increase of our ministerial force iu ed
ucated men. We trust, that it will be the
ardent prayer of the Church, that scores
of preachers may be brought forward from
the ranks of these new converts—called of
God, consecrated to the work by their pa
rents, endued with the Spirit, and all ob
structions from self aud sin and the world
removed, until the Conferences—now cry
ing out for laborers—shall have no lack of
them in any harvest field. We have al
ready heard more than one friend of Em
ory College express the wish and hope we
here record—that this revival may, in
God’s providence, be a gathering iuto tne
Church of many valiant leaders in the
militant Church of the near future. Let
all the people say, “Amen.”
The Georgia Stare Fair.
Great preparations are making for the
Fair, to he held iu Macon—beginning 16. h
November, and continuing a week or
longer. Hundreds of distiugu shed men,
from all parts of the Union, have been iu
vited, and it is expected that the gather
ing will he greater than has ever been
known in the State.
We learu from the daily papers, that the
preparation of the ground is proceeding
satisfactorily—that the race-track is nearly
finished, and that sportsmen are already
winning aud losing money on races that
come off there. We suppose from ibis
early tiegiauiug, that no small part of
the attraction of the Fair is to be horse
raciug and other kindred amusements
Such facts take away all our interest in
such general gatherings. If the devil is
to be permitted to take possession of every
scheme for public improvement, and to
run it, in the interest of the kingdom of
darkness and to use the occasion for the
corruption of public morals, we think it
better that Christian people surrender all
interest in such questionable means of
progess. Itis'singular, that nothing of this
sort can be undertaken, without some vio
lence done to the Christian sentiment of
a very large part of the community. What
would the Fair oome to, if all interests
and those of the country were left to the
sportsmen, in whose behalf the demoral
izing race-course is gotten up ?
We suppose that our protest will only
excite a sneer—yet, nevertheless, we have
the satifaction of protesting against the
public money being used for the corrup
tion of the public and the promotion of
the interests of gamblers and such like.
The China Mission.
The letter from Rev. Young J. Allen
this week will be read with interest. Let
prayer be offered that his promising cate
chumen may become “a burning and
shining light." Progress is making even
in China. Withio the last three years,
according to recent statistics, the Protest
ant Missions in China show an increase
in the number of ordained missionaries
32; lay missionaries, 9; missionary la
dies, 36; total increase of missionaries,
77; in native assistants, 176; in commu
nicants and catechumens, 4,047; that is,
the number of converts has been more
than uoubled durtog the past three years.
The friends In Georgia will be glad to
learn, that their contributions to Bro.
Allen are being sent forward. The
Treasurer has sent him $2,000 this sum
mer, aud expects to send SI,OOO more at an
ear'y date. Push up the collections, and
let the sum be swelled by a liberal Geor
gia contribution.
The Western Virginia Conference.
From the statistics reported at the late
session of this body, we judge that great
prosperity has attended the labors of the
year. The net increase in each depart
ment is large in proportion to the sums
total. We speak now of the numbers in
tho Church and Sunday-schools, viz:
members 9,080 —increase 1,018 ; local
preachers 84—increase 10; S. S. scholars
5,120 —increase I,ol9—with too small an
increase in the number of schools—only
seven in 145 schools. The money statistics
for general purposes are not so promising,
although a good deal has been raised for
building and reopening churches. The
Bishops’ collection is reported at $158.20;
Conference collection, $196.45; Domestic
Ivlissions $432.34 ; Foreign Missions $87.54
—too little for 10,000 members to give to
these various purposes.
Tlie delegates to the General Conference
are: Clerical, 8. K Vaught, S. T. Mallo
ry ; Reserve, 8. H. Mullan ; Lay, Dr. J.
L. Carr, W C Ireland ; Reserve, Dr. P. H.
McCullough.
The Letter of Father Hyacinthe-
Our readers will be interested iu this
eloquent letter. Father Hyacinthe was
the most ; opular Roman Catholic preach
er in Europe—gathering immense multi
tudes to his services in Notre Dame, Paris-
His eloquence has made him a power in
the Church, which he does not abandon;
though he distinctly arrayshimselfagainst
the practices of its rulers. We have not
heard the last of this protest; for Father
Hyacluthe does not belong to the order of
men who remain silent under strong con
viction of religious duty.
The letter, coming, as it does, on the
eve of the meeting of the (Ecumenical
Council, produced an extraordinaiy sen
sation in Paris. The French secular jour
nals pronounce the letter a great “religi
ous and political eveot.”
To Local Preachers In Georgia
The Rev. Enos Young, a venerable
local elder in Dooly co., recently placed
iu our hands $1 for the Rev. Young J.
Allen of the China Mission, with the
suggestion that a like contribution be
made by every Local Preacher in Geor
gia. Two brethren, Boring aud Con
nells, joiued him at once—and we now
stand ready to receive one dollar from
each Local Preacher iu the Georgia Con
ference for this good work.
The Rev. J. Blakely Smith has re
turned to liid charge at First Bt., Macon,
after an absence of several weeks. He
lias made a tour iu the West aud North,
seeking aid to relieve his church from
pecuniary difficulties. He hopes that
with tlie money collected, aud the ar
ticles of the sale of machinery, imple
merits of husbandry, etc., etc., entrusted
to Him first to exhibit at the coining
SiateFair, and then to sell for his church,
that he will realise enough to relieve it
from all embarrrassments.
“The Farm and Home.”—Our readers
will doubtless notice the advertisement of
this new Journal, undertaken by J. W.
Burke & Cos., at the instance of great
numbers of friends. We are informed,
that the announcement has been received
very enthusiastically by those whose in
terests are to be served by such a work—
and au immense circulation is foretold lor
it. No pains are to be spared to make it
worthy of universal patronage.
HYMENEAL.-TheNew Orleans Christian
Advocate makes the following pleasing
announcement: Married, in Evansville,
Indiana, the Rev. Robebt J. Harp, of
the Louisiana Conference, to Miss Agnes
M. Pennington. Many friends in Geor
gia send congratulations to our worthy
brother and his bride.
Lay Delegates to the General Confer
ence may be chosen from the Church at
large within the bounds of the Annual
Conference electing them, and are not
necessarily to be taken from Delegates
present or voting. 8o Bishop Paine deci
ded at the late session of the Tennessee
Conference.
The Doctorate.—At a recent meeting
of the Board of Trustees of the Oglethorpe
University, the degree of Doctor of Divin
ity was bestowed worthily on the Rev.
James E Evans, of the South Georgia
Couference. May he live loug to wear his
honors, and to see the pleasure of the
Lord prosper under his zealous ministry.
The Wesleyan Female College,
opened last week, with a full corps of effi
cient instructors, in place, and with au
attendance of new pupils largely exceed
ing any iugathering since the war. This
old and popular Institution seems to grow
steadily in public favor.
The Rev. W. H Carter, a member
of the Mobile Conference, died in Clarke
co., Ala , ou 12tb August, after a paiuful
aud protracted illness, from pulmonary
consumption. Hi-closing hours were tran
quil—his entry into life triumphant.
The Rev. Charles Betts, as we are
informed by the Christian Neighbor, has
been appointed by Bishop WigbtmaD, to
the charge of the Marion District, 8. C-
Conference, to fill the place of the late
lamented Dr. Boyd.
Pathos.—The preacher was taking up
the annual ‘Couferenje collection.” He
was not a pathetic preacher— he wa9 a
man of tact and argument rather. He
had cleat!y slated the Bible principle,
method’and measure of giving for the
support of the gospel, aud was making
ilie ‘-application” to the occasion. After
expressing his approval of the policy of
the Methodist Church, which is to give
their preachers a bars support, he said :
“I always plead earnestly for this fund,
for the superannuated preachers and wid
ows and orphans of deceased preachers
who have died in the work of God ; for I
expect to live aud die in this work, and
someone will plead for my wife and little
'ones a9 I am pleading for others to-day.”
His voice was choked at the thought and
mention of the dear little circle at home,
his utterance ceased, and the usually tear
less preacher stood silent before a tearful
audience.— San Francisco Spectator.
The Early Methodist Preachers.
The venerable Bishop Morris, writing
for the Western Christian Advocate, a
brief sermon on “The Gospel Ministry,”
says:
In conclusion, the best practical illus
tration of the principles and duties of this
subject is found in ttieecclesiastical polity
and practiceof Methodists, a-i exemplified
by our fathers in tiie Gospel. It maybe
inferred bv people of limited information,
that because we are cot settled pastors, we
have no definite plan of systematic opera
tion in supplying the people with the
meaus of grace. This is a great mistake.
A Methodist, without ruleand order, would
be a contradiction in terms. It is, however,
true that our programme is on a very ex
tended scale. Our leader, Rev. John
Wesley, said, “The world is my parish.”
Many of his sons feel a measure of the
same enlargement of spirit, aiming at no
less than the world’s conversion, each
doing what he can to accomplish the
grand result, not only filiiug his stated
appointments daily, but pushing out to
regions beyoud. Here lam familiar with
the theme—“l speak that I do know, aud
testify that I have seen.” The first three
years of my itinerant ministry, with am
ple fields of labor, I preached on au aver
age a little over a sermon a day, besides
meeting the classes and holding many
prayer meetings. Yes, deducting time
lost by sickness, high waters, attending
Annual Conferences, etc., I still averaged
over a sermon a day, with many exhor
tations in the public aud social meetings,
aud at tlie same time attending diligently
aud systematically to my s.udies. Os
course, my time was fully occupied. The
first business in the morning was to read
the Holy Scriptures aasi select subjects
for the day, wbieh we studied on horse
back as we rode to the place of meeting.
The sermous were not written aud read,
but well studied, aud delivered without
any notes before us. Our places of wor
ship were mostly log cabins and school
houses, aud when these failed to hold the
people, we preached out of doors. Those
were my happiest days. When we had
an appointment to preach we were there,
irrespective of weather, and held a regular
service, whether we had many or few. I
often preached to less than half a dozen,
who braved the storm to enjoy the privi
lege. The seed then sown has yielded a
glorious harvest of souls. In those days
we knew nothing of pre-arrangemeuts be
tween ministers aud people for popular or
wealthy charges. To be identified with
the work, even on the poorest frontier
circuit, was honor enough for us. At
Conference we knew nothing of our ap
pointment for the coming year, till we
heard it officially announced at the close
of tlie sessiou. It is deeply to be regret
ted that this early usage of Methodism is
dying out among us. All pre arranges
ruents between miuistsrs and members is
anti-Methodistieal, aud highly injurious
to the cause of Christ. So I think.
From the Nashville Christian Advocate.
“The Church and her Children,”
Our correspondent who writes on this
subject, wishes to know if our Church
recognizes theCiiurch membership of bap
tized children. The questiou seems to in
volve a tautology. All Churches, as far
as we know, either consider baptism the
initiating ordinance of the Christian
Church, or else the ordinance which (in
the case of the children of believers)
recognizes their previous birthright mem
bership. The Metiiodist Churches, iu
common with mostothers, hold to the for
mer view. They do not leach that bap
tism changes the moral character of chil
dren —they have the same nature before
and after baptism—hut baptism recognizes
the depravity of their nature, the necessi
ty of the Spirit s sanctifying grace, sym
bolized in baptism, and the fact that to
them belongs a right to the privileges of
the Church —which is what our Lord
meant when he said, “Os such is the
kingdom of God.” Us course, as lambs
of his flock, they must be eared for by the
under-shepherds. Parents are to be held
responsible for the proper Christian train
ing of their children, till they are old
enough to come under the instruction of
pastors aud teachers, who ought to take
personal cognizance aud oversight of all
the catechumens of the Church. The mode
of doing this must necessarily vary, ac
cording to circumstances; hut the Dis
cipline requires a register to be kept of all
baptisms ; and pastors should be very
vigilant iu seeing that the children of the
Church are brought up in the nurture and
sdinouition of the Lord. It would he ab
surd to matriculate them in the school of
Christ, aud then pay no alienliou to their
instruction. Pastors should assist aud
stimulaie parents in the training of their
children, and by visiting them at their
homes; by catechetical discourses at the
Sunday school, in which they may be as
sisted by suitable catechists, (Sunday
school teachers,) and in ail other available
methods, endeavor to retain the childreu
within the fold, so that when they are
mature enough to comprehend lluirsacra
meuta! vows, they may, by God’s grace,
assume their position among the commu
nicants or adult members of tlie Chtfrch.
The Holy Spirit is always ready to bless
our efforts, aud to prepare the soil of child
hood to receive the good teed of the king
dom. Let us see to it that it he faithfully
sown in their tender hearts.
Things to ba Settled.
A Roman writer says: In the matter of
the coming Council we are deluged with
copies of a fractale intended as a leading
string for such as have the successful issue
of that assemblage at heart, or halt be
tween two opinions. It lays down the
following three axioms:
I. It is not lawful for any one to call
Jesus mv Lord and my God who does not
hold that the Church (the Roman) is his
mother.
11. It is not lawful for any one to call
the Church his mother who does not con
fess the Pope to be its Supreme Head.
HI. No one confesses the Pope in truth,
or bears love or obedience to him, unless
healsoconfessesthatthe temporal powerof
the Pope is inseparable from his mission
as the Vicegerent of Christ.
Should the Council declare the infalli
bility of the Roman pontiff’, as it is under
stood Cardinal Antouelli intimated uot
long ago to a German envoy, it will imply
that he has supreme dominion over every
State, both in ecclesiastical, social, and
secular respects. So that no sovereign
who reigns without the Pope’s cousent of
appointment and his sauction as to
public measures and policy, will be able to
depeud upon the loyalty or obedience or
his Romish subjects.
Out of infallibility grows the very body
and spirit of Ultraraoutauism, ecclesiasti
cal supremacy, and ecclesiastical domina
tion-domination over nations and rulers,
domination over doctrines aud rites, dom
ination over the conscience and individual
liberty, domination over the press, the
sch‘ 01, and the intellect. Ireland, Aus
tria, Italy, and Spain are my witnesses
We have yet to see whether the nineteenth
century will yieid its neck to such a yoke ?
Anew dogma, aiising out ot aud a nat
ural sequence of the Immaculate Concep
tion, lias been inculcated by Dr. Oswald,
a Romish theologian, who affirms iu his
“Mariology” (p. 177):—“We maintain the
co-presence of Alary in the Eucharist; this
co-preseuce is the necessary consequence
of our Marian theory, aud we have uo rea
sou to dread tiie cousequeuces which flow
from it.” And at p. 179 he repeats:—“ We
believe that the presence of Mary in the
sacred e ements of the Eucharist is com
plete, and that she is to he found perfectly
consistent iu them Doth in body and soul.”
Is this new dogma to be broached in the
graud Council? How passing wise was
St. Augustine’s warning,—“lf you step
out of the Scripture, you step into a mist!”
—iV. Y. Observer.
Dr. Claiming and the Pope. —The
Rev. Dr. t urnmiug, of London, wrote to
the Pope, proposing to attend tiie (Ecu
menical Council if he could receive assur
ance tiiat he would he permitted to state
the reasons why Protestants oppose Ro
man Catholicism. The Pope has sent a
communication to Cardinal Manning in
reference to the proposal of Dr. Gumming.
The Pope refers D \ Cummiug to the terms
of the letter of invitation addressed to
Protestauls, and says be will And that it
is an invitation, not to a discussion, but
only to profit by tlie opportunity to return
to the Church. The Pope says, Iu conclu
sion, that there is no ronn at the Council
for the defence of errors which have al
ready beeu condemned. The LoudoD
Times, commenting on the above, says the
decision of Rome ou Dr. Cummiug’s ap
plication is pronounced with unexpected
promptitude. The Pope must have ac
quainted himself witn the purport of Dr.
Cumming’s letter through the newspapers
and replied oefore its receipt.
Bishop Marvin, says the San Francis
co Spectator of Sept. 23, reached this city
on Saturday evening last, by the overland
route from Oregon. We are happy to re
port the Bishop’s health greatly improved,
though he looks thin and pale.
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
dDarrcssoniienct.
Pew Bent Experience.
Griffin—Siieet, Anchors—LaGran »e—Fire The
True Key Note.
Hr. Jzditor -.—ln 1867, I was stationed
in Griffin. The membership was large,
of the usual diversity of material, yet
abounding in valuable characters. The
year before, they had been served by one
of our be t preachers, aud had “reuted
pews.” Before my arrival they Mild a
meeting, aud resolved for “free ajits.”
Why? Because they were satisfleßßehat
pew-renting had let in upon them “sefenge
fire ;” “aud Nadab and Abihu died when
they offered strange fire before the Lord.”
The congregation had dwindled, the
membership were scattered and locked in
deadly indifference to the services of the
sanctuary. Yet tnere was a goodly pro
portion clinging to the altar, Inquiring
“shall we be consumed with dying?
Thou God that ans wereth by fire, save,
renew, revive us till we all shall re-live."
So solicitous were they iu this, they per
sisted in protracted meetings morathan
one-fourth the year. During these the
Baptists held one, nad a good time; per
haps one-fourth as many Methodists at
tended this, as were striving for mercy at
their own church. The Episcopalians
held one also; some Methodists went
there. With a marred church wrestling
for renewal, the laborers must nop only
get down, but stay down to the work,
upon their knees all the time possible, or
they 7 will have their “feet knocked from
under” by blasts from unlooked for quar
ters, and, unlike Jacob, “limp” before
the blessing comes. “The wanderers ’ are
difficult of recall. The old fold where
erst they were nurtured, “lies waste" for
them. “Home, sweet home” by some
strange legerdemain hath lost-on
its dear old charm. Unlike the fit. 1 Is
raelites forced to dwell by the rivers of
Babylon, they in voluntary exile, even
uninvited, “sing the song3 of ZioD in a
strange land,” forgetful ot their Dative
Jerusalem. If these, like the rest, would
dwell in the way channeled by the Pen
tecostal disciples who ‘‘all continued with
one accord in pray'er and supplication,”
and, “were all with one accord in one
place" how promptly would “the glerv of
the Lord fill the house of the Lord?”
However, occasionally a conversion would
occur, aud the baptism of the Holy Ghost
received by others would cheer tne rest.
bo they continued “faint yet pursuing”
for eight weeks, when the Lord seat Rev.
G. J. Pearce and gave him 1 ke grace
with them to “walk by faith got by
sight.” What to believers so walkiug is
the indifference of the masses, thill con
gregations, heat, cold, unbelief and hope
lessness of others, divers oppositions,
and the serried hosts of the pit? A “great
mountain?” Yes: but they see Christ
between them and it, drilling a tunue!
into its foundations, infixing therein a
blast that shall lift it from its proud place,
and strew its fragments to the four winds.
8o at the end of thirteen weeks of wor
ship, the church was happy iu the fact
that the Lord had added forty ot .fifty to
tlie membership, and poured bfessings
upon her till the fountains of Christian
fellowship were refreshingly emptying
into her thirsty, utiquellabie heart the
streams of love, hope, joy in the Holy
Ghost
Query. Do those loved ones of God
know the good they do, the strength they
give their pastor when he reads in their
regular church-going, and hears in the r
songs, amens aud prayers, the inexorable
words to the angei of the coveuant, "I
will not let thee go till thou bless me?”
'I hey affect him in two ways. Like Aaron
and Hur ou either side of Moses, they
hold up bis hands till the doubtful battle
becomes decisive for the hosts of God.
And like the dews of Hermon, they main
tain iu his heart a fresh oasis till the “lit
tle cloud” rises out of the sea of God’s
promise, and overspreads aud pours upon
the church fruitful showers. I have met
such on the Atlantic, and on the Pacific
oast No storm, however hurtling, can
shake their (aitii or jostle them from their
moorings to Chi s , No ec 1 se sso total
that they do uot see bright tmrdeisof the
“Sun of Righteousness” beyond, and
“stand” in their place confidently ex
pecting to see and shout “the glory of the
Lord is risen upon Zion.” They ore the
church’s beacon-lights in the darkness,
her sheet auchors iu the storm. -L,
Last year and this I am occupying a
-imilar appointment. Soon after div ar
rival, on their own motion, tiie tneinbers
voted “free seats.” They had tried pew
renting two years; found embarrassment
still in collections; membership iced, dis
affected ; congregations dwarfed, aud this
too with the ministrations of, perhaps, as
finished a preacher as ever charmed a
modern assembly. They abandoned pew
reutingfrom the conviction that whatever
good was in it, was far outweighed by
evils inseparable from it. It seemed to he
a barrier somehow to the fires of grace.
vVhen Methodists seek a test, like Elijah
on Mt. Carmel, they call for “the tire of
God” upon their offering. If it come,
well; if not, they ht-ave the offering with
out the camp. They, everywhere in reli
gion wish, think, feel, and talk “fire.”
A few days ago, ou the street, one of them
said to another from a neighboring town,
both educated, influential, “come, stay
louger, attend our meeting, the fire is
burning at the church.” “Yes," was the
reply, as love for the “baptism of fire”
gleamed iu the eye, “and I wish I could be
thereto enjoy it.” Another writes in a
late number of “the San Francisco Spec
tator,” that if the preachers will preach
with Are tiil the people's hearts grow
warm, they will pay liberally. It is his
antidote for covetousness even, ho the
world over; you may as certainly expect
Methodists to be in unrest, dissatisfied
when shut out from the baptism of fire,
as that Baptists will be rather non-plussed
when the picture Is without “much wa
ter.” They will never make “a fixture"
of that which barricades the approaches
to the holy tire.
So here they recurred to the “old paths”
of free seats, hopiug to relume their glo
rious old altar. But alas 1 the sheeny ice,
how hard and thick its glacier folds had
gathered! Yet the Lord is melting it
slowly. Oh! for the file of His love to
bring ou a sudden, general thaw !
Last year we held seven Weeks of pro
tracted "meetings; during these our Bishop
came and preached three sermons that
might have set another place on fire of
heaven. When, at last, the meeting clos
ed, four or five had been added to the
church, and a few besides much revived
This year we have held six weeks of pro
tracted meetings resulting iu sixteen ad
ded to the chuich, and about one-third of
the members greatly revived, often filling
the house with glad shouts like old-time
Methodism in earnest.
What is herein set down shows that for
some reason these churches and congre
gations were so uuimpressible that mush
labor aDd “long patience” were retired
ere God’s blessing came. “But was tUe
evil traceable to pew-renting?” I don’t
certainly know—the churches and their
friends who had “passed through the
mill” said, the greater part of it was.—
“The churches were not in such an evil
case after all.” They say they were.
“Your meetings were too long.” Well,
may be so; but we tried at each place
both kinds—short ones, aud afterward we
held ail the weary weeks mentioned, and
God did His work in loug ones. “By the
showing,LaGrange is notoutof the woods
yet.” Nor oo we so profess ; but we catch
the zephyrs and see streaks of light
breaking iu from the sweet fields towards
which we press, aud, God willing, we
shall have another meeting pretty soon ;
if you have any fire, “come over and
help us.” The renewal of these chur
ches was so tardy and incomplete, partly
because, like Meroz at the battle of
Taanacb, many of their members “came
not up with the congregation unto the
Lord.” Many torture themselves often
by makiug long “the winter of our dis
content.” “Return to me and I will re
turn to you, saith the Lord of hosts. ’ As
oue then, and others now, would join the
struggling bands, tiie blessing would ig
nite tbeir souls. >
Several churches besides these in Geor
gia have tried pew-renting, aud doubtless
like these, if not already, they will soon
“ overboard ” with it. They have shivered
in the cold about as long as intelligent
Methodist nature can bear before seeking
the fire.
The right to rent the pews adheres to
the churches from the law regulating the
support of the ministry. It says: "The
church meeting shall adopt its own method
of raising this money.” But the truth is,
the Methodist ship rots iu “the Dead Sea”
of worldly policy or exclusiveness, and
her crew wilts, dies. Amid the sublimi
ties of Genessaretb she defies decay, and
her crew, forgetful of inequalities, revive
while mingling with the multitudes bn its
slopes and strands; or, “toiling iu rowing
because the winds are contrary,” they re- j
ceive, amid the hissing tempest, the greet- j
logs of the Great Master, adore with fer
vor, hear His words of “Peace” and re-
buke, behold His miracles, nor dally on
the voyage to the yonder shore.
A wealthy Eatouton Methodist, whose
name is a synonym for high intellectual
and moral culture, wheu the pew-rent
system was urged for His adoptiou, re
plied : “It may raise more money, yet
why should it? but, it will disaffectsnme,
and humiliate others; and I do so desire
that one plaoe should be kejrt sacred on
earth, where the-poor and rich shall meet
together on terms of equality ; and if Ood's
home fails to afford that place, where else
shall we find it? Leins meet there and wor
ship Ood together without anything to re
mind us of the inequalities of life." In
that utterance i3 struck the key note of
the Christian heart. Jesus struck tlie
same, when, on the Judean hills. He
sent to John, as the climax of the eviden
ces of His Messiahship, the words, “And
the poor have the gosfiel preached unto
them.” Methodists, try it wheu they will,
can never worshipjcontentedly ‘surround
ed by whatever adjuncts thereto, when
they look arouud upon vacant pews aud
ask their hearts “where are my Lord’s
poor?” God has lodged with them greater
light and a larger baptism of the Holy
Ghost than with others, and when they
lose that light, ami holy anointing, they
are prepare i to slide into the embraces of
a church whose model’ less spiritual and
tissued with darkness, cannot bear the
“weight of glory” from whose brightness
they fly. R. VV. Bigham.
LaGrange, Ga.
Broad River Circuit, North Ga. Con
ference.
Mr. Editor: This is anew circuit-hav
ing beeu organized iu 1867, by a division
of the old Wilkes circuit iuto Broad aud
Little River circuits which were so
named from the rivers forming the north
ern and southern bouudaries of the coun
ty, aud which indicate the location of
their respective churches. Only three
churches, however, were assigned to
Broad River, until the following year;
when New Hope, from Lincoln, was ad
ded, aud the present plan went into ope
ration. The lamented Dr. Ledbetter,
died iu charge of the three churches, and
was the first preacher ou the new circuit.
Rev. VV. L. Wooten, L. P., finished the
year, after the Doctor’s death; aud I have
nearly completed my second year since
that time. The tvisdo u of the division
has been manifested by the increased
pr sperity of both sections. Each pastor
having his work more concentrated, feels
a better heart for its accomplishment, and
has an impetus for unfailing exertiou.
We arejust now enjoying a few days of
rest, after six weeks of protracted labors
iu the churches.
Prayer week was passed at Pope’s Chap
el amid the most, evident displays of di
vine power which it has ever been my
happiness to realize. The Holy Ghost
"descended and sat upon the people.”
Many prophesied iu His name. Themoru
ing prayer-meeting was also an experi
ence-meeting, aud often by its intense in
terest protracted itself into the preaching
hour. On one or two of these occasions
tbe gracious iufiuenee was so impressive,
that little children arose, and with tears
and rejoicings, spoke of God’s love to
them.
Baptists and Methodists united together
in one common brotherhood for the ad
vancementofthe*' Redeemer’s Kingdom.”
Rev. John 8. Callaway, au earnest Bap
tist minister, was always present. He
preached aud exhorted and prayed and
rejoiced to the fullness of his own soul,
aud the great good of his hearers.
The results of this meeting no man can
compute. Besides several valuable ac
cessions to her membership, the church
aas generally revived and advanced in
the tone of her piety. The fervor aud
zeal of the brethren have survived the
termination of tlie protracted services;
for I found them on my next visit
“abounding in good works.” They have
adopted tlie experience exercise as a reg
ular part of their Sabbath worship, hav
ing it precede the sermon. What a
strengtheuer to the preacher!
Our appointment led us to New Hope
the day after we closed at tiie chapel;
and the very first service here was au
omen lor good. Day after day the inter
est increa-ed, aud we again felt the “pow
er divine.” The congregations were large
and deeply cone -rued. Oa several occa
sious every unconverted person in the
house sought tlie prayers of the church.
Men and women advancing in life —the
heads ot large families—manifested a de
sire for salvation. Many persons were
converted—but our quarterly meeting at
another church obliged us to leave this
work incomplete.
At both of tlie above churches, Rev.
Gibson C. Andrews, formerly an itine
rant —now a Free-will Baptist—rendered
most timely aud aceeptatile assistance.
He became my companion, and visited
with me ‘from house to house,” going
just where we could be most useful. He
preached "with power giving full proof
of bis ministry. ’
Rev. N. C. Ware, an itinerant-local
preacher, was witli us at the latter church,
aud contributed his untiring energy to
the Work. God honored one of bis ser
mons by the conversion of a lady, during
its delivery.
The quarterly conference carried us to
“Old Independence,” where upon riding
up we recognized the smile of Rev. T. F.
Fierce, our own P. E., wiio “never wearies
in well doing.” He began his ministerial
life ou this circuit, and lias warm friends
here. He aud Bro. R. A. Bea!e, were
with ui nearly a week. -The religious
interest at this church was neither so gen
eral nor deep as at the others; though
much grace was bestowed, especially in
reclaiming the buckslider, and animating
the faith of the membership. There were
some striking instances of prompt answer
to prayer.
At tlie Rack—my fourth church—the
revival fire broke out fresh and fervent.
Bro. Beale, though in feeble health,
spared not himself in this meeting. Bro.
Nash of the Baptist Church, aud Bro.
Calhoun from the adjoiuing mission,
came to our help, and found much to do.
We continued more tbau two weeks, en
joying the manifest power of God. Every
service was crowned with His blessing.
A large number found the “pearl of great
price,” and they are now united with the
great family of God on earth. It was a
uotieeable feature of this meeting that
every convened soul came immediately
iuto the church. The last services were
prevented by heavy rains, and we could
remain uo longer.
The last six weeks ha3 brought us, in
Christian experience, much nearer to tlie
“oetter laud.” More faith—greater ear
nestness —stronger hopes—larger desires
—aii these are ours. “A deeper work of
grace,” eveu unto holiness of heart, is,
we trust, the constant aim of many.
Duriug thisseries of meetings, we have
received an accession of forty-five white,
and six colored persons : which with four
teen others previously added during this
year, largely increases our aggregate.
"The Lord he praised for His goodness to
the childreu of men.”
While I am writing, I will tell you of
the enterprise of our people. They are
building or arranging to build new
churches at every appointment, except
Pope’s chapei, where the bouse was good
enough for repairs. At this place over
SSOO bave been expended for these pur
poses, and the church now renovated, is
quite comfortable aud convenient.
New Independence, ou the old site, is
nearly completed, and will soon be ready
for dedication. The wood work is done,
and nothiug remains but to finish the
plastering aud
ty building ;58 feet in length —36 feet in
width. It has an 8 foot colonnade in front,
with a recessed pulpit in the rear. The
windows are 9 feet, with arched blinds
above. The floor will be carpeted, and the
pulpit and altar neatly furnished. The
cost will be over $2 <IOO.
New Hope has given out the contract
for just such a house, and the lumber is
being prepared. The Rock has raised
more than half enough money to build,
and will get from the neighboring mill
—as soon ar it is repaired—the first lum
ber sawed. $6,000 will be required for
the completion of these churches, and tlie
money is forthcoming. There is ongoing
in debt. Neither do the Bishops’, the
Presiding Elders’, the preachers’, the
Missionary, nor the Couference assess
ments contribute to its payment. They
are all met, and I doubt not the Broad
River circuit will sustain her well-earned
reputation. Truly yours,
John W. Heidt.
Danburg , Oa., Sept. 28th, 1869,
Tryon St, Charlotte, N. C.—The
Rev. E. J. Meynardie writes, Oct. 4th:
“The revival in my charge continues
with unabated iuterest. Some 46 have
been received into the church, up to this
time, and many more happy conversions
have taken place. The spiritual benefit
to the church is inestimable. Though
needing help, the meeting will continue
until Conference, if it be the will of God.
Methodist preachers are wonderfully
scarce in this part of the country !”
Letter from China.
By the last U. 8. mail the China Mis
sion is in receipt of the most gratifying in
telligence from the Board, that the old
debts are reduced by half; with every pros
pect of their entire removal at an early
day ; and from Georgia and other points,
that the Missionary enterprise is once
more attracting the attention and enlist
ing the efforts of the churches. Our hopes
are correspondingly exalted aud we be
gin to forecast a brighter future.
Personally I am under constant obliga
tions to the dear children of tiie Sabbath
schools for their geuerou3 and self-deny
ing activity to sustain me and ray labors
in this distant field, and my heart re
sponds gratefully to the assurances and
Christian greetings of the LaGrange Dis
trict-meeting. Their action is an evideuee,
if any were wauted, to prove what au iu
dividual District or Conference under
given circumstances, can do, and will do
if necessary, to sustain, tiie Missionary
enterprises of the church. May God bless
and sustain their efforts.
Our work shows some signs of vitality,
but makes baste slowly. Our services at
chapel are better attended than formerly
aud we have several probationers under
instruction, among whom is a literary
graduate. He is a splendid specimen of
educated Chioaman and will be a rare ac
quisition to our native church ; I say rare,
because such men are difficult to reach,
and when approached are generally too
Pharisaical to admit the claims of the
gospel: again, because in the churches
men of such talent and position in socie
ty are few. It may be interesting to men
tion that he is the first fruits, realized by
our church, of my connection with tlie
Chinese Newspaper. He often wrote for
tlie paper, and I knew him by reputation
long before I met him personally. Sev
eral times iu matters scientific he ven
tured to write against me, but duriug the
long discussion I had with the Chinese
relative to their great superstitiou, the
Fang Shut, its existence, or non-existence.
he came to my assistance and rendered
valuable service especially in combating
the historical allusions of my opponents.
From that time our acquaintance became
more personal and intimate and my ef
forts to instruct and tiring him to a knowl
edge of the truth in Jesus have been so far
rewarded that I hope to see him admit
ted to the church by baptism at our next
communion. His name is Chu Lien Sung.
The Chinese Christian Advocate will
soon, tlie first of September, have com
pleted its first volume aud I have already
announced, though with some hesitation,
that the price of the Second Volume will
be reduced to half the present price, i. e.
half a dollar per copy, instead of a dollar
as heretofore.
Should all the missions doable their
present subscription, as manv have prom
ised to do, the above reduction will not
embarrass it. I hope to see it ultimately
brought within the reach of every native
Christian able to read it and am willing to
wake considerable sacrifice to accomplish
that object. Pecuniarily, however, I am
unable to risk much and it is with pleasure
that I acknowledge tlie appeal to the la
dies in its behalf noticed iu a recent num
ber of your paper, the 8. C. Advocate.
[That appeal has not brought in more
than slo.—Ed. 8. Christian Advocate.] I
do not intend that it shall depend for ex
istence upon mere chiftity, but support it
self aud it is only with’a view to giving it
a fair start and makiug Us benefits and
influence more widely known at first,
that such assistance, as the appeal above
noticed contemplates, becomes desirable
or necessary. I shall not attempt there
fore to erect it into a permanent object of
charity, and hope after this first year of
reduction in price tiiat uo sin ting fund
will be necessary to guarantee its expen
ses or its success. I would avail of tb*s
opportunity therefore through you to as
sure the ladies that no future appeal shall
be made to them in its behalf.
Persecutions still continue. More re
cently however, the Roman Catholics
have been the victims. I wrote you iu
1866, I believe, that the Emperor had
recognized their right to govern, both ec
clesiastically and civilly, their adherents.
The present difficulties, therefore, between
them iu the Sz chuen provinces are more
political than religious and so far have
resulted disastrously to the Catholics
about twenty priests and two thousand of
their converts having been murdered.
At least such is the latest account. We
are all well. With kindest regards to
all, believe me ever
Yours Truly, Young J. Allen.
Louisville ct., So. Ga. Conforence.
Mr Editor Fortheencouragmneut of
Christians abroad, aud to the praise of
God. I have decided to write a brief ac
count of the work of grace upon this cir
cuit. Iu looking over the list of acces
sions to the church, since the “campaign”
opened, my heart is cheered as this and
that name recalls the scenes of their cons
version and espousals to God. The Lord
has done great things for us.
“The last weeks in July witnessed n most
remarkable meetiug at Pine Hill, which
lasted sixteen days, aud resulted in many
bright conversions, the erection of many
family altars, and tlie addition of 45 to the
church. Bros. Hayles, Reynolds and
Murphy, gaiued increased Weaith iu hea
ven by their efficient aud persevering
labors. I observed then, what has beeu
noticeable at other meetings during the
year—the large proportion of young men,
seeking and embracing religion and join
ing the church. Nearly one half of the
accessions, of which there have been about
120, are from this class. The young
church at Pine Hill, warm in its first love,
organized at once a Sabbath-scboo! and
prayer meetiug, aud is going on its way
rejoicing.
I could adduce, if space admitted, many
proofs, that we need not confine our ex
pectations of good to the protracted meet
ings exclusively. The revival influence
has been general, and many a good meet
ing have we had at “regular appoint
ments” with conversions and accessions
to the church. Upon one occasion I was
led by the Spirit, as old time Methodist
preachers loved to say, to turn off from
my course to preach and spend the night
on Dr. Mann’s plantation. Ou short notice
some fifteen hearers assembled, and three
professed conversion and two joiued the
church.
Our camp meeting at Mt. Moriah was a
gloiious success. Butof that Bro. Hinton
has already written.
I am now in the midst of a round of
two days’ meetings. Good results have at
tended thus far. Bro. Reynolds and my
self are engaged at Bethany at present, iu
a meeting of great interest. Eighteen
have joined up to this time, and still the
work goes on. Bro. Cross, Baptist, par
ticipated awhile and took four into his
church.
As an augury of good, Mr. Editor,
which I know you will appredate, I will
state that more than 100 copies of the Ad
vocate are takeu on the circuit, aud we
need uo better evidence that they are read
than is found in the manifest interest
by the church in the success of the cause
at home and abroad. As to the support of
tieir preachers, they are not exactly the
“eccentric” circuit, paying strictly in ad
vance, and I hope they will not become
so, but what is better, do always as they
now do, that is, pay liberally at each
quarterly conference, and. ns we think,
they will square up at the fourth. We
waut to have the love of our brethren,
and as the best evidence of it, their cordial
support, all the year round. Advocating
“eccentricity” to our mind smacks of dis
trust of both Providence and the breth
ren.
Another item, Mr. Editor, perhaps com
plimentary to you. I have takeu up our
yearly Missionary and Conference collec
tions at only three appointments, aud yet
with some private canvassing, the circuit
has contributed thus far more than S3OO to
these purposes, and this too with compar
atively little effort; for much effort is su
perfluous when the people have been
taught aud are willing to give. Long life
t<> the Advocate, and theexpansive Chris
tianity it seeks to disseminate, aud all
glory to God for his blessing upon it. The
world is to be given to Christ aud his
church. It lies before us, and God says,
“go up and possess it.” O ! for the faith.
R. F. Evans.
Bethany, Oct. sth, 1869.
Ellaville ct., 8. G. Uonf -The Rev.
E. J. Reulz writes: We began a meeting
at Oglethorpe the 26th June, which was
continued nine days; a majority of the
membership were greatly revived, diffi
culties of long standing between members
settled, aud 20 conversions aud additions.
Our next meeting was at Concord, and it
certainly was a time of refreshing from
the presence of the Lord ; many clear con
versions, and 57 additions, at that and
subsequent meetings. Ellaville, Lebanon,
Hopewell, aud Prospect, rejoiced in sea
sons of like precious power. Forty-one
embraced religion aud joined the Church.
Over 100 bave joined during the year.
The local preachers of the circuit did good
service. At Ellaville our worthy P. E.,
bros. Robinson and Williamson, were with
us, and preached with great acceptability.
God has done great things for us, whereof
we are glad. To his name be all the glory.
Letters to G • No I.
Dear Brother: Conference Is approach
iug. This annual gathering Is a season es
intense interest to many ; aud it ought to
be such to every minister and member of
the church in the bounds of our Confer
ence. There exists in every charge the
possibility of pastoral chauges. This
is inseparable from our itinerancy. In It
are involved the highest interests known
to man— spiritual ones. If then, a change
affecting tny property or health is con
ceded sufficient to absorb my thoughts
and influence my whole behavior, ought
not this one, whose influence shall ex
tend beyond time, through eternity, to
awaken deep concern in my heart? You
auswer, without hesitancy, “yes.”
Some tell me, this feature iu our church
goverument is their only objection to
Methodism. With a small minority this •
may be so ; but the masses favor change, i
desire something new. If it were left to
the wishes of the congregations for de
cision, a majority would favor change at
the close ot the second year—or at tar
thest alter tour years of service. It is
questionable whether the extension of the
term of the pastorate has met the wishes j
of the people generally. So far as they j
are concerned 1 am confident that this j
possibility of change would he overwhel
mingiy maintained.
My own judgment approves their de- ,
cisiuu of tins question. It does so first, I
simply because they wish it; secondly,
tins possibility gives a congregation au ;
easy method of ridding themselves of au i
unacceptable minister; while to the pas- i
tor it aflbrds escape from a charge of j
which he is weary ; all without calling 1
out any of the unhappy passions of our ,
hearis, sometimes liable to he awakened
between pastor and people. A third reas
on for approval is, that by this means the
talent or the church—the different styles
of ministry—is distributed over the whole
church. This largely increases its ability
to do good. A fourth reason is, that it
prevents the secularization of the minis
try. This is a deplorable evil, whenever
it occurs; aud many inconveniences
should he overlooked, if thiough them,
or, by a system which necessitates them,
this evil can he avoided. I might enu
merate other reasons for joiuiug the mas
ses iu favor of our itinerancy and biennial
changes. These, however, satisfy me that
the evils—so called —connected with the
system are but inconveniences compared
with the results of abolishing this feature
in our polity.
I said theapproaoliiugConferenceought
to be a season of deep interest to ministry
and laity. We have beeu taught to regard
the appointments made at our Conferences,
not as tlie result of chance, uor yet as the
work of management— finesse —on the
part of the members of the cabinet or
conference. Instead of these, an intelli
gent view of the whole work, a knowledge
of its wants, aud of the character of the
ministry, and a spirit of humble depen
dence upon divine wisdom for direction,
expressing itself iu fervent prayer, ma<k
the sceoes in tiie stationing room and de
cide the appointments of tlie preachers.
A praying Bishop, praying presiding el
ders, praying mi listers, praying people!
This is the picture of a Conference occa
sion as it ought to lie. We need prayer at
ull times—now, especially. Let the min
ister pray, not that he may be returned
to his work of last year; but sent where
God sees best for him to go. Let the
people at home iu the several charges in
tercede with God, not for tlie return of
their lormer pastor, but for such a pastor
as God may see best for them and his
people iu the community. Let Bishop
and Presiding Elders remember the All
searching Jehovah, and pray for His di
rection. Such ought to be the mauifesta
tions of interest on the part of all con
cerned. Such a season of prayer duriug
our Annual Couference in December
would -ecure, beyond mistake, such a dis
position of the ministerial host as would
shake the strongholdsof Satan, aud bring
certain victory to the cause of the blessed
Christ.
My dear brother, I must not encroach
upon your time or patieuce. Will you
help me to impress the importance of the
approaching conference upou our peo
ple? I wish all could see it, and carry
the mutter to the throne of grace.
In my next, I wish to correct some er
ror.- iu practice, contrary to the spirit In
culcated in this letter. God bless you in
your work. Fraternally,
Presbyter.
Columbia, ct., Fla. oonferonoa.
On 4th Sept. Rev. J. R. Tolbert com
menced a meetiug in a neighborhood
where there was no church, and continued
it untii the following Thursday, assisted
by Revs. J. W. Jn.ck.son, I). L. Branning,
aud myself, i’he results were sixteen ac
cessions to the Church, whom with some
others who were members before, I organ
ized into anew society, and have taken it
into my circuit. Bro. Tolbert has beeu
laboring with indefatigable zeal iu this
aud one other neighborhood—Shiloh—(or
tlie past two years, iu preaching aud teach
ing Sabbath-schools, under such opposiug
obstacles as would have overcome many,
and ho bus had at last the satisfaction
of witnessing his lubors abundantly bless
ed. At the lust named place three joined
tiie church and many were converted. He
has proved a fdtthfui workman ; doing
the true work of a local preacher ; going
before the itinerant into neglected aud
de-olate neighborhoods, fervently warning
and earnestly urging the people to repen
tence iu these regions, rather than seeking
to preach to large congregations ill well
cultivated fields.
On the 11th our 3d quarterly meeting
was held by bro. L. G. K. Wiggins, P. E.,
at Tusteuuggee. Here we were again as
sisted by bros. Jackson and Branning.
This was another gracious time.. The
Lord was with us in great power, especial
ly on Monday aod Tuesday following.
Twenty-seven joiued the church, which
greatly strengthened what before was a
weak church. At this point, and it is the
only one on the circuit, we have a society
of colored people They occupied their
place with us, aud five of them at this time
joined the church also. Thus far this
year, I have received sixty-eight persons
in the church, aud I feel this is but the be
giuuing of good things, for the indications
are, that God will continue the more
abundantly to bless, to whom he all the
glory aud the praise. Jas. P. DePass.
Spring Vale Ct, So. Ga. Conference.
Mr. Editor :—We have reason to be
thankful to God for his recent, gracious
visitation to us. Our two-days’ meeting
at “Wesley Chapel,” embracing the third
Sabbath in September, was protracted
through the following week, closing on
the night of the fourth Sabbath. It has
never been my privilege before to witness
such an abundant outpouring of God’s
Spirit upon the people. The first hour’s
service was signalized by a manifestation
of more than ordinary interest, and the
anxieiy of the people generally for the
protraction of the meeting, was shown liy
their almost total su-pension of all secu
lar business during the week of tlie meet
ing. The church labored, God blessed,
and the result was glorious. Twenty-six
were added to the church, most of whom
were genuinely converted. Thirteen of
these I oaptized on the last day of the
meeting—the rest, either having beeu
baptized in infancy, or came to us from
other denominations. The congregations
were large, especially at night. It is just
to say, that their attentiveness and uni
form good behavior were worthy of emu
lation. With great pleasure we acknowl
edge the very valuable services rendered
to us by Dr. Baldwin, of Fort Gaines,
who was with us a good portion of the
time and to whom the people here are
lastingly attached. We have had several
meetings In this charge, of interest too.
butof minor importance compared with
this, hence, we forbear any further detail.
Pray for us, brethren, that the Lord may
revive us still more abundantly.
Yours in Christ,
Geokgb S. Johnston.
Spring Vale, Oct. 5, 1869.
Waukenah, Fi.a.—The Rev. James
A. Wiggins writes: We have bad some
good meetings since the week of prayer ;
have received nine members and trust for
much good done among the old members
—Stirling them up to faith and prayer and
family religion. But raauy yet remain
unmoved iu their sius, and too few have
learned to take pleasure iu infirmities
aud glory in tribulation—an easy path
and a cro-sless life are in the main, great
ly preferred to self-denial and cross-bear
ing—yea, the gratification of self rather
than the crucifixion of the flesh with its
affections aud lusts is the prevailing ele
ment in our Christian philosophy—a
state of mind which borders closely on
esteeming gain, godliness. Cheap godli
ness, convenient service prevails. Few
have learned with David to say, God for
bid that I should offer that which costs
me nothing. Nevertheless, though I thus
speak, we have a few names even among
us whom we trust have not defiled their
garments and shall yet walk with Him
in white.
Vol. xxxii. No. 42
Bethel ot., So. Ga- Conference.
Mr. Editor : God hath poured out upour
Bethel circuit, “showers of blessings.”
We had our 8.-school Convention fori
the ct., in connection with the tbiYtl quar
terly conference. By this arrangement we
obtained the counsel of our P. E., who
rendered efficient service both iu tlie chair
and in the pulpit. Bros. Soarbrougb,
Hudson and Chaney, gave us some assis
tance. After all the preachers had left
the Lord put the spirit of Eidad and Me
dad upou bro. Pierce, a teacher iu the 8.
School at Pleasant Grove. He made an
affecting appeal to the young people.
Mourners were called to the altar, and
a number came. The door of the church
was opened, aud seven of his class joined.
Teu were received into the church at this
meeting, aud three more joined not yet
received. ~
Bros. Sistrunk and Turner commenced
a meeting at Bethel church; the former
left early in the;meeting, bro. Turner la
bored faithfuhy to its close. Revs. Rents,
Stewart, aud Chaney, gave some help.
Thi9 meeting resulted in a number of cou
versions, aud ten were added to the
church. , _ , , ,
I held a meeting at Balem, a church
left out of the circuit when I came here.
Bros. Anthony, Chaney, aud Turner were
with me a part of the time. Fifteen were
added to the church at this place.
We have had good aud profitable meet
ings at other churches on this circuit,
where souls were converted, and joined
the church. . ,
One important aavantage, not to be lost
realizes from
cv j v.il .>1 ~M in- in
i-l
l.'.nV.n.lH^^^B’nva'c
e u e ' 1
ceive it
A. MtjKibben.
Camp Meeting in Montgomery Cos.
Mr. Editor i In company with Dr.
Pierce aud other brethren I had the pleas
ure of visiting the camp-meetiug held at
Montgomery Camp Ground in the Alta
inaha District.
It reminded me of the good old days of
Methodism thirty years ago. The preach
ing was joyfully heard, crowds of mourn
ers were at the altar, macy were happily
converted. Fifty-one persons joined -he
church—a majority of whom were young
meu of much promise.
Dr. Pierce preached five sermons vary
ing in length from one hour aud a half to
two hours. The people sat on rough seats
and heard gladly, and we heard uo com
plaints of long sermons.
Altogether, it was the best meeting I
have ever attended, and its iufiuenee w'H
he felt for years to come in that part of the
Lord's vineyard. J.W. B.
A Now Conference-
Mr. Editor : The following resolutions
were unanimously passed i>y the Salisbury
District Conference of the N. C. Confer
ence :
Resolved, That in the judgment of this
District-conference, it would greatly pro
mote the cause of Christ, and of Metho
dism In particular in the State of North
Carolina, if a Western North Carolina
Conference was constituted ; a»d that we
await with anxiouS i&terest iTi'S'
that direction of the laity of the church,
in those portions of the State witliiu the
bounds of the South Carolina aud Hols
eton Conferences.
Resolved, That these resolutions bo
published in the Raleigh Episcopal
Methodist, the Southern Christiau Ad
vocate and the Nashville Christian Ad
vocate. M. V. Sherrill. Secty.
Mocksville, N. C,Ocl. 4 th, 1809.
Millen Mission, 80. Ga. Conference.
—The Rbv. L. A. Darsey writes Oct. Ist:
For several days past, we have been hold
ing a protracted meeting at Fulwood’fT'
Chapel, one of the churches on this mis
sion. The Lord was with us from the be
ginning. The altar was crowded day aud
night. Thirty four were added o the
church, most of whom, we believe, found
peace From the rosy cheeked girl to the
old man with furrowed face aud hoary
hairs said : “I had rather be a door-keep
er in the house of my Lord, than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness ” Also, oth
ers who had almost grown out of mem
bership were reclaimed, and the entire
membership revived Last evening, every
one in the house, except one tnau, aud two
ladles of a sister church, was at the altar.
The Lord heard our prayers, and gave us,
before our parting, a blessing which will
be remembered a long time I never be
fore witnessed such a scene. Surely, the
Lord loveth to answer prayer. The Rev.
N. B Ousley came to my help on Monday
evening. It is enough to say of him that
he preached with his accustomed zeal aud
power.
Weston ct., S G. Cons.—The Rev. J.
W Mills writes: The Lord has visited us
in mercy. At Emmaus, Burney's school
house, and Brooksviile, the church has
been revived —mauy who had not a satis
factory evidence of their acceptance in
the Beloved, received the witness that
they were born of God. The lukewarm
renewed their covenant, and tlie shout of
the redeemed host made glad the holy
place of the labernacles of the Most High.
At Brooksviile, the Lord peculiarly bless
ed us. It was a "Benjamin’s mess." For
years we have bad but a precarious exis
tence at Brooksviile, but now the crisis is
passed—we live. The church wasstrenglh
eued by the uddition of 15 members. We
have a very good church edifice, but un
finished—hope the friends will finish it
now. At Burney’s school house four were
added to the membership. Burney's
school house! how does that look for au
Intelligent, thickly settled, well to-do peo
ple, who say they love God ?
Presbyterian Reunion.—The reuns
ion of the Old and New School Presbyte
rian Churches, on tlie basis adopted by
the two General Assemblies, Is certain of
consummation. Thus far the voting in
the Presbyteries is all one way. Thirty
four Presbyteries have taken action, aud
uot one has recorded its name on the list
of nays. In some instances the vote has
been unanimous, aud iu every other case
the minority has been very small.
Lenoir, N. C.—The Rev. G. W. Ivy
writes: We are liaviug great prosperity
ou this circuit. Oue hundred aud forty
five have been converted this year at dif
ferent poiuts on the circuit. The battle
is still going on, and the shout of victory
is heard. VVhen the campaign is ended,
I will give particulars.
Altamaha District Meeting.
This body met at Montgomery camp
ground, Oct. Ist, 1869, Rev. L B. Payne,
P. E., in the chair, and J. P. R. fcikes and
Rev. W. D. Bussey, Secretaries.
Near forty delegates were present.
Appropriate committees were appointed
and reported in substance as follows:
The Committee on Missions, suggest that
it be the duty of traveling and local
preachers to search out unfrequented pla
ces, where the gospel is seldom, if ever
preached, and as far us practicable to de
vise means for supplying them with Mis
sionaries.
The Committee on Sabbath schools report
that there is au increasing intereston this
subject within the bounds of this Dis
trict, and recommend lhat both preachers
aud laymen exert all their iufiuenee to
build up and perpetuate Hunday-schools
throughout the District. They also re
commend that arrangements be made to
keep up schools through the winter, by
makiug churches comfortable, or where
this is impracticable, that the schools meet
alternately at private houses.
The Committee on Church Extension re
port a great deal of uuoccupied territory
iu the District, and recommend that all
the preachers local and itinerant labor iu
these fields as far as they can. and that
the next Annual Conference be requested
to supply these destitute fields as they
may see best.
The Committee on Religious Literature
report that there is great need of religious
books aud periodicals, aud recommend
that the preachers aud people do ail In
their power to supply the children with
religious reaolog, as th# best means of in
structing them in the truths of tlie Gos
pel. They recommend lurther, that our
people patronize our Publishing House,
and take tbe Southern Christian Advocate
aud Sunday School Visitor.
The Committee on Temperance recom
mend, as a remedy for the evils of intem
perance ifi our ohurch, that the rule of the
church be rigidly enforced against all who
buy, sell or drink ardent spirits, except in
casee of strict necessity.
The Committee on Local Ministry recom
mend a hearty co-operation between the
looaPand traveling preachers in their la
bors; that a course of study he prescribed
by the General Conference for local preach
ers to be observed by ail before being ad
mitteed to orders; that the stewards of
eaoh olrouit call a meeting at tbe oom-