Newspaper Page Text
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Sbdbcrn Christian
MACON. GEORGIA, OCT 21.1869.
Question and Answer.
A correspondent asks:
“Does not our Church need a more spe
cific law against making, selling and
drinking spirituous liquors?
•' Is the distilling of ardent spirits
against the Church law? Is it a crime?
How would you bring a member for trial
for doing it?
“If you will solve these questions, in
the Advocate, I think you will do some
go. and, and enlighten some of your sub
scribers.”
We pretend to no authority to solve le
gal difficulties ; but baviDg very decided
opinions on moral questions, we do not
hesitate to state them, so far as these ques
tionsserve toelicit them.
We think it a disgrace to any torm of
Christianity, that it should be a question
in this day, whether the distilling and
sale of ardent spirits, and the habitual
drinking of them, is a violation of moral
law. “Church law" cannot pretend to go
beyond the moral law; and the law of
our Church—witiiout any further legisla
tion—is quite sufficient to cover all trans
gressions of the moral law.
As to the rno-al law on this subject, it
is expressly declared in the Sciiptures,
that “drunkards shall not inherit the
kingd om of God.” They are classed with
the thieves. And whoever indulges in
the use of ardent spirits for the sake of
its intoxicating stimulus, is to the extent
of his inebriation a drunkard. He is on
the way to that line, which wbea once
overpassed, is very seldom recrossed. Our
Discipline very specifically condemns
him— as it prohib ts, “drunkenness; or
drinking spirituous liquors, unless in cases
of mcessi'y," And, as we shall presently
se ■, It makes the observance of this rule
a condition of church m.mbership.
But what about the “casesof necessity?”
Who is to determine what they are? We
cannot give a general rule covering all
these cases, but we can very safely say,
that it is not a case of necessity that
leads a member of the Church to drink
whenever and wherever opportunity of
fers—to drink with the mau who meets
him in the road and offers him the bottle
witli the young or old toper on the cars
—at the bar room of the hotel, or in the
dirty grog shop. We can safely say, that
this drinking is, as a rule, done purely for
tlie sake of the stimulus of drink ; and
in this case, the church member drinks
for precisely the reason tha tcontrols the
drunkard, who, perhaps, is driukiug by
his side—the man who is condemned, as
a ilruuknril, to perdition. In what is he
better than the other, except in degree?
In what is the thief who steals onedollar
better than he who steals a million, ex
cept in degree ?
And if to be a drunkard is a crime, ex
cluding one from the kingdom of God,
what about those, whose employment aud
business necessarily result in making
drunkards—who, were there none, would
find their occupation gone? The con
science of every man engaged in the busi
ness would Instantly condemn him, were
it not that the accursed greed of gain has
smothered the life out of it. It is not a
question, with a truly religious man—a
man who, as a son of God, enjoys com
munion with Him. It is a question only
with hangers-on to the Church, who, for
some reason mysterious to us, wish to
hold on to it, and yet he permitted to sell
these souls to satan. It is, in our opinion,
not only a crime, but one that is fully
covered by the law of God, and the law
of tiie Discipline; and, as such, it deraauds
trial und expulsion, where reformation
cannot be effected. There is no need for
further legislation.
Turn to the “General itules” in the
Discipline. Bee what is written in the
last paragraph respecting these Rules :
“If there be any among us, who observe
them not, who habitually break any of
them, we will admonish him of
the error of his ways—bear with him for
a season ; but if thou he repeat not he
hath no more place among us." This
means, we will expel him from the
Church, if after faithful efforts, we have
failed to reform or cure him.
Now what rules are they, the violation
of which subjects the offender to expul
sion ?
‘ It is expected of all who continue” in
our Church “locontinue toevideuce their
salvation,
‘ Fir-t, By doing no harm, by avoiding
evil of every kiud, etc.
“Secondly, By doing good, by being
merciful after their power, as they have
opportunity, doing good of every possible
s >rt, and, as far as possible to all meu : to
their bodies and to tbeir souls,
’’ e'c.
Now, there is plain law, and the drunk
ar.i and tippler, the dram seller aud the
distiller, violate it in both its negative aud
p isitive precepts.
There are examples given under the
negative precept of several things most
generally practiced. But they are only
examples It was not designed to exhaust
the catalogue of “harm doing” but only
to set for h what, in the early days of
Methodism, was “ most commonly prac
ticed.” Whatever is of like character
with these specified off-nces—whatever
comes properly uuder the head of “harm,”
“evil,” is a proper ground for disciplinary
dealing, aud of expulsion as a la9t resort.
Drunkenness is specified; the drinking
of spirituous liquors, uuless in cases of
necessity is specified; doing what we
know i9 not for the glory of Ood is pro
hibited. Now, among all these examples
bo particularly given, there is no “evil”
so great as the distillation of spirits—no
“harm-doing” that has more cursed mau
kiud than their sale. Can it be possible
that these General Rules give authority to
the pastor to exscind from the Church one
goiugto law with a brother,or one indulg
ing in unprofitable conversation, or one
reading a novel or singing a love song,
and yet, that, though responsible for its
purity, he cannot cut of! the dram drink
er, the rumseller, the distiller, who are
doing a “harm” and multiplying an “evil”
that will, perhaps, through the agency
of any one of them, send a score of souls
to hell? Out upon such a foolish concep
tion of law !
The man arraigned for drinking in such
way and at such times, and with such fre
quency as to bring reproach upon the
Church, aud as to endanger bis sobriety,
can be arraigned under the letter of the
law ; and it will remain for him to excul
pate his conduct, by showing that the al
lowed exception to “drinking spirituous
liquors” covers his case—that he drinkS
only “iu casesof necessity.” Itis manifest
that no law on the subject could ever have
contemplated, if, in any doubtful case,
the man himself was to be judge
of the application of the law. Those who
are called in to try him, when arraigned,
are the proper judges, wherever his fre
quent drinking is such as to raise a pre
sumption against him of violation of law.
Auil take up the positive precept—are
the persons who distill and sell spirituous
liquors “merciful”—“doing good of every
possible sort,” “to all men,” to “their
bodies” and to “their souls ?” Who pre
tends it- They are providing for the deg
radation of the bodies, and for the dam
nation of the souls of those whom they
hope aud expect to find immediate or ulti
mate customers— but for the hope and ex
pectation of who, as purchasers, they
would neither make nor sell.
Here, then, is law enough. Arraign
these doers of “evil” and of “harm” upon
this law. The probability is a very safe
one, that every rum seller and distiller is
“doing harm,” is not trying to “avoid
evil”—is not “doing good” either to the
bodies or the souls of men, is corrupting
his race, is bringing ruin Into the world,
is disgracing the Christian name, is bring
ing shameand reproach upon the Church.
These are specifications enough ana the
law covers them all—just as it covers cock
fighting, horse racing, gambling, arson,
and many other forms of sin , not expressly
—that is by name—forbidden in the word
of God. Yet who will claim, that our law
does not forbid these crimes?
And so likewise, the presumption al
ways. is, that the distiller and vender of
ardeut spirits is “doing harm,” and, more
over, that he is wholly indifferent to the
consequences, if only he can make money
by it and the fact of his doing either,
ought to be sufficient toexclude him from
tiie Church, unless he can convince the
jury of his peers who tries him, that no
harm has come, or is likely to come of bis
business—that he does not make or sell
for the profits, but for the good of the
“bodies aud souls of all meu”—that his
liquors never make men druukardsor lead
lo fighting, quarreling, wife beatiDg, theft,
murder or such like—that he would make
aud sell just as much, if there were no
drunkards at all, for he is only distilling
aud selliog to promote the health aud pro
vide for the manufacturing and mechani
cal wants of society; and that if there was
aDy other person—not a Christian, as he
Is —who would or could supply all these
wants, he wouid never makeor sell anoth
er drop. With such a showing as this,
the jury of triers might decide that he is
not violating the law of God and the
Church and permit him to stay in It—but
he ought to be made to show it—for his
business itself is prima facie evidence
against him, unless rebutting testimony
can exculpate him from the charge of
“doing harm.”
And what we say of the force of the
General Rules as law, in this case, applits
to every oi her case of violation of the two
broad principles of conduct we have quot
ed above from the Discipline.
It is the duty of the pastors to keep the
Chureh pure. Where members are “doing
ha. m,” promoting “evil,” bringing re
proach upon themselves, and hitidering
the progress of religion, and where they
cannot, by remonstrance aud exhortation,
be brought up to duty, the General Rules,
interpreted by the precepts of the New
Testament, give abundant authority for
the excision of the dead member, and the
Chureh will sustain the faithful adminis
trator of discipline.
“Ono Unfortunate Mile.”
The Rev. H. H. Browning, of the Little
Rock (Ark.) Conference, humorously pro
poses a compromise with the Memphis
Advocate, iu behalf of those members of
his Conference who deem that paper pub
lished too far away for them to get any
good out of it. He says :
“There is one unfortunate mile between
you and this Conference. They want an
Arkansas paper. Your little city is un
fortunately on the wrong bank of the
river, and one mite out of Arkansas!
Could you not move your office over on
this side of the river? It would sound
much nearer home to us if it were just on
tliis bank. You do not know what a dif
ference one mile makes, sometimes.
•There is much in thename.’ Now, let’s
compromise, aud as we are two, (Confer
cnees) auu you are hut one, let us unite
by bringing the paper on our side of the
river. Atnl if tiie Memphis Conference
wants to complain about it, we will fur
nish a batteau to carry the mail over to
them.
“Seriously, I am opposed to the multi
plication of Church papers, and have
been. We would be better off with but
two, with twenty thousand subscribers
each, than ten eking out a miserable ex
istence, with six or seven liuuUred sub
scribers, as some of them have to do.
Then, tiie expenses beiug less by one
half, we could get the paper at such prices
as tiie poorer classes could reach. All of
the papers of the Church, South, together,
have not as large a list as one ought to
have.
“The plea that the multiplication of
papers multiplies tiie number of readers,
is not true. Some few may be induced to
take a local paper at a high price, rattier
ttiau one fan her from home at a less
price; but sucti is not generally the case
Wliy do our people take Northern papers
in preference to our own, which are otteu
far preferable? Itis because they are
cheaper. Clubs of ten, twenty, or fifty
are made u j with ease, because they are
cheap. Aud the reasou they ate cheap is
because they have au immense circula
liou.”
A Trumpet Blast.
The Rev. J. B. McGehee, Presiding
Elder of the Americas District, has issued
on his work 1000 circulars, which have
the right “metallic ring” iu them—and
they may help somewhat in other sec
tions :
To the Methodist Americas District, South
Georgia Conference:
Dear Brethren: The Annual Confer
ence is rapidly approaching. It is very
desirable that all tiie business—statiscal,
regular, miscellaneous and financial, be
cosed up promptly, methodistically, re
ligiously. Your chief shepherds, the
Bishops, Sf-rve tiie whole church, and
should not be lightly esteemed or spar
ingly supported. Your missions, at home
ami abroad, must be sustained. The hon
or of the church, salvation of souls, bliss
of Heaven, demand an increase of mis
siouary zeal ami liberality. Your old
preachers, widows aud orphaus, draw
food and raiment from tiie Conference
collection. Think for a moment. Stinted
cou ributions to these causes, however
palliated by church repairs, short crops
orsecular liabilities, will inevitably reflect
upon the fidelity of the pastor or the lib
erality of the charge.
The stewards, in looking to the support
of the miuister, will please see evety
member of his church aud congregation.
"The laborer is worthy of bis hire.”
Should the church pay it, she will re
assert her faith in contracts, and re
establish her claims to common honesty
and scriptural godliness. The assessment
upon each church is small. A partial
failure at a few points, may bring bank
ruptcy and disrepute upon your pastor.
Brethren, look to these tilings. Come to
the 4th quarterly meeting. Come to close
up tiie business of ’69, and counsel for the
success of ’7O. Come praying, and may
the Head of the Church come and abide
with you. Yours in the Gospel,
J. B. McGehee, P. E.
Atnericus, Qa., Oct 2nd, 1869.
Dr. Munsey.—lt 19 hardly necessary to
call tli9 attention of Methodists in Geor
gia to the letter from our Missionary Sec
retary. Os course, they will read It, and
those who expect to be at the Coufereuces
will be delighted to see and hear one,
whose eloquence ha3 won for him so wide
a refutation. But he comes to see if the
two Georgia Conferences keep their vol
untary pledges. He comes to pledge to
them, in return, that the offerings they
make to their own Missionary, Young J.
Alien, shall all be scrupulously appropri
ated, as the donorsinteud. Let the breth
ren meet him with the full amount they
have assessed upon themselves, and the
meeting will be joyous to him and to'
themselves.
Dr. McFerrin. we are happy to learn
from the Nashville Advocate, is recover
ing from the attack of fever under which
he has been suffering. His physicians
would not allow him to aocompany Bish
op Wightman in his tour—as they cer
tainly ought not to have done—but he
hopes to he able to attend the sessions of
at least the West Texas Conference at Go
liad, Dec. 8:b, and the Texas Conference
at LaGrange, Dec. 22. We trust that he
will be able to meet these engagements.
The Rev J. H. Robbins, of the N. C.
Conference, died at Chester, N. C., on 7ih
Oct. Theßal ugh E. Methodist says that
he was a valuable and efficient minister,
growing steadily in all the elements of a
successful Methodist preacher. He was
mueh beloved in his pastorate and had
endeared himself to his piople. We have
no doubt he rests with Jesus.
The Hearth and Home, published at
37 Park Row, New York, at $4 a year,
continues to he popular. The publishers,
Messrs. Petteugill, Bates & Cos., announce
an impoitant reduction in the subscrip
tion price to smell clubs, as follows : To
all who subscribe before next January,
for one year, at the reduced ra es printed
below, the Hearth and Home will besent
from the date of their subscription to the
end of this year free, so that all such year
ly subscriptions will end January l9t,
1871. Therefore those who subscribe
earliest will get the most for notbiug. The
reduced rat=s for 1870, invariably in ad
vance, are for single copies, $4 ; three
copies, all at one time, $9 ; five copies, all
atone time, sl2; all over five copies, at
same rate.
The Rural Carolinian is a very
handsome Bvo. Illustrated Monthly Magu
ziueof 64 pages, published by Walker,
Evans & Cogswell, Charleston, S. C\, at
$2 a year iu advance. It is ip be devoted
to the interests of agricultural, horticul
tural aud tiie industrial arts geuerally,
aud promises to promote tiie prosperity
of the country, and the intellectual im
provement, virtue and happiness of the
people. This is a laudable enterprise.
‘ Knowledge is power;” aud the more in
formation the agricuitural portiou of our
people acquire, the more the wonderful
resources of our country will be develop
ed. We wish for our friends a large cir
culation and abundant prosperity. They
will, doubtless, make their Magazine au
invaluable acquisition to those for whose
special benefit it was designed.
The Home Monthly, for Septem
ber contains several interesting articles,
among them some chapters of a very in
teresting story, by Mrs. Caroline Hentz
Branch, wife of the worthy pas'or of our
church in Tallahassee, Florida. This ex
cellent lady, inherited no small portion of
the genius of her gifted mother, so popu
lar as a writer; and we have long been
urging her to devote her pen to the en
tertainment and improvement of our age.
Having begun well, we hope that she
will never let it rest. The Monthly i3
behind time. The editor gives absence,
as a reason, and promises to do better
hereafter. There is need ; or the public
will lose interest in his Magazine.
The November Number of the Visi
tor, entertaining as ever, has come to
hand. Dr. Bummers is making arrange
ments for sundry improvements in the
next volume, and we bespeak for it a large
circulation. Let every Sunday-school
that takes the Visitor renew and increase
its subscription ; and let. pastors see that
it is introduced, at once, into every school
and family where it is not taken. It is
important that subscriptions go forward
before the next year opens.
The Musical Independent is edited
by W. S. B. Mathews, who was once very
weil known as a teaciier in Georgia. It is
published at Chicago, at $2 a year, and
a new volume is about commencing. Be
sides music Information and instructions
respecting music, every uutnber contains
quite a number of new tunes —which as
sheet music would cost really more thau
the price of the Monthly. In the October
number there are eight such pieces.
West Troy Bell Foundry.— The ad
vertisement of this well known foundry
appears this week in the proper columu.
Meneely’s Bons, we doubt not, maintain
the reputation made for tiie establishment
by its originator. VVe take pleasure in
calling attention to the advertisement.
To Teachers. — 1 have received a large
number of letters in regard to the Teacher
for Abbeville, Ala. I have forwarded all
to the advertiser, and suppose he will cor
respond with applicants. They need not
expect answers from me.
ts J. w Burke.
Bishop Marvin -With the Conference
now iu session at Vacaville, says the Kan
Francisc • {spectator, of 7iti October, Blsh
op Marviu’s labors on the Pacific coast
will cl 'se at least for the present. He
has been with us more than a year. Paci
fic Methodism teeis highly favored in hav
ing lor so long a time enjoyed his faithful
ministrations. He has been abundant in
laborg, and God lias blessed his work
among us. He arrived at a time when his
presence, counsels and influence were
specially valuable. Ke took the helm at
a moment of peril, and under God has
piloted the ship of Zion into the quiet
waters of a broad sea of prosperity. His
counsels aud pulpit services have been
worth mucii to us —his example more.
He has exhibited before us the true type
of a Methodist preacher as well as of au
apostolic Bishop. We all love him. He
lias won many hearts for himself, while
tie lias won them for the Master. In the
great day when his sheaves shall be ga’h
ered, there will he some from the Pacific.
They are waiting, lookiug. clamoring for
him iu Missouri. We give him up reluc
tantly, hopiug to see bim again on this
coast. May he have a safe journey
“home!”
Statistics of Holston Conference.
—There are in this Conference 233 local
preachers, 29 724 white, 272 colored, 70 In
dian members. Baptized, infants, 1,132 ;
adults, 1 557. JSunday-schcols, 295; teach
ers, 2.213 ; scholars, 15,741. Necessary for
superannuated preachers, widows and or
phans, $1,700; for deficient preachers,
slo,92o—collected for the former. S7S7 62.
For Domestic Missions, $1,494 92; For
eign, $598 ()4. The next session is to be
held at, Wytheviile, Va.
Bishop Wiuhtman passed through
Nashville last week, en route for Vicks
burg, Mansfield, aud Heuderson, the seat
of the East Texas Conference, wuich be
gins Oct. 20. He was in fine health and
spirits. We hope our friends iu Texas
will not ride that free horse to death
Since writing this, we learn that the
Bishop preached iu Vicksbnrgon Sunday
last. He expects to dedicate the church
in Mansfield to-morrow. — Nashville Chris
tian Advocate, Oct, 16.
Statistics of Missouri Conference.
—Local preachers, 113; white members,
18,976; colored, 161; infants baptized, 455 ;
adults, 1,163-a paiufully suggestive re
port. Sunday-schools, 181; teacuers, 1,396;
scholars 8,409. Amount necessary for
claimants, $6 520; collected for them,
$2,010. For Foreign Missions, $319.67;
Domestic Missions, $3903 95.
Revival at Marion St. Church,
Columbia, 8. C. —This gracious meeting
of four weeks’ continuance closed last
Sunday night. Brother Gage, on a visit,
rendered aid to the pastors on Sunday.
Brother Mood, who is seeking recupera
tion in the country, says he knows of forty
conversions, and of thirty-one applicants
for church membership, and that there
are others to join. The interest in the
large congregation, as well as at the altar
on Sunday night, was not less than at
any preceding hour of the meeting. It
wouid be more proper to say that the ex
ercises were suspended at Marion Street
Church, and have been since continued
at night iu Washington Street Church,
Brother Martin iu charge. Many inter
esting particulars might be given, but we
forbear sayiug more than that a good
work has been wrought. Let God be
magnified.— Christian Neighbor, October
14 th.
The Bigot.—His mind is like the pupil
of the eye— the more light you pour upon
It, the more It contracts.
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
(CtrrrtSßimimtt.
Letter from South Carolina.
Hoi country—Ellzibeih and Mary—God of the
•‘PlaiuH’’ as w#-li—Sinte oi Keijgioux Feelir g
Greenville District meeting-Bishop Wignt
man in the rhalr—'ibeoiigical Bauerj— Dog
matical and Cfa/rgorica—Pleaching at Ander
son O. H.—Speeche*—The Chnrch ‘Dollar”—
Bunday Berviees—Sunday school Meeting—
Love-leaßt—Bro. D. Derrick’s Experience—ad
de'-son Hospitality—Danger to the P. Elder,
etc., etc.
Mr. Editor ; —Aa the “hill country” of
Palestine was honored in the olden times
as the residence of Elizabeth, the mother
of John the Baptist, and by the visit of
Mary, the mother of our Lord, so also in
the present day has the “hill country” of
our own beloved Carolina, been made the
scene of many an interesting revival of
religion. Tiie “residence” aDd the "visit”
above alluded to may have been altogeth
er incidental and providential; and cer
tainly we are not to infer from the simple
statement of a literal faot|like that, any
thing detrimental to the “plains,” or a
discrimination iu favor of the -‘bills,” so
far as the bestowment of Divine favor is
concerned. He is alike the God of
“paius”and “hills.” and “His tender
mercies are over all His works.” My pur
pose on ibis occasion, is simply to state a
fact, iu relatiou to the M. E. v burcb, in
the upper portion of our Conference Dis
trict. There is a most encouraging state
of religious feeling and improvement
throughout all that legion.
This fact has been developed by the ex
aminations hud at several of the District
meeting-, within the last two weeks.
Os some of these, your readers have al
ready had an accouut iu the Southern
Christian Advocate, and other religious
journals. I propose, now, to speak of the
Greeuville District meeting.
tills began on VVtduesilay, the 15th of
September, at Anderson C H., S. C., and
was very well attended by both preachers
and meu. The iniioductory sermon
was preached on night, iu
the Methodist Church, end is highly com
mended by those who beaiuu. the meet
ing was organized aud committees ap
pointed on Thursday moruing, the P. E.,
Rev. A. B. Stephens, being President pro
em BisUop Wiuhtman took the chair
on Friday morning; and that and the
duy following were occupied in hear
ing detailed accounts of the progress of
the work on the different charges, in
terspersed with reports of committees and
animated discussions growing out of de
veloped facis. Ever aud anon, we had a
spicy speech from the cnair. The Bishop
exhibited a good deal of tact iu keeping
up the interest of the meeting. When
ever tne members began to flag, aud their
tongues ceased to wag. then the presiding
officer threw himselt into the hazy gloom
oi duiluesss; aud in five or ten miuutee,
every body was filled with a speech and a
desire to ventilate it.
Most men are mainly receptacles of
otLier men’s thoughts, but every man has
not the ability to thaw the heart, anil ap
ply the positive electricity of his own
mind to the ntgative poll of bis neghbor’s
psychological battery. So, also, on the
oilier baud, when the sparks bcgio to fly,
aud there is danger of some body getting
hurt, it requires a master’s hand to soothe
the troubled elements, and make the cat
egorical aud dogmatical portions of our
nature draw iu the claws and hide the
teeth, and quietly rest together. In short,
Mr Editor, it is not every great or learn
ed or even wise man who can make a
good presiding officer.
At Anderson, we had good preaching,
of course Every preacher, even the
Bishop, did his level best, there; and we
had packed and appreciative audiences.
Even the children seemed to realize that
something unusual was being done, al
beit one little fellow, at a recent meeting
of this sort, who was half crazy to see the
Bishop, did turn around with childish
disgust, saying, "why, he is only a man.”
We had speeches also on all manner of
subjects, from the claims of Wofford Col
lege dowu to a description of the idiosyn
cracies of the “Church Dollar,” hiding
itself in the bottom of the pocket, escaping
from that lowest depth, and racing dowu
a man’s throat, aud seeking a momentary
resting-place in the stomach—(hot sup
pers, iced lemonades,aud disguised church
brandy smashes.) and then when driven
from all its subterfuges, magnifying itself
in the eyes of the giver, and assuming the
proportions of a cart wheel. Oh that sor
ry “ Church Dollar !” didn’t it catch it?
Or rather, the penurious, grumbling, un
faithful church member, who seeks to
cheat Hod Himself out of His dues.
We begau the services of the Sabbath,
with an exceedingly interesting Sunday
school meeting, embracing the children of
the different Churches—l heir ministers
(in part) —members, etc. Here was com
mon ground for us to occupy, and a “plat
mrm” large enough for all creation ; and
we did staud upou it, uutil the coming of
the crowd, and the hour for the Bishop’s
sermon, pushed us off of it. We yielded
with the best grace we could. I bad
not the pleasure of hearing the Bishop’s
sermon, but hundreds of other people did,
and I have yet to meet the first man who
did not approve.
The afternoou was devoted to a love
sea-t, aud the sacrament; the f Tmer con
ducted by our venerable friend and broth
er, David Derrick, of the So. Ca. Confer
ence.
Hardly able to stand on his feet, he
nevertb .-less occupied considerable time,
iu the relation of his Christian and min
isterial experience. His hair is nearly
white, and his face strongly marked with
lines, indicating thoughtfulness, serious
ness aud great >-implicity »ud fervor of
spirit. These last named German traits
of character lie possesses in an eminent
degree. (Perhaps I should have said
Christian, instead of German ) With
flowing tears, he reminded the children
of the present generation, how he used
to preach to their fathers and mothers near
ly forty years ago. He spoke of his own
spiriiual conflicts—his joys and sorrows—
wnicb were mainly of a religious charac
ter. He to'd them of the piety of their
fathers—the regularity of family worship
—how they used to pray Iu secret, and
how the triumphs of faith and prayer
were real zed by them. Then, contrast
ing the present outward prosperity of the
Church with h°r former poverty —the
number of ministers aud members, with
the mere handful of liis early co-laborers
—his grateful heart seemed to swell with
emotions too big for utterance. It was a
moving spectacle to see and hear this
veuerable man, addressing us as his chil
dren in the gospel. There was not a spice
of bitterness in his spirit; no glorification
of the pas’, at the expense of the present;
hut like the beloved John, he was ail
aglow with love to God aud man. One
point in his experience was peculiarly
louching, viz: his feeling of deep and un
utterable sadness, when he was superan
uated and felt that he could no longer
go out with his brethren to do the work
of the Lord. A Methodist preacher hear
ing this,relation, might well pray: may I,
“ My body witd ray charge lay down,
And cease at once to work and live.”
Stripped, by the calamities of war, of
all his little savings, aad thrown, like
hundreds of other worn out preachers,
widows aud orphans, on the benevolence
and justice of the Church, for the supply
of their wants in old age, brethren, will
you refuse to grant to them, at the proper
tim •■, that relief which, in other days, you
cheerfully accorded to the most abject slavet
God forbid it; aud let the Church, in all
her members, say : AMEN
I would not pas-i away from this serious
subject too abruptly ; but I must now
speak of the generous and open-handed
hospitality of the Andersonians. I do
not pretend to know how the other mem
bers fared ; but I can say that, living as I
did. with a namesake, (so far as Baptist
goes,) of the great precursor of the Mes
siah, we had much more than “ locusts
aDd wild honey” on our bill of fare. My
host. Bro. Keese, though a good Christian,
as I honestly think, and a kind and lov
ing brother, is a great backslider, in the
matter of fare, from the regimen of John
the Baptist. We bad “ honey,” but it
was not wild; good, veritable tame honey
—and as for the “locusts,” they were not
so much as mentioned once; but good
roast beef and lamb, etc., etc., to the end
of the chapter. The Bishop appeared on
Monday morning in floe health and spir
its, giving evidence of good fare, and as
for the Presiding Elder, if he is not remov
ed from that Mountain District, why, it
will take a pair of pomes to draw his im
mense corjwrosit.v after a while.
He, (the P. Elder), has expanded in
more directions than one—he is happy, and
useful iu bis work, aud we heard him tell
the Bishop, in open meeting, how much
blessed of God be had been, on this hard
Mountain District. Such testimony is
cheeriug and encouraging to the hearts
of the other preachers. May Bro. Steph
ens’s shadow never grow less —though to
say the truth we don’t want him to grow
much bigger
We would like to say something about
the future of this section of the Piedmont
range—but no prophet. There can
be no question, that ail the elements of
great material prosperity abound here.
The soil, productions, climate, minerals,
water power, railroad facilities, all com
bine to indicate tiie highest degree of
prosperity— provided— your readers may
fill out the sentence. All lovers of
tbeir country must feel much solicitude,
that the religious and intellectual interests
of the people should be developed, along
with the material. To this end, are we j
laboring, and our prayer is, “God give us j
success.” For the present, I make my
bow, and say, “good night.”
Saml. Leard,
S. S. Agent.
* A Flea for Justice.
Stewards' Support—Unron3cioaabl-s—Popv"Wid-
ow-—Turnips—The Ministry •• Court-martial
ed.”
Mr. Editor;— Stewards’ support! Yesi
why not? I’m sure they need it. Itis
both expedient and lawful. The duty
with which they- chifly concern tbem
selves is to “estimate tiie salary and travs
eling expenses of preachers,” and to col
lect and pay the same. They ought, by
this time, to be adepts in this “specialty”
if “a full course of lectures,” and being
variously counselled cau impart “the
science.” The eloquence of pen and lip
has made Goliah-etforts to post and en
thuse them in it. Quarterly, Church, and
District-meetings have furnished them an
“endless variety” of suggestions.
Anonymous writers, and writers not
anonymous, have "aided and abetted,”
while “elegant bint9 and palpable hits”
not a few, have been thrown in, iu asocial
way, to lift them to perfection's height iu
their vocatiou “But one thing is need
ful,” and it remains to lie seen who will
this article will show who should— choose
“that good part” which cannot be taken
from them. Stewards usually, more near
ly than most others, appreciate, from the
scriptural aud philosophic stand-points,
the* essentiality of the ministty to the
conseffiation of the Church and the pro-
istiauity in the world. Men
of groveling views have no compatibili
ty with the delicacies their office involves.
Nor do they perceive the immense influ
ence it exerts upon the highest interests of
the church and society by its bearings
upon the ministry, and the grace of be
nevolence in the hearts of men. They
cannot conceive tiie nicety of the relations
the miuistry sustain to communities; and
hence they would shock decency and
scandalize the Church by mean estimates
of ministerial supp rt, aud precipitate the
ministry into bitterest humiliations by
postponed and partial collections. “The
princes in Israel.” who maiuly fill the
office, occasionally find their plans em
barrassed, and their appropriate concep
tions frustrated, by these unconscionab/es.
While they sow wheat iu tiie field, ttiese
strew tares, and so create trouble in liar
vest. Added to these are those who hold
the demoralized view of the obligation to
"pay tithes,” “to cast in unto tiie offer
ings of God.” They deem that, because
the offering is voluntary, they can with
hold it without sin, and witiiout incur
ring a curse. Whereas the law of God
asserts the reverse. In Leviticus, Num
bers, Deuteronomy, Malachi, etc., in the
Old Testament, and iu Matthew, Luke,
Ist Cprinthians, GalatiaßS, Hebrews, etc.,
iu the New Testament, it enforces that
though the offering is voluntary, the obli
gation to make it is absolute ; that they who
withhold it “rob God,” and they “say,
wherein have we robbed thee?” He re
plies, "in tithes and offerings,” and “ye
are cursed with a curse: for ye have rob
bed me ” The curse is not to the sinless.
And it is a historic fact that many hea
thens observe lUe obligation by the scru
pulous payment of tit lies in idol worship;
which proves that the Bible-ruie is so just
and reasonable, that it commends itself to
tbe common sense of mankind. However,
when the stewards cull upon tiie class in
question for their quota of tiie church -as
sessments, they refuse, from one aud an
other pretext. Some tell them “I can’t
pay now, but I will—call again;" and they
stereotype tbe answer and lay it away
for anew edition at every call. Others
say “hard times, money’s so scarce.”
In Confederate days when money was
plenty as paper clippings in a bindery,
this excuse "winced” uot. Alas, tiie
brass it hath! And one would think
from its yearly pleadings, that in all the
past and forevermore, “hard times” have
and will exist just when church claims
rise to the surface. Others say, “crops are
bad,” or “notion's very low,” "too much,
or to<* little rain.” Another says, “I
havn’t got anything—can't give,” yet
“he is well to do in the world.” Others,
“I don’t attend church, hardly ever—ex
penses heavy—owe the merchant—owe
the doctor —owe the laborer —must be
just, before I’m generous;” as if lie owed
God nothing, or, if he does, it is not just
to pay Him, only generous. “I don’t tike
the preacher any how” says another, “he
preaches too long, or too short; too low or
too loud ; too classically, or confines him
self too literally to the gospel; he sa\s
too much in his study, or he is such a run
about he never studies; lie dresses too
tine, or he goes too shabby; he wears
whiskers; he lias too much company; he
preaches too pointedly, or be don’t preach
pointedly enough ; lie preaches too much
about hell, or he never preaches about it;
he preaches too doctriually, or he de
claims too mucii ; he preaches against
worldly amusements, or he don’t preach
against them; let him get up a revival
then vve will all pay ; or, he believes too
much in revivals” Aia-, poor man!
this is the beginning of the chapter of his
faults as toey glare out on payday: the
end comes wheu pay day goes —perhaps
“When the other brethren pay, I will;
the church don’t do its duty by the
preacher and I will not; the church is
backs.iden; the stewards allowed the
preacher too much ; or they allowed him
too little ; they are 100 pressing lo collect;
or they dou’t try to collect; I don’t be
lieve in their plau ; the ‘goats’ ought to
do tbeir part; then I will; tiie rich ought
to pay more, or tiie poor ought lo; I paid
too mueh lastyear.” Others sny “yes, yes ;
but you can’t get blood out of a turnip
others, wbo wouid take offence uuder
other circumstances if classed with tiie
poor, dolorously say, “of course I must
give—here’s “he widow’s mite.’ ” How
poteut a thing is a steward’s dun! Before
it some usurp satan’s throne and become
“the accuser of the brethren;’’ while
some brethren are unsexed and change
into poor widows; and other some be
come turnips. O, wonderful wand! if
thou couldest only keep these last tur
nips forevet, what a gain to tiie land this
droughty weather. Brethren, I think
if such members could realize the abhor
ence with which their course is regarded
by the law of God, and by tiie hearts of
thousands of Christian men and women
who hold to that law, they would be taken
down with ‘one huge disgust;”’ disgust
of themselves, disgust of their theory’,
disgust of their practice.
The question rises here, “why does this
state of things exist in the most progres
sive body of Christians in the world, and
in regard to, professedly, the most seif
denying, earnest and successful minis
try?” In behalf of the Bible, I answer
chiefly because that ministry “as stewards
of the manifold grace of God” are found
unfaithful in a principal, and absolutely
untransferable, duty of their high calling.
Fidelity to this duty is the "one thing
needful” to the stewards—the support
which it is both expedient and lawful to
afford them—and the divine plan for the
recovery of the people to an accurate per
ception of their obligation in this “vexed
question.”
The ministry are called and commis
sioned of God aud ordaiued by the Church,
to teach the people the things of God ;
“and they shall teach my people the dif
ference between the holy aud profane.”
To the prophet, speaking of His house,
God said, ‘‘show the people all tbe forms
thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and
all the laws thereof , that they may keep -.lie
whole form, aud all the ordinances there
of, and do them.” And He charged upon
tbe priests, as a sin, followed by a curse
to themselves and the people, “Ye have
not kept the charge of mine ho’y things,
but ye have set keepers of my charge in
my sanctuary for, (instead oi) yourselves."
In Malachi, He teaches that those who
withhold tithes rob Him and are cursed
with a curse. Against them tbe windows
of heaven are shut, tbe clouds withhold
their rain, tbe devourer goes forth and
destroys the fruits of tiie ground, o> tiie
vine, of the field; inaugurates poverty
and causes them to become a reproach;
but if they bring all the tithes iuto the
storehouse. He will pour them out a bles
sing, that there shall not he room enough
to receive It; the devourer shall be rebuk
ed, fruitful harvests shall obtain, nations
shall call them blessed, their souls shall
prosper, aud the laud shall be delight
some.
Iu his own example of devoting him
self to the ministry of the word only, and
living on the gifts of the people, Jesus
impressed the separateness of the minis
try from worldly pursuits, aDd the obliga
tion of tbe people to support them. St.
Paul asserts, “even so hath the Lord or
dained that they which preach the Gos
pel shall live of the Gospiel.” Tbe great
commission says, “go ye and teach all na
tions, teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever 1 have commanded you.”
I array these Scriptures to prove; Ist.
God ordains that the ministry shall teach
the people to observe all things, without j
exception, whatsoever he hath command- !
ed, and that He allows no substitutes in j
their stead.
2d God has ordained, and therefore, the j
ministry are bound so to preach, that the |
people support the ministry and the in- j
terests of the Church timely, fully, liber- 1
ally.
3d. If the people obey, they will be
richly blessed ; if they refuse they will be
fearfully cursed.
The sword cometh. the watchman that
keepeth the city seeth it, ana yet are si
lent. tsball such be praised of the Ruler?
Nay, but slain by the executioner. Ami,
"thou O, sou o! man,” whom God hath
“set a watchman unto the house of Israel
to hear the word at His mouth and warn ]
them from Him,” how art thou guiltless
when, though the destroyer cometh, tiiou
w ilt not “blow the trumpet and warn the
people?” Let us not take refuge from
this issue. My argument is God’s, aud
because it is His, it is unanswerable.
Neither laymen, nor Jaws, uor newspa
pers, nor books, nor any other agent, can
do this work which God hath decreed
shall be done by the preacher. The au
gust function, the sacred responsibility, is
his by the Almighty’s fiat. The people
must hear the word that warueth or the
destroyer’s way, or be “like the beasts
that perish.” Who shall ascend the
mount to receive it for them? If any but
so much as touch the mount itis death,
except the specially called ttiereto. Call
ed, like Moses and Aaron, it is the minis
ter’s function, iu adoriug awe, to receive
the message from God, aud wilhout abat
ing "a jot or tittle” to teach it to the peo
pie. Why should “the breach of Uzzah"
be repeated? The ark of the covenant
must be kept by the “ministers of God
that do His pleasure;” and appointed
thereto by Him, they must teach, “line
upon line, precept upon precept,” all its
sublime mysteries to the people, “that
they may teach their children.” Any
other view of this question is a satanism;
for it would sdpplant tiie Divine plau.
Its sheeu may shine like that of an augel
of light, but the angel it conceals by its
fallacious gleam is he of the pit. Neither
lay-lecturers, nor committees of chuich
members, nor lay-officials, nor the press,
nor any other instrumentality,can fill the
place of the pulpit. At best, they are
merely potent adjuncts thereto. It is the
living, speaking ministry for whom the
nations wait It is upon the consecrated
preachers’ lips the people haug, that they
may hear words whereof cometh faith,
and be saved. Infidelity of ministers is
perdition to the people. And in rega-d to
this one, that of either of “the lively ora
cles,” the lips of the ministry have been
so persistently closed that many of them
merir;to be phrased D.D.’s. with the Isaiah
ic definition, “dumb dogs.” Most of
the sin of covetousness in tiie Methodist
Church lies at the door of her ministry.
Instead of digging it up and ejecting it
from tlie vineyard by the word of God,
they have allowed the Upas to mature for
a century, watered its roots by legislative
sanctions, and by treason to God and Isra
el in refusing to teach her His oracle con
cerning it, have permitted its poisonous
boughs to intertwine with every delicate
and rare plant, till a deadly infection
threatening the whole, now alarms botli
miuistry aud people. Let the ministry
take the iucense of “the truth as it is in
Jesus,” aud love and stand where they
ought to, between the people and the
plague. R. W. Bigham.
LaOrange, Oa.
Darien and its Surroundings.
Mr. Editor : I desire to give a bird’s eye
view of Darien aud its vicinity—to make
a few statements with the figures an
nexed, in order that a correct estimate
may be placed on our place by strangers,
and the church.
DarieD on tiie north side, aud nortli
branch of the Altamaha river, is situated
on a command ng bluff, and has a high
dry aud fine back country to support it.
About two miles N. E., begins what is
known as the Ridge, and extends from
one and a half to two miles in the same
direction. Tiie Ridge is the permanent
residence of some and the summer resi
dence of those who do business in and
around Darien. On the opposite side ot
the river, there are several islands, some
of which are now cultivated and tiie oth
ers cau, with small cost, be put under u
high state of culture. Our rice planta
tions are unsurpassed any where in the
world, either as to fertility or facilities.
Darien once rivaled Savannah for the
position of ‘sea port” of Georgia, and had
her financiers been wiee, we tiiink she
might have been successful iu the strug
gle.
During the war the town was almost
entirely consumed by fire, but four or five
houses escaping the flames. Two of these
were Methodist churches, one belonging
to the white, and the other to the colored
membership. Since the war, our enter
prising business men have erected a num
ber of plain, cheap but substantial stores,
while quite a number have rebuilt their
dwellings iu the town ; and, altogether, it
looks very much as though we will have
a town again. We have then several
dwelling-, nineorten fairstores, two bak
ery and ice cream establishments, and
one flourishing—alas! that it must be
said —bar room, with several shops of va
rious kinds. Iu and around the place, we
have seven steam saw mills, not count
ing a large one recently burned, and
which I presume will be rebuilt. These
mills are very valuable, one alone cosi ing
about $75 000. In connection with these
mills our timber trade is very large. Da
rieu ships, I guess, more timber than all
the other parts of Georgia together. Iu
corroboration of this supposition, I am
told tiie firm of C. Epping & Cos., ships
about 30 cargoes of crude timber aunually.
Last winter, tbe writer walked from
Cathead, one mile above the town, to the
town on a string of rafts from three lo
ten deep from the bank. This was proba
bly not more titan half the lumber then
on hand, which was continuously de
creased by shipments and increased by
daily arrivals of more rafts. Two steani
boaiß plying between Savannah and Jack
sonville, touch here twice a week going
South, aud then again, going North.
A glance at its sanitary report, will re
veal the fact, that persons abroad are la
boring uuder a serious misapptehension
of its true character, as to the nealth of
Darien. Meet a man aud tell him you
are from Darien, he looks at you, as, if he
thought it a miracle that you are able to
get away.
I do not hesitate to say, after a residence
here of nearly two years, and ample
means to know whereof I speak, that I be
lieve we have had less mortality here
than any other place in G> orgia with the
same inhabitants. This statement refers
to tbe whites alone. We have, out of a
population of about 500 whites, had six
Heaths in all, in the last two years. Iu a
8. School of 50 or 60 children, we have
lost one precious child, in this time. This
shows a per centage of .0065, or little over
one half of 1 per ceut, annually. Where
is the town in Georgia that can show a
better reckoning as to health than that.
Educationally we are not so well off as
we might or ought to have been. Tbe
causes are apparent to all honest inqui
rers after them. The truth simply is,
sectarian bigotry and parental indiffer
ence are the only causes why we can not
and do not have a handsome school house,
a competent teacher, aud a fine school
among us. This state of things ought to
tie and we think will be, broken up.* God
help us to pray that It may. There is a
school on the Ridge. Delicacy forbids
me to say more than that it has now been
iu successful operation since last October.
The truths of revelation are daily sought
to be impressed on tbe children’s minds.
As to the religious interests of juarieD,
I can say, 1. There are two bouses of
worship here; one is the Methodist
Cburcti in the town, the other a chapel
on the Ridge. It is private property, but
UDder the control of the Methodist socie
ty. No orthodox clergyman, however, is
ever allowed to pass without having the
courtesies of the pulpit extended to him.
Episcopalian rectors and a bishop, Con
gregational missionaries, Presbyteriau
tourists, aud Baptist divines, have all of
ficiated for us here this year.
2. That there are “a few names even in
Sardis who have not defiled their gar
ments.” We thank God, that He has
promised such, the bliss of walking with
Him in white.
That the church may know what she is
doing in keeping a man here I would like
to analyse for your readers the population
here.
1. The Roman Catholics claim some
thing over fifty members. It is well
known, that they claim as members all
who have been baptized, whether adults
or children. Counting iu this way, itis
possible that tbeir estimate is correct, but
they have neither priest nor chapel, while
a large proportion of them are ripe for
“truth.” They are, however, with char-
acteristic zeal and perseverance, at work
to get both priest and -chapel. Our hopes
and the cause of Christ's kingdom de
mand promptness and wisdom, just now.
2. The Episcopalians number iu pretty
mueh the same way as the Catholics.
They have very nearly, or quite, fifty.
Recently, they have secured tne services
of a rector, who is now with us. They
have obtained the money, and I suppose
have sent for an organ * They have pur
chased a rectory, aud propose building a
chapel. I hear it rumored that it is in
tended to be built so that there will be a
school room in or around it. They, of
course, look forward, and think the day
is not far distant when “apostolic succes
sion” and perhaps “baptismal regenera
tion” will be the leading dogmas taught
here.
3. The Presbyterians number twelve or
fifteen adults. They are useful, consistent,
and united in their support to the present
Methodist pastor. They, I think, will do
their best in the support of an acceptable
mau here from our Conference They de
sire the“sincere milkof the word,” and fre
quently “strong meat” is digestible by
tbeir spiritual stomachs. By ad means
let us cultivate their acquaintance.
4. Here. I might say, tnat there are very
few Baptists.
ft. VVe rep >rt few Methodists on account
of removals, deaths, etc.
We have in Darien and on the Ridge
fifteen or sixteen communicants, with a
goodly number of baptized children.
Though tints few now. we can, if our in
fluence is properly appreciated at head
quarters, and a proper man is sent here,
lead iu the good work of saving souls.
Bro. Austin’s career iu this vicinity is
still remembered; and the “good seed”
he sowed is not done bearing fruit.
This numbering leaves about one-haif
of our population under no religious in
fluence. It is just to say that we have a
Sabbath school, which is doing tolerably
well. Its superintendent, a large-hearted
Presbyterian, supplies his school with
children’s papers, books, etc , very fre
quently from his own purse. He will as
sist any one laboring for -‘Christ.” In
I conclusion, I think this a point of sulli
! cient importance to authorize large inter
est. Dear Bishop, please send a good re
cruiting officer into these parts.
Respectfully, etc.,
Eyes and Ears Open.
P. S.—“ Reynolds chapel” needs a
shower from on high. Pray for us.
E. AND E. O.
September Report of S. S. Agent—S.
G. Gonference.
First Sunday at Long-treet, Pulaski
county, with P. E. Jewett, at, hisq. m.
for Jeffersonville ct. Bro. Flournoy had
closed a fine protracted meeting there a
short time before. The fire was still burn
ing, and we had another glorious four
days’ meeting. The population is too
sparse to have anything on a large scale
there, but Methodism is at last firmly
planted there. The S. School is small,
but is doing well. The people are a fine,
substantial stock. Religion is all they
need to make them number ones.
Secoud Sunday I was in Hawkinsville,
on my own account. Preached them four
sermons, and lectured the S. School
with good effect. This is becoming an
important station. It lias done well, ami
deserves well. Bro. Robison lias served
them well, and they give him the reward
of high esteem.
Tiie third Sunday I was in Jefferson
ville, stopping on Thursday aud preach
ing at Mary Chapel. Here, I did nothing
in tbe S. School line. No school, and
no children to makeoneoutof. I preached
on the Abrahamic covenant, aud broke
new ground to some internal eyes. I
spent the night at Bro. E. Wimberly’s,
with several old friends. Friday went to
Dr. H. Wimberly’s— spent tiie night, and
entered Jeffersonville afier an absence of
twenty or more years. Here we laid
siege iu hope of a general surrender, and
si -js were favorable, but up to the time
ot y departure capitulations were slow.
S. (bool cause not as prosperous as it
ouguttc be, but is hopefully cared for, and
wil: rc-per after there is a revival of re
ligion among parents. I gave them four
sermons and lectured as usual—being sick
all tiie time. Returned to Macon to rest
and recuperate a little, but found Profes
sor Bass going to Sandersville, where
Bros. Hintou aud Lanier had appointed
a quasi camp meeting, with heavenly de
signs for the people of that place. We
readied there Friday morning, found the
meeting in progress, but interrupted by
clouds and lain, so much as to make us
give up the grove and arbor and use the
church, whicn, being large, gave usa fine
congregation, both day and night. The
meet iug was carried on eight days, but
alas! our friends there are outside friends
—fixtures in tiie world. Tiie church they
will not adopt. Though we sought their
good, aud they gave us a very attentive
hearing, they would not come in. I
preached three sermons aud left—return
ing to Macon.
Iu company with Bro. Burke, on the
freight train of the M. & B. R. K., left on
Thursday morning, at 6 a. m., enroutefor
Altamatia District-meeting, held on the
good old Montgomery camp ground—ar
riving on the ground about half-past 6,
p. M. There we found a regular old fash
ioned camp meeting ground, with a good
shed in the centre—the ground a square,
with three lines weil tilled up with neat
two-pen log huts, witli a good open pas
sage, all of one size aud height, looking a9
if they were built so by cor.seut and cou -
cert, with tiie exception of one two story
log house, the upper room of which is
used as a Temperance Hall. These cabins
were all filled when we arrived. Expec
tation was all up to see and hear Rev. J.
8. Key, who was to preach the opening
sermon, but he was confined at iiome sick.
All looked disappointed. No one of the
preachers had even thought of preaching ,
so I tided the chasm as far as my material
wouid fill it.
Thus ended nty September labors,
having preached aud lectured about twen
ty times.
I am happy to say that revivals, and re
vival signs, are apparent everywhere—
the country towns and cities being far
behind the circuits. Now know We the
braadth and forceof the .ext which sayelb,
“evil communications corrupt good man
ners.” Cities and villages furnish occa
sions for demoralizing religious principle
and taste far more fatally tnau in a coun
try population. Religion can neither be
obtained nor retained so long as people
float on the streams of popular fashiona
ble pleasure.
Tne S. School cause, in which I am en
gaged, is everywhere doing better thau
ever before, though in some places not as
well us it ought. The ridiculous practice
of suspending during winter still exists.
Sound, practical sense, will rule it out
after awtiiie, aud ali will see that if there
is any religious reason why S. Schools
should be kept up in summer, these rea
sons are of equal worth and weight iu
winter. I take it on myself tosay,thut
the dismission of a 8. School in winter
is more the result of the will of parents
and of teachers, titan it is of that of their
children. Itis precisely what we would
do if our object was to cause our children
to iorget in winter what they learn in
summer. I beseech all who thiuK S.
.schools of religious importance enough
to create them at all, to show their ap
preciation of them by carrying them on
ail the year as a rule.
Montgomery camp meeting comes in
under the report for October.
L. Pierce, Agent.
Good Tidings.
Mr. Editor : Since my last note our Dis
trict has had many manifestations of
God’s mercy. Iu tiie Fulton circuit, Rev.
A. G. Dempsey, pastor, there have been,
within the last thirty days, more than
one hundred conversions and accessions
to our church. The brethren on this cir
cuit have, this year, built one elegant
chapel ai a cost of nearly $1,500 and are
now engaged upon another. The Sun
day-school is conspicuously prosperous.
On the Atlanta circuit, Rev. W. J.
Wardlaw, pastor, there have been, since
my report, about 75 conversions and ac
cessions. At Mt. Gi ead we had a camp
meeting after tiie old stvle—full of power
and fruitful iu results. You have, by this
time, been informed of the great outpour
ing at Oxford.
Up to date, as nearly as I can at pres
ent ascertain, there have been about 800
accessions —by legitimate conquest from
satan— to our church, upon the Atlanta
District, since Jan. Ist. We give God
thanks aud do not envy sister churches
that have been blessed aud recruited at
these meetings.
Most of the circuits, I am sorry to say,
are very much behind their obligations
and promises to their preachers. But
they still promise to bring up arrears. I
bear this public testimony to the fidelity
with which these pastors have discharged
their part of the obligation.
In eight weeks we shall see what re
sponse is made by stewards and members.
atticus G. Hayqood.
Atlanta, Oot. 12 th, 1869.
"Vol. xxxii. No. 43
Letter to G , No- 11.
Dear Brother:—l do not wish to be
counted among tiie croakers of the church.
I know a few such. Tneir influence ia
baneful. They cripple the pastor, hang
heavily upon the stewards, are mud and
stones iu the way of the wheels of pro
gress. Yet I have delil erately set myself
to the task of talking about errors. In
this letter I shall assume the character of
“fault fiuder.” I heard once a sentiment
like this: “The greater part of life’s hap
piness is made up of little things. At
tention to the trivial amenities of socie
ty, little words of cheer, little deeds of
kindness, little experience of thankful
ness, make up most, of the sun-shine we
enjoy in this world.” I heartily endorse
the sentiment, and acting upon its sug
gestion, shall deal with httle things—small
talk.
Do not tell your present pastor, “if you
go away, we are ruined, You must come
back to us.” Avoid such an assertion, be
cause it is not true. There is no man so
necessary to any work as that his remo
val would ruiu’it. In the case in baud,
you have bad manv ministers, in every
respect, tbe equal of your pteseut pastor ;
they have ail, in turn, given place to
others, and yet you are living. The im
plied flattery is, “you are superior to every
pastor we have ever had ;” and if your
preacher be a man of judgment and hu
mility, he will not give you credit for
much wisdom; or, he will thiuk little of
yourcandor. You may express regret at
parting with him, and he would appreci
ate such expressions ; but do not be guil
ty of so foolish a remark as tiie one I have
reprobated.
Do not ask him, every time you see
him, “you are coming back next year,
are you not?” The question reiterated so
frequently, might suggest tiie thought,
“you must be anxious lo get clear of me.”
Then the question is one your preacher
cannot answer. He does not know more
than what he wishes iu the case. He
ought lo be willing to return—ready lo
leave. This is the spirit of itiueraucy.
He does not belong to you, but to the
whole church, and he is ready to go when
aud where the authorities of the Church
may send him. Do not ask that question
often.
Do not “get up a petition,” for your
pastor’s return. If he be a man, and have
a will and a way of iiis own, somebody
will disliko him very much iu twelve
months. That petition will call out this
enmity, and unnecessary wound the
pastor. Let it sleep. He has enough of
heart-aches from the out-sp 'ken condem
nation of Itis censors, without having this
s’lent opposition called into activity.
Then, a petition will accomplish nothing
which may not be accomplished by an
application to your presiding elder iu per
son. Do not, under any circuinstanees,
“get up” such au affair.
Allow me here, to give you a sugges
tion for good brother . your present
pastor. He is young aud will profit by it.
Say to him for me, "he careful of all who
so fervently love you, as to express the
sentiment condemned in my second para
graph. Their love may burn; I have
been burnt, and dread such fire.” Say
also, be not over confident of your status
with your people. Some will tell you
they desire your return, and tell your el
der differently. Just lei tiie matter rest
with God. Do your duty, according to
tiie standard your own conscience erects,
aud then be careful for notliiug. Discour
age expressions of opinion in reference to
yourself and your return. Your best aud
truest friends may be those who wish a
change: yet were they to say so to you,
you could hut feel hurt and sore at heart.
Therefore let tiie matter alone, auu leave
it where it belongs—on the mercy seat.
True Christian charity will cover the
blemishes of the miuistry on the part of
the people, and will excuse many failures
in his people’s conduct, on the part of tbe
minister. Mutual charity will end the
yeariu love; and minister and people
feel that their future is, as the past has
bten, in God’s hands.
My letter ha 9 reached its proper length ;
and I shall have to save further “faults”
for auother communication. Praying that
you and your brethren, together with
your pastor, may apprehend the meaning
of true Christian courtesy and kindness,
as the time of possible change approaches,
I am, fraternally yours,
Presbyter.
The Rev. James D. Anthony.
Tho numerous friends of this able and
faithful preacher will learn with deep re
gret Itis determination to transfer, from
the North Georgia to the Mobile Confer
ence. While I would not flatter the liv
ing, I have always thought that it was a
great mistake to withhold from them tiie
commendation to which their merits en
title them, aud pour upou the “dull cold
ear of death” fulsome eulogiums upon
virtues they never possessed, after they
are dead. It is far more wise to appreci
ate men aud assist them while they are
eugaged in a great and heroic struggle to
beuefit mankind, than lo sprinkle their
dead dust with a few crocodile tears, after
they have passed away.
Our worthy friend and brother seems
to possess some undefined and indefina
ble talismaniu influence which peculiarly
endears him to every charge he servea
And no where lias this beeu more clearly
demonstrated titan on Lite Gumming cir
cuit, which he lias served with signal suc
cess for the last two years. He is “abund
ant iu labors” and “patieut in suffer*
ing." With a family severely afflicted,
and a circuit numbering eight churches,
he lias scarcely missed an appointment,
taught school for five mouths, and addeu
to the ciiureh one hundred and sixty five
members the presentyear. Earnest, elo
quent, and patiietic, witli a large endow
ment of popular elements in his nature,
eager aud auxious multitudes gather
round tbe altars where he ministers, and
always leave enlightened and edified.
Wonderfully gifted with common sense
and t"Ct in the management of men, be
administers aud enforces discipline with
out offending, and wins back the erring.
Permeated by a universal charity, he con
ciliates the adherents of different denomi
national creedß, and endued with the
Holy Ghost, he wins souls to Christ. He
will carry with him to his new field of
labor and conflict ttie fervent prayers of
many Christian hearts. Aud in him, the
Mobile Conference will secure
“ A hero la tha strife.”
This world is full of severed associa
tions, broken ties, parted friends, and
blighted hopes. We are
“ Poor wanderers on a stormy day ;
From wave to wave we’re driven,
And fancy’s flash and reason’s ray.
Serve but to light the troubled way—
There s nothing true but Heaven."
But we shall meet again—
“ Where for us the silent oar,
Partß ihe silent river,
And we stand upon the shore,
Os the strange forever.”
Miscellaneous.
Bamberg Ct., S. C. Conference.
Mr. Editor: —The religious services were
continued at Bamberg for a week after the
c'ose of the District Mee’.iDg. Revs. Aug.
W. Walker and J. C- Crisp remained sev
eral days—the former until Friday—and
your correspondent to the close. Rev. L.
Bellinger preached for us cn Saturday
morning, and never delivered a more ap
propriate discourse than it was: “If I
perish, I perish.” On Sunday morning
the pastor, Rev. T. Raysor, received twelve
persons into full connection. At n'gbt,
sixteen more came forward and were duly
received. Most of these persons were
heads of families, or of settled habits, and
in the prime of life. Great solemnl y
rested upou the congregations assembled
from lime to time, and lasting impres
sions for good have no doubt been made
upon the entire community. Those pres
ent at the closing will Jong remember,
but not how often, Dr. Raysor repeated,
and we all sung as we could, the last verse
of the 197th Hyrau. To God be all the
praise. L. Wood.
Ootober 12 th, 1869.
Key West, Florida, Conference.
The two Methodist charges here have
been favored with gracious visitations.
Many have beeu converted and neat sixty
have been added to tbe church, and still
they are coming ; so that it appears that a
second charge here has not materially Ins
jured tbe first charge, but rather has it
been a blessing.
The Sunday-school of the first charge la
more prosperous than before the division,
numbering fifty or seventy more than
ever before,
Our collections will be better than ever,
aDd besides this, we have organized a
religious Library Association connected
with the church, aud have already ex
pended over one hundred dollars for the
same. Everything about the parsonage
has been righted, the bouse newly carpet
ed and everything made ready for a faith •
ful worker. May the Lord send him.
•. Gardner,