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Jcnitbern Christian
;>IACON. GEORGIA, NOV 5, 1869-
Tho Southern Christian Advocate,
For 32 years the official organ of the
South Carolina, Georgia and Florida Con
ferences, in January 1870, will enter upon
lts 83d Volume, under the continued edi
torial management of E. H. Myers, D.D.,
who has had an experience of fifteen
years, at the Editor’s Desk.
Its contributors and correspondents
will he Bishops, Presiding Elders, Sta
tioned and Circuit Preachers, Local
Preachers, Professors in Colleges, Lit
erary Ladies, etc., etc.; >nd, besides its
great variety in every department suita
ble for a church paper, it will give full and
rel able information respecting ail the in
terests of the Church within the Confer
ences which have made it their organ.
It devotes its columns particularly to
advancing every part of the work of the
Church, in these Conferences; and no
other paper can supply its place, either
for giving full and accurate’ information,
official and otherwise, to the Methodists
within their bounds, or in aiding the
preachers aud peopleto perform that work.
Itought to be in every Methodist family—
at least, in the States named.
Those .Methodists who have left these
Htates, and are now living in other sec
tions, will ffndtheSoutheru Christian Ad
vocate a means of keeping up their ac
quaintance with old friends, that should
recommend it to them, even if its intrin
sic merits were not sufficient to do it. We
confidently appeal to Methodists in the
West fora large patronage —but, however,
insist that they shall first take the special
of their own Conference, as
it is not becoming in us to intrude into the
territory of other official organs of the
Church, exsept upon this condition. This
duty fulfilled—we then look for the Meth
odist sons and daughters of South Caroli
na, Georgia and .Florida, scattered over
other States, to take also} the Southern
Christian Advocate.
It is a very large and full sheet, fully
worth the subscription price—which is
$3 00 a year. All persons who will for
ward the names of seven subscribers with
the mouey, s2l 00, will be entitled to an
eighth, copy for themselves.
Address,
J. W. Burke & Cos.,
Oct 29-8 w Macon, Ga.
P. S.-Ws shall’feel under obligatious
to our exchanges to oopy, or notice other
wise, so far as their convenience and kind
ness may prompt.
l l" 1
Gratitude and Thanksgiving.
The close of another season, freighted
with blessings, demands from us gratitude;
and the "powers that he” have reminded
us of the fact, and called upon the people
to give expression thereto, hy giving of
thanks publicly. Thanksgiving is a duty
to which the Christian is accustomed.
Every day opens and closes with its ut
terance—every meal is eaten with giving
of thanks. Gratitude to the “Giver of
every good and perfect gift” lies at the
foundation of his Christian life—and we
count very little else than a life devoted
to God’s service, as an acceptable offering
of thanks to Him. Proclamations and
pubiic observances, and festivals in obe
dience to them, can never prove a tit of
fering, unless the heart be really touched
with gratitude; and where tiiis is, the
result will be manifest in a life of devo
tion to duty.
God has been kind to us another year.
Our lives aud health, and those of our
families have been spared; or if death
aud affliction have come, yet there are
the comforts of religion to assuage tlie
grief and to mitigate the pain, when there
is trust in His over-ruling love. These
added mouths of earthly blessing, or
these new manifestations of the soothing
power of grace, call for new acts of devo
tion aud a reuewul of our vows of conse
cration.
Many earthly comforts and much tem
poral good have been allotted to us. The
year has beeu one of general prosperity.
There is bread in the storehouse; aud the
earth has yielded her increase. If there
has beeu failure anywhere, yet there is
not famine; if hopes have, in any case,
been disappointed, yet there is not desti
tution. In any event, we have received
more than we deserve, — more, perhaps,
thau we will receive with due gratitude
or put to a wisely religious use. Here is
our responsibility, aud the appointment
of a season to weigh well our blessings
aud our duties may lead us to a just ap
preciation of it, and inspire us with a gra
titude that seeks to make some proper
return for the benefits bestowed.
And, now, what return shall we make
to God for the past year and its blessings ?
First, let us offer him our hearts. “My
son, give me thy heart,” is the sum of
the gospel invitation to us, aud to,woo and
win it, God gave His well-beloved Son,
and with Him aud for His sake gives eve
ry other good that we enjoy. Secondly,
with our hearts, let us render to Him a
service worthy of the occasion of gratitude.
So great a price paid for our love demands
a return of no ordinary value. And when
we have given ourselves to Christ, as His
servants, and our influence to His Church,
that wo may forward its triumphs, and our
substance to tbe furtherance of the gospel,
.and all that we have and are to glorify
God, we have yet done too little to reach
that height of devout gratitude, to which
tlie wonderful mercies of God should raise
If so, how poor, how mean will be that
thanksgiving for the mercies of the
year, wbiek expends itself in holiday idle
ness*aud festivity, brings only the mocke
ry of lip service to God, and adds noth
ing to the devotion of the people at large
to the duties of religion, or the consecra
tion of the Church to the work of Chris
tianity. Thanksgiving demands thank of
ferings-, and he, who is truly grateful for
the mercies he has received, will cast
about him, to learn where he can bestow
them to the glory of God. He who does
so, can find iu the various claims of the
Church abundant opportunities for the
bestowment of gifts adequate to the ex
pression of the most exalted gratitude.
A word to the wise is sufficient.
Will this day of thanksgiving bear fruit,
in a large increase of offerings to the gos
pel of the Bon of God ?
Dr. Boring’s Communication. The
subject brought before the Church, by Dr.
Boring is one of great interest, as one of
the forms into which its activities go
forth, for saving the world. Whether
anything practical can be accomplished
remains to be seen ; but to ascertain all
that may be known on this subject is the
very design of his article. We invite at
tention to it; and would suggest that if
anything is to be done, it ought to begin
to take shape at the comiug Annual Con
ferences.
“The Maoademised Road to Heaven.”
The Banner of the South—a Romanist
sheet—copies from an article thus headed,
in which we showed from the “Pastoral
Letter” of Augustin Verot, “by the grace
i of God and the favor of the Apostolic See,
Bishop of Savannah and Administrator
Apostolic of Florida” to “the clergy and
laity of Georgia and Florida,” announc
! ing “the Jubilee which our Holy Father
Pius IX. has proclaimed to the Catholic
world,” that Heaven is to become debtor
to the faithful, who will
1. Fast three days, extra.
2. Give an alms to the poor.
3. Confess their sins, in the tribunal of
Penance.
4. Receive the Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist.
5 Visit a church twice, where there is
one ; or else, the place where Mass is cele
brated, once, aDd a room where a crucifix
is set up, once ; and when there,
6 Offer five Paters and five Aves, which
without reference to their meaniug, are to
be considered as so many prayers for
the success of the Pope’s intention—what
ever they may be.
And the Pope pledges Heaven to pay
the debt incurred by this amazing amount
of religious service:
1. By granting the fullest remission of
sin.
2 By cancelling all debts which these
worshippers owe to Divine Justice.
3. By permitting them, dying, to enter
Heaven at once, without detention in the
fires of Purgatory.
4 Or, in case oue feels safe himself, he
mav release from those fires, one of the
“faithful departed.”
The Banner does not like our account.
He “pities” our “ignorance.” We shall
nevertheless survive. His only answer is,
that the Methodist Church makes the
way to heaven more easy still. -He shows
how this is done, by a statement which
needs no refutation—no denial even ; for
the world knows that this is ne portrait
of Methodism—either as to doctrine or
| du'y— but as vile a calumny as that once
' uttered against “Saint” Peter, “Saint”
| John and others, where it was said of
them, “these men are full of new wine”
i —a calumny, of much the same character
in origin and purpose. What we said of
the Roman Church making “religion
easy,” we said, quoting fully the official
document from which we derived that in
formation. No refutation or explanation
is attempted-in effect, our charge is ac
knowledged. But au attempt is made to
turn hack the reproacli upon our Church,
in tlie sneering language that follows :
“An unconverted sinner enters a Metho
dist Church ; hears a wild sermon on Hell ;
becomes physically excited ; joins in tbe
hymn; thunders out a colossal amen;
thus adds to his own previous excitement;
goes home with hosanna in his heart—
and straightway he is justified! He has
got religion ! —or. rather, Religion has got
a tight hold of him. In this way the sin
ner becomes tlie saint. The singular work
is easily done; no fasting; no alms-giv
ing; no hard penitential duties; noeon
fessious are required. God does the whole
of it ; the poor siuner is a mere automa
ton in His hands. If his be not “reli
gion made easy,” we kuow not what is.
“The Methodist Church, in fact, is al
ways in jubilees—with this difference,
that wlille the Catholic Church exacts
works hard to flesh and blood for her Ju
bilee, —that Church exacts nothing at all.
“Ho, by all means, let our cotemporary
of Macon keep for itself and its own
Church ilie title of Religion made easy.”
The writer seems to have no idea that
thes'nner goes to God for pardon. He
ought to bestow alms, fast, repeat a few
“aves” and “paters,” and the Pope—not
God—will forgive his sins, or if he have
none to forgive, release his friends from
purgatory.
Wo leave the matter there. Our stric
tures were correct—here is confirmation
of it. We do not pity the writer’s ignor
ance—it is something worse we are called
on to pity here—namely, that impiety
Haint Peter and the Apostles needed to
pity in the "mocking” Jews.
A Commentary on the Gospels.
Our readers will be glad to have tbe in
formation conveyed by Dr. Summers in
the following announcement. It will be
seen that lie does not announce his large
work, which his friends have beeu look
ing for with solicitude, but a brief com
mentary for Sunday-schools, etc., etc. He
writes:
We have just published the first volume
of our Commentary on the Gospels. It
comprises the Gospel according to Mat
thew. It is a handsomely executed duo
decimo of 308 pages. It is accompanied
by a tinted map of Palestine, illustrative
of tbe places mentioned in the Gospels.
It is designed for Biblical students iu gen
eral, and especially for Bible classes and
Sunday schools, for whose benefit we have
prepared a book of Questions based on the
analysis which the Commentary presents.
For several years the author has been
employed, as far as other engagements
would permit, in writiuga Commentary
on the Gospels, based on a Harmony dif
ferent from any that he has seen in pr)nt,
and presenting synopses of the views of
leading expositors and occasional annota
tors on tbe sacred text, ancient and mod
ern.
Having to leave the Publishing House
in February, 1862, his lot was cast in Tu9-
kuloosa, where he had access to valuable
private libraries, aud to tbe magnificent
library of the State University—till it was
burnt by order of Gen. Croxton—so that he
was able to prosecute his work with consid
erable advantage. But as it grew ou his
bauds to such an extent as to be altogeth
er too elaborate for general students, such
as members of Bible-classes. Sunday
schools, aud many ministers, he has post
poned Us publication, yielding to the im
portunities of judicious friends, and pre
pared a condensed Commentary on the
Gospels, iu which results are given, for
the most part, without the processes by
which they were reached, and without
uoticiug conflicting opiuious of other
authors. Though the original text has
been kept constantly in view, he has re
trained from citing It, in conformity with
his main design. The author could not
farther condense the work, without mak
ing it too elementary and superficial to
meet the wants of those who may seek its
aid in studying the inspired records.
It nicy not be improper to state, that
this Commentary has been, for the most
part, written, rewritten, and revised, with
no little care—it is given to the public with
much diffidence—and like his previous
publications it will be left by the author
to work its way into circulation and to
take care of itself, if any of its views
should be impugned.
The Commentary on Mark is in press,
and will soon be published.
The American Grocer, which we
noticed recently as published by John
Darby & Cos., 161 William St., New York,
at $2 00, is like to prove a valuable addi
tion to our commercial literature. In
the last number, Professor Darby gives a
capital article on coffee —from which we
select the most Important part—the prin
ciples involved in preparing coffee for the
table.
But it is not raw coffee that we use. It
is roasted. It is in this condition that it
becomes of interest to us. We have no
hesitation iu saying that one-half of the
coffee is ruined by the process of roasting.
It is the first and most important step in
making good coffee. The roasting should
be conducted as much as possible iu a
close vessel, with as little exposure to the
air as may be. It should be roasted to a
light chestnut-brown, not darker, or till
the grain becomes brittle, when cold. If
the coffee is black, it is ruined. The ma
terials are decomposed, and nothing is
left but charcoal aud some empyreumatic
oil. A little sugar and lard mixed with
charcoal would make just as good coffee,
when roasted. The peculiar, delicious
aroma is produced by roasting, and is a
volatile oil. The sugar aud the fats are
more or less changed, but not decomposed.
The coffee loses iu weight about fifteen per
cent, by roasting, but increases much
more iu volume than it loses in weight.
Coffee deteriorates rapidly after roasting,
and still more rapidly after grinding;
hence should be roasted, ground and used
witb no long interval. Ground coffee
absorbs gases rapidly and in great amount.
Bo much of gas has it been known t.o ab
sorb as to produce spontaneous combus
tion. Recently roasted and ground coffee
is a good deodorizer, absorbing the offen-
sive emanations and leaving its own aro
ma behind.
Much care is requisite in making coffee.
As remarked above, the aroma is due to a
volatile oil, produced during the roasting.
If we place some roasted or ground coffee
in a retort and distill it with water, re
ceiving the distillate in a cold receiver,
we obtaiD in the receiver all the delicious
flavor of the coffee, and have in the re
tort what usually comes to our tables, a
black, bitter-sweet infusion, which may
be disguised by sugar and cream to he in
a state possible for deglutition. The aro
ma has gone. So it is in all boiling coffee.
Coffee, to be perfect, should be made in a
tight vessel, and Dot be boiled, if the
whole of ita peculiar richness is to be pre
served.
How it was Done.
Tbe Rev. J. V. M. Morris, of the Bald
win circuit, No. Ga. Conference—by no
means a rich circuit—sends $30.00 for the
China Mission, most of it given by the
children. He writes:
“They made the money mostly—some
picked cotton, some sold eggs, some knit
socks, and one little fellow kept the hogs
out of his father's field. All did something.
Where is the child, who cannot do some
thing to carry the gospel, where it is not?
All of them will, if tbe subject is brought
properly before them ; and it is much bet
ter to have them earn, than beg it- For
1. It teaches them to do something ; 2. It
teaches them to give; 3. It is helping to
do the greatest work man can do—carry
the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those in
darkuess.”
The Rev. C. H. Ellis, also sends $7:00,
from the children of Smyrna School, Lit
tle River circuit, No. Ga. Conference for
same mission. He writes:
“They are few in number, and their con
tributions small, yet they wish to aid in
the great work of sending to the heathen
tbe Gospel of Christ. lam happy to bear
witness to the fact, that God has honored
these children with his blessings, spiritu
al, as well as temporal, and this appears
as their thank c fferinn to the Lord.’’
Death of Rev. W. A. Gamewell.
We arrest the press, after part of our
edition is worked off, to announce to our
readers in South Carolina, where Brother
Gamewell was so much beloved, that we
have just received, from Dr. Whitefoord
Smith, the sad news of his death.
He died at 2J o’clock, p m., of Saturday,
30th October.
We must defer Dr. Smith’s commuuica
lion tell next week.
The Methodists of South Carolina have
rarely been called to mourn a man more
devoted, more useful, more beloved. As
was to have been expected, his last hours
were full of comfort.
An Incendiary Fire.—The Tallahas
see Floridian informs us that the dwell
ing and kitchen of the Rev. E. L. T.
Blake, a superannuated preacher of the
Florida Conference, was burned down
just before day of the 22d Oct. That pa
per says:—So quick did the flames spread
all over the main dwelling that but few
things iu it could be saved. Furniture,
crockery, bed clothing, cooking uteusils,
etc., were destroyed, and thus a good man
and his family, whose circumstances in
life are such that they can ill afford tbe
loss, were in a little while stripped of al
most all they possessed. He has the sym
pathies of our entire community, and
they have taken pleasure iu appending
their names to a subscription paper which
has beeu circulated through the city for
his relief. A minister of God aud a just
man, beloved and respected by all who
know him, his case is one which has ex
cited more than ordinary sympathy, aud
our citizens, with characteristic liberali
ty, have extended to him more substan
tial aid than mere words. As to the ori
gin of this fire, the third one within a
week, there can be no doubt, that like
tbe others, it was the work of an incen
diary. What motives could have actuated
the wretch who committed the act, we
cannot imagine. That lie could have en
tertained ili-wili or malice towards the
sufferers, based on auy foundation whate
ver, we do not believe, for there is not a
man in our whole community more uni
versally respected and honored than Mr.
Blake.
Pk. Munsey.- The Nashville Advo
cate, publishing the appeal of the Board
of Foreign Missions to the Georgia Con
ferences, very properly, transforms It into
an appeal to theeutire Church, aud in
forms U 9 that on last Buuday morning
week, Dr. Munsey, delivered a telling
Missionary discourse to an immense audi
ence iu McKeudree Church. All the other
Methodist Churches in Nashville and
Edgefield were closed, and the pastors, as
well as others, from a distance, were pre
sent. The address was perhaps, the finest
effort made by the distinguished orator,
and the collection that followed was quite
handsome. Drs. Green and McFerrin
were present, and assisted in the collec
tion. Dr. Munsey’s health is better, and
his whole soul is Interested iu the work
to which he has been called.
The Montgomery Conference of tbe
M. E. Church, South, has been postponed
one week by Bishop Paine, at the solicita
tion of the citizens of Union Springs,
Ala. It will meet at that place, Decem
ber Bth, instead .of Ist December, as pre
viously appointed.
Writers of Obituaries will please
take notice, that they must forward them
within three months of the death of the
subject, if they wish to see them in the
Advocate.
The Publishing House.— Read “The
Sixty Dollar Proposition” and other No
tices from Dr. Bedford.
Southern Presbyterian Review.—
The articles in this number are : 1. Unifi
cation ; 2. The Amended Form of Gov
ernment—by the Rev. J. A. Smylie, Mil
ford, Texas; 3. Christian Unity—by the
Rev. W. B. Moseley, Oakly, Va ; 4. What
is a Call to the Gospel Ministry ? 5. Bau
hennan’s Church of Christ; 6. Foreign
Missions ; 7. Card from Rev. F A. Ross ;
8. Critical Notices. We think the article
on a Call to the Christian Ministry will
be likely to open a controversy. We think
it wrong and very vulnerable. This Re
view is published quarterly, at Columbia,
South Carolina, at $3 00 a year in ad
vance.
New Advertisements.
The following advertisements appear
first time in Advocate this week :
Warehouse and Commission Mer
chants.—Hardeman & Sparks, Macon/
Ga.
Mapes’ Nitrogenized Superphos
phate of Lime, and o'.her Fertilizers.—
Purse & Thomas, Savannah, Ga.
Arrow Ties, Fertilizers, etc., etc.
—Henry L. Jewett, Macon, Ga.
Fruit Trees.—Wm. Morley, Snapping
3hoals, Ga.
Atlanta Nurseries.—Harden, Cole
& Cos., Atlanta, Ga.
Ladies’ and Children’s Furs.—
Steele, Charleston, S. C.
Agents Wanted, for the Genuine New
Improved Common Sense Family Sewing
Machines—G. M. Neely, Montgomery,
Ala.
Situation as Teacher, wanted, by a
Young Englishman, Decatur, Ga.
Broughton & Wyman.—Publishers,
N. Y.
Interesting Works.—J. W. Burke
& Cos.
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
Carmgmtet.
Christian Liberality The Pastor’s
Duty.
Objections met—PresMlig Fldeis and Pastors—
represent&*-ive Members-Tne sniveling View
—Something fathomless—When Jesus speaks.
Mr. Editor :—la 11. Corinthians, viii.,
after stating “the riches of liberality”
given by “the churches of Macedonia.in
a great trial of affliction and deep pover
ty,” St Haul said t<> the church at Cor
inth, “We desired Titus, that as he had
begun, so he wonld also finish in you the
same grace aiso ” So clearly is it the duty
of the pastor to educate, perfectly teach
his church to abound, even in deep pover
ty, “Vnto the riches of liberality !” He
then exhausts two chapters in preaching
this part of tbe gospel to them to aid Ti
tus therein. Such is the Apostolic rule
and precedent. Is it wise or faithful that
we reverse it, and neither begin nor finish
this gift in the churches, that they may
“abound in this grace also?’' An evil ap
pears here. Some of us who neglect it,
and some stewards who allow us to do so.
avail themselves of the presiding elders, by
insisting that they ought to preach it, anil
we ought pot. So did not Titus, for Paul
on meeting him found that he had been
faithfully employed therein, and, like “a
wise master-builder,” co-operated with
him.
The objection is not, that the piesiding
elders preach this part of the gospel—“for
they are God’s ministers attending con
tinually upon this very thing,” and, usu
ally, are “ready to every good word aud
work;” but it is this—we make them
“scape goats” for our simple neglect in
the premises. Paul aud Titus were and
their sons in the ministry ought to he,
"true yoke-fellows''' in this gospel. I here
decisively write that the intelligent repre
sentative members of the church are npw
demanding that their pasters rise out of
sleep, or part with their fears upon this
subject, aud teach the people “the tilings
of God,” relative thereto. They know
where the duty lies. They grieve that
“the trumpet gives au uncertain sound.”
They appreciate the scandals poured upon
theChurcb’s name by the immense dispar
ity between the ability of the tuembersbip
aud the offering, between the duty and
its performance, the privilege and the es
timation thereof. In District and church
meetings, within four years past, they
have urged the ministry, by affectionate
resolutions, to preach the gospel concern
ing the grace of giving, plainly, lovingly,
affectionately—to educate the church in
the Scriptural views thereof. They will
vindicate the spiritual, faithful preacher
against that satan, covetousness, who
roused by “the sword of theSpirit”—“the
word of God,” in his golden palace built
by tithe robbery, airs bis baseness by as
sailing with fierce accusations and male
dictions the men of God wUo strike for his
destruction. It isa positive injury to them
to bold, tiiat tuey cannot endure sound
doctrine upon this subject. They not only
will endure but, as we have seen, court
It. Nor will they allow it to return void,
hut, putting their shoulders to the car
while going up-grade, give it achieving
momentum till in liberality, as in spiri
tuality, Methodism shall be “in the re
gions beyond” others.
Several months ago when the S. C. Ad
vocate was exposing to its readers by edi
torials of irrefutable facts aud massive
thoughts the defect of the Church upon
this subject, and a few were wincing, the
many approved the pointed truths it
enunciated, and bid them God-speed on
their sacred errand. The editor achieved
greater character for his paper with the
thiukiDg, earnest, working members, ij
no other tilt against sin than in that in
stance.
Presbyterians and Episcopalians often
say their churches are more liberal than
others, because their ministry preach
upon tbe subject as fully as they do upon
repentance, or prayel. Are Methodists
inferior to these? If .these improve by
reason of the word preached, aud increase
tithes iu God’s storehouse, will not Metho
dists, likewise? Or are they unlike those
Christians, aud like “the sluggard wiser
in his own conceit thau seveu men that
can render a reason,” aud hence unteacb
able, intractable—not to be improved by
even God’s word “whose entrance givetli
light?” Let us not fail iuto the "gain,
saying" of those erring about Methodists,
and instead of regarding them, as they
really are, iu arlvauce oi other bodies* of
Christians In most elements of Christian
character, account that they are con
temptible iu tbe comparison. That oth
ers are in advance of them as to the grace
of giving is their misfortune, aud, maialy
our fault. We their ministers, their
guides, have been blind or recreant, and
no marvel they have fallen into the ditch.
They perish for lack of knowledge. God
hath committed unto us for them that
which we have, in violation of “tbe law
aud tbe testimony,” withheld. Let (he
priests themselves repent, “and put sal
vation on,” and “feed the flock of God”
on “the word of life” that “is convenient
for them.”
The Methodist church is now present
ing the anomaly of a great body of Chris
tians, save a few zoned by Folly or irrita
ted by Avarice, imploring their pastors so
to teach them that they will enter the
greeu pastures of liberal things where
God’s blessings abound, and the pasters,
like the unclothed guest at the feast, stand
speechless, and trembling.
But it is objected “if we so teach, some
will say that we preach for money aud
walk no more with us—therefore we had
best not preach the gospel whereunto God
hath called us, and by which the people
are saved. So preposterous is this objec
tion. Suppose some will say that we
preach for money. Who are they , that
fear of them should cause us to be like
those of dumb devils possessed, and with
hold from “the good and true” of the
flock the message of the Great Shepherd ?
In the Bense charged, is it not a saying
which both hell and earth know to be
false? Os Jesus “the Pharisees said He
casteth out devils by the priuce of devils.”
Did He therefore cease His work of mer
cy and speak no more to the devil, that
he go out of the man? Os His sublime
sermon recorded iu John vi. many of
His disciples, “said this is an hard saying :
who can bear it?” and, “went back and
walked no more with Him.” Did He,
therefore, seal His lips aud utter no more
the words to which they objected? Not
tbe Pharisee, nor the deserter because of
the truth; but He is our example—the law
anto us.
However, take a practical view of this
money charge which so affrights us. The
people demand that pastors shall not com
pete with them in the domains of law,
medicine, commerce, politics, etc., but
separating and giving themselves wholly
unto tbe ministry of the word, as tbe Bible
enjoins, look to them for material tilings.
To this pastors accede, and, in a distorted
sense," preach for material things—“for
money” due them for service rendered
“in things spiritual.” Is there ajuster,
purer, more reasonable claim ? Does not
every high virtue, every profound motive
suggest that to refuse its paymeut is the
abyss of injustice? “Who goe.h a war
fare at his own cost?” It was malignant
Egypt, the barbarous tyrant, that requir
ed the laborer’s “tale of brick,” and yet
withheld the needed “straw,” not Chris
tian Zion. The lawyer demands hi 9 re
ward of his client for service rendered—
is it a reproach ? The physiciau claims
his fee of the patient—is it a shame? The
mechanic, merchant, farmer, etc., require
their dues—is it improper? Where then
is tbe wrong, eveu in this business,
though groveling, view of the question, if
the ministry do likewise? Are there any
who could take offence thereat, save those
who from sheer ignorance, or meanness,
are discomposed by light, or shocked by
honor?
It is reported that a delegate introduced
last year, at a District-meeting a resolu
tion urging that the children of pastors
should be “bound out to service”—that is,
to aid pastors to preach the gospel to the
people at the least possible cost to them,
aud the greatest possible cost to the
preachers, their children should be made
the servants of that people. Its fathomless
meanness means that, while gnawing
away the flesh and heart of tbe minister,
consuming his children before his dying
eyes is to be called godliness. "That
kind” are likely to howl when God’s
tithe-oracie is preached ; and let them, till
their wolfish nature is manifest, and they
are scouted from “the company of the
just.”
But ministerial support is only a tithe
of tbe tithes God ordaiDS should be ‘ cast
in unto His offerings.” The apostolic
churches besides collections for pastors’
support, had collections for their own and
the poor of their feebler churches, and to
aid in the support of missions founded by
their missionary presbyters, amid tears
and toils. And our own churches walk by
the same rule, and growiug in grace and
increasing in knowledge and opportunity,
have Bible and Sunday school collec
tions, and collections to perpetuate and
increase educational facilities. These
objects of her benevolent care are lodged
in her keeping by the spirit and prin*
ciples of “scriptural holiness” she seeks
to spread over the land; and. from tbe
benefits which accrue to aDd shine forth
from them, they appear to be—are divine
inspirations. For these sacred trusts also
is the gospel of the grace of giving, of
“liberality,” preached.
"Some brethren of unquestionable fi
delity advise us not to preach upon the
subject.” But we have seen God insist
that we should do so. Whom should we
obev? "When Jesus began toshow unto
his disciples that he must go unto Jerusa
lem, and suffer many things. Peter begau
to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee.
Lord : this shall not be unto tbee. But
he said unto Peter, Get thee behind me,
Satan : thou savourest not the things that
be of God, but those that be of men.”
The advice of Peter flowed from a loving
heart, but it had not the right savour, and
Christ who is our example rejected it,
and “Then said unto his disciples, if any
man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow
me.” It is a cross, a modern one, to enter
the lists against deified Avarice. But his
massive temple and environing hosts gave
no safety to Dagon, when the ark of God
with the tables of thelaw was set at hisside.
“Early on the morrow morning, Dagon
was fallen upoD his face to the ground be
fore the ark of the Lord,” headless, palna
less; “only the stump of Dagon was left
him.” Aud such will be the fate of Ava
rice, if “the priests appointed to the
charge of the ark” will plant it near his
throne. Grace has so arranged, that the
hearts of Christians should burn within
them, when Jesus talks with them by the
way. And if He speak to them from the
pulpit, the ordained place, touching the
duty in question, as of other duties, that
they understand “the Lord hath need, ’
the fire of fidelity will kindle till with
joyful heart, ere a decade of years renders
its account, they will habitually iay upon
His altar the offerings His laws require.
R. W. Bigham.
Church Orphans’ Homes.
Ed. Advocate— Dear Brother: My
mind has long been turned to the subject
of a system of “Orphan’s Homes” for the
Methodist E. Church, South ; and regard
ing it as of paramount importance, I pro
pose, w T ith your consent, to present the
subject briefly to your readers, hoping
that when attention is amused, measures
will he adopted to provide for this great
want of the times. I do not mean to in
timate that a proper system of Church
Orphans’ Homes is demauded, alone by
the "times" or anything peculiar herein ;
but that, whilst it ought always to have
existed, and should he as perpetual as the
church, tbe present, especially calls for
such a provision. It is only necessary to
reflect for a moment to become convinced
of the atisclute and overwhelming neces
sity for such a provision for the orphan
and helpless oor, directly and indirectly
dependent upon us, for food and raiment,
and especially for education, proper train
ing, aud, above all, for religious instruc
tion.
Only think of the thousands and hun
dreds of thousands of children, scattered
over this vast and recently desolated
country, connected, immediately aud re
motely, with the Methodist E. Church,
South, who are fatherless and mother
less, homeless, and many of them friend
less, wiio are left to the perils of their ca
lamitous surroundings, aud almost all of
whom must, iu the very nature of tbe
case, be wrecked, socially, mentally and
morally ! True, some few will escape tbe
ruin which seems inevitable to their cir
cumstances, but the great majority, must,
in the end, prove a curse to society, aud
to themselves.
These are human beings, immortal
spirits, and are not responsible for their
present helplessness aud imminent dan
ger. They are part of the "poor ye have
always with you,’’ and to whom ye can
do good, for whom God intends the
Church shall provide ; aud if we shut Uo
our bowels of compassion towards them,
their blood will he demanded at our
hands. lam not disposed to charge or
censure the Church ; hut, iu contemplat
ing this subject, I cannot hut be profound
ly surprised that it has not long since
been regarded, by tbe pious aud intelli
gent of all Christian denominations, as a
direct aud sacred charge of the Church,
aud the very first missionary work to be
done.
I would not disparage the work of mis
sions, foreign or domestic ; for this would
he iu palpable contradiction of ray whole
life. No man lives in the Methodist E.
Church, South, who, according to ability
possessed, has labored more, or mote fully
imperiled all earthly good in our mission
ary work, and I think I may, in all truth
aud sincerity, add that none have suffered
more for this cause, a id were it practica
ble I would still go. But while it is an
indispensable and ail important duty to
furuish the gospel to our own adult poor,
aud to send it to the benighted pagan,
(and I would there were hundreds and
thousands, instead of the few who are
engaged in these fields now white to the
harvest,) I ask, in all sincerity, whether
it is a greater duty to send a few Mission
aries to China, and to our sparsely popu
lated circuits, than to provide for the hun
dreds of thousands of our own homeless
and fatherless children, who, at our very
doors, are perishing, and iu their cheer
less poverty aud ignorauce of God, plead
for our help? They are "strangers,” and
“hungry,” and “naked,” and “sick,” aud
iu prisou.” Will we minister to them?
Or will we pass them by and take the
fearful risk of tiearing it said, in tiiat last
great day, “inasmuch as ye did it not to
one of the least of these, ye did it not to
me ?”
A9 before intimated, these poor and
helpless, have always been, and always
will be, as part of the divine economy,
aud their claims upon the Church have
been and will be paramount. “For the
poor shall never cease out of tbe laud :
therefore I command tbee, saying, Tbou
stialt open thine band wide unto tby
brother, to thy poor, and to tby needy,
in the land.” Deuteronomy, xv. 11.
There are thousands of “poor anil nee
dy” children, now within our reach,
who, if left, as is usual, to grope their way
in ignorance aud under depraved associa
tions aud influences, will be a curse to
society, and finally perish, but who, if
properly cared for, will bless the Church
and State, and attaiu to that blessed re
ward, to lead to which, the Church and
all her auxiliaries were instituted. To my
mind, nothing is more clear or absolutely
certain, than that tbe Cburch should
promptly and with determination, ad
dress herself to the work of providing
education aud religious training for these
classes.
As to the best plan for the accomplish
ment of the objects proposed, little more
can be done in this communication than
to suggest something of an outline. Time
and the developments of experience and
observation, must finally determine the
details.
Something after the following, occurs
to me as the most common sense and prac
tical plan:
Ist. The enterprise should be one of the
church, the whole church; under its di
rection and control, asa church interest.
2d. There should be a system of Cburch
Orphans’ Homes, adopted, which in its
provisions, shall supply every annual Con
ference with an easily acce9sable institu
tion of the kind—one which can be
reached without heavy expenditures of
time and money.
3d. To effect such a work, several an
nual Conferences should unite in founding
and sustaining one Central House, at such
point as they may deem most con venieut.
For illustration, let the two Georgia, and
the Florida, Conferences unite in a Home
on or near one of the great Central Rail
roads, which would make it convenient
to all, and from which anything produced
or manufactured could be readily ex-
ported.
4th. Let these Conferences, (which may
here serve as an example for the whole,)
elect each from its own members, two
clerical and three lay Directors, or any
other number and proportions that may
be preferred, uuder {whose direction and
control the institution shall be located
and by whom all the property, real and
perishable, shall be held in trust for the
purposes indicated—they, also, to direct
as all business, improvements, teachers,
etc. In few words, they are to act as a
Board of Trustees, after the manner of
other Conference Trustees of schools and
colleges.
sth. In locating these homes, let 500, or
1,000, acres of land, or so much as may be
deemed necessary, be secured, near some
central Railroad, so that farms, mills, me
chanical, and ifdeemed wise, manufactur
ing interests, may finally be established,
together with schools, churches, etc., by
which education, business training and
religious instruction can be given.
6th. Let these homes be so officered and
administered, as to achieve the objects
proposed, and at the same time render
them as nearly self sustaining as possible.
7th. To found and put the work under
way, let suitable agents be appointed, to
travel at large, to present the subject to
our people and friends, and to raise con
tributions, for the permanen t endowment
of these Institutions. 1 am persuaded,
that a comparatively short time would be
necessary, to put this great enterprise, in
to successful operation. No subject of
such general, and yet special and thrilling,
interest, could be, or ever lias been, pre
sented to our people. It will constitute
an appeal to every heart, aud one, which
none but the utterly abaudoned cau resist.
Money, lauds, stock, tools, furniture, etc.,
will flow in, from every quarter of the
country, and that not to the lessening, but
expanding and enlarging of the benev
oleuce and religions enterprise of the
church aad country.
Bth. Os course, these institutions should
be chartered by the States iu which they
may be located.
9th. Let the enterprise be regularly or
ganized throughout the church, under the
auspices of the General Conference, and
be so recognized in the boos of Discipline,
at least as much so, as are our Colleges
and similar institutions.
But in this hasty presentation of the
subject, it is impossible to do more than
intimate this interest, and the plan for its
accomplishment. Thesubject is new, and
cannot be fully grasped aud appreciated,
at the first view. I hope, however,
enougli has been said to awaken an inter
est in the church, and to elicit investiga
tion. . .
Let us think of tbe multitudes of boys and
girls, found in all our cities and villages,
to say nothing of the thousands in the
country, who are utterly destitute, naked,
ragged, cold and hungry, for whom no
man cates, and who by their very sur
roundings, are being led as sheep to the
slaughter, and whose integrity, honesty
and virtue will be prostituted before they
reach full manhood aud womanhood; and
let us remember that thismay be the fate
of our own sous aud daughters, wlieu we
shall sleep iu the graves; and in the light
of these stern realities, answer whether
we can and ought to provide for their
rescue. Jksse Boring.
Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 1869.
Letter from the Country.
The Oloslng Campaign—Onr Trophies—Delusive
balance wheels—A fa< t, mournful aud hard to
explain—Alternatives.
Mr. Editor; During the winter months,
the work of the Church is prosecuted with
less vigor and success in the Southern,
than iu the Northern, States. The rigor
of Northern winters compels the people
to make their churches comfortable or to
abandon them. With us, the winters are
just mild enough to leave us free from
this compulsion, but just too cold to al
low of efficient services in our umeiled
and unwarmed shells of churches. On
this account, and in part, growing out of
the peculiarities of Southern agricultural
pursuits, we accomplish, outside of the
cities, very little during the winter
mouths. In those circuits—and unfortu
nately there are many such—win-re the
traditional log-house maintains Us place
in the affections aud prejudices of tlie
people, in defiance of civilization and con
tempt for progress, this lamentable state
of things amounts almost to hibernation,
aud, as with all hibernating animals, the
spring time finds them frightfully re
duced.
To speak of a campaign then, iu con
nection with our church operations dur
ing six months, is to speak correctly and
according to the facts.
It seems to me, that we may learn valu
able lessons iu the review of such a cam
paign, if it be made with conscientious
purpose to ascertain facts, in order to
know the truth, and not simply to main
tain a theory, to gratify a whim, or to
accomplish a purpose. What, then, are
some of the facts —for no modest man
would claim cognizance of them all—oi
our efforts and results this year? The sta
tistical returns will give us the details
with which this letter does not now con
cern itself.
Speaking in general terms, we are all
ready to acknowledge that the results
have not been commensurate with our
hopes in the beginning of the year.
Whether the disproportion is between our
opportunities and our efforts, or between
our efforts aud the results, I shall not un
dertake to say. Individual ministers aud
churches might consider such a question
with profit, if not with satisfaction.
Within those Conferences of which the
Southern Christian Advocate is the organ,
there is very much to eucourage us, to
excite our gratitude and to stimulate our
zeal,
There has been a notable advance in all
our Sunday-school' Interests. Beyond all
question, the Sunday-school has made
great progress, both as to the extension of
its operations and the thoroughness and
value of Us instruetions.
The true end of the Sunday-school is
being better understood, aud the condi
tions of success more fully met. Perhaps,
there have never been so many children
converted during any one year in these
Conferences as during the last ten months:
a fact which justifies the earnest efforts
that have been made in this direction and
rebukes us for the long neglect of a sacred
duty, laid upoD us alike by the spirit of
the gospel aud tbe precepts aud example
of the Redeemer himself.
The contributions of the church, it is
believed—may the statistics not take tiiis
comfort away—have been upon a some
what larger scale of Christian benevo
lence. 'Thousands —the expression is not
too strong —of adults have beeu converted
and added to our church, besides the large
recruits to sister communions, afforded hy
our meetings. This service we do not be
grudge them, since sinners have been con
verted aud it bus pleased tbe Master so to
employ us.
Connected with the revivals of tbe
present year is oue singular fact, to which
the attention of thinking and prayerful
people is invited. The revivals of this
year have been almost exclusively upon onr
circuits. The augel of revival mercies
seems to have passed over our towns and
cities, leaving uo heavenly heuediciiou of
awakening aud saving grace behind.
Upon sotneof our mission-churches in the
cities has rested the spirit of revival, but
when it is said of our fashionable churches
and congregations that during this year,
they have been denied such blessings, it
is the simple statement of a general fact,
with hardly an exception to relieve its
unspeakable mournfulness.
Au intimate acquaintance fora series of
years with some of these congregations,
leads me to the conclusion, that for half a
dozen years past their own proper devel
opment has barely, if at all, kept pace
with their losses. I know some such
churches that have greatly increased <n
their membership, but an analysis of the
facts will show, that they have lost more
by death aud by removal than they have
gained byconversions. Such iucreaseis
simply by accretion, as the population of
acouutry increases by immigration. It is
not growth. In such churches a larger
number have put in their letters than
have died or removed, and in this way
they appear in tbe statistics to be pros
perous. But such evidences of prosperity
are delusive. No church can be called
prosperous in which there are not more
conversions than deaths or removals.
These facts—and they will hardly be dis
puted—are too sad to allow the language
of banter or to provoke, in a good man,
the spirit of cynical criticism. A Chris
tian will consider such questions as ten
derly as a kind physician would probe a
wound to ascertain tbe character aud ex
tent of themjury.
Let me ask, Mr. Editor, why it is that
oar fashionable congregations bear so little
fruit from within f
Ah, Bir, it is much easier to ask than to
answer such questions.
In the common use of words, it is safe
to say, that as a general thing, our cities
enjoy the best preaching that our minis
try can afford. My knowledge ot both
classes leads me to believe thatourstation
preachers are every whit as pious, as in
dustrious, and as devoted to their work as
the circuit preachers. In these things
they are brethren and equals. The meaus
aud appliances for a gospel work are in
far more thorough organization in the
city, than in the country. Notwith
standing ail this, the ratio of conversions
to the membership and the population, is
nearly always far greater in the country
than in the city. I feel how impossible
it is for any one man, however wise, to
satisfactorily explain these things. I of
fer only , and with unfeigned diffidence, a
few reflections which may suggest, per
haps, to some wiser person a partial
answer.
1. There is more true simplicity of per
sonal character among tbe members of
country than of city churches. Such
simplicity makes sinners more teachable
and the membership more efficient in its
work.
2. In the country, there are not so many
opportunities for dissipation, and country
churches are, therefore, less under the de
moralizing influences of the world around
them.
3. As bearing largely on this question,
I mention what, within the field of my
observation, is undoubtedly true—that
the moral discipline of the church is far
more faithfully enforced upon our circuits
than in our Btations. I speak here only
of the [fact, without undertaking to ac
count for it.
Let me close this letter with the restate
ment of a commonplace but iuipertaut
truth : A Christian church must choose
between one of two alternatives: gospel
simplicity with prosperity —conformity to
the world with barrenness. Ever
John Tryon.
Shiloh, October 1869.
Good Meetings
Mr. Editor ; Will you allow me—though
not skilled in writing for our religious
journals, to relate a few facts and inci
dents of my travels through the country ?
Some three weeks ago, I left Macon, to
atteud a Sabbath-school celebratiou at
Mt. Carmel, in the upper part of Houston
county. Hearing oa the way that Rev.
E. H. McGehee had a revival meeting of
considerable interest at Liberty Chapel,
I turned aside to see what God was doing
for his people there. I found the preach
er in the act of receiving into the church
those who had joiued. The meetiug had
then been protracted for ten days, aud
eleven joined. That day, I preached aud
again at night. God was still present, by
His Spirit to own and bless HU word.
Some 60 or more were at the altar for
prayer. The meeting up to that time
was an old-fashioned Methodist revival.
Bro. Tinley told me he saw what perhaps
lie had only witnessed ouce hetore in his
life; he saw as many as nine—tlie whole
number who had presented themselves
for prayer—all happily and powerfully
converted.
Though it had been agreed with the
preacher and congregation, that they
would suspend the meeting for a day. aud
all go over to Carmel, yet afier the re
sults of tlie night's meeting, they gath
ered around Bro. McGehee, and begged
that he would furnish them a preacher, as
many of them, interested in their souls’
salvation could not go to tlie celebratiou.
The preacher was furnished and the meet
ing was continued, as I learned, for three
weeks ; aud for much of that time when a
preacher could not be had, the congrega
tion wouldeoutinue to meet for prayer, and
counsel to penitent seekers of religion
The final result was au accession, of 33
members and tlie church greatly revived
aud blessed.
Next morning, bright and early, Bro.
McGehee.aml I were on our way to the
Sabbath-school celebration. Ou our ar
rival, we found already ou tlie giound
over 300 men, womeu and children ; ami
still they came, till the number was in
creased to five orsix hundred. The meet
ing was called to order aud opened with
prayer hy Rev. W. W. Stewart. The
Doys, representatives from tlie (different
schools, were then introduced aud made
their salutatory speeches. These speeches
were happily conceived, and delivered in
fine style. Especial mentiou ought to be
made of two little speakers, though not
exactly in the category of those men
tioned : oue, a little girl, an iufaut in
years, who repeated in a very clear dis
tinct voice, 15 or 20 beautiful verses ; and
a little boy of less than five summers,
made a capital speech, evincing a higher
order of declamatory talent than any
of tlie juvenile speakers.
Then first on the programme of regu
lar speakers was the writer followed hy
others—and closed up by an admirable
address from Rev. Ham. Felder—tlie
Sabbath-school agent for Hayneville cir
cuit. Tlie dinner was all that an epicure
could desire; finely barbecued mutton,
beef, pig—with an endless variety of eat
ables. The preachers and speakers did
ample justice iu that discussion. The
evening was spent in singing and more
speaking; and not till a late hour did I
leave, iu company with Bros. Stewart and
Felder, for Sandy Run. Saturday, tbe
meetiug opened invitingly—several were
at the altar of prayer; hut having an ap
pointment for Marshallville, oh Sabbath,
my kindliearted host, Bro. Geo. Faigau,
had me a hot cup of cuffee, and off for tlie
Railroad long before the “shadows flee
before tlie approach of the powerful king
of day.”
At Marshallville, I preached to a large,
interested congregation; and Bro. Me-
Gelice coming in during tlie week, we
commenced a meeting, which iu its final
results, is oue of the very best meetings I
baveseen this year. Bro. McGehee. modest
as a woman, has a zeal, and indefatigable
energy truly apostolic. He preached with
power, was always at tlie altar talkiug,
singing and praying witli mourners as
long as any remained ; and in the inter
vals was visiting from house to house,
talking, counseling and praying with the
families of our town. Bro. Jiio. Robin
son, from Oglethorpe, rendered us very
effective service. There were a great
many persons converted; many young
people, who were members of our church,
but who had never before experienced a
change of heart. Fifteen joined—but this
is not a true criterion, by which to judge
of the great good done by the meeting.
Backsliders were reclaimed, the luke
warm stirred up, and tbe church greatly
increased in her faith and zeal God has
done great things for us whereof, in our
hearts, we are glad. Very truly,
8. H. J. SI3TRUNIC.
Marshallville, Oc‘. 26th, 1869.
Bamberg District and Blackville
Camp Meeting.
Mr. Editor— By request of a friend I
will give you a short accouut of our
District-meeting held at Bamberg, and
tbe late camp meeting on the Blackville
circuit.
The District-meeling was a good one,
all things considered, from first to last. It
was, through grace, a great success. We
were favored with the presence of breth
gen lrom other parts of tbe Conference,
viz : Prof. DnPre, Revs. Win. Martin, J.
R. Pickett, J. F. Smith, and last but not
least, the venerable Jos. Holmes, (he Nes
tor of the Bamberg District. I think this
meeting would compare favorably with
any ever held in the Conference—that
held in the Piedmont region of Sou Lb
Carolina not excepted. We knowthat we
are net entitled to the first place in the
picture, in every respect—we give that up
cheerfully to the time-honored Cokesburv
District; but we think we can compare
notes with any of them In some things.
The reports of our several committees
will pass muster any where, particularly
that drawn up by Dr. F. B. Fisbburn, on
the support of the ministry. Bishop
Wigbttnan presided with his usual grace
and dignity, and with the influences of
the Holy Bpirit, granted him, he was fully
equal io tbe great occasion ou the Babbath.
His sermon was able and impressive.
Tbe camp meeting at Boiling Springs
on tbe Blackville circuit, commenced on
Thursday before the 2nd Babbath iu Octo
ber. It was near Hebron, a church iu
the neighborhood of Jones’ Bridge, on
the North Edisto.
Forty three years ago campmeeticgg
were held at the same place. What sol
emn tbougiits crowded upon my mind,
as I thought of this! Here, once more,
after more than a generation of men had
passed away, after a silence of near a half
century, the long abandoned campground
was restored to life, and the grand old
woods made vocal with songs of Zion and
the preaching of the gospel. Our presid
ing elder—a host within himself—was
there, armed and equipped for tbe battle.
He had a small staff witb him, but they
were true soldiers, and have been often
before near the flashing of the guns. The
services were interesting from the begin
ning to the end. The Lord was in His
Holy temple, "and the voice of rejoicing
and salvation were in tbe tabernacles of
the righteous. The right hand of the Lord
did valiantly.”
There were but few tents on tbeground.
I expect there will be many additions
□ext year ; but the friends were very press
ing in their invi&tions, and seemed to be
keeping open house for all comers. I un
derstand there was but one person preseut
who tented there 43 years ago. There was
a gentleman on the ground who when a
child in his mother’s arms was baptized
at that place. I was told that be wept
freelyw-tbough not a member of the
church—the first evening of the meeting,
and confessed that it. was the thought of
what his mo; her did for him when an in
fant. I think it is a good sign for the fu
ture —this renewing up our old camp
ground.
Forty three years ago I was a very
wicked young man, rushing to ruin “as
the horse rusheth into battle.” O! my
soul, how thanxful to the Lord I am for
sparing my life in these days of sin aud
rebellion against his government. If I
had then been cutoff where would I now
be? In perdition—lost forever. Though
I have known Bro. Simmons many years
and estimated him much, I did not know
that he was so strong on tbe doctrines of
our church, until I heard him preach on
the Sabbatn, at 11 o’clock. A gentleman
present, not a member of any church, said
to a friend, that the discourse was unan
swerable.
I have not been to a camp meeting for
years, where we bad so few preachers, or
where the services were so generally inter
esting, and where the blessed Spirit was
so manifestly present. Our F. E. had to
preach four times himself. The oongre-1
gation was respectful on every occasion,
Vol. xxxii. No. 45
as much so as I ever witnessed. I hope
this reconstruction of the old camp ground
iu Oraugeburg District, after 43 years de
sertion will result in much good, never to
be forgotten. I thought to myself, that
the melaucholy words of weeping Jere
emiah, so long suitable to this place will
never again be applicable to it—"the ways
oi Zion do mourn because none came Vo
the solemn feast.” I could fancy to my
self the surprise, joy, and glad news In
heaveu when it was reported, that the old
campground is once more revived, and
the grand old woods are resounding with
the praises of Prince Immanuel, and how
sad the great enemy of souls was, when
he heard that the people of the Lord
had again taken possession. I could welt
imagine that there had not been such a
gathering of immortal spirits for near a
half century. I could fancy many happy
souls—preachers and others —who had
worshipped there in the olden times, now
saved in heaven—then preseut, mingling
unseen with the throug.and thankiuglhe
Lord for the restored camp ground. We
read in tlie Holy Book that the trees re
joice aud clap their hands sometimes, in
the heaven-blessed land of Judea in the
immortal years of her past history; so
the roving preacher thought he heard the
pine, oak and hickory clapping their
hands for joy, tiiat divine worShip was
once more restored in those long abandon
ed woods. I fancied that I heard those
happy saints iu heaveu, Bros. Barton,
I nahnet, Elzy, Felder, Smith, and many
otheis saying, witli loud voices that might
he heard afar off’-“there is rest for the
weary that I saw far off the beautiful
deer aud wild turkey, as they ceased for a
moment cropping the tender gruss, and
witli uplifted head listened to the sweet
melody, and that I heard one say to the
other, “has the strange news been told
you? the Methodists of the Blackville
circuit have restored theold campground;”
and the noble stag said, “well, friend, I
will go still nearer, tiiat I may hear much
better than I do—there is no dauger of
Mr. H. L. aud parson T. hunting me
while tiiis meeting lasts. The mourners
frequently came to the altar in crowds
and many of them were happily convert
ed. Some 35 persons joined the church;
among them promising young men, some
of whom, if not before, I hope will preach
the gospel after I have crossed the flood.
1 hope to remember long, tlie old camp
ground renewed. My appreciation of
past reminiscences prompted me to cut off
a small piece of an old post, which I car
ried to my much loved “Mumre" as slsou
venir of olden times. Yours truly,
Oct 27th, 1869. L. Bellinger
Shelby District meeting, So. Ctt. Con
ference,
Mr. Editor:— The Shelby District-meet
ing convened in Yorkville So. Ca., on Fri
day morning, August 27th, at 9; o’clock,
and closed ou Saturday afternoon.
In the absence of a Bishop, Rev. John
W. North, P. E., presided, and J. W.Hum
bert and J. W. Giduey, lisq., were elected
Secretaries.
Committees were appointed on the State
of tlie Church, on Sahhath-sciiools, ou Fi
nance, ou Education aud Church Litera
ture.
All the appointments in the District
were then represented relative to the fore
going suiijects, ami on several charges re
vivals of religion were reported in pro
gress.
On the presentation of reports by
the different committees, highly inter
esting addresses were delivered by Dr.
James H. Carlisle aud Rev. A. H. Lester
of Wofford College. The 8. S. Agent,
Rev. B. Leard, took an active part in the
deliberations ofthe body, and the,stewards
present resolved by a rising vote, to do
their whole duty iu reference to the sup
port of their pastors.
The delegates elected to the Annual
Conference were: J. N. Butt, M. D., J.
W. Gidney, Esq., J. C. Jenkins and P. B.
Derwin ; Alternates: J. C. Eagle, W. J.
T. Miller, M. D., R. Bherrill and W. M.
Walker.
Charlotte, N. C., was selected as the
place for holding the next District-meet
ing, and the.following resolutions, offered
by Rev E. J. Meyuardie, were unani
mously adopted :
1. Jlesolved, That the thanks of this
District Conference are hereby tendered
to the citizens of Yorkville, who have
generously extended their hospitalities to
the members of the body during their
sojourn in the community.
2. Resolved, That the thanks of the
Conference be also extended to the respec
tive churches anil their pastors, who have
fraternally invited the ministers of this
body to occupy iheir pulpits.
3. Resolved, That in the absence of
Bishop Wightman, whom we expected to
be here and preside over tbe deliberations
ofthe District Conference, we appreciate
the courteous manner iu which the Pre
siding Elder of the District, Rev. J. W.
North, has filled the chair.
4. Resolved, That the Editor of the
Yorkville Enquirer be requested to pub
lish the foregoing resolutions.
Most respectfu'ly, H.
Milton Sta., Montgomery Conference.
Two years have passed, during which
time I have scarcely been away from Mil
ton. The progress has been encouraging
—it has beeu graud ! We now have a live
church, worked up iuto life from au al
most lifeless few.
During the two years of my pastorate
here, I have written but little, if any
"news from the churches,” aud yet we
nave doubled our numbers: aud, belter
than all, our piety too.
From $520 raised last year, for all pur
poses, we have risen to over $1,500 this
year.
Tbe ladies, under the superintendency
of that most expert of musicians, Henry
A. Bushuell, Esq., are now preparing for
a sacred concert— not vulgar uor profane
—no fair, no tableaux—for the benefit of
our church.
The Pensacola District, over which—ln
connection with the pastorate here—l
have held the Presiding Eldership, also
promises a good yield to the glory of God.
There is such a thing as godly pride,
and when I look over the laud and see
the success of the gospel during tbe past,
or rather present, year—l feel that pride
rising up iu my heart, and I cry with the
Psalmist—" Bless the Lord, O my soul.”
J» A. Parker
Milton, Fla., Oct. 26M, 1869."
The Montgomery Conferenoe.
change of time.
Mr. Editor .-—From urgent necessity our
brethren at Union Springs have, through
their pastor, solicited Bishop Paine to
postpone the meeting of the Montgomery
Conference till the Bth of December, and
be lias yielded to tbe urgency of the case,
and complied.
It may be proper for me to state that
the time first appointed was the middle of
the second week of the Circuit Court for
this couDty, at which time several impor
tant criminal cases are to be tried. Our
town has recently been made tbe seat of
justice for anew county, aud population
has increased rapidly, whilst dwelling
houses have not been multiplied In tbe
same proportion. The consequence Is,
that public and private houses are largely
supplied with boarders, ft appears, too,
that some o r our chief members, upon
whom we rely to accommodate preachers
and delegates, are iu charge of the publlo
bouses, aud all their room would be taken
up aud occupied Dy jurymen, lawyers aud
witnesses. It was but due the oommuui
ty to make the ebauge. The whole situa
tion is now altered, and I hope that no
disappointment or iucouvenieuce will oo
cur to any oue, aud I am sure that no
Conference has ever yet met a more ready
and generous hospitality than will greet
and render comfortable the Montgomery
Conference at its next session.
I tbauk Bros. West and Curry, Presid
ing Elders, for so.promptly furnishing the
names of lay delegates, local preachers,
and applicants for admission, aud hope
that all requisite notices will be given me,
that I may be able appropriately to make
the distribution of names to the various
homes offered us for the session. I will
give farther notice of arrangements in a
week or so. Joseph B. Cottrell.
Union Springs, Ala-. Oct. 27<ft,|1869.
New Orleans, and Nashville Advocates
will confer a favor by copying.
A Death.
Mr. Editor .-—Please notice In the Ad
vocate, that Mrs. Elizabeth Stanford, of
this piaoe, died near midnight last night.
You may soou expect an obituary of this
most estimable lady. Yours truly,
B. Jones.
Wesson, Miss., Oct. 29th, 1869.
Journal ol the General conference of 1860
We have on hand a limited supply of
this important work. All persons who
have been, or may be, elected to the ensu
ing General Conference, whether among
the ministry or laity, should supply them
selves with a copy. Price fifty cents. Sent
by mail. A. H. Bedford, Ag’t,
Oct 5-ow.