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THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. VOL. XXXIII. NO. 1. #riginal A Response from the Heart. TANARUS; “M. nr." — an arquaintance of yearn gone by, in Columbia, S. C. Yes, our lUys of youth are gone, Spring's sweet breath, and Summer flown, Fall is past, and Winter blown, And still our hearts beat cheerily; Though life’s sun, is sinking fast, Its mixed cup, will soon be past, Hopes and fears dissolve at last, But we may not feel drearily. Doth not nature ever bring ? Pleasure, with the coming Spring, While sweet flowers, and birds that sing, Welcome Summer merrily; And when Fall’s long bending shoots, Fill the barns with golden fruits, So, in turn, each season suits, And Winter passes, merrily. Nature’s God in early days, Led our hearts to seek His ways, Can we ever cease to praise, And laud His name most cheerily? Christians here may never pine, If in Faith, they but resign. All things to His will divine, Cheerily, and uuwearily. Anez * MEMOIR. Rev. YVhatcoat Asuury Gamewkll, for thirty-six years a member of the South Caro lina Conference, has finished “his course with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus.” He expired in Spartanburg, S. C., on Saturday, Octo ber 30th, 1809. He was the eldest of six children, and his father, Rev. John Gamewell, who was also a preacher in the S. C. Conference, was trav eling the Lynch’s Creek Circuit, where, in Darlington District, his first child was born, May oth, 1814. The pious father was taken to his reward, Oct. 7tli, 1827 ; and the son, who so valued his holy example and fervent prayer, was accustomed in after life, to annually com memorate the day of his death, and often with pen in hand to indulge in reflections expressive of his Christian appreciation of his character, and of his own ardent filial de votion. The widowed mother received the responsible charge thus committed to her, in humble reliance on God; and in his good providence she still survives, and has been permitted to see her cares and anxiety, her toil and prayers, greatly blessed and lionor el of God, in her parental relation. As the son of an itinerant preacher more than fifty years ago, and especially as the chief support of a widowed mother with five younger children, it is not surprising that his educational advantages were limit ed; nevertheless, his self-culture, and his otherwise great merit, elevated him in man hood to such positions of inlluence as he made greatly available to the promotion of learning; and at "'llis death and for years be fore, he was chairman of a Board of Col lege Trustees. From the age of eight to six teen he lived in Marlboro District, in wlmt was known as the Pegues neighborhood. In accordance with his custom of looking at everything from a religious point of view, he refers in one of his papers to the high moral character of that neighborhood in those days, and the; wholesome restraints from vice and incitements to virtue and re ligion, which were there exerted on his youthful mind and heart. *ln his seven teenth year, he went to Fayetteville, N. C., where he was employed as clerk in the store of J. Blake A Son. Os the family with whom he was thus thrown, he also speaks in a written paragraph, in terms of much affection, and expressive of very great obli gation to its several members for religious profit resulting from his pleasant association with them. It was here (Fayetteville,) that he “joined the Methodist E. Church, under Josiah Freeman, Nov. 27th, 1831, and “was brought from darkness unto light lltli July, 1832, at a four days meeting” in the same town. He was 'ieensed to exhort under the pastoral administration of Wm. Crook, Aug. 13th, 1833, and his license to preach, signed by Nicholas Talley, P. E., bears date Nov. 23d, of the same year. His first sermon was preached in a small school house 3*A miles from Fayetteville, on the text “And these shall go away into everlasting punish ment, but the righteous unto life eternal.” Mutt. xxv. 4(5. At the following session of the S. C. Con ference, held in Charleston, Feb. Oth, 1834, he was admitted on trial, being of a class of seventeen. His appointments were as fol lows : For 1834, Rutherford Circuit—which then included this place (Spartanburg,) where his labors were ended; for 1835-6, Charleston— being ordained Deacon in the city just named, Feb. 14tli, 1836, by Bishop Andrew ; for 1837—8-9, Wateree Mission, be ing ordained Elder Jan. 14tli, 1838, by Bishop Morris, in the city of Columbia ; 1840-41, Wilmington ; 184'2, Lincolnton Circuit; 1843-4—5-6, Lincolnton District; 1547-8-9-00, Cokesbury District ; 1851, Charleston; 1852-3, Union Circuit; 1854, Spartanburg Station ; 1855-6, Washington Street, Columbia ; 1857, Camden ; 1858-9- 60, Columbia District ; 1861-2, Washington Street, Columbia ; 1863, Marion District ; 1864-5-6, Darlington Station; 1867-8-9, Spartanburg Station. The number of ser mons which he preached from the beginning of his ministry, in Fayetteville, N. C., Nov. 1833, to the last in Spartanburg, S. C., June 13th, 1869, (according to the record found among his papers, for each successive year,) sums up 4,475. He was married Dec. Btli, 1836, to Miss Sarah M., daughter of Rev. Wm. M. Ken nedy, of S. C. Conference. On the 29tli Jan., 1838, his wife died after a short illness, and his infant son soon followed her. In allusion to this heavy affliction, he remarked to the writer several years ago, with his characteristic gravity and strength of expres sion which so fixed his words in the memo ry, “Since then I have always tried to hold every earthly good with a yielding grasp”— ready to let go any moment at the Master’s bidding. He was again married, Nov. 24th, 1839, to Miss Mary A. McDowell, of Ruther ford, N, C., who now, with two sons and four daughters, (one married,) together with the venerable mother G. , compose the monrning circle in the Parsonage made so desolate. The health of the deceased had been in firm for several years ; and for a year or more just past, his physical strength was so obviously failing, and his appearance so clearly indicative of the progress of disease, that his friends could not avoid the distres sing apprehension of a fatal termination be fore a great while. A visit of several weeks to the North, in the early part of the present year, it was thought was attended with some good results, but they were of short duration. A great part of the summer he was at a Mineral Spring not far from Spyr tanburg, and his strength appeared to fail less rapidly while there. But nothing could ar rest the disease, which was all the while ad- vancing toward the inevitable dose. B* returned home, and day by day grew weaker, until, two or three weeks before the end, he was confined to his room, and most of the time to his bed. His last days were in striking and beauti ful harmony with his previous life. By no means insensible to the solemnities of the hour of dissolution, he was peacefully re signed to the will of God, and was generally even cheerful. The same prayerful solici tude for the welfare of the Church, and the same unselfish consideration of the comfort and happiness of others, which had so long distinguished him, marked the manifesta tions of these days of suffering and decline. He did not speak much to those generally who visited him, about his prospective death, but with characteristic discretion, he would occasionally in the presence of a judicious friend or two, refer to the sad subject, ten derly, trustingly and hopefully. He seemed anxious that his condition should give as little trouble and bo the cause of as little distress as possible. He wished everything in the domestic circle to go on, as nearly as possible in the usual way, and no ordinary duty to lie omitted on his account. As the end drew very near his utterances were ex pressive of continued and exclusive reliance on the Redeemer, with sweet repose and tranquil joy as he passed nearer to his bosom. A few hours before he expired, he said, “friends, I am not depressed,” his weep ing wife responded, “Oh, no ! we know you are not, all is well, all is right;” he immedi ately with emphasis replied, “all.' blessed be God ! —glory be to Jesus !” “Do you feel that the Saviour is with you?” asked one, and the prompt answer was, “O yes, yes ! glory be to Jesus!” At a still later hour, as he referred to the kind attentions of the friends who waited around him, he repeated with fervor, and as if in prospect of the blissful realization, the lines, “ And if our fellowship below In Jesus be so sweet, What height ol rapture shall we know When round his throne we meet.” Only a few minutes before he expired, he said, “what would I do in these paroxysms, if the good Lord did not strengthen me every moment!” “Mary !” (his wife’s name,) was the last word heard from his lips, and fifteen minutes after 2 o’clock, p. m., with out a struggle or groan, he fell asleep in Jesus. If the fiery translation of the prophet be properly used, as is often done, to symbol ize a demonstrative, rapturous and ecstatic death scene—the tranquil triumph of this good man in the final hour, and his peace ful departure from the world, is more fitly represented by another instance of visible removal from the earth, different, yet the highest of all, concerning which it is writ ten, “while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.” The funeral sermon was preached on the following day (Sunday,) before a large con course of mourners, by Rev. Wliitefoord Smith, D.D., on the text, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” His attention had been drawn to this scripture by seeing it off u card in the chamber of the deceased, who had himself there suspended it in a conspicuous place. Each of the five cleri cal brethren of the Conference who were present, bore a part in these solemn servi ces, either in the church or at the grave, where, in the village cemetery, the body was laid, to await “the voice of the archan gel, and the trump of God.” The character of this holy man and em inently useful minister, considered in his own grade of intellectuality and literary cul- ture, presents a remarkable example of beau trv, symmetry and completeness. Few indeed have ever tilled tlioir providential sphere in life so fully, or so usefully, and so much in accord with what seemed to be the “life plan” from God. From whatever point of view his life is regarded and in every rela tion which he sustained, he appears uni formly pure iu purpose, faithful in the exer cise of his gifts and blameless in liis con duct—and in all, to an extent seldom equal ed. Order, system and punctuality he conscientiously endeavored to observe iu the discharge of his duties both public and private. In his habits of devotion and study, in all his domestic regula tions, and iu his pulpit and pastoral la bors there was an admirable degree of method, and a prompt regard to time and place. He had no crotchets, and never af fected singularity in either his habits or opinions. He sought not after novelty in his expositions of scripture, and his views of Christian duty ; but was thoroughly in ac cordance with the received standards in both his creed aud practice. In his manners there was such a union of dignity with affability, and cheerfulness with ministerial gravity, as is very rarely seen. His deportmont was always such as to inspire profoundest res pect ; to make one feel comfortably assured that the heart near him was beating warmly in tender sympathies and Christian love, and that there was a morally health-giving and strength-imparting influence in the at mosphere of his presence. He was faithful by both precept aud ex ample to enforce the duties of family reli gion ; and one of the greatest sources of satisfaction aud joy to him in his last days, was that every member of his own lieartli eirele had been received into the Church and professed faith in Christ. It was par ticularly gratifying to him that the family altar, when he was disabled, found youthful hearts and voices ready to conduct its ac customed ministrations. He observed the Sabbath with more than ordinary strictness; preferred to rise earliest on that morning that he might enter upon the enjoyment of its sacred duties and privileges; and he was self-denyingly sparing of his rides on that day when on circuits and districts, often re maining away from home when most others would not have done so. He filled the various appointments of itinerant labor, as missionary, circuit and station preacher, and Presiding Elder, and was four times elected delegate to the Gen eral Conference. There was no congrega tion within the bounds of his Conference which would not rejoice to know that the Bishop had announced him as their preach er. No member of Conference enjoyed to a greater extent the confidence and love of his clerical brethren; and the hold which he had on the affections of tlie people was un surpassed, and really remarkable. All clas ses of the community, wherever he might reside, young and old, white and colored, in the church aud out of it; all grades of cul ture and the members of every Christian denomination, were, with singular ty, his ardent friends and admirers. , Nor was this uncommon popular favor the result of any qualification or practice on his pari, which in the slightest degree diupnisjt ifis value as a tribute to his minis teriaF < OTHfi|ip and superior moral worth. The eftptMjjHff his attractive power, were not such as are '~*l)l***' the reach of mere intellect, leamittpf or oratory; neither did he hesitate to “re prove, rebuke and exhort with all long suf fering and doctrine;” but under all circum stances he strove to “do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of his minis try.” His sermons were, with due regard to approved exegesis, mostly of a hortatory and jjersuasive kind; and the style of his elocution in both voice and gesture, was the unstudied manifestation of an intense earn estness for the salvation of souls. His re bukes of sin, whether in the pulpit or in personal interview, were always so just and so discreetly administered as to generally win, and tend to reform, rather than to re pel. He was remarkably modest, and in de bate, or in counsel with his friends, was ex tremely courteous and deferential, but de cided in his convictions, and firm in his po sitions, whenever the light was sufficiently clear. He always took self-humiliating views of his own abilities, and labors; but was conscientiously courageous in the dis charge of known duty, however paiuful might be the effort. In stature he was rather above the me dium height, well proportioned, and with a countenance remarkably expressive of his characteristic sincerity, earnestness and be nevolence. Such was his thoughtful, de vout and spiritual expression of counten ance in the pulpit that the remark was some times heard, in the freedom of colloquial speech, “his face alone is a sermon.” His strong bass voice was always •ommandingly pleasant in conversation, sweet and melodi ous in song, and in the appeals of the pul pit and the beseeching intonations of prayer, it was profoundly impressive and heart stirring. The foregoing is but a meagre outline of a life of uncommon purity, and holy labors of uncommon usefulness. Donbtless many a valuable biographical volume has been writ ten, whose subject was not more deserving, nor the life commemorated more replete with useful lessons, and exemplary illustra tions of Christian faith and practice. But the memory of Whatcoat Asbuky Game well, is enshrined in the hearts of the peo ple ; and for his -works we have only to look around us. A. H. Lester. Spartanburg, S. C., Dec, 7th, 1869. What the Old Year has Seen. “When first I came in winter, amid the frost and snow, I saw good resolutions, lint they’re broken long ago; High purposes have melted, as ice before the sun, Some schemes have been abandoned, some never were beurun." Reader, is the picture true ? Does the old year speak of you ? “I’ve seen Hod’s day polluted for worldly ease or vain, I’ve seen that some have taken his holy name In vain; I’ve seen Hod’s book uuopeued, his teachings set at nuught, I’ve seen his house neglected, or filled with earth born thought.” Reader, is the picture true ? Does the old year speak of you ? “I’ve seen some angry tempers rise over elieek and brow, Revengeful thoughts I’ve noticed, and some are cherished now; Feelings of strife and envy, unhallowed thoughts I’ve seen, Aud ut G«d'» riehleous dealings some murmurings there have been.” Reader, is the picture true ? Does the old year speak of you ? “The striviugs of God’s Spirit I’ve seen all quench ed and hushed. Sharp prickings of tlie conscience have been des pised and crushed; I’ve seen earth’s joys so valued, that heavenly joys grew dim, And some enjoyed God’s blessings without one thought of Him.” ■ Reader, is the picture true ? Does the old year speak of you ? “I’ve seen good counsel slighted, I’ve seen self will and pride. And vain couceit I’ve witnessed to many sins allied ; I’ve seen ungrateful conduct to parent and to friend, I’ve seen that some to slander a willing ear would lend.” Reader, is the picture true? Does the old year speak of you ? “Os all the sad sights I’ve witnessed, the saddest now 1 see: A soul that’s still unpardoned, though warned from wrath to flee; One which refuses mercy, though Jesus bids it eoine, One which prefers to perish, and so must meet its doom.” Reader, is the picture true ? Does the old year speak of you ? Address of Lay-Members to the Stewards, etc., in tlie No. Geor gia Conference. The Committee of Laymen, appointed to consider the subject of “ministerial sup port,” and make report thereon, have dis charged the duty assigned them, and have embodied their views upon tlie subject, in the following address to the stewards and members of the Church within the limits of the Conference, upon which address we ask the endorsement of this body. TANARUS» tlie Stewards aud Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, within the bounds of the North Georgia Confer ence : » Beloved Brethren :—Hear us for onr cause. Hearken to our fraternal counsel, and our earnest appeal to you, upon a subject with which tlie prosperity and success of our church is intimately identified. An ecclesi astical organization can no more be main tained, and effectually carried on without money, than civil government can be per petuated without revenue. An active and efficient ministry can no more lie kept iu the field without material support, than an army of soldiers can maintain war, without the supplies afforded by the departments of the Commissary and Quartermaster. Our body of ministers, from the Bishops down to the humblest candidate received on trial by the Conference, must be supported by the Church, or they must iugloriously turn their backs upon the field, and seek a living iu soma secular pursuit. The vows assumed by a traveling Metho dist preacher, and the duties enjoined upon him by the discipline, most clearly indicate, that the itinerant system of Wesleyan Metho dism is organized upon the central idea, that he who enters upon this high office and ministry has been called of God, and spe cially commissioned to do the work of a preacher and pastor. It Is understood that his whole time and talents are to be given to his calling—that he lias been summoned away from all worldly business, and wholly and unreservedly consecrated to God and His work. He is expected, yea, he is solemnly pledged, to employ his time in reading, iu meditation, in prayer, in preach ing, in meeting the classes, in visiting from house to house, in visiting the sick, in in structing the children, and in so demeaning himself generally, as that he may continu ally wax riper, stronger and in his ministry. No preacher can come up to the full measure of this high standard of ministerial duty, without an adequate support from the church lor which he labors, and if the illiberality or indifference, shall withhold from these 'ltinerants a compe tent living, the. banner of Methodism will trail in |he dust, and the church that has PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & CO., FOR THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. MACON, GA., FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1870. done so much to “spread scriptm.d huli ness over these lands,” will lose its aggies give power, and cease to win its immortal trophies. It is a shame and a reproach to Methodists, that some of our traveling preachers have been so poorly paid, as that, from necessity, they have been compelled to connect with their holy calling, the business of a school teacher, a newspaper editor, a farmer, a merchant, a blacksmith, an iusu ance agent, or som j other secular vocation, in order to provide a support for themselves and their families, us determine, that by the help of God.Mnis mortifying blot shall be forever wiped away from the es -i cutclieon of our beloved Methodism, and that henceforth all our preachers, from the highest to the lowest, shall receive an ade quate support at our hands. Let it be borne in mind, that these de voted servants of the Church have no in come or living, except what they derive from us. They are entitled to a support ac cording to the plain teachings of God's word. Christ himself, when he commission ed his apostles and sent them out to preach the gospel, instructed them to provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass, nor scrip for their journey, and gave as a reason for so instructing them, that the “workman is worthy of his meat”—the “laborer is worthy of his hire.” The great apostle of the Gentiles, in his first epistle to the Co rinthians, after referring to the well known fact that they which ministered about holy things, lived of the things of the temple, and that they which waited at the altar were partakers with the altar, added with empha sis : “even so, hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gos pel.” We repeat the proposition, that all the preachers, of every grade, who are engaged in the work of the itinerancy, are entitled to a competent support from the church for which they labor. Their minds should be wholly free from anxiety on that subject. They should be made to feel, that a com fortable living for themselves and their fami lies Ls a matter of unquestionable cortainty. Let it be understood, that by the term sup port, wo mean to include food and raiment for the preacher and his family, a comforta ble and convenient house for them to dwell in, together with the means of educating his children, and of dispensing a reasonable hospitality to those who may visit his home. Furnish to our preachers such a support as this, and then they can perform their solemn vows, and discharge all the duties of their high and holy calling. Let it be also borne in mind, that we, the laity of the Church, must provide this sup port, not as a charity, nor as a donation, but as an absolute religious duty. It is high time that wo should realize the great fact, that all we have, and all we are belong to God, that every good, and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of I ; ghts, and that we should glorify God, and promote the interests of his kingdom with our money, as well as with our prayers, our faith, and our repentance. The duty of supporting the preachers who labor amongst us:, and for us, and for our children, in'of paramount obligation, and we cun neither neglect it nor ignore it with impunity. It is a duty taught, and expressly enjoined iu the scriptures, and God himself, by the mouth of His prophet, denounces every man as a robber who withholds from Him and His cause that which is their due. No man can grow iu grace, or advance in the Divine life, who holds on to his money with selfish clutch when the Church of God, or the preachers of the gospel stand in need of it. “ That man may last but never lives Who much receives, but nothing gives, Whom none can love, whom none cau thunk, Creation's blot, creation’s blank; But he who rnaks from day to day With generous acts his radiant way Treads tho same path the Saviour trod, The path to glory and to God.” We would fain impress you with the fact, that to contribute willingly and cheerfully of your means to the cause of God, and the support of His ministers, is a blessed privi lege, the prompt and ready exercise of which always brings with it moral strength and spiritual benefit. It enlarges the heart, and refreshes the spirit. It subdues selfish ness, and ennobles the soul. It is in deed and in truth, laying “up treasure in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” To this support of the preachers, all classes of our people should be allowed to contribute. They should be educated and encouraged to do so as a positive duty, without which spiritual leanness must inevi tably result. They should be induced to feel that it is a privilege, the benefits and blessings of which all should embrace with a glad heart. Every member of the church, old and young, male and female, rich and poor, should contribute to this ob ject according to their ability and means. Those who are blest with large means, should contribute largely, and those of smaller means, should give leas, but every one should make it a point to contribute something. In our past history, it has been a great evil, that contributions for the sup port of the ministry have been confined to a comparatively small number. Let this be so no longer, but let every one of us partici pate in the support of these men of God, who dispense the unsearchable riches of the gospel to us, and to our children. Iu most of our congregations, there are many worthy citizens who are not member's of the church, but who, nevertheless attend upon the services of the sanctuary, and cordially believe that the Christian religion is a Di vine verity; that without the Church and the influences of the Church, nothing like a pure and exalted civilization can be maintained; that civil government unbacked and unsup ported by the usual principle which the church diffuses among the people, would be power less to give security and stability to human rights, whether of person or property ; and that but for the Bible, the organization of churches, the building up of Sabbath-schools and the earnest preaching of a pure gospel, human society would lose all its value and its charm ; and hence these worthy citizens are willing to aid in upholding and sustain ing the Church and its institutions, and are willing to contribute liberally of the means with which God has blessed them to support the preachers.. They should have an op portunity of doing so, and the Stewards should call on them and receive their gen erous contributions. Owing to the neglect and inefficiency of the Stewards of our church, the preachers have been compelled to say and do too much in the matter of their own support. We think the preachers may well, and ap propriately, urge upon the people their reli gious obligation to support the church and her ministers. Thpy m against and illiberality, and in favo*p»maintaining all the enterpri ses of ti? * * but wed- ■ the gospel should be subjected to the indelicacy of dunning the people amongst whom he has labored, for the living which God has ordained that he shall receive, and which should be paid without being demanded or asked for. Methodists of Georgia, think for a moment of one of your preachers standing up and announcing, that he is a minister of God, that he has faithfully la bored in the field assigned him, that his wants and necessities demand money, and that you owe him and must pay him his salary ! Who would not hang his head in shame to witness such a spectacle ? The laity of the Church have the money, they owe the money, and they should de vise a mode of prompt collections that will insure the preacher’s support without a word from him on the subject. We would rejoice to see the day oome, when the preacher would have nothing to do with the collec tion of money except to furnish the Stew ards with the sums assessed against his cir cuit, station or mission, for the support of the Bishops, for the Conference fund, for the cause of Missions, for the support of the Presiding Elder, and for any other object for which an assessment may be made. When this is done, the sums should be aggregated and the preacher’s salary added to the sum. This grand total should be ap portioned amongst all the members of the church of every age, sex, and condition, ac cording to their ability and means of pay ing. The apportionment should be made fairly, justly, and equitably, and when made, should be submitted to the church, in some form, for ratification or cliunge, as circumstances, unknown to the Stewards at the time of the apportionment, may sug gest. The Stewards should make it a mat ter of religious duty to see that the money thus apportioned is collected and paid over to the proper parties. Collections should be made weekly, monthly, or quarterly, as may be thought best suited to the circum stances and condition of each panicular cir cuit or station, but let them be made often enough to secure the preacher against any kind of pecuniary embarrassment. Let him at all times have money to supply his wants without incurring debts or being har rassed with care or anxiety about his living. We well kuow that our people are abundant ly able to furnish a liberal support to all our preachers, and we confidently believe that they are willing to do so, if the Stewards will perform their duty promptly and faith fully. We rejoice at the indications of an enlarging liberality amongst the people within the bounds of this Conference, and we cannot but hope that the day will soon come when the Methodists of North Geor gia will fully appreciate and faithfully dis charge all their monetary obligations to the church. YVlien those days shall come, and we shall have devised a well adjusted system of fi nance—when all the people shall have im bibed the spirit of honoring the Lord with their substance, and the first fruits of all their increase—when all our preachers well paid, shall consecrate themselves entirely to tlie work of their high galling, then shall Southern Methodism, disenthralled and en ergized, sweop from her victorious path the obstacles which have hitherto checked her advance, and with “holiness of heart” for the battle cry, prove more terrible to the king dom of Satan, than “an army with ban ners.” Os the points mode in the foregoing ad dress, we presont tlie following .summary : Ist. An itinerant Methodist preacher should give himself wholly to the business of preaching and pastoral duty. 2nd. He is entitled to an adequate sup port from the church for which he labors. 3rd. The obligation upon the church to support the preachers is a religious duty and not a charity. 4th. The members of the church, of all ages, sexes, and conditions should aid in furnishing a competent living to the preach er, according to their ability and means. sth. The collections should be promptly ami frequently made. 6th. The preacher should be relieved from the indelicate and unpleasant duty of duuuing for, or collecting his salary. 7th. The laity should take charge of this whole subject of collecting money, and edu cate the people to the cheerful exercise of a liberality that shall honor God, and render the church an evangelizing power iu the earth. Geo. N. Lester, Ch’n, E. YV. Hubert, J. H. Huff, YV. A. Turner. T. M. Merriwether, C. H. Johnson. Sabbath School Financial Plan. The Sabbath-school Board of the North Georgia Conference recommend the follow ing plan for the S. School cause : Ist, That 33,000 be raised the present year for 8. School purposes/ and that this sum be apportioned to the several Districts on an equitable basis by the Board or the President. 2d. That where schools exist the superin tendents be requested to raise the amount apportioned to them by calling for monthly contributions, and report the same prompt ly to the Treasurer of this Board. YVhere there are no schools the pastors are request ed to take collections for this fund in all the congregations in their several charges in the month of April, and report the same to tlie Treasurer of this Board immediately. 3(L We may appeal confidently to the S. School children within the bounds of the North Ga. Conference to respond cheerfully to the above plan, forasmuch as the agent of S. Schools within our bounds is their preach er and Missionary. Resolved, That we respectfully request the Bishop to appoint Bev. G. J. Pearce, Sab lmtli-school Agent for the North Georgia Conference for the ensuing year. Thus. Itaysor, Treasurer, In account with Board of Domestic Mission, South Carolina Conference, 1869. Dr. Caali from last year . 120 (X) Consolidated collections 497 69 Charleston District.. .*» Spartanburg District , „.. 286 50 C’okesbury District ” Marion District 178 00 Wadesboro District 131 30 Bamberg District 332 90 Greenville District 45 95 Shelby District 49 25* Taken from Anniversary Collection by or der of Conference 65 00 Total... .$2,828 91 1869. Cr. Puid Parent Board $276 89 Paid Bamberg District 600 00 Paid Charleston District 100 00 Puid Shelby District 400 00 Paid Marion District 500 00 Paid Wadesboro District 275 00 Paid Spartauburg District 175 00 Paid Greenville District 500 (Ml Paid A. J. Stokes 1 50-$2,827 89 Cash in Treasury $ 102 Collected from Circuits, Stations, and at the Anniversary at Cheraw, for Missiou Debt—sssß 76, sent to T. J. Magruder, Baltimore, by order or Conference. Thos. Raysor. Report of Sabbath School Com mittee, No. Ga. Conference. The Committee on Sabbatli-schools would most respectfully submit: That after a hasty examination of the condensed Statistical returns from all the charges, we find the following; Number of schools in the Conference; whites 483; colored 4. Decrease; whites 12; colored 8. Pupils in attendance past year: whites 26,040 ; colored 145. Decrease: whites 974; colored 535. Volumes in the libraries: whites 40,819; col ored 150. Converts in the schools; wliitos 1,321. Amount of money raised for 8. 8. purposes: $4,372.00. Increase 109.62. Amount of money raised for Board Managers: $411.05. Decrease $75.30. This is a sad Statistical Report. . We know not at whose door these deficits lie, but our Master certainly does. We are sorry that we are compelled to record them, but if we have been neglecting the lambs or offending the little ones, let us not shut our eyes to the fact or the fearful deuunsiation against the offender. Surely, there can be but one opinion here as to the vital importance of Sabbatli-schools to the growth of our church and the strength of Christianity. Yet after all that has been said and written on the subject, it must be that the vast magnitude ol the work as well as the immediate and immortal results which attend it, are not ful ly appreciated by our people. This is the evidence of this statistical report, and of the facts, that we|have but one member of the Conference wholly devoted to this cause and he is unsupported. We have very few who so love It that they will work for it not ouly on the Sab bath but during the week. It is next to uu impos sibility to keep a full corps of efficient teachers in the schools, and the cynic’s torch will hardly find a class composed of the older members of our church, whereas we believe that a clear under standing of the nature and design of this institu tion would, if practicable, enlist every man, wo man and child as teacher or student. We should be diseiples as well as followers of our Master. The demand for labor in this field is rapidly in creasing and we arc glad to report that the general interest iu the work is growing and facilities arc multiplying. Our children are reared in the midst of Bibles, their nascent sympathies are aroused by the persecutions of the infant Saviour; yet they enter the schools of vice much earlier tliau they formerly did; it is possible and even probable that their day of grace is shorter, and that Ephraim is sooner joined to his idols. To say the least, fewer old vines are now successfully transplanted Into the Lord’s vineyard than in the days of Wesley and his immediate successors. An overwhelming majority of all who now enter the church have been trained in the Sabbath-schools. Let us look well to these nurseries and our churches will ever be full. Those churches are and have been most prosperous which have labored most successfully here, and we believe that the dependence is in creasing and the connection Is becoming every year more intimate. The proposition is approach ing demonstration, that that church will become the strongest and most aggressive, which secures the best and most flourishing schools. Tltis power of the church Is second only to that of the ministry, and it is at least the foster mother of that, for whence come nearly all the Elishas, who now wear the mantle ? and where are the little Samuels trained, except in this nursery of the church ? If these be facts, the cause needs no eloquent ap peal to our sympathies. If we need exhortation let us hear Moses and one who did the dead: “And these words which I command thee this day shall he in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine bouse, and when thou walkcst by the way; and when thou IL«1 down, and when thou flaunt up. And tnou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house and on thy gates.” “And whoso shall receive one such little child iu my name, receiveth me.” Here is the work, the commuud, and the pledge. We suggest that there is not enough, if mud), diligent teaching. In the first place, our whole system is old, for mal aud lifeless. Teachers and pupils bestow little thought or study on the lessons: secondly, the Bible is not the text book above all text books in our schools, and thirdly, we too often lose sight of the main question, which is the oonversion and salvation of teachers and pupils. Most of our question aud text books exhibit more of their authors’ learning tliun of adaptation to the purpose any way, and if not, the Bible is certainly better, and if it were kept in the hands of all who are old enough to think und our teach ers would prepare themselves to explain it—to in struct and interest their classes, the results would be better aud far more abundant. Our youth read newspapers and periodicals, but not the Bible. They are not taught to study it, they are uot trained to understand, appreciate and love it. Our teachers need training also. Even after we have studied the lessons, and that is generally but little, very few of us know how to ask a child questions so as to bring out his knowledge and create u desire for more. This is a great art and too little understood. Those who use question books do not give much independent, saving thought to the work, while those who think, need no questions except very general ones. The Lesson Paper systems such as that pub lished by Adams, Blackner and Lyon, of Chicago, are great improvements, and have been Immensely successful, but we object to the locality whence they are issued. Wo would greatly prefer to have all of our Sabbath-school books especially, written aHd published here at home. Is this impossible ? Surely we might, at least make (selections and compilations from those which are uot objection able, and have them published at our own houte. Northern sentiments and interpretations do not always correspond with ours, and we prefer to have home books and home teaching aud home publish ers, if so it may be. Again, all of our 8. S. Music and most of the hymns are Northern productions. Many of them are sentimental and silly, and some of them are worse. The good old Wesleyan hymns which were taught us in our childhood are ruled out, and we rarely hear them in our schools. We suggest that Southern musicians and publishers will tukc this mutter under consideration, and that it lie brought to the attention of our General Conference. In the general management of schools we would urge the importance of teachers’ meetings, and the plan of assigning the same lessons to the whole school, and the teachers studying together, has proven vastly beneficial. As to the details, such as the use of blackboards, object lessons, helps to teachers, winter suspensions, etc., we cannot dis cuss them here. We simply uarne them to call at tention to them. But we would especially notice thcSubbath-scbool finance. They seem hardly wor thy the name, so meagre aro the returns. Tlie Committee suggest, that the whole system be changed, that the plan of operations be greatly enlarged to correspond with the magnitude of the work ; and they heartily endorse and recommend the re-organization und new system which will be. submitted by the Sabbath-school Board. Finally, catholicity, is one of the noblest earthly characteristics of our church. We are glad she has it, but let it uot make us afraid to teach the truth as we believe it. This shrinking weakens our esprit du corps, and onr children do not exhibit that deep reverence for the church, its doctrines and ministry, which we think they should feel. They grow up with but slight impressions, too, of the disciplinary obligutlou to prefer one another iu business. Growing out of this same liberality we And that other questionable policy of engaging unconverted teachers. This ought not to be un less It be impracticable to employ others. For how run they teach the way of salvation, who have hot themselves learned to walk therein? The large number of conversions In the schools is the one gloriously bright aud deeply gratifying fact which we have to report. Let It encourage and stimulate us to nobler action. Here are gath ered the richest Jewels, the purest and sweetest flowers that ever adorned the crowns of sainted immortality. Blessed is that man whom infant tongues shall praise, who shall stand before the Judge in the midst of children and can say these are my gleanings, these are the works wbid| have followed me! Ilesolved l. That we will increase our labors iu I and for the Sabbatli-schools and that we will cu- I operate with our agent aud the superintendents in j supporting the cause and extending Us operation!,; j 2. That we insist upon the use of the BUdedS s | text iu all classes where it is practicable. •A?jpf 3. That we request our delegates to the General Conference to use all their influence to have pre pared, aud secure, a Southern collection of music and hymns for our Subbath-scliools; also to have at least a revision of the other literature. 4. That our superintendents and scholars be re quested to take more interest in our Sunday School Visitor, S. S. Literature generally, and to patron ize the former more liberally. American Bible Society. Rev. William A. Parks has been appointed Agent of the American Bible Society for the District of Georgia. The counties of Muscogee, Talbot, Taylor, Crawford, Bibb, Twiggs, Laurens, Emanuel, Bul lock and Effingham,constitute the southern bound ary of this District. Rev. R. H. Luckey lias been continued as Agent for the District of South Georgia aud Florida. The northern boundary of tills District is com posed of the counties of Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon, Houston, Pulaski, Montgomery, Tatnall, Bryan aud Chatham. Those having business with A. B. S., iu the Dls triet of Georgia, will address Rev. Wm. A. Parks. Newnan, Coweta county, Ga. Those n South Georgia and Florida, will address Rev. R. H. Luckey, Tl.omasviile, Thomas county, Georgia. W. F. Cook, Treasurer, In account with Board of Domestic Missions, Xorth Oeoiyia Conference. Augusta District. Dr. Ass’mt. Augusta—St John’s, A Wright, .$242 50 $ 164 00 “ St James, GHPattillo, (no report,) “ Asbury C W Key,... 81 00 Richmond ct Jus M Armstrong, 32 00 Appling ct E P Bonner 37 50 Thomson ct Leonard Rush,.., 44 80 Warrcnton ct Thos A Seals 85 00 Sparta st A J Jarrell, 63 00 Hancock ct iosiali Lewis 5r,... 105 30 82 00 Milledgeville st W T Caldwell,. 37 00 Baldwin ct J V M M0rri5,...... 39 00 $719 60 $1,175 00 Athens District. Athens st 0 A Evans, $125 50 $ 250 00 Watkinsvillect R J Harwell,.. 35 00 90 00 Madison st E W Speer, 50 (HI 65 00 Morgan ct W R Foote 40 00 85 00 Greensboro, ct J M Dickey, 100 00 100 00 White Plains ct C A Mitchell,.. ISO 00 80 00 Lexington ct 1) J Myrick, 72 75 100 00 Washington st M Calloway,..,. 75 00 70 00 Broad River ct, J W Heidi 80 00 90 00 Little River ct C II Ellis, 80 00 60 00 Eatontou st W P Kramer, 40 25 100 00 East Putnam ct W(1 Johusou,. 35 00 75 00 West Putnam ct JTV Knight... 81 35 70 00 $824 35 $1,235 00 Atlanta Distkiut. Atlanta—Wesley Chapel ;F A Kimbcll,... $295 00 $ 100 00 “ Trinity Wm M Crum ley 165 00 100 00 “ City mis W A Dodge, 20 00 20 00 Atlanta ct W'j Wardlaw, 20 00 30 00 Fulton ct A G Dempsey, 5 (Ml 30 (Ml Decatur ct Win A Farris, 34 50 40 00 Stone Mountain ct Wm A Flo rence 13 35 25 00 Covington st P A Heard, 58 65 50 00 Oxford ct J J Singleton, 80 (Ml 100 00 Conyers ct A Gray, 75 00 75 00 Law'rencevllle ct B J Johnson, 44 85 50 00 Monroe and Social Circle, M F Malsby 30 50 30 00 Walton et J W Baker, 4 85 25 00 Moutleello ctM W Arnold, 50 (Ml 50 00 $B9l 20 $715 00 Marietta District. Marietta st W F Cook S6O 50 *SO 00 Roswell et C M McClure, 9 60 25 00 Alpharettact Joseph Chambers 19 00 50 00 Acworth st W J Scott, 4 IMI 25 00 Aeworlli mis J N Myers, 18 75 25 00 Cedar Town and Vaii Wert Jno T Norris 10 00 25 00 Powder Springs et 8 J Bellali,. 11 10 50 00 Dallas ct A G Carpenter, 3 60 25 00 Carrolton et J J Davis, 9 15 25 SM) Bowden ct TH Timmons, 6 00 25 00 Villa Rica ct R R Johnson,.... 21 CIO 26 00 Suiultown mis CTrussell, 16 85 25 00 Camiibelltouct JnoM Bowden, 25 00 25 00 $221 15 SIOO 0(1 Elbekton District. (Elberton et A G Worley, $47 00 SIOO 00 Elbert ct E G Murrali,.., 20 00 50 00 Lincolnton et Britton Sunders, 21 75 50 (Ml Jefferson ctJ II Masliburu.... 40 00 75 00 Curuesville ct W T Norman,... 28 68 75 00 Homer ct W F Qiitlliuu, 14 00 75 00 Puoll ct Henry Tyler supply, ftfio report,) llurtwriPCt A W Williams,.... 12 00 75 00 Xbwksville ct F G Hughes, 25 35 50 00 S2OB 78 $550 00 Rome District. Home st H II Parks, SIOO 00 SBO 00 Rome ct 6 74 20 00 Cave Spring ct L P Neese, 60 00 Cartersville ct Jus L Pierce,... 82 00 80 00 Stilesboro mis A Odom, 19 (Ml 2(1 (Ml Bartow et R 11 Jones, 20 00 20 00 Kingston et W T Hamilton,.. 28 (Ml 40 (X) Calhoun mis J M Barnes 9 45 25 00 Spring Place et W I. Daven port, (no report,). 25 00 La Fayette ct J L Lupo, 27 62 40 00 Dalton st Jno P Duncan, 15 (Ml 60 00 Tunnell HillctTbos M Pledger, 20 00 20 00 Ringgold ct>, Win D Heath 20 00 40 00 Sunimei vlllect Jno A Reynolds, 30 IM) 60 01 Oostanauln ct JnoM Lowry,... 12 00 50 00 $389 84 $640 00 Dahloneoa District. Dalilonega and inis J T Lin,... sll 55 SSO 00 Duwsonvtlle ct James Hughes, 150 40 00 Cuinmlng ct J D Authouy, 2 20 50 00 Canton ct J R Gaiues, : 11 15 50 00 Cherokee ct J Newell, 2 70 85 00 Jasper mis. A C Carson, 5 25 25 00 Ellijay ct J W Sullivsn, .'. 1 00 25 00 Blairsville circuit M G Hamby, (no report,) 15 00 Cleveland ct M 11 Eukes 4 65 40 00 Gainesville ct J R Parker, 20 00 40 00 GwiDnelt circuit J Bradford, (no report,) 30 00 $ 60 00 S4OO 00 LaGksnue District. LaGrange st R W Bigliam,.... S3O 00 85 00 Troup ct W n Evans, 100 (X) 85 00 West I’olnt and Long Cane ct, A M Thigpen 20 00 70 00 Whltesville ct TS L Harwell,. 70 < 0 60 (XI GreenvillleTritiity and Fletch er's Chapel, P M Rvburn 40 00 70 00 Grantvllle W J Cotter, 10 00 55 00 Senoia et R Stripling, 13 25 50 00 Cliabbeate Spriiiiis circuit, W YVOslin, i. 24 00 60 00 Meriwether circuit R II Jones, (no report) 65 00 Palmetto, J T Lowe 20 00 70 IMI Franklin et J W McGcliee,.... 35 (Ml 55 00 Newnan stE P Birch, 20 (Ml 85 0(1 $382 25 $81(1 00 Griffin District. Griffin st H J Adams, $ 90 05 $ 90 00 Zebulon ct David Strippling,.. 38 1(1 50 0(1 Pike and colored charge, Mor gan Bellali, * 5 (10 20 00 Thomaston ct D Kelsey, 55 (Ml 50 (Ml Barncsvillo ct VV F Smith, 8(1 (Ml (Ml 00 McDonough ct J 14 Harris, 28 70 40 00 Jonesboro el W P Rivers, 25 (10 25 (Ml Fayetteville ct J W Turner,... 33 50 40 (Ml Cullodcn et J W Reynolds,.... 6(1 65 00 00 Clinton et W P Arnold,3(l 00 40 00 Jackson aud Lilierty Hill Da vid Nolan, 23 50 50 00 Forsyth st W P Pledger, 45 00 GO 00 For.-ytli et F B Davies, 80 00 60 00 *591 00 $6lO (10 Summary. Augusta District $ 719 60 Atlieus District 824 85 Elberton District : 208 78 Rome District 389 84 Dahioiuga District 60 00 LaGrange D strict BS3 25 Atlanta District 891 20 Marietta District 221 15 Griffin District 594 00 Anniversary collections at last ’ Conference, 250 50 Dividends on 7 shares of Gu RR Stock SO 45 Cash on hand from last report, 2 95 Total $4,875 07 .lb By amounts paid on Presiding Elders’ drafts, os follows: during the year— Augusta District $ 209 00 Diihlouega District 285 00 Elberton District 183 15 Marietta District 311.(Ml RomeDi-trict 207 29 Atlunta District 385 00 Griffin District 107 05 By uraount paid for Secretary’s 800k5.... 1 50 By amount paid for mending Treasurer’s case, 1 25 By am’t paid for envelopes and stationery, 500 By ain’t paid for express $4 75 aud pos tage 50 5 25 By am’t paid for rev stamp on scrip of K R stock 1 00 By am’t paid to Dr McFerrin 1-10 of col ' , . for 1869 457 50 By am’t paid to Presidio? Elders at Couf. 2,114 06 , Jotal $4,575 00 To Hnomi nyMUfloo late to be incorporated in BHMmtWfcTHicT. Cave Spring ct L P Neese 15 00 ROmect W. 6 75 To tup’to/ -ml at Baptist church Dec 12th. 22 80 E. H. MYERS, D. D., EDITOR WHOLE NUMBER 1784. Mississippi Conference Appoint ments. Woodville District.— James A Godfrey, P E; Woodville, C Chamberlin; Percy’s Creek mis, D A Givens; St Helena, B Pip kin; Wilkinson ct, J H Shelton; Buffalo, William Finn; Liberty, J A Godfrey; Mead ville, C W Campbell; Homo Chitto mis, K A Sibley; Amite, W H Germany. ViCKsnuito District. —J A B Jones, P E ; Vicksburg, W E M I/infield; North Warren, P Howard; South Warren, CK Marshall; Cayuga, J B Robertson, T Nixon; Rocky Springs, C T French, D A J Parker; Port Gibson, J G Jones; Grand Gulf aud Rod ney, Benjamin Jones; Fayette, W F Glenn; Natchez, W L C Hunuicutt; Kingston, W H Watkins; Benj Jones, President Port Gib son Female Academy. Yazoo District.— W P Barton, P E; Ya zoo City, E H Mounger; Yazoo ct, A B Stewart; Mt Olivet, T W Flowers; Rich land, R J Jones, jr; Lexington ct, J D New som; Durant, Alt Hines; Blnckhawk, C B Galloway; Carrollton, 11 Townsend; Green wood aud McNutt, H Williamson. Greenville District. —YV WDrake, PE; Greenville; YV T J Sullivan; Upper Deer Creek, J D Murff; Lower Deer Creek, J C Carlyle; Bolivar, R H Herbert; Clover Hill, R A Davis; Lake Lee and Leota, to bo supplied, James Maclenuau, sup; Sunflower et, R R Seeders. Stakkville District.— F M Featlierston, P E; Starkvillo nnd Pierce chapel, K A Jones; Whitefield ct, to lie supplied by A P Leech; Louisville, JC Woodward; French Camp, J G Carlisle; Line Creek, W R Rainey; Winona, GD Wuffe; Vaiduu, TC Parrish; Kosciusko, P A Johnston; Belle Fontaine, T W Castles; Carthage, D Mer chant. Brandon District. —H J Harris, P E; Brandon, to be supplied ; Brandon ct, G Jackson; Hillsboro, F M Williams; Trenton, L P Meador; Walnut Grove, J A Vance; Forrest, J D Hays ; Silvarina, L Kendall; Paulding, D W Dillehay; Garlandsville, Geo W Boyles; Decatur mis, G WChatlleld; Philadelphia, J H Holland; J W Harmon, Agent Southwestern Bible Society. Mount Carmel District. —H P Lewis, P E; Mount Carmel, J W Weams; Rankin, W YV Hurst; Columbia mis, N 15 Y'oung; Gainesville, HP Bowen; Handsboro, to be supplied by W G Evans; Black Creek, to lie supplied by R J Hopkins; Okohay mis, L Curley. Brookhaven District. — GF Thompson, 1* E; Brookhaven, L R Redding; Rogue Chit to, supplied by J Ritchie; Magnolia, G M Liverman ; Summit, E R Strickland; Scot land, F W Sharbrongh, W G Millsaps, sup; Brandywine, E A Flowers; Crystal Springs and Huzelhurst, W B Hines, J W McNeil, sup; Pleasant Valley and Reliobotli, W Wadsworth; Burtonton, J J Clark; George town, A Day; Wesson nnd Beauregard, R B Downer; Martinsville, A B Nicholson. H F Johnson, President Whitworth College. Clinton District.— J Nicholson, P E; Clinton, YV B Lewis; East Feliciana, W E Ballard; East Baton Rouge, E W Simmons; Livingston mis, C R Godfrey; Jackson, J L Forsyth; Greensbnrg and IJay’s, J Nichol son; Areola. T Price; Tangipahoa, YY T K Simmons; Covington mis, E F Mullins; Pouehatoula, to be supplied. Jackson District.— R Abbey, P E; Jack son ct, JS Curtis; Canton, HH Montgom ery; Sulphur Springs, J M Ward; Sharon, J M Pugli; Camden, Y\ r Harrington; Forest Grove, J B Hamblen; Brownsville, J A Ellis; Raymond ct. H Brown, A M Campbell; Jackson st. C G Andrews. Assigned to colored work : P S Petty, J B Bowen, J D Willis, R J Jones, sr., J L Harris. J YV Adams left without appointment. Y\ r T Beall discontinued. Transferred : William Price and Thomas Hudson, to Northwest Texas Conference. J Carr and P G Reynolds, to North Georgia Conference. P Lane and J V-Pointer, to Louisiana Conference. Located: R T Henniugton, R D Nors worthy, J N Jones, R A New. Died : P James, S T Swiney. From the Methodist Protestant. Fun-Making in Sunday-schools. YVe have long since been convinced of the serious injury which onr Sabbatli-schools are sustaining from that class of clownish speakers who impose their funny yinais upon the children for the purposes of laughter and amusement. They will tax their fuad of anecdotes and their dramatic awkward ness to the utmost in order to bring down the house, aud thus play the buffoon before the children. And that, too, when they aro speaking upon tho most solemn subjects. It is time that this class of Sabbath school workers should reform. Pastors nnd Sablinth-scliool superintendents must pro tect tho children from these characters by looking to a better class of speakers to do their work. YY’e heard a pastor in this city say, a few days ago, that he “did not wish one of these Sunday-school clowns to come within one hundred aud fifty miles of his Sunday-school.” Y\ 7 e have no objection to a good laugh in the right place and at the right time ; but we never did like much laughing nor any rapping in church. The Sabbath school is in the church, or should so be considered. A speaker who lus not something to say to the children about Jesus, liis commandments, heaven or hell, has no business to talk to cliildron. He has mistaken his vocation. We see no time nor place for fun in an address upon so serious subjects. YVe do not object to incidents, allegories, suitable figures of all sorts, for the purpose of illustrating and simplifying truth for the children. But when the evi dent purpose is to create merriment, it is offensive and insufferable in a Sabbath school. Our pastors and superintendents must 1)0 guarded in their invitations to speakers. And Sunday-school clowns must be discarded from our'schools. The salva tion, nnd not the amusement of the chil dren, is the object of Sunday-school work. The Poor Pnrsou. “I pity tlio poor parson,” quoth my undo Toby. But did uncle Toby ever rend the following story, which the Christian Witness (Boston) by one of its contributors vouches for: The former pastor of a country church meets with his successor and inquires : “Mr. is still living ?” “Oh, yes; one of the beat men in the parish ; not liberal, but a good man and very rich. “What does he do for your support V" “Well, not much, but he pays his pew rent. ” “Does he sell vinegar ?” “Oh ! yes ; he lifts one of the largest or chards in the parish, and is so conscientious his cider is all made into vinegar.” “Does he give you any of his vinegar ?” “Not he.” “Soitwasin my day. His vinegar was made to sell. When his daughter sickened and died I went there almost every day, five miles off. When she died she had a great funeral, and I sat up most of the night to write a funeral sermon. I called the next day. Then a few days after I went, and thought I would cnrrv my vinegar jug which just then happened to be empty. The jug was filled. I did not like to take it away without offering to pay, and so I said meok lv ns possible : ‘What shall I pay you ?’ ‘Well,’ said my good parishioner, “I gener ally charge twenty-five cents a gallon, but seeing as how you lmve beeii kind to me in trouble, etc., I won’t charge you but twenty cents.’ At this time I had eleven children and was living on a salary of six hundred per year. By the Grace of God I am What I Am.—As Rev. John Newton, that eminent servant of God, lay on his dying bed, a friend was reading to him the fifteenth chap ter of first Corinthians. Coming to the tenth verse, he read: “Butbytho grace of God lam what I am.” “Stop," said Mr. Newton; “that expresses just my case. I am not what I ought to be. Lam not what I might be. lam not what I hope to be. But lam better than I once was. “By the grace of God I am what I am.” One of the most essential preparations for eternity is delight in praising God; a higher acquirement, I think, than even delight and devotedness in prayer.— Chalmers .