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Southern Christian
MACON. GEORGIA. FEBRUARY 11.1870.
Shall we Turn Back 1
Wo publish an article elsewhere from
“An Old Methodist” —a gentleman whom
we esteem; but from his opinions we total
ly dissent. They are, in every respect, op
posed to the policy this paper has long and
earnestly advocated; and we cannot let
them pass, without notice. They more than
indirectly attack that policy, by speaking of
the Advocate as the instrument “through
which the begging is done.” We might
have declined publishing an article advanc
ing opinions so totally different from those
which this paper, as an organ of the Church,
has been urging, in promoting the enter
prises it has on foot; but we preferred to
let our friend speak out, because we believe
him open to conviction; and in convincing
him of his error, we may be doing the same
good work for many others, who have en
tertained like doubts about the policy of
our church, and yet have not uttered them
so freely.
We recognise in his article two or three
counts against the policy of the church.
1. That we have undertaken to do too
much—have undertaken to “build, and
were not able to finish”—as for example,
Emory College.
It is true, that before the war, many en
terprises were undertaken by the Church—
most of them schools and colleges, local in
their influence—which have failed. We al
ways thought there was too little concen
tration of effort in church enterprises; and
this is a tendency yet to be guarded aguinst.
But most of these enterprises have utterly
failed, and they are not now before the peo
ple. It.is with the present we have to do;
and of what we “began to build” only Em
ory College, is now urgently soliciting the
aid of the Methodists of Georgia.
Lot us suppose, that Emory College had
lost nothing, suffered nothing by the war—
which is far from the fact—and that it yet
retained all that it ever had, and what could
it show, that would indicate any thing like a
generous endowment from the Methodists
for whose benolit it was erected ? It may
be well to say, that “it should not have
gone into operation, till the money w'as
in hand.” If this means enough “money
in hand” to build, and to endow, and to
carry the Institution forward through fu
ture years, without more “begging,” then
its establishment would have been an im
possibility—for it would have been the la
bor of many years to get so much money;
and those who had given, seeing no benefit
accruing from their gifts would have raised
such a clamor as to arrest further contribu
tions.
Emory College opened its halls in 1838,
and had been iu existence twenty-two years
when the war camo; and what had been done
for it in all those years ? Its buildings were
inferior- its principal building, neither fino
nor costly, was built by money, that its then
President, Dr. George F. Pierce, obtained
by canvassing the State for two or three
years—and its endowment we believe, never
did reach the 5550,000 which the Rev. W. J.
Parks was for some years trying to gather.
Yet all this while, it was sending out into
the oouutry and the church, its educated
young men, an ornament and a blessing.
Meanwhile there wore in Georgia during
these years, an average number of at least
50,000 white oommuuieftnts in tlia church—
many of them the wealthiest men ‘iu the
land, able to spend hundreds of thousands
of dollars annually, in purchasing pleasure
and luxuries, and in buying lands and ne
groes. Many of them had immense planta
tions, in Georgia and -in other States; and
they added to thoir wealth year after yeur.
Wliut these Georgia Methodists spent any
one year, in visiting the springs and in trav
el would havo amply endowed Emory Col
lege; and ten cents a year from each church
member for the twenty-two years, given to
Emory College, would have made a larger
aggregate than the Institution ever got
from them.
Yes, it is a shame, that we have the re
proach of being beggars—we, who are try
ing to bring the professed followers of
Christ up to their duty—but the shame is
theirs, that their narrow-mindeduess should
render it necessary. With 61,000 Meth
odists now in our communion in Georgia,
an Institution which is absolutely indispen
sable to the church in this State, and in
which all her best interests for the future
centres, cannot raise an endowment; and if
the effort is made, her friends are reproached
as beggars; wliilo their urgency is rendered
necessary, becauso of the covetousness of
those whose religion should prompt them to
a munificent liberality. They have had one
lesson from Heaven, for misused wealth;
and yet it is to bo feared, that the old greed
for extensive possessions, abundant pleas
ures, and self-satisfying luxuries, has come
upon them again; and that they will still
forfeit Heaven’s blessings, by the misap
propriation of Heaven’s bounties. Who of
those 64,000 Methodists will appropriate out
of their income §2O a year to Emory Col
lege ? If ono thousand of them, then it
oould bo raised to such an eminence as
would make the Methodists of Georgia re
joice that they ever had the privilege of aid
ing in so grand a work.
2. The second count of the indictment is,
that the church retains Missionaries in Chi
na, when there is so so much to do at home.
As to their carrying “the Bible in one
hand, and the sword in the other, ” that we
can pass by as only a figure of speech. It
can only refer to the danger our Mission
aries may be in, from the sword—but had
such an argument prevailed in the days of
the Apostles, Christianity never would have
survived them.
This China mission—our only foreign
mission—had been established eleven years
when the war broke out—and never cost the
450,000 members of the church in the South
more than §12,000 a year. Now, §B,OOO to
§IO,OOO a year will amply support the two
Missionary families we have there, and give
them ample means to support schools, and
to aid native teachers, preachers, etc. And
shall the 500,000 white members of the
Southern Methodist Church refuse their Two
Cents each a year to this purpose, call back
these men, who love their work, and avow
their purpose to “spend and be spent in
it ?” It is a shame and a reproach to con
oeive of it, when all these facts are pon
dered. Oar church cannot so isolate her
self from the heathen world, without dis
gracing herself, and forfeiting her claims to
being a faithful Church of Christ.. When
the missionary spirit dies out of a church, that
church dies with it. The church is unwor
thy, that hears not the Master say: “go in
to all the world and preach the gospel;”
and if, having taken one feeble step in ad-
Yanoe, it voluntairily retreats, its preachers
and people may expect no longer the “lo !
lam with you always” to be fulfilled. The
support of home missions is so dependent
on that same missionary spirit, which looks
oompassionately on the heathen world—the
connection between the two classes of mis
sions is so vital, that the former class will
not long survive the death of the latter.
The history of all churches proves, that
they are doing most for domestic missions,
which have under their charge most foreign
missions. Asbury came a missionary to
America—then a foreign mission—and the
result should silence every objection to for
eign missions among Methodists. And yet
England was even then full of people, to
whom Asbury and his co-missionaries might
have gone. “The Greeks were at the
door” there and then, as they now are here.
Yes, and they will be there until the mil
lennium comes; and for the church to wait
till there are no more “Greeks at the door,”
before the heathen are preached to, is to de
spise Christ’s “go into all the world,” and
to set up anew standard of duty. And if
our church may do so, why may not the
universal church do the same ? and leave
the heathen to perish ?
But the truth is, if Christians would per
form their duty, there would be means to
do all the work the church has undertaken
and much more besides; and there would be
no need for begging. We have studied the
statistics of the Church closely for several
years, and we will venture to affirm, after a
pretty wide induction, that our half million
of Southern Methodists do not give so much
as ten cents a week each to every enterprise
ol the church, local or general—at home or
abroad—so little does the gospel cost them.
It is true, we have just come out of a de
structive war; and great allowance is to be
made for the poverty of the last few years.
But it alarms ns, that just at the moment,
that one alone of God’s gifts out of many—
the cotton crop of the past year—is said to
be worth §270,000,000 —or more than one
hundred times what our Methodism has paid
annually out of all God’s gifts to us, for every
church work—that just then, a venerable
member of a church of a half-million of
members —tens of thousands of whom par
take in this profitable income—calls for si
lence as to the wants of onr literary Institu
tions and for the withdrawal of our two lit
tle missionary fam.iies from China. Thous
ands of these members may be poor; yet
few are so poor, that they could not give
their ten cents a week—while there are oth
er thousands who, if they gave “as the Lord
prospers them” and “not grudgingly but
liberally,” would give by tens, and twenties,
and fifties, and hundreds, and many of them
even by thousands. We say wo are alarmed;
for we fear a return of that curse which God
has put upon our misappropriated wealth.
'3. The third charge we notice is, that we
are “begging,” and that our imp.ortunity as
a church seems to indicate, that we regard
money as the chief good.
Money is necessary to effect God’s pur
poses in the world, wrought through the
church. The Old Testament is full of the
fact—the New Testament shows Paul, as
earnest and as systematic a beggar as ever
“importuned” for the Methodist Church.
Money is needed; but money is not sought
for its own sake. Never was there as much
work done for the world’s profit, at as small
a cost, as is done by the Methodist Church.
See the “beggarly case” presented by “M.
TANARUS.,” referred to by our correspondent:
A church of 792 members pays its preach
er S3l8 —523 members pay §300—642 pay
§205—620 pay §281—480 pay §170—449
pay §134—329 pay $100—698 pay §335
302 pay §lO9 —268 pay §19—71 pay §2.
These figures are from the Minutes of
one Conference —the official returns of the
Church —and they are worth studying. Here
we have 0,174 church members receiving
the services of 11 preachers, for themselves,
their families, their neighbors—services so
full of blessing as the gospel brings—at a
cost of §1,907 for the eleven men—§lßo
per man—less than a negro’s wages—the
cost to each member averaging Thirly-eighl
cents aj/ear. And yet the Advocate must be
silent! cease to “beg !”
And among the 64,000 Methodists of
Georgia, there are not thirty preachers
who get as good a living as a first class dry
goods clerk—while hundreds of under clerks
and overseers get a larger salary than the
majority of our preachers. We “beg,” it is
true; but the money is asked for Christ's
sake and the gospel’s, and when obtained it
is used for his glory as it would not be used
did we not “beg” it.
That we show so great importunity is ren
dered necessary, because the church will
not learn its duty. For one, the Advocate
long since proclaimed its principles and its
purposes. Its mission is to root covetous
ness out of the church, if it be possible.
We are not content to see professed follow
ers of Christ living so far beneath their du
ty and their privilege, as ours have been
doing. We are among those, who believe
it would be wiser and more Christian, to
send round “the bag,” at every service—at
least once iu the day—and to give tire poor
an opportunity of growing in “the grace” of
giving—and we would teach and encourage
every one to bring the smallest offering—if
it be up to the measure of the prosperity
God has vouchsafed. And we thank God
we are not left to labor alone in this field.
The laymen in our Southern Conferences
have taken hold of this question with a zeal,
which argues a now future for olir church.
The papers they have sent forth recently to
the membership, from several of the Con
ferences, aro like the notes of a trumpet,
rousing the people to action. Let them
only now systematise the work—teach every
one to do something—give them frequent
opportunity to give, so that the “mites”
of the poor widow may bo added to the mu
nificent gifts of the rich—and it will be no
long time, before our reproach, as a “beg
ging church” will be wiped away, because
these is no need of begging from u mem
bership. whose offerings are ready, and who,
like the Christians of Macedonia, come
“praying us with much entreaty that we
would receive the gift,” and devote it to the
purposes of the church.
> • ♦ ■«
The Louisiana Conference.
We copy the following from a letter of Dr.
McFerrin, to the Nashville Christian Advocate:
The Conference by a unanimous vote me
morialized the General Conference to remove
the exception from the Discipline, by which
preachers are allowed to remain in the city
stations of New Orleans more than the usual
time. I believe time will prove the wisdom
ol' jMethodist Itinerant economy everywhere.
The brethren laboring in the city so long and
so acceptably, all favor'tlie change, and the
people, however they may love and admire
their pastors, being good Methodists, will
approve the action, if it shall be the pleasure
of the General Conference to remove the
clause from the rules. The yellow fever is
no longer confined to the city, but if not
quarantined it extends far into the interior
b stli of Louisiana and Texas; it travels along
the rivers and railroads, and is more dreaded
in the country towns than in the city where
they have experienced physicians and nurses.
Indeed, this awful disease has, in a great
measure, lost its terror in New Orleans. It
is the settled conviction of men of intelli
gence, that by proper attention to cleanliness
and faithful quarantine, they would be re
lieved from the scourge. As it is, thousands
are healed who are attacked, when taken in
time and skillfully treated and well nursed.
The following facts we select from the
New Orleans Christian Advocate:
An admirable report upon the Sabbath
school interest was read by the chairman,
and the following resolutions upon this sub
ject were passed:
Resolved, That we request our approach
ing General Conference more clearly to de
fine the true relation of the pastor to the
Sabbath-school.
Resolved, That we request our approaching
General Conference to enact such laws as
will authorize the preachers in charge to
nominate, and the Quarterly Conference to
elect, or reject, as the case may be, the Su
perintendents of the Sabbath-school.
The chairman of the Committee on Min
isterial Support declared a dividend of sev
enty-six per cent, for the widows, orphans and
superannuates upon their claims. The Bish
ops’ support was brought up to only seventy
three per cent, of the amount due them. That
these two collections should ever fall one
cent, below the full amount due by the church
should be, and doubtless is to all godly men,
a matter of deep mortification. The support
of these widows and orphans should be only
a little less dear to a good Methodist than
the support of his own family.
Bishop McTyeire, on Tuesday morning,
led off in a very important analysis of the
year’s work. The Secretary called out the"
membership, etc., of each circuit and station
for the year, while the President held in liis
hand a copy of the minutes of last year, and
compared the one with the other. The
preacher in charge came up in the shape of
what he had been doing, and had the satis
faction of seeing an accurate reflection of
himself in the glass of his own statistics.
There was no -escaping in the fog of a ses
sion, nor in the mere print of a pamphlet
that but few people read. The concentrated
attention of the entire Conference had the
effect of a fifteen-inch lens in enlarging the
field of one’s vision in the open region of
ministerial responsibility. There was an in
crease of 763 colored members, of 800 chil
dren in Sabbath-schools and of 200 children
added from schools to the church.
The report of the Committee on Educa
tion was encouraging. The Conference is
well up in its schools, male and female. The
Mansfield Female College has a career before
it, as it has a history, of great usefulness to
our church in Louisiana. Homer College is
out of debt, excepting a few hundred dollars,
and is most admirably located. The election
of President Cobb will inspire it with addi
tional life. The Conference rallies with all
its strength to the repair and full equipment
of Centenary. The resolution passed prom
ises to aid, by collections and otherwise, its
representative whenever he may appear at
the stations or on the circuits. Pierce and
Paine College has suffered from the general
financial debility of the region in which it is
located, but it is out of debt, and is in a
growing part of the State.
Among the visitors is Father Thomas
Samford, full of age and the mature graces
of a life spent in the service of the Master.
The time at last came when even “resolu
tions ” ceased. The Bishop held the cast of
the next year’s work in his hand. Every
heartfelt its own-beating, and thought of
the dearer pulses at home which throbbed
in unison. Then came the prelude—a manly
statement from the Bishop of the imperfect
ness of human judgment, but of the true,
high and impartial purpose which had guided
and controlled him in framing the appoint
ments of the preachers. He quoted many apt
passages of God’s word; after which, with an
earnest sympathy for his brethren, he read
out the appointments [from which we omit
the colored charges j as follows:
New Orleans District.—l C Keener, P
E. Carondelet Street, .1 B Walker; Felicity
Street, Linns Parker: Moreau Street, Tiios
B White; Dryades Street (Germany J B A
Ahrens; Craps Street (German) John A G
Rabe; LaFayette (German ) P Barth; Jeffer
son City, P. M. Goodwyn; Algiers, Joseph
G Miller; New Or leans cironit. James A Ivey,
Thibodaux circuit, James L Wright; Baton
Rouge, JamesL Chapman; Publishing House
New Orleans, Robert J Harp, agent; Pro
fessor of Blind Asylum at Baton Rouge, Pat
rick Lane.
Opelousas District.—J D Adams, P E.
Opelousas, Wm C Haislip; Washington, to
be supplied by Gilbert Guillet; Plaquemine
Brule, J D Adams; Bayou Mallet, to be sup
plied by C AFrazee; Vermilion and Bellevue,
B F White; Abbeville, J V Pointer; New
Iberia, A E Goodwyn; Franklin and Patter
sonville, Reynolds S Trippett: Grand Cha
niere, S J Graves.
Alexandria District.—J F Marshall, P
E. Alexandria, JF Marshall; Harrisonburg
and Sicily Island, J H Stone; Atlanta, J F
Wynn; Spring. Creek, Fred White; Center
ville and Trinity, E W Yancey; Columbia,
John S Davis; Calcasieu, to be supplied by
J A Monroe.
Shreveport District.—John Pipes, P E.
Shreveport, John Wilkinson; Mooringsport,
James M McKee; Greenwood. Baxter Clegg;
W E Doty, snp.; Keachie, W H Moss; Mans
field, M 0 Manly; Pleasant Hill and Manny,
James M Franklin: Natchitoches, to be sup
plied by T S Collier; Springville, Jessee
Fulton; Anacoco, R H Adair.
Ouachita District.—S Armstrong, PE.
Ouachita, Robert T Parish; Munroe and
Trenton, Charles.F Evans, J L Bordon;
Sparta, R M Crowson; Lake Bisteneau, W
P Kimball; Farmerville,Robert Randle; Ver
non, Thomas H McClendon; Castor, Alanson
W Moore; Louisville, James W Medlpck;
Mt. Lebanon, to be supplied by N M Skip
worth; Minden, N A Cravens; North Bossier,
H O White; South Bossier, Samuel S Scott;
Homer, T J Upton; Haynesville, J A Miller;
President of Homer College, James E Cobb.
Lake Providence District.—B F Alexan
der, PE. Lake Providence, John C Reed;
Waterproof, P H Dieffenweirth; Floyd and
Delhi, James E Bradley; Carroll, William G
McGaughey; Wiunsboro, F TRawson; Rich
land, to be .supplied by J H Boult; Bastrop,
C W Carter; Linn Grove, Joel T Daves;
Agent Southwestern Bible Society, B F Al
exander.
Transferred.—John A Pauly, stationed
at German Church in Houston; W D Stay
ton, to Memphis Conference.
Superannuates.—-Thomas Samford, Joel
Saunders, H.C Thweatt, Chas. Hahberg.
Next Place of Meeting.—The Louisiana
Conference meets next year in New Orleans.
A Few Figures.
We gather from the Minutes of the two Georgia
Conferences the following facts respecting the
contributions of the past year—Which includes all
that was returned to the Conferences, except for
building, repairing and furnishing churches and
parsonages, for the colleges, and for the American
Bible Society.
In 1868, the collections for bishops, pre
siding elders and preachers iu the
Ji. G. Conlerence was .806,559 16
In the S. G. Conference 53,745 73
•
In 1869, for the same purpose, in the N.
G. Conference 76,754 54
In the S. G. Conference 68,319 98
In 1868, the collections for superamiua
ted preachers, widows and orphans,
for Missions, domestic and foreign,
and for Missionary debt, iu the N.
G. Conference 810,991 02
Iu the S. G. Conference 11,194 15
In 1869, for the same purposes, in the N.
G. Conference 12,702 37
In tiie S. G. Conference . 14,116 39
Total in N. G. Conference, 1568,... $77,550 18
Total in N. G. Conference, 1869,.... 89,456 91
Total in S. G. Conference, 1863, 63,940 88
Total in S. G. Conference, 1869, 77,336 32
The number of members reported
in N. G. Conference 11838....40,870
In N. G. Conference, 1869 41,240
In S. G. Conference, 186S 21,060
In S. G. Conference, 1869 22,650
’ »
Average per member paid, in N. G. Con
ference, 1868. 8 1 90
In X. G. Conference PG9 2 17
In S. G. Conference, 1868 3 03
In S. G. Conference, 1869 3 41
The total collections, in the State for
these purposes, from 61,930 mem
bers in 1863, was $141,491 06
In 1869, from 63,890 members 166,793 23
Increase in 1869 25,302 17
Average in all Georgia for each member,
in 1868 $ 2 28
In 1869 2 61
These figures may be combined in many ways,
and many lessons learned from them—one of
which is, that we are not doing our duty in Geor
gia, when 64,000 Methodists are giving for the gos
pel only about 5 cents a week each, on an average
—showing that many hundreds do not give one
cent.
Georgia Academy for the Blind.
We have before us, the 18th Annual Report
of this Academy, located at Macon, under
the care of Principal W. D. Williams,
whom we consider most admirably adapted,
by nature and cultivation, for the delicate
responsibilities, which his headship over
this Institution devolves upon him. The
entire management, we have every reason
to believe, is admirable, and in our occa
sional visits to the Institution, we have seen
most remarkable instances of mental pro
ficiency, especially in mathematics and mu
sic. The building has ample accommoda
tions, perhaps, for all the blind in the State.
Principal Williams says in his report:
It would afford me great pleasure to state
that every youth in the State properly qual
ified for admission, was here, deriving the
advantages which the Academy is intended
to confer. But this is lamentably not the
fact. From year to year, and no less du
ring the past year than in former ones, I
make diligent efforts, in fact all the efforts
possible to me, consistently with my duties
at the Institution, to hunt them up and in
duce their attendance. Still, numbers re
ported to me, and doubless many others
not reported, are not here. If the members
of the Legislature, in their respective coun
ties, if the friends of suffering humanity
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
throughout tbeState, if Grand Juries and
county .officers, if all persons who have knowl
edge of the Institution, would aid me with a
little kindly influence in the way of giving
information and counsel to the blind, and
their friends known to them, this complaint
would not long exist.
We call the attention of the preachers to
this Institution; and if they know of proper
subjects for instruction in books, or in such
handicraft as is taught here, we hope they
will put their friends in communication
with Principal Williams.
The “Orphan’s Home.”
The friends of the enterprise, set on foot
in the North Georgia Conference to provide
for orphans a Home where they can be
taught and trained to usefulness, under
the protection of Christianity, will be grati
fied to learn from Dr. Boring’s letter, that
the prospect for success is hopeful.
He very wisely presses the matter upon
the immediate attention of the church. Why
delay ? Why should it take months of solic
itation and reflection before that is done,
which at last must be done by each individ
ual for himself—and which he can do as well
iu an hour as in a year ? Why may not the
scheme be put through by its friends coming
forward, without further solicitation, and in
forming Dr. Boring—as some have already
done—that they will do thus and so, for
the enterprise ? This is one of those eases
to which the old proverb emphatically ap
plies, “he who gives quickly gives twice."
Notice to Preachers. t
We desire to send out the accounts to alt
the preachers, as early as possible.
Will they please give ns the names of all
the post offices in their resjjeetive charges.
Febll-tf
Davenport Female College.
This Institution, the Rev. S. Lander,
President, is situated in Lenoir, N. C.,
though it is within the limits of the South
Carolina Conference, and is under its care.
So popular has it become, that it must needs
add to its buildings, to accommodate all
who desire to attend its instructions. To
this end the Trustees are trying to raise
§ISOO, by the use of which they can increase
the capacity of their boarding-house fifty
per cent.
Nor do they ask, without offering a con
sideration. They will be thankful for any
amount however small, but they propose to
give donors of Twenty Dollars and more, a
certificate, which will enable holders to re
ceive back in tuition §lO a term, until the
sum given is returned. So fair an offer
ought to bring the money needed in a little
while,, for an Institution that is doing so
much for sanctified education, as the Daven
port Female College is accomplishing.
The Wesleyan Female College.— The
new advertisement of this Institution con
veys information, that parents and teach
ers often desire respecting the course of
study. We learn that the College has a
larger patronage now than for a long time.
Indeed, in all its history during our prospe
rous days before the war, there were but
two or three years, when it had more pu
pils than at present.
“Stray Leaves from the Port-folio
of a Local Preacher.”
The last pages of a work under the above
title are passing through the press of J. W.
Burke & Cos., and it will be ready for the
public in a few weeks. It is from the pen of
the Rev. Lucius Bellinger, well known in
South Carolina, and parts of North Caroli
na and Georgia, and it is dedicated to his
wife, and to his many friends in these States.
It was known to many of them that the Au
thor had written out many passages of his
varied experience, and at their’eamest soli
citation a part of them have been published.
On onr first page a specimen chapter is
given, which we are sure will make the
reader wish to see more of this lively book.
Lest those who know what the Author has
written may be disappointed, in not seeing
some of the sketches they would have pre
ferred seeing in print, the Editor in his Pre
face writes:—
It is proper to say, that the Editor has
been embarrassed from the large amount of
matter put into his hands with the responsi
ble privilege of following his own judgment,
in selecting from it the best material for the
contemplated volume. As part of the pur
pose of the Author was, very properly, to
get some pecuniary profit from his book,
thus to repair the 'heavy losses of the war,
its cost was to be considered ; and had all
.the material put into'-the Editor’s liands
been used, the book would have been too
bulky to bo remunerative. In making the
selection, the Editor has been compelled to
follow his own judgment; and lie may,
therefore, have left out some “Leaves”
which both the Author and his friends would
have preferred inserted. If so, the full dis
cretion given by the Author must be his
warrant; and the peculiarities of his own
tnste-nnd judgment must bear the respon
sibility.
In other respects, the Editor’s labor has
been confined principally to compressing
into smaller compass what was written cur
rente calcTmo, by one not much accustomed
to writing, and whoso excitable tempera
ment naturally led' him into diffuse narra
tive. In this condensation, however, what
ever is characteristic of the Author—as a
man, a Christian, a friend, and a preacher—
has been faithfully preserved ; and the Edi
tor flatters himself, that whoever knows Lu
cius Bellinger, will find him faithfully repro
duced in these pages.
The Evidences oe Christianity. By J. L. Dug",
Macon, Ga.: .J. \V. Burke & Cos.
This is a compact volume, covering a
large field in small compass; and so method
ically arranged that it may suit well for a
text-book on the subject. The plan
by Dr. Dagg, who is well knowVt in the
South, as a venerable minister of the Bap
tist Church, a long time President of Mer
cer University, is best learned from his
Preface.
This volume aims to exhibit the evidenees
of Christianity in a clear and comprehen
sive view, and in the order best adapted to
produce conviction in common minds. It
directs the first and chief attention to the
Bible, investigates its character, and obtains
proof of its divine origin, first from obvious
and well-known facts, and afterwards from
less accessible sources of information.
Many able writers on the subject give the
first and chief place to the historical evi
dences, and regard the other evidences as
merely subsidiary. The liistorical evidences
require for their full development a labori
ous search into the records and monuments
of antiquity. Few men have the opportunity
and ability to perform this labor. Hence
the student of the evidences feels com
pelled to receive his proofs at second hand,
and to content himself with a degree of con
viction inferior to that which would result
from personal investigation.
In arranging the historical evidences, it
has been usual to begin with establishing
the authenticity of the Scripture books,
and on this to found the argument for their
credibility. This method is liable to a
grave objection, on account of the obscurity
that rests on the authorship of some of the
books. The foundation of the argument
ought to be undoubted truth, in order that
the conclusion may be received with unhesi
tating and unwavering faith.
The method adopted in this work, founds
the first arguments on facts of which all
men of ordinary information have knowl
edge. It begins with noticing some promi
nent singularities of the Bible, discoverable
by common observation, and the aid of
commonly received history; and these it no
tices, not so much for the sake of argument,
as of inducement to enter on the study with
earnestness. We judge of a man’s charac
ter by what he does; and the method here
adopted begins the inquiry into the charac
ter of the Bible, by an examination of what
it lias done in the world. The first direct
argument for the divinity of its origin is
founded on its beneficial effects. After
having contemplated the streams of bles
sings which flow from the Bible, our atten
tion is next directed to an examination of
the source from which they emanate. We
open the book itself, and find that it tench
es a perfect rule of morality, illustrated by
a perfect example; and also a system of doc
trine which cannot be of human origin.
From these facts the divine origin of the
book is established, by arguments with
which every reader’s mind may directly
grapple. All these subjects are disposed of
before the history contained in the Bible is
considered; and then no higher respect is
demanded for its historical truthfulness,
than is due to other well-received works of
ancient history; but its right to this de
gree of confidence is established by an
amount of testimony which cannot ba ad
duced in favor of any other historical record
of antiquity. To make good so low a claim
to credibility is very far short of what is
due to the sacred historians; yet it suffices
for the argument at this point of its pro
gress, since it fully prepares for the next
two chapters, which treat of prophecy and
miracles. These two chapters complete the
entire argument, which is cumulative, and
consists of five independent arguments,
drawn from the effects of the Bible, its
morality, Its doctrines, its prophecies, and
its miracles.
The tenth chapter, which shows the har
mony between revelation and science, is
chiefly designed to preserve the minds of
young students from the scepticism which
an imperfect knowledge of science is liable
to engender.
In presenting the historical evidences, I
have made free use of Lardner’s work on
the Credibility of the Gospel History, which
is so valuable that no one who is ignorant
of the results of his labors, can be said to
have thoroughly studied the evidences of
Christianity. In stating the argument, I
have preferred not to encumber it with long
citations of testimonies; but have thought
it better to place these separately in an ap
pendix, in which all the most' important
testimonies that Lardner’s labors have
brought to light, are exhibited in some
form. Sometimes the whole testimony is
given in Laruner’s translation of the origin
al author’s words; at other times such ex_-
tracts are made as sufficiently indicate the
character and purport of the testimony, and
in the remaining cases the substance of the
testimony is given, generally in Lardner's
words. The reader who has not access to
Lardner’s great work, or time to read it,
will here find presented to him in the com
pass of a few sections, the substantial re
sults of that learned author's researches.
Much other matter will be found in the ap
pendix, rendering it a store-honse of valua
ble information, to which the student may
refer for facts to confirm his faith.
The XIX Century, Charleston, S. C.
§3.50 per annum. “XIX Century Compa
ny” Publishers. The February number is
at hand, with a very attractive table of con
tents. It opens with anew serial story en
titled “The Storm and Sunshine,” by Hen
ry Cleveland.
Tice New Eclectic Magazine for Feb
ruary, by Trumbull and Murdoch, Balti
more, contains some capital reading, some
from Americau authors-—some from the
best foreign'writers. Price §I.OO a year.
The Southern Fa uy and Home, \Y. M.
Browne, Editor, J. W. Burke Cos.. Macon,
Ga., Publishers. The Febrtfßry number is
published—and is full of goodmatter for far
mer, gardener, orchardist and housekeeper.
By a leap, this Agricultural Monthly has ad
vanced to the front rank of its class, and
will commend itself to any who will study
its lessons o£ practical wisdom. Send- 20
cents fora specimen number,'or $2.00 for
the year.
The Rural Carolinian, Walker, Evans &
Cogswell, Charleston, S. C, §2.00 a year.
The February number is rieli in practical
agricultural information. Skilled labor, and
well informed planters are what the South
needs now, and the R. G. is doing a great
work of enlightenment upon subjects, of
which the people know too little.
THE Svicdat MAOAsma by Ha?
Guthrie, §3 50 a year.
Good Words—Edited by Norman McLeod,
D. D., §2 75 a year.
Good Words for the Young— Edited by
George MacDonald, LL. D., §2 50 a year.
These are republications of standard Brit
ish Monthlies of the very highest order in
their respective departments. The February
Nos. come freighted with choice reading.
When all are taken a handsome deduction
is made. Specimen numbers, with a pre
mium list, mailed to any address on receipt
of 25 cents for each. Apply to .J. B. Lip
pineott & Cos., Publishers, 715 —717, Market
St., Philadelphia.
The Musical Independent, Lyon & Heely,
Chicago, §2 00. This Quarto Monthly is
devoted to the news, literature and science
of Music, and gives monthly several pages
of new music, with which the musical mem
bers of our household are greatly .pleased.' A
series of lessons on the Science of Music,
makes this a valuable paper 'to teachers ami
learners.
Correspondence.
Letter from China.
Mr. Editor: I encountered a “Tartar” the
other day, and what do you suppose he said
to me ? Why, sir, like Poe’s “stately ra
ven,*’ “not the least obeisance made he,”
but fixing his quizzy almond eyes on mine,
instantly demanded, “Do you believe the
world moves ?” I was dumbfounded, but re
covering slightly, replied, I thought it did
in some places.
“It may whence you came,” lie responded;
“but certainly not in China.”
He was a Celestial but not an Astronomer,
and he might have added with an emphasis
much more consistent with facts, “nothing
moves in China."
Physically helpless, her mental force abat
ed and her morals decayed, aged and inert,
has her mountains and plains, lakes -and
rivers, been as little amenable to the laws
of gravity and motion as she to progress
and development, the Pacific Ocean would
long since have compassed her domain and
peopled it with the monsters of the deep,
while she plucked from the face of the earth
had gone like the lost Pleiad, to enjoy her
exclusiveness in utter darkness.
But the world dees move in more respects
than one, and happy will it be for China, if
from some of the “apples” now falling un
der her philosophic eye, she be able to de-_
duce her proper relations to the outer world,
amid which she claims to be the central sun,
which only does not move.
Philosophically, she already begins to
have doubts about the future tenability of
her long cherished position; and while
the foreign astronomer in the Peking Col
lege is trying to teach her youth the pro
per motion of the earth, its laws and rela
tions to the Universe, Commerce with its
treaties, also moving like the earth, from
the west to the east, is mobilizing her peo
ple and their treasures, and forcing upon
the Government the urgent necessity of
recognizing the universality of Internation
al Law and claiming its benefits.
Fifteen different nations now have trea
ties with China, and daily flaunt their flags
before the eyes of the five-clawed Imperial
Dragon. Austria has just concluded her
first, while England and America have only
this day made public the latest revised edi
tions of theirs.
Chinamen know butr little of Geography,
and are greatly surprised to see how many
brothers and sisters the three great nations,
England, France and America have. The
family of nations is much larger than they
had any conception of, and they were as
tonished that Mr. Burlingame should re
quire yet another two years for his Embassy
to see and mong truing them all.
The spirit of Western progress is irrepres
sible, and a wonderful advance is being
made among this people. Every treaty
strengthens the moral force that is brought
to bear, and every revision deepens the im
pression already made. You may expect,
therefore, before long to hear of vast and
important changes in this Empire. Oh 1
that the Church was as wide awake to its
duty as are the Merchants, Consuls and
Ministers who represent the interests of this
world! Yours,
Y. J. Allen.
Shanghai, Dec. 21s/, 1869.
Too Much Begging.
Mr. Editor : lam tired with it—ashamed
of it—feel disgraced by it. Is it always to
be thus?
I have been a member of the Methodist
Church for more than thirty years, and dur
ing the whole of that time we have been beg
ging, begging, begging.
And with all our begging we have failed
to pay our just debts.
The importunity which has characterized
us as a denomination, would seem to indicate
that we regarded money as the chief good.
Perhaps at no time has louder or more fre
quent appeals been made than at present.
For our colleges, our Sunday-schools, our
missions, our preachers, and even for our
paper through which the begging is done.
And really, M. TANARUS., in your last issue,makes
out a beggarly case.
Is it strange that our preachers and people
should be disposed to leave us, or secularize?
T sometimes feel like it, myself. But then,
the question comes up, “to whom -shall I
go?” I was converted in a Methodist meet
ing—have shouted many times in Methodist
meetings^—have tried to teach my ten children
that the Methodist Church was as good as
any, and now to leave it w ould be hard. But
I do desire that oar Church should no longer
disgrace herself.
How is this to be avoided?
I say let us hasten slowly. By this, I mean,
let it not be said of us, “ this man began to
build and was notable to finish.”
I Mil for doing what we can, nothing more
I tlink that by this time, those who plan
the enterprises and manage the finances of
our Church, should have learned how far
they may safely go. They have made failures
enough.. Let them contract no more debts
without a probability of-being able to pay
them.
Mr. Editor, in my younger days, one of
the wisest and best men ever connected with
our church, did me the honor, to ask my
opinion as to the best course for the trustees
to pursue, in reference to. Emory College.
After he had informed me as to the means
upon which they relied to sustain it, I told
him that I would not attempt to put.the Col
lege into operation, as such, until the money
was in hand. He agreed with me iu opinion,
but went to £he meeting of the board and’
was overruled. -I allude to Josiah Flournoy,
of Putnam county. Any ono at all familiar
with the difficulties under which that in
stitution has labored, would say, how unfor
tunate that he was not sustained.
Again, I was opposed to sending Brother
Allen to China. Now, I recognise the Meth
odist Church as eminently missionary, but
I do not think God will require of us to take
the Bible in one hand and the sword in the
other, to enable ns 'to teach the Chinese or
any other people the truths of the gospel. I
do not say it boastingly, but to show the
spirit by which I am actuated, when it was
determined by the church to send Brother
Allen, I gave one hundred dollars to aid in
its accomplishment. This was done in a
large meeting and I can verify it. I was
then living in a large house, and had many
comtorts Hint linvu puosutl aivaj, X aiu iio-vr
living in a cabin, but I pledge myself to give
one hundred dollars to bring our missionary
back from China.
You may tako Bro. Allen’s most flattering
statement, as ’made some months since in
reference to China, and in view ol the labors
of years, of the expenditure of money and
men which has been made, it proves a failure,
I have seen no notice of it in the Advocatei
but the secular papers stated not ten days
since, that the missionary stations at Nankin
had been destroyed by an enraged people.
It is related of the celebrated Jack Ran
dolph, that during the excitement in this
com'try, in reference to the sufferings of the
Greeks, on visiting a lady friend who had
neglected her owe- household in her enthu
siasm, and was appealing to Mr. Randolph
for aid, he having noticed some of her ser
vants in rags, exclaimed: “Madam, the
Greeks are at your door.” And are not the
Greeks at our door? T pass over the suffer
ing regions nearest to us, and ask what does
Bishop Wightman say of Texas? What Bish
op Pierce of Arkansas, and of the wide door
now open, in the Indian country?
What says Bishop Marvin of the Pacific
Coast? This sounds like the true cry from
Macedonia.
Bro. Allen might instruct our preachers
in the language, which would give them ac
cess to the thousands, if not millions, soon
to lie amongst us. An Old Methodist.
Orphan’s Rome.
Mr. Editor: It was my purpose to have
presented, long since, some further thoughts
upon this most interesting subject, bnt the.
whole matter took a direction at the late
session of the North Georgia Conference,
not anticipated by me, and which necessita
ted a material change in my contemplated
course of action in the case; besides, I
deemed it best to wait until after the meet
ing of the Board of Trustees, /which took
place a few weeks since) that I might have
the lights and benefits resulting from their
deliberations.
As you and your readers are aware, it was
my r desire, Relieving it best, to delay any
thing in the form of an active agency for the
present year, and to employ the time and all
proper means to disseminate facts and infor
mation upon the subject of providing Homes
for the Orphans of our church and
gation, as also to discuss freely the question
of a system for Orphans Homes’ to become,
finally, a prominent aud perpetual feature of
Southern Methodism.
I feared, as I fully expressed on the Con
ference floor, and indicated iu both my ar
ticles in the Advotxtte, that the subject was
too new, and the people but little, if at all,
prepared to act; but I am perfectly satisfied
that in this opinion I was mistaken. The
Conference was right in taking action to put
the enterprise under way at once. The
laity as also the ministry, have manifested
a remarkable readiness to enter most hear
tily into the work, thereby presenting an
indication of Providence not to bo misun
derstood. It is God’s cause—the cause of
souls for whom Christ shed His blood—a
class of souls long neglected,' and whose
blood is found on our skirts. It is time that
we arouse ourselves, and meet these fearful
responsibilities. God is moving the hearts
of the people, and we shall be doubly guil
ty if we fail to meet the crisis- It is upon
us, and if we fail to meet it, in the true
spirit as a Christian Church, the glorious
privilege tendered will be given to others,
and we shall suffer the blighting consequen
ces of an inactivity so unworthy and guilty.
It is a remarkable and instructive fact,
that on the simple presentation of the idea
of an Orphans’ Home, (in the Southern
Christian Advocate ) and before it had been
brought before the Conference, without so
licitation, sundry persons, at different poinl s
in the State, and some beyond, in the
church and out, tendered large sums of
money for the | purpose of beginning the
work at once, and urged that it should be
done.
Several thousands of dollars were thus
voluntarily offered and pressed upon us, by
men of means and integrity, and, at ~tho
same time, a general deep and lively inter
est, amongst all elasses and both sexes, was
awakened, which in its universality and in
tensity, is without a parallel in the history
of the church in this country. We must
heed this voice of God, thus expressed
through His people. Their hearts are in
His hands, and the poor for whom we now
plead, are His poor. He lias "always evinced
a special care and tenderness towards the
poor, the widow and the fatherless.
In illustration and justification of the
statement as to the views and feelings of
the people upon this subject, I send here
with, for publication, a letter from our old
and tried friend, Rev. T. F. McGehee,
(formerly of Meriwether co., Ga.,) who is
well known to hundreds of your readers,
and whose noble example will, I trust, pro
voke many to.do likewise, and even more.
There are thousands,' both in the church
and without, whose hearts and means jus
tify me iu this hope. They will wjjen the
matter is presented, thus visit the “father
less and widow in their affliction”—-will take
in these little “strangers,” clothe the naked,
feed the hungry and minister to the sick.
Your readers have already been informed
of the action of the North Georgia Confer
ence iu the appointment of a Board of Trus
tees, who in conformity to said action, re
cently met in Atlanta, and organized by the
election of the Hon. John L. Hopkins, of
this city, President, and Charles H. John
son, Esq., of Griffin, Secretary and Treas
urer. As you have been further informed,
the most, active measures possible, have
been adopted to carry into effect the de
signs of the Conference.
1 have already commenced my work as
Agent, and am happy to bo allle to report
the most cheering results. Atlanta 'is re
sponding nobly.
It is my purpose to visit, as rapidly as
possible, such places, cities aud country, as
may seem best, but as there are many
thousands of the friends of the Orphan, on
whom I cannot call iu person until late in
the year, and it is most desirable to procure
a local'inn, and to put the Home into prac
tical operation as soon as possible (possibly
in April) I desire to invite subscriptions,
contributions of money, donations of lands,
stocks, such as Railroad, Banking, Manu
facturing, etc., all which can he readily done
by addressing me at this place.
It is Hue, I shall he, much of my time
absent from the city, particularly on the
Sabbath, bnt residing here, as' I purpose do
ing, and this being the great radiating cen
tre of Railroads, I shall return here, every
week or two, where all correspondents will
be promptly answered and their contribu
tions acknowledged in the columns of the
Sofltherh Christian Advocate. ■
If our friends will avail themselves of this
arrangement, they will greatly facilitate the
work, and, understanding the matter as most
will, there can be no good reason for delay
ing uutißl can)call upon them at their
churches- or homes. I will receive cash in
any sums desired by contributors, to be
sent in Bills of Exchange, Post Office or
ders or otherwise; subscriptions of any
sums from §5 and upwards, to be. paid on
the first of December, 1870; or, annually for
five, ten, or twenty years, or for life.
In this connexion I deem it proper to
state that, I have found a number of per
sons and families, who are deeply interested
in this great work, whose circumstances will
not allow them to nntkw large contributions
at this time, and probably hereafter, who
have subscribed, some §5, some §lO, and
some still more, to be paid annually for life.
This is a good plan, and wifi, it is hoped, be
adopted by rnauy. It is exceedingly desira
ble that all our people, rich and poor, old
and young, should be interested in, and
identified with this noble work. Besides, it
is intended and believed that the “Orphans’
Homes” shall be as perpetual as the church.
“The poor ye have always.” Bnt, although
these views 'and plans are stated both be
cause they are true and important, it is
necessary to say that we are in immediate
want of available means, to make a real, ap
preciable beginning as early as possible,
And therefore those who can, are earnestly
asked, to contribute cash or other available
means. It is hoped by thd Board of Trus
tees and the Jriends of the work, that large
subscriptions, running on for years, as also
bequests of property, real aud personal, will
be made, looking to a liberal and perma
nent endowment of the Institution.
Before concluding, I desire to call special
attention to the proposition of your corres
pondent, “Slat Umbra Nominis," iu the
Soul horn Christian 'Advocate of the 24th De
cember. That is a good movement, and
has already been responded to by a number
of persons. There are not only five hundred,
hut five thousand men and women in Geor
gia, connected directly or indirectly With
the Methodist E. Church, South, who can,
easily, and 1 trust will give §IOO each, on
the 25th day of December next, to provide
a Home and its blessings, together with ed
ucation and business training, and above all
religious instruction- and influences, for the
unpitied fatherless, motherless little boys
and girls of Georgia, to whom no Christmas
gifts and pleasures ever come, and whose sad
hearts are never made to leap for joy, by the
pleasant little surprises contained in their
tattered socks and stockings, at the dawn
of the birthday of Him, who took such “up
iu His arms, put HisJiands upon them, and
blessed them,” and added, “of such is the
kingdom of God,”
Please, dear friends, send forward your
names to this §IOO proposition, and God
will bless the gift and the giver.
As before stated, my address is Atlanta,
Georgia. Jesse Boring,
Agent of Orphans’ Home.
P. S.—As I am sometimes written to
the subject of the Atlanta Medical College;
I beg to state that I have no connection
with it or the practice of medicine.
J. B.
LETTER OF REV. THOMAS F. MCGEHEE.
Dear Brother Boring :—On this rainy Sun
day, being confined in my room, I have just
read your second article about a “Church
Orphans’ Home.”
That is a matter that has long lain with
great weight on my mind and heart, and as
such, I proposed, through the Southern
Christian Advocate (over the signature of
Steward,) some 12 or 14 years Since, to give
§5,000 to aid in founding an institution of
learning, especially for the indigent poor;
but no person paid any attention, or second
ed the motion, consequently I came to the
conclusion that the pool- of the country were
not cared for as much as was intended by
the Saviour, when he said, “the poor ye
have always witli you.”
I am glad so able a pen as yours has taken
the matter in hand to do something for the
poor homeless Orphan, and I wish you great
success in the accomplishment of so great
and glorious an enterprise. Persevere, my
dear brother, in the name and strength of
God, and the work will be done.
My circumstances, in common with all
others of the South, are very much reduced
by the casualties of our unfortunate war,
and yet I will do something in that great
and good enterprise.
With the express understanding on my
part and the corporators, that it is to be ap-
VOL. XXXIII. XO. 6.
plied for the benefit alone of the indigent
Orphans of our Church and congregations,
that something, I now say, shall not be less
than §I,OOO, and rather than the enterprise
should fail, I may give twice that much, but
for the present, I say §I,OOO sure.
In such a profitable investment, I very muoh
desire that many thousands take stock, that
they may have treasure in Heaven ; yes, a
treasure that will pay the very best dividend,
“a thousand fold in this present time, and in
the world to come, eternal life.” Therefore
I hope many r thousands will avuil themselves
of this high and exalted privilege, that many
poor Orphans may rise up to bless them in
time, and bless them and God, to vast eter •
nity.
Do, if you please, excuse my trespassing
on your timeund patience.
If using this in any' way will beueflt that
good enterprise, why, then use it in any
way you think proper.
Yours in Christ aud in great esteem,
Thos. F. McGehee.
Auburn, Akt. , Dec. Ith, 1869.
Tlae Bible iu South Carolina.
Mr Editor: —ln reudiug over the report
on the Bible cause in the Southern Christian
Advocate, January 14th, 1870, adopted at the
last Annual Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, this error occurs—
‘•while loss than three hundred (5300) dollars,
only, have been contributed, or collected in
the State” (of South Carolina,) “by the
Agents of the Society'.” It should be three
thousand (§3.000) dollars. I think that
more than three §3,000 have been collected
iu this State. As the country prospers our
auxiliaries will contribute more money for
the work of Bible distribution.
The following excellent Bible Committees
were recently formed aud will be supplied
with Bibles and Testaments for distribution
by the American Bible Society.
The St. Peter’s Bibie Committee is situat
ed on the Savannah River, iu Beaufort
county, S. C., seventy' miles west of the
, town of Beaufort, and its field will include
a scoj a; of country 25 miles long and 15
miles wide. Committee, William G. |Ro
berds, Chairman, Rev. L. C. Loyall, Lucien
McCall, Dr. \. H. Johnson and Capt. 11.
Smart.
The- Allendale Bililo . Committee, Barn
well comity, 8, (A, Rev. Joseph A. Lawton,
Chairman. Rev. C. A. Baynard, Rev. Joseph
M. Bostick and Rev. W. A. Clark. Said
Committee propose to extend their opera
tions up and down the Savannah River
some 30 miles or more, aud back into the
interior of Barnwell county, fifteen or more
miles ; embracing one of tjio most densely
populated portions of the country.
Allow mo to say that your honored church
paper, the Southern Christian Advocate, pays
its weekly visits to my family, by whom it
is read with much pleasure. We pray for
its prosperity and that God’s blessing may
rest upon its worthy,Editor.
Vours .fraternally,
E. A. Bolles,
Agent A. B. 8., 8. 0.
Columbia, S. C., Jan. 29/A, 1870.
To the Preachers at the North Ga.
Conference.
Dear Brethren :—The Board of Finance
of the North Georgia Conference have made
the following apportionment to the differ
ent Districts within the bounds of the Con -
ference, to meet the claims of the Superan
nuated Preachers, the Widows aud Orphans,
and also the claims of the Bishops, for the
present year. The Presiding Elders will
please immediately apportion the amount to
the different charges in their Districts, aud
urge the preachers’ attention to them.
FOR SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS, ETC.
Augusta District SISOO
Athens District '. 1500
Elberton District 600
Dahlonega District SCO
Rome District. .- 700
Marietta District; 700
Atlanta District 800
LaGrange District?.. 1100
Griffin District 800
§3200
FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE BISHOTS.
Augusta District. §2OO
Athens District 200
Elberton District 75
Dahlonega District 75
Rome District 100
Marietta District 75
Atlapta District 100
LhGrange District 125
Griffin District . ... 100
§IOSO
Dear Brethren :—Do use all the means in
your power to obtain the.amounts uppoi -
tion<?(l to your charge. Let the wealthier
charges add 50 per cent, on their apportion
ment, and this will make up for the failure
of the poorer charges Lo raise their amounts,
and let the poorer charges determine to
raise their amounts, and the Board will be
able to settle with claimants to their full
amount. I know this can bo done, if all Jo
their duty.
The amount for the Bishops’ support
should he raised at the earliest opportunity,
at least by the meeting of the General Con
ference impossible. Remember, brethren,
we are the Stewards for the Bishops, and
the Superannuated preachers, Widows and
Orphans. Let us do our whole duty, and
we Wi 11 make glad many a heart; and to do
it'let us begin early for all those collections,
aud keep at it late till the work be accom
plished. And verily we shall have our re
ward.
The amount collected for the Bishops
ytm can send to me at Augusta, Ga., either
by Express or Post Office order, or by some
safe hand, and it shall be acknowledged
through the Southern Christian Advocate.
C. W. Key, Chairman
Joint Board of Finance, N. O. Con.
Augusta, Ga., Feb. Ith, 1870.—w2
To tlu* Pastors and Superinten
dents of Sunday-schools in the
North Georgia Conference.
Dear Brethren : —Tho Sunday-school So
ciety of the North Georgia Conference, at
the last session of the Conference, feeling
the importance of the subject’, and desiring
to advance the great cause of Sunday-schools
within their bounds, proposed, and the
Conference adopted, tho following resolu
tions :
“1. That §3,000 be raisod the present year
for Sunday-school purposes, and that this
sum be apportioned to the several Districts
on an equitable basis by the Board or the
President.”
“2. That where schools exist, the Super
intendents be requested to raise the amount
apportioned to them, by calling for monthly
contributions, and to report the same
promptly to the Treasurer of the Board.
Where there ore no schools, the Pastors are
requested to take collections for this fund,
in all the congregations in their several
charges in the mouth of April, aud to re
port tho same lo the Treasurer of tho Board
immediately.”
“3. We may appeal, confidently, to the
Sunday-school children within the bounds
of this Conference to the above plan, foras
much as the Agent of Sunday-shools within
our bounds, is their preacher and Missiona
ry-”
It would seem unnecessary, after giving
the above resolutions, to add anything by
way of commending the plan, ox of urging
its hearty adoption.
By this plan,’the Superintendents are re
quested to take collections monthly in their
schools, to the amount, at laast, of the ap-