Newspaper Page Text
142
Soutjjfrn Christian
MACON, GEORGIA. SEPT. 9, 1870.
Bishop Simpson »t the W »■»!«• van
loufrrvnrv.
Bishop Simjwon and l>r. l\vst<>r wore the
representatives of the Methodist Episcopal
Church to the British iXurfemioe. They
had a grand reception and there was much
speech-making. Doubtless our readers will
feel an interest in knowing what was said
there on some subjects and we therefore
quote largely from Bishop Simpson's ad
dress, respecting the relations of the colored
people.
The address to which you have listened
has spoken of the progress of our Church,
and has alluded to several topics of deep in
terest to us and to you. One of these alludes
to the abolition of slavery in our land, [hear,
hear, and applause,] and to the consequent
opening of a wide door to preach the Gospel
among the colored population, and also an
opportunity to educate them so that they
may become useful in advancing the king
dom of our Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot but
contrast the present morning with the morn
ing when, thirteen years ago, I stood before
you. At that time, as many of you will re
member, from certain sections of this coun
try an address was sent up to your body re
questing you not to receive Dr. McClintock
and myself because we were the representa
tives of a pro-slavery Church. Such were
not your feelings. [Hear, hear.] With warm
hearts and with open hands you did receive
us, and we then stated what the position of
our Church was, and I am glad to say that
events have justified all wo said. [Cheers.]
The Church reasserted her anti-slavery posi
ti n from time to time. When the fearful
struggle came which sin brought upon us,
and which wrong-doing will ever bring upon
any people—[hear, hear] —when that fearful
struggle came, I am glad to say that our sons
and our brothers were true both to their
Church and their country, and stood in the
van of those who sought the overthrow of
slavery in our midst. [Renewed cheers.)
The evil, however, being removed from us,
we have been permitted to extend our bor
ders, as the address has noticed, largely in
the South ; and there is no Southern State
in our Union in which we have not now a
number of our ministers preaching the Gos
pel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And although
the Church South, which separated from us
on account of its slavery, still occupies a
large territory, and I trust will do much
good in its sphere of labor, we have found
cause urging us to go into all sections of the
country. The colored people especially have
been anxious that we should establish what
they term the old mother Church among
them. [Hear, hear.] I have visited them
in nearly all those States ; I have seen their
streaming eyes, and their exclamations of
joy have I heard as they felt that once more
they were in the Church of their choice—a
Church that had always been their friend,
and that was seeking to benefit them now.
I have heard it stated that two Conferences
have been organised among them, composed
wholly of colored ministers—]hear| —and I
am glad to say that in their prudence, their
carefulness, and their Methodist spirit they
are showing signs of great improvement.
Besides these two Conferences, composed
wholly of colored ministers, we have a large
number of others, composed partly of color
ed ministers and partly of white ministers ;
for throughout South Carolina, and Florida,
and Georgia, and Alabama, and Mississippi,
and Louisiana, and Texas, the majority of
our ministers are colored ministers. There
is groat prosperity among them, and they
are beginning to establish schools. [Hear,
hear.] I have been glad to witness the zeal
with which the young people among them
are seeking for education; and some of the
old ones aro buying spectacles and asking
for primers; and sometimes yon will see
tnese colored men and women, from sixty to
seventy years of age, trying to learn their
letters, spelling the name of Jesus, and re
joicing that they are beginning to read the
Word of God. [Loud applause. | A won
derful change has passed over our land.
Four millions of people, who were compara
tively shut out from civilization and eleva
tion, are now rejoicing in hope of tho glory
of God. | Voices, “Praise the Lord!”] Such
a work has God wrought among us, and I
know yon rejoice in the depths of your
heart, even as we rejoice. I rejoice not
only because of this freedom among our
selves, but I believe by the providence of
God that in a few years, with the increased
facilities afforded them and the progress
made by them, they will become missiona
ries, and will return to their father-land, and
will bring the one hundred and fifty millions
now sitting in the darkness of Africa into
the full light of the Gospel; and I trust that
in some way we shall see how God vindicates
the great movements of his own providence
in making the very wrath of man to praise
him, when he shall send back to the very
shores of Africa teachers and instructors of
righteousness who shall civilize Africa, and
Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to tho
living God. [Renewed applause.]
The following passage, too, will be read
with interest:
As I have gone over the world, and no
ticed how different usages prevail, I have
been led to notice what I believe to be our
great fundamental principles, and to notice
wherein I think the great power of Metho
dism resides. My conviction is that that
power resides chiefly in two things: 1. The
consciousness and manifestation of the Di
vine presence in our midst; and, 2. The co
operation of all parts of the Church in ad
vancing the interests of the cause of Christ.
On these two things I think the power and
glory of Methodism depend. And you will
allow me to say that I do believe—though
possibly it may be that too great an attach
ment to Methodism influences that belief—
that God has placed in Methodism the coun
teracting power of Catholicism all over the
world. [Hear, hear.] I think the human
heart wants this conviction, that God in
some way is in the midst of the people, that
the Divine power is there. Now there are
two ways in which men look for that. The
one is in some external rites or forms. Men
may clothe themselves in vestments, and as
sume that God is with them because they
have th-'se vestments cn them. Man may
lay hands on heads, and say that Divine
power comes through this peculiar form, or
they may take elements and consecrate them
(although in fancy,) and think that a Di
vine change passes upon them while they
remain visibly the elements they were. But
what humanity wants is to find a Divine
power, a Divine presence, somewhere in the
midst of the organization. Now there is the
looking for this externally, and it is the
thought that God is there when the host is
elevated, when the bell is rung, when the in
cense ascends, that •so powerfully affects the
hearts of the people, and, unless there be
something to counteract this, men will con
tinue to look to such external organizations
aud to be affected by them. Now where is
the counteracting power ? It is to be found
in this: God speaks directly to the heart of
man. And where there shall be a Church in
which men are taught that God speaks di
rectly to the heart, and where men, going
into that Church, shall see that God is among
them of a truth, men will fall down in their
midst and say that God is there. Methodism,
in my judgment, furnishes this to the world.
The power of its services, the depths of its
experience, the flowing tear, the deep feel
ing of the heart, the shouts of joy, the man
ifestation of the Divine presence in our
midst—these are the powers that will coun
teract Catholicism. [Applause.] If men
can believe that they can find God in their
midst, and in their hearts, they will not go
to be subjected to priests and external cir
cumstances. And this has led me of late
years to feel more and more the necessity of
deep spirituality, spiritual power and the
manifestations of it. This is what we must
have. This is what I want for myself—the
power, the love, the earnestness of early
Methodism; the power of direct address to
the heart. I pray God that this may be
continued to the Church, and that it may
be greatly multiplied. I love the manifesta
tions of the Spirit in our prayer-meetings,
class-meetings, revival-meetings. That is
the power that is drawing the heart of the
public towards ns. God grant that it may
increase from year to year! [Loud responses
of “Amen” and “So be it.”] And just as
other denominations share this, they too
will increase. And lam not anxious to have
this power confined to our midst. [Hear,
hear.] I pray that all the Lord’s people
may be prophets. But it does seem to me
that sooner or later the line will be run be
tween these two forms, of Ritualism on the
one hand, and on the other the experiment
al power of the love of God in the heart. It
is at the latter that we are aiming; and this
is Methodism. [Hear, hear.] And, besides
this doctrine, it seems to me that in our usa
ges we are cultivating the means that will
lead to the manifestation of this power. We
prize onr class-meetings. They are not at
tended as we wish they were in some parts,
mul yet I believe that they are more fully
attended than they were some’years ago. I
think there is a "revival in that direction.
We view them as the life of the Church. It
is this coming together in little companies,
this talkingabout the love of God, this plan
ning how to do good, this going forth with
a soul full of yenring affection for the world,
that we believe is giving us onr power.
[Hear, hear.] So also, brethren, in our
widespread connection we are having what
you have not—our camp-meetings. They
may not suit your section of the Church, but
with ns they seem to be almost a necessity;
they bring the people together, they famil
iarize the Methodists of one section with
the forms of another. The spirit of holiness
spreading throughout our host greatly in
creases the movement of it. It is onlarged
by the social meeting that we hold from
year to year. But I have no tenacity as re
gards the manner —the great question is how
to get our people to work. And that is the
question that is deeply affecting the mind
of our Church. The feeling is that every
man and every woman that enters the Church
of the living God ought to be an active
worker in the Church. By what mode, to
what extent, there may be differences of
opinion; but every particle of talent should
be solicited and employed for Christ. This
is what we are trying to do, and as we make
the effort God is blessing our efforts.
[“Hear, hear,” and applause.] ..... We
are trying on our part to facilitate, if we
may, the union of different Methodist bodies.
[Hear, hear.] Our last General Conference
has made a proposal on this point. Two of our
Bishops visited the Conference of the South
ern Church, which sat in May last, and
conveyed to them the information that we
were ready to negotiate with the sister
Church and draw as closely together as pos
sible. The great evil of slavery having
passed away, we knew not why we should
remain apart. There is a tendency in Meth
odism to draw together; and it is our hope,
notwithstanding the feeling engendered by
the war, that all the Methodists in our
country may become one. How it may be
with you I know not; but we pray that God
may unite all hearts, that Methodism may
become a greater power in the earth. May
God grant that when we have done our du
ty here we may be a part of that triumphant
host that may enjoy his presence above!
[Loud and prolonged applause.]
Tiie Nashville Christian Advocate ap
pears this week in double form —though not
yet a double sheet, because the large new
press has net reached Nashville. With Dr.
Summers,we do net like double papers, and
could wish that it would always come out in
two as handsome sheets as those before us.
We congratulate Dr. Summers on the “am
ple scope and verge” now allowed to him
and his numerous correspondents. He be
speaks peace with the editorial fraternity.
He need not fear—for those who do not love
him well enough to be at peace with him—
if there be any such ill-conditioned persons
—stand in wholesome fear of him. He is
an adversary not to be lightly tilted at. Wo
wish the “Groat Official” great success.
Wesley Chapel, Atlanta.— We learn that
the corner-stone of anew edifice for the
Wesley Chapel congregation was laid last
week. It is in the angle where two streets
meet, near the present chapel. It is to bo
built in Gothic style, with three towers, the
central one 175 feet high, the other two 120
feet each. The building is to be 145 long—
the audience room 90 by CO. Behind the
pulpit a recess of fifteen will hold the organ
and choir. There is to be a gallery in the
front end, and seats in the isles which may
fold up out of the way. The church is to
seat 1500 people, and will cost §50,000.
Georgia Agricultural Convention.”—
So important is the action of this Conven
tion to the planters of Georgia—especial
ly in making it strictly a representative body,
whereby it may have an authoritative char
acter and weight, not belonging to a mere
individual association that wo publish
largely from its proceedings on our last
page, and trust that our planting friends
will find it to their interest to unite with the
county associations.
East Alabama Cotlege.— We learn that
the prospects of this Institution for the ses
sion opening in October are flattering. The
Faculty are at work, visiting the people and
stirring them up on the subject of educa
tion. The Rev. A. D. McVoy has recently
been elected Battle Professor of Moral Sci
ence, aud A. Schindelmeiser, A. M., Profes
sor of Modern Languages. See Advertise
ment.
Wofford College, this week, announces
the opening of its next session. See adver
tisement.
Tue Memories op Fiftt Tears: Containing
Brief Biographical Notices of Distinguished
Americans, aud Anecdotes of Remarkable Men;
Interspersed with Scenes and Incidents Occur
ring during a Long Life of Observation spent
chiefly in the South-west. By VV. H. Sparks.
Philadelphia: Claxton, Rcmsen it Ilaffeltinger.
Macon, Ga.: J. W. burke & Cos. 8 vo, pp. 489.
This book will doubtless find numerous
readers. Full of narrative and personal inci
dent, in which the leading men of the South of
the last half century are the actors and speak
ers, Col. Sparks will find a large audience
among their descendants aud admirers.
We presume from paragraphs here and there,
that he is not very evangelically religious;
and he is somewhat lame in Church history
—attributing the founding of Methodism,
eo nomine, to John Wesley, while travelling
through our embryo settlements “and in
troducing the simple worship of the Church
of his founding, after a method established
by himself.” Mr. Wesley was a missionary
to Georgia; but as a member of the Church
of England; and Methodism took form only
after his return to his native land. Col.
Sparks, however, pays a high compliment to
Methodism—bears testimony to its influence
in giving character to the people, and also
eulogises one of the principal agents of its
successful establishment in Georgia, in the
following appreciative language:
It is more than sixty years since I first
listened to a Methodist sermon. It was
preached by a young, spare man, with sal
low complexion, and black eyes and hair. I
remember the gleam of his eye and the deep,
startling tones of his voice—his earnest and
fervent manner; and only yesterday, in the
Baronne (?) Street (New Orleans) Methodist
Church, I listened to an old man, upwards
of eighty years of age, preaching the ordi
nation sermon of four new bishops of the
Methodist Church. It was he to whom I
had first listened; the eye was still brilliant,
the face still sallow, but wrinkled now, and
the voice and manner still fervent and earn
est; and the great mind, though not the
same, still powerful. It was that venerable,
good man, Lovick Pierce, the father of the
great and eloquent Bishop. What has he
not seen? What changes; what trials, what
triumphs! Generations before his eyes have
passed into eternity; the little handful of
Methodist communicants grown into a
mighty and intelligent body; thousands of
ministers are heralding her tenets all over
the Protestant world—mighty in learning,
mighty in eloquence—yet none surpass the
eloquence, the power, and the purity of
Lovick Pierce.
When I first heard him, Bishop Asbury,
William Riissell, and he were nursing the
seed sown by John Wesley and George
Whitefield, a little before, upon the soil of
Georgia. All but Pierce have long been
gathered to their father’s, and have rest
from their labors. He still remains, bearing
his cross in triumph, and still preaching the
Redeemer to the grandchildren of those who
welcomed him and united with him in the
good work of his mission. How much his
labors have done to form and give tone to
the character of the people of the State of
Georgia, none may say; but under his eye
and aid has arisen a system of female edu
cation, which has and is working wonders
throughout the State. He has seen the ig
norant and untaught mothers rear up virtu
ous, educated and accomplished daughters;
and, in turn, these rearing daughters and
sons, an ornament aud an honor to parents
and country. Above all, he has seen and
sees a standard of intelligence, high breed
ing and piety pervading the entire State.
The log cabin gives way to the comfortable
mansion, the broad fields usurping the for
est’s claim, and the beautiful church build
ing pointing its taper spire up to heaven,
where stood the rude log house and where
first he preached. He has lived on and
watched this growing moral and physical
beauty, whose germs he planted, and whose
fruits he now eDjoys in the eighty-fourth
year of his age, still zealous, still ardent and
eloquent, and a power in the land. Should
these lines ever meet his eyes, he will know
that the child whose head he stroked as he
sat upon his knee—the youth whom he
warned and counselled, loves him yet now T
that he is wrinkled, old and gray.
A Constitutional View op the War Between
tub-states; or Causes, Character, Conduct and
Results. By Alexander H. Stephens. In two
volumes. Vol. 11. National Publishing Cos.
Large S vo. pp. 527.
In the first volume of his work Mr. Ste
phens confined himself entirely to a discus
sion of the causes which led to the secession
of the South. In the volume now before us,
he narrates the story of the War, giving es
pecial emphasis to the action of the govern
ment of the Confederacy, or to what may be
called its confidential history. His account
of the important conference at Hampton
Roads between President Lincoln and the
Confederate Commissioners, is one of the
most valuable additions to the literature of
the War, and is in itself worth the price of
the entire work. The vexed question of the
non-exchange of Prisoners of War has much
new light shed upon it, and the peace move
ments in the South are thoroughly explained.
Mr. Stephens writes with that calm dignity
which is always the historian’s most effective
weapon, weighing facts according to their
merits, and arriving at conclusions with a
clearness of judgment which is, to say the
least, remarkable in one who was himself so
important an actor in the events narrated.
It is this fact which will make Lis book so
welcome to those who are seeking substan
tial information upon the subjects treated
of, and who prefer clear and straight-for
ward statements of what was done, to fine
theories as to what might have been accom
plished. Having been compelled by ill
health, since the war, to remain almost en
tirely in the privacy of his home, and to
take no part in the questions of the day, Mr.
Stephens has been enabled to look back
over his long and honorable career with the
calmness of one whose record is completed,
and to produce, as his most valuable ser
vice to the country, the magnificent history
which lies before us. The work is embel
lished by several line portraits. The hook
is sold by subscription only, and agents are
wanted in every county.
The Oldest and tiie Newest Empire: China
and the United States. By Wm. Speer, D. D.,
Corresponding Secretary of the Presbyterian
Board of Edueati n, formerly Missionary in
China, and to the Church of California. Nation
al Publishing Cos. 8 vo. pp. CBl.
This volume is full of interest to those to
whom China is an unknown land. We have
here a summary account of the Chinese at
home, the history of their empire, their
manners, arts, institutions &c. Dr. Speer
thinks well of the Chinese people and has
high hope of a Christian future for them;
and his book is an attempt to make our peo
ple better acquainted with them, and to in
cite to efforts which shall lead them to hold
a better opinion of us. They surely ought
for the reasons which incited the mob to
the Massacre at Tientsin show a very poor
appreciation of Christian Missionaries. So
much the more need of carrying them a pure
gospel.
Out in the Storm. By the author of “The
Leighton Children,” etc.
Dick and His Donkey. By the author of “Jack
the Conqueror.’’
Two little books of stories, published by
the American Sunday-school Union.
Tm: Magazines for September, on our
table, with thoir tables of contents, are:
Tire Southern Farm and Home, Macon,
Ga. J. W. Burke & Cos. W. 51. Browne,
Editor. 82 00. Farm Work for the Month;
Improvement of Worn-out Lands; Aspara
gus; Cost of Manufacturing Cotton Yarns;
Agricultural Societies—Letter from John
Plowliandles; 51r. Gustin and Dr. Dickson
Smith; Wheat, Clover, and Rotation of
Crops; The Use of Lime; Hedges for the
South; Fencing; Paints for Farmers, and
How to Use Them; Cooking Grain—lts
Economy and Profits; “Worn Out” Farms
and Plantations; Relative Importance of the
Ingredients of the Soil; Dr. Voelcker’s
Chemical Investigations; Clover; Going
Back to the Dung Heap; Potash as an In
gredient for slanure; Strawberry Culture;
The Apiary; Cotton aud Corn—A Peep at
the Other Side; Spin Your Own Cotton; Lu
cerne; The Death Bed —Poetry; The Vege
table Garden; The Flower Garden; The
Orchard; Trees and Shrubs; Domestic Re
ceipts; Editorial; Answers to Correspon
dents; Editor’s Book Table; The Wrong
Phial, and Its Consequences—Prize Story.
The Rural Carolinian, Charleston, S. C.
Walker, Evans & Cogswell, and D. Wyatt
Aiken. 82.00. This number closes the vol
ume. Experience in Hedging—lllustrated;
Farm Life in Brazil; Sugar Farming in
Louisiana; Wood Ashes in Agriculture; Port
Wine and the Port W T ine Country—lllustra
ted; Winter Pastures; Two Sides to Every
Question; Best Depth to Sow Wheat—ll
lustrated ; Scarlet Clover for the South—H
lustrated; A Hint to Agricultural Writers;
Lime as a slanure; A Suggestive Incident;
Remedy for Rust in Wheat; The Mangos
teen—with a Plate; Some of Dr. Wylie’s
Hybrid Grapes; On Apples Spotting; Vege
tables—Experience with New Varieties—ll
lustrated; Strawberries and Raspberries;
Southern Fruits ; Peaches lllustrated ;
Light Draft and Saddle Horses; Cotton
Meal for Stock; The Houdan Fowl-—Hlus
trated; Cabbage Insects—lllustrated; Car
bolic Acid for Grapes—lllustrated; Cash
mere or Angora Goats; Wind-mills on the
Farm—lllustrated; Improved Implements;
Phosphate Beds of South Carolina; Rats do
not Immigrate to Empty Barns; Editorial
Department; Correspondence; Design of a
City Residence: Departments of Literary
sliscellany and of Hygiene and Household
Economy.
The Galaxy. New York: Sheldon <fc Cos.
54.00. Overland (Continued); slilk; His
toric Doubts Concerning Patrick Henry;
Patience; The Album of the Regiment; Ten
Years in Rome; The Inquisition; Lady Ju
dith—A Tale of Two' Continents; Unpar
doned; Temperaments; Two Women, [in
which the author sneers a little at Evangeli
cal religion;] Three Singers; Drift-wood;
English, American and French Literature;
slark Twain’s “Memoranda;” Nebulie.
The XIX Century. Charleston, S. C.
83i50. A Mountain Ramble and what came
of it; Philosophy of the War; Rambles in
Mexico; The Storm and the Sunset; Lines
to a Chaffinch; Oster—a Leaf Stolen from
an Old Wife’s Diary; The Rural Farm; Mo
ma Elverly, or Outlines of Life; The Finan
cial Condition of South Carolina; B. F.
Perry’s Sketch of Judge Gantt—a Protest;
Annabel; Editorial Workshop; Passes en
passant; Olla Podrida.
Old and New. Boston: Roberts Brothers.
84 00. Bryant's Iliad; Childless; John
Whoppey the News Boy; Our Oldest Fort
ress; The Seed; Paraguay; She Writes; Lake
George; The Quakers in New England; Pink
and White Tyranny; The Shop Girl; The
Church of the Latter-day Saints; The
National Church; Six slonths on Five Cents;
Adondoracks in August; Ecumenical Coun
cil; The Examiner Record of Progress.
The Herald of Health, and Journal of
Physical Culture: Advocate of a Higher
Type of Manhood—Physically, Intellectual
ly, and Morally, New York, Wood & Hol
brook, or American News] Cos. The Two
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
Wivea; Reminiscences of Sir James Y. Simp
son; Sent to Bed->a Poem; An unbounded
Stomach; Growth and Development; The
Therapeutics of Flogging; Things not
Thoughts; The Phrenology of Charles Dick
ens; Our Studies in Physiology; Editorial;
How to Treat the Sick; Answers to Corres
pondents.
Every Saturday for September 10 is one
of the handsomest Illustrated Papers ever
issued. It contains European War Pictures
—the Baden Prisoners taken at Niederbronn;
French Soldiers bathing at Nancy; A Prus
sian Outpost; Saarbruck; and Some Recluits
for the South German Army. It hasbe
sides, fine portraits of Mademoiselle Sessi
and Geo. W. Childs of the Philadelphia Led
ger ; a beautiful art picture, Morning in the
Desert; and three admirable summer pic
tures—A Picnic in the Woods, by A. Hop
pin ; Summer Days, by W. J. Hennessy; and
On the Beach at Long Branch, by C. G.
Bush. Its Literary contents comprise able
and very interesting Editorials. It has a
fail summary of Home and Foreign Nfews,
two additional chapters of “The Mystery of
Edwin Drood,” and fresh and readable arti
ticles. Altogether, if is a remarkable num
ber of this first-class family Illustrated
Weekly.
Lippincgtt’s Magazine. —J. B. Lippincott
& Cos., Philadelphia, Pa. §4 per annum.
Admetus; The Story of the Sapphire; By
Steam and Paddle to Manitoba; About
Dogs ; Sir Harry Hotspur ; Mexican Re
miniscences; A Pilgrimage; The House of
Pennypacker aud Son; Waifs from Field,
Camp and Garrison; On the Hypothesis of
Evolution; Physical and Metaphysical A
Glimpse of Quebec; My Story; Errata; X)ur
Monthly Gossip; Literature of the Day.
The Sunday Magazine. J. B. Lippincott
& Cos., Philadelphia, Pa, §3.50 per annum.
Episodes in an Obscure Life—Being Expe
riences in the Tower Hamlets ; The Saving
Power; On the Miracles of our Lord; The
Lord Spoiling Balaam’s Promotion; To
Thee; The Cull of the Child; “In the Mount
of the Lord it shall be seen;” Passover Ob
servances; The Struggle in Ferrara; Nan
nie’s Illness ; On Giving Holy Things to
Dogs, and Casting Pearls Before Swine; The
Companions of St. Paul; Fading with the
Snowdrop; Supplement—Notes for Readers
out of the Way. The October part of the
Sunday Magazine will commence its Seventh
Volume. Liberal arrangements have been
made for the future, and the Publishers feel
justified in promising that the Magazine
will fully equal, if it will not surpass, its
present high reputation.
Good Words for the Young. J. B. Lip
pincott, & Cos., Philadelphia, Pa. §2.50 per
annum. Ranald Bannerman’s Boyhood;
The Lost Child, A Legend of Brittany; Na
tures Instructions; Hymns for the Young;
Oranges and Lemons—Or, Jean Baptiste of
Mentone ; A day in the Tropics; At the
Back of tho North Wind; Among the But
terflies; The Village School; Aunt Annie’s
Stories about Horses; Tibbie’s Tea-things;
The Picture Book.
Good Words. J. li. Lippincott & Cos.,
Philadelphia, Pa., §2.75 per annum. Fer
ny hurst Court; Crime in the Army; Mar
ried Lovers; Wanderings in the Desert of
the Exodus; Half-hours in the Temple
Church; Not Alone ; Dorothy Fox ; From
Calcutta to Alexandria; Simon the Cyrenian.
A Christian Ballad; The Country of the Ca
misards; Letters from the Tropics.
The last four magazines togetherat §10.25.
Comsponknte.
Letter from Bishop Pierced
Mr. Editor: Since I wrote you last, I have
been to two college commencements, six
district meetings and one camp meeting—
have traveled 1500 miles, preached almost
daily, made sundry speeches, reached home
last night and will leave in the morning for
Alabama. sly health, thank God, is good,
my strength unabated and, despite excess in
heat and abundant labor, my burden sits
lightly upon me.
I know not whether you will thank me
for my interference ; but I have prevented
the brethren from forwarding reports and
resolutions for the paper. In my judgment
the church papers are damaged by the pub
lication of so many details from conferences,
both annual and district. The proceedings
are uniform, the people are familiar with
the order, and to report from week to week,
and a dozen times in the same paper, from as
many districts, substantially the same things,
is stale and unprofitable.
In some instances, I have been requested
to substitute for the Secretary’s synopsis one
of my accustomed letters. Indeed, one
brother said, pleasantly, that if I would write
more and belter, he would be satisfied. Well,
while writing to-day, I will give you more;
but as to the better, I make no promise. I
must needs write with a running pen, or not
at all.
The LaGrange District Conference was
held at Grantville. The attendance of del
egates was full and the services spirited.
The reports, in general, were not satisfac
tory, either as to the religious or financial
condition of the work. We had a searching
examination into all matters proper to the
occasion, and the convictions made upon
the minds of the brethren, I am satisfied,
will work out very valuable changes. The
Church needs faithful preaching, wise ad
ministration of discipline, careful pastoral
oversight, and a re-establishment of the
sense of responsibility to the Church among
the members. Revivals and protracted meet
ings are good and necessary ; but they will
not do for training and organization. The
conditions of membership (the General
Rules) must be complied with—the feeling
of accountability to church authority must
be educated and kept alive—the duties of
religion, both personal and relative, must be
insisted on. When all proper means have
been used, and delinquents will not be re
formed, then they have no more place among
us. Unfaithfulness at these points will ruin
us. No revival will save us. The most
abundant harvest, though reaped—if left
unbound, lying loose in the field will per
ish. It must be garnered and watched to be
kept safe and sound.
I spent two days at Social Circle, with the
brethren of the Atlanta District. It was a
good time. Bishop Andrew was present, but
very feeble. The good old man cannot
work, but he looks on, feels and enjoys.
From this point, I sent down to Thomp
son, the place for the Augusta District meet
ing. Found the P. E., Bro. Potter, presid
ing and managing well. This meeting
was a glorious success. It was one of our
old-time American Penteeosts. The ser
vices were continued for days and weeks,and
the cloud, having poured out its fatness on
this favored place, is moving about all that
region, raining salvation here and there.
May the circuit be large and its gracious
showers frequent and abundant. Let the
dry places pray, like Elijah, till there shall
bo heard everywhere “the sound of abund
ance of rain.”
Next, I went to the old Lincoln Camp
Ground—a favorite plane with me—but I
had not seen it for fifteen years. The arbor,
the tents, the forest trees were strangely fa
miliar. Time had not altered them. But
oh! the ravages of death ! Wheat, and
Shipp, and Parks, and Jacobs, and Pascal,
and many more brethren beloved, were gone.
The preachers, too, whom I often met here —
Dannelly and Arnold—have passed away.
Some of my old comrades in the pulpit, and
others, yet remain, but only one was pres
ent, John W. Knight. His bow abides in
strength. I love to have him by my side.
As David said by Goliah’s sword, “Theie is
none like that, give it me. ”
If John P. Duncan, the man of song and
tears, had been there, the present had been
more like the past. What times we used to
have ! Precious scenes ! Delightful memo
ries ! When shall we all meet again ? Well,
we had at this time new preachers—except
K. and myself—but the old spirit, the old
power, the old results. The workmen die,
but the work goes on. Camp meetings are
reviving. They have done good. They can
do more. Let the Church sustain and per
petuate them.
The Marietta District meeting was held at
Carrolton. Full conference, immense con
gregation, most gracious influence. Why
are not the Methodists as demonstrative
now as they used to be ? —is a question often
asked. I have heard many answers, specu
lative, philosophical and foolish. Why ?
The case is plain. They do not feel like the
fathers felt. Whenever they do, they do just
like they did. Fill a man with the love of
God—thrill him with the hope of heaven—
let the Spirit witness with his spirit—there
will be tears or shouts—some visible demon
stration. The secret will out —the tongue
of fire is never dumb. When the waters
swell they will rush. The electriqcloud will
flame and flash—aye, and thunder too. So
here we had the old times and the old ways.
They cried, they shouted, they shook hands,
they exhorted. So it will ever be, when the
church comes out from her vassalage to so
ciety—to fashion—to respectability. “The
fear of man which brinsretli a snare” has
driven religion into a corner, where princi
ples are denied or concealed—abiding place,
jys unfriendly to enjoyment as shade to vege
tation.
The country is broken and poor, but the
crops this year are fine. Corn will be abun
dant in this region. These people have
planted more wisely than their fellow citi
zens of the eastern part of the State. Yet
cotton and guano arc encroaching upon the
area which belongs to corn. When the
R?il Road gets through, I fear they too will
yield to temptation and bow the kuee to
King Cotton. Out here for the first time
since the war, I heard a negro calling hogs
in the old style, and they came—a great
herd of them. The sound and the sight
were both refreshing.
I left Sabbatli evening—came out a few
miles and spent the night with Mr. Springer,
a son of old “Billy Springer,” as he was
called, of Hancock—a man famous in liis day
for his size aud his humor. Next morning I
passed the home of Mclntosh, the Indian
chief who was killed by his countrymen in
the days of Troup and the Treaty. About
noon I reached Newnan, where I had an
appointment to preach at night. In the
afternoon we had a storm of wind and rain;
the night was damp aud dark, but the con
gregation was good. May the sermon yield
fruit. My friend, Col. Hill, took me next
morning in his buggy to the terminus of
the Grifliii and North Alabama Railroad.
There I took tho train for Griffin, to preach
at night again. Found pleasant quarters at
Bro. Chapman’s and met the brethren,
Wright and Duncan. The people turned
out well, and I delivered a faithful message.
Organs, choirs and promiscuous sittings
have pretty well petrified Methodism in our
cities and large towns. O, that Methodists
were content to be a peculiar people. A great
original character is being destroyed by
mimicry. In the days of Samuel this was
the sin of the Jews; in modern times, this
is the weakness of the people, called Meth
odists. As we assimilate, our hold upon the
masses relaxes, our true mission is lost sight
of, our strength is sheared off' by the Deli
lah who betrays us. Will the locks ever
grow again?
The District-meeting begins the next
night at Forsyth, and in the morning with
the preachers and delegates I take the train
once more. Had a pleasant home with my
friend, Col. Hammond. The meeting was a
good one, very good. The religious element
was strong in our social intercourse, in our
business consultations, and in our public
services. Bro. Knight came over to help us.
We were all glad to see and hear him. If I
were a rich man or had any church fund to
draw upon, I would employ him as an evan
gelist. The work would suit him and the
report at the end of tho year, would vindi
cate the appointment. In many places, the
word from his lips would come on the peo
ple like anew gospel, so original his thoughts,
so unique his manner, so independent his
spirit.
I preached on Monday at 10 o’clock and
then took the train for Macon and home.
On my arrival I found my father still unable
to walk, but doing well and suffering little
from his Railroad bruises. To be shut in
this hot weather has been a blessing to him.
His general health lias improved—he is
stronger and looks like he had taken anew
lease on life. He will not walk well for some
days yet. In the mean time, he reads, writes
and sermonizes. Look out for a fresh lot
this Fall, of things new and old—the new
predominating.
I reached Madison the first day of the Ath
ens District-meeting—stayed by invitation
with my Baptist friend, the Rev. Mr. Irvin
and family. They made my visit exceed
ingly pleasant. Judah .did not vex Epliram
nor Ephriam Juhah. All was love, kindness
and peace. I should have felt no easier at
the house of the elder or the parsonage of
the pastor. Religion is religion, whether it
abides on land or goes down into the water.
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
Madison has long been dry and hard re
ligiously. A clever people but worldly and
unimpressible. The preacher liad lost heart
—was faint in spirit. The Church was dis
couraged and it was hard to get a start. So
many preachers, so many good brethren
from other places, gave ns an advantage.
Around these we tried to rally the disheart
ened soldiers, so long used to defeat. We
gained a little every day and at last the shout
of victory ascended to heaven. If the dis
persion of the brethren on Monday does not
dispirit the Church again, I expect to hear
of gracious results.
I have written rapidly—am weary—must
stop. I have laid up many things to say to
you and your readers, when the present
campaign is over and I can lie by long
enough to write with some deliberation.
Will report on my return from Alabama.
Adieu for the present. G. F. Pierce.
Bright Side, A tig. 30,
Colquitt Circuit, South Georgia
Conference.
Mr. Editor: I entered upon my work the
last of January. I was appointed to Groov
erville Circuit; but Bro. Tucker failing to
go to his work,Bro. Clarke, my P. E., wrote
me to come on to Colquitt, as he could more
easily have my place filled than Bro. Tuck
er’s. He disliked to remove me, but it was
for the good of the Church.
I found the Church here prostrate, and
could get but little encouragement in the
way of a support without taking a school,
which I did, and taught about four months,
when the stewards met and released me from
the school, by promising support for myself
and family, ip connection with what I had
made in my school. So lam now regularly
in the work. We closed a most interesting
meeting in Colquitt last Sunday night. The
Lord was with ns in soul-convicting and con
verting power. The meeting was com
menced by Bro. Charles C. Martin, pastor
of the United Baptist Church, assisted by
other Baptist preachers ; and I was kindly
invited to werk with them. We moved on
harmoniously together in a union meeting
to the%lose. Methodist and Baptist back
sliders were reclaimed, and thirty-nine joined
the United Baptist Church and twenty the
Methodist Church. If we can have the co
operation of the members, we expect to sea
much good accomplished throughout this
Circuit. W. F. Roberts.
Tiie Columbus 131st. Coufereucc,
Met at the Buena Vista Camp-ground, in
connection with the Camp-meeting, Wednes
day, August 25tli.
It was indeed cheering to find everything
in readiness, by the large hearted brethren
of Marion—the arbor enclosed by a neat
plank fence, seats furnished throughout, en
tirely new, several new and commodious
tents built, old ones repaired, and all occu
pied, offering ample accommodation for all.
The introductory sermon was preached
by Rev. R. B. Lester, ou the “Mammon of
unrighteousness,” with good effect.
The Conference was opened on Thursday
morning by Rev. T. T. Christian, P. E., and
with a fair representation of delegates and
a large number of preachers proceeded to
business. Rev. S. D. Clements was chosen
Secretary, and E. G. Raiford, Assistant Sec
retary. A committee consisting of one lay
delegate from each charge was appointed on
the state of the Church, to whom also all
matters pertaining thereto were referred.
1 lie reports from the several charges were
full and satisfactory; irom which it appear
ed that with some exceptions, the Church in
the last twelve months has made progress,
in spirituality, in attendance on the sacra
ment of the Lord’s supper, in family reli
gion, and especially as to temperance and
tho enforcement of Discipline.
The main exception is in the almost total
failure to re-establish class-meetings, which
in many places are entirely neglected, ex
cept occasional meetings held by tlia pas
tors. This may be partly explained by the
fact that many supposed it was the inten
tion of the General Conference to drop
class-meetings altogether, so soon as our
people should become familiar with and used
to churcli-meetings—that this contemplated
change was induced by the fact that class
meetings had been discontinued and neglect
ed to such an extent that they were ineffec
tual as a means of grace. But it is also appar
ent from these reports that the cliurcli-meet
iligs have failed to meet the expectation of
the Church in supplying the lack of this
means of grace. This may be owing in
some degree to the manner of holding
church-meetings—confining its duties to the
prescribed subjects for consideration; but
principally to the too little interest taken
in them by all, preachers and members of
the Church.
The financial report encourages the hope,
that in the end, all the demands in this de
partment will be met, and speaks strongly
for a general system by the whole Church,
and urges the adoption of the assessment
plan as being the most likely to succeed.
Among the many things that has been
written and said upon the subject of sup
porting the ministry, this report may be
classed as inferior to none, and in many
respects it is most pertinent; showing at
once, by the most cogent reasoning tho true
position of the minister of Christ, the de
mand for the untrammeled ministration of
the word, the grave responsibilities devolv
ing upon the stewards; and stimulating the
membership to duty in this regard. A copy
of this report is hereto appended, to which
the attention of every member of the
Church is invited.
As compared with the reports of a year
ago in most of the charges, the Sabbath
school cause has steadily progressed with
increased interest, aud is hopefully looked
to as an element of power for good to the
Church, both as a moral agency and by
indoctrinating the youth of the country
against those teachings so extensively pro
pagated, antagonistic to Protestantism.
Proper management is all that is necessary
to the future success of this institution. It
may be well here to notice a report from
one of our largest schools, touching the
mode of teaching. Heretofore the Bible
only was used for the study and preparation
of lessons, which as a matter of course chil
dren could only comprehend to a limited
extent, and then be left to the oral teaching
from the opinions of teachers. The school
has for some time past been using a ques
tion book entitled “Lessons for every Sun
day in the year,” which is admirably adapt
ed to Sabbath-schools, with decided advan
tage and success.
This book (if I remember rightly,) was
written by 51rs. Olin, corrected and revised
by Dr. Strong, and published by Carlton
and Lanahan, New York.
After due consideration, the following
resolutions on the subject of popular amuse
ments were adopted :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this Dis
trict Conference that the popular amuse
ments of these times are hurtful to the spiri
tuality of the Church, prevent the success
of the gospel among the young, and are
fearfully damaging to the piety of individ
uals.
Resolved, That we will use all our influ
ence to discourage these amusements, and
will support our pastors in executing the
Discipline of the Church to prevent attend
ance upon them by our membership.
The several Institutions of learning, Emo
ry College, Wesleyan Female College, and
also those of our own District, Collinsworth
Institute and Levert Female College at Tal
botton, were all ably and earnestly repre
sented, and their claims received due at
tention.
Rev. R. B. Lester sustained the Advocate
in an able speech, and made a strong appeal
for its general circulation throughout the
entire Church.
Delegates elected to the Annual Confer
ence are : R. H. Leonard, W. S. Wallace,
E. G. Raiford, and Rev. W. B. Merritt.
Alternates—J. 51. Matthews, A. C. Flewel
len, and Rev. J. T. 51cLaughlin.
The meeting was largely attended, and
notwithstanding the excessive heat and dust
resulted in much good to the Church.
The character of the preaching was more
than usual of the old style—plain and sim
ple, heart-searching sermons, generally at
tended with the spirit and power witnessed
on similar occasions in olden times.
While it was apparent that the number of
conversions was not so large as might have
been expected, it was truly a time of gra
ciaus revival with the Church, and very
many went away strengthened by the reviv
ing power of the Holy Spirit and reconse
cration to the cause of Christ.
A resolution sympathizing with our ven
erable brother, Dr. Pierce, in his affliction
was adopted. His absence was deeply felt
by many.
The next District Conference is to be held
at Butler. E. G. Raiford, Ass’t Sec’y.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
The great desideratum in this department
of the Church is system. The irregular and
diversified plans hitherto practiced, work un
certainly. We could hope it has not been a
lack of interest equal to what is felt in other
efforts and enterprises that we are not al
ways cheered with the extent of our financial
attainments, but from a misconception.
Any business to be successfully pursued
must have shape and plan and design. We
are persuaded that the active interest on 1
pis subject, will, at no very remote time,
inaugurate a general adoption of some well
defined plan, so far as the peculiar differ
ences inevitable on location, circumstances
and habits will permit. The circuit aud the
station may never operate upon an identical
method in all its details ; but an approxima
tion may be had sufficiently close to be de
nominated the one general plan; and we
are satisfied th at the assessment form is the
only one that promises success and invites a
general concurrent adoption.
In the support of the ministry aud the
many agencies aud enterprises of tho church,
we feel that some additional obligation might
be induced in the general membership, by a
proper aud opportune reference thereto,
made oftener than in the past, by those
whose positions make it a duty. There
seems to be a lack of education or indoctrin
ation of the higher responsibilities, by as
much as those of the Church are higher
and more imperativetliau those merely secu
lar.
Both are imperative. “He that will not
provide for his own house is worse Ilian au
infidel,” by as much as the believer has the
superadded promise of “all these things,”
and the surety against the lack of friendship,
and the beggar’s cry. High up in the
Church, so to speak, we sometimes accost
or encounter a deference of the higher de
mands of tho Church to the inferior claims
of secular life. Here is defect and default
which might even terrify the delinquent,
were he properly enlightened aud impressed.
Error may not be a crime, but error persist
ently adhered to becomes a naked offence.
And this persistence attaches equally to him
the delinquent detective and the stubborn
offender. To remedy these evils we should
be guarded in the selection of stewards,
whose peculiar duty it is to bear this bur
den ; and, with their zeal and tact, leave
the pastor unencumbered in the dispensa
tion of the Word, and relieved from the em
barrassment of allusion to personal wants
and necessities, and save him from the criti
cisms of the censor, and his modesty and
motive unimpeached. Tho critical condi
tion of the country, induced by war’s terri
ble results and tho continued pressure by
taxation, and other sources of poverty and
straitened supplies, have kept us from a bet
ter record. But wlieu we consider all these
things—the heights from which we have
fallen, our crippled abilities, our almost
bankrupt lots—we have reason to be thank
ful for the present and hopeful of a better
future. Once, the man of thousands paid
his fifty dollars. That man of thousands
has become only a man of hundreds, but
pays his fifty still. Let the despondent take
a better view : From the various fields re
ported in our District, we are encouraged by
the confidence of our preachers in the finale
of their estimated wants and necessities.
A minister should give, and bo permitted
to give, his time emphatically to the minis
try. Observation teaches this fact, in the
decline of interest for the pastor, when other
pursuits engage his time, and encourage an
already lack of ministration to his wants,
and not unfrequently an illiberal fling at his
worldly-mindedness. Let him be free to do
his Master’s work. Let his reception be
kind, cordial and generous. Let his serv
ices be free, full and unrestrained. Let liis
departure bo to us a mutual grief, and let
him carry to others the passport of “Well
done.” This may never fail, whenever the
minister feels free to his devoted work, and
the Church is waked to a high and correct
appreciation of duty. And whether ho feels
free to liis duty or not, if, by the sanctifying
grace of God, ho bravely endures tho trial
and conquers all obstacles of a dead aud in
different constituency of circuit, station or
mission. We have seen the great chord that
binds the great heart of Methodism vibrating
to the touch of want, and drawing the gush
ing current of sympathy along all the chan
nels of that heart, and emptying its aids
more tangible than the breath of a sigh, or
the glitter of a tear. We reverence, we ad
mire, we love, we bless such a man, such
sacrificial devotion and religious heroism. A
Methodist should never feel that he is an
unimportant member of an accidental asso
ciation springing from chance forces, but as
in duty bound, to prove himself au active
co-laborer in an enterprise well begotten, of
a higher origin than earth, to work out cor
ruption and death from tlio Church, and
spread vital holiness over the land ; and the
ministry, and the many agencies, as but parts
of a great and effective whole, all fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every
point supplieth. * * * * *
Finally, we might urge and plead economy,
and to lessen, by example and legitimate les
son, all extravagances that drain the chan
nels that should never run dry, in hearing
supplies to help on in the cause of the reli
gions reformation of the world.
Athens District Conference.
Mr. Editor: The Athens District Confer
ence has just closed its session at Madison.
There were sixty delegates present.—
Bishop Pierce arrived the second day and
remained to the last, filling his place. Dr.
Means, Rev. G. J. Pearce and Dr. Haygood
were present and addressed the Conference.
Our venerable and beloved Bishop Andrew
attended the closing session, and blessed the
Conference with wise counsels. His remarks
at the love-feast were deeply affecting.
The business was conducted with great
freedom, and developed naturally without
press or drag—the committee plan having
been dispensed with. It is truly gratifying,
and a cause for thanksgiving, that the re
ports from all the charges indicate a decided
improvement. The Church in the Athens
District is a moving power.
The Conference raised 574 00 for its ben
eficiary' at Emory College. He is represented
to be a young man of great promise. Dr.
Haygood received nearly 900 subscriptions
to the S. S. Visitor. The preaching was
earnest and highly spiritual, looking to pres
ent results. The religious interest grew
from service to service, until on Sunday
night the grace of God was mightily “poured
out.” The altar was overflowed with peni
tents. The congregation lingered after be
ing dismissed. Conveiting power came
down. Sorrow was turned into joy. There
were loud shouts, deep utterances, brimming
eyes, shining faces and great peace. Thank
God for that District Conference at Madison,
the most religious yet held. May the suc
ceeding be like it, and yet ‘ ‘more abundant. ”
The meeting was protracted with fine pros
pects.
The hospitality of the kind people of Mad
ison was unsurpassed.
Greensboro was choseu as the next place
for holding the Conference.
The following were elected delegates to
the Annual Conference: Rev. J. H. Echols,
Dr. Wm. King, Jas. It. Dußose, Esq , Dr.
L. G. Anderson; Alternates—Rev. W. John
son, Rufus W. Smith, Wm. B. Haygood,
Simpson Booker.
At Bishop Pierce’s suggestion—who prom
ised to write you a letter on the subject—it
was concluded not to burden your columns
with the resolutions adopted on the various
topics; but a desire was privately expressed
that I request you to publish the following:
Resolved, That we, the members of this
District Conference, representing the several
charges of the Athens District, do hereby
pledge ourselves that we -will faithfully com
ply with the requirements of the Discipline
in attendance upon the public worship of
God; the ministry of the word either read
or expounded; the Supper of the Lord; fam
ily and private prayer; searching the Sorip
tures; fasting or abstinence.
VOL. XXXIII. NO. 3(!.
And that ns ministers we will prudently
and decidedly administer the Discipline ol'
the Church; and as laymen we will sustain
and further the efforts of the preachers in
this direction. John W. Heidt.
Washington, Go., Aug. 30, 1870."
M»M
Class-meetings- Revivals—Soule.
Mr. Editor: My quarterly meeting at
Concord, Magnolia ct., commenced with a
sermon and class-meeting. We continued
six days. Souls were converted and the
Church strengthened. Ten were added.
Unfortunately, the pastor left a rich, ripe
field for one that yielded nothing but failure,
When the grain is ready, the harvestman
should thrust in the sickle. Let selfishness
and shortsightedness complain—to our own
Master we stand or full. The pastor ac
knowledges his mistake. Other interesting
meetings, on Magnolia, will be reported by
brother Rentz.
Brother Embry is doing a line work in
Terrell. You will hear from him. His
New Hope quarterly meeting was inaugu
rated with a discourse and class-meeting.
Congregations were very large—but local
circumstances prevented protraction. I left
the altar crowded with weeping penitents
and the Church rejoicing. Three joined.
Seven children were baptized at the close of
love-feast.
Friday finds me on my way to Wesley
Chapel, Stewart ct. Brother Weaver is at
his post. After preaching I extemporized
leaders and, with their assistance, talked to
everybody ou the subject of religion. No
description will bo attempted. Other en
gagements limited this meeting to four
days —but these were days of triumph. We
almost wished, singular temptation, for more
material. Os the seven added to tho Church,
one was a gentleman of large influence and
fifty summers. This was his first approach
to an altar. Four others wore interesting
heads of families. Three of tlio seven, of
their own free-will and accord, left a com
munion, whose claims call up those days, when
John the Baptist came preaching in tho
wilderness of Judea—some churches well
seeded and subsoiled should yield more.
Too much water. They need drainage. It
would augment tho solid and spiritual.
Wednesday night, I reached Lumpkin and
opened with a sermon. The pastor, whoso
health was impaired by attention to a pre
cious wife, who had but. recently passed to
the better land, was in middle Georgia. Tho
Baptist brethren were holding service. As
we had given way on the previous Sabbatli,
the pastor expressed regret that his good
meeting compelled him to continue. I re
plied, “good meetings aro never in my way.
You keep up the fire ou your side, aud I’ll
make a flank movement and attack tho
other. ”
Success demonstrated the value of the
idea. On my part of tho field, forty sur
rendered to the Captain of the Lord’s hosts.
We captured stores and ammunition, and
bore away twenty-nine stand of colors.
As our firing attracted the enemy from the
other side of the field, my brother, though
a gallant officer and worthy of promotion,
carried off neither cannon nor color.
Dropping the figurative—the week’s meet
ing at Lumpkin for comforting tlio church,
introducing Christ to prayerless homes and
gathering in good material, is not often sur
passed. The Sunday-school service was
pearly. Sister Potter speaks of the love
feast as tho best slio ever saw in Georgia or
Florida. The brethren, speaking of tho
meeting, call up the Crumley revival. Hav
ing been from home two weeks, and with
them eight days, I was compelled to leave
many at the altar. What a teacher is grace !
How soon I learned to love tlio citizens of
Lumpkin! How thankful, humble, I felt,
as crowds lingered to shake my hand and
say, “pray for me." Tlio Lord will provide.
Brother McWilliams arrives and the work
goes on.
Happy itinerant. I start for home—feel
ing that, a year’s tuition in a Theological
School would not have stored my mind with
so much saving truth—nor would a gold
mine have so enriched my heart, and des
pite the dust and heat of tho way, I filled,
overflowed and rejoiced from Lumpkin to
Americus.
Saturday morning found meat Da.vsou,
where I remained ten days—brother Mar
shall supplying my plaeo on the Starkvillo
ct. My old friend, tlio Baptist pastor, re
inforced by Americus aud Albany, was en
gaging the enomy hard by the river—but
we wore not in each other’s way. Here, as
elsewhere, my long gun—class-meeting—
was used with telling effect and everybody,
even three of tlio river department, admired
its aim and sweeping execution.
The Dawson meeting was princely. No
body] witnessing some scenes could doubt
the divinity of religion. Here a church
case—Confederate and cotton—had fearfully
estranged two prominent members. Their
families and the community had taken sides
and the Church was well-nigli gone. Coun
sel had failed to heal the breach. So had
civil and church law. Rut now the majesty
of another law— the law if love —brings these
hearts together. They meet in the congre
gation, embrace each other and bury forever
the bitterness of tho past. With tin's and
all difficulties settled after that style, no
wonder tho word of the Lord found free
course. No wonder souls were converted
as day after day crowds flocked to the house
of prayer. It was good to be there. I fell
in lovo with everybody, especially with the
thirty recruits, and nothing but sickness at
home could have called me away. May these
thirty and the five baptized by my friend
cleave unto the Lord.
A letter from brother Marshall says the
work goes on. Brother Armstrong writes
of “good things to tell me.” I have heard
of his success at Brooksville and Weston.
My brother has had a gracious work—about
forty added to his station. I hear of good
meetings on Bethel, in Lee, at other points,
while East Americas is crying for mercy.
Hope the preachers will push forward the
good work, and speak through and f<rr the
Advocate.
During the last five weeks I have held four
class-meetings, held conferences, preached
twenty-six sermons, conducted fifteen prayer
meetings, attended to love feasts and sacra
ments—preached to the Sanday-scliools on
nature design and obligations of infant bap
tism, made more than one hundred pastor
al visits and added about seventy-eight to
to the church, and, though leaner, have im
proved in health and strength. I firmly be
lieve that God, in answer to prayer, rein
forced my failing humanity. I mention
these things to stimulate to enterprise, by
showing how God can use a poor poor dys
peptic and actually build him up in the very
midst of summer's heat, watchings and la
bors. Sunshine and stirring would reveal
granaries of golden grain now locked up iu
some secluded shadowy spots.
At another time I may give you facts, in
cidents, impressions picked up in passing,
and illustrative of orders issued by the Cap'
tain of our salvation. Yours in Christ,
J. B. McGehee.
Warrenton Ct. — Rev. T. A. Seals writes,
August 24th: “We are in the midst of re
freshing seasons of grace in this, Warrenton
circuit. We will soon close a two weeks
meeting of extraordinary power, resulting iu
the conversion of about forty souls, and the
brightest company of converts it has ever
been our pleasure to look upon. Heaven’s
joys beam forth from every eye. The Spirit
has been poured upon us from day to day,