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HREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
VOL. XXXIII. NO. 51.
#ripal
The Nativity of Christ.
On Bethlehem’s plain*, boWsathheriapndless skies,
While heaven looked dow* With aU her starry eyes;
While the still hoars sped on their solemn flight,
Judean Shepherds watched their flocks by night.
A sodden light burst on their wondering eyes;
A flood of radiance brightened all the skies;
O’er the calm azure heavens Its glory spread,
And o’er the earth its rays celestial shed.
While thus encircled with the heavenly light,
A brilliant form, to their astonished sight,
Os d.ggliqg beauty, and majestic air,
Appeared, and calmed their minds with words of
cheer.
“Fear not,” the angel said, “to announce the birth,
■QI Him, who is to rule the spacious earth,
The only Potentate, the King of kings.
Who to mankind life and salvation brings ;
Commissioned from the Throne of the Most High,
With these glad tidings, I have left the sky.
To you, this day, is born of David’s line.
The long expected Prince, Messiah the Divine.
Hasten, arise, to Bethlehem repair,
And seek and find the world’s Bedeemer there;
Nor marvel, that a stable’s lowly shed
Shelters the infant Monarch’s sacred head;
In swaddling clothes, and in a manger laid,
Find Him, before whose glory all earthly pomp
shall fade.
He ceased. Unnumbered hosts now fill the sky,
The angelic retinue of the Most High.
The starry empyrean, lo! they throng;
All through the air resounds their Joyous song ;
They range themselves against the radiant sky
A sacred choir; on Btarry wings they fly.
On high, their brilliant circle they extend;
Still shining myriads from the heavens descend;
Still more and more arrive, on rapid wing
With notes celestial, heaven's high arches ring.
Melodious strains the earth and heaven now All;
They rang o’er Bethlehem’s plain, and Zion'shlli;
On the adoring shepherds’ cars they fell—
Kapt, and entranced, with the harmonious swell;
And this the song, that ushered the first born,
Os Zlou’s daughter, on that wondrous morn ;
Glory to God on High, on earth be peace,
“Good will to men begin, and never cease.”
On this bright vision while the shepherds gazed,
Rapt in adoring transport, and amazed,
The angelic form his dazzling pinions raised;
Upward to heaven lie took his radiant flight,
Ascending swift beyond their wondering sight.
The glittering host of angels clapped their hands,
Swept through the air in countless, shining bands.
The rushing sound of myriad wings was heard ;
Myriads of pinions the pure ctber stirred.
As to the highest heaven the choirs ascend,
la sweetest harmony their notes still blend.
Till faint was heard that wondrous choral swell,
As from afar upon their ears it fell.
Fainter and fainter, ihe choir rU'Wfto,
With their departure, the strange vision fades,
And all had passed away. The scene so bright,
Was gone. Heaven had received it out of sight.
The wondering shepherds penned their fleecy care,
With eager haste, to Bethlehem repair.
There, in a humble stable, Jesus find,
In a rough manger, peacefully reclined.
Wrapt in his swaddling clothes—his mother’s care
Shielding from harm ; and watchful Joseph near.
They adore the new born babe. Nor do they fall,
Ia Mary’s ear to pour the wondrous tale
Os the bright vision that had blessed their sight,
Wlille their flocks tending through the hours of
night.
Again returning to their peaceful charge,
The glorious vision they recount at large,
To all they met; to God all glory gave,
Who sent his Only Sou, the world to save. I.
Contributions.
Morality in the South.
The object of this brief article, is to so
licit the opinions of others, rather than to
express my own. My personal observations
are necessarily restricted to a comparative
ly small sphere, and the information from
which my conclusions are drawn is derived
mostly from the press of the country. From
a New York paper of recent date, I make
the following extract: “It is being conceded
by all observant travelers that the tone of
morals, respect for law, better observance of
the Sabbath and abstinence from whiskey
drinking, is apparent in nearly all portions
of the South; and that the contrast each
year since the close of the war ha3 been
more marked. In fact, many towns will
compare favorably with New England villa
ges, many of which are receding in morals,
while the South advances.”
Is this true, so far as it relates to the
South? The writer believes it is true, es
pecially as regards the white people of the
Southern States. Os the moral and religious
condition of the colored people, I will say
nothing further at present than this: that,
all things considered, it is wonderful it is
no worse, and that there is ground for hope
that it may improve. I do not think our
whito people were seriously demoralized by
the war, and I believe their morals will
compare favorably with what they were ten
years ago.
Is it not true, that our people are making
as great efforts and sacrifices for the main
tenance of Christian institutions, as they
have ever done?
Is it not true that they are as firmly fixed
in their belief of the divine origin of the
Scriptures, and are as much opposed to in.
fidelity in all its forms and phases as they
have ever been?
Is it not true that they are, “in their
deep poverty,” contributing more liberally
for the support of missions at home and in
foreign lands, in proportion to their ability,
than they have ever been? In a recent
speech before the Maryland Baptist Union
Association, Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore, said:
“I thank God for what Maryland has done
and is doing; but I am a Southern man,
and the South is dear to me now, in her af
fliction, than she ever was; and I must say
it is not doing them justice to report their
contributions at this time, when, civilly, po
litically, financially, they are passing
through such a terrible ordeal. Look back
to other days, to the times before the war,
and see what these States then contributed,
and you will find that, however nobly onr
little Maryland may have acted, they were
not a whit behind her. While they could,
they were ready and forward. Now, in
their poverty, they can give but little; but
that little is really more than the abundant
liberality from those whom the war en
riched—at least has not impoverished.” No
ble words from a noble man.
Is it not true that their interest in Sab
bath-schools was never so general, and that
Sabbath-schools were never so flourishing
as they are now?
Is it not true that the number of young
men embarking in the gospel ministry, and
of those preparing for it in our colleges and
universities and theological seminaries is
greater than ever before? And were not
many of these young men converted in the
army?
Is it not true that there is less Sabbath
breaking, profane swearing, drunkenness,
etc., than there was ten years ago?
Is it not true, that revivals of religion
have been as general since the war as they
were for several years previous? And that,
daring this year, they have been more gen
eral and powerful than for twenty years
past? }
SoNfketti Christian
These question sufficiently indicate the
views of the writer on this subject. If cor
rect, how are they to be accounted for? The
answers: that no people have ever been
blessep with a purer gospel—a gospel less
adulterated—than have the people of the
Sonth for gen orations past; that onr whole
people were on their knees from the com
mencement to the close of the war; that
everything practicable was done by the
Christians at home for the spiritual welfare
of the soldiers, that many of our most prom
inent officers were God-fearing men—E. E.
Lee, Stonewall Jackson, John B. Gordon
and others who gave every countenance and
encouragement to the chaplains and mis
sionaries in onr armies; and most of all, and
above all, that the Spirit of God wasponred
out upon our armies to such an extent as
was never witnessed before in the history of
war.
Does the history of the world furnish an
other instance in which a people have passed
through such an ordeal, without great dete
rioration of morals?
Responses from the press, and through
the press, are respectfully solicited.
J. H. Campbell.
Tht/masville, Ga., Nov. 1870.
JJo. §a. Mcrfiue §otumcnts.
Ministerial Support.
The Committee of Laymen to whom was
referred the subject of Ministerial Support,
have had tho same under consideration, and
submit, as the result of their deliberations,
the following:
The support of the Christian ministry is
a religious obligation imposed upon the
membership of the church, by the highest
authority, and, by the most solemn act of
that authority. It is ordained that they
that preach the gospel, shall live of the
gospel. The service, rendered by the min
istry to the membership, is the considera
tion upon which the Master bases this obli
gation, when he says, that “The workman
is worthy of his meat.” For the refusal to
support the ministers of religion, the Jews
were arraigned and denounced as a nation
of robbers, aud exposed to the curse of
heaven. Can Christians neglect this duty,
and violate this obligation with impunity?
It is one of the grand developments of
Infinite goodness, that the discharge of this
duty is not a burden to be borne, but a pri
vilege to be enjoyed—not a hardship to be
endured, but a blessing to bo appropriated.
In the glorious philosopy of the gospel, it
is scattering that increases. It is giving
that replenishes, and by discharging onr
duty, we advance our interest.
We understand ministerial support to
comprehend ample means, for comfortable
shelter, food and clothing for the preacher
and liia family, with the means to educate
his children, together with a margin to
cover contingent and extraordinary expen
ses resulting from accident, afflictions, etc.
This is all absolutely indispensable, to the
full development of his efficiency in per
forming tho sacred functions of his high vo
vation. Less than this, is the grossest in
justice to himself and to bis wife and chil
dren, for whose comfort and maintenance
he is responsible.
We are impressed with the vigilance
evinced by tho Conference in guarding
against imposing upon the people, preach
ers physically inadequate to the labor as
signed them, and the solicitude it manifests
to supply them, with those capable of per
forming all the service required, under our
incomparable system. It is a matter of pro
found regret with us, that our people have
not generally responded to this spirit with
corresponding magnanimity, and justice.
We are to seek the solution of this derelic
tion of duty, on the part of a large number
of our people, in other causes than the want
of means, or numbers. In our judgment it
is to bo found mainly in the fact that they
do not properly understand the nature and
character of this claim. They look upon it
as a donation —not a debt—they regard this
appeal to them for money as an application
for charity, not a demand for justice. These
erroneous views of the question must be cor
rected. It is legitimately the province, and
certainly the duty of the pulpit to teach the
truth of this gospel in relation to this matter.
The presiding elders are charged with the
general oversight and snperintendency of
all the interests of the CJhurch in their re
spective districts. They can accomplish
much, by presenting thoroughly, and truly
the doctrines of the Bible, in reference to
this subject in a sermon in each circuit and
mission. This should be done early in the
year, so that, whatever benefit resulted
from it might be made available to the stew
ards in prosecuting their operations. They
might secure the services of a capable and
discreet layman or local preacher to canvass
the district with beneficial results in pro
moting the financial interest of the church.
Experience and observation demonstrate,
that the policy of supplying circuits and
missions with local preachers, i3 an unwise
one. They generally serve a work, only for
a year or two, and this, they do without re
linquishing secular avocations. This policy
affects, injuriously, our financial operations
in two ways: First, these local supplies are
necessarily less efficient, than itinerants
who devote themselves exclusively to the
sacred office. And, second, the people they
serve are less inclined to pay them, because
they look upon their business, whatever it
may be, as the resource from which their
supplies may be drawn. Its tendency is to
disaffect them towards the itinerant system,
for it presents them with what they esteem
a cheaper ministry.
We must have a ministry, wholly devoted
to tho work of preaching the gospel of
Christ. We must have a membership that
will support it, comfortably, liberally, am
ply. Our preachers must not only be se
cured against want, but it is of the very
first importance, that they be relieved from
the anxieties incident to its apprehension.
This can only be done successfully by pay
ment at stated periods, in advance.
The inefficiency of stewards not unfre
quently results in demoralizing the mem
bership and the withholding of supplies,
which fidelity to their official duties would
secure. This evil should be firmly met and
promptly obviated by their removal, and the
substitution, in their stsad, of snch as the
Discipline contemplates. When it is re
membered that we have quite a number of
just and liberal men and women in the
church, who pay largely from choice, to say
nothing of the amount received from those
oat of the church, we are astonished at the
small amount, actnal calculation shows to be
necessary from each member of the chnrch
to meet all the demands upon it. We an
nounce, with emphasis, the truth that
every member of our communion is under
a fearful, individual, personal responsibility
upon this subject. The ordinance that im
poses this debt makes no provision for its
vicarious cancellation. The blessing real
ized by its payment is not transferable by
assignment. This high debt of heaven’s
creation, clings to the individual like the
shirt of Nesaus, until it is discharged by
payment.
We are decidedly of the opinion that the
plan of equitably and jndicionsly assessing
each member, snch amount as in the godly
judgment of his brethren he ought to pay,
is the most successful mode of raising the
means necessary to meet all the financial
exigences of onr system. Unquestionably,
the most desirable, the most Scriptural
mode of bringing up the membership of
the church to the full measure of their du
ty in this behalf, is their education in the
principles of a liberal beneficence. There
is a principle potent in controlling the ac
tion of men, universally incident to human
characters. It is tho dread of lying under
the bad opinions of his fellows. Can we
not employ it to good account in the ex
tremity of our case. In our opinion we can.
Let the stewards report to the secretary of
each church meeting the sum assessed upon
each member of the society which they
serve, which assessment should be made
matter of record, and at every subsequent
meeting the amounts paid should be credit
ed upon the assessment. And at the end of
the year let the secretary of the church
meeting, read publicly, before the congre
gation, the entire roll of members with the
sum assessed upon, and aggregate paid by
each, sending a blank—where a blank ap
pears, OMITTING NO NAMES. It is due to
the people to know how their pastor has
been paid. It is due to the pastor that the
people be apprized of what further efforts
are necessary on their part in his behalf.
It is due to the man who pays the debts of
half a dozen that his liberality be placed in
a light to provoke others to good works. It
is due to truth that the drones in the hive
be known of all men. One public shaming
will be more effectual in the case of these
miserly creatures than all the private per
suasions and affectionate appeals that could
be employed in an age. If in any case this
remedy fail, there upon the books will stand
from year to year, a perpetual record of ut
ter, incurable ingratitude, to be inflicted as
a heritage of dishonor upon his children.
And his wronged and rfiijSSi? pastor must
leave hiaa to communion with his own con--
science and to his account at the final bar.
a. would rejoice our hearts, to see all our
eople rise, to the height of this great argu
ment, and lift the peerless flag of Method
ism from the dust, and to behold a disen
thralled and wholly consecrated ministry,
vitalized, by a fresh baptism of the Holy
Ghost, bear its imperishable folds, radient
with the light of triumph, “To where the
front of battle lowers.”
Resolved 1. That we advise the adoption
of the assessment plan for raising the means
necessary to support our preachers.
2. That the presiding elders in eacli Dis
trict, be and they are hereby required to
preach,(early in the ensuing year, a discourse
upon the religious obligation of the people
to support the gospel and its ministers with
their means, in every circuit and mission,
within their respective Districts.
3. That each presiding elder is hereby in
structed to appoint a capable and faithful
lay man or local preacher whose duty it
shall be during the ensuing year, to thor
oughly canvass the District in aid of the
financial interst of the church.
Thomas M. Merhiwethf.r.
Garnett McMillan,
James R. Dubose,
H. P. Bell.
Sunday School Report.
The committee appointed by the Board of
Managers of the Sunday-school Society, to
examine and bring to the notice of the Con
ference, the plans and publications of onr
General Sunday-school Secretary, respect
fully submit, that they conditionally approve
every feature of his proposed operations and
heartily endorse his entire plan.
His series cf lessons they regard as admi
rably adapted to meet the want of our
schools at this time. In the first place, it is
a uniform series, and uniformity of lessons
is now regarded after fair experiment by
those most competent to judge as a necessa
ry condition of success in Sunday-school
work. In the second place, it is a series of
uniform lessons on the testimony of the
Evangelists prepared upon the basis of such
harmony of tho Gospels as may be best
adapted to Sunday-school purposes ; it will
thus constitute a curriculum of study upon
that portion of the Scriptures which is the
real kernel of Divine revelation, which the
rest covers either as a shell or grows out of
as a stalk from its germ. Thirdly, it is adapt
ed to all classes of scholars and all grades of
schools. The questions are so arranged
that while the wisest may not conclude they
have no need of them, the weakest may be
encouraged to use them ; and as the form in
which they are issued is the cheapest possi
ble, the poorest schools may have an ample
supply. Accompanying the series of lessons
and as a part of the system it is proposed to
issue a monthly magazine for teachers and
Bible students, which, while serving the
purposes of an admirable repository of cur
rent Sunday-school literature, will contain
notes on each lesson, extracts from commen
taries, Scripture illustrations, and sugges
tions to teachers, such as teachers and ad
vanced scholars will need in the preparation
of the lessons. The advantages of such a
periodical cannot be over-estimated. To say
nothing of the good that will result from
the contribution of and preservation in its
columns, the best thoughts of the best Sun
day-school authors and writers to whom
they may be open, the ready practical help
it will afford to teachers in their work will
be of incalculable worth. It is just what
they all need. Our Sunday-school teachers
in towns and cities are for the most part
those who are most busy during the week
they do not generally Tiave time to compare
the opinions of commentators in order to se
lect the best, and collect illustrations and ar
range practical reflections, and thus make
the thorough preparation which is so essen
tial to success in teaching. In the Sunday,
school magazine they will find the very
things they need. In the country, Sunday
school teachers rarely have access to a good
ltbrary, even when they have the time to
use it profitably ; hence the magazine with
its accompanying lessons papers, is just the
thing for onr schools in the country. And
besides this, some of our best teachers, both
in the towns and the conntry are unable to
procure such a library as otherwise every
teacher ought to have.
Here, for a sum which will not exceed an
nually what thousands in like circumstances
pay for a single hour’s entertainment at
some place of worldly amusement, they can
get the cream of the best libraries the age
and the country afford.
The committee are satisfied that npon trial
the Sonday-sohool magazine will die found
to be a help that no wise Superintendent, no
earnest consecrated teachers, is diligent
PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & 00., FOB THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
MACON, GA., AY, DECEMBER 23, 1870.
Bible class scholar can afford to be vithont.
Nor will its aid be of less value to parents
and pastors, in performing their parti of the
great Sunday-school work of the times. This
is not the place to discuss duties nor urge
responsibilities, but we venture to say that
many pastors who recognize the true rela
tion they sustain to the religious instruc
tion of the children, and many conscientious
parents who above all things else desire to
teach their children the Word of G<jd, and
train them up in the way they should go,
will devoutly thank God, for the magazine
before its first volume is completed.
In this connection the committee desiro
to call attention to the next attractive ap
pearance which the magazine presents; it is
unlike any of the many similar periodicals
of the day, and as far as our observation ex
tends surpasses them all. Another impor
tant feature of the system we are consider
ing is the provision made for the infant
classes. This is done through the means of
the handsomest and childs’ paper la iue Uni
ted States called “Onr Little People.” This
paper is arranged for weekly distribution
and contains besides appropriate illustra
tions and reading matter, easy questions-and
answers upon the lessons of the dry, thus
giving the little ones the benefit of the uni
form lesson. We do not hesitate to say that
in beauty of appearance, in adaptation to
the purposes aimed at, and in the cheapness
of the rates at which it is furnished, this
Sunday-school era lias produced nothing
equal to “Our Little People.”
Tho committee have likewise had before
them "The Sunday-school Visiter)'” in its new
form. With regard to this familiar friend,
whose visits were appreciated even when it
was too poor to keep house by itself and too
weak to stand alone, we deem it sufficient to
say that in tho beauty and simplicity of its
new bead piece the attractiveness of its
pages, the form.i in which it is issued, and the
rates at which it is published, there is noth
ing left to be asked for, or even reasonably
desired in the way of additional improve
ment. Taking altogether the programme of
Sunday-school publications with which our
excellent Sunday-school Secretary with the
aid of the indefatigable Agent of the Pub
lishing House has furnished the church ex
hibits a measure of zeal and fidelity in the
cause, and of fitness for the work to which
he has been called, which is worthy of all
praises, and imposes an obligation upon ns,
wiri'iiL’ pan met by the hearty co-operation
of the entire, church in carrying out the
plans he has so wisely coUcdved, and extend
ing the circulation of the periodicals he so
ably edits. We beg therefore, to submft'&Ji.e
following resolution :
Resolved, 1. That while we regret to lose
the services of our esteemed brother, Pr. A.
G. Haygooil, from the field in which he has
heretofore labored so efficiently amongst us,
we congratulate the church, especially the
Sunday-school department of the church,
that tLo interest of this important branch
of our general operations have been commit
ted to such able, faithful and industrious
hands, by his election to the position of Sun
day-school Secretary. Our loss is the gain
of the cause which is dear to us all.
2. That we give to his entire plans of ope
rations our unequalified endorsement, and
pledge for it our united support.
W. F. Cook, j
E. W. Speer, /-Com.
G. J. Pierce, )
Report of Bible Committee.
In presenting the claims of the Bible
Cause, your Committee feel relieved of much
of the task imposed upon them, by the very
able and eloquent report made on that sub
ject at your last annual session.
We are happy to report the fact that the
great work of distributing the Bible among
our people is progressing: Societies for that
purpose are established iu all the counties
of the Conference except eight; and active
canvassing is going on in various parts of
the field.
W T e cannot state the amount of money
raised, or the number of books provided,
but suppose it is sufficient to make a begin
ning with a fair prospect of success, if pro
perly ateuded to.
To the faithful efforts of Rev. William A.
Parks, Agent of the American Bible So
ciety, we are very greatly indebted for
perfecting the jUans of carrying out this
widespread diffusion of the Word ; and
through this agency we hope to be able in
the next Conference year to fully supply all
the destitute within our borders.
Colporteurs are greatly needed, men well
qualified to distribute the books are bard to
find, and more difficult still to be employed
to carry out the plan of operations.
There is a great hindrance in the way of
the speedy and complete execution of the
work, in the lack of onr people for tho love
of the W T ord of Life.
And after the distribution has been made
and every household supplied, still the work
is but half done, unless the people are taught
to read, and to love the sacred Word.
How shall the people be induced to read
it?
First they must have a ligible book, one
easy to be read.
So many of our people, especially the
colored, who can barely read, that they are
deterred from reading the small print of onr
cheap edition of the Bible.
This defect is supplied in the publication
by the American Bible Society of selected
parts of the Bible, in a cheap style and large
type.
The book of Psalms, and of Proverbs,
and of the Evangelists each, and other por
tions, are furnished at eight cents per vol
ume; in this way a neat, cheap, portable,
legible portion of the Scriptures may be had,
which we recommend to be furnished where
ever thought expedient.
But when the conveniences are provided
still there must be induced a love of reading
the Word, to make the work effectual.
In the language of the Committee of last
year, “Where it shines, there is light, and
life and beautiful activity, progression and
development. ”
Now it cannot shine unless it is reflected
from the mind; it cannot be reflected from
the mind unless it is read, and it will not be
read unless there is love of the troth.
How shall this love of it be induced?
Let its beautiful lessons be read from the
Sacred desk, to the great congregation, on
every occasion of public worship, and let
our ministers preach on the subject.
Let it be read regularly by Superinten
dents and teachers and scholars, in onr Sab
bath-schools, and let the master of the
household, read it around the fireside, when
thou sittest in thine house and when thou
liest down, and when thou risest up.
So shall it become the words of onr month
and the meditation of onr heart, and the
man of our counsel at all times.
We rejoice to proclaim that in this great
and good work, the hands and heart of
Christians of all denominations, are nnited;
thus let ns march on, becoming more pow
erfel than an army with banners.
And we acknowledge with grateful hearts
the continued effective aid rendered our
country by the American Bible Society, and
its faithful Agent, Eev. William A Parks,
and we earnestly request that lie may be
continued in the same field of operations
the next Conference year.
Robt. Hester, Ch’m’n. ]
T. S. L. Harwell, |
A. E. Worley, J- Com.
Joseph S. Stewart, |
William King, J
Report on Southern Christian
Advocate.
The Committee on the S. C. Advocate beg
leave to report as follows:
The original contract between J. W.
Burke & Cos., and the Georgia (North and
South) South Carolina and Florida Confer
ences being deposited in the archives of our
Conference, it is deemed sufficient now to
present to this Conference, a copy of the
supplement to said contraot, adopted by the
parties at interest at Memphis, Tenn., on
the 19tli day of May 1770, as appended.
In order to preserve a true history of this
contract,.wo beg leave to present to this
Conference, to be filed among its papers, a
copy of the proceedings of the delegates of
the several patronizing Conferences at their
meeting, held during the last General Con
fenerence, wo beg their attention to the re
solutions contained in those proceedings as
heretofore annexed.
It appears from an exhibit of the con
dition of the S. C. Advocate made by J. W.
Burke & Cos., to the Hon. George N. Lester
—a member of the publishing committee,
tha*t on the Ist day of June, 1870, the paper
had paid to said firm all their advances for
its publication and had a balance to its cred
it in cash and subscriptions of §609.96
showing that it had reached a self-sustain
ing circulation; and although the receipts
for the past few months have not kept
paco with the expense, we do not regard
this fact as discouraging, when we consider
all the circumstances. It is usual for the
receipts to fall off during the summer and
fall months, and to increase during the win
ter, at which time subscriptions are usually
renewed.
While we are gratified at the present con
dition of our paper, we would most earnestly
urge upon the Conference the importance
of so increasing its circulation as to place it
beyond peril in the ordinary fluctuations
of business and make it a source of revenue
to the patronizing Conferences.
In conclusion, yonr Committee would con
gratulate the Conference and the Church
upon the re-election of Dr. E. H. Myers to
the editorial management of their paper,
aitet submit to the Conference for their
adoption -ft?. following resol#L«u»s.;. .
Resolved 1. That we heartily endorse the
resolutions of the delegations of the patron
izing Conferences adopted at their meeting
in Memphis in May last, respecting the ed
itor and publishers of S. C. Advocate.
2. That it is our imperative duty to do all
in our power to increase the circulation of
our own Southei-n Christian Advocate, both
ion account of its importance as a medium
'of instruction to the Church and on account
of our oft repeated pledges to J. W. Burke
k Cos.
All of which i3 most respectfully sumitted.
W. P. Pledger, Ch’n.
Report of the Committe on South
ern Methodist Publishing House.
The members of this committee have
given to the subject committed to them
some measure of that investigation and
thought which it justly merits. They have
examined the annual exhibit of assets and
liabilities; they have carefully studied the
address of the Agent; they have examined
the list of publications; they understand
the principles which govern the House in
its enterprizes; they know the men into
whose hands the management of its various
departments, and the supervision of its va
rious issues have been committed by the
Church, and they are prepared to report
that our Publishing House is solvent and
prosperous; even-breasted with all healthy
progress, and is a safe dispenser of religious
literature. They invoke tho blessing of God
upon it and recommend it earnestly to the
Church and country.
The Committee concur with the state
ment that “the success which has attended
our publishing interest during the past
four years scarcely finds a parallel in com
mercial circles and very justly places the
Southern Methodist Publishing House prom
inently among tho leading business- houses
of the country. ” And we will add that its
growing power is not prostituted to any
ministry of corruption or sensationalism,
and that the prices of its publications begin
now to compare favorably with these of
other publishers.
Special attention having been called to
the Periodical literature and authorized
by the late General Conference, your Com
mittee have the pleasure to report that in
this respect the Publishing House is doing
most important service to the Church. It
is gratifying to know that the Agent is able
to publish the Christian Advocate at two dol
lars per annum, so that our people through
out the Conference, may in very consider
able numbers subscribe for that paper in
addition to our oum indispensable paper—
the Southern Christian Advocate published at
Macon.
The New Monthly Magazine —Under
the editorial supervision of Dr. Wm. P.
Harrison, who is a member of this Coafer
ence widely known and highly esteemed,
will be all that the Church can reasonably
ask. It fills a vacancy greatly felt. It will
come monthly to preachers and people talk
ing to their heads and hearts of current re
ligions questions in that style which will
charm and enlighten the simple and which
the wise will appreciate. This Conference
can afford to endorse the Magazine in ad
vance of the January number because of
the known ability and piety of the editor.
And your Committee earnestly urge the
clerical and lay members of this body to be
come prominent subscribers and to bring
the magazine fully before the public.
Sunday-schoOl publications.— Your Com
mittee beg to emphasize the subject of the
Sunday-school publications. The North Geor
gia Conference has yielded Dr. Haygood to
his great work as Sunday-school Secretary, as
it yielded Dr. Harrison to the demand for
a monthly magazine—and it stands ready
to endorse both men.
The Secretary has made a most thought
ful division of the Sunday-school periodicals,
adapting them admirably to the needs of
the several grades of scholars. He has pro
vided amply for the teachers, Bible-classes,
general scholars, and the “little ones” at snch
prices and with such skill as to make it onr
interest financially and religiously, to look to
him for our Sunday-school supplies. Every
pastor and every superintendent of Sunday
schools in our Conference are advised to
put themselves in communication with Dr.
Haygood. The Visitor is not excelled in
excellency or cheapness by any Sunday
school puplication in the United States;
the papers for the “little ones” are most hap
pily adapted to their wants; and the maga
zine for teachers and Bible-classes will cer
tainly command a generous support. Par
ticular attention is called also to Dr. Hay
good’s selections of Sabbath-school libraries.
No one can tell the contents of books by
their titles, and thousands of volumes with
attractive titles and showy bindings are
sowing death eternal in the hearts of our
babes. But any superintendent may be
sure of receiving a collection of books that
he may safely issue to his children if he will
make his selections from the books published
or sold under the endorsement of onr Sun
day-school departments.
Your committee has unavoidably enlarged
this report, and leaving much unsaid, beg to
offer the following resolutions:
Resolved 1. This Conference expresses its
entire confidence in the management of the
Agent, Dr. A. H. Bedford, and in the ability
of the editors of the various publications.
2. That we will subscribe for the New
Monthly Magazine and bring its high claims
fully, fairly, and earnestly before our peo
ple at once.
3. That as a part of onr first work on the
new year we will endeavor to place a full
outfit of all onr Sunday-school publications
in our Sunday-schools.
4. That we are the friends of the Pub
lishing House, and will sustain it in its
great work for the Church, and do now pray
that it may continue to enjoy the blessing
of Almighty God.
C. A. Evans, 1
Wm. King, jb. J- Com.
F. A. Kimball. )
MEMOIRS.
REV. WESLEY P. ARNOLD,
Begun his itinerant life in the South Caro
lina Conference, Jan. 1827. Two years
afterwards he was ordained deacon, by
Bishop McKendree. He received his ordi
nation as elder from the hands of Bishop
Hedding, at the first session of the Georgia
Conference, in January, 1831. As the sta
tions of the preachers do not appear regu
larly in our early Records, we may simply
say, that ho labored, for the first 23 years,
in the Eastern and Middle portion of Geor
gia.
He was in charge of the Eatonton circuit
in 1850; Lincolnton, 1851 and ’52; Wilkes,
1853 and ’54; Columbia, 1855 and ’56; Lin
colnton circuit was favored with a second
full term of his pastoral service in 1857 and
’SB; He served Madison station in 1859 and
’6O; Griffin station, 1861 and ’62; Thomaston
circuit, 1863, ’64, and ’65; Clinton circuit,
1866, ’67, ’6B, and ’69.
At the Rome Conference, last Deo., he
was appointed to Milledgeville station.
At that time, he and Dr. Jesse Boring
were the two oldest, effeotive, travelling
Conference. Although for
ty-three years been
performed, yet he retained so much ~ot tntf
freshness and zeal of his younger days, that
we hoped it would be many years before his
genial face, and manly form, would pass
away from ns. As he returned from Confer
ence, he visited his new charge and made
arrangements for an early removal. But the
Master was pleased to change his appoint
ment, from the toil of the harvest field to the
Heavenly rest.
Only four days of happy reunion with his
family, in the Clinton parsonage, had passed,
when the transfer was made. On Christmas
night his heart was graciously blessed in the
family devotions. In prayer, his faith be
held the manger and the cross, the humbled
and exalted Saviour, the Heavenly city and
its blessed inhabitants and he wished him
self among them. His prayer was soon ans
wered; before the morning light, a fatal
stroke of apoplexy loosed the silver chord,
ended his sufferings with a single groan, and
let his pure spirit go home to God.
“His tent at sunrise on the ground,
A darkened ruin lay.”.
Several here said, “Bro. Arnold was the
noblest type of a Christian gentleman that we
have ever seen.” (
This remark seems just, for in him was
happily blended, exalted dignity, with the
gentlest love: while he oommanded the res
pect of the most refined, the humblest child
could approach him with perfect confidence.
Asa husband and father, he was full of
tenderness and affection. He was twice,
happily marrried; first to Miss Mclntosh,
and after her decease, to Miss Julia Uandler.
A minister of ability in word and doctrine,
by diligent study he contiuued to improve
to the end of life. We would hold up his
example as a pattern of ministerial fidelity.
Submitting, with child-like trust, to the
judgment of the Conference, he accepted
his appointments, as from the hand of God.
He went to his work, feeling that God had
called him to it. No field of labor was too
bumble for him. No difficulties, which he
could overcome, could keep him from his
appointments; hence we find him, when
over sixty years of age, regularly walking
around his circuit.
He was greatly beloved by his people, as
may be inferred from his frequent return to
the same fields of labor.
His memory is enshrined in the hearts of
the Conference. We will miss this heroio
soldier of the cross; we may seldom look
npon his like again; but we hope to see his
smiling face on the other side of Jordan.
Alex. M. Thigpen.
EDWARD W. REYNOLDS.
The subject of this memoir was the father
of Jno. W. Reynolds of recant connection
with the North Georgia Conference, with
whom we have more intimate acquaintance.
The death of the father is so late an event
that we have received the only intelligence
of the fact since the Conference assembled.
We can give therefore but a few facts of his
tory and devote only a few lines to the
memory of a father in Israel, whose life and
services might afford pages of interesting
matter to his surviving cotemporaries, and
give inspiration to those who follow in the
paths of Christian duty.
He had his residence, we are informed, for
some length of time, in Walton county, where
perhaps he married the daughter of Bro.
Sen tell, in 1834, For several years past he
has resided in Fayette county, Ga., five
miles from Fairbum and ten or twelve from
Jonesboro.
At the time of his death, about the 13th
of November last, he was probably about 70
years of age. The circumstances of his death
are uncertain, as they reaoh ns only by
rumor and are afflictions indeed, as he died
suddenly away from home and without the
kind ministry of friends and relatives. H
we are correctly informed, he and his son
in-law had gone out in the country on busi
ness and were returning home together (dri
ving a cow .which was pnrehased or had
strayed away.) For soqie purpose the son
in-law came home in advance. Bro. Rey
nolds lingered behind, saying he would
come in due time. For eleven days there
after he was missing, and when found he
was discovered lying dead npon his baek
and near a spot where the mule on which he
rode had been evidently fastened As Bro.
Reynolds was a man of large proportions and
full habit and there were no visible marks
of violence on his person, it may boa reason
able presumption, from the circumstances,
that he died a natural death from apoplexy.
At the last information, the coroner’s in
quest was called to decide the manner and
means of his death, but no other facts were
discovered.
From the Records of the Church and min
utes of tho Conference, we learn that at the
4th session of the Georgia Annual Confer
ence which convened January Bth, 1834, at
Washington, Wilkes county, Bishops Emory
and Andrew presiding, he was admitted on
trial to the travelling connection with such
class-mates and associates as Wesley P. Ar
nold, Windsor Graham, Jno. Yarborough,
James Payne and others, some of whom
have served their generation and fallen
asleep in Christ years ago, and others more
recently.
In 1835 he travelled the Waynesboro cir
cuit; in January, 1836 at Eatonton, Ga., he
was admitted to deacons orders; in 1837 at
Athens, Ga., he was elected to elders’orders,
and was appointed to Clinton circuit; in
1839 he travelled the McDonough circuit; in
1840 he was on the Cuthbertcircuit; in 1845
at the Conference held in Eatonton, he was
admitted to a supemumeray relation; in
1848 he travelled the Hamilton circuit as
preacher in charge; in ’sl and ’52 he served
the Buena Yista circuit, and at the close of
the year '52 he was superannuated. Again
in ’57 he rode effective and we find him asso
ciated with J. M. Marshall on Butler cirouit
in Columbus district, and in ’SB in charge of
Palmetto circuit, since which time we have
no definite account of any active and regu
lar services in any relation to the Church,
but for the last few years we are informed,
he has been preaohing occasionally with
much of’Lis former ability at Bethel Chnrch
in Forsyth circuit, near his own home, where
his family have their membership.
He was a strong, athletic man, inured to
hardship and labor, and his mind and char
acter were in correspondence with his phys
ical development. He was naturally strong
in will and thought and feeling—made
stronger still by experience and conflict with
the natural and moral difficulties of a preach
er’s life in the days and in the country in
which he served the Church. His educa
tional advantages were limited, but his natu
ral mental endowments had been increased
in vigor by reading and study, unfavorable
peculiarities had been overcome by grace
difficulties mastered by effort, and in addi
tion to his good stock of common sense,
which is valuable capital, he had acquired
suoh stores of Scriptural knowledge and
general information, as made him a good
and effective preacher—a sound theologian
a firm and fearless defender and advo
cate diJh* troth. His house was a home of
piety, and hospitality, and here the
weary itinerant'p reßchers as the writer can
testify from his Qwa^'t? eriencP ; often found
a Christian welcome—instruction,
agement and sympathy were afforded, and
all his wants supplied. If he had faults they
were those natural to a strong charcter. If
he bad virtues they too partook ol his gen
eral tone of mind. Strong- in his opinions
he was bold to express them. Firm in his
nature he was frank and faithful in his
friendship. Grace—he needed much—that
grace he received and manifested in the
modification of his character and softening
of his nature—in the subduing and regula
tion of his will—iu a heart regenerator—in
a life in some degree sautified and devoted
to God and the Church.
BRO. JNO. W. REYNOLDS,
his son, joined the itinerancy in Americus,
Oct. 1856—was admitted into full connec
tion and elected to deacon’s orders at Co
lumbus, Ga., Dec. 1858—during which year
he had servod the Church on the Stewart
circuit —associated with Jas. T. Turner. In
’59 he served the Jonesboro station; in’6o he
was on Carollton and Smyrna circuit, at the
close of which year he was ordained elder by
Bishop Pierce; in ’6l ho was on the Jackson
cirouit, Griffin district; in ’62 and ’63 on the
Cave Spring circuit, where he labored suc
cessfully and left many friends; in '64 on
Franklin circuit; in ’65 on Buena Vista cir
cuit; in ’66 and ’67 he served the Thomaston
and colored charge; in ’6B and ’69 on Cullo
den circuit.
Bro. Reynolds was a man of good natural
abilities and of active mental qualities. He
like his father had a good store of practical
common sense, and by diligent study, ob
servation and culture, he had enriched his
mind with thought, and acquired a fluency
of expression which made him easy and
agreeable in conversation and gave liberty
and force in all his pulpit exercises. His ser
mons were not devoid of method and arrange
ment ; they were sound and Soriptural in doc
trine and forcible in argument, and were de
livered often with zeal, fervor and persua
sive power. He was simple and earnest
in manner, and seldom failed to interest and
impress his hearers. He was instructive as
a teacher—faithful but kind in rebuke, and
ever diligent and persistent as a worker.
Prompt and punctual he labored to do all
his work and to do all equally. He loved the
Sunday-school work and labored most suc
cessfully in it, winning the hearts of parents
and children to himself for Christ and the
Church. Asa pastor he had qualities which
eminently adapted him to the care of souls.
He loved his people, placed himself in sym
pathy with his flock, identified himself with
their interests, joys and sorrows and had a
kind word of greeting or counsel for each
and all. He was kind to all, but kindest to
the poorest and therefore was loved, useful
and successful.
But Bro. Reynolds’ work is done. The
minutes show his last appointment was the
Zebulon circuit which he would have served
if had spared during the present year.
He returned home at Culloden from the ses
sion of the last Conference at Rome in more
feeble health than usual and was impressed
with the idea he was soon to die, and in one
short wpek his premonitions were realized.
Bro. Jno. W. Reynolds unlike his father,
was not a strong and hale man constitution
ally, was afflicted much and variously, but
persevered in his work, he was always fee
ble but always faithful—infirm in body but
firm in purpose, even to the end. He was
accustomed to think of death and of the
grave, as affording sweet repose from the
labors and sufferings of'life. Daring his last
illness his sufferings were intense, but con
stant prayer and grace sustained him and
brought peace and resignation. A little
while before he died he said many things
which affectionate and bereaved friends may
well cherish as full of comfort and consola
tion. To his wife he said, “you have been
to me all that a wife could be to a husband—
yon have never hindered me from going to
an appointment—give our children a good
education and train theutfor God.” To his
eldest son he said, (oallin| him to his bed- 1
E. H. MYERS, D. D., EDITOR.
WHOLE NUMBER 18311
side) “be a good boy and take care of moth
er and sister, and little brother will help you
and God will help you.”
His last words for the Church and Con
ference were those, “tell my brethren I
loved them in life and I love them in death,
and I die in peace and not to forget my two
boys.” After these words and similar ex
pressions addressed to kind friends who min
istered to him, he turned himself once more
upon his bed and in a moment died without
a struggle, and passed from earth to heaven.
Let us imitate his example of fidelity to God
and the Church, and let us remember his dy
ing charge.
“For the tongues of dying men enforce attention
like deep harmony,
When words are scarce they’re seldom spent la
vain;
For they breath truth that breathe their words iu .
pain.” m
Let us ponder the lesson of mortality and 1
change as brought home to our hearts by
this sad affliction and loss of several of our
brethren this present year and confess in
view of death and eternity—
“ The cradle and the tomb alas so nigh
To live is scarce distinguished from to die.”
Let us have the faith of strangers and pil
grims as our brother had, for—
’Tib not the stoic lessons got by note
“The pomp of words and pedant dissertation
That can sustain us in that hour."
And let the bereaved remember aud find
comfort in the thought—
“ he is not desd
Whose spiritual Influence is upon his kind
He lives in glory and hii speaking dust
Has more of life than half its breathing mouldß.
William P. Rivers.
Report on Education.
The Committee on Education beg leave
to submit the following:
WELLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE.
We are pleased to report the W. F. Col •
lege iu a prosperous condition. The pres
ent patronage is larger than at any period
within tho last ten years and promises, at
no distant day, to exoeed that of any perioa
of its history. Its interests are faithfully
guarded by an able and efficient Board of
Trustees, who represent this Conference
jointly with the South Georgia Conference.
We offer the following resolutions:
Resolved 1. We learn with profound pleas
ure of the increasing prosperity of the \V.
F. College and confidently, commend it to
the patronage otthe public.
2. That in compliance with the request of
the Board of Trustees this Conference ap
point three members of its body as Board
of Visitors to attend the annual examina
tion in July next.
EMORY COLLEGE.
Resolved, That the continued prosperity
of Emory College not only as a seat of learn
ing, butasasohoolof moral and religious cul
ture, is a matter of profound gratification to
this Conference, and we heartily commend
the institution to all who are interested in
the development of the mind and morals of
the young.
LAGRANGE FEMALE COLLEGE.
Resolved, That the LaGrange Female Col
lege is an institution of great merit, and we
heartily oommend it to onr people as every
way deserving their confidence and support.
Visitors to Macon, A. T. Mann, H. J.
Adams, H. B. Parks, H. P. Bell.
' K M Education Should Be.
Education, moral train
ing, is like a sword in the hands of 2 IPS-'}
man—and yet, grieved as I am to utter it,
much of the education of the country is of
this sort. The schools of most reputation
are eagerly sought—the colleges of the rich
est endowments are greedily visited—knowl
edge, kowledge is the cry, while not a thought
is spent upon the moral education which
may be going on during the acquisition of that
knowledge—of the poison that our children
may be drinking in—the poison of immor
ality, of licentiousness, of infidelity. My
friends, rather let yonr children lack the at*
complishments of life—rather let them be
behind in the knowledge of the day, than
procure them at such a cost. But no
schools, however well conducted, no colleges,
however strict the moral discipline, cau
achieve anything for your children, until
you yourselves train them in the homestead,
to obedience, self-government, to courtesy,
to virtue, It must be “line upon line, and
precept upon precept, here a little and thero
a little"—it must be daily instruction in tho
word of God—it mast be a constant watch
fulness over thoughts and habits—it must
be earnest prayer for them and with them;
and accompanying all this, mast be free u»"
of the rod of correction; for “folly is bound
up in the heart of a child,” and nothing else
can fetch it out. This is education, and it
is the want of this which has made our
schools and colleges rather engines of evil
than instruments of Good.— Bishop Elliott,
of Georgia.
Innocence.
Marvelous is it how innocence perceives
the approach of evil, which it cannot know
by experience, just as the dove, which has
never seen the falcon, trembles by instinct
at its approach, just as the blind man detects
by finer sensitiveness the passing of the
clond which he cannot see overshadowing
the sun. It is wondrous how the truer we
become, the more unerringly we know tho
ring of truth, can discern whether a man bo
true or not, and can fasten at once upon the
rising lie in word and look and dissembling
act—wondrous how the charity of Christ in
the heart perceives every adulteration of
charity in others, in ungentle thought or
slanderous tone. How shall we recognize
truth ? What is the test by which we shall
know whether it comes from God or not.
Christ says, "My sheep know me." Wisdom
is justified of her children. Not by some
long investigation, whether the shepherd's
dress be the identical dress, and the staff bo
carries genuine, do the sheep recognize the
shepherd. They know him, they hear his
voice, they know him as a man knows his
friends; they know him in short instinct
ively. Just so does the soul recognize what
is of God and true. There is a something
in our souls of God, which corresponds with
what is of God outside of us, and recognizes
it by direct intuition ; something in the true
soul that corresponds with troth and knows
it to be truth In all matters of eternal
truth the soul is before intellect; the things
of God are spiritually discerned ; yon know
the troth by being true, you recognize God
by being like him.— Rev. F. W. Robertson.
The Old Well.
“There was a well near here," said a by
stander, “and very good water used to come
from it; but it has been filled np for a long
time.”
“Indeed! I never knew there was a well
here, much less tasted the water. How did
it get filled up?"
“Neglect, sir. Some rubbish got in, then
part of tho surrounding soil; and as it was
not cleared out at once it got worse and
worse, till it is as yon see it—quite choked
up. I wonder if there is any water at the
bottom?”
These last words set me thinking: “I
wonder if there is any water at the bottom?”
I thought how much this old well was like
some Christians. The Lord Jesus spoke of
the life he gives to the believer as “a well
of water” unto him—John iv, 14; but are
there not many who are supposed to be
Christians in whom we do not see any water;
and of whom we can say, as of this old well.
“I wonder if there is any water at the bot
tom?”
True eloquence I find to be none but the
serious and hearty love of truth; and that
whose mind soever is fully posessed with a
fervent desire to know good things, .* ’
with tho dearest charity to inf us? the ku».
edge of them into othora, when sutffSOO,
aafttfS 1 10 v
command, and in well- %