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174
Sratjjern Christian Sbbotafc
MACON, GEORGIA, NOVEMBER 3, 1875.
Dr. E. 11. Myers’ Book—Disrup
tion of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Rev. E. H. Mytrs, the late editor of
this paper, has recently given to the pnb
lie a book with the above title. We have
received a copy cf this important treatise
oa a subject much discussed at the present
time. Trite as the theme may be consid
ered from the constant attention it has of
lita received iu the press, it is here
invested with unusual interest from the
range of the argument, and the great abil
ity with which the discussion is conduct
ed.
There are feel concern
about ilij past, present, end future cf
Methodism in America, who are very illy
in.'ormed of the facta of the great divi
sion of 1814—their bearing cn the present
attitudes of tho two Episcopal Methodist
Churches towards cacU other ; and many
have not fully considered the principles
involve! iu the schemes oa hand for
fr itemization r.nd future union.
We waimly corn mend Dr. Myers’ bock
to all ®b are fond of historical research,
and to all who seek a rational and intel
ligent course of action on tho issues be
tween the two churches.
Having read much on the subjects dis
cubfed in this volume, wo arc prepared to
endorse Dr. Myers very broadly and en
thusiastic illy. Wo know of no writer
either North or South who seems to have
studied the subject to thoroughly, and
who presents the entire men. r in so dear
a light. A book cf this k : nd requires
qualities in the author not often blended
in one writer. He mut have the indus
try necessary to gather the foots of histo
ry from their hidden retreats in neglected
papers and books high up on the shelves
of libraries. Dr. Myers lies this quality
ia an eminent degree. Ho is diligent and
persistent in Lis search for truth, even in
details.
A writer, suitable for the task proposed,
must have a judicial mind, and a com
prehensive grasp of a complex subject.
We think our author has abilities of a
superior order in this direction, enabling
him clearly to nnfold au intricate matter,
and to resolve by patient analysis, every
involved problem, whether of historical
or legal principle. The book is a reposi
tory of ail that one can hope to had in the
study of the questions tlisenssed. It is
very largely a book of documents, of the
views entertained on both sides of the
controversy. And while the book is
small, it is full enough to satisfy the most
anxious inquirer. An additional interest
is given to the volume from the fact
that Dr. Myers is chairman of the Com
mission appointed by ihe Into Gener
al Conference order to negotiate with a
similar body of the Northern Chureb, if
one should be appointed. It is perfectly
certain to every reader of this treatise
that Dr. Myers will make an able and
honorable representative. Thoroughly
informed, with matured opinions, he is
amply prepared to act wisely aud discreet
ly. Wo think, too, Dr. Mytrs is sufficient
ly conciliatory in his spirit to warrant
high hopes of good results iu tlio negotia
tion.
Our people aud our brethren of the
Neithern Church should read the book to
get au intelligent opinion oa the various
mattois at issue. If nothing practical or
valuable comes from the discussion of
such questions, it will be because there
are irrepressible differences which forbid
the formal uuiou of the two Churches.
For our part, we are free to say, that under
no conceivable circumstances would we
advise a union of the Churches ; and but
for the hope of union we do not be
lieve the North would talk so much of
fraternity. Courting is precedent to mar
riage—if the end is seen to he unattain
able, the means would not be used.
There is a mania in the Northern mind
about union—it has a magical sway over
their judgments and sensibilities, One
of the leading reasous for a union of the
Churches is, that such union would teud
to cement the political fabric. Wo may
be excused if we cannot feel so intensely
the value of tho political union, as to
rec ?gaize the need of making our religion
subservient to such object. Union is
impossible, uu It suable if ever attain
able. Such is the almost universal sen
timent of the Southern Church.
Our people ardently desire peace, aud
national reconciliation. They would
cheerfully agree to an honorable settle
ment of all disturbing questions between
the two Churches. Iu a word, oar people
are fraternal if it can be reciprocated.
They are only anxious to have the rec
ognition of sacred rights and fundamen
tal principles.
The platform of our late General Oon
ferar.ee is a structure that defies the
weapons of logic. Our attitude before
tho world is so erect and firm that ail the
wind3 of faction cannot move us. There
is a difficult and delicate work to be done,
if tho Northern Church next May should
appoint a Commission corresponding to
ours already appointed. Bi it remem
bered, this they refused to do in 1872,
Should they refuse again, that will bring
the ead, wa hope forever. We know that
affairs are tending ia the direction of
peace, and in this we sincerely rejoice.
Tuera arc very many wise and holy men
in tho Northern Church laboring lor the
end of strife. There are solid grounds
to believe that the temper of the Churches
in both sections i3 getting more paoifio. If
a genuine fraternity is established— a
real brotherly love—it will be by looking
steadily to such object with a constant ef
fort to repress every objection not ground
ed in immutable principles. We say in
conclusion, that Dr. Myers’ book can be
had at the N whvilie Publishing House,
A. H, Bedford, Agent, and also of J. W.
Burke & Cos., Macon, Ga.
Announcement.
From the following paragraph which
we find in the St. Louis Advocate of Oct.
20th, it will be seen that cur esteemed
"Editorial Correspondent” has been se
cured to add to the interest and useful
ness of that journal. We congratnlate
all parties upon the consummation of an
arrangement which we trust and believe
will prove agreeable and profitable all
around:
It will bo remembered that I have often
stated before the District and Annual Con
ferences, that I would,os soon as a suitable
person could be found, employ assistance
for Dr. McAually on the editorial work
of the Advocate. It is with pleasure I
now announce to our readers that I have
procured the services ol the Rev. Attieus
G. Haygood, of Georgia, who until re
cently was the editor of the Sunday
school publications of our Church at
Nashville, aud who is well known
throughout the whole country as an able
writer. Loo an D. Dambron, Manager.
Conditions of Fraternity.
We give place to the following edito
rial from the New York Methodist of Octo
ber 16th, that onr readers may have before
them the views promulgated on this sub
ject by an unofficial, but most able and in
fluential journal of Northern Methodism.
Dr. Wheeler, the editor, is one of the
mo3t pronounced and earnest advocates
of “ fraternity” between the two Metko
disms, to be found on that side of the
line, and it will be seen that he very dis
tinctly recognizes the existence of “ con
ditions” which must be met, in order to
real fraternity between the parties, and in
this particular, dresses upon the guide
posted by the General Conference at Lou
isville, K 7. We agree very fully with
most of the positions announced by Dr.
Wheeler in this article, and have no
doubt onr readers will agree with ns. We
publish the article with pleasure, because
it indicates, that in the wing repre
sented by the Methodist at least, ike
mind of Northern Methodijsm is oscilla
ting in a diminishing are about the pole
of truth and righteousness touching this
matter, and may finally and ere long, set
tle upon the exact point:
There are unquestionably
to be carefully | for
for c'oier fraternal
two chief Methodisms.
of fir-.t moment that caDWRS.
to barter !L:m for
sell what ip worth more * h>:
procured by their sacr.fieo [>n
worth. These indispensable conditions
precedent are:
I. The religious and educational welfare
of the colored people. To give this por
tion of our fellow citizens a fair chance
for their elevation, prosperity, enlighten
ment, and religions life, is one of the first
duties of the Christianity of this nation.
Their freedom wilt be onr disgrace, possi
bly our rnio, unless we make them by
education and religion worthy of their
freedom and qualified for the duties of
their citizenship. How best to do the
part of this werk which falls to American
Methodism may be an open question; but
the question of our dnt is not one for de
bate. It ic a perfectly plain case.
There ought to be more willingness to
discuss the means to this great end ; waste
ful competition by three or four Method
isms ought to be prevented; and, above
all, the co operation of those Christians
among whom the c ilored people live ought
to be urgently solicited and secured with
out unnecessary delay. We have been
willing to do full justice to the Southern
temper in this matter because we believe
nothing but evil can come of undei esti
mating and discouraging the Southern
purpose. And, ou the otktr hand, we
have seen the most excellent results irom
approving and encouraging bodies of
Christians when they do well. It is better
to err on the side of charity. The color
ed Chiiatians of the South must have the
aid and sympathy of the white Christians
of the South.
11. The si If-respect cf both chur<iio3
must be presi rved. Nothing cun be gain
ed therefore by effjrts to vindicate on
either side the righteousness of our action
when we were ou opposite sides in a bloody
war. President Lincoln comprehended
iu the bitterest hour of the strnggle the
religious sincerity of both peoples. We
ought to be wise enough all over the Union
to comprehend that now. If one was
right, the other was wrong; but we were
wrong in utter and most religions sincer
ity. The camps of the Confederate armies
were visited with revivals of religion, and
as sound conversions ns are on record fol
lowed the preaching of Confederate chap
lains. All these facts poiut to only one
settlement of such questions as touch the
self-respect of either section. They nre
to bo passed by and the right to differ
about them is to be cheerfully admitted.
Iu another aspect the question of self
respect may require action. Iu 1844 the
Church was formally divided. The
Church, South, was formed in 1845 in ac
cordance with the action of the General
Conference of 1844 In 1848 we formally
repented as iu 1814 we had formally sin
ned. But our repentance did not come
until the fruit of onr error had been ma
tnrod. The Church, South, was organized
in good faith nndor the division act of
1814, and that Church has remained until
this day.
• Tbe recognition of the good faith and
practical validity of their organization is
what the Church, South, mean when they
propose to treat ou the basis of the Plan
of Separation. The geography of that
plan is a small matter compared with the
recognition that their existence is valid.
We have called their church a secession.
Tho charge rankles aud burns. It cuts
into their self respect aud wounds their
sense of religious honor and probity.
The duty, at this point, of our Church
seems very plain to ns. We have pointed
it out before. We are under no necessity
of admitting the right ot the General Con
ferenee to rend ns apart. We have only
to treat the fact—the rending was accom
plished under the order of our supreme
legislature. The Church which was by
that act set off by itself has a perfect moral
claim to our recognition. To refuse to
accept the consequences of the Plan of
Separation is like refusing to set a broken
limb because it ought not to have be6u
broken.
We have virtually # recognized the
Church, South, in this attitude—as the
offspring of the Plan of Separation. We
believe there are no interests to be pnt in
jeopardy by the frankest aud most hearty
recognition of the legitimacy of the birth
of our sister church.
111. The Independent existence of each
church. Iu the South the worst obstacle
to fraternity is a fear that it is only a
meats of organic union. For many rea
sons, organic union is not desired, and it
is not necessary to fraternity. There are
some reasons why a large party in the
North would oppose organic union. One
of these reasons ia the great
Church already, and the fear t^H
too much cenlral-.z A.
lions weigh much with
very frankly that until
chi ekri on tin) powers oi
ence wo do net wish to see the^H
disms united. An ecumenical coWlKr
all the Methodisms would better serve the
precious interests which we all have in
oommon.
IV. The vested rights of all members of
either church. A member of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church in Georgia, Louisi
ana, or Texas; a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, in California,
Oregon, or Illinois; such membeis have
vested rights in our sympathy, commun
ion, benevolence. The error of 1844 was
that it disregarded these rights. We must
not repeat the error. Neither ohnreh can
say to the other, “Get out of Kentucky,”
‘ Get out of Illinois.” We are theie and
are under a moral obligation to stay, ltoal
fraternal feeling is needed to settle diffi
cult oases that will arise under this prin
ciple. There are some limits to the duties
of the general church. If we have planted
a feeble church we ought not to suffer it
to die, or leave its members to uncongenial
relations. But a single member of onr
church in a distant town has no right to
Methodist preaching at the expense of
the whole ehnrch. Somewhere between
the two cases the line must be drawn.
So far as geographical adjustment is
concerned its chief object is to prevent
loss of power through opposing each other.
Aud, in the rural South, and the rural
North, there is not room for two distinct
Methodisms. We cannot talk glibly of
tranß/ering members to each other, for we
deny the right to set church members off
like flocks of sheep. They must be con
sulted; and this principle compels ns to
resign beforehand any claims to hard and
fast lines. But it will still be possible to
arrange our work so as to reduce very con
siderably the double system of churches.
These four conditions of fraternity show
the difficulties that surround the subject.
These are so large and stnbborn to our
eyes that we have all charity for those
who doubt the possibility of hearty recon
ciliation and co-operation. We hope to
see the great end reached without the
sacrifice of an interest, or the loss of an
ounce of power, becanse we have seen
wonderful changes of feeling and purpose
in the last ten years, and because God is
in American Methodism. Both Method
isms have on them the seal of the Holy
Ghost. It cannot be the duty of one to
devour the other. It must be our duty
to find a basis for a thorough understand
ing and for harmonious work in spreading
Scriptural holiness over this land.
The Augusta District.
We make the following extract from a
very interesting letter, contributed by
the presiding elder, Rev. R. W. Bigham,
to the NashviUe Advocate :
The baptism by the Spirit, of the North
Georgia Conference this year, been pen
tecostal. The presence of Jesus in the
churches imparted to us the emotion of
Daniel when God came so close to him
that he put his lips ia the dust in great
humility; yet it crowded our hearts so
quickly with hosannas as almost to suffo
cate confession with praise for forgiveness
and blessing. The Augusta District has
shared largelv of that baptism. We re
port about 800 conversions. Many an
okl experience has been freshened, deep
ened, enlarged ; devotion to Sunday
schools intensified, and taste for religious
literature imparted or rendered taste
fal. It gathered preachers and peo
ple very close together in its works
of faith and love, ils hopes and
joyful realizations. Seldom have the
ministers excelled the consecration to
pastoral, pulpit, and altar labors they
just before and amidst this
of the Spirit. And wo ere
startling the mom?
is, the great, anxious heart
Brour veteran Missionary Secretary, Dr.
M Ferric, vill bo made glad by our Con
ference report of collections. For a real
revival sets gold aflow to praise God, as
well as the heart. To this spiritual bap
tism of the Conference Bishop Pierce
ministered by visiting the churches far
and near, in city and country, stirring by
tho thrill of example and precept; and
Bishop Wightman’s ministrations at sev
eral ol tho District Conferences gave the
work aa impulse forward delightful to
feel and to observe. The Augusta citv
churches—four in number, with 1,558
members —were signally revived. One of
theta, St. Luke’s, was organized in April
with 12 members, increased now to 40,
with 70 Sunday-school scholars and offi
cers, aud property valned at §2 000 The
that name upon its list is John W. Wight
man, a brother of Bishop Wightman.
When he was approached with the sug
gestion that, severing connection with a
Church of several hundred members, he
would join tho Mission Church,he replied:
“I will do so if I oau do the more good,
fer I love to help tho weak and strug
gling.” The reply descends into the
heart, and, like the angel in Bethesda’s
pool, stirs it to heavenly virtues. His is
a great heart—womanly in tenderness,
Pauline in courage. During the fearful
scourge of Augusta by yellow fever, in
1839, when the crowds fled tha city, he
stayed there, and pursued the plague
from house to house, from victim to vic
tim, helping to rout it by faithful nursing
of rich and poor, day and night, till its
dark ihadow was withdrawn from the des
olated and appalled place.
Presiding Elders. —The eeasonis upon
us, when lnuny of these valuable aud all—
importaut cUlcers of the Church are re
quired by Ihe law of limitation to leave
their reluctant charges, for new fields of
labor. Complimentary resolutions are
passed by Quarterly Conferences, aud
frequently sent to us for publication. We
sympathize with Ihe sentiment which
prompts these tribntes cf appreciation,
aud would gladly comply with the requests
for their insertion in the Advocate, if we
could do so without burdening the paper
with matter which is in each instance of
limited interest. We feel sure that our
brethren who have sent us such articles,
will appreciate our difficulty, when they
consider the number of Districts in the
four patronizing Conferences, and the
number of Quarterly Conferences iu each
District
Sensible.— Oar friend Rev. Alexander
Clark, of the Methodist Recorder, who has
a very pointed way of saying thiogs, gets
off this neat paragraph:
"The Boston Congrcgalimialist gives a
page to the discussion of the length of
sermons. Various correspondents express
various opinions. The shortest time pro
posed is seven minutes. —the longest al
lowable oue hour. Now, if those Yankee
gangers will tell us how deep a sermon
should be, and how hroa l, we could form
a better idea of how long it might be in
passing a given point. The length of a
sermon depends something upon the
length of the ears that listen to it, and
the thickness of the brain and tongue that
produce it.”
'Lys Hardwick.
“Iheglory revealed in us.”
Ulysses Hardwiek was a nephew of Rich
mond Nolley, whose missionary life and
whose saintly character are so well de
scribed by Bishop McTyeire in " Bio
graphical Sketches of Itinerant Minis
trs.” How “ the angels met him,” and
how “with sweet surprise, Nolley found
himself in the land cf Beulah,though in a
dreary swamp of Louisiana;” how a trav
eler found him "on the cold ground
and wet leaves, at full length, his eyes
neatly closed, his left hand on his
breast, and his right a little fallen off;”
how his " knees were muddy, and the
prints of them were in the ground,
showing what his last exercise had been ”
—this whole charming story I read daring
■fclast term at Emory College, just be-
my first circuit work. It
to me. One of my
Becomes was at Mrs. Hirdwiek's—a
worthy to be the sister of Rich
mond Nolley. I saw her yesterday at the
funeral of her eon Ulysses—known in his
county as Lys, She is ready whenever
the angels come for her.
Lys was born January 24, 1839, and
“ fell on sleep ” at his mother’s, Septem
ber 17, 1875. He lived in this world
nearly thirty seven years, and for nearly
thirty years was a sufferer. Inflammitory
rheumatism, in childhood, anchylosed
most of his joints and made him a crip
ple for life. Sometimes he was free from
pain; oftentimes he suffered intensely for
days at a time. Medicine coaid do noth
ing for him, and he knew it. Few men
daring the last thirty yeais have endured
more hopeless suffering than this man.
There is a notable sermon in this un
known man’s life. Few sermons—heard
or read—have impressed me so much.
Since 1559 I have seen him occasionally;
his “manner of life” I have known all
along. His thirty-seven years among us
and his departure from our midst may—
without any misapplication of the words
—be summed up in the brief biography
and obituary of one of the holy patri
archs —only changing the name: “ And
Enoch walked with God: and he was not;
for God took him.” And the words would
as truly describe the life and ueath of the
cripple as of the patriarch.
This life long sufferer had more than
fortitude; his patience was almost pro
verbial. More than this —he was full of
sustained cheerfulness. His spirit seem
ed to have caught a ray of sunshine and
ever afterwards to have been reflecting it.
As one said to me, “Lys was ever lively.”
Sometimes he was well enough to sit up
in a buggy and drive a gentle horse.
Many families in Atlanta will remember
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
the genial and patient cripple who
brought them milk from his brother’s
dairy. He loved to help—what he could
do, that he did.
His gratitude for little kindnesses was
beautiful. Last summer a negro man and
I helped him on the little ungon that
him at the depot. His sweet way of
thanking ns was in my thoughts for days.
He often blessed God for his sufferings;
sometimes when the Spirit led him up
“to the top of Pisgah ” aud “showed
him all the land,” he shouted aloud.
All this is quite unaccountable by men of
this world. Fanaticism ? A strange fa
naticism truly that gives peace to a poor
cripple, tortured with iheuiuatism -that
gave to so great a sufferer “songs in the
night.” Why did he bless God and “shout
aloud ” over his sufferings V Because he
thought that iu this way God was
ing him to himself—was
more like that one- sink t>s
and perfect uian, .Tcmih,
spiritual manhood.
me, “poor L s’'-—. - we, i:i
sometimes called him- - was yfe ,
and wire in (j id’s
life. For what is tho chief
end of all hneiaa ixi: tenoe ? II
No; but purity—likem sh to Jesus.
that life is most successful that, dnrioJßs
probation in this world, becomes most
like Jesus. I know not that Lys ever
“ professed it ” but I believe he was^tc
Wi.oa he came to he was
f aid this on one o,v e i u>: “ /.■B
to 'l' o'it to die.” So was
the linns. When th-y cm.-jy- J
throw him down a mod g t IhoßbS
del Lot then h ive todonhlfH
So was Peter r -edy wheu,
tween '.wo soldiers, ho slept
thecol.l prison-tljor, the night
morning Herod intended to slayßm.
Lys had been ready a long time—watoh
isg aud waiting—not knowing at “ what
hour the 80a of Man would come.” He
was ready to go—willing to stay. God’s
will was his wiii.
“ Whatcan Ido with suffering? What
good caul find in it and get out of it ?”
Such questions are the scandal and de
spair of all philosophy. It is a Spbvax
riddle that man’s wit aud wisdom cannot
solve. Learning and genius are as help
less here as ignorance and dullness. As
they could find no good in suffering—in
sorrow—men havo tried to invent some
relief or remedy. Oae says, “ Let ns eat
and drink, for to-morrow we die.” This
man tries to drown sorrow with pleasure.
They dignify this poor invention and call
it the “Epicurean philosophy.” Another
says, “It is my fate ; I will endure it.”
And they dignify this sallen despair and
call it the “ Stoical Philosophy.” But
these are not answers. Philosophy in
deed!
The Holy Scriptures answer in many
places and in many ways. Paul givesone,
aud Lys Hurdwick proved it true. The
Apostle is writing übout the privileges
and blessings of those, who “ led
Spirit, are the sons if God.” He sums
it all up: “For I reckon that the onffer
ings of this present time are not worthy
to be compared with the gh ry which
shall be revealed ia ns." ,4
Of whose sufferings does he speak ?
Not auy snffi rings. Some suffer and
grow worse. Some sufferers “ curse God
and die.” Frederick Robertson sajs truly:
“Sorrow is iu itself, therefore, a thing
neither good nor bad: its value depends
on the spirit of the person on whom it
falls. Fra will inflame straw, soften iron,
or harden clay. Warmth develops the
energies of life, or hastens tho progress
of decay. So too with sorrow. There
are spirits in which it develops the semi
nal principle of life: there are others in
which it prematurely hastens the consum
mation of irreparable sorrow.”
Paul says: “If so bo that wo suff r
with him that we may be also glorified to
gether.” Sorrow developed life, not
death, iu my crippled frieud. Io Lys it
brought not “the sorrow of tho w, rid
which worketh death.” His life helps us
to understand Paul’s philosophy of snf
ferings: there was a great “ glory revealed
in him,” even here amoDg ns. And “Col
den” as onr eyes ware, we too could see
something of that glory of “Christ form
ed within him," and living and reigning
in him ; the glory of Christ shining
through him and transfiguring a life that
seemed to us so marred and broken. As
long as Lys lived he grew more and more
like Christ. Now he “is like H'm ” “for
he sees Him as Ha is.” And seeing Christ
as ne is, he will grow more and more like
Him forever. And this is tha
thing in eternity; tbe Christian
ever grow in that likeness. K^A H
will filmyfl be room for
vision it was that roue before t JH
“I shall he setisfied when
likeness,” And wh.it
niiseare in St. Foil’s words: ‘ ■■
borne the image oi the
also bear tbe imigo ol the heavAnq^^^P
What can I do with miff, ring—
row ? Is there—can there be, any good
in it? If we “are ted by the Spirit,”
“if we suffer with Him,” we oan—wejkill
say with Paul: “ I reckon that the
iugs ot this present time are not
to be compared with the i/lory th
revealed in us."
Rich, and titled, and
men live in our c> :: t r y, but jfl
ill roil much whether iu G nlß|
Lys Htrdi- iek— as nie.i t4H
rich Ly* Umlwiek— as the auBH
him—was not th) greatest
all.
Oxford, Ga.
Concerning Skeletons.
In the little village where this Corres
pondl? g Editor was born, there was a cer
tain doctor’s “shop"—it is “offico"now—
which gave him no little trouble. No
doubt there wss good medicine ia the
shop, and as to the doctor himself, there
was no cleverer man—and you may take
“clever” both in the English and Amiri
can sense—in the town. But in going to
the post-office we always took tbe other
side of tbe street in order to dodge the
shop—rather the skeleton that was in it.
It was not the “skeleton in the closet”
but the skeleton in the corner—peering
over tbe counter at the folks who came
in to buy “snake root” and such things.
(Mention is made of the “snake-root” be
cause we had to take it once ) It was very
foolish no doubt, but we were afraid of it.
But the.e was uo harm in it. In one
thing it was a model to tho whole village—
it kept its tongue.
To-night we have been examining the
skull, and ribs, and other "dry-bones” of
a ekeleton—rather a pile of skeletons—
that is dangerous. It is not labeled skele
ton, or grave yard, or cemetery, or cata
combs, or something of the sort-, as it
ought to be. The bones are not quite as
dry as were those in the doctor’s shop that
used to look so white at us through the
door, as we hurried by on the other side
of the street, but taking one look in spite
of onr fears. What a strange fascination
the old dead thing had—pulling onr head
half round aud making the poor little
foolish heart jump at sight of the holes
where the eyes ought to have been, and
the teeth so baie and white!
Oa the bones of the skeleton we have
been looking at to-night there is jr.6t flesh
enough to—remind one of a dissecting
room It is oue of a class. Aad some peo
pie try to make them w alk about- shuffl ug
and rattling their old bones —as if they
were not dead.
This is what they call it: “Theological
Sketch Book; or, Skeletons of Sermons.”
There are “two volumes in one” with 525
pages. Don’t ask where it is published—
you can’t make us tell. There is such
fatcination in these skeletons to some per
sons, that they might send for one, per
for a whole nuisenm of them. We
another set of them labeled as
Five Hnnlr.-d Sketches and
Bun; of K Minus." There was an
m l—two volt met; we fjrget the
!. but they were no doubt a Lraee of
“paleozoic Saurians.”
W We talk sometimes about the misery of
ra family that keeps “a skeleton in the
closet.” What shall we say of the preach
er who keeps “Five Hundred Skeletons”
in his study? We speak now from obsir
vation—not experience—having never
learned to fancy skeletons of any sort.
a Twenty years ago there was a certain
— nitm less here —bat then known
wide. His word was with power.
Hsiii uot a scholar, nor a philosopbi-r,
was u good, honest, scriptural, nml
preacher. His words took hold
Hr people’s hearts and consciences. But,
by-and by, there came a change. Gradu
ally be i>*t hisr.owix. His congregations
fell off, and iu ihe course of years tho
Bishop and the Presiding Ellers found
trouble iu providing for him. Men won
dered at the change, and the preacher
himself was greatly distressed. He knew
that his bow had lost its spring, but he
could not explain it. It was a matter of
discussion among his brethren. Various
thooiies vo.re advanced. We won’t speik
of them h< re lest somebody, with a good
memory, should name the man. A few
years ago, we found out, by a sort of acci
dent, that all the doctors had missed Ihe
truth in their diagnosis of onr brother’s
decadence. Happening iu bis study one
day we fonnd it a perfeclGolgotha—a place
of skulls indeed. There were many sizes
and many sorts—fifteen hundred at least
—all in a grinning row. We never saw as
many volumes of “Sketches and Skeletons
of Sermons,” in one private collection be
fore. Our first thought was this: “Here
is the trouble—our brother’s power has
all been wasted in trying to put flesh on
these dry-bones!” Oae volume wus wel]
used—had many leaves turned down
Same of the pages looked like a boy’s
spelling-book at ‘ Bi-ker”—worn, dog
eared, aud greasy with coustant use.
These were his favoiites —‘sugar-bones”
let us call them, and not “sugar sticks.”
We put the book back into its place and
kept our secret —the preacln r was too far
gone to save, lie never knew that we
looked at his skeletons, and if he should
see this, and recognize himself, we beg
him not to be angry.
Talking wiik the chief cleik in a large
Southern book-store, oue day, while he
wus unpacking a whole box full of “Skele
tons of Sermons,” we asked, “What in
the world do you want with so many of
these things? ’ “To sell,’' lie answered.
“To whom?” we asked. “To the preach
ers,” he repilied. Oir heart sank, bat we
ventured one more question—“ You don’t
sell many ol them, do you?” “Yes hnn
dreds. It is one of out best t elling books,”
He paused a moment to tell me about one
order he Lad received a few days before.
Tbe clerk went ou: “One brother wrote
for anew boob of skeletons. He said,
‘Send me another book; I've done preached
through 'Five Hundred Sketches and Skele
tons,' and I want anew book.’ ”
There was voracity tor you. Would
you call that maa a "book-worm,” or a
“bone-worm?” Pity for bis poor congre
gations; they must have felt that the air
was chill with ghoßts.
The clerk’s words have given us anxiety
since: “Yes, hundreds of them. It is one
of our best selling books.” I-i it possible
that he was mistaken? He was in a posi
tion to know —he was daily in business
correspondence with the preachers.
No doubt the use of these books ac
counts for much chronio mental dyspepsia,
atrophy, and imbecility. Shallowing is
not tbe only thing to be done, if wo are
to get strength from our food. There
must be good digestion—and aa one eon
kjliou of this, fine chewing, and thorough
blood, aad muscle, and bone out of
Bp snil bread. “Bolting” food at a
Biroad eatiug house, with the brakeman's
Ben minutes for breakfast!” ringing in
ears—the conductor looking at his
wutob just as the waiter brings you a pieae
of tough beef, the engine uttering au im
patient snort now and then—as if in league
with the landlord to scare you out of the
liitle you have to eat, while yon—poor
victim of misplaced confileuoe—scald
■yourself with jour chicory coffee as you
■L.ko a rush from the table to keep up
the conductor—whom you find on
coolly picking his teeth and
a trado for a tub of butter with a
man— well, this sirt of eating is a
BRuce. (Ia such a ease it would be
to pronounce it as a friend of ours is
wont to do— nu is-ance ) But this is as
much like rational eating as bolting skele
tons is like profitable study and thorough
preparation to preach.
Snoh books as “Five Hundred Sketches
aDd Skeletons cf Sirmons” fobter laainess
and produce iubecility. They destroy the
power of independent thinking. They
bring upon the mind something very like
paralysis, and rob it of all productive
power. The thoughts of such j: Teachers
are not self propagating; they are not
seeds at all, but only bones. They are
notably deficient in one quality essential
to the most useful preaching—the ex
pounding of the Scriptures.
How can a man who cannot make a
“skeleton” clothe it with flesh? David
wonld not fight in Stui’s armor—fine as
it was He had not “proved it.” Far
better for the young shepherd hero and
for Israel, the “sliug that was in his band”
aDd “five Bmooth stones out of the brook”
than King Saul’s “helmet of brass” and
“coat of mail,” his sword and his spear.
Oxford, Ga.
Camden Mission, South Georgia Con
ferenoe.— Rev. J. W. Roberts writes Oc
tober 21 : We haveeDjoyed some precious
seasons cn this work. I have five ap
pointments ; one of the churches was
thrown out last year, but I reorganized
there this year ; and thus far have received
eleven members at that church. I have
received in all, this year, thirty-three on
application, and two renewals. I had no
ministerial help, except two days that our
Presiding Elder, brother Anstin, was with
us and held our quarterly meeting. There
is not oue local preacher anywhere in the
bounds of this work.
Corresponbente
A Florida Suggestion.
Mr. Editor: How Methodist preaclnrs
in Florida manage to live on the pittance
doled out to them, is a mystery to me.
How long bl:is state of things will lest, I
do not know. To suggest a plan for bet
tering their condition I write these lines.
If the plan meßs with your approbation,
set it in motion. The plan is this:
Let each preacher, on station and cir
cuit, within the bounds of the orange
growing r giou of Florid, either in per
soi, by the stewards, or by some judicious
pci on selected by bim, select and secure
to t ; e Church suitable ground s for a par
sonage, say from one to ten acres,accord
ing to circumstances, muoh of
believe m-*.y lie seen red by
plant a portion fk
Biieh r-..-: u.i
don, < mm - , i-c-1
the tr;as, as •,.:<* as may
tion of parson gi buildings.
may be secured tu most cases by contri
bution.
I will give you something of an esti
mate of the value of orange trees by way
of encouraging the enterprise. One hun
dred trees are often planted to the acre
Forty-i inc trees, however, are as m aiy
as ought to be planted. Au orange tree
ia said to lie in its prime at-one hundred
years of ago, an twe must allow >- ni for
them to spread. Thirty feet n.cti way
gives forty nine trees to the sere, and in
twenty yr-trs they will vevy nearly, if not
quite, lock their limbs ut this distance.
At ten jeM-1 of nge (tom the seed), if
well cultivated, they ought to be produc
ing five hundred oranges to the tree. This
wonld give a crop of twenty-four thou
sand oranges per ac e, worth at a low
price two and a half oeut<; or $612 50 per
acre. O.ice the orange comes into bear
ing, the increase in the crop is very rapid.
I think I would be safe in saying the an
nual increase, at least for several years,
would not be less than fifty-five per cent.
Now say that wo had in Florida, a parson
age on every circuit aud s'ation in the
orange growing region, with only one
acre of orange trees attached, how com
fortable it would make the preachers feel.
Many families in Florida are living com
fortably, even plentifully, and without
eff irt, ou the crop of uu acre or lees of
orange trees.
Now consider that such a provision
would last for generations, with increased
value, aud say if the enterprise is not
worth a strong 1 ffort to get it started.
A Floridian,
P. S.—lt is not necessary to start orange
trees from the seed. ' Seedlings may be
obtained almost iu any portion of the
country, from two to five years old, and
of courtio the older the trees to start wilh
the better —the sooner they come into
bearing?' Again, bearing sour stumps
may be 4 -d iu many localities; these trans
planted and budded will produce paying
crops in from tnree to four years. With
the land secured and planted in orange
trees, it would not be long before the or
ange crops would build the parsonages.
Would it not bs well to plant the vacant
land ou church premises in orange trees ?
[Our correspon lent sends the above as
private to us, but we deem it best to give
the letter as it is, and let those interested
judge of (he feasibility and itility of the
fcugg- stious.— Editor ]
The Orphans’ Home.
Brother Kennedy: Annog the various
subjects that will come under review at
the approaching session of the North
Georgia conference, will be the O -phans’
Home, —its prospects, success, and so od.
All must admit that it is an institution of
which we may justly feel proud; and
that it needa_ to be fostered with tender
estcare ; that its elvims upon our people
ought not, indeed can not, be disregarded
without damage to na as a Church and as
individuals. Failure would not only
bring damage, but shame upon us. But
the thought of failure iu this enterprise
of tho Church must not bo outertained for
a moment. N>r is there any necessity for
failure as predicted by some of its timid
supporters, who assign as tha reason of
their apprehension, the want of necessary
means (money) to snpport and keep it up.
Grant that this question of money is the
difficult problem to be solved, and let us
see if it it cannot be done. The design
of the name is to care for and eduoite
the destitute and helpless orphans of onr
people. Suppose, for illustration, there
are thirty children now at the Home,
whose ages range from five to twenty.
Now if these are to be kept aud main
tained at the Home nntil the uaaU-sarrMfe
ut majority, aud toe
longer, why, stir >
neither b. rui.-uviBSSS
least very few.
ing funds for the support
class of grown up persons, they wBP
scarcely be able to raise money enough to
defray their owa expenses and pay sala
rii s. Nor could other children be received
who rea ly need tho comforts and advan
tages of the Home, until these grown up
persons find homes elsewhere, or are in
some way providid for. But if we can
find a way, or suggest a plan whereby
three times as many children can be oared
for and educated, under the direction of
the Church, with but little extension of
means beyond what are now employed,
perhaps for much less, —surely that or
some kindred plan should be adopted, I
am informed that applications are often
made to the Superintendent of the Home
for one of the little boys or girls, by par
ties who propose to care for, educate, and
train tlrrm up in the way they should go;
parties who are every way worthy and
well qnalifi-id to carry out their undertak.
ing. But according to the present regu
lations of the Home, as understood by
the writer, these applications can uot be
granted, however worthy and responsible
the applicant. Now, suppose there lives
in the Cave Springs circuit, a worthy
man, a member of our Church who has
no son cr daughter, aud would take, nay,
wanted one of these children from the
Home; and suppose he should apply to
the Superintendent for oue, with his ap
plication strongly endorsed and recom
mended bv the preacher in charge of the
oircuit, and by the Presiding Elder of the
Rome district, wonld it not be well, to
say the least of it, for the child to thus
find and enjoy a home in suoh a family ?
Besides, the applicants might be required
to enter into bond with the Ordinary of
the county, as provided for by law, lor the
VOLUME XXXVIII., NO. 14.
faithful performance of the trnst. It
does occur to my mind, were some snob
arrangement authorized, that twenty
cr perhaps more of these orphan chil
dren would annually find homes iu the
bosoms of our best families, aud seme
such plan if adopted, would leave the
Home in a condition to be run with per
haps half its pri-eeut expense, aud jet, if
not directly, indirectly accommodate with
good homes, many, very many, more
children than under the preseut regula
tion. I write, not to raise any contro
versy, but only to suggest for the consid
eration of those iu aathority; and if in
the end, the thought suggested, should be
productive of any good to any one, my
purpose will bo accomplished. W.
Old Ground Ilcoccupied.
Mr Editor: L*st week in company with
brother E B. LoyDss, aa Exhortor of the
Waltc-rboro circuit, and brother G. 11.
Poorer, of the Yeaaaesee circuit, I visited
the Okeite iu tho lowir p&rt of Bianfott
county. Many of our preachers will re
collect this section, as we used to have a
mies'ou established hero, called 1 ihink,
mGILk! Okeite Mission.” We reached Ora
[Bwille vi-i 11 ■; - Hava'in ah and Obar’enton
tbr.ro
of God, brother Poioher —
brother MuDlgru, with con-
awaiting rs. We par v. and through
Broe once beautiful town of Grshamville—
but ales its bonnSy and loveliness is de
parted, for the onca beautiful gardens and
residonce3, have given pls.ee to corn and
cotton patches, and these together with
lone ohimneys tell the end tale of war.
Wo arrived at brother Mulligan’s, the
elder, about five o’clock, where an excellent
dinner and genuine Christian hospitality
awaited ns. Thursday morning eleven
o’clock footed us st “Ball H;l!” Church,
ones a very next sSrnotoro but now in need
of repair, which i? baing done by the
brethren under Clio leadership of that
prince of clever m6n, biosher Burrell
Wiggins. Brother Poosor preached to a
good and attentive congregation, and on
interesting meeting began at once, which
continued with increasing interest till
Sunday afternoon. Ido not know that I
ever tried to proclaim Jesus to a more ap
preciative audience. This people has been
largely out off from Church privileges until
recently, brother Loyless has given them
service once a mouth, and through his
energy and perseverance, he has succeed
ed iu laying the foundation for u flourish
ing society here. He is very popular with
the people. May God give him still
greater success. The results of the meet
ing were eight additions to tire Church
and a good many conversions.
A. E. Williams.
To the m issionaries of the North
Georgia Conference.
Dear Brethren: You are required to
make a regular statistical report of your
woik just as other preachirs in charge
are, but there is an additional report to
be made to the Board of Missions ol the
North Georgia Conference, which you will
please prepare and hand to me on the first
day of the Conference session. Let this
report embrace
The name of the Mission yon serve.
Tho number and value of church edifices.
The number of preaching places.
The number of ehnrch members.
The nnmber of additions by profession
of faith during the year.
The number of adults baptized.
The number of children baptized.
The nnmber of Sunday schools.
The number attending the Sunday
schools.
The sums raised iu the Missions.
1. For the Missionary.
2. For Foreign Missions.
3. For the Conference claimants, (sn
peraunates eto.)
4 For the Sunday schools.
6. For the Bishops.
6. For educational purposes—(for cur
own schcols end colleger.)
7. For church buildings or parsonage.
8 Fcr other purposes.
Together with any remarks embracing
the general stat* of the mission, sugges
tions as to enlargement, change to self
sustaining relation, or any facts not enu
merated above that ’will inbrnst the
Church aud give information to the
Board.
Be sure dear brethren to preserve this
notice and havo yonr reports ready before
the Conference meets, and ready to place
in my bands (D. Y.) the first dsy of the
Couftruicee, Your brother
H. J. A dams, See.
Board of Missions No. Ga. Conference.
Augusta, October 26th, 1875.
Appeal to tlie Churches of the
North Georgia Conference.
Tho whole country is suffering from the
scarcity of money and a general derange
ment of commercial interests. The times
try our loyalty to God and his cause. It
is easy to devise liberal things when riches
increase and prosperity smiles, but it re
auires integrity and consecration to meet
I mere demands of duty in adversity and
and financial perplexities. My appeal is
of oar missions and mhsiona-
Brmay appear extreme to say that
fire the claims that we can not afford
isallow. Prsacking may oontinne for
a wnile ia established circuits aud stations,
even though the churohes prove unfaith
ful in supporting the pastors of such
charges, but what will become of the
churches and the people in the missions
if your oontributions are withheld ? If
your pastors suffer great inoonveniences
and are liable to serious embarrassments
when you permit the straightness of the
times to lead you to negleot their support,
wbat a calamity the failure to bestow your
offerings in behalf of our missions, will
bring upon our dear brethren who are
appointed to serve them!
„ Oar sprlDg collection for missions was
light —you have seen the treasurer’s re
port—will you not give again, if you have
given already, or give to the extent of
yonr ability if you have given nothing ?
Only one month remains of the Confer
ence year—aot at once, dear brethren—
make an offering to the Lord—if need be,
let the depths of your poverty abound unto
your liberality —and the blessings of the
poor unto whom the Gospel is preached
will be upon you and yonrs.
Your brother, H. J. Adams,
Seo. Board Miss. N. Ga. Oonf.
Augusta, Oct. 20, 1875.
Watkinsvillh Circuit, North Geor
gia CoNFERENca — Rht. W. W. Oslin
writes : We olosed our series of protract
ed meetings last night. We hsve had a
good meeting at eaoh church in the work,
resulting in more thsa one hundred ad
ditions to our membership. While our
meetings have all been good, at Watkins
ville, Farmington, Antiooh, and Tigner’s,
we witnessed very wonderful displays of
divine power. Such a meeting as we
had at Watkinsville has not been known
there for many years. There were eigh
teen added to that church from among
the best citizens of the place.
Moitroe Circuit, North Georgia
Conference.
Mr. Editor: About the middle of August
there was a grucious revival at Pleasant
Valley, a church four miles from this
poiut, during w hich the whole church was
greatly blessed; sinners wire convicted,
mouruets converted, and twenty-one
added to the Church. Rov.’A J. Deavors,
a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost,
was priseut, and did efficient labor. The
first of September we commenced a meet
ing at this place, which resulted in a
gracious revival. Eight were added to
the Church. The main feature in this
meeting **i3, that a cold inactive member
ship was quickened into life and energy.
Not a tingle class-meeting had been held
here since the war. Now we have a class
meeting which is largely attended. These
meetings have proved the power of God
unto salvation, for some have been con
verted even in the class-meeting; while
both old and young have been made to
rejoice in hope of the g!oiy of God. Our
Sabbath school at this place cannot be
excelled. Tho Superintendent Rev. W.
N. Pendergrass, 13 an active energetic
laborer in this department of the Church,
and is doing his work nobly. He is
assisted by a good corps of officers and
teachers, who appear io be thoroughly
alive to their duty. Oar Church in this
place is proverbial for its good singing,
and especially in the Sabbath-school. Our
camp-meeting at Bethlehem, ten miles
above this place, was a grand saecess. The
membership was greatly revived;
were mod nineteen added to
the Church.
Our pastor, Rev. J. F. Mixon, during
the whole year has bscE untiring in his
efforts :n looking into and after all tbe in
terests connected with the Church. Thus
the way was paved for such grand and
glorious results as mentioned above.
There have been more than fifty new ad
ditions to our Church during the present
year. * D. F. O. Timmons
Monroe, Oa., Oct. 2'id, 1875.
Lynchburg Circuit, Soutla Caro
lina, Conference.
Mr. Edit nr: Suiloh camp meeting be
gan on the first aud closed on the sixth of
October, with the most glorious results.
There was a very large aud comfortable
arbor built, though there were only
three tents, the camp ground being anew
one.
The preachers preseut were Revs. J. E
Carlisle. C. W. Felder, M. M. Ferguson,
D. A Fox worth. W. L. Pegues, G. W.
Whitman, the pastor, J. P. and W. H.
Smith. The preaching was plain and
pointed, coming from the heart and gomg
to the heart.
The Church was strengthened. Theie
were thirty-two accessions on the camp
ground. The services were removed to
Lynchburg, eight mileß distant, and re
sulted in five accessions and two conver
sions.
Tin young labored zealously for Ihe
Master at Shiloh. They were constantly
at work. During the intervals between
the services, tho groves resounded with
their prayers, and with the songs of souls
made liappy in a Siviour’s love. Much
of the good resulting from this meeting,
is due to the effjrts of the young men
at Lynchburg, who have, under many
difficulties, conducted a prayer meeting
among themselves during the year.
Shiloh will be a permanent camp
ground, and, we hope, thira will 1 0
many more tents next year. The circuit
has been greatly ben* fitted by the meet
ing; but wu are needing and hoping for
“greater things than these.” F. SS.
Lynchburg, S. C., Oct. 1815, 1875.
C. U. Du Pic—ss.oo Reward!
Where is O. B. DuPre ? Is he dead ?
or gone on a journey ? or gone into his
hole aud pulled it ia after him? Why don’t
he speak ? or is ho like the Irishman who
tumbled down stairs and lay so still that
hi3 wife thought he was dead ? “And
Mike, are ye dead ?” “No, honey; not
dead, but spaoheleus.” He might havo
groaned, or grunted, or something. It
was mean of Mike to lie there like he was
dead—searing his poor wife so. But
where is DuPre ? Where is Billy Patter
son ? Where is the man who struck him?
He hit him a bard one. Who is, or was,
Junius? Who was the “Mm with the
Iron Mask?” How can 0. B. DaPrehold.
his peace ? I can’t bear it auy longer.
Somebody find him. I want him for the
Centennial, aud will give $5.00 in Confed
erate money for him—’e.id or alive.
Smith's X Hoads. John Smith.
Ellayills Circuit, South Georgia
Conference. —lUv, W, Lane writes Ootr -
her 21 : The Lord his blesiod as ou this
circuit as well as other parts of his vine
yard. has prevailed disastrously ;
scarcely half a crop of any thing has
been made. While this is so, there are
remedies at tho command of the people.
Sow plenty of small grain aud praotico
the most rigid economy. To be too ex
travagant is eriminAt. Th j Saviour said :
“Gather up the fragments that nothing
be lost.” Wa ha ve five appointments, and
I have held protracted meetings at them
all, aud with good results. Fifty united
with the Church, aad the membership
has been wonderfully revived. I havo
never seen so much family prayer in any
charge. I will go to the annual confer
ence with a sid heart, leaving one hous< -
hold without family prayer. The eamp
meeting at Turnpike was quite a success
The people go there uot to m.tke a display
but to worship God. Hence they were
blessed. I have never heard better preach
ing than at that camp meeting. Dr. Key
was at his post as usual. He is a model
presiding Elder. Our Sunday-schools are
doing good. The one in Ellaville nevej
goes into winter quarters. We have pray
er meetings at all tho churches. The sis
ters have a weekly prayer meeting in El
laville, winter and summer ; it is doing
good. Inm presenting the various
claims of the churches ; but I am fearful
the collection will be meager.
Talbot Circuit, South Georgia Con
ference. — "Juuior” writes, October 19th:
Since I Isst wrote, we have held meetings
at Corinth and Evans’ Chapel. At the
former, our third quarterly meeting was
protracted with gracions results. Oar
beloved presiding elder, Rev. J. B. Mo-
Gehee, was present a portion of the time,
preachiDg in demonstration of the Spirit,
and with power, and working successfully
among all classes. There were many hap
py conversions dating the meeting, and
many seasons of refreshing upon the
Chnroh. Twenty-two weie added to the
Church —one of them by certificate. At
Evans’ Chapel, the power of the Lord was
manifi st from the commencement to the
close of the meeting. There were eight