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Smijrcm Christian Rotate.
MACON, GEORGIA, DECEMBER 1, 1875.
Benevolence in Actiom
Benevolence, literally defined, “good
wishing” is worthless, either to ourselves
or others, unless it issues in beneficence,
“good doing.” There is an incalcuable
amount of, so called, benevolent feeling,
that evaporates in mere sentiment, with
out ever materializing into palpable bene
factions; and so, is not only barren of
benefit to others, but reacts harmfully
npon the heart in which it originated.
Every emotion of pity or compassion that
arises in the heart without embodying
itself in a generous action toward the poor
and suffering, sinks back into that heart,
to respond more sluggishly to succeeding
appeals, until finally it cannot be evoked
by the loudest call. Jnst as temptation
to evil diminishes in strength with each
failure to secure compliance, will every
good impulse that is denied expression in
corresponding conduct lose vigor and at
last died out of the heart. Transient emo
tions of pity, by being promptly recog
nized and indulged, may be trained into
a settled habit of soul, fruitful in bless
ings to ourselves and bounty to the ne
cessitous. Disregarded or repressed, they
die out of the nature, vacating it of all the
generous sympathies which grace human
ity, and leaving a contemptable carrica
tnre of true manhood—
Whom none can love, whom none can thank;
Creation’s blot, creation’s blank,
The wail of many a wretched spirit—
whose persistent resistance of holy impnl
pes, which, acted out, would have led to
Jesus and salvation, has left no room for
any other emotion than a ‘ fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation”—
has been, “Oh that I conld feel.” There
is in the realm of benevolence as welj
as religion such a deplorable condition as
that designated by the fearful words “past
feeling,” and every refusal to do good
when we feel prompted to it, is a stride
in the direction of that wretched state.
Bo that, while “trampling under foot the
enthusiastic doctrine that ‘we are not to
do good unless our heart be free to it’ ”
we are to be “ready unto every good
work,” it is absolutely necessary—if we
would guard against fatal moral deteriora.
tion—that wo respond in ready, cheerful
action, to all the good our hearts may
prompt.
Nor are wo faithful to our own interest
when we sit indolently down until obtru
sive examples of suffering or want arouse
our sympathies and solicit our help. The
Master “went about doing good” and thus
left us an example, the diligent and pray
erful imitation of which contributes surely
and rapidly to the achievement of that
Christ-likeness of character which is the
strongest guaranty of happiness here, and
the only surety of happiness hereafter. The
times are rife with facilities for securing
tho blessing pledged to him that “remem
bereth the poor;” for practicing tho cnl
tnre that assimilates ns to the character of
the Lord Jesns. Money is scarce. Even
those accusstomod to affluence, feel the
pressure and find it necessary to reduce
expenses. The selfish spirit recognizes
in this state of things a satisfiaotory ex
cuse for restraining charity and disregard
ing the cry of the needy; but the spirit of
“Him, who thongh He was rich, yet for
our sakes became poor”resents the shallow
subterfuge,and finds in these very facts an
irresistible argument for increased liberal
ity toward those in want, thongh it re
quires retrenchment in the line of our
own accustomed comforts. Winter ap
proaches, and the privation and suffering
which it always brings to the poor, will be
aggravated and embittered by the “hard
times” of which all complain. Unless
onr hearts have been indarated and ren
dered callous by criminal disregard of all
their bttter impulses, these privations and
sufferings must stir onr sympathies and
arouse benevolent emotions. For onr
own sakes then, as well as theirs, let baud
answer to heart in generous relief. The
greater the self sacrifioe demanded by
these merciful ministrations to the
poor, the richer and more sonl satisfying
will be onr experience of the truth, “It
is more blessed to give than to receive.”
“Are You Honest'?”
With more leisure at command,we would
emphasize the article of our correspondent
“X.” with some extended remarks of our
own. But we cau do little more just now,
than direot attention to the question as
“X." puts it, and ask a thoughtfal consid
eration of it, and a conscientious answer
from each reader, to his own heart. Oar
observation satisfies ns that the moral sense
of very many, is sadly perverted on this
subject, and that there are not a few, gen
erally recognized as very good people,
whose views of honesty extend no farther
than the discharge of obligations which
are collectible under a writ of fi. fa,
Chnreh and charitable subscriptions or
assessments are labeled “contingent,” to
be paid if convenient, but to be disre
garded without compunction. It ought
to be superfluous to tell an enlightened
Christian that his subscription or the as
sessment of his Church stewards is ap
binding, morally, as his note of hand, or
the demand of bis tax assessor. The law
of the land enforces the payment of the
latter; the law of Qod will be avenged,
sooner or later, for delinquency with re
gard to the former. There is crying need
for reformation at this point. The con
spicuous characteristic of this time and
country, is Dishonesty; surely Christian
people should strive to disconntenance it,
by purging themselves of every form and
semblance of the widespread evil. There
is no honesty in meeting obligations
which the sheriff can enforce ; there is
gross dishonesty in withholding dues
which you have assumed, or which have
been imposed by the authorities of your
Church. Let every man or woman, against
whom thtre is sn unpaid claim, either
Church, educational, or benevolent, pon
der these things, and pay up, or return in
the court of their own consciences, an
emphatic negative to““X’s”g s ” question.
’’♦■'■'fef,-
Rev. E. L. Kino.—We are pained to
see the announcement of the death of this
esteemed brother, which occurred in
Columbia, S. C , on the 10th of Novem
ber. The Christian Neighbor says: He
was born in Fairfield District, S. 0.. Feb
ruary 17, 1819; entered the South Caro
lina Conference 1839; located 1851; re
admitted into the Conference 1873. In
July last, he gave up his work, (Columbia
circuit) not being able to work longer.
Daring his decline he suffered much—at
times most severely; but with much forti
tude he possessed his soul in patience,
retaining his integrity before God, and
in readiness and good hope he waited to
know the Divine will as to whether he
should depart and be with Christ, cr
should recover and labor longer in his
desired and delightsome work—the min
istry of the gospel. He was a man of ex
cellent judgment, of sterling piety, and
ardently devoted to the Church. He was
the wise and respected head of a confiding
and affectionate household, an humble,
diffident and effective preacher of the
gospel.
Rev. J. O. Branch.
We mentioned a short time since that
Bro. Branch had been appointed by
Bishop liavananghto Santa Rosa, Califor
nia, and that if he found it practicable to
provide for the expensive trip, he would
meet the Bishop’s appointment at an early
day. We have now to state that he has
perfected his arrangements, and by the
time this paragraph meets the eyes of our
readers he will be well on his way toward
bis far off destination. Together with a
large number of brethren and devoted
friends, we deeply deplore the departure of
our brother, and feel that by his transfer
Georgia Methodism is deprived of one of
its foremost ministers. Of superb intellect,
and pure heart, the Connection furnishes
few abler ministers of the Lord Jesus, and
none of more devoted and self-sacrificing
spirit, than James Orson Branch. He
leaves us, bearing with him the love, es
teem, and admiration of all who have had
the opportunity to learn his worth, and
will be followed with countless prayers for
his prosperity and future usefulness. Oar
Pacific brethren seccme in Bro. Branch sn
accession over which they may well rejoice.
With all our heart we commend him to
their affection and confidence. They never
loved a more worthy brother, they never
trusted a truer man. Going to them in the
prime of life, and with all his posters ir
revocably consecrated to the work of the
ministry, he gives promise of many years
of distinguished service to Southern Meth
odism on the Pacific coast. May a benig
nant Providence preserve him and bis dear
family amid the perils of travel, and bring
them safely to their distant charge ‘in
the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of
Garist.”
Closet! Doors.
The communication of Bro. Campbell
furnishes a favorable opportunity for us
to say that our views on this subject have
undergone a complete change. Ever since
we have had a vote in the Conference,it has
been invaribly given to “order otherwise’’
wth regard to the disciplinary suggestion
that the annnal examination of character
should be conducted in private session.
We voted thus, in deference, very largely,
to the earnest wishes of the communitits
in which onr sessions were held, and be
cause we believed that the advantages to
be derived from sitting with closed doors,
would be more than counterbalanced by
the evils of excluding the pnblic from at
tendence upon all onr deliberations. After
such reflection as we have recently given
the subject, we are satisfied that the chief
end contemplated by the annual inspec
tion of ministerial character is almost whol
ly defeated by onr departure from the pri.
mitive mode of conducting it, and that
there is no compensation for this loss in
any advantages of open sessions. Men
rarely fall from their religious steadfast
ness, and forfeit their Christian character,
under one sudden, overwhelming assault
of tho adversary. In nine cases ont of
ten, if not iu ninety-nine out of a hun
dred, the rninons catastrophe which
sweeps a once honored name in shame
from the Conference roll, and sends a de
graded minister in disgrace from the ranks
of his brethren, is but the culmination of
a gradually descending course. Foibles un
corrected, have grown into palpable
faults; faults nnrebuked, have developed
into damaging improprieties; and these
at last have led to gross immorality or
crime. This declension has been ob
served by his brethren, and might have
been corrected by such faithful deal
ings as private sessions of the Confer
ence wonld insure. But nobody has been
willing to arraign him in tho presence of
the pnblio for anything less than actual
crime, and he has drifted on to his own
ruin and tli9 serious discredit of his breth
ren. So also, yonng brethren fall into
improprieties of style and deportment
which permanently and seriously discount
their usefulness, that would be promptly
corrected if pointed ont in the presence
of their brethren.
But we will not enlarge upon the sub
ject. For these and other reasons, we ex
pect henceforward to give our voice for
“ dosed doors ” during the examination
of character. The inconvenience to the
public may be very largely obviated by
setting apart definite hours of each day
to this particular business; and this part
of our annual work will be far more faith
fully and satisfactorily performed. We
may add, that “ closed lips ” must be con
comitant with “dosed doors,” and that
each member of the Conference must be
impressed with the importance of main
taining inviolate the privacy of all pro
ceedings while the doers are closed. Bet
ter that the public should hear with their
own ears all that is said on the floor of the
Conference, than that they should receive
fragmentary reports from individual mem
bers.
Conference Claimants.
We desire to direct special attention to
Bro. Wright’s note,and to add a word. It
is a reproach to our Conferences that the
collections for the superannuated preach
ers, and for the widows and orphans of de
ceased preachers, almost invariably fall
short of the amount necessary to meet their
claims in full. The claim iB a sacred one
and ought to be paid dollar for dollar. Bat
so it is, there is generally a deficit, and
in view of this stubborn fact, the law of
tho Church wisely invests the Board of
Finance with the right to discriminate
between the claimants, making larger ap
propriations to the more necessitous. In
order that they may perform this delicate
work intelligently, it is made the duty of
each preacher within whose charge a
claimant lives, to furnish the Board in
writing a statement of the condition of
such claimant. This is an important
duty, and its neglect deserves censure.
How often have wu heard the Board call
over and over again for such informa
tion without getting it; and then when
they had finished their tedious work,
made thhir appropriations, divided out
the money, and come to read their re
port in open Conference, brethren rise
np in their places and inveigh against the
enequalityor injustice of their action, —
announcing facts which if eommnnicatcd
at the proper time wonld have, materially
altered the figures of the report. This is
criminal neglect of dnty, utterly unbe
coming leaders of the flock of Christ. We
hope the members of all our Conferences
will bear this duty in mind, and if they
negleot it, that they will at least not pub
lish their negligenoe by objecting to the
report of the Board when it is read to the
Conference.
Acwobth Circuit, North Georgia Con
ference. —la our notice last week of the
fourth quarterly meeting for this Circuit,
we should have stated that is was held at
Smyrna, instead of Acworth, The note
from which our paragraph was condensed
was kindly sent us by brother J. T. Daven
port, who is a layman, and not Rev. as
we represented him. We were led into
this latter error, by a brother who had
confounded onr correspondent with his
father, who is a minister.
Waldo Circuit, Florida Conference.
—Rev. E, B. Duncan writes: We have
had some interesting revival meetings on
my Circuit of a very permanent character.
Same of the worst of the land, with the
old and grey headed, have been gathered
in. The presence and power of the Spirit
was with ns, and the work on the Rock.
They are praying in their families and in
public, and exhorting and working for
others. Class-meetings and Sunday
schools arc attended to. I preached our
doctrines throughout. Same sixteen
joined and about that number were con
verted. _
Board of Missions, South Carolina
‘Conference. —A note from Rev. Thomas
Mitchell informs us that owing to a change
of schedule on the South Carolina Rail
road, the Board will meet at 3 p. m.,
Tuesday 14th December, instead of 10
a. m. of that day, as heretofore announc
ed.
WILLIAMSTON FEMALE COLLEGE —We
are indebted to the President, Rev. S
Lander, for a copy of the very elegant
catalogue of this institution, which gives
full information respecting it, and fur
nishes in figures abundant evidence of its
steadily growing prosperity.
Recent Publications.
This Romance or Missions ; On, Life and
Labor in Tns Land or Ararat. By Maria
A. Wist, Missionary of the American Board
in Turkey. New York : Anson D. F. Ran
dolph & Cos., 770 liroadwsy.
This is a very handsomely gotten up
volume of seven hundred and ten pages,
and details, in most captivating style, the
experiences of a consecrated American
woman,who, in 1853 left home and coun
try, to aid in evangelizing the inhabitants
of the far distant East. A reluotant res
pite from active missionary work, enforc
ed by shattered health, furnished the op
portunity for writing these fascinating
and instructive narratives, for which, we
feel sure, the appreciative Christian pub
lic of England and America, will hold her
in grateful estimation. With all the
charm of fiction, this entertaining book
is eminently well calculated to inspire in
telligent interest in the Christ-like work
of converting the world to the service of
God and His iverlasting Son. The work
is neatly inirjduced by Mrs. Charles, the
writer of the world renown ed “Sohonberg
Cotta Family Chronicles.”
St. Nicholas —A conspicuous feature
of the December Number of this unri
valled Boys’ and Girls Magazine, is the
profusely illustrated article, “ Ono Hun
dred Christmas Presents, and How to
Make Them.” Those who desire to make
presents, and are puzzled as to .how they
may carry out their wishes, will road this
article with pleasure and advantage. Con
tents: Hans Christian Andersen; The Le
gend of St.Nicho’as; The Boy Emigrants;
Good-Nigh!; Something About Railroads;
“Caw;” Dorothy Grty ; Frank and the
Toad; Sandy, the Hunchback; Florence;
St. Nicholas’ Day in Germany; One Hun
dred Christmas Presents, and How to
Make Them ; Bass Cove Sketches; The
Dead Doll; A Play for the Holidays; Go
ing to London ; Oat of Grandmamma’s
Tea Cup; To the “ Bouquet Club;” For
Very Little Folks ; Jack-in-the-Fulpit;
The Letter-Box; The Riddle-Box.
Scribner's, Contents for December: —
The Tour of the Nile ; The Last of the
Narwhale; The Story of Sevenoaks; The
Mooking-Bird; Some Pictures from Japan;
The Ancient Province of Tusayan; Span
ish Sketches; Self-Revealed; French and
American Currencies; A Scientific Vaga
bond; A Portrait; Gabriel Conroy ; The
Hidden Brook; The Site of Solomon’s
Temple Discovered ; Oar Domestic Ser
vice ; Quatrains; A Brthday; Topics of
the Time; The Old Cabinet; Culture and
Progress ; The World’s Work ; Brie a
Brao.
Ladies’ Repository, Contents for De
cember: Christian Life in the Catacombs;
Our wants; John G. Whittier; That Girl;
Legend of the Little Pearl; Charles Sum
ner; African Musio; The Art of Jewelry;
H -mn of the Creation; Confessions of an
Artisan; A Visit to Pompeii; Richard
Wagner and his art Problems; The Hindoo
and his reason Why; Where is the Summer;
Aged Christians; Italy in the middle
Ages; Stirling and its Castle; A Sunday
in Zermatt; The Difference; besides two
elegant sheet engravings, and a richly
stored Editor’s Repository.
Golden Hours, Hitchcock & Walden,
Cincinnati, GO a year, has the following
contents for December : Old and Evan ;
The King and the Fairies ; Children, Try
to be Good ; The Cat who Went Farther
to Fare Worse ; The Bells and the Snow;
The Autobiography of a Fox ; Christmas
Eve ia Norway ; An Accident Caused by
a Spider ; Something that Really Hap
pened ; On the Mountain ; The Christ
mas Heart; Ptrrie Wynne, or “ Every Lit
tle Helps;” Rosetta Maria’s Voyage; Help
ful Bobby ; Ovvldom.
I-iirriucoTT’s, Con tents for December:—
—Up the Thames; Sarah; Notes on the
Characters of Queen Eithrine and Car
dinal Woolsey in Shakespeare’s Piay of
Henry VIII ; Carmela; The Comrades;
Medical Edacation in the United States;
Betrayal; Bisks; Ballads and Bards of the
Ukraine; Camp-Fire Lyrics; The Atone
ment of Learn Dandas; A Night of Ad
ventures; Miss Willard’s Two Kings;
Iloustkeeping in Paris; Monthly Gossip;
Literature cf the Day.
Edikbcgh Review for October. Leon
ard Scott Publishing .Company, 11 Bar
clay st. N. Y:—The Financial Grievance
of Ireland; Recent Editions of Moliere;
Forest Management; The Rsresby Me
moirs; Ewald’s History of Ireland; Pro
gress of the Kingdom of Italy; Lawson’s
Travels in New Gainea; A Prussian Cam.
paign in Holland; The Municipal Gov
ernment of London.
The Atlantic Monthly Contents for
December —Roderick Hudson; Posses
sion; A Symphony in Yellow and Red;
Macarius the Monk; Private Theatricals;
Tne Flamingo; Novalis and the Blue
Flower; The Pines and the Sea; Kirby’s
Coals of Fire; Bandelaire; The Virginia
Campaigne of John Brown; Qnick and
Dead; Old Woman’s Gossip; The Beauti
ful Woman’s Wish; Of Some Railroad
Accidents; Recent Literature; Art; Music.
The Galaxy Contents for December.
—Reuben Dale; My Friend Phil; Relics;
Walter Savage Landor; The Mid-Road
Corn; The Marriage Question; The Im
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
age*Breaker; Dear Lady Disdain} The
Sea People; Through Utah; A Wooing
Song; Euphrosyne} Honore De Balzac;
Cynicasterism} Drift-Wood; Scientific
Miscellany; Current Literature; Nebu’rc.
Papers to be Eschewed. -
Crime abounds, and, as it seems, is on
the increase. This is not evident, but
there are many reasons for faring that it
is so. There is certainly more crime to
day than ten years ago, but there are also
more people. And besides, all crimes are
published now a-days. The daily paper
must be spicy. This, with many, is a more
essential quality than reliability, So the
telegraph reports all the crime—great and
small—that reporters can hear of. This
itself, as some think, is a great evil. It
certainly familiarizes people with crime
and its details. It cannot be useful to a
man to read every morning reports—with
all manner of details—of the .doings of
wicked people. It hardens even a hard
man. Bat it is most injurious to the
youDg. Many a youth has been, corrupt
ed—hopelessly ruined—by this sngges
tions of the criminal reports ia the morn
ing paper.
One reason we should be more careful
on this point is that many i®Kes read
nothing but the daily paper. And this
fact should make our daily papers more
careful of their contents. They have
something to do besides reflecting society;
they should also strive, with all diligence,
to improve society. The truth is, there is
no room in this world for anything that
does not make it better. Whatever makes
it worse is an evil—a nuisance—to be got
rid of and to be abate!, by all right
means.
If we may jadge them by their own
words, the majority of those who con
duct the daily press have ahout settled
down into the belief that their main bus
iness is to refill society. Of this theory
of the press the New York Herald is the
foremost exponent. But does each a pa
per do any good—any good by intention
and desire ? It may be doubted without
breach of charity. But that is a very
meagre and barren theory of life and of
business, that leaves out—nay, that does
not make paramount, the intention to do
good. Our secular press can do immeas
arable good if only its conductors seek to
be useful. Otherwise, its power to do
evil is unlimited. Is it not assort of trea
son to literature “to run a paper” only to
make money”? So that thrie shall be
no conscience as to what goes in the pa
per, the one thing needful being what
people will pay most for ?
It is a very bad sign when tho least
moral papers are popular. And it is a
very injurious thing when papers that
claim to be respectable and that nndoubt
edly exert great influence, make them
selves little better than police gazettes.
When the opening of anew bar-room
calls forth an editorial, it looks bad for
the editor and argnes ill for the people.
The paper that helps to make t)ie whiskey
traffic rospectable is a fee—whether pur
posely or not—to public morality. So
papers that gloss over lotteries and other
such “ short cuts,” and dishonest devices
for getting money, without forking for
it, demoralize tho people. Two or three
columns devoted to the hanging of a com
mon murderer is a great waste of valuable
space. Much better tbo cufc,tm of the
great London dailies of disrnissfng such
cases with a half dozen lines, giving name,
date, place, and crime. Sorely that is
enough.
Some of our papers resent quite
promptly criticisms upon their manage
ment. This is in bad taste and it is un
wise. He is not always an enemy who
pcints out a fault, nor a friend who al
ways praises. Our daily papers are pow
ers. Soma of them deserve pnblic confi
dence and respect. Some of them do not.
We want papers that we can bring into
onr houses—that we may put in our chil
dren’s hands without fear. The people
pan manage this matter if they will; the
remedy is with them. Let them sub
scribe for those papers they can trust—
and for no others. But papers that bol
ster np the liquor business; that try to
make lotteries and other swindling and
gambling respectable; that retail obscene
stories; that indulge in thrnsts at Christi
anity and the Chnrcb; that make them
selves gazettes of crime; that do no good
and that do not try to do good—these pa
pers, to use a good Bible wcrJ, let us as
one man, “ j Eschew," H.
Oxford , Oa.
Tlie Supreme Court of Georgia.
The people of Georgia should count
themselves happy in their Supreme Court.
It deserves all praise and confidence.
Had Governor Smith done us no other
service—and he has done much that is
worthy the high office he fills—he would
deserve our gratitude for the excellent
appointments he has made in the organi
zation of our highest court. Wo say
nothing of its past, for it would not be
come a layman to make comparisons here.
But even a layman may express the hope
that we may always have a Supreme Court
worthy to be compared with tho eminent
men, who now sit upon the bench. War
ner, Bleckley, Jackson—these are good
men and true. The lawyers say they are
learned in the law, and tbe people believe
they will do to trust. They “bear not
the sword in vain,” they are “not a terror
to good works, bnt to the evil.” And
this is well for “they are God’s ministers,”
“sent by him for the punishment of evil
doers, and for the praise of them that do
well.” No donbt our Supreme jadges
meet the requirements of the Divine law
as set forth by Moses; “Jadges and
officers shslt thou nu ke thee in all thy
gates, which the Lord thy God giveth
thee, throughout thy tribes: and they
shall jadge the people with jast jadgment.
Thou shalt not wrest jadgment; thou
shalt not respect persons, neither take a
gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the
wise, and pervert the words of the right
eous.”
Happy is the ruler who can say with
Samuel when, “old and gray headed,’’ he
tamed over the cares of government to
Sanl: “Behold, here I am: witness against
me before the Lord, and before his anoint
ed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ais
have I taken? or whom have I defranded?
whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand
have I received any bribe to blind mine
eyes with? and I will restore it to yon.”
Better than monuments of marble or
brass the enlogy of the people whom the
good Samuel bad served so long and faith
fully: “And they said, Tbou bast not
defranded ns, ncr oppressed ns, neither
hast thon taken ought of any man’s hand.”
No donbt there are in Georgia many
magistrates who deserve the same praise.
Let them be honored as they deserve.
Bat good citizens owe mere than honor
to faithfnl rulers—they owe them all the
supports they can afford. Speaking light
ly or ill of magistrates,is a fault condemn-
edby the Scriptures. To speak well of
magistrates who are faithful, is a duty.
Good citizens will not only speak well of
them bnt in all right wavs, stand np for
them* The best administration of the
laws needs more than wisdom, fidelity,
and courage in the officers cf the law.
There must be also the hearty moral sup
pert of the people. There is more in this
than some are apt to think. A false pub
lic sentiment will render almost nugatory
the efforts of the most diligent and faith
ful of our public c-fficors. They need the
moral support of the people as cne con
dition of doing their best work. And as
much do the people need, for - their own
sake, to afford to their rulers such moral
support. It is to them, one condition of
being truly benefited by the wise and
righteous administration of public affairs.
The relation between a capable and in
corruptible judiciary and public morality,
is very intimate. Only suppose—may it
ever be impossible except as a supposi
tion!—that we had a weak, corrupt, gift
taking judiciarj? Of what desolatirg
streams of corruption would it become the
fountain! But, when the wise and the
good, the learned and the incoirnptible,
wear the eimiue, the courts of justice are
fountains of righteousness. And right
eousness brings peace, and true pros
perity. And they come not otherwise.
Oxford, Oa. H.
Drunkards who Sliont.
Criminals get off on many pleas in
these days. It- is quite common to plead
itsinity in murder cases. No doubt this
plea ought to be made sometimes, bnt, as
we suppose, people who are sane enough
to kill people, and too insane to be hung,
onght to be “locked up.” Dogs that bite
people who are going about their busi
ness, must be killed or chained. So with
people who violate law; something must
be done. If they hurt people—sane or
insane—they must be stopped. Some
times we hear of a defense grounded on
the plea of “emotional insanity.” Call
it by whatever nprne the skillful in such
things may invint, it comes to this tt
last; —people who shoot and stab othir
people must be taken in hand. Their
emotions are dangerous. Wherein are
the widow and orphans of a man, shot
lown in the streets, bettered by calling
the rage of the man who killed him,
“emotional insanity.” People who have
such emotions must not go about loose.
If they are too crazy to hang, they are too
crazy to go at liberty.
Our attention has been called to these
things by a recent decision of the Supreme
Court of Georgia, Mr. Justice Jackson
delivering the opinion. The whole coun
try owes thanks to the honorable Court
for this decision, and to the learned Jus
tice who delivered it. It is a model of
vigor, terseness, and clearness. Few are
too insane to understand it. It ought to
be road in every school house, and print
ed in every paper. Indeed, upon reflec
tion, we think it would b 9 wiso to read it
from onr pulpits. It would be certainly
in better taste than the “notices” of lec -
tures and other tilings preicher* are often
requested to read.
Here is the decision—from Capt. Jack
son’s official report published in the At
lanta Constitution of November 17.
“Edward Estes vs. The State. Assault
with intent to murder, and motion for a
new trial from Whitfield.
Jackson, J.
1. A person, sober enough to intend to
shoot at another, and actually to shoot at
and hit him, without any provocation or
justification whatever, is to be deemed
sober enough to form the specific intent
to murder; and mere drunkenfitss, what
ever its degree, will not negative intent
2. Unless the evidence suggest some
other motive for the shooting t t o be com
pared by the jury with the state’s theory
of a malicious intent, tho offense has
necessarily the same grade with, as with
out, drunkenness; and consequently, in
such a case, there is no grading to be
done, and any charge to the jury in refer
ence to drunkenness, as a separate element
in grading the c flense, would be inappli
cable, and need not be given by the court.
3. Voluntary drunkenness is no exense
for crime.
Jadgment affirmed.”
Thanks to the Court, we say again, and
to Judge Jackson for putting the decision
in such form that all may understand it.
“ Voluntary drunkenness is no excuse for
crime.” Let jadges and juries stick to
that text, and the temperance reform will
be greatly promoted. If drnnk people
will shoot, they must be stopped.
Oxford, Oa. II
' Ccrresgoniieitre
The Time of Holding our Con
ferences.
Mr. Editor: As you have invited an ex
pression of opinion touching the best
time for holding our Conferences, I ask
leave to show my opinion.
I agree with yon in thinking that the
time at which onr Conference is now held
is liable to several objections. The weather
is usually cold, and the families by which
the preachers are entertained are subject
ed to unnecesssry trouble and expense in
the wy of fuel, and other things to make
their guests comfortable. The time ap
pointed in December throws tho Confer
ence upon families just before Christmas,
when, commonly, family re-nuions are
taking place, and other guests are ex
pected. And sometimes, too, the preach
ers are unable to reach home ia time for
those Christmas holidays in whose inno
cent and grateful festivities the presence
of the father and head of the family is so
necessary to complete its joy. It is but
proper in fixing the time to have respect
to those who so kindly entertain the Con
ference as well as to the preachers and
their families.
When I entered the C inference its ses
sions were held in February. The in
convenience and diseomfort, tho expos
ure and pain, connected with removals at
this time of the year are well remembered
by those of the ‘ old guard” who still re
main. It was on the way to the Confer
ence held at Columbia, S.C., in February,
1835, that yonr excellent father, Dr. Ca
pers, brother H. Bass, and a number of
others of us came near being frozen.
That time is noted as the cold Saturday
and Sunday, perhaps the coldest days
known in our calender.
At a later period,our sessions were held
in January. The objections to this time
were almost as great as to the former. In
1843 and 1844, Febiuary was tried again.
In 1844 we had two Conftrences in one
year, the latter being held in December.
Since that time the sessions have been
held sometimes in December and some
times in January. Iu 18G4 and 18G5 oar
sessions were held in November ; since
which time they have generally been held
in December, the Bishops fixing the time
to suit the convenience of their work. I
can well remember the contrast between
the journey to Charlotte, N. 0., in No
vember, 1865, thongh I went in an open
road wagon without springs ; and the
journey to the same place in January,
1842, though I rode in a buggy with so
delightful a traveling companion as Dr.
Capers.
One of the strongest objections which
used to be urged against holding our Con
ferences in November, was, the impracti
cability of making our missionary collec
tions by that time. Many of the plant
ers iu the low country, who were
large contributors to our domestic mis
sions, either bad not returned to their
plantations by that time, or had not for
warded their crops to their factors npon
whom they were accustomed to make
their drafts. This objection, however,no
longsr exists.
There are savi ral objeefions to holding
our Conference in March or April as yon
have suggested, Some of these have been
already mentioned by your correspond
ents; such as, in many eases,the difficulty
of procuring a house where there is no
parsonage, of procuring help where help
is needed, of finding the people nafn -
nished with money with which to meet
the preacher’s expenses. Besides, March
is perhaps one of the most disagreeable
and dangorc ns months for exposure,of the
whole year in onr climate; and all house
keepers know that April is usually one of
the most difficult months in the year to
procure supplies. It. is also fhe transi
tionsl period of the year, when people
are more or lots exposed to those spring
complaints ineide.it to changes in cloth
ing end diet.
Having attended several General Con
ferences in the spring, and our own An
nual Conferences in November, Decem
ber, January and February, I should give
it ns my opinion, that, considering all
things, the most suitable, profitable, and
agreeable time for bolding the sessions of
our Conference would be between the Ist
and 15th of November. ‘'Hand inexper
tus loquor." ‘ Whitefoord Smith,
The South Carolina Conference.
Closed Doors.
Mr. EUtor .- The importance of sitting
with closed doors during the annual ex
amination of the preachers’ chiractets at
our Confi r ■nces, is often urged by breth
ren, both through the Chnroh journals
and by vocal utterances I will presume
to arrest attention, and turn tho current
of thought upon this lino of reflection
for a brief sptee. Indulge if yon please.
First, why should the Conference at
tend to this part of ilia business with
“closed doors ?” To answer that,the 7)is
cipline suggests it— that is, directs it, unless
“otherwise ordered”—furnishes but one,
of many substantial reasons, upon which,
with very great wisdom, the disciplinary
provision is founded. It was the neces
sary outgrowth of a high order of devo
tion to the Church of God, by which a
mutual and thorough examination of min
isterial character was had, before the
highest official endorsement could be
made, in seuding ministers out among
strangers. We would do well to follow
the fathers in their wise suggestions on
this subject in the book of Discipline,and
not habitually “order otherwise.”
Another reason favoring the examina
tion of character with “ closed doors,” is
found in the regard each member of Con
ference should have for the feelings of any
brother whose name might be arrested.
With what godly jealousy does; the faith
fil minister guard the avenues of ap
proach to his character by the {fault-find
ing world. To him, character is the
soul of all of earth’s treasures, and upon
it lie has justly fixed infinite‘valuation.
To lose it is to lose all of earth but the
decaying corpse. Let a minister be ar
raigned before the public ga£o for the
slightest inadvertencey or supposed mis
demeanor, and he is for the f;ime being
placed in the pillory, to suffer jts tortures
and burn under the scannings 6f the cu
rious multitude. Aside from the crucible
of Conference scrutiny, and criticism, and
oamment, and the supposed ufaexprssspd
displeasure of his brettran, boibas to car
ry to his temporary home, ol which he
was before an houored guest, tjie goading
and tormenting conviction of a corres
ponding depreciation on the part of his
host. Shall a brother’s feelings not ba
respected ? Shall we not be satisfied with
ecclesiastical inflictions, instead of pois
oning the laah that it may leave its venom
to do its work long alter the judicial duty
has ended ? j
Who of this Confluence fails to recall
the remarks of a brother beloved, at a re
cent session, when at' the caljiug of his
name, it was suggested to “,lelj that name
lie for the present?” The obyious error
or impropriety in tho action in this par
ticular case, and the prompt and manly
adjustment of the mUier by j this good
brother, by which a correct jdeguerreo
type impression of all the facte was made
upon every mind, saved many:wrong im
pressions going out upon the {public, but
it did not save that brother from the most
intense and prolonged and pronounced
mortification. A keen bladeis* that, which
the thougbtkss or merciless {member of
Conference uses on the tender! and recoil
ing sensibilities of a brother, when he
rises to “arrest hi i character I’ with the
view of forcing the adjustment of a bnsi
ness difference, or a matter of minor per
sonal consideration. II a court of per
sonal mutual satisfaction cannot equitably
arbitrate upon the difference, then trans
fer it to the Conference for action, with
closed doors. This much is due all par
ties concerned. This oannot jbe reached
without closed doors.
Notice further, that “ closed doors”
shuts off the possibility of thb necessary
and exaggerated suspicions of the commu
nity being aroused, where only an imper
fect understanding of a case fe had. Al
most every year some mention is made in
connection with the moral or official bear
ing of someone of our ministers, though
of little consideration. Now let the name
of yonr best and ablest man furnish the
occasion for enquiry and rtmirk before a
promiscuous crowd, and a wrong impres
sion will go out from this circumstance.
Large numbers in a Conference room do
not follow up in consecutive order the
business suggested in the I Discipline.
Many are talking, others laughing, and
still others are engaged in ldoking only.
Let a minister’s character bo arrested,and
at once they awake out of their reverie to
hoar only a pare of what is said, and with
their imperfect knowledge of our usage,
they distort or magnify what appears in
that case, to the great detriment of the
brother and the Church of Christ. To
increase and intensify suspicion of the
existence of a great wrong, let the broth
er’s case be officially and solemnly placed
in the custody of a committee; and let
the said committee, through its chairman,
announce the place of meeting to investi
VOLUME XXXVIII., NO. 48.
gate the matter, and you have furnished
the promiscuous audience, and through
them, a widening circle of news-hunters
and tale venders, with material enough
for one month of gossip about the
Church. This is not a strained or highly
colored picture, but one that finds its liv
ing counterpart iu tho occurrences of
every Annnal Conference where the exam
ination of character is had with open
doors. To my seeing, it is a groat evil,
that many good and groat men do not see
in its huge proportions, or if they see it,
they fail to appreciate it. We are the only
religions body that I know of, that closely
scrutinizes and annually examines into,
and endi rses or condemns the character
of its clergy, and consequently the occa
sion for these false impressions is con
stantly being furnished the diffjrenteoui
inanities in which we meet. It is iu
vain we try to explain and assure our
friends Of the absence of any great wrong.
The s ispicion is aroused, ai.d there gees
out from such scenes, in every direction,
as the radiations of heat from a burning
centre, the pernicious influence involved
in a real dereliction. Closed doors bar
out- the curious and unsympathizing, and
retain the men who are equally interested
in the rise or fall of each other.
This course would also promote more
thorough enquiry into the minister’s char
acter, and thus familiarize each member
with the working force of the Conference.
These private annual weighings upon the
ecclesiastical balance, inspire to greater
fidelity and official zeal, and bring into
play the hitherto unemployed nerve and
energy of very many of us; and thus re
sult to the Church, increased returns of
statistical and financial data. Bishop
MsTyeire’d published plan of rtquiring
each pteaeher to read his statistical re
port publicly, had preceded his visit here
sufficiently long to furnish the stimulant
for livelier effort in all departments of
ministerial labor, and this bnt illustrates
the comparative good eff.ct of thoroughly
'enquiring into each other’s character, and
thns provoking to love and good works.
Added to the above, I think I am sufe
in saying that- onr Bishops favor the con
servativo and time-honored custom of
closing doors at that juncture in the bus
iness of Conference, suggested in the ar
ticle.
The objections to closedfloors I cannot
notice farther than to say that they are
founded upon the length of time it takes;
the supposed suspicons of something
wrong by the community, and un over
weaning desire to lei the people see all we do.
All of these appear of no force when con
sidered. J. B. Campbell.
Orangeburg C. H., SO., Nov. 19,1875.
Comparative Numerical Status
of tlie Methodist and Baptist
Chili cites in Georgia. |
During the past few years, vague and
extravagant reporls have been published
in the seoular aud religious paper claim
ing that tLo number of Baptists id Geor
gia approximates 175 000. Some of their
writers boast that they exceed, by 25,000
communicants, the combined strength of
all the other Churches in the State. Facts
and figures will demonstrate that this
pretentious claim is entirely unfounded.
Before comparing the statistics of the
two Churches,permit me to call attention
to one important fact vitally affecting the
accuraoy of the statistic) furnished by
each denomination.
The Discipline of tho Methodist Church
requires that the names of all persons
who have been lost eight of for twelve
moufhs shall be stricken from the rolls;
and every year the church register is car
ried through this trimming prooss and
only those present for duty aro counted
in the statistical returns. Our Baptist
brethren have no such provision, and by
personal inquiry, in numerous instances,
I have found that a large per cent, of
those counted in their statistic* have not
been seen or hei-rl from, in some instan
ces for several years, and neither pastors
nor people know whether they are living
or dead.
Most of your readers would be surprised
to learn how rapidly the church register
fills up with tho names of transient mem
bers who move in and move out withont
the knowledge of the most careful and
efficient pastors If these “dead” names
were counted from year to year, they
would swell our reported membership 25
or 50 per cent.
The following statistics of the Biptist
Church are taken from tho Minutes of the
Georgia State Biptist Convention for
1874. I use the minutes of that year be
cause it corresponds with the latest re
ports of the Methodist Church; our min
utes for 1875 have not been published
yet. Some corrections have been made
on account of mistakes in the addition of
the column of figures.
White and colored members belonging
to Georgia State Convention 04,821
White and colored members not con
nected with Georgia Baptist Conven
tion 17,389
Hard Shell Bjpttjts... 13,623
Colored;Baptists 54,623
Total Baptists, White and Colored, Mis
sionary, Hardshell, et id omne genus —lso,2s6
The following is the report of the
Methodist Church in Georgia for 1874:
North and South Georgia Conferences
Methodist Episcopal Church, 1 South... 79,610
Methodist Episcopal Church, North 16,)80
North and South Georgia Conferences
African Methodist Episcopal Chnreh.. 40,153
Methodist Episcopal Church of America. 13,572
Protestant Methodists (about) 2,500
Total Methodists in Georgia 152,015
Taking into consideration the greater
accuracy with which our returns are made,
wo may safely assert that the Methodist
Church largely preponderates in Georgia.
Take all the cities and centers of influence
throughout the State, and Methodism is
largely in the ascendency. Take the Church
statistics in Columbus, Atlanta, Augusta,
Mac id, Savannah, Americas, Fort Valley,
Talbotton, Thomasville, Cathbert, Daw
son, Brunswick, Bainbridge, Griffin,
Athene, LaGrange, and Nawnan, nearly
all of the towns and cities, and the re
turns will average two Methodists to one
Baptist, and in some instances will go as
high us ten to one.
In this connection it may be interesting
to learn that the North Georgia Confer
ence is now stronger in every element of
Church enterprise than was the Gaorgia
Conference at the time of the division in
18G7. They haveasmany members,ohurclx
ea, Sunday-schools, and Sunday-school
scholars, while the financial exhibit is far
in excess of tho amounts raised by all the
Methodists in Gaorgia prior to the divis
ion; so that in the past eight years, the
net increase of Methodism ia Georgia has
been eqaal to the entire strength of the
South Georgia Conference, with all its
preachers, members, ohurehes, Sanday
sehools, parsonages, Missionary and Con
ference collections, eto.
This is an effectual answer to those
croakers who complain that the “former
days were better than these.” There has
never been a period in the history of the
Methodist Church when its organization
was so perfeot, and its ministry so effi-
cifent; undisturbed by any dissension In
its ranks, compact, organized, with a mar
vellous esprit du corps pervading every do.
partment of the Church, and with indica
tions of a permanent expansion in every
element of material, social, and moral
power. But “the best of all is,God is with
ns.” He blesses the labors of our min
istry, and the year that is now closing has
been epochal for the marvelous displays
of divine power in infusing new life into
the Church, and in bringing multitudes
to a saving knowledge of the “truth as it
is in Jesus.”
And the future—but wo will not indulge
in speculations—let ns preserve the purity
of the Church, the high standard of its
doctrines, the simplicity of its ritual, the
efficiency of its economy, and the prestige
of it* influence, and hand it down to suc
cessive generations blessed and blessit g
all. R. J. C.
Rev. Allan McCorqnodale.
Dear Brother Kennedy : I have just re
ceived a letter from Dr. R. Y. McLeod, of
Bishopville, announcing the death of cur
dear old friend Allan MuCorquodale. He
died in the first hour of last Sunday, No
vember 15th o’clock—the beginning
of the Sabbath—and is now enjoying his
everlasting Sabbath of heavenly rest I
“ Thus has he left this weary road,
To sleep iu death, and rest with God.”
He returned from the last session of
our Conference very unwell,and was never
well afterwards. His health had teen
giving way for several years—cold aDd
cough—indigestion, and dropsy, afflicting
him generally, caused all his formerly
vigorous powers to give way—but such
had been his constitution, such his pru
dence, and so assiduous and competent
his nursing by wife, physioi in, aud neigh
bors, that he was held on the verge of
life for the last six months, contrary to
the fears and convictions of almost, if not
all, who saw him. I was with him three
times during that period (iu June, August
and Octobo ), staying from three to five
days each time, and feet grateful to God
that I was inclined and permitted to show
him such attentions, and to enjoy his dy
ing benedictions. He was as a father to
me, and had been for thirty-four years..
He licensed me to exhort —and then had
me licensed to preach and recommended
to Conference —and by my father’s re
quest “Uncle Tally” (then presiding el
der) had me sent junior with him my fi sfc
two years. And thus was furnished the
reason why, iu alluding to rue, he gener
ally said, “My sou John.” lam sure no
father ev<.r mote tender, faithful, and
serviceable to a son in the ministry, than
he was to me from first to last—Match,
1842, to October, 1875.
At some intervals during these last days
of suffering his memory was unsettled—
his mind would wauder. Sometimes he
mentioned persons and places, and de
scribed tc.nss, connected with the earlier
years of his minislry—again ho wonld
preach (more than onoe in Gaelic) and try
to sing. The Wednesday befose ho died
be thus preached for some time in his na
tive tongue (Highland Scotch) and closed,
clapping his hands, and shouting glory
over aud over again; and afterwards, on
several occasions, he affirmed his peaceful
state of mind, and hope of glorious rest.
His suffering and bereaved wife will
doubtlesss soon follow. Let us pray that
she too may gloriously triumph and re
join our now glorified friend, in the
“ house not made with bauds, eternal in
the heavens.” Yours in the hope of eter -
nal life, J. W. Kelly.
Letter From Rev. VV. J. Scott.
Ikar Advocate: Thero are several rea
sons wliioli impal mo to this present wri
ting. First, I desire to acknowledge the
Divine goodness in the almost complete
restoration of my health. This result ia
due under Gad very largely to the medi
cal advice of D;s. Powell and Miller,
whose Christian and professional kind
ness have placed me under great obliga
tions. My nephew, Dr. H. F. Scott of
this city contributed likewise very mate
rially to my recovery. A nutritious diet,
abstinence from laborious stujy, out door
exercise,and a small amount of medicine,
were the therapoutioal agencies employed.
I have as yet only preached three short
sermons since the last of Jane, and all of
these within the past month. They oc
casioned me no suffering or inconve
nience.
Secondly, I desire to thank yon for the
comfort and edification I have derived
from the columns of your valuable paper
daring the weary months of my illness.
Allow me to say that all of its departments
exhibit marks of improvement, which
are peculiarly gratifying to its friends and
patrons. The Oxford letters are a note
worthy feature, always spicy, nt times
trenchant. Dr. H. wields a Damascus
blade in his attacks on all sorts of strange
and erroneous doctrine.
Thirdly, I think it becoming to make
public acknowledgment of the thought
ful kindness of my late charge (Trinity)
in furni-.hing me a liberal support, fer the
entire Conference year. O.her friends of
former charges have remembered me too
in great tenderness. They are nameless
here, but lam pnrsuadtd they also are in
the Book of Life.
All the Atlanta charges have had during
some portion of the year gracious revival
influences. I think the summing up will
show a considerable net increase of the
membership in the city.
Brothers Harrison, Cook, Dunlap, Har
ris, T,maions, Dodge, and Ellis, are do
ing well in their several fields of labor.
Brother Evans (whose office I have inva
ded in the lust; statement) is faithful as
ever, and greatly beloved throughout the
city. Piay for me and mine.
W. J. Scott.
Atlanta, Oa. y November 20,1875.
Missions and Missionaries, South
Georgia Conference.
The Secretary of the Domestio Mission
Board of the South Georgia Conference,
desires a brief talk. For many years he
has been filling his present office, writing
the Annual Missionary Report. It is
based largely—at least onght to be—on
the data famished by the preachers s; rv
ing mission fields. These facts, figures,
and suggestions from the brethren, onght
to be copious, accurate, and well consid
ered. Their reports should be written
fully, carefully, before Conference opens,
ready to be placed iu the Secretary’s
hand on the morning of the first day.
It is very necessary in view of the re
quirement that the Board hold a session
on the afternoon of Wednesday of the
Conference. The Board needs the infor
mation —cannot aot wisely without it—let
it be ready and complete. It is discredi
table to a preacher’s intelligence and bus
iness sense to call again and again for
these reports, and after all get a piece of
paper about the size of a reoeipt, contain
ing the merest ontline of the work which
onght to be reported in full and with