Newspaper Page Text
158
Southern Christian Jbkrate.
MACON. GEORGIA. OCTOBER 2. 1877.
THE HISTORY OF METHODISM IX
GEORGIA AM* FLORIDA FROM 1785 TO 1865.*
Several notices of this work have appeared
in the Advocate in the absence of the edi
tor, who has not until now had the opportu
nity of expressing his appreciation of its
very decided meri-s, an i congratulating the
author upon his success in making so valua
ble a contribution to the literature of his
Church in the department of its history.
From a field singularly fertile in interesting
annals, which, however, for lack of garner
ing, were in danger of being wholly lost to
the Church, the author with a skillful and
assiduous hand has snatched these teeming
facts from a fast coming oblivion, and per
petuated their memory in a story which
blends the fascination of romance with the
solid worth of authentic history. Shunning
as nearly as possible the error into which
most of our Conference historians have
fdlen of overloading their narratives with
■ and useless details of mere
r mtine facts, our author has addressed him
self to bringing his readers into intelligent
communion with the men and times ot the
period he reviews. In this aim he has suc
ceeded most admirably. Biography and in
cident, skillfully collated with contempora
neous events of Church life and progress,
furnish us in this volume with as vivid an
apprehension of the real history of Me’ho
diem throughout this period aud section as
cnnld well he compressed into the same
number of pages. It is a nook of absorbing
interest, and most heartily do we urge upon
every Methodist family in the two States to
procure a copy. To the Methodists of South
Carolina, it will prove almost as interesting
as to those of Georgia and Florida, and we
sincerely hope they will provide for them
selves the pleasure and profit which its peru
sal will secure. The typygraphical errors,
so difficult to avoid in printing such a num
ber of proper names, will not appear in the
second edition, shortly to be issued. That
our readers may see that our estimate of
brother Smith’s work is not partial and ex
travagant, we append a few notices from ex
changes.
l*i. Linus Parker, ot the New Orleans
Advocate, says :
Georgia is among the richest and most in
teresting fields for the historian of Metho
diem. The author has done well to put his
material into one volume, thus making a
book that most people can buy, and that will
be generally read. Much of needless de
tails about Conference business and appoint
ments, and the condition of circuits, which
nobody cares to read or remember, has been
omitted. It is almost inevitable that works
of this kind should degenerate into mere
annals, and become a record of Conference
routine, without life, and of little interest to
the general reader Mr. Smith has meas
urably avoided these dangers and blemishes,
and has given us a book that comes nearer
to the character of history than auv of our
recent so-called Methodist historians. The
biographical sketches are especially fine.
Georgia Methodism has been exceptionally
prolific ot great men, and her field has been
crossed by and given employment to a won
derfully large number of most, remarkable
characters. The volume is adorned with
full page engravings of some of the most
notable preachers. Wesley is on the frontis
piece, as is most fitting; then we have As
bury, MclCendree, Lovick Pierce, James O.
Andrew, Dr. A. B. Longstreet, Bishop
Pierce, Bishop Wightman, and others.
The editor of the Holston Methodist, Rev.
R. N. Price says :
The heroic history of Methodism is the
priceless heritage of our common Christiani
ty and whosoever rescues any part of it from
the wave of oblivion well deserves the grati
tude of generations to come. The value of
the record in the present instance is greatly
enhanced by the constant proofs of on
-iit-in.it.il',. Vn surveying (He Held emoraced
in this history the author was at no loss for
a starting point. He had on the coast of
Georgia the first footprints of American
Methodism and in tracing its subsequent de
velopment it was almost impossible that he
should go astray wiih such prominent and
incontestable land marks to consult.
The bock is one of great interest through
out. combining, as it does, a systematic pre
sentation of leading events with a skillful
and harmonious treatment of abundant de
tails. No doubt it will meet with a cordial
reception in Georgia and Florida. It ought
to be read by the entire Church.
“X.” in the Christian Neighbor says:
This is a volume of five hundred and thirty
pages, printed in large, clear type on good
paper, and strongly and attractively bound.
Beginning with the arrival in Savannah from
England of the Wesleys, Benjamin Bigham
and Charles Delamotte. the author brings us
through all the years, up to the present.
Portraving with vivid pen, the hardships
and difficulties with which those pioneers of
early' Methodism had to contend—the hun
dreds of miles wearily traversed on horse
back, the disheartening failures that at times
crowned the most zealous labor—the author
keeps up the intense interest, awakened in
the reader’s mind bv the mention of men
whose tame is not confined to their fields of
labor, but whose chief glory was in praying
and working tor the salvation ol their fellow
men. It is next to impossible to attempt, any
enumeration of these The work is illus
trated by fine steel engravings of John Wes
ley and eight others, including several bish
ops. Methodists will find it a highly instruc
tive and entertaining book, and it is not un
suited to fill a place in our Sunday school
la, --i es .
■'V- Geo. GL Smith, Jr., of the Noifh (Jeor
.a., 'onference. Macon, Ua: J. W. Burke ACo
Cloth, 530 pages. Price $2.00 ; preachers $1.50.
WOFFORD COLLEGE.
We are in receipt of the annual Catalogue
of this institution for 1870-7, the wrapper
covering it suggestively endorsed “2d copy
sent, without notice.” The first came du
ring our absence, and we were under the im
pressiou that it had been noticed, or we cer
taiuly should have taken pleasure iu suitably
aaknowledging its arrival at the office—a
statement which we trust will purge the in
advertence of the suspicion, either of care
lessness or wanton neglect.
The College is located in the town of Spar
tanburg, which is situated in the piedmont
region of South Carolina, and is as celebra
ted for the healthfulness of its moral atmos
phere, as for the unsurpassed salubiity of
its climate; easily accessible by rail from all
points, and directly on the line of telegraphic
communication, it is impossible to imagine
an institution of learning more eligibly loca
ted. Wofford has a broad and admirably ar
ranged curriculum, a full and thoroughly ac
complished Faculty, all the appointmeuts of
a first class College, in the way of Societies,
libraries, philosophical apparatus, etc., a
shining record throughout its whole career
of twenty-three years, and is an institution,
which, while, a peculiar honor and blessing
to Methodism, is one of which the State may
well be proud. Its achievements in the past
are a sufficient guaranty of what it will do in
the future for the Church and the State, and
merit for it the largest patronage, and any
aid it may ask for its more satisfactory equip
ment. Since its organization, there have been
1338 matriculates, of whom only 202 have
graduated—a silent testimonial to the value
of its diploma. Three gold medals were
awarded during the past year, and an equal
number will be conteuded for during the en
suing scholastic year, to begin OctoDer Ist.
We congratulate the Faculty upon the grow
ing prosperity of the College, aud the people
of South Carolina upon having in their midst
an institution which appeals so worthily to
their patronage and support.
Hfi|^U|^a|k£GE. —The committee of in-
will please
REV. JAMES A. DUNCAX, D.l).
It is with a feeling of sadness, a sense of
loss to the Church, which can find no ade
quate expression in words that we announce
the death on September the 24th of this de
voted Christian and distinguished minister
of the gospel. Without previous intimation
of any threatening illness, the brief press
telegram of Tuesday morning which an
nounced the fact, startled with surprise, while
it suSußed with profoundest sorrow the hearts
of all whom it reached within the limits of
Southern Methodism, and very many, doubt
less, without its pale who reverence exalted
intellect and liberal culture when consecrated
to the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
The bare announcement of this, tooureeem
ing, grievous disaster to the Church, is all the
information we have thus far received, so
that we cannot now furnish our readers with
any particulars, and can only turn their
thoughts to some salient features of a life,
and prominent facts in connection with it,
which justify the universal sorrow produced
by the announcement of its, to us, untimely
close.
Dr. Duncan was born in Norfolk, Va, in
1830, and consequently was just in the prime
of his manhood, and had sc rcely yet reached
the maturity of his rare powers, when sud
denly summoned to enter upon the rewards
of a life which had been crowded with labors
in the service of the Master. Graduating at
Randolph Macon College—in which his ven
erable father, still living, was an esteemed
and honored professor for a score or more
years—in the summer of 1849, he entered
the Virginia Conference in November of the
same year, nna at once attracted attention
by his shining gifts as a pulpit orator. This
attention soon ripened into admiration for
his enviable abilities, while his genial man
ners and unaffected simplicity of spirit, won
for him the esteem and ardent affection of
his ministerial brethren, and of the congre
gations he was appointed to serve. Through
out his connection with the pastoral work of
the Conference he was always in eager de
mand for its most important charges, most
of which he served with signal fidelity and
success. Many survivors of the war, scat
tered all over the Southern States, will recall,
aB they receive the intelligence of his death,
the edification and comfort and delight, with
which they listened, as opportunity offered,
to Dr. Duncan’s preaching in Richmond du
ring that trying period. For several years
he edited the Richmond Christian Advocate,
aud his work in that position demonstrated
that he was no less gifted in the use of the pen,
than in the pulpit and on the platform. The
testimonials of his executive ability and his
peculiar aptness and efficiency as a Christian
educator, are recorded in the constantly in
creasing prosperity of Randolph Macon un
der his administration of eight or t<-n years ;
in the unrelaxing, perhaps unwittingly cruel,
tenacity with which he was held to that po
sition by the friends of the institution ; and
more than all in the splendid promise of the
young men whose characters and culture ac
quired their tone and finish under his wise
and skillful direction. While Dr. Duncan’s
endowments of mind and heart made him the
an.d pride of his Conference, they
were such as to win for him a Church-wide
celebrity. In the General Conference, of
which he had been a member for the last
four quadrennial sessions, he was the peer
of the foremost, and, without ambitious ef
fort, had secured a commanding position
among his distinguished brethren. In 1870
he failed by only a few votes of being eleva
ted to the episcopacy; aud we are hardly
mistaken in the conviction, that the eyes of
the whole Church were turned to him as in
all respects the most eligible for
that'hqrh
shonld be deemed necessary. Chosen by the
Bishops to bear the fraternal greetings of
Southern Methodism to the last General
Conference of the M. E. Church, the faith
fulness, dignity, and faultless elegance, with
which he performed that very delicate duty,
are still fresh in the grateful memory of the
Church. Surely the loss of snch an orna
ment and pillar of strength justifies the sad
ness and tears of an entire Church. A great
man, a good man, an eminently successful
man has been suddenly called, midway the
rdinary march of human file, from the
spheres of earthly usefulness which he filled
so well, to the grander activities of his
Father’s house. Iu presence of such a be
wildering stroke, we can only sit in speech
less submission to the will of Him whose
wisdom is as unerring, as, in such a provi
dence as this, it is inscrutable. With the
bereaved family, the stricken College, and
the sorrowing Church, we mingle our sym
patbies and tears, and pray that the memory
of the life whose sudden close is so widely
mourned, muy long linger, an inspiration
and incentive to the virtues and excellences
which so conspicuously adorned it.
FERNAXIHNA.
We deeply regret that we cannot report
any decided improvement in the condition
of this stricken community. The latest re
ports inform us that the fever still rages, and
with unabated malignity. The decrease in
the number of deaths aud new cases report
el, results only from diminished population,
and not from any declension in the severity
of the scourge. Brother Bird, who is the
only Protestant minister capable of active
service, has escaped the epidemic so far, and
writes us that though feeble, he is doing his
best to minister to the sick and dying. Let
the whole Church pray, that it may please a
gracious Providence to shield him from the
pestilence. Relief, he tells us, is being gen
erously sent in from various quarters. No
request is made of us, but we venture to
suggest to our readers that any amounts
they are able to forward to Rev. U. S. Bird,
Fernandiua, Florida, will be well bestowed,
and will bs wisely used for the relief of
needy sufferers.
Death of Hon. Barnahd Hii,l.— The com
munity of Macon was startled aud pained on
the morning of September 28th, by the ap
pearance in the morning paper of a telegram
announcing the death of Judge Hill on the
evening before in the Court room at Knox
ville, Ga., where he was holding a session of
the Court for Crawford county. Judge Hill
had attained an advanced age, and his nu
merous friends had hard[y hoped that he
could long survive the severe stroke experi
enced in the loss of his devoted wife, whose
death was chronicled in these columns some
months ago; still, such was his invincible
will to work, and so uuflagging his de
votion to the claims of duty, that the sum
mons which arrested him in the active per
formance of his official functions, was a sad
surprise, at last, to all who knew him An
eminent jurist, a public-spirited and useful
citizen, an humble and exemplary Christian,
he leaves with his country, and the Mulber
ry Street Methodist Church, of which he was
long a consistent and useful member, an un
blemished reputation, and has entered, we
doubt not, upon a glorious rest. To the now
doubly bereaved family of our departed
friend we tender our sincerest condolence.
“The International Lessons.” —We be
gin in this issue the publication on our (jst
page, of comments etc., upon the
Lessons, which we hope to make a perma_
nent feature of the paper. Our artidflH
condensed from the Xational Sint-lay
Teacher , published by Messrs
Lyon, of Chicago, which is
Biwkwie Laegfcii we
SOUTHERN CHRJiTIAN ADVOCATE.
funds with which to procure regularly a
judicious exposition of the current Lesson;
or if we had time, in connection with our
other duties in bringing out the paper, to
prepare such an article; we would of course
prefer to have the “International Lessons”
an original department of the paper. But,
as it is, we are greatly indebted to 11 The
Teacher," and we feel sure that all our read
ers, whether directly connected with Sunday
school work or not, will appreciate the ser
vice we render them in reproducing, to a
great extent, the admirable articles of thD
monthly. We thought of foraging on our
own excellent Magazine for this supply; but
concluded that as very many of our readers
(though far fewer than ought to) receive this,
selecting another would secure to them the
advantages of two lines of thought on the
Lesson, while all who do not get it, would be
as much benefitted by this. We sincerely
hope that this effort to aid in the preparation
of the Lessons—made in compliance with a
long cherished wish of our own as well as in
response to frequent requests —will result in
increasing interest in the schools, and in
decided benefit to pupils and teachers.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
Potter’s American Magazine. Philadel
phia: John E. Potter & Cos. $3 a year.
This sterling, and distinctively American
publication, holds on its way, with inflexible
adherence to its announced design, and with
steadily growing interest to its constantly in
creasing constituency of readers. Itsappeals
to the American public tor patronage a e
fortified by these strong considerntions: it
very low price, a Monthly that is strictly an
American magazine; devoted mainly—al
most exclusively—to American topics; aims
to promote American interests; employs,
chiefly, American talent; and for style, form,
typographical work, and ability of its editors
and contributors, is unexcelled by any simi
lar publication on the Continent. We wel
come its monthly visits with great satisfae
tion,
Scribner's Monthly. New York: Scribner
& Cos., 743 Broadway. $4 a year.
How New York is Fed ;At Last; Nicho
las Minturn; A Yankee Tar and His Friends;
The Lesson; Hjalmar Hjorth Bozesen; The
Poet's Art; Togas and Toggery; His Inheri
tance, VII-1X; An Autumn Song; Christi
anity and Ftee Thought; Experience iu Post
Office Appointments; Clematis; Ripe Corn;
June Chantry; Woodbines in October; The
Polyzoa; A Vintage Song; Topics of the
Time; The Old Cabinet; Home and Society,
Culture and Progress; The World's Work;
Bric-a-JSrac.
Sunday Magazine. Conducted by Rev.
Charles F. Deems, D. D. New York:
Frank Leslie’s Publishing House, 537 Pearl
street. $3 a year.
This splendid magazine, always first on
hand of all our monthlies, is crowded with
good things for October, and vindicates the
truthfulness of the standing inscription on its
cover “Attractive, Useful, and Interesting
Reading for Everybody.” The reading mat
ter is as excellent as it is diversified, and the
illustrations, which are profusely scattered
throughout its pages, are decidedly better
executed than they were at first. It is mar
velously cheap; and, while it is possible that
the Publishers may be mistaken, we are not
prepared to deny their boast that “This is
the cheapest publication in Christendom.”
Christian families can safely take this Maga
zine into their homes. We are gratified at is
prosperity and wish for it still enlarged suc
cess.
Nationalßepository. Cincinnati: Hitch
cock A Walden. $3.00 a year. Contents:
The Capture of forts Clinton and Mont
gomery by the Royal Troops Southwards
from the Alps; Bryan Waller Procter ; Our
“Dilemma;” Science in War; Winds;
Phooebe Brent’s Trust—chapter iii; That
Boy: Who shall heve Him?—chapters xxiv
xxv; God’s Love ; Editorial Miscellany.
Golden Hours. Cncinnati: Hitchcock &
Walden. $1 60 a year.
This admirable little magazine for boys
and girls, is as punctual as a well regulated
clock, and always comes freighted with
savory and nutritiousMntellectual diet for its
youthful patrons. The October number
fully sustains the fine reputation it has
achieved.
Harper’s Magazine. New York: Harper A
Brothers. $4.00 a year. Contents:
Mytown ; Hunting the Walrus ; The Life
of a New York Fireman; Girl and Woman—
A Poem ; The Campaign of Burgcyne; Oq a
Melon Schooner —A Story; A Group of
Classical Schools —Partii; Fabrics—A Poem;
From Brusa to Constantinople; An Old
Umbrella—A Poem ; The Home Concert —A
Poem ; Uaaberry Island —A Story ; Popular
Exposition of some Scientific Experiments—
Part vii; Burning Glasses and Mirrors;
Erema: or, My Father’s Sin ; The Regular
Army of the United States; Editor’s Easy
Chair ; Editor’s Literary Record; Editor’s
Scientific Record; Editor’s Historical Re
cord ; Editor’s Drawer.
THE PREACHERS’ PAY.
Some things we are beginning to learn.
One is, the Christian minister is not an ob
ject of charity. The Lord said : “ The la
borer is worthy of his hire.” He did not
say “alms.” Not to pay him is to “muzzle
the ox that treadeth out the corn.” In farm
life we know what that comes to —a dead ox.
We have a neighbor—a freedman—who has
during this year tried the experiment of mak
ing a crop without adequate support “ for his
mule.” Result: a poor crop, a very poor
mule. Also, as we fear, a demoralized freei
man. This correspondent has a little corn
patch not far from the freedman’a empty
crib and hungry mule. Somehow the corn
patch suffers, and the tracks point toward
that crib and mule. We will not say more,
lest we place ourself in the category of some
of our Northern critics of Southern affairs,
and guess where we lack knowledge.
Perhaps we have done this freedman in
justice in one point. He may have “ prom
ised” the mule, in the beginning of the year
that he would “do something handsome”
for him at the harvest. What effect the
promise has upon the mule’s gastric nerves
we cannot imagine. But we can count the
mule's ribs. Three evenings ago we passed
him in the road. His air was meditative;
perhaps retrospective; thinking of the good
old days when he “knew his owner” and
the “ master’s crib.” Perhaps prospective,
meditating a strike, that is, an inroad into
this correspondent’s pa'ch. But he will
never make another crop on a promise. He
cannot.
Alas! these promises unredeemed. The
first financial trouble we ever had came this
way. We bad faith in the pledges of our
masters; acted on our faith ; made the crop
and found fragments of broken reed—very
dry and hard—piercing our hand. We have
never leaned on one since- It was eleven
years ago, but the dearly learned lesson
sticks.
But the next year’s work had to be done
under the burden of that broken promise.
It was heavy; the disgust as heavy as thj
debt. Pardon this reminiscence, gentle read
er, or blame the mule with it, or the freed
man, or the won our confi
dence when we wer^^^^Kr.
to be finan-
The
as n
terly Conferences have proceeded on this t
p'aQ and have been generous. Some have',
made generous estimates with the distinct
intimation at the time that they did not ex.
pect to “ raise it.”
One scene we recall that had its pathetic
side. A venerable preacher was appointed
to circuit. At the beginning of the
year the stewaids reported to the Quarterly'
Conference $250 00 a-i the amount they pro
pose to “allow” their pastor. The Presid- ,
ing Elder protested, the stewards said, “w sm
can’t raise more than $250 00.” The crfl||
preacher rose up and begged them to “ say
SSOO 00 —whether they raised it or not.
It looked more decent; he thought he could
preach better: it cowed him to think they
only judged him —a preacher thirty years— -
to be worth $250 00.” There was something
in his view. It does seem reasonable that a
man’s services should be “estimated” at
their worth, whether paid for or not. There
is some educational value in saying, “our
pastor should be paid a decent sa!a r y.” But
in such cases (experience being our lamp)
it is not safe for the pastor to “ discount the
promise.”
Of late the practice with many stewards is
this: estimate, not what the preacher should
have, but what they think they can raise-
They reason thus: “we estimated SIOOO 00
and raised SSOO 00. We now propose to cs—
timate the salary at “SSOO 00 and raise it
all.” If they only did! We have heard
this argument made many times. It seems
conclusive. But there are at least two diffi
culties. First, this plan educates the wrong
way—downward. It won't be.lonir till
stewards and people will begin to feel ti£A,
SSOO 00 is all the pastor is worth, when theyi
get able to pay more they will not. And
this estimate will hardly stand. By and-by
it will be S4OO 00 or less. The educational
influence of this plan of estimating only
what they can (or will) pay, is bad—narrow
ing. Second, the preacher generally suffers
by the failure of the people to come up to
even the lowered standard. In such a case
the probability is the receipts will be less
than SSOO 00. For they had been in
habit of falling under their estimates and
promises. It is an old, chronic, fixed habit.
It does not make them ashamed ; they are
used to it.
In the outset we said something about be
ginning to learn that Christian ministers are
not objects of charity. But we are ouly be
ginning—we are still in the alphabet. A few
bright scholars are in “words of one sylla
ble” ; a very few have reached “ba-ker”;
one in a thousand can read. How many
times we hear a preacher say: “The stew
ards allowed me so and so.” Heneg
start with the words —the “ Preacher's Pay.’”
Preacher's allowance! Shame! The Con
ference season is upon us. The last Quar
terly Conferences are held, or will be held
in a few weeks. Some will even hold the
“fifth Quarterly meeting,” otherwise called
“ hideand tallow meeting.” These “ Fourth
Round ” Presiding Elders’ notices always
make us sad. We know what is coming to
the majority of our beloved itinerant breth
ren. We recall now, the faces we have seen
at these last settlements. We have seen the
pierced hands bleeding. The sinking of
heart, who can tell it that has not felt it,. The
hard year's work done; the meagre promise
broken. Wife and children must do without,
needful things. Some debt contracted on
the strength of pledges made, must go un
settled for a time. And the preacher moves
away—with his burden of debt and anxiety
Talked about too when he is gone by those
who induced him to go in debt by their
promises 1 The first money he gets on the
new work must go back to the old to pay
£” * deJ?t.” makes .debt^_.ar ; !
tai’nty on the new work. So it goes on. Tie'
strain and friction increase. After awhile
something breaks or burns. Saying nothing
further about the preacher’s loss, what a loss
this sort of promising and failing inflicts on
the Church I A poor mule may do his best,
but he can’t puli a deep running plow. The
process is this: bad feeding, a poor mule,
an ever lessening crop, a dead mule, a spoiled
field, a broken farmer. H.
Oxford.
Correspondence.
VARIETIES FROM ATLANTA.
THE WEATHER.
Editor Advocate: A topic always in order
(the weather) forcibly suggests itself at this
writing. Without are clouds, rain, winds, and
mud, in lieu of clear skies long continued, or
clouds without rain, and suffocating calms
and dust. This change is heartily welcome ;
the equinoctial storm, with all its attendants,
is as the face of an old and long deeire<T
friend; good cheer to the “ turnip patch ”
and a blessing to those struggling “yams”
that needed just one more “soaker.” If
there is any room for regret it is in the direc
tion of camp meetings or other occasions of
similar character; yet I have always found
that the effect of rains upon meetings of this
kind is determined entirely by the quantity
and character of fire on hand. If it is con
fined to the pulpit, or is of the “fox fire”
variety, there will be a good many spiritual
“brush-heaps” saved as by water, and the
preacher and some other warriors of like
spirit will long and gr.evousiy mourn the
loss of a great victory, as ail fishermen
mourn a fine “string” lost that would have
been caught “if that cloud had not come
up.” For one, I am very thankful for the
rain, and especially tha' I am not out in it
or exposed to its effects, as the shivering boy
in the bread wagon at my door; the street
car driver, whose “jingling bells are heard
every fifteen minutes, aud whose mercileis
lash falls constantly on the sides of the hard
run beasts, that must make the time; or yoti- rr
der brakeman. running over flying boxes be
hind the engineer whose shrill, prolonged,
unearthly, useless, and demoralizing whistle
would break even old Diogenese’ train of
thought.
THE CHURCH HER FAIRS, FESTIVALS, AND’
FOOLISHNESS.
I have always been opposed to “indulgences
by the Church,” iu any direc’ion or for any
purpose. lam the more confirmed as I see
the licenses taken and granted iu our cities
by all d‘nominations in the way of “pic
nics” for Sabbath-schools, or fairs for the
multitude, or festivals for “repairs” or
“nickel clubs” for any Church purpose; and
all of it as a source of worldly gratification,
spiritual damage, and consequent cause ot
weakness before the world. The reason
of the Gospel’s comparative failure in our
large cities, is becaase professed believers
are conformed to the world, which can never
be convicted for sin, moved to action, or re
formed, until the C,lurch comes out from
among them and is separate. The power of
the gospel is not in fine Churches, artistic
ing and instiumental music, eloquent and
trained preaching, or the “belonging” of
first families. A pity that many with titles
and places, richness and rottenness, have not
long since been put among other lepers with
out the moral camps; or rather, that they
reform their lives and walk humbly before
their God. Why can’t the Church rise in
her might 30^- overturn the tables of the
money changers, drive out those who sell
oxen and sheep and doves, and bring down
the cords upon the guilty backs of offenders?
or receive another dollar for
by appealing to appetite and
Hflkt. spirit of
should be driven out with the rod as the first
.duty of every parent a9 a foundation of moral
and mental training. Put me down on this
line henceforth and forevermore, if at the
price of location —quoth the “croaker”—
svermore.
TEMPERANCE AND OTHER SECRET SOCIETIES.
Who is opposed to temperance 1 Not I!
*Who stands in the way of the temperance
reform, the promulgation of moral lessous,
I and true benevolence? Not the Church.
jihei3 the mother of all good. Nevertheless,
JiTs very important that every institution
should know and keep its proper place; and
*that place must ever be subordinate to the
Church. Hiram may help get out the tim
bers and may contribute of artificers, but
they must work under the great king for
whom the house is built. When apostles of
'temperance magnify their office to the mini
fiea ion of a Christ ordained ministry, who
labor in word aud doctrine for the salva
tion of the world, it is the servant on horse
back and the prince afoot. And is it not
high time for the “master of assemblies”
let fall the gavel when members pay “fees
and dues” cheerfully and refuse to support
dheir Church; when they are never in the
sanctuary, aud vet patiently sit out the mid
night hour at lodges; aud tender females are
brought in intimate contact with unwashed
thnmanity, who ought to be taken care of by
their own sex until thoroughly reformed and
made fit for association.
I unhesitatingly give utterance to these
sentiments, although in hearty accord with
.all who are seeking to ameliorate the condi
‘Loir rap*, a na although I have been
connected with every living temperance or
ganization. Let the Church press its legiti
mate business in this direction under its pres
ent organization; and if men, wanting to
work in this field, will not join us, let them
work by themselves; for the Church and
ministry are doing the souls of men an in
jury by this intimate association with intidel
-i'y and this encouragement given to men who
find in various secret societies “a good
1 enough Church for them.” Paul says:
'“Prove all things,” and so I have been en
rdeavoring to do now for some years; and
rthe result is, not to oppose the temperance
movement, but to assist men of the world in
their laudable effort by pressing the question
more vigorously with and among those who
have come out from the world. Let every
thing be dons decently and iu order. Be
temperate in all things. Some sores had bet
iter not be healod, le.-t the disease show itself
at a more vital point.
llow my heart boun Is at the success of the
-gospel manifest in so many places. Our
elder, Doctor Cook, may well he
Yiapoy over the remits of a succession of
ca rp meet ugs in his district. He is full of
labors, lull of unction, a nd full of success.
Was glal to take the hand of brother
Burke on Tuesday. Wish gretn hacks eir
cuUted as freely as ho does. But it pome
what p tins me so ask him to take pains to
put me down at. Payne's— not Evans’, with
all my love lor the latter, where 1 utn with
out pains of any kind, though “taking” all
pains to prevent a paintul retrospect after
leaving Payne's Chapel, although painfully
aware that all my pains may be as the panes
of a window; and I hope yours and mine
and every one else’ pairts may be no worse
th an window-panes.
Hope brother M. will not draw upon his
quiver agiin, as I allow hint and sll others
to enjoy their own tastes, San key or anti-
Sankey. I ab : de by the old standards, in
our hymn books, that have our doctrines
.and spirit, which cannot be said of modern
sentimentalism in song. The one breaks up
the fallow ground, binds the strong mau and
his goods; jvhile the other simply ex
cites human sympathy and narcotises the
patient until he sleeps in the insufficient
shallows of conviction.
John A. Reynolds.
OUR PUBLISHING HOUSE.
agent’s exhibit and book committee’s
STATEMENT.
Mr. Editor: The writer closed the for
.mer article by staling that he would in this,
“review the exhibit of profits and the com
parison of the condition of the Publishing
House now, with its coudition when the
Agent took charge of it.”
1, We beg your readers to consider the
net profits reported by the Agent for the year
ending June 7, 1877.
Agent’s Exhibit of ‘‘Not Profits,” June 7,1876, to
June 7, 1877.
Advocate $3 232 80
Sunday school Periodicals 7,228 73
Wood cuts, etc 493 15
Stereotype plate account 233 99
“ Foundry 360 00
Press work 224 15
Stereotype work 271 50
Paper account 655 99
’Sheet stock account 429 81
Merchandise 16,437 20
Rent and repair account 4,348 15
New Bond interest account 4 79
In Bank Interest 35 91
Relief of Publishing House 24,793 14
Subscribed to “ “ 100 00
Total $58,849 31
Now from this must bo deducted, if the
net profits derived from the business of the
Publishing House are seen :
Ain't sent by Church far relief $24,793 14
“ subscribed to Pub. House... 100 00
$24,893 14
’Leaving apparent net profit $33,956 17
2. The business done and at what cost:
Siles of Merchandise $50,260 03
From Advocate 18,074 44
“ Sunday school periodicals.. 33 998 63
“ Rents and repairs 4,348 15
“ Wood cuts, etc 493 15
“ Stereotype pla’e account... 233 99
“ Stereotype Foundry 360 00
“ Press work 224 1 5
“ Stereotype work 271 50
f Total $108,263 54
L. - . EXPENSES
*Of Advocate $14,841 64
“ Sunday-school periodicals 25,769 90
“ Postage account 1,960 91
New Bond account. 29 40
“ Manufacturing 2.674 80
“ Bond Interest account 7,500 00
“ Interest paid A. Buchanan.... 1 500 00
“ Other interest, etc 13 114 02
“Taxes 2 826 28
“ * Agent's salary 3 000 00
“ Bal. due on Agent’s salary.... 1 000 00
“ Book keeper's salary 2,400 00
“ Porter's wages . 240 00
“ Traveling 1,343 98
“ “ Book Committee.... 57 75
“ Freight and drayage 933 68
“ Printing new bonds 261 50
“ Insurance account 1 600 00
< “ Coal account 1,490 85
“ Ink, oil, and glue 637 65
“ Sundries (not specified) 1,491 12
Total expenses SB4 673 48
*The following salaries are paid, some of
them it is supposed are included in Advocate
expenses, etc :
A. H. Redford, Agent $3 000 00
T. O. Summers, Editor 3.000 00
W. G. E. Cunnyngham, Editor.... 3.000 00
H. Carroll. Book-keeper 2 400 00
M p. Turpin, Clerk 2.200 00
NS K. Melborn, Clerk 1,350 00
R. M. Heriges, Clerk 780 00
E. E. Adams, Clerk 720 00
Q. W. Gates, Clerk 480 00
Mailing boys 676 00
$17,606 00
$1 000 of Dr. Summers' salary
Y is paidhy Vanderbilt University SI,OOO 00
Total $16,606 00
From the figures it appears that the busi
ness done in all departments is $108,263 54;
and, the expense, including everything, is
$84,673.48 ; leaving a net profit of $23,-
(as appeared
the
ing House? By Agent’s exhibit this capital
is $591,820.07. Book Committee make it
$402 753 26. This is upon the Agent’s es
timate three and nine tenths per cent. ; or
upon the Book Committee’s estimate five
and e'ght-tenths per cent.
The figures given show that the whole ex
pense of running the Publishing House is
$84,673 48, of which for salaries (printers,
pressmen, engineers, etc., not included in
this) $16,606 is paid. The agent states that
there are 56 persons to whom the House
gives “steady employment.” Of these 6
are in the store (including periodical clerk),
aud 50 in the mailing, composing, and press
rooms, bindery and foundry.
The writer has been particular in present
ing these items that the business of the Pub
lishing House for the year ending June 7,
1577, might appear so far as the exhibitand
statement show it, and, that the expenses
might be as clearly set forth as these papers
will admit.
3. Let us consider the liabilities of the
Publishing House. We extract from the
Agent's exhibit:
Notes owing by the House $123,366 83
Bonds, i. e., notes of long date... 100 000 00
Bonds, new issue 4,500 00
Accounts owing by the House... 33,333 98
Total debt of IIou“e $261,200 81
(Except interest due, which is not given.)
The Book Committee states that of this
debt, SIOO,OOO is at ten per cent interest or
will double in ten yea's; $1 500 is “at
seven and eight per cent, interest ;” and
neither the A .er,t nor Committee infirm us
what interest is running upon the $123,-
366.83 ot notes ot burnt, nor whether auy of
this large sum of $33,333 98, owing by the
House upon open acaouut, is, or is not,
drawing interest, ft is not probable thut,
such a sum is not in whole or in part paying
interest. The Agent's exhibit shows that
the following sums of interest were paid
from June, 1876, to June, 1877 :
Bond interest $7,500 00
Interest, exchange, aud discount... 13,114 02
Interest to Mrs. A. Buchanan, 3y’s 1,500 00
$22,114 02
Deduct 2 years’ interes, Mrs. 8... 1.000 00
$21,114 02
Add remainder of Baud interest,, 2 500 00
$23,614 02
The interest was paid from the income of
the House and left as net profits according
to the Agent's exhibit (les* money given the
House) $33,956.17. According to the wri
ter’s figures, $23,590.06.
4. Note let us see what are the hopes of
the House.
Notes due and payable $123,366 83
Open accounts due 33,333 98
Debts that must be met $156,700 81
Annual net profits, say $30,000. If this
sum was paid annuully upon the $156,-
700.81 now due in notes and accounts, Lidd
ing the sums that may be realiezd upon notes
and accounts due the 1 louse to meet extra
expenses that may accrue and that would
otherwise possibly reduce the net profits be
low $30,000 per annum— it would sink the
debt in less than fire and a half years —
vided, of course, thut interest is paid, extra
this $30,000.
But, if the creditors demand their money;
if they have mortgages upon the Publishing
House building and contents—so that no
money can be raised, not even SIOO,OOO on
the whole property, so as to puy the most
pressing of these debtors—-if not (gages are
foreclosed, then what are the hopes of the
House 1 Gloomy enough.
A meeting of the Bishops—a most earnes'
appeal by them to the Church to save the
Publishing House from bankruptcy, and the
Cburch from disgrace (?) —has resulted after’
months of strenuous efforts in realizing
$24,793.14. What does this show ? T'be
people are too much embarrassed —too near
bankruptcy—too bankrupt themselves, to re
spond ; or they do not approve tbe course of
the Agent which has resulted in the pres
ent fearfully embarrassed condition of the
House; or they are not in sympathy with
the attempt to publish at the South ; or they
are not agreed that Nashville is the proper
location ; or, perhaps tl e agent would say,
‘‘the Church has not been appealed to prop
erly and earnestly upon the subject.” If
there be any stronger appeal than the condi
tion of the House itself, it ought to be made
and it will be made, when the prees and the
preachers become acquainted with it.
But the comparison of the condition of
the Publishing House note, with its condi
tion when Dr. Bedford became Ag-nt, must
be deferred to your next issue.
A North Georgian.
INTERESTING MEMORIAL SERVICES.
Dear Advocate: Your last issue coniaiaed
a notice of the death of Rev. William Tim
mons, at Cave Spring. It was my privilege
to be present at his funeral, on the 20th inst.
Although the day was a rainy one the Meth
odist Church was well filled—for Father Tim
mons was loved and honored by all Revs.
B. B. Quillian, William Jones, Oliver Sim
mons, S. P. Jones, and W. II LaPrade of
the Methodist Church, Revs. Pullen and Mc-
Call of the Baptist Church and Rev. Mr.
Epps, of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
wsre present, and all took part in the me
morial service. Bro. Pullen read the XC
Psalm, followed by brother Quillian, who
read the hymn
“Servant of God, well done I ”
How appropriate to us all seemed the last
verse —
“The pains of death are past,
Labor and sorrow cease ;
And, life’s long warfare closed at last,
His soul is found in peace.
His was a most triumphant death indeed—
but I will not anticipate his obituary, which
is promised us, much as I would like to dwell
upon so heavenly a scene. The other min
isters followed with prayer and song and por
tions of our burial service. Brother S. P.
Jones, who was present at the veteran’s
death, made a few most touching and appro
priate remarks. I must quote one. Said he,
“I have seen many Christians die, but I
never saw one who had so little to do when
death came.” True enough—Father Tim
mons lived with his “house in order.”
The service at the Church was concluded
by an earnest prayer from brother Epps.
The corpse was home away by the officiating
ministers, and the procession, headed by the
Masonic Fraternity, moved to the cemetery.
After the burial service of the Church had
concluded the Masons took charge of the
grave, and laid the venerable hero away, af
ter the manner of their ancient order.
The erring prophet, in a moment of true
inspiration, prayed that he might “ die the
death of the righteous, and his last end (pos
terity) be like his.” Father Timm ms died
just such a death, and left, just such a pos
terity. Four eons, all Christian ministers,
were present at his funeral: Rev. Robert
Timmons, of North Alabama Conference,
and Revs. T. H. Timmons, B. E. L. Tim
mons and D. F. C. Timmons, of North Geor
gia Conference.
Truly “ he yet speaketh.” L.
Baunesvii.le, North Georgia Confer
ence. Rev. W. P. Rivers writes September
17: Our meeting continues with increasing
interest. The work began at a grove prayer
meeting held by brother S. K. Cook, wiih
his Sunday school scholars, on the Rock
camp ground. Salvation like a tidal wave
is sweeping over the community, bringing
many to Christ. We had a most delightful |
love feast yesterday morniug, (Sunday). On
last night fifty or seventy five persons were
at the altar for prayer. So far some thirty
three persons have been received and pre
sented as candidates for membership. Near
ly all have been happily converted. Many
have professed to be confirmed, revived, or
converted in the Church. A deep and
thorough work is going on in our Church and
iu the Baptist Church, and the whole com
munity is stirred. Such a work of grace has
not been seen for a long time in our midst.
I am greatly indebted to brother G. G
Smith for a visit and labors of love iu his
old charge, and to brother Duncan who look
ed in upon us, and gave us his prayers and
blessing, and to brothers Bellahand Hanson,
and especially to brother J. M. White who
labored day and night with great liberty and
efficiency. May Jesus still hear our prayers
and the Holy Ghost abide with us 1 Pray
for us.
LEESVILLE CIRCUIT, SOUTH CARO
LINA COX 1-ERENCE.
Dear Bro. Kennedy: The Lord has been
pouring out his Spirit and reviving his work in
this charge. We had a good meeting at Boil
ing Springs, which embraced the third Sunday
in August. Having rested one day, I . ent to
Nazareth on Saturday and commenced a meet
ing, which was continued through the following
week. At this place we had abundant suc
cess. Here, as at Boiling Springs, the mem
bership were graciously strengthened and
comforted. There were several accessions,
and, better than all, some twenty five origi
nal codversions. We closed on Saturday
ant'd great rejoicings. A touchingly beau
tiful incident occurred just before the bene
diufiuu was proiiotinced—a young mar
ried man was most happily converted. At
this meeting Bro. Lindler, of the Lutheran
Church, preached twice for us. Bros. Her
iong and Enloe, exhorters from adjoining
circuits, also aided us.
I spent one night at home, and went Sun
day morning to Shiloh, where we found an
overflowing congregation, and realized the
presence and blessing of the Saviour in our
services. Bro. Lindler, in his kindness, had
come to this place on the preceding day and
opened the meeting for me, and generously
continued with me through the Sabbaih. I
beg leave to record my thankfulness to (his
good brother for his many kindnesses. Dr.
Rowell of the Lexington circuit, carna to my
help on Sunday evening and remained two
days. His songs, sermons, aud talks to pen
itents, will ever be most affectionately cher
ished in our memories. The meeting was
continued until Thursday afternoon. Take
it all in all, I think it was one of the best
meetings I have ever attended. Each suc
cessive service witnessed the conversion of
penitents and increasing interest on til" part
ot God's people. Many of the latter told me
t hey had never before so fully and powerfully
rialized the “exceeding riches of Gods
grace” in his kindness towards us in t hrist
Jesus. Such a baptism of the Spirit as we
had on Thursday I have never before expe
rienced or witnessed. O the glory 1 the glo
ry! Words are too cold, too feeble, toe earth
ly to describe it. The countenances of God’s
people were radiant with the adumbrations
of the Divine glory. They fairly basked in
tbe peace, love, and joy, of God’s salvation.
The last remaining penitent had been con
verted, and now young and old converts
united iu ascriptions of praise to “Him who
loved us aud gave himself for us.” There
was no boisterousness, no improprieties, but
a sweet, blessed, heavenly peace and joy
seemed to fill their hearts and beam in their
faces. After leaving the house, some visited
the adjoining grave yard andweptand shout
ed lor joy over their sainted dead, in pros
pect of the glories of the ressurrection morn
and heaven’s eternal day. And, as they
traveled homeward, many praised God
aloud for the great things he had done for
them. Blessed be God for a religion that
brings light and j .y in this world of sin and
sorrow. More next week.
Thos. J. Clyde.
Batesburg, Sept. 15, 1877.
TO THE METHODISTS OF SOUTH
CAROLINA.
Dear Brethren : I desire in the interests
of the Church you love, to appeal to you for
help to place under tuition at Wofford Col
lege, a worthy young man with gifts and
graces, who feels himself called to the office
and work of the ministry in our Church.
He was converted in the early part of the
year, and, though he very soon felt impress
ed that he ought to preach, has been strug
gling against the conviction until he feels,
“ Woe is me if I preach not, tbe gospel.”
His educational advantages have been limit
ed, and he must have help. llow easy a
matter it will be to give it, if all will do just
a little. It may not be amiss to state that
his antecedents are good, and his physical
constitution robust and vigorous. I think
there is no doubt but that at the next session
of the Florence District Conference, ar
rangements will be made to continue him at
college, but what I desire is to get him
there at once. This is the plan: Let all
who will give one dollar, fifty cents, twen
ty five cents, or more , inclose and forward
to Prof. W. Wallace Duncan, Spartanburg,
S. C.; and so soon as a sufficient amount is
in hand to justify in so doing the young man
will be sent on. Brother, sister, don't read
this, then lay it aside and forget it ; but give
the help so urgently needed. The demand
for enlarged culture in the ministry is on the
increase, and it is only just and due, to say
nothing of the necessity laid upon us, that
the Church educate its preachers,
J. S Beasley.
Oraham, N. E R. R., S C. , Sept. 25.
CENTRAL CAMP-GROUND.
Mr. Editor: The Committee appointed by
Rome District Conference to choose a loca
tion for a Central Camp ground, begs leave
to report through the Advocate:
Resolved 1. That the Camp ground should
be located within the bounds of the Rome or
Dalton District.
2. That brother Thigpen, P. E., of Dalton
District, be requested to correspond with
Rev. S. P. Richardson, Chairman of C )tn
uiittee, on subject of location, practicability
of plan, etc.
3. That persons interested in having the
Ground located in or near their communities
be requested to correspond with Rev. 8 P.
Richardson, Marietta, Ga., stating advan
tages of location, price of land, amount com
muuity will contribute toward purchase of
land, etc. WM. H. LaPradk fir Com.
Cairo Circuit, South Georgia Confer
ence. —Rev. W. Lane writes Sept. 21 : Our
series of protracted meetings ia this circuit
has closed results, 55 additions to the
Church, and nearly all profess faith in Jesus
—I mean a saving faith. The meeting at
Bold Spring was one of great interest. I
was assisted there by Revs. Milton C. Smith,
James W. Jackson, W. F. Watts, J. W.
Critchell, William M. Hayes, and brother
Collins, of the Leon Circuit, Florida Confer
ence. Forty-two united with the Church at
that point. Brother Lockwood preached two
effective sermons for us in Cairo. Quite
a number embraced religion and joined the
Church from the Sabbath school. We are
now getting subscriptions to paint and com
plete the Church building in Cairo. All the
Church buildings need repairing and finish
ing—all need stoves —then Sabbsth schools
would never go into winter quarters. A
brother said on last Sabbath, “The Sabbath
school will go into winter quarters on the
third Sabbath in October.” I asked pub
licly, “Wili the devil go into winter quarters
then?” I am taking up the colleciion for
Foreign Missions. lam doing my best, and
intend to do it to the end, to bring up all the
VOLUME XL., NO. 40.
various collections for which I am responsi
ble. And I expect to succeed. The idea of
having gracious revivals and falling far short
in the grace of giving ! Another revival is
needed to convert the pocket. Brother Mc-
Gehee, my presiding elder, is at his post as
usual, doing his duty, and doing it well.
GEORGIA TEACHERS’ CONVENTION.
Mr. Editor: I have been hoping to see in
the Advocate some account of the Georgia
Teachers’ Convention, held at Toccoa in the
early part of August, As no Georgia teacher
has written a report of the entire session, let
a Carolina teacher, who enjoyed only the
closing hours, say, that it “was good to be
there.” Three addresses were delivered after
our arrival, an excellent, scholarly, historical
sketch of Georgia legislation on popular edu
cation, by Hon. J. Cumming, Augußta; a
clear Report on the possibility of organizing
public schools in a small town, by Col. Mooty,
West Point; and some very original views on
Geometry by Hon. Samuel Barnett, Wash
ington. During the two preceding days of
the session, various papers of merit had
been read before the body. There were per
haps sixty teachers in attendance, who must
have carried away, both impulse and instruc
tion. Let every Georgia teacher be assured,
that he missed a great deal, by absence from
that Convention. There are two classes of
persons who can not profit by these Con
ventions. Those, who are so wise, that they
know every thing, and those, who are so un
wise, that they can not learn any thing. Very
few teachers belong to either one of these
classes No profession needs the personal
tstlinulus of such Associations, more than
the lonely teacher.
I was disappointed in one respect. There
were men in the body, (Dr. Means and Prof.
Orr are specimens,) whom I have known for
years, but I have never gone through the
trifling little ceremony, of “laving my eyes
on them,” I did want to add, just that
finishing touch to my knowledge of the men.
But they left a few hours before our arrival.
In all oilier respects, theinstructiveaddresses,
the Georgia hospitality public and private,
the memorable ride to Tallulah Falls, com
bined to make the hurried visit, one of espe
cial interest. S. C. Visitor.
EAST POINT CIRCUIT, NORTH GEOR
GIA CONFERENCE.
MT. GILEAD CAMP MEETING.
Mr. Editor: This camp-ground is situated
nine miles west of Atlanta, and, with the ex
ception of two years during the war, annual
meetings have been held here tor a period of
forty two years. Old uncle James Baker,
John M. Baker, and others, who pitched the
first tents here, have long since passed to
rest, but “ their works do .ollow them,” and
their children, grand-children and great
grand children go up annually to the feast.
The fortieth camp-meeting on this historic
ground commenced on Friday night with a
sermon by Judge D, F. Hammond, of At
lanta. This first, service was a good one,
and the interest, increased to the close of the
meeting Oar much beloved presiding elder,
Dr. \V. F. Cook, preached on Saturday, at
3 o’clock, and on Sunday, at 11 o’clock, with
great power. On Monday morning we were
reinforced by Dr. J. E. Evans and Rev. W.
A. Dodge, whose ministrations will be long
remembered by those who lteurd them.
Brother Morgan, from the Fulton circuit,
and brother Butler, from Douglasevilla, were
also with us, and preached wiih fine effect.
Dr. Cook announced on Monday night that
he would preach to the children on the fol
lowing morning. At the appointed time
some sixty or seventy-five little fellows were
in and about the altar place, and brother
Cook preached them a short sermon from
2d Chronicles, xxxiv, part of 3d verse. It
was a pleasing spectacle—these little chil
dren listening with profound attention as tbe
preacher discoursed to them of Josiah, the
young king who began early to seek the
Lord. At the close of the sermon he gave
all the children who intended then and there
to begin to seek the Lord an opportunity to
manifest their intentiou by coming forward
and kneeling for prayer. I believe that every
one of them acceded to the proposition.
Brother Dowman lei in prayer at the close,
and his heart was made glad. The children,
and others present, will never forget the ser
vice.
Our camp-meeting was a complete success.
Many Christians pledged themselves to seek
the blessing of perfect love. Many were
converted, and twenty-two were added to the
Church. Osgood.
TO THE PREACHERS OF THE NORTH
GKOKGIA COSFKKKKCE.
Dear Brethren: Allow me to call your
attention to the I6th item of the duty of
“Preachers in charge of circuits and sta
tions,” which requires that “a written report
of the condition of all the claimants on the
Conference Collection within hi3 pastoral
charge be made, at each Annual Conference,
to the Joint Board of Finance.” Your at
tention to this duty is of great importance to
the Board of Finance in making a just distri
bution of the fund turned over to them. It
is often claimed by some brother that our
report is defective; and this defect grows out
of a want of correct information, which we
now seek. Some times it happens that some
superannated preacher, or a widow of some
deceased preacher, complains that full justice
has not been done. If this allegation is true,
it is because our information has been in
correct. We therefore ri quest all claimants
on the Conference Collection, who may see
this notice, to give us a report of their cir
cumstances and necessities that we may do
ample justice to all.
While on this subject, allow me, dear
brethren, to call your attention to the Bish
op’s support. At the last Conference we
were minus the amount assessed upon this
Conference nearly two hundred dollars. This
ought not so to be. Every dollar may he
raised, if proper effort is made. This can be
done by private appeals made to individuals,
and not interfere with either the Missionary
or Conference Collections. Let us make a
faithful effort to bring up all these collections
this year, and we shall feel the satis'action
in our owu hearts. C. W. Key,
Chairman Joint Board Finance.
Augusta. September 21. 1877.
Shiloh Camp Meeting—Lynchburg Cir
cuit, South Carolina Conference. —Rev.
W. D. Kirkland writes : It was rav privilege
to attend the above meeting, Sept. 14-19.
Sermons were preached by W. C. Power,
presiding elder, A. Coke Smith, D. J. Mc-
Millan, J. S. Beasley, J. C. Counts, J. O.
Willson, and others. The meeting resulted
in 33 accessions to the Church, some 25 or
30 conversions, and a general quickening of
believers. The order on the ground was as
near perfect as I have ever observed on a
similar occasion, and the hospitality of (he
tent holders was unexcelled. I have never
seen the preachers and their horses betier
cared for at a camp meeting than they were
at this. Brother J. B. Platt, the pastor,
seconded by his kind people, was assiduous
in his attentions. This is anew camp
ground, established some three years age.
It is located eight miles from Lynchburg in
a beautiful grove ot oak and hickory. Sev
eral new tents were occupied this year.
is hoped that by another year the
Space will he filled with eoinf rrahle
Grantvii.i.e Circuit, North
Conference. Rev. F, M T.
September 20: Uur protracted
son is over. The Lord has been with
power—the good work still goes oup ■■
eight accessions to the Churches up
date; penitents still the altar for prayei^B