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Southern Christian
MACON, GEORGIA, FEBRUARY 5,1878
OUR FOREIGN MISSION WORK.
The work which the M. E. Church, South,
is carrying forward in China, its oldest for
eign field, is gradually growing ; and though
not so extensive as that under the patronage
of other Churches, is in a prosperous con
dition, and only needs a more vigorous and
hearty support from this side the Pacific to
assume proportions more nearly commensu
rate with our resources, aud creditable to
our character as a missionary Church. Bat
while China calls to us with imploring voice
from the far East, aud urges claims which
can neither he innocently nor honorably dis
regarded; there are open doors on the Wes
tern Hemisphere which we have feebly en
tered, where we cannot remain without pro
viding reinforcements of men and means,
and from which we cannot withdraw without
disparagement to our good name, and also
serious detriment to the missionary spirit of
the Church. Mexico and South America,
geographically our neighbors, yet not less
necessitous in reference to evangelizing agen
cies than the isles of the sea and the remote
regions of the East, have been entered by
Southern Methodism ; the work of diffusing
the light and strength of a pure Gospel has
been hopefully inaugurated, and the demand
upon us is imperative to foster these promis
ing beginnings and furnish the means for
developing them into glorious conquests for
the Captain of our Salvation Mexico, dis
enthralled from an ecclesiastical despotism
which for centuries has oppressed and blind
ed her, is practically without a religion, and
her condition appeals most importunately
to Protestantism, American Protestantism
especially, to fill the void created by her
revolt from Romanism, by furnishing to
her teeming population a religion based
upon the benign and elevating principles
of a pure, Scriptural Christianity. The
harvest in this field is ripe, and ready for the
sickle. Let the Church recognize her oppor
tunity and advance to meet it with no lag
gard step. Brazil, under the rule of its
present liberal and enlightened Emperor,
while imbibing the ideas and introducing the
arts, of the United States and England, is
becoming constantly more and more access
ible to the form of religion dominant in
these Protestant countries, and to which
they owe so largely the pre eminent type of
civilization which distinguishes them among
the nations. In both Mexico and Brazil,
Southern Methodism has planted its stand
ard, and the intrepid color guards have the
right to expect that they will be sustained
and reinforced with adequate supplies of re
cruits and money. To thrust them forward
into these advanced positions, and then,
through apathy or illiberality, leave them to
evacuate their posts from sheer lack of in
dispensable support, would involve a re
proach which we ought not to contemplate,
much less incur, with any measure of com
placency. God has blessed us with abun
dant means for carrying on His work sue
cessfully in these inviting fields. He has
put His Spirit upon a sufficient number of
men and women, who recognize the author
ily of the call and are ready to respond to it.
It only remains for the Church to rise to a
proper realization of its obligations and fur
nish the needed money for sending and bus
taining the missionaries. Shall we not do
it? Let every reader of this article, decide
in the fear of God whether he is doing his
duty toward the Foreign Missionary work
of the Church with the means entrusted to
him by a beneficent Providence.
We publish in another place, a most in
teresting communication from brother Ran
som, our Missionary to Brazil; and also a
brief statement and appeal, in that connec
tion, from Ur. D. C. Kelley, our Associate
Missionary Secretary. We commend these
articles to the thoughtful, prayerful, perusal
of our readers, earnestly hoping that their
heartß may be moved to help, according to
their ability, in this good and glorious work.
Brother Ransom must be sustained.
•‘RELIEF FUND.”
The Columbus Times , of January 29, says:
“The ministerj of the South Georgia Confer
ence have formed an organization which acts
somewhat in the manner of a life insurance
plan. On the death of a minister in the Con
ference they each pay $3 into the general
relief fund. This amount, when made up,
is donated to the family of the deceased min
ister.
“Laymen are admitted to membership in
the organization by the payment each of $1
on the death of a minister.
“Dr. Key mentioned the existence of this
organization Sunday night, that all might
have an opportunity of giving something to
the relief of the family of the lamented Dr.
O. L. Smith. Dr. Smith left a wife and a
large family of children.
“Though rich in all things else which add
to a man’s happiness in this world Dr. Smith
did not have large pecuniary resources. His
work was one which was far above the accu
mulation of sordid gold, and he has gone
from earth leaving little for the bodily sup
port and comfort of his loved ones left be'
hind. Mr. A. M. Brannon, one of the trus
tees of St. Luke Church, informed us yester
day that there had been several responses to
Dr. Key’s appeal on Sunday night. There
will doubtless be many more. For what
occasion is there where the people would
more cheerfully give than in a case like this?' ’
Circumstances of Dr. Smith's Death.
We had hoped by this issue, to have received
some circumstantial account of the decease
of our distinguished and beloved friend ; but
thua far, our correspondents have inadver
tently failed to mention any of the incidents
of his unloosed for end. We have learned,
however, that he was supervising the struc
ture of a walk between Oxford and Coving
ton, when, feeling very unwell, he sat down,
awaiting the passing by of some vehicle in
which he might return to his home. None
appearing directly, and feeling increasingly
ill, he walked. Upon reaching home, he
complained of au intense pain in his chest,
to his wife, who immediately applied such
remedies as were available, and sent for a
physician. On his arrival he administered
medicine, and leaving, gave directions for it
to be repeated in a given time. Mrs. Smith
followed him to the door to get more specific
directions, and when she returned to her
husband's bedside, his pulse had ceased to
beat, his spirit had returned to God who
gave it 1
First Street Church, Macon.— lt was the
privilege of the Editor of this paper to preach
on Sunday, January 27th, to the congrega
tion of First Street Church, and he was most
agreeably surprised to notice the great im
provement that has been wrought in and
about their house of worship since hia last
visit to it. The interior has been handsome
ly refitted, the floor has been newly and neatly
carpeted, gas fixtures of au elegant pattern
have been introduced, and anew furnace,
which works admirably, now warms the
church perfectly. Outside, the entire pro
perty, embracing church and parsonage, has
been enclosed with a neat and substantial
fence; and, we learn, that the interior of the
parsonage has received decided improve
ments, both in point of appearance and com
fort. The pastor, Rev. Walker Lewis, and
his flock, deserve great credit lor these very
jnurked improvements.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL AGENCY.
Ihe Discipline recommends “that each
Annual Conference, when the general state
of the work will allow, request the appoint
ment of a special agent, to travel through
out its bounds, for the purpose of promoting
the interest of Sunday-schools; and his ex
penses shall be paid out of collections he
shall be directed to make.” In accordance
with this recommendation, the South Geor
gia Conference, at its last session, requested
the appointment of the Rev. Samuel Antho
ny to this work, who was accordingly assign
ed to it by the presiding Bishop. The work
is important, and Bro. Anthony is eminently
well qualified for prosecuting it successfully.
But his success, or that of any other man, is
contingent upon the cordial sympathy and
consequent hearty cooperation of pastors
and Sunday-school officers. If they are un
friendly, or even indifferent, the spirita of the
Agent sufferau irresistible depression which
modifies the outlay of his best effort, and is
correspondingly fatal to any very distinguish
ed measure of success. Now, if such an ap
pointment was wise, if such work is needed
—and this certainly is the case, or the Con
ference would not have authorized it—then
the incumbent of the position is entitled to
all the accessories of success that, his breth
ren can afford him, and he has a right to ex
pect that they will zealously cooperate with
him in prosecuting the mission to which be
has been appointed. Welcome Bro. Antho
ny, then, to your fields of labor, and give
him all the help and encouragement you can
in his efforts to build np and strengthen the
Sunday-school interestthroughoutthe bounds
of the South Georgia Conference. He needs
no endorsement or word of commendation
from us, and it would be superfluous to offer
it. Nearly fifty years of ministerial service
in Georgia, backed by the momentum of an
unwaveringly blameless walk, is an incom
parably better certificate than any words of
eulogy we could utter; and such the Sunday
school Agent carries with him on his work.
We have had no consultation with him, and
have had no suggestion from him, but we
venture to suggest to brethreu tha, it would
be seemly and proper to invite the visit of
the Agent, and provide for him fullest accesß
to their congregations. There is another
point which we venture to touch. “ The la
borer is worthy of his hire,” and in the as
sigument of Bro. Anthony to this work, his
support, in accordance with disciplinary war
rant, is to be derived from the collections ta
ken on his visits. Let this fact be borne in
mind; and see to it that when the veteran
comes, the contribution is alike worthy of
the cause and its alvocate.
MEMORIAL SERVICES AT ST. LUKE’S
CHURCH.
We learn from the Columbus Times that
this Church, one of Dr. 0, L. Smith’s most
successful fields of labor while in the pastor
ate, was filled on Sunday evening, January
27th, with a large congregation of Method
ists, and members of other Churches in the
city, who had assembled to pay a last tribute
to the memory of the beloved and distin
guished brother whose death had filled all
hearts with profound sorrow. Ihe service
consisted of sacred songs appropriate to the
sad occasion, prayers, and addresses on the
life and character of the deceased. After
Rsv- J. O. A. Cook, the pastor of llie
Church, had introduced with appropriate re
marks, a series of resolutions expressive of
the sentiments of the assembly, says the
Times:
Dr. J H. Nall, of the Presbyterian Church,
then addressed the congregation. He spoke
of the loss the Methodist Church had sub
tained by the death of Dr. Smith, referred
to the pleasant rememberances of the days
when associated with him in this
city, and deduced from hi-t death
two suggestive thoughts there is
a final rest from labors min
isters of God, and Dr.
Smith had been taken, God, in his provi
dence, would raise up someone to fill his
place in the great work of battling for the
cross.
Hon. John Peabody also spoke of the de
ceased. He knew him 29 years ago, when at
Eoffery College. Was profoundly impressed
with him as a man of uncommon parts the
first time he ever saw him. The speaker
further reviewed his character as a pastor,
and spoke of the great good he had done
for the cause of Christ. He was a man
that the people could trust. He preached
no strange doctrines. Believed the Bible
just as it read, and his life was the strong
est argument in favor of the truth of the
Bible. Dr. Smith, he said, was a great
preacher but a greater teacher. His re'-
moval from the pulpit to the chair of a
Professor was apparently a wrong step, yet
it was a most fortunate step in the inter
est of the Church. Os all men qualified to
teach young men, Dr. Smith probably was
one most gifted. He has left his mark
upon the minds of the young, who huve
sat under his teachings, and though dead,
he will still live to mould by the memory of
his example and teachings the lives and
characters of future generations. The
speaker further said that the death of Dr.
Smith, while a great loss to the Church,
would do her more good than his life. He
had fought long aud faithfully in the Mas
ter’s service. He had done a great work,
and now God had taken him, but the seed
he had sown, would by his death, take
more vigorous root.
Mr. Peabody was followed by Dr. Key.
who spoke in a most touching maunpr ofibe
deceased minister. He alluded to the death
of Bishop Marvin some few weeks ago, and
how it had impressed the mind of Dr. Smith.
He further spoke of the death of Dr. E. H.
Myers, who died of yellow fever in Savan
nah eighteen months ago, and alluded to the
intimate relations which had ever existed
between Dr. Myers aud Dr. Smith. He
then very touchingly referred to the reunion
of these sainted men on the other shore, in
the blight home beyond the skies, and when
he spoke of the meeting in heaven between
the dead pastor and so many of the peop e
of this community, who had sat under ilia
ministry eight years ago aud had since gone
to their eternal rest, there was not a dry eye
in the large audience. The deep feeling and
profound sorrow exhibited by this coucourse
of people gathered iu these memorial services
to do honor to his memory, showed how
strong a hold Dr. Smith had upon the hearts
of the people of this community.
Da. Lovick Pierce. —We enjoyed during
the past week, a pleasant visit from our. ven
erable friend, who spent several days in Ma
con, and though feeble, was in sufficient
strength to preach most acceptably at Mul
berry Street in the morning, and to the Col
lege family at night.
We commence this week the Dr.’s “An
notations,” and will do our best to comply
with his wishes in so placing his brief arti
cles that they may be clipped from the paper
without mutilating the reading matter on the
opposite side. Read his “Apology” in an
other place.
Emory College. —We have authority for
saying that the Executive Committee of the
Board of Trustees haye filled the vacancy oc
casioned by the death of Dr. 0. L. Smith, by
electing Rev. I. S. Hopkins, A. M., M. D.,
who will enter immediately upon the duties
of his chair. Dr. Hopkins was for several
yearß a Professor at Emory, and for the past
two years has filled a chair in the Southern
University, at Greensboro, Ala. He is re
cognized wherever known as a man of marked
ability, and unimpeachable scholarship. His
return to Oxford will be hailed with universal
satisfaction.
To Conference Secretaries. —We direct
the attention of these indispensable aud
hard-worked brethren to the card of Rev.
A. M. Chrietzberg in another column, hoping
that they will promptly comply with his re
quest. The comparison rendered possible
by such an interchange of courtesies would
stimulate a healthy emulation that would be
manifestly advantageous to the Church at
large.
SOUTHERN CHK IlfT IAN ADVOCATE.
“ Ocr Mexican Mission Sunday.”—Un
der this head the Western Methodist, devotes
nearly an entire page of its issue of January
26th to a very full and exceedingly interest
ing report of the services of the preceding
Sabbath in the several Methodist churches
of the city of Memphis, all of which were
conducted with reference to and in the inter
est of our Mission in Mexico. Bishop Me-
Tveire and Dr. McFerrin were in attendance,
and contributed very largely by their pres
ence and labors to the interest and profit of
the occasion. Appropriate and impressive
sermons were delivered in the morning by
Bishop McTyeire, Dr. McFerrin, and Rev.
A. B. Jones —the two latter being supple
mented respectively by impressive remarks
from Rev. W. M. Patterson, the recently ap
pointed Superintendent of our Mission in
Mexico, and Rev. F. D. Villegas, one of the
“ Mexican Y r ouths” who has been prosecu
ting his studies for several years at Emory
and Vanderbilt, and who returns with Bro.
Patterson for evangelical labors in his native
country. At night, a “ Farewell Meeting,”
with reference to the early departure of BrOB.
Patterson and Villegas, was held at First
Church, at which a large audience was en
tertained and instructed by most impressive
addresses from Bishop McTyeire, Rev. F. D.
Villegas, Rev. W. M. Patterson, Dr. J. B.
McFerrin, and Col. E. H. Porter, a ruling
elder of the Presbyterian Church. The oc
casion throughout was one of thrilling inter
est, aud we hope and believe, will tell favor
ably upon the destinies of the Mission.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
Southern Historical Society Papers. Rich
inond, Va. $3 a year.
The January-February Dumber has the
following interesting matter: Fifth Annual
Meeting of the Southern Historical Society ;
Address of Gen. John T. Morgan; Annual
Report of the Executive Committee; Lead
ing Confederates on the Battle of Gettys
burg; Letter from Gen. James A. Lane;
Official Report of Gen. Lane; Letter from
Col. J. B. Walton; Letter from Gen. Long
street; Gen. Longstreet’s Full Account of
the Campaign and Battle; Origin of Our
Gettysburg Series ; Letter from the Count of
Paris; Letter from Major Sohiebert, of the
Prussian Engineers ; Editorial Paragraphs ;
Book Notices.
The Southern Presbyterian Review.—
This sterling quarterly, conducted by an as
sociation of ministers, aud published at Co
lumbia, S. C., comes to us for January with
a fine table of contents, embracing several
articles of exceptional merit. The lieoiew
is beautifully printed on excellent paper,
and reflects the highest credit upon the Pres
byterian Publishing House, from which it is
issued. The following is a list of the arti
eles which make up the curreut number :
Walnut Street Church Decision in the United
States Supreme Court; The Scriptural Doc
trine of Giving ; Wales; Social Science un
aer a Christian Aspect; Presbyterianism in
Central New York ; The Book of Church
Order ; The Law of Retribution ; The Final
Philosophy; Critical Notices ; iteceut Pub
lications.
Minutes of the Alabama Conference
Held at Montgomery, December 12-18
li shop Keener presiding.
We are indebted to the Secretary, Rev. R.
B Crawford, for a copy of this neat pam
phlet of 40 pages, which contains the usual
matter to be found in such publications, and
is especially full and satisfactory in its statis
tical tables.
South Carolina Conference Minutes. —
We acknowledge the courtesy of a copy of
this handsome aud elaborate pamphlet, from
the Editor, ltov. A. M. Chrietzberg, who, if
not romantic in his temperament, at least
revels in figures. The statistical tables are
the most elaborate and exhaustive to be
found in any publication of the kind—not ex
cepting Bro. Peterson’s admirable Minutes—
and furnish all the information worth having
relative to the financial progress or deca
dence of any charge in the Conference for
several years past. Besides the interesting
matter which from year to year is to be found
in this publication, the present issue is great
ly enriched by a Lecture, delivered by Rev.
A. M. Chrietzberg before the Historical So
ciety of the South Carolina Conference on
“Religion in Carolina in the Eighteenth Cen
tury,” and published here at the request of
the Conference. We hope the “Minutes”
will be universally circulated among our peo
ple. The gratitude of the Coniereuce is due
the Editor for the excellence with which he
has performed his task, and to Messrs. Walk
er, E vans & Cogswell, of Charleston, S. C.,
for the neatness and general accuracy which
characterize the mechanical features of the
pamphlet.
The Minutes of the Flo rum Confer
enoe.—Bros. Pasco and Partridge have doue
their work well in the preparation of this
pamphlet, and Messrs. J. W. Burke & Cos.
have brought it out in excellent style. Its
subject matter interests, or ought to, every
Methodist in the State, and it should find a
place in the home of every Methodist family
in Florida. We notice that the receipts last
year did not cover the outlay for its publica
tion—au unfortunate fact, which we sincere
ly hope will not occur again. Let the preach
era See to it that the Minutes are diligently
circulated, aud that the Secretaries are reim
bursed for their expenditures. The prepa
ration of the Minutes is no little labor. To
have to pay for the privilege, is certainly un
reasonable as well as unjust.
Virginia Conference Minutes. —We are
indebted for a copy of the Minutes of the
eighty-third session ofthisConfeteaee, which
was held in Lynchburg, Va.,November 14 22,
Bishop Doggett presiding. The pamphlet is
very voluminous, aud is handsomely gotten
up. Prepared for the press by R-v. P. A.
Petersou, it is every way worthy of the wide
celebrity he has acquired a3 a compiler of
Conference Minutes,
GOOD HEADING FOR GENERAL CON
eeuexce delegates.
The almanac maker for our Southern Inti
tule, had he forecast wisely, might have
printed opposite almost any day from Jan
uary Ist to May Ist of this year, “ About
now look out for advice to General Confer
ence delegates.” His predictions would
have been fulfilled. Now, we protest in ad
vance —we do not wish to speak slightly of
advice or advisere. Our gratitude forbids
such folly. Ad/ic3 is very necessary—we
cannot get on without it. If any set of men
need advice, General Conference delegates
are the man. This proposition holds good
every four years, and it holds good now as
much as it ever did. Perhaps more. Let the
advice be given. “ Whoso hath ears to hear,
let him hear.” What is the use of ears that
oannot hear ? What is the use of a delegate
that cannot be advised? Surely suah a man
cannot advise.
One thing has troubled us a little—the
sensitiveness of some people when other
people differ from them. Impatience under
honest criticism is a weakness. Iteseut
ment is worse. One mau caunot know every
thing. The wisest need light-—light jthat
may sometimes be giveu by those who, in
some respects, are less wise. Constituents
have the right to advise their representatives
and public servants.
But we have intimated in the heading of
this little article, what will not be realized if
we spin our thread any longer. So we
break off, and offer below some “ good read
ing” to advisers aud advised at this time. It
is a quotation from Diouysiu3of Alexandria,
whose account of a conference of certain of
the Fathers has been preserved by au old au-
thor. It was a conference that lasted “three
entire day 9 from morning to night.” Diony
sius—his admiring contemporary called him
“ Dionysius the Great”—says: “I much ad
mired the firmness, the love of truth, straight
forwardness, and intelligence of our breth
ren. Everything was done with moderation
and order; questions were put; replies
given; resolutions taken. We endeavored
carefully not to show a bigoted attachment
to our preconceived opinions, even though
we might believe them to be well foundey.
In the same manner, we made no attempt to
elude objections. We eudeavDred, as far as
possible, to deal with the principles involved
in the discussion, and to establish them thor- •
oughly ; and we were not ashamed to retract
what we had said, and to give assent to the
opinion of our opponents, whenever we found
in their arguments the force of truth. On the
contrary, our hearts were open before God,
and we accepted frankly and fairly all that
was established upon sufficient evidence, and
upon the teaching of Holy Scripture.”
One writer Bpeaka of this assemblage as
“ this honorable Conference.” Truly.
Oxford, H.
WHAT TO DO W ITH IMMORAL NEWS
PAPEKS.
The secular press has shown great interest
in the discussion of Hell. We do not wish
to be unjust or uncharitable. Y r et it is im
possible to be blind to some things—tape
daily when they are thrust under one’s very
eyes and a great noise is made to attract one's
attention. The men who write head lines
for the dailies have fairly outdone themselves.
The compositors have used capitals aud ex
clamation points quite lavishly. Norha3the
“interviewer” shown himself behindhand.
And he has found victims —great aud small—
willing and reluctant—coy aud shy—wise and
otherwise. Unfortunately, some of the in
terviewed have made themselves ridiculous.
It is not very safe to talk theology off-hand
to a reporter, who, to say the least of it, iaas
much interested in making a sensation as in
conserving orthodoxy.
The abandon with which some of these
secular editors fling themselves into theolog
ical discussions, is almost refreshing. Some
of tlism even venture upon “exegesis."
They give their version of New Testament
Greek, and wrile up theology as if they knew
what they were about. It is note-worthy
that the newspaper interest in theology is
guaged by what they suppose to be the hetero
doxy of the theologian. If they could only
find some rautiug idiot in the pulpit who
would deny the inspiration of the Bible, or
the binding force of the “Ten Command
ments!” What a treasure he would be, to
be sure! They would print bis sermons,
double leaded, with capitals, italics, and ex
clamation points.
It would be amusing if it were not sad, to
observe the flourish of trumpets aud rams’
horns with which they introduce some red
hot egotist—dyiug to be the centre of a sen
sation— who revamps some old folly fought
down and out a thousand years ago. They
tell us of “ new views” that were old, that
were dead, that were buried, that were for
gotten, long before newspapers were invent
ed. But we are not blaming the average
secular newspaper for ignorance in things
spiritual and ecclesiastic. It is useless aud
hopeless Their prudence we may ques
tion ; their uudacity we may condemn.
We have observed two very suspicious in
dications iu the curreut newspaper treat
ment (we cannot say discussion) of the sub--
j ct of Hell.
In the first place, they seem tolppreci
ate the views precisely as they undertake
to do away with Hell, The views seem to
rank about as follows: Best —uo Hell; se
cond class—a temporary and tolerable Hell;
worst of aft —Mell~ lnMEe second piacei
we have observed with deep legret that
many of the newspapers have been exceed
ingly light, airy, supeilioial, aud irreverent,
in their allusions to the subject. Some of
them have been silly and sinful enough to
joke about it. This is as contemp'ible as.
it is wicked. Someone says: “ Only a
fool will speak lightly of death.” What
are we to think of the man who speaks
lightly of Hell ? But men have done this
who claim to be opinion makers. Who tell
us tha* the newspaper is the guardian of
liberty aud conservator of virtue.
But talking to them—writing to them —
does little good. There is one remedy. It
is efficacious. Good people will have to
apply it. When a newspaper per-isls in
ridiculing the awful verities of religion;
when it trifles with sin ; when it jests about
eternal punishment; when it garnishes its
columns with the garbage of bar room
anecdotes; when it introduces vulgarity,
obscenity, profanity, vrhat should a good
man do V A man who, as the responsible head
of a family, fears God and seeks to order
his house in the way of righteousness ?
What should he do? Slop the paper.
Some of these irreverent and godless
newspaper men say this is intolerance.—
Very well ; intolerance in this case is
a virtue. We do not wish to see the
press muzzled. That would be insuffera
ble tyranny. But no law—human or di
vine-binds a man to receive into his fami
ly-circle a newspaper that endeavors to
make sin appear less hideous, or Hell less
fearful? Right to print? To be sure. Our
claim is that the Christiau subscriber has the
right to say (when they abuse their rights),
“ Stop my paper.” Many ofthe papers that
circulate in our midst do vastly more harm
tuau good. If they cannot be reformed,
they should be put down—by the lawful
and righteous method that every man can
help to apply—simply say, “ Stop my paper!"
Oxford. H.
Comspiimue.
TWO SUNDAYS FROM HOME.
The first—January 20—was spent in Dub
lin, Laurens couuty, Ga. The morning
was unpropitious; but notwithstandiug the
threatening appearances, there was a good
congregation out.
Our Church in Dublin cannot be said to
be in the most nourishing condition, al
though there are a number of tried aud true
members still hoping aud praying for deliv
erance from their embarrassments. They
are dependent entirely upon the kindness of
our Baptist friends for a place of worship.
They kindly tendered us the use of their
Church building, and the Meihodists have
service once a month, and the Baptists twice
a month. So far as 1 could judge and learn,
the brethren dwell together in harmony. In
my estimation this is far better thau to have
a partnership church j for I never knew a
union church but that there was more or
lesß clashing in interests, not uufrequeut
ly foimenling the most bitter hostility be
tween the parties. When there is but one
proprietor, the matter is more easily adjust
ed as to appointments, and as in this case,
they move along in harmony.
Brother E. M. Whiling was preacher in
charge here last year, and has made a host
of devoted friends. He did a good work,
and the blessing of the Almighty was upon
his labors. He was taken from them, aud
like loyal Methodists, they submitted to the
change aud received brother Moore with
glad and cheerful hearts. Broiher Moore
was no stranger among them—he had been
their pastor in other days, aud had become
endeared to them. He starts out with the
prayers aud sympathies of his people, and.
-under the blessing of God will do a faithful
-year's work for them.
there is a selfish feeling sometimes, even
in a preacher’s heart. It is annoying to
.him to hear the people praising his prede
'cessor, when he feels that they are making
inyidious comparisons. This is a foolish
mistake —one which contributes largely to
h'S own injury. So far as my limited min
isterial experience goes, it ia far better to
follow a popular preacher, than one for whom
no one has a good word. It is easier to get
at the hearts of the people ; for they cannot
appreciate a good, lailhful m. n more than I
do ; aud I would never let them excel mein
-admiration of a true, fahhlul servant of
| God. If they speak well of my predecessor,
I have the assurance that they will speak
well oi me, it 1 am as faithful. These re
flections were not suggested by anything in
connection with the Dublin work. Brother
Moore is not such a man.
The membership at Dublin has been great
ly depleted by removals and by death. They
are not able to build a church ; yet, I fear
they will never thrive until they do. They
ought to have a church, to develop success
fully their own prayer-meetings aud Sumlay-
I school. The Baptists have an excellent school
f under the euperintendeney of Col. Stanley,
! and overlooked by the genial pastor, Rev.
W. S. Ramsey ; but with due deierence to
their Lindners und attention, 1 mustsay that
their school is a bid pi me to make Metho
dists out of the children.
The Sunday that 1 spent iu Dublin wts
brother Ramsey’s day for preaching ; but at
his request the public services both morning
and night were conduced by the writer, to
good and attentive audiences. My stry —
■•side from the little sickness which in'.et-
somewhat with my rest —was very
pleasant among those good people, and will
be long remembered.
The second Sunday—January 27 —was
spent in Oglethorpe, iha work to which I
had been assigned by the Bishop. At (Jon
fertnee it was thought desirable to separate
the town from the circuit, width had formerly
borne its name. The work being large, in
volved a good deal of riding, iu order to
give every appoiulment Sunday preaching.
The change was designed to relieve the cir
cuit pi eacher of so much riding and labor.
But it was discovered after the appointments
were made, that the change would greatly
complicate the flounces ot the work, and
embarrass certain arrangements entered into.
The town was therefore put back into the
circuit, and all placed under the pastoral
oversight of Rsv. R. M. Booth, the circuit
preacher, a faithful, consecrated man. The
presiding elder released me from all connec
tion with the appointment. However, 1 de
termined to spend a Sabbath with them.
|The day was pleasant, and the congregations
were fair, but uot so good a9 I thought they
would be when only one church was open in
the place. Our people have a very com
sortable Cnurch bunding—au easy house to
speak iu. The membership is not large,
and, as is usual, but very lew mule members.
The country was greatly scourged by drouth
last year, and business hat necessarily becu
dull and the litembeisbip naturally depress
ed. They are endeavoring to make provis
ion for their preacher, and will, I think, do
a good part by hint. Taere are some most
excellent members here, who have liberal
views, and would do much better if they
could. Their difficulties are more apparent
than real, 1 think, aud if they could have a
good sweeping revival, the mists that over
hang their vision would all be dissipated,
and they would realize their true strength,
and breaths a healthier atmosphere.
I preached my introductory sermon in the
morning, and my farewell sermon at night—
jhc shortest race that I have ever made in
'the itinerancy. Nevertheless, I cannot Kelp
feeling interest in ihtir welfare, more than
in a work to w hich 1 have never been as
signed. The mere tact ol my seeming con
nection with them has awukcntd a kimily
feeling for them.
Brc. Booth has entered upon his work iu
earnest, and will no doubt prove a blessing
Jto this people. May they prove themselves
a blestiog to him. With these thoughts, and
desires for their weltare, 1 close my first and
last Sabbath with them, and go forth into
the world in anothtr sphere in the great bai
lie of life. S. S. Sweet.
DR. 0. L. SMITH.
Most of you; leaders, Mr. E litor, have,
ere this, heard ot his death. It tell with
buddtu aud stuuuiug force. Nothing could
have ustonished more, for nothing could
have been mote unexpected. Iu the morn
'ing Le was instinct with the vitality of lie;
in the evening he was still and cold and
idead. The ways of God, the methods of
His provideuce, are inscrutable. We had
supposed that a life so valuable, so pure, so
holy, would have been spared to us for rnauy
years. We thought that we could not do
without Lis lender friendship, his wise ad
vice, his noble example, lint God thought
otherwise. He lias taken him.
It is hard to realize our loss. We cau
never fully realize it, for we can ueoer mea
sure the influence aud power of bis life. The
Arabs have a parable which I remember
hiving read some time since: ‘‘King Nim
rod, oae day,” say they, ‘•summoned into
it b presence his three sons. Ha ordered to
be set before them three urns, under seal.
One of the urns was of gold, the other of
amber, the third of clay. The King bade
the eldest of Iris sous to choose among these
urns that which appeared to him to contain the
treasure of greatest price. The eldest chose
the vase of gold, on which was written Ihe
word Empire ; he opened it, and found it
full of blood. The second took the vase of
amber, whereon was written the word Glory ;
(ha opened it, aud found it full of the ashes
of men who had made a great sensation iu
the world. The third sou took the only re
mainiug vase, the clay one ; he opened it
aud found it quite empty ; but on the bottom
the potter had inscribed the name, God.
‘Which of these vases weighs the most?'
asked the King of his courtiers. The men
of ambition replied it was the vaaß of gold ;
the poe.s aud conquerors, that it was the
amber one; the sages, that it was the empty
• vase, because a single letter ot the name
of God was of more weight than the entire
globe.”
Shall we be as wise as the sages ? Shall
we, too, compute the greatness of things
only by the proportion of divinity which
they contain? If so, how shall we estimate
the life of him who is departed? If the
good men do in this world beau expres
sion of the divinity within, by what stand
ard are we to measure him ? We cannot
measure him. His Maker alone can. But
we can thank God for his example; we
, can draw lessons from his life; we can still
dwell, in memory at least, on the symme
try of his Christian character.
Many—very many—will deplore his loss;
but the blow falls most heavily upon those
who have known him as preceptor and
friend. He was bound to them by intimate
iand holy ties. Wheu they were in trouble,
he willingly tendered them his sympathy
and a.sistance; when they longed for spir
itual comfort aud advice, he gladly gave it;
when they needed reproof aud exhortation,
he was courageous enough to administer it.
I never knew a better, a more patient, a
more conse.euiious teacher ; I never knew
a kinder, a tenderer, a more faithful friend;
I never knew a more practical, a more
fearless preacher; 1 never knew a braver,
a truer luuu.
But I do not intend to sketch his charac
ter. Asa friend who trusted him, and as
an old pupil who reveredhim,! merely wish to
give this testimony to the worth of “the hu
man-hearted man I love.”
“ I go to plant it on his tomb.
That if it can it there may bloom,
Or dying, there at least may die.”
Artemidorus.
OUR RITUAL —COMMUNION —PREL
AC t.
Mr. Dditor : It is but reiteration to say
that the Campbellites, or Christians, hold
and teach as Scripture doctrine that baptism
by immersion is the fi-st practical step ia
the Christian religion ; then pardon aud the
gift of the Holy Ghost, or the witness of the
Spirit, if indeed they admit His testimony at
all. And this faith is mainly built npou
Acts ii: 38, which reads—“ Repent and be
baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and
ye Bhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
It there whs but one character, of course
this Scripture would beconclusive; but these
were Jews whoalrei dy believed in God, but
had rejected und murdered the Son, who
must now be avouched to make their faith
comp ee. In Actsx: 47, there is a differ
ent character and a different order in the
direct one of the same apostle. These were
idolatrous Gentiles who had received the
Holy S) iris. Hear him: “ Can any man
f ibid water I hat these thouid not be bap
tze 1 which have received the Holy Ghost
a; well as we? ’
My object in this reference, however, is
n >t to di.-p;n-e labor it the hope oi con
viuc rtg these who sre past argument and
proof texts, but to ask if our ritual does uot
correspond with Campbeilism ?
“ that they may be baptized with water and
with the Holy Ghost.” Pages 202 and 208
of our baptismal service for in ants and
those of “ tiper years.” The order of bap
tism to be administered and the request for
the gitt desired, places Methodists in the
same calegory with Campbellites, or Chris
tians ; and yet, we utterly repudiate water
regeneration. It is to be hoped, and your
petitioner earnestly prays, that our General
Conference will purge the-ritual of this ott'en
sive language or confine it to proper caudi
dates : because, the gift of the Spirit olteuer
precedes than follows baptism, the Scripture
and experience each abundantly testifying.
Also for the reason that there is no proprie
ty in petitioning for what ha3 already been
conferred. An initlligeut and reflecting con
vert must involuntarily query aud wonder,
is it not the gift and testimony of the Spirit
that has brought me pardon aud peace ; else,
my lejoiciug has been of “animal excite
ment” or deceit, as tay some.
The brethren who are exercised over the
proper bize of the door to the communion
table, if they have uot removed it altogether,
will pirdru me for suggesting to them, with
the great body of orthodox Christians, that
I can never consent to less thau these con
d.lions : Faith in Christ expressed by hap
tun; an open renunciation of the pomps
aud vanities of the world and the works of
the devil; and enrollment among the de
clare 1 members of Christ's Church; then
lHey may eat and drink, lookiug for the re
mission cf sins through this means, or thus
obediently remember Christ, and become
spiritually enriched and strengthened, feed
iug on lnm by faith. Nehemiah, when build
ing, fixed the principle and pointed out the
proper character; Christ enforces the same
iu the declaration, ‘' He that is not with me
is agiinst ina; and he that gathereih not
with me scattereth abroad.” Aud St. Paul
to the Corinthians : *' Therefore, cotue out
from among them, aud be ye separate saith
the Lord,” etc. True, the question is here
presented iu its reverse order, viz: As to
it - ihe Church may uot cat with ; but what
is true in that directiou, fixes also the char
acter who may not eat with the Church.
Why, my brethren, an indiscriminate adrnis
sion is a discount upon, if it does uot ignore,
baptism and Church membership. Let sin
uers understand that this tabie is ous of
license (uot free) aud the body of Christ will
be unseen or despised, and become as au bar
lot. It is bad enough to have to admit to the
table the irregular aud siutul who have fouud
a place in the visible fold, to stand until the
aogel reapers gather aud burn, or the great
Judge separates the sheep from thegoats.
For conscience's sake aud iu quest aud
love of truth, while I expect to live and die
a Methodist—an obedient Southern Metho
dist—non-submissive to the dictum of self
constituted mentors, and inconvertible to the
deirauding doctrine of buper-humau freed
mauisis—unalterably fixed iu tin conviction
of the fitness, humanity, and Scripturalness
of the peculiar institution, aad without ihe
slightest leaning to Prorestaut Methodism,
I must submit that my views of propriety,
aud understanding of Scripture aud primi
tive Christianity, compel a dissent to indi
vidual power iu appointing preachers to
places. A bishop is only au elder among
elders—so not of a higher order —no more
represents Christ's sending out than either
of his “ cabinet ” could represent Him; it
encourages the lingering prelaticai spirit
among us, and discovers re uo.e traces of
papacy, giving color, iu violation of Scrip
ture aud without advantage, to the old
charge of our descent aud family. The eat ly
Church at Jerusalem sent out the preachers
—■•• aud they sent forth Barnabas”—apos
ties aud laity, or at any rale others, presided
over perhaps by James. But James, or
whoever presided, did uct send Baruubas.
They appreciated Divine wisdom, whose ut
terance is that in Ihe multitude of counselors
there is safely. Now lam uot seeking the
republican, hut the Scripture model. Let
the “ cabinet ” make the appointments, as
they practically do very often, aud the Bish
op confirm them, giving him also the power
to veto or change auy appointment, except
by a two third vote. The fixing the eider
ship itself is the strength of the argument for
tue present plan,aud the seemingly vulnerable
point iu the proposed cuauge; hut the change
will bring no greater embarrassments ihau
at present exist, while it will rebuke man
worship aud magnify the wumug otiice of
the elder.
Aud this is my second memorial to the
Geuerul Conference, in the spirit of resigna
tion, in advance, to whatever may be their
action —being fixed in the determination to
live aud die a loyal and happy Southern
Methodist.
In u future letter I propose paying my re
spects to the controversy between our be
loved D. D. and M. D. brethren; and with
your leave, will a. least Say that 1 am iu "my
own hired house,” a good one, well fur
nished by the blessed sisters of Conyers eit
cuit. So far, Conyers sand is a vast im
provement upon Atlanta innd, forbearing
any comparison between the people. I am
at Conyers irregulurly, but not rebelliously.
1 am no Jonah—never ran away yet—don't
intend to—am afraid of whales—remember
ing my early “ whalings,” although I never
tried the inside of one, having to take mine
outside. Jno. A. Reynolds.
Cave Spring Ct., North Georgia Con
ierenok. —Rev. 0. A Thrower, alter giving
us an account oi the very nandsome recep
tion accorded him by his people, and the
numerous kindnesses shown him since his
arrival among them, says :
“So we are pleasantly situated iu Cave
Spring, a nice little town, sixteen miles lroui
Rome, iu the midst of a clever Christian
people ; where we are expecting gracious
results lor Chris, aud the Church. 1 have
not yet had time to enquire how many copies
of the Advocate are taken—will attend to
that shortly. Doubtless many read your
paper, and the result is, the Church ia pros
perous, and ministers are cared for.”
PORT HENRyT FLORIDA.
Dear Advocate : Allow me to speak of
my exodus from North Georgia and arrival
iu Florida.
I left the hearthstones of my youth Decem
ber 17th, meeting with several of the travel
ing preachers’ fraternity at Rome, and also
at Atlanta—all of whom wished me health
aud happiness in the Land of Flowers. In
Macon I spent, a very pleasant night with
ltev. J. W. Burke and family, and received
from him a sketch of the session of the South
Georgia Coniereuce. lam glad they pur
sued a different course from my Alma Mater
in reference to the Publishing House.
On the Macon aod Brunswick Road I
met with several of the South Georgia
preachers, who were ali so lratemal that I
almost desired to be numbered among them.
Indeed, there is such confiding in one an
other, such flow of love, such oneness of
heart, among Methodist preachers, as I
verily believe, is unknown-to any other fra
ternity iu the world. This is as it should
be ; for their sufferings, toils, anxieties, are
such as are known alone to them aud their
families.
I preached my introductory sermon on
the fourth Sabbath. Christmas is dreary in
a strang'e laud. Thanks to Bro. Burke, of
Macon, and Bio. Stuart, of Atlanta, for
favors received. I am anticipating a : evere
struggle with the Prince of Darkness in this
new field. Pray for me.
Yours, fraternally, J. B. McFarland.
Nassau County, Fla , Dec. 27, 1878.
A CARD.
Several articles were published in the Alt
locate some weeks ago, signed “ North
Georgian,” reviewing the exhibit of the Book
Agent. Dr. Redlord, and the report of the
Book Committee.
It became necessary during the late session
ofthe North Georgia Conference, to an
nounce that i wrote them: nevertheless,
there is cause to fear that an improper use is
made of the fact that they appeared without
the naate of the writer. To arrest it, please
insert thfs card.
The St. Louis Advocate published the arti
cles referred to, and will greatly oblige by
copying. * H. J. Adams.
N B. We lay our chirographical, ortho
graphical, und grammatical sins upon the
printer. Sometimes he should bear them
and sometimes he should not. Be this a3 it
may, 1 must beg you to correct some things,
the printer and I say, iu your last issue. We
say, “Ot lbe 08 who joined that year, 47 are
now residents oi Marietta.” It should be.
“ ate not residents,” etc. ; aud then we wrote
and printed—or printed— country, instead of
county, two or three times ; but, enough.
Marietta, Jan.'2B 1878.
Gadsden Ct., Florida Conference.—
Rev. W. I-'. Norton, whose parsonage was
gladdened by a most generous visittatiou on
Christmas eve, iu writing of it, says :
“1 feel encouraged to go forward iu my
labor of love among the noble and spirited
people whom I have so unfaithfully served
during tue past two years. This demonstra
tion of esteem, must have been for the
•work’s sake.' I wish that I.could feeith.it
I merited it. This charge overpaid last year
the entire assessment for the collections or
dered by the Conference, and made consider
able advance iu the payment of salaries. 1
hope, pray, and believe, that it will do well
his year.” _
jr-' j.: .. w,
wHpomrn.
BRAZILIAN MISSION.
Rev. D. C. Kelley, D. D.t—lt is now a
long time since I read that good book, The
Preacher’s Manual; yet Memory, faithful
gusrdiau of the past, still recalls many of
the vivid impressions then made upon my
youthtul spirit. Among other things which
fixed themselves upon my recollection «as a
certain btory oi a preacher whose text waß,
*‘He that believeth ahull not, make haste.”
Having au eeonomico-ecclesiaaiical essay to
wrile you, I propose the above by way of
introduction. A quotation from your letter
of October 17, 1877, shall serve for text:
“As to your own work —we shall expect
you to give yourself to the preaching of the
word until you hear from the Board, after
ihe May Meeting, 1878. I do uot tneau by
his that other missionary work is uot to be
undertaken; the restriction applies only to
the f»ct that you are not expected to make
any arrangements which will involve expense
of any kind, until after May.”
1. We note here that it is “expected” that
I give myself “to the preaching ofthe word.”
This is the positive side oi the injunction,
the “shall, do” of the text. The find part of
the law to Adam was, “Keep the garden”;
the first part of the text is, “Give yourself
to the preaching of the word." The injunc
tion to implied his abili'y, presup
posed that it was rendered possible for him
to “keep the garden.”
But (a) the first part of the text is ad
dressed to a Methodist missionary; hence,
it does not. mean “preaching of the word”
for the “Presbyterians,” or the “Fluntinen
aes," in their respective houses of worship ;
but, on the contrary.
( b) “Breach the word” as a Methodist
missionary to a Methodist congregation, in
the house of worship for Methodists, where
you can preach distinctive Arminiauism,
aud distinctive Methodism, ar.d build up a
Methodist Church—for this you were sent
to Brazil.
2. “You are not expected to make any
arrangements which will involve expense of
any kind, uuiil after May.” Adam had his
“forbidden fruit,” so had I —it was this
second injunction to beware of “arrange
ments which will involve expense.” Adam
could keep the garden—his keepiug from
the fruit did not interfere with that. In this
he was more fortunate than I—the second
part of my text iuuiilizss, cancels the first.
To “give myself to the preaching of the
word,” as this phrase has been explained, is
inseparable trorn “arrangements which in
volve expense,” and considerable expense.
J. “And he did eat.” Gen. iii. ti, —“Agid
I did eat.” Gen. iii. 12.
I. I have to day closed a contract for a
house for 1878. The necessary papers are
to bo passed to-morrow afternoon. The
house is on the CaUelle, the prettiest street
iu the city of Rio da Jaueiro, aud is admira
bly adapted for our purpose—indeed, wdi be
the best located Protestant house of worship
iu the cily. The house is large. From the
Caltelte you enter a vestibule which has two
doors —one opening into what will be the
pastor’s room, the other into the audience
room, which has a capacity of seating 200
people, more or less. The audience room
is neatly finished, has excellent acoustic
properties, and is altogether perhaps the best
hall in the city. Two doors open from the
audience room into another large hall, whose
capacity is of about 75 or 100 people, and
whose wiudows, us those of the audience
room, open on the Cattette. The house is
at the corner of the .CattcUe aud the street
Bella da Princezu. Entering trorn Bella
da Princeza you pass into a hull mat
runs the whole length of the three rooms
just mentioned, and which communicates
with them by ihice doois. On the left of
VOLUME XLI., NO. 6.
this hall are three rooms, besides pantry,
kitcheD, bath room, etc. On the second
floor are four rooms, and on the third, one.
Having been engaged since October 1, in
hunting a hali, I know that it is impossible
to obtain one without obtaining the house in
which it is situated, aud we might search the
city through, and, for convenience, and suit
ableness of location, we could not find an
other equal to the one which I have rented.
The gospel is for all men ; one of the
proofs of Christ’s Messiahship was that “the
poor have the gospel preached unto them.”
It is only the poorer class of people that has
accepted the gospel in Brazil There are
plenty of poor people near enough to our
house of worship ; but that part of the city
contains, also, the wealth, thq rank, and
the learning cf the Capita! of Brazil. They,
too, have souls, not whiter nor cleaner than
those of other folks, but just as solemnly im
mortal, and as sadiy restless and Spirit
hungry as the souls of the poorer and less
educated. Is it wrong that we look to them
especially ? God knows we long to send the
gospel like the breath of the tropics to blow
upon every green mountain of the American
Empire—these of whom I speak, if won to
the truth, have the learning and .eloqueuce
to win back the multitudes to that faith in
the spiritual and eternal from which they
are slowly drifting—these, if consecrated to
Jesus, have the means with which to send
through all the land the mesßengerd of sal
vation.
5. Our house will cost per year, $1,900
U. S. currency. Seats will cost $l5O or S2OO
additional; a man to take care of the house,
-8225 per annnm. We need an organ, which
will cost $176 to $250. On the whole, will
need for our house of worship $2,500 for
1878.
To meet this I have the promise of the
Board fer §SOO, which was to be forwarded
December 1, 1877. Also there ia an assess
ment of $1,450 for my “salary aud rent of
a preaching place” for 1878. A total of $l6O
may be expected from some friends in Rio
de Janeiro. So that, uot to speak of how I
am to live, there will only be a deficit of S4OO
oa the score of expenses. As i disobeyed
express instructions iu taking this step I
now proceed to reveal to the M. E. Church,
South, how I proposed to carry ou the en
terprise should the worst come to the worst.
First, as to current expenses, I secured the
promise of a loan sufficiently large to keep
the bail iu motion for one year. Should the
Board say, “You have not obeyed instruc
tions—we wash our hands of the matter,” I
calculated the probable proti sos a school,
which I myself would conduct during the
week, at sufficient to meet my own expen
ses, and the aforesaid deficit of S4OO. This
would curtail, if uot forestall, pastoral work;
but so be it.
A wotto TO HIM THAT READKTH.
My essay is written. I wish Dr. Kelley
to publish, and 1 hope that every paper in
our Connection will give it a place in its col
umns- For two years I have been trying to
prepare myself for work here; uow I wish to
be heard. My heart burned within me as I
followed Bishop Marvan’s path of light
around the globe—thanks be to Golf China
is open, Japan is open, the whole world is
open to receive the gospel; but, brethren,
no door is wider open thau that which lets
our Church into Br: zil. The door is open,
the bolts and bars of intolerant bigotry that
held it fast are shattered forever, and a lib
eral constitution and an enlightened public
opinion have made our access to this people
but little more difficult than to the people of
the Great Republic.
Do not understand by what I say in my
essay that I supposed the Board would dis
approve of my renting tha preaching-place.
I did not think so. -i have* other things to
say. 1 will be brief
Noihing has touched me more, among all
the sweet surprises of my Mission life, than
a little notice I read in the Xashcille Advo
cate, of October 2,, 1877, that the Sunday
school at Clarksville, Texas, had forwarded
to the Secretary of the Missions $25, with
rtquest that it be applied to my support.
The Sunday-schools of the Tennetsee Con
ference, to w-hich I belong, have done a
nobie thing iu resolvirg to support the Rev.
\V. R. Lambuth, M. D., our last missionary
to China.
Why I write now, is to say : The Brazil
Mission is the youngest of our Missions. We
are just struggling iuto existence. Will not
the Church make us a donation of the $2,500
needed for our Church lor IS7B. I appeal
to the Siiuday-tchools, I appeal to individual
Methodists, 1 appeal to every man, woman,
a nd child who is interested, and has faith in
our work in Brazd. Let this be separate and
apart, over and above the regular missionary
collections, let it be a free-will offering !
J. J. Ransom.
As tha Secretary to whom the care of this
work has been given 1 hereby wish to state
my joy, my great joy, that we have the hall.
Thank God ! I preter to print the following
private note although not intended by the
writer for the public. Will not the Church
at once provide for this extra expense. Shall
we, like Paul, plant Christianity in the great
centers? or, for the sake of economy, hide
in the corners? D. C. Kelley, At-s. Sec.
P. S.—l hope you will find nothing par
ticularly oij actionable in the arlieie inclosed.
I think we have a bargain in our house, and
so think my most prudent friends. You see
things are costly iu Brazil.
How about a school? We have plenty of
room fora large day college, we only lack
money for teachers. Don't be frightened ;
I won’t, employ anv teachers on my own re
sponsibility. Iwd ( LJ. V. j live in the house
from March od. Until M&ich my rooms are
engaged. If you send out any help the ad
ditions to our force will, perhaps, uot find
the house disagreeable for a residence.
I very much wish wc bad money
paper in Portuguese, if ou!y for the pubHF
cation of Bible Studies.
The pastor of the Presbyterian Church
here, who is Secretary aud Treasurer of their
Missions, and Superintendent also, I think,
paid me the high compliment of requesting
me to write an apology tor Christianity in
replv to Renan’s works, adding that their
Mission would publish anything I would
write upon that aulj-c‘. A handbook of
that sort is very much needed, and so 1 am
preparing Young’s “Christ of History” for
them thinking it the best 1 knew, aud pre
feriug to defer the attempt at anything origi
nal. They are to give me twenty five copies,
and sell to our Mission at a reduction under
their wholesale price. The work is expected
to be out in April.
Respectfully, J. J. Ransom.
Cuixa 881 dn Coi reio Geral. Kin de Jan
eiro, Brazil, Thursday Dec 20, 1877.
HEAD THIS.
In a letter from Brother J, J. Ransom,
our missionary in Brsz 1, bearing date Dec.
10, he says of Joao Correa, a converted Bra
zilian he found iu lha service of the M. E.
Church in Uruguay, and who was transferred
to our Church, and is now employed us Bible
Agent by the Americau Bible Society: “ He
is pious, zealous, needs training. Since re
turning with me to this Empire, he has been
in constant correspondence with me. He is
doing a good work as Bible Agent, and is
pursuing a course of study under my direc
tion. I think he promises well. Your pre
sent letter distresses me (I had written that
we could not make provision tor him before
the Annual meeting of the Board, in May.)
The present position which he occupie* is to
be vacattd in January or February. What to
do then I do not know ; am by no means dis
posed to send him hack to Uruguay.” Who
wiii place iu the bands of the Board SBOO, to
be used iu employing this man from now un
til June? This is anew Mission, and su<h
exigencies are often found iu new work,
which have not been and cannot be, provided
for beforehand. Shall we put this man
whom God has converted, to work among
bis own people, or shall he return to the M.
E. Church Mission in Uruguay?
D, C. Kelley, Asa Sec,