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2 Jfhmilir Seeing. A Story in Two Parts. PART I. On the ninth of February, 1875, my friend, P—, invited me visit a friend of his who was dying of consumption. He briefly stated what he knew of the sick man. He had been for two years in C —, engaged in the sales stables on street, and had made his acquaintance in the business transac tions of the bank. He was a Ken tuckian, and my friend said that his acquaintance with him convinced him he was a man of better precedents than his surroundings. He had not mentioned the subject of religion to him ; but he felt greatly interested in him, and thought I could so approach him as to do him good. We both con cluded that I, being a Tennesseean, should be introduced to him as my friend’s pastor, and like the sick man, a comparative stranger in C—. The next morning, my friend P— and I called at 41 street, where Mr. K—, the sick man, lived. Ho was very warmly attached to P—. His sensitive nature had formed quite a fondness for him, in return for his kindness shown him in his sickness ; and when I was introduced as P.’s pastor, I had at once a passport to his confidence. I remained an hour with him, conversing about his own sickness, the political events, the cur rent news of the day, and when 1 bade him good morning he cordially invited me to visit him again and fre quently. I had found him hopeful of recov ery ; pleasant and gentlemanly in his bearing; and I was, when I left him, deeply interested in his condition. His brother, who had a few days be fore arrived in C— to nurse him, told me on the door step, as 1 was leaving, that “ Brack ” was a very sick man, and that his physician despaired of his recovery. I asked him if I could safely approach him on the subject of religion. “ O yes,” he replied, “he has been too well brought up not to meet you properly on that subject; but you must be cautious not to alarm or repel him. He was raised a Pres byterian. lam not a Christian, but 1 am very anxious about him. He has asked you to come back, and you must do so ; and 1 want you an opportunity to talk with him about religion.” I assured him I would. The two days following so engaged me at other pastoral work as to make it the thirteenth of February before 1 visited him again. Having deter mined to approach him in the interest of his soul, 1 went under great op pression of spirit, feeling how much was at stake in that interview, and knowing full well that nothing less than the Holy Spirit could give suc cess to the minister of Jesus on such an embassy. How earnestly did I implore God to help me, and give me access to his heart! Greatly to my delight, his brother said, as I shook his hand at the street door, “ Brack has been asking after you; he is very much pleased with you, and has been anxious to have you come again.” I found him no worse, and very hope ful of recovery. He was planning a trip to Florida, and as he talked of his anticipated journey and stay there, his fine ej-o flashed and sparkled, his pale, wan face glowed with the bow of hope, and he looked like a man soon to be well and engaged in the activities of his manhood. As I lis tened, I felt how hard for me now to dash one pearl from that bow of prom ise which gleams on his sky 1 Why may 1 not defer this interview about bis soul till to-morrow ? After a time his brother left him in my care, while he refreshed himself with a morning walk. I succeeded in diverting his mind from his anticipated trip to Flor ida, introducing the news of the morning, and the terrible ravages of diphtheria, which was then epidemic ; and I then ventured to present the theme that hung upon my lips. I told him he knew I was a minister, and I should be false to my religion and my friends, if I did not, at all proper times, urge this matter of re ligion upon men’s minds. I would be i\. poor friend not to do so in his case. If the subject was offensive, I would visit him as a friend, and never men tion it but at his request; but if it was not, I would like very much to discuss it in a social way. 1 told him I had a contempt for religious cant, foolish superstition ; but religion was a manly thing, and to be met in a manly way. Said I, “you are very sick. While I hope to see you able to go to Florida, yet you may not re cover ; and the best, the wisest way is to meet the danger, look it squarely in the face, and prepare for it. If it is not unpleasant, I propose we talk of this matter as you do about other interests affecting your well being.” He listened to me, and then simply SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. said, “ I have no objections to talking about it.” In reply to a few ques tions he informed me he had been raised by Presbyterian parents, and believed in God and eternity. Before leaving, I asked him if I might pray with him. He told me he had no ob jections, and I kneeled down and prayed briefly for him and myself. On Monday, the fifteenth, I saw Mr. K. again. After a few minutes of gen eral conversation, he said to me, “I have been thinking of the matter you mentioned the other daj T ANARUS, and you are right.” He then entered into a free, full discussion of the whole question of personal religion. In the course of those hours of conversation, I tried to explain to him that “religion,” as we called it, was “ repentance towards God,” and trust in Jesus Christ. That if he would have religion, he must earnestly repent of sin—be sorry for it and give it up —and accept of Christ as his Saviour. He said, “ Re ligion, then, is confessing one’s sins, humbling one’s self before Christ, and trusting in him.” “That is the sum of it,” I said. “ Now,” said he, “ how is one to know when he has religion ? It seems to me one ought to know when he has a thing so important.” I told him there was scripture proof of conversion, which all might have. The Bible said, “ Whosoever belioveth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God.” “ Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” If he did believe in Christ, his own con sciousness would assure him of it, and then God assured him of acceptance. The word said, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, be cause we love the brethren;” and “ love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” His own consciousness would tell him if he loved God, and his people. If he did, he was a Chris tian. After this conversation, as he grew weary under such excitement, he said, “ Will you not now pray for me? I have determined to be a Christian, with God’s help.” With great joy, I kneeled by his bed, and implored Divine wisdom upon teacher and learner. I felt, indeed, God was answering prayer. Those five days had been eventful ones in his history. His whole being had been turned into the narrow way that, no doubt, led him to Christ and heaven. November, 1878. G. H Wells.. Items for Young Methodists. BISHOP GEORGE F. PIERCE. It is sometimes said that Methodists are too fond of praising their leading men. \Y r hen you are older you can judge for yourselves about the truth of this charge, which certainly ought not to be true. The object of this col umn is not to praise one of our high officers. It is intended only to give our young readers some information about the Bishop who is appointed to preside over the South Carolina Con ference, at its session in Newberry, December 11th. George Foster Pierce, oldest son of Dr. Lovick Pierce, was born in Geor gia, in the year 1811. When he was old enough to enter college, there being no Methodist college in Geor gia, or in the United States, he was sent to Athens, in his native State. During a revival which blessed the churches of the town, soon after, he was converted in his sixteenth year. He had been serious and anxious for several weeks. He went to the altar with other young men for prayer one night. His father, then the pastor of the Methodist church in Athens, came to him, and laying his hand on his head, said to him, “ George, my son, you must put your trust in your Saviour." Lifting up his head the young man quietly said, “ I do, pa." The father led him to his happy mother at her seat. Many years of consistent living and active service have proved the sincerity and power of that “ trust.” Soon after graduation, he began to study law, with the natural and laud able wish to prepare himself that he might help his father in the education of the younger children. In January, 1830, the South Carolina Conference was to meet in Columbia, Up to this time, Georgia was included in our Conference, but at that session the Georgia Conference was to be organ ized. Dr. Lovick Pierce came to Co lumbia, bringing his son with him, hoping the associations and exercises of the Conference might be educating and edifying to the young Christian. Even a father’s dreams did not dare to picture that young law-student as coming to Columbia twenty-four years after to preside as Bishop over the old mother Conference. Soon after his return to Georgia, the mind of the young man was turned toward the ministry, and Blaekstone gave way to the Bible. An incident connected with his application for license to preach is given in “ Smith’s History of Methodism in Georgia,” as follows : “ One Sunday morning, brother Collingsworth, preacher in charge, (Apalachee circuit) requested the so ciety to remain, and young Pierce remained with them. He was dressed in his graduating suit. It was of blue broadcloth, a swallow-tailed coat, with brass buttons, and vest and pants to match. The old preacher arose and requested George to retire. After some time he called him back, and met him outside of the house. “ Well, George,” he said, “in spite of all I can do, these people have recommend ed you to the Quarterly Conference for license, but George, this coat must come off. You can never be licensed to preach dressed in such a worldly way as this.” “ But,” said the future Bishop, “ Uncle Collingsworth, 1 have no other nice coat, and I don’t think I ought to take this off, for father is not able to buy me another outfit. 1 will wear this out, but I will not get another like it.” In vain the old man scolded, threatened. Ho scolded pri vately and publicly. George bore it meekly, but continued to wear bis blue broadcloth. The next trouble of the old man was the way George wore his hair. It grew straight up from the forehead, w r hile his own hair, in Methodist style, like Asbury’s, lay down upon it. George told him God I made his hair to grow up, and he could not make it grow down. Quar terly Conference came. Brother Col lingsworth did all he could to prevent the members from giving him license, but they were only too glad to license the gifted and educated son of one of the noblest of fathers, and the old gentleman was over-ruled again. Then the Annual Conference received the young licentiate, and he was sent to a circuit adjoining Apalachee. Half the year was gone. There was a camp meeting at old Hastings, and father Collingsworth was in charge of it. There had been much rain, and the preachers were unable to get to the ground. One evening the old preacher stepped into Sister Pierce’s tent, and there at the supper table sat George, lie was dressed now, if not in proper clerical costume, yet with out the blue cloth and brass buttons. “ Why, George, how did you get here?” “ Well, partly by land and largely by water ” “ Did you swim any creeks “Yes, I did. I swam three.” The old man lovingly laid his hand on the young preacher’s head ; “ Why did you, boy? Well, George, I think you’ll do, after all.” The young preacher, as stated above, entered the Georgia Conference at its first session, held at Macon, January 30, 1831. He was transferred to this State for one year soon after. Our minutes for 1834 give as the preach ers stationed in Charleston, “ W. M. Kennedy, William Martin, George F. Pierce.” He returned to Georgia, and at the end of his fifth year was ap pointed Presiding Elder. (His father had been made a Presiding Elder at a still earlier age, at the end of his fourth year.) Before his term of four years was ended, he waselected(lß39) President of Wesleyan Female College, at Macon, the first chartered female college in the United States. He served there until 1842, when he went back to pastoral service. In 1849 he was called to succeed Judge Long street as President of Emory College. He held this office until the session of the General Conference, held at Col umbus, Ga., in May, 1854, when he was elected Bishop. He presided over the South Caro lina Conference at its sessions,’s4, ’63, ’64, ’65, ’7O. His health has been threatened, so that for a time he was forbidden to preach. He says this was not caused by over work. But some of his best and wisest friends believe that this is one case in which an episcopal de cision is at fault. Perhaps some young man or boy may see a moral in this brief sketch. If the young law student had refused the call of duty and preferred the more tempting fields of professional or public life, would he have gained more of the outward and material results of life ? Would his fellow citizens have given him more proofs of their confi dence and love? We do not even for a moment offer to a young man any material inducements to enter the ministry. But if a young man is called to preach, he will lose noth ing, even in the present life, by giving himself fully to his sacred calling. “ The compensations of God are in finite.” George Foster Pierce and Alexan der Hamilton Stevens were fellow students in college. Georgia, in her sacred and secular interests, has been well served by these men. Long may it be before she fwill give an honora ble grave to either. May each “in that day ” receive from Him who will test the work of bishops and states men as of common men, “ well done, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.” H. (For many items in the above ar ticle wo are indebted to the “ History of Methodism in Georgia.” Our young readers will find in that volume many details about men of whom they have heard their fathers speak.) Bee Hive. [Edited by Busy Bee, care Southern Christian Advocate.'] Hour Glass Puzzle. jJc Hi * * * * * * * * * * * * * My first, a candy made out of mo lasses ; second, a beverage; third, a vowel; fourth, to beg; fifth, most common of all fluids; centrals, a fes tival. Houri. Buried Cities. My papa rises early. I bought a rubber lined coat. Nero measured the wall. Penelope kindled the fire. Never take late suppers. L. A. W. Word Square. First line, superlative of good; second, a kind of pitcher ; third, to wither ; fourth, largest of the vegeta ble kind. Johnny Reb. Answers to November 16. 16. —Thou shalt not steal. 17. W T A R WATER RED R 18. SWAN WAGE AGUE NEED The Young Astronomer. November 30. To-night, at seven, the Moon will be in the Constellation Aquarius, a few degrees below the little triangle of stars forming his Urn. On Monday evening the Moon will be about seven degrees north of Saturn. This may help some of you to find this planet. Once found you can easily re-find him when the Moon is away. She moves eastward, remember, about twelve de grect, .* i, —Tity-four houvs. e. ' When the Moon is hr-.gnt it is net e good time to hunt the smaller stars. It may bo, however, a good time to run over the brightest stars, and to see how they “hold their own ” in the presence of the Moon. To-night at seven the following stars of the first magnitude can be seen. Aldebaran, the red aye of the Bull, over in the east below the Seven Stars. Capella, in Auriga, low down in the northeast. Fomalhaut, low down in the south. Altair, in the Eagle, low in the west. Lyra, in the northwest. These bright stars, and the planet Ju piter, low down in the southwest, are worth your notice, your friendship even. J. H. C. Mr. Editor : The silver wedding of Rev. J. A. and Mrs. Mary C. Mood was celebrated in Graniteville, No vember the 15th. The community generally united to honor the pair, in a handsome and valuable present of silver. It was an occasion so beauti ful, so holy and so full of interest, that old and young were filled with a delighted enthusiasm. The parlor of the parsonage was decorated in pro fusion, and with exquisite taste and skill by the young ladies and gentle men of the village. Evergreens, flowers, scarlet berries and autumn leaves were woven by fair, busy fin gers, assisted by stronger ones, into beautiful garlands, and as if by magic a fairy bower was born to the sight. In the diningroom,the tables, presided over by the ladies, were beautifully ornamented by flowers and fruits, and a bounteous supply of all that was good and tempting invited the appe tite. The rooms of the parsonage were thrown open and filled with hap py guests. All that marred the occa sion was the absence of the son and daughter, prevented from being pre sent by a necessity which even the wishes and affections of their parents could not over-rule. C. Absorption vs. Disease. INTERNAL MEDICINE ABOLISHED —WHY IS IT READ. From one of the best known Masons in the United States, who organ ized the First Chartered Lodge in Jerusalem, 1873. Chicago, 111. The Holman Liver Pad Cos.: Dear Sirs: For over thirty-five years I have been subject to liver dis ease, with all its evil consequences, so much so that at times life to me was a burden. Nine years ago, while in NOV. 30, Chicago, 111., I contracted a very se vere diarrhoea, which resulted in a most violent attack of gastric fever, since which time I havo suffered un told misery, and all the horrors grow ing out of that diseas, including a deep and almost unbearable pain in the pit of the stomach, rheumatic pains in the back and limbs. During those nine jmars I havo been blistered, cupped, leached and drugged without receiving any permanent relief, and several times mj' life has been de spaired of; and during which time I have not for a single day been free from the pain in my stomach. At last I was persuaded to try Holman’s Liver and Ague Pad. By the fifth day I began to feel like anew man. The pain in the pit of the stomach was gone; then the rheumatiepain soon left me. My complexion has under gone a thorough and radical change, and I am a wonder and surprise to all my friends. I would not exchange my present feelings for uny amount of wealth. Gratefully yours, John Siieville. We havo used the Holman Pad with the most thorough and beneficial re sults. YY'e heartily recommend it. R. R. Moore, Pastor Fourth Presby terian Church ; 11. J. Murdoch, Editor United Presbyterian ; Rev. Emanuel Richards, 302 Fifty-first street, N. Y.; Rev. C. Josh, 256 2d Avenue, N. Y.; Dr. Robert and Hugh Tate, Bolivar, Tenn.; Rev. O. M. Martin, Maranthon, N. Y.; Jus. M. YVilsou, No. 2 Hayno street, Charleston, S. C.; T. S. King, Agent Duryea’s Starch Cos., Charles ton, S. C.; Jno. P. Slattery, Ashepoo, And 500,000 More. Send for Dr. D. YV. Fairchild’s Na ture's Laws, free. Address or call on Holman Pad Cos., corner King and Market streets, Charleston, S. C. FITZMORRIS & FOSTER, Managers. WULBERN & PIEPER, WHOLESALE GROCERS, AND DEALERS IN Sesrars, Tobacco. &c., 107 & 169 EAST BAY, CHARLESTON, S. C. Nov. 2-3 mo Beautiful Fancy Goods, Toys, Firework.?, Rubber Goods, PURE CONFECTIONERY, At 25c. 50c. and $1 per lb. CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS. Orders for Christmas Tree Prizes, for Sunday School Children, promptly and carefully executed at wholesale prices, and respectfully solicited, by F. VON SAN'TEN, 279 King Street, Charleston, S C. August fi-smo The Latest Styles of always on hand. FASHIONABLE HAT EMPORIUM, UMBRELLA MANUFACTORY. Umbrellas of my own manufacture, better and cheaper than imported ones. Umbrellas, &c., Re paired or Re-covered,neatly and promptly. ENCOURAGE HOME MANUFACTURE. August B-4mo NATIONAL HOUSE, 353 KING STREET, (Between George and Liberty.) BOARD PER DAY. CHARLESTON, S. C. MRS. H. M. BAKER, Proprietress October 12-6 mo 3,001) Engravings ; 1840 Pag** Quarto. FOUR PAGES COLORED PLATES. . A WHOLE LIBRARY IN ITSELF. / For sale by M Nov. 2 WALKER, EVANS A COGSWELL. f