-« -: j: A . j - « -’ ji« «"' s ' sz . » «- · " s . « . - « . i- « . -· . . - · prxq vou vm. ' i , i . K • l ■ . ;" T mb '7;r,i mu PETERSBURG, VA„ FRIDAY. NOVEMBER S!, 1884. :n-. ! • ■ -_ . . .1 r-- • ;i • -J-b..a\n}._ NUMBER 47 ®4 CORRESPONDENCE I I ROM THE MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE A . M. E. ZION CONNECTION IN ALL PARTS OF THE bNITEH STATES. TO THE STAR OF ZION BISHOP HOOD’S ADDRESS. [Continued from last issue.] moral and Christian courage and with the strength of will to break away from long standing evil habits. In this connection I am sorry to hear that the section of the general rules which forbids the use of intoxicating drinks, is not strictly obeyed. I was sitting in a minister’s room some time ago, and two sisters came in and began to pour out their complaints against min isters who had had charge of that church. They told me that they had seen bottles piled up in that room,and that they were fully satisfied that there were intoxicating drinks locked up in that room at that very moment. Now unless the ministers in this conference cease to use intoxicating drinks as a beverage, you can not hope for success; drunken ministers cannot preach the gospel of Jesus. Isaiah says thejr err in vision, stumble in judgment, they are out of the way through strong drink. The habitual use of tobacco is scarcely a less evil than drinking, and its natural tendency is to lead men to greater evil of drunkenness. If the ministers of this conference could know how greatly the using of tobac co destroys or hinders their usefulness, they would cease at once to use it. If they could realize how many stars from their crown it will lose them? they would never touch the weed again. We who want to be the equal of the best on earth will cut a sorry figure in heaven with not enough stars to distinguish us from ordinary people, who were satisfied with bearly grace enough to get in with, while those of our acquaintances who, by their use ful, holy and exemplary lives, have turned many,not merely to the church, but also to practical righteousness, shall shine forever as stars in heaven's firmament. Oh, brethren, how can you be satisfied with being mere hire lings or servants in God’s house, when all the blessings of Divine sonship are freely offered. I accepted the appointment to this district, which is the largest, and re quires the most work of any in the connection, without a murmur, hoping to be able to improve it. If I should fail I shall be happy when my time is out. Thirdly, I have noticed a want of brotherly love among you. There ought to be, at least among ministers of the same church, a most decided friendship, yes, a strong affection, and a large degree of care for each other. If you have not ar large degree of this you should cultivate it. I think also, that we need a greater conneetional interest. Whoever will or may cling to their local and clannish notions, certainly ministers who are sent by . their Master into all the world to preach, cannot afford to indulge local notions. •' ■ : ■ - ■ l ' I must repeat that which has been so often stated, and what we shall have to continetoispeakof untilthe needed interest is awakened, namely, that the general fund, which is placed at the lowest possible figure, must bh collect ed. When I tell you that our connec tional institutional are all languish ing; that thftjftlary of theteachcr at our collegeii not. paid ? that we caa not afford accommodations for as many students as desire to attend, nor teach ers enough for the’ number in attendr ance, that notwithstanding the Bishops at the last General conference, donated man} thousands of their back salary to the connection. There still ref mained over six thousand dollars due them on salary for the last four years, and that since the general conference they have received only the following amounts: For June, $o 81July, $11 27; August, $40 23, or ($57 3lj fifty-seven dollars and thirty-one cents, It reems to me that you ought at least to feel a deep interest in the matter yes, an interest sufficiently deep to move you to such effort as you have never felt like making before. Quite a number have expressed to me a de sire for a place where they can do better. I have only this to say, viz* : that the places are just what you have made them, and they will not be any better until you have learned how to make them better. I am quite well satisfied that there are at least a dozen appointments in this conference which could be made equal to the best in the connection, and yet the great interest hinges upon four churches. There are a d6zen members who want these four churches. You know that I cannot appoint a dozen men to churches, and you ought to know that God does not want a dozen of you in four churches. If these churches were mine I might select some men whom I regarded as special friends, and put them in charge to make the most that they could out of them. But the churches are not mine, I am only a steward, with an awful responsibility resting upon me, a responsibility which involves the eternal interests, possibly of millions of mortal souls. For aught we know, if properly provided, the churches may be the means through which, in the ages yet to come, millions may be saved. If by any avoidable mistake on my part, this possibility should be hindered, how shall I escape the fear ful consequence ? I do not claim in fallibilibity, I am liable to err, but when, past experience and my best judgement is' against a certain ap pointment, if I make that appoint ment, t make, it with all the chances for failure and disaster starring me in the face. Jesus, the matchless speak ing, asks in substance, this question : If ye have failed in what is small, who will commit more important mat ters to your . care. Ken who have never built up a small charge are cUinmering for large ones. I am not averse to having you express your wishes, and especially am i pleased when a brother tells me he ieels that he has a call to go and build up a bro ken church. t have been sensible of such a call myself oaseveral occasions, and upon several occasions have brothers expressed.such feelings re-; specting werk, and neither in my or any other c&e, have I ever known a failure in such a case. I could men* tione nearly a dozen cases, in which the success was far beyond the expectation. In any case I. am quite wilting to hear from all sides, and It wish all to know' that if I jail to do wbatl wishit is not because of any unwilHngnen to please them, but be tfatafe I ftftf the Lord. My study is, what will pfeape th$ Lord, what contribute most to the successof his cause? I do not expect to avoid mistakes,but Ido w*u)Jt ty reduce them to. the smallest possible number, .. And I believe if you will seek the grace necessary to overcome all ungodly habits, and go to work, with a single eye to the upbuilding of his cause, W not have canwSlsi^fl?® plain of .poor charges. « -m,:! If you will have tobacco and be^r, and wine and whiskey—if you want to study how to be .genteel, pleasant and agreeable, if you cannot over come a disposition to be jealoup of other men’s ability, to succeed. Ip a word, if you are going to whine and fret, and make yourself; and. everybody around you feel disagreeable. I have no hope for you. I am happy to find a tew of tbs ministers doing exeeedingly.^reljL ^t Indianapolis I found Elder WashfPgt ton carrying all before hum At St. Louis I found all doing, lairly well, and i he same may be said of LcHiisyiUet Brother Temple has ,m*de his mark at Evansville. ; ... The most pleaaigg feature of this conference is the; number of proini sing young men who are vising up. to take our places.in the near feature. I would say: 4o them, whatever in your seniors’is worthy of imitation, mark and imitate. Whatever in tbsi# % not commendable shim as you would a deadly poison. And now to the business before us* let us betake ourselves with ad eye single to God’s glory,that His great name may have the praise now and forever, Amen. - J. W. Hood, Bishop. NOTICE! NOTICES!! To the Ministers and Delegates of the North Carolina Conference. Dear Brethren.-—Our next annual session will be held . in Newborn, Ts C. and will convene on the 4th Wednes day (26th^^r) of November, 1884,at 10 A. M, Bt Rev. Thomas H. Lo max,' will preside. I have secured the following reduced rates on the fallow ing railroads, respectively: Richmond and Danville ' railroad, North Carolina division, from Hills boro and all intermediate stations to Goldsboro. Tickets will be on sale for two days, only—namely, Novem ber 25th and 26th—good to return for ten days. Raleigh and A. A. Lino Railroad, Carolina Central,RakighandGaston, respectively. Tickets'will be granted at three cents per mile each way— good from November 24th until De cember 4th, 1884 / Wilmington and Weldon. Special rates. No cheaper than the regular rates. Atlantic and N. C. Terms not yet, received. I will write or telegraph you a Goldsboro in due time. Yours in Gospel service. A. B. Smykr, Secretary N. CL Conference. / hw. a c. PHUiffs’; . ' rH [Which the Secretary (after much dis cussion) was ordered to publish in the Ziqnju*ta» Uis.] viz : Dear Burthen : . Ahbther year have passed since we tnet last in district conference. Many have been my trials, and I suppose all of you Ha^ had your bitter cup.— This, however, will be the last time that I shall meet you in' district con ft reace on this district. (Four years have passed when this one is out, since I have been with you, I have tried to Walk in and but before tire people like a professing Christian. T never was to very Unkindly treated ad By the elders with whom I have been associ ated—3 exceptions. Since I’ve l>een bi this work I have nothing to say Us a complaint against the deacons and preachers, nor the membership, (but enough of this.) There has been ouch spiritual and material progress on this district for the last four years; 17 years have I been in the North Carolina conference, much progress have • been made in gathering mem bers,building church houses, and gath ng Sunday School scholars. Much progress have been made educational iy. -.A. gospel minister ought to be kind.one toward another, and faithful to God and the church, and stand above the people. Sin among our peo ple is great, especially that of the dis regard for morals. Let God’s minis ters set good examples, preach the gospels, preach the law as well as the gospel^ and pray for them. Fight not, but love one another, and so fulfill the law. of Christ I hope you will be suoeessful in raising all the general fund this year. God have done mneh for its and is still doing. Let us praise Him, let us rang, “Sure J. must fight if I would reigninerease my courage Lord, I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain; support ed by the word.” Surely, if there ever was a time in which you .should be proud it is now. The success of your college at Salis bury? jour talented yotnig men, your book eoxteern, church paper, learned bishops, dfc. You should be mindful of the heathen of Africa. Let us sup port our foreign missions, let us fight for God and Zion. How easy to honor God with "yciar mouth, but who will Ministers going to conferences, un less it is at places where, there are a ' plenty of accommodation should avofjji taking too many oftbeir friends along, ’tis true while the pastor and people will do all they can to accommodate all, yet they may be put * to a great deal of inconvenience. A hint to the wise is euffioent," . j/"., A good beginning is half the wetfe Prudery is the carieatni% of modes*