North Carolina Newspapers

t 1 7 The-Biblical Recorder. , PUBLISHED EVEBT WEDNESDAY;- .'s i EDWARDS, -BROTjaHTON CO. Office o Fayettevffle 8trt, Oppoait Mark J- Square. TERMS OF 8USSCRITTI0X: ;t .. -s !- .j, - t V One copy, ono year,, ...'.... . .2 10 One copy, bx months, ......'. 1 25 Ciubeol ue,.....;;..............i..l0 50 Oabaui ten,;. ....4....'. ......20 50 Remittances most be sent by Registered Letter; Post-office Order, Express or Draft, able to the order of the Publisher. ? ; CONTRIBUTIONS. "Tor the Recorder. REMINISCENCE OF MY EAJILI LIFE IN TENNESSE. : .. r iTarfy Religious Impression Primitive Bap tilt preachers Hickman's Creek Meeting Bute- Struggling against mg Religion Convictions. , I ?,.;; . It was not my good fortune to be brought op ia a religious fatuity, or to eigiy any Sabbath School pnvi eges. My father-was at that time, a profane man." 'No' vdicef prayer was ever beard? in' oar 'household. My only opportunity of religious in struction was" an "occasional sermon from some -very illiterate preacher of the anti-mission type. These preachers, in spite of their ignorance, their nnconth manners, and their habit of taking off their coats in hot weather, uttered some gospel troths, which accompanied with a very solemn tone; and the spirit of God, took hold upon ' my heart and con science. I was miserable on account of my sins, bat knew not what to do, and had no one to instruct me, or to lead me to" the 5 Saviour. The fore Codings of a coming judgment and its horrors, and f its decisions, filled me with terror, ?and 1 sank intoa state of miserable melancholy. Some times my religions grandfather would ask me to read him a chapter from the Bible. Little did he know what a mental tortnre it was to me to do it. My father became alarmed on account of my mental condition, which was seriously injuring my health, as well as my spirits. lie uever suspected the canse of this state of mind. Gradually these troubles subsided under the absorbing studies of the school room. With proper instruc tion, I might, and would bare been a christian at twelve years Of age. The first church I attended was. Hickman's Creek, a Baptist meeting house, built ot logs, and covered with shingles, a very rare ort of roof for Smith county in those days. Once a month the people were seen coming out from their homes among the bills, and trooping on horseback, by five converging roads to the beau tiful grove that environed the meet ing house. - Some came to hear the preaching, others came to have a nice time. The pulpit was very long so as to bold five or six preachers, and all were expected to preach, if it took a many boors. Another reason for capacious pulpita was the habit the preachers had of walking to and fro, sometimes with their hands to their ears, singing and moaning, and like their illustrious predecessor, -John the Baptist, .'.'crying in the wilderness.'' Hence long pulpits with both ends boarded up, were a necessity at well as a convenience. There were some advantages also, in the sing song style of .preaching. It was easy to the voice, and enabled the preacher to hold out several hours. It was easy to the hearer also. There being but little thought in the sermons to fatigue the mind. If the hearers became weary from sitting on backless seats,, they had ample time to pass in and out during the sermon. The boys and girls might take a long stroll, hold a conversa tion under some re t resin g shade, and then get back In time for the last half hour of the services. With all that modern criticism may say about the ludicrous habit of singing 4he gospel, it is an unsolved mystery, and an argument in favor of that style of preaching, -that people would sit patiently under it four or five hours ; while the congregations of this refined age, who sit - on cushioned seats, with cushioned backs and cush ioned footstools, and listen to ser mons enriched by the best creations of genins and intellect, set off with all the improved arts of voice and gesture, 7 and all the witchery of rhetoric, complain if they are kept more than thirty minutes. It was at Hickman ,8 Creek meet ing house I heard father Durham sing from the pulpit through a lady's tuck comb, with papei adjusted to it, that sent out " a novel clatter' of sounds, which to my uneducated ear,1 seemed wonderfully melodious. Lit' 1le did I dream theo,"of living to be lifted from those1 wild hills and car ried back to the east, to be sit down -in some majectic templeof God, to see the tuck comb transferred from the preacher's pocket to the gallery and, expanded intp. the grandeur: and beauty aof the, churco organ, with its, thunderspundSachis human v .. w 1 waft tmix ,unaerg qrov icuou , out , . ...... .. . . 1 . ,. ! h-.,. 1 ,11 .11 Y II jm.l: j-TTrVXJ h:U;;lfuH,!t .,..5.l ..M JVlw MltilivHt h I I:?!' II -1 A' II 1 1 ' - " MAncn... siw fsooisoo $15 00 ... ; . i. . ' b ,m ' - ; ''-j; r 'j'' , , ,i.fr, ,.r,. r':"' i'" 6 00 15 00 . 1 ; - - a s ia ,- 1 11 nn nrr nni do- 1 16 00 50 00 ! l it'Thc Oreaii :of the North Carolina Baptists; Devo "L Yolumb 43. BJtfKlJLi 16, 51, f.1 beavea Itself a place ot blackness : instead of making sin only the back ground or: unrist Jesus,, witn. the halo of glory streaming around his head. , , . How many disconsolate souls turn away from religion, . for the lack of some one to take them by the hand and lead them to the Saviour f No doubt many , people bad the saving truths Of the gospel sung into their hearts in' that day, and' were made christians by belief of "the truth as it is in Jesus? -Still that kind f preaching was not adapted to bring me to the Saviour. Nor is it proba ble that those ignorant, Antinomian hardshell preachers could' ever have made, toe a-BaptiatX Ytf?iJVz;ilin. I was destined to fall under the instruction of another class of minis ters, and new instrumentalities bet ter calculated to lead me to Christ. Of these I will write in my next article. V Reuben JoeS: Churchland, Ya. For the Recorder. SOUTH RIYER UNION. ' The Union Meeting of-the South River Association convened with the chnrch at White Oak Sampson conn ty, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 28th, 29th and 30th of March, 1879. The introductory sermon was preached as per previous appoint ment by Eider Reuben Fisher, from 2nd Cor. 6: 1. After an intermission of half an hour the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Bra Isham Royal, who read the 84th Psalm. Prayer, Elder A. B. Alderman leading. On a call of the churches of the Association a majority was found to be represented. The minutes of last session were read and approved and the church letters called for and read and the names of delegates enrolled. The deacons of the church, with Elder H. S. Spivey, were appointed as committee on religious exercises. On motion, the re port -of the com mittee on the death of Eider Samson Williford was postponed until to morrow. The Moderator read a communi cation from the Secretary of the Board of Missions of the Baptist State Convention. An invitation was given to visit' ing brethren to take seats with us, when Elder O. M. Matthews, ot th Eastern Association, reported him self and was welcomed. On motion it was agreed to send the proceeds of the collection on Sunday to the State Mission Board. On motion Elder A. B. Alderman was given until next meeting to write an exposition of 1st Cor. 5 : 4, 5. The following query was then taken up and discussed : To what extent is the validity of baptism affected by the administra tor! The discussion was opened by Eld. A. B. Alderman and followed by Elders H. S. Spivey, R. Fisher, A. M. Matthews and Bro. J. L. An try, and answered as follows f Baptism ,? administered by one not : Suriptnrally qualified and au thorized is null and void. i On motion the following query was discussed : - Are " we as Missionary Baptists doing our duty in the mission' cause according to the Seriptnres t v ' - ' The ''discussion!' was opened by Elder J. O. Tew and followed by. Elders Alderman and Spivey, when the further discussion was. laid over until to-morrow.; "s; u -: . -- The following brethren. were then appointed as a committee on' mis sions to report on to-morrow : J. L. Autry, J. C. Howard and L RoyaL On Sabbath Schools, W. 11. F. Edwards and Elder.H. J. Duncan. On Periodicals, Elder Oliver M. Matthews, W. M. Page and Brother Kader Vann. i " ' 1 ' Adjourned to 94 a. m. Prayer by Elder H.J; Duncan, benediction by Elder Elder O. M. Matthews. r ! ...faturday.1 ;" 1 ; Union met pursuant to adjourn ment Moderator read the 90th Psalm. Prayer,' Elder Matthews' ! Names ; of .delegates called and absentees noted,' and the minutes of yesterday read and approved. : "' I An invitation was again given to visiting brethren, when. . Elder G.' S. Best, of , the; Eastern Assocsatiou, rftnorted' and? was welcomed. V r The discussion' of the queiyf wis resumeu. anu. ioe commiuee ou iuis- aions Jnade-j" report through their made 310, effbrta- to be saved, for the, t chairman,.when,,the; further discus want fi mi! UaA m& I think ! sion wasDarticipated in by Elders A. t.ha rAiKpi.i f that dav. made re- I.B. Atdetman. H. S. Spivey. R. Fish- ligiontoo mucha" matter;pf groansTer and G S. Best,hen the report ana Diacaness., :xu9 lenncaeuuiea iT ,v"'v to precede the .new birth,' the. awful Ditterness.ot repentance, me. inics; crowding horrors of . the . judgment and the torments of heir, drove me from the house of God to the paw paw thicket beydndfte soandof the preacher's solemn vofcey Men vy the thirds their happy songs. Or I would sit d5w by the1 banks !bf the creek; and listed to' the music of its rippling adopted and Blder A. B. Alderman and Brother "Kader Yann appointed a committee ;tb prepare an, answer, to .the jquery ttria reDort At next meeting! ' ..." " 1 After half an hour's intermission the congregation was addressed by Ripr .T. O. Tew from Cot 3 : X" '. i At the close of the sermon col- iec.ipna'44tjkkea up for JIome;Mis-w Wt WniCU Was.rKUCiteHouyv- maeh apotftheeoTeini hndthefewfuH F-tb betWad!onf,ihe4nmul bop .-. ttwiu.ut L' x tiM. rtj I Mii nnion: and a CODV Sent; tO me, lieve-mV darknessJ.id'rioti of fby.tLniily of tho deceased ana the BS miUgatrfV -distress.- Perhapttf jCPDEtor pwucaiurf f.- preacneriof'lhU-'darertalso in so J Onjnotion fi presentiaifAiirr5tldiTranishment,, oeeliqg,,qf a-MlD as to make religion 6 'gSj teai I cburh at om, the 5th Sabbath in Jane, 1879. Eld. W. M. Page- to preach the introduc tory and Elder G. S. Best the mis sionary sermon. . , . . The committee ' on periodicals re ported,' and pending its adoption short and pointed speeches were made by Elders Spivey and Best in behalf of the Recorder. : The committee on Sabbath Schools reported when speeches in behalf of Sabbath Schools were made by Eld. H. S. Spivey, G. S. Besf, A. B, Al derman and Bro. W. R. F.Edwards. On motion the further) discussion of queries was postponed to next meeting. ' 4 ' !The query cdmmittee reported the following queriea" for disoussioh at our next meeting: - 1st. What is the greatest need of the churches at the present timel To open the discussion, Bro. J. L. Autry. 2nd. What course should be pur sued towards a member who refuses to pay to the support of the gospel ! To open the discussion,' Elder A. B. Alderman. On motion adjoarned to time and place of next meeting.' Trayer, Ider R. Risher leading. ' Thus closed one of the most har moniens and ; pleasant meetings it has ever been our privilege to attend. I sham Royal, Moderator. John B. Downing, Sec, ROANOKE UNION HEETlNtt. The Roanoke Union Meeting met today (March 28th,) in the new church building,, in this place (En field J at 11 o'clock, a. m. Introduc tory sermon by Rev. C L. Powell, from Romans 14 : 7. After recess of two hours, the Union again assembled.' Bro. R. T. Yann, Moderator, called the meet ing to order. Read 115th Psalm, prayer by Bro. Pittman. Bro. J. A. Perry was appointed temporary Clerk. Roll of churches called, sev eral of which were not represented. On motion the temporary Clerk was elected for the session. Committees on religious exercises and order of business were appointed. Bro. Jacob S. Allen, from Raleigh ; C. L. Wilson, from Central Association; C. L. Powell, from Cape Fear Association ; Bro. Lindsay, from Eastern, and Bro. John Coppedge from Cedar, Rock church, were invited to seats. Bro. Biggs from Executive Commit tee made some statements in regard to the church at Halifax. Commit tee on time and place of next meet ing was announced, also committee on Exegesis. Executive Committee for the ensuing year, are brethren R. M. Johnson, Noah Biggs, R. B Saulsbury, J. H. Whitley and E. P. Powell, with headquarters at Scotlond Keck. A Snnday School Committee was appointed to report at the next session of the Union, consisting of brethren J. B. Brewer, R. R. Owens, and R. J. Pope. Ad journed until to morrow morning 9J o'clock. Bro. A. McA. Pittman preached at night. Saturday Morning, Marth 29th. . I Modertor, R. T. Yann, , read a chapter from Romans. Rev. C. T. Bailey led in prayer. Proceedings of yesterday read and approved. Bro. C. T. Bailey, of the Biblical Recorder, and Bro. Frank Robert-. bob? from Petersbnrg, Ya., were in vited to seatsr-If Corinthians 13th , chapter, ?I3th' verse was1 discussed by - brethren "Hnfham;7 Bailey and and Yann. II. Thessalomans 3rd chapter and 6th verse was discussed by. brethren Vann and Bailey. The hour for preaching iiaving, arrived, Bro. Hufham preached from 4th Psalm 3rd verse. , Adjourned until -3 o'clock, p. m. . , ' At 3 p. m., a storm was raging but the brethren assembled. - Prayer by Bre. E. P. Powell. Committee on time and place of next meeting rec ommended Williamston as the place, and time, Friday before the oth Bun day in June next; which was adopt ed. Bro. R. T. Vann was appointed to preach the Intoductory eernton. Bro. A. "McA. Pittman, Alternate. Bro. Jacob S. Allen, Chairman of State Sunday School Board, was in j yited to address' the meeting which he did with much feeliag. anil. earn estness. -Brethren? Pittman and Avera ; followed Committee on Ex egesis reported the, following : iL Peter 3rd chapter 19tb, 2Qto and 21st verses, assigned to Elder Rf T.! Vann. L . Corinthians , loth chapter 29th verse, assigned to Elder J. D.Huf- nam. , iieorews otn cnapter xai-otn, tb Elder T. R Owen. 'Acts 19th. chapter lst-.7th't . Essay!' td, E'def arriCK. a. up iuhuwuk reHuiuuou KfjuiLnttl. That the thanks of this body, ara'du andare hereby tender eff to' the citizens of Enfield and vicinity, for their liberal hospitality JrtnhiiMi tr th rtfeleptes 'and visi tors, tb this meeting, and also tb bur Methodist" brethren ' for the offer of their churches, i ifpu.! .'. t..; 1 i One hundred and sixteen dollars were then raised by the union to wards tayings'f balance ! :on-; ne church.' Bro. Bailey by Invitation, spokeia behalf of Recorder, a Brov Hnfham fjllowed.a 'iue .union um adjournea' tot meecriu . J miamsum on Friday before 5th Sundayln Jqne. The church , was oreanlied at night wttn twelve memoers., off4l3j u:, i Dedication services Sunday morn ine,.. -til:' o'cloek, conduoted .by Elders r Bailey .and. Hufham.: rA0t: rUhstahding adrenchipg raln.was. Mying, the honse was ; fitted,' and lection in cash and pledges was taken amounting to $100 for the chnrch. Rain and wind increased and prevented afternoon and night services. Thus ended a session of the Roanoke Union Meeting, which will long be remembered with pleas ure" ' ' ' ' "Bxw. R. T. VAXN, Mod. Jesse A. Perry, CTk. - u .r . 'or 0 Reoorder.. . T , - SOPHISTRY. - , . In the Recorder of the 2nd inst., we haye a. very earnest jtttle article, hailing from Oxford, signed fl. J., which I suppose is from .'the' pen of our venerable Elder in Israel, Wo." Hill Jordan. Yet It Is difllc;l to be lieve that such a mind distinguished for learning and logic, could write it It is addressed to Minister?, who use the anxious seat, as a means of conversion, and to my mind it con tains a considerable amount of soph istry. The first objection hurled against the anxious seat is, that it is used as a "Standing ecclesiastical or ministerial measure" giving it the validity of a Christian ordinance, and placing it upon a level with preaching, which: the writer says, in parenthesis, minsters are Oound to require all men :. to hear, as a means ot con version. NowLj.it true, that; ministers who use ttbe anxious seat make it a "Standing . ecclesiastical measure f If so, I suppose that its use would never be omitted, but that, penitents would be , invited forward at every preaching service. But this is not true. I( have never known, ohe, not even the most zealous evan gelist, to place this "measure" upon alevel with preaching, which would require him tome it as often as he preaches. Upon this false charge, the writer endeavors to construct a logical argument, and says the measure is either right or wrong. If wrong it should be abandoned. If right it should be enforced. That is, we should stop inviting penitents for ward and require them to come. J ust as he says above, that we are bound to require all men to hear the gospel preached. Will W. H. J., tell us what means we are to nse in requiring men to hear the gospel preaehed f If he answers earnest entreaty, then I say, we do require them in tt is way to avail themselves of the benefits of the anxious seat. He should remember that we are dealing. with men's minds, and can not nse force. He then asks for Scripture authority for the anxious seat. If he will give Scripture au thority for the other seats in the church, then I will give a command tor this one. I have regarded this custom, as simply a part of the mode or form of worship, to be used or omitted at pleasure. Like singing two hymns before, and one after sermon. I have sometimes invited anxious souls to come forward, rise, or lift the hand, bur never thought, by so doing, that I was administer ing a "Christian ordinance.'' To de mand a positive command for such an exercise, is to my mind, as un reasonable as to require Scripture authority for standing to preach. If a custom is to be judged by its fruits, then I say so far as my observation has gone, this is a good one. The mourner's bench is a place of sacred memory to me,because there my soul embraced the Saviour. If W. H. J., and others, do not like It, they can have services without it. But they need not oppose It and ought not to misrepresent it. uar'cnurenes are troubled with Spurious professions, qut as to whether more of thtm ac cording to numbers, came by way of the anxious seat, or by some - other route, is an open question. To con demn this practice, we must have more- testimony than the assump tions of its opponents. r - . --,-; 4 D. B. Nelson. UendersontilUtN. O. .-, ; mendatlon upon the writings of the. great Apostle to the Gentiles. We thus ' find - in - the ' Holy Scriptures abundant precedents for the practice referred to.v. . r, f llf we would hestrow the pathway o our friends with but a moiety of the flowers with which : we bedeck tleir graves, the trials and difficul ties incident to life's pilgrimage wuld be borne more cheerfully, and joy and gladness would fill the hearts of many that go down to the tomb in' sorrow.'! The maxim denmortuit nihil nisi bonum is eminently worthy of our highest respect. It is right and proper that the, departed who, while on earth, illustrated the truths ot uansuanity oy a noiy waia ana conversation,' or who were' benefact- ors of their kind, should live in oar memories and be; held up as exem plars to those who shall come after them. ! I wonld not pluck a single leaflet from the evergreens that en circle their memories. But it da' a sad commentary upon hnman nature that very often those who' have treated the living with the greatest iojastice are foremost in their praise when they1 have) gone hence and the places that onco knew them shall know them no more. Blow oftendo we see in the religions press column after column erected "by 'individdals or organized bodies' of Christians, commemorative' of 'the virtues :of their departed pastors from whom bad been witbholden the miserable pittance promised for the support of themselves and of their families. Let us do justice to the living as well as the dead.: The dead need not our charities or sympathies the living do. Let us, then, throw the mantle of charity over their short comings, and withhold not from them our ap preciation of their virtues and excel lencies.' O. II. P. OUGHT YTOMEN For the Recorder. TO PREACH f .i v'For theBecardar. IS ir RIGHT OB IS IT TTB0NGI 'to. Bailey i - 1 fl ; ! i What!" The practice of toubliely jCpminendlng our fellow creatures for any extraorainary gooa qualities tney may'poasessbr'forany- textttfordl- iiary euorts luey may mane ia kuuu cause.' 1 A paragraph in the recor der of April 2nd, leads nle td sup pose- that yon are upon - the negative side of the question. " 1 5 propose to say a few words upon the afflrmative sidev We read in the f Word of God that whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learn ing, that .we turotaghwpatienco and cjomfort of the Scriptures might have Sopsi0iWe thussUara ithat.it, ia by ie light of the Sari pturesjthat all Jqestiona of faith and practice mast ' e determined. b The question. then risesare there . any, precedents in the ,iVor4 .ofGod.ior :(he - practice under discussion I . IDhrist? said of i Nathaniel, ."Behpld an Israelite in- tne very highest commendation that uld be bestowed, upon any creature, pain t. Uoon v the ' Aoost lea." James. nd John, He coaler red the distinct- e title of Boanerges. rand their sub- sequeob isrven. zeai auu uevouou 10 the MaslerVcahse'proVed that they iweftemTttSntiy worthy of It.'-' Ih the: 'writincs of the ADostle'Pauf we find many comulendatiohs!ndt 'onlt "of particular persons,' tat clsowof or tganised todies of-3hristiaiis. He1 jCptnmends the? ofauroh at Ronve be- use 4t ooeaieneenjta iaua nau gone abroad ntoaU.mfn.iCnrning ,to the Second Epistle qflPeter, we, ;fjnd him yS!hfASSi Bro. J. A. Stradley, in last week's Recorder, says : "If they ought, then surely Christ must have been absent minded or made a mistake, for all the twelve apostles were men." Again, he says : "If women ought to preach then the 'eleven apostles must have made, a great blunder when they had to fill the place left vacant by Judas; for Peter said, 'Of these men that have companied with us, &&, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection,' &c." - Bro. S. seems to regard; the Word of God as meaning what it says, and as given for the instruction and guidance of the people in all ages. Surely be has not seen the floods of light that are being poured upon the Scriptures in these latter days. Mrs. Yan Cott, an evangelist, tells us why women did not preach in the apostolic age, and why Paul enjoined silence upon them in the churches. "They were very ignorant and bad not been raised to their proper posi tion in society to which they have Binae been elevated by the gospel." And are we not forced to the con clusion that her views are correct, that they must be correct : for she draws large crowds to hear her and many profess repentance and faith under her ministry f And this to some people is the all sufficient argu ment; ' But I am sure that her views of Paul's writings, or at least of his advice in this particular, never oc curred to Bro. S., for he writes just like he folly believed' the epistles of the inspired apostle were designed not . only for the instrnctiou and profit of the churches in his day, but for the instruction and, profit of the churches in all time to come. f Our brother seems to have his own notions about the divine . teachings, and, to have no. disposition to open his eyes to the light that is being so abundantly shed in these latter days. I doubt very much his having ever read the following.; V " i " Methodism does not . ask what Paul , did in founding ' churches at Philippi, at Ephesus and Corinth eighteen hundred years , ago, but what system is best at the pres ent age of the world to spread Scrip tural holiness over these lands. It is not what the apostles did in Je rusalem : in their day to advance Christ's kingdom, but what We must do in our day to meet the spiritual wants of the world," &c -Kaleigh Christian Advocate, May 22d, 1878. Wake up, Bro. S; - you are at least eighteen hundred years behind the' age.; h You - see according - to this that inspired apostles and the Holy Spirit knew what was the best system to spread scriptural holiness In the first century, but they could not possibly know, nor give any hint, as to what, would be, tho- best system, for the nineteenth century ! They most, leave that; to be arranged by: the -accumulated wisdom, of the ages.: Times are changing, wisdom is ad vancing, and, these .old ..Bible lovers iu ...nave waae up, .;.jVj.as.,uvi ; i :os.A SKRIOUs "MISTAKE.".. . , The Beligious Herald says, accord ing to a statement in the Bapti$t Record, as reported by the Biblical Recorder, . that , .the .act ,pf Dr.. Boyd, in inviting a Unitarian to his fimmunionr was ' a "mistake l" It as such a mistake as Judas, made hen he bctraved th Saviour. To u bucu an act miswee is. iiseii Ale a mistake. :r ' ; ,WH; J..V , Religious men are "designed, bV God to. be the model men of ' th cl i EASTERN; ASSOCIATION UNION MEETING. 1 - The .last . anion meeting of -the Eastern Association was held at Union Chapel Church, Onslow coun ty, as appointed. Elder John F. Albritton preached the introductory sermon, from Luke 15, 19-31, presenting good lessons for both Christians and the. uncon verted. "" After dinner the body assembled for business, Elder Kennedy presid ing.' The qaery, 'Wbat are greatest hindrances to the advancement of gospel truth as Baptists hold it ?" was again discusssed, and referred .to Elders Stallings and Falkner for an answer, the following day. The discussion was very interesting. The following answer was given, which was adopted without debate: "The multiplicity of heresies, together with the divisions and strifes among professing Christians." - The query "What are the, teach ings of the New Testament on Fast ing and Prayer f was briefly dis cussed, and laid on the table. Good remarka were made on this subject. The following query was adopted; "Ought all believers in a community to partake together of the Lord's Supper ?v Elder J. L: Stewart is to open the discussion. .Elder J. K. Falkner was appointed to preach the next introductory ser mon. ; After one-of the most pleasant sessions, we adjourned to meet at Mount Gilead Church, Sampson county, Friday, before the fifth Sun day in June next. J. R. Oliver, Sec. For the Recorder. HOME MISSION WORK BEULAH ASSOCIATION. To the Ministers and Members Compos ing the Churches of this Body. Dear Brethren: Please bear in mind that the time will soon come for our annual meetiner. Your com mittee have employed four mission aries for a part of their time. These brethren are all laboring in the northern and western portions of the Association. We hope the delegates who made pledges at Beaver Island last year will represent the mission interest in their respective churches. Try to enlist the entire membership in the work. All should assist in sendiog the gospel into the high ways and hedges of our field. Let us hold to the work of missions, else Our profession of missionary is false. We, as Christians, are debtors to all classes of men. Therefore, we should render to God the things that be God's our time r money, which he requires us to use wisely. J. H. YERNON, Chairman Ex. Com. March 31st, 1879. A WORD TO (ABACHEL." Do not some join the church when we have no revivalists that prove to be "dead materials t" Are not many deceived in quiet times when there are not much "loud words ?" Do nut many join from diabolical motives, for a matter of gain and profit! Don't you see many converted in revivals who perhaps would not come from ordinary efforts, and prove to be the best of material f Let us hear from yon again. T. B. Newbury. March Uth, 1879. ; SELECTIONS. SECBET OF SUCCESS IN PREACH ING TUE GOSPEL, How can missions be most efficient ly conducted f This important ques tion ought to be pretty well under stood; it has its answer In the life of our Lord and in the history of apostolic christianty. Generally, men are not inclined to give any heed to the truth, until they are in some way won by , the kindness of those who preach it. Hence, our Lord con ciliated the favor of men by miracles of mercy, in order tnat they might be prepared to receive! the; proclama tions Of f the Heavenly kingdom. How much less effective would have .been his sermons, had henot, as he journeyed, employed himself in doing good I In like manner also the early churches commended ' the gospel by their liberalities, and by the employ? ttenf of their wonder-working pow ers for the relief of the unfortunate.41 'And When they 'thus made to them Iselves friends of the 31am mon of un righteousness, the ; gospel had free "course and, was glorified. . Those vf bbm pious liberality 'relieves are ready-to entertain the . evangelical message. - W bed-the heart has been captured it is hot difficult to conquer the whole man. . , ? ! Events, now occurring among the Asiatic missions show the truth of the statement and its practical im portance. The Teloogoos were helped ih their distress by the. Baptist mis sionaries, and then r they . asked the bread of life from those who had sav ed them from famine 'A similar work of; grace is now going on? in' some parts of. China. i The benevo lence of tb e ..christian , , workers at Chefoo,'-to the famine, sufferers is producing fruit, in the respect shown ,to missionaries and in the readiness replayed by whole ? villages to irei jelve the; gospel. . Hundreds .have 'been baptized, . and . thousands are applying for baptism, 'Mr. ;Neyinsy Presbyterian missionary at Ohefoo, says: "In connection, with the En glish Baptist and American Presby terian churches, little ' companies, composed of christians and inquirers, assemble every Sunday for christian worship in more than twenty vil lages. They provide and fit up their "own house of worship and are mak ing earnest efforts to advance in christian knowledge. More than a hundred have been baptized in this one section during the present year.7! . Encouraging progress is also being made in Shantung. On revisiting four ot his preaching stations after an absence of some months, Mr. Smith, of the American Board, found a- list of applicants for baptism amounting to 110. " At another sta tion he was surprised to find 25 ap plicants where be : bad previously heard of only three or four. In the previous year, he writes," when he and Mr. Stanly made a tour through these villages, everything looked so discouraging that to return to Tient sin, and perhaps to America, seemed about the best thing they conld do. The explanation of this wonderful change was the same as in the in stances previously reported. Kind ness opened the hearts ot the Chinese. Mr. Smith testifies s ''Tbe famine is the key which God is nsing to unlock the hearts of men." ' 'Something still more surprising is mentioned by Mr. Smith in a letter published in the Missionary Herald for March, the change of the hea then temple at Shih-chia fang into a christian church. First the idols were removed to a small building near by; then they were burned. The vacant temple was offered by the 18 trustees (6 of them applicants for baptism) to Mr. Smith that he might teach the -'Jesus religion" in it, and use it as a school tor children. In making the transfer all the vil lages united with the keeper of the temple and . with the Board. The chief official of the temple, who is called "Th Master of Virtue," is an old man and deaf; but the pride of office and the conserv ative temper of age were over come by the spectacle of christian kindness- to his countrymen. Mr. Smith quotes a touching expression ottered by the old man, who hence forth by the grace of God begins life anew : "My ears are deaf," said he ; "but my heart is not blind. J. have witnessed the benevolence of the christians and I know their doctrine to be true." -The act which gave up the hrathen temple to the worship of the living God, was officially recorded. The following is the translation of the document : "The authors of this document to-wit, the whole body of managers of the temple together with the whole body of villagers, deliberating in a public capacity, voluntarily agree to make over the temple build ings to the church of Christ, for the purpose of fitting np a meeting house, in order to the public preaching of the sacred doctrine, and for the pur pose of establishing a public school, that the youth of the village may be come virtuous, a benefit to future generations. The whole is to belong to the church, and subject to its control, for a possession forever, and the land belonging to the temple is made over to the chapel keeper, Chu Sien k'o, and his decehdants, to be cultivated as his own, and the chnrch is not at liberty to sell the same. In the fourth year of Knang Hsii, the tenth month, the third day (Oct. 28th, 1878). Signed on behalf of the Master of Virtue, Shih Knng, and twenty oth ers." These incidents are profoundly in structive. They show ns how to work among the heathen, and indeed how to labor for the souls ot men at home also. Love is the grand evan gelizing principle, not only love to God but love to man, not only de votion to the spiritual interests of our fellows but to their health and comfort and happiness and temporal well being. When men are convino ed that we love them, they will be pursuaded to follow our teachings. Alabama Baptist. TWO KINDS OF BE L1GION. f There are two kinds of religion in vogue among evangelicals, and they are pretty plainly at war with each other wherever they have a contigu ous residence. The one kind insists on vivacity, raciness in the. church services, and gayety, sociability, and amusement in the life of the people. It , wishes . ministers f who can sing, lead the Scriptures, pray and preach all within the limits of an hour, and make the service sparkle with a live liness bordering on levity itself. The 'other kind demands sobriety .earnest ness, and the decorous, thoughtful way of worship that Is recommended by Paul. , If deprecates the effort to run. the prayer-meetings, Sabbath schools, and Sabbath 'services into mere" entertainments; - having for their'object the gratification of the sensual tastes and appetites. These two kinds of religion are n66 morally friendly to! each others The gay, i shocking to the thoughtful, the seri ous is unendurable to the volatile It wjll be observed however, that Christians who wish to honor God, and to cultivate a piety such as that commended by the Scriptures, attach themselves to the reverent side, and conform to What ' it asks and ' de mands. Tbey; who wish to he be-' JJeverr and, ' yet pamper the flesh, serve 'God and' mammon, and 1)e 15 001 20 00 26 00! S7 00 60 00! 100 00 25 001 35 00 15 001 60 00 100 00! 175 00! 125 00 40 00 ' 50 CO 60.0O-r 85 CO 170 00 300 00 ; Special Notices charged 20 cents a line. : . - Obituaries' sixty words long, are Inserted fires of charge. When they exceed this length one cent for each word mast be paid In ad lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, choose the other side, and look with a feeling half of pity and half of scorn at the delnded devotees who go through the world taking np the cross and following the Master. United Iresbyierian. r ' ; An illiterate personage,' who al ways volunteered to go round with the bat, but was suspected of spar ing his own pocket; overhearing one day a hint to that effects made the following speech : "Other gentlemen puts down what they thinks proper, and so does I ; charity's a private concern ; and what I gives is nothing mm Dewn it OOKSVOTZD BX JOHN E3. RAY, Cor. Bee. S. 8. Board, and8ee.B'd Missions. Teachers' Substitutes. I copy the following from the Sunday School Timet, hoping that the suggestion, which is such a viae ono, may ha adopted by those of our teachers whose seats are so often to be found vacant :" 'If a teacher is to be ab sent from the Sunday school, he ought to se cure a ib8tltnta. Of course he ought He is responsible for that class. He' most care for it personally or by proxy. Bnt there is a point beyond this. The mbtitute ought to be acceptable to the school authorities. It is not fairrto put a teacher into that school for even a single day who is not in sympathy with the spirit and current of the school teachings; who is not approved by the Superintendent as a proper member of his working force. Neglect in this matter ;is quite too common in Sunday-school work. Substitutes are put in charge of classes who are totally unfit for the place assigned them. Superintendents art disturbed by finding classes which require delioate handling given over to those who of all persona ought not to tamper with them. To guard against this will require extra work on the teacher's part ; but it is work which needs to be attended to. - The subject ought to be talked over between Superintendent and teacher. There can be an agreement in advance on certain substitutes who may al ways be sailed on when a vacancy exists. Or a teacher, who is-to be away without an op portunity of seeing tka Superintendent, may designate to him, by note, a substitute who will respond to his call if he spprotes tha selection. Teaching a Sunday-school class is too important work to be trifled with by anybody and everybody, without regard to their natural fitness or special training for tha work." ' ; Teachers too frequently forget the enor mous trouble giren Superintendents by neg lecting this admonition. The whole school Is put into complete confusion on account of it: Teacher take this to yourself. From Forestrllle Sunday School. This is one of the most active little Schools; ia the State. They number only 65, but; were the first to take and pay for one of the certificates offered by the Sunday School Board last year, paying. their $30, and in re sponse to a call made in my recent letter to them sends us f9Jmore. Bro. Smith, their exeellentJSuperintendent, writes : "You re quested me to give my views on State and ssooiational Sunday School Conventions. I think the best plan would be for each Asso ciation to be dividednto convenient districts say, from 3 to 4 churches in each. And on every 5th Sunday in the year have a Sunday School Mass-meeting in each district. Form an Associations! Sunday School Convention to meet once a year, each School sending up one or more representatives. Hold two days meeeting, say Saturday and Sunday." This is the very thing reeded in each of our Associations. Now will notthe pastor's and Superintendent's in the Central, as well as every other Association in' the State arrange among themselves, and write as and organ ize at once an Associational Sunday School Convention ? Hope to hear from the Central at once, and all the others as soon as practi cable. New School in the rarEiver.l Bro. J. W. Purefoy, who went to Warrsn ton to visit his parents a short time ago, writes : "In company with my father, I had the pleasure of being preant at the organisa tion of a Sunday-school at Brown's Baptist church in Warren county. Notwithstanding the very disagreeable weather, 46 names were enrolled and there are many " others' yet to join. With Bro. Nt Allen as Superintend dent, we may expeet soon to have a flourish ing school at this place." i It is beginning to be time for numbers of .our . churches to be stir themselves and organise themselves into Bible schools, for there are hundreds of them without. ' ' : . ' :'y ' Sonday School Eetnrnj, 1! I have jnst sent out blank 'forms for Sun-day-sobool statistics to all the Superintendents and Clerks whose names and addresses I could get throughout the. State. .The same thing was done last year, but not much more than one half of them have been heard from. Do hope that the brethren will ' hot Ignore these calls this year, but will respond at once - andenable ns to get oar werk in uhip-haptr. Have you. received one of these f blanks f - Then please fill it at once and return to me. lie Cedar Creek. . . t' 'ff - - ,' " , ; ' 7 Bro. N. B. Cobb wrttea us'There are' 5 evergreen Sunday schools In the Cedar Creek Aasseiation, via J Manchester,! White Oak, lty. isgah, Lebanon, and Fayetterille. Most ot the other 22 Schools are stUl "lying up in winter quarters,'' some would, say; but l xeerv Schools do' werse than aUying m winter quarters'" when they suspend for the winter ,r They faD back; leaving btggagaand ammunl. tion in the hands of tna enemy. BrO J as. A4 areiav ' list ti !Of tha Chowan Association writes us, send : ing t5 as a ; contribution from; the Chowan Baptist Female Institute , Wish acme f tt Ma ItMMn .wU mA mm wa awaft VslPW Witfthlamea of tnnia. -;-. 4 I it