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PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY A COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS FOE THE METHODIST EPISJ3PAL CHJRCH, .SOU TH.RUFUS T. HEFLUT, Editor
VOL. V--NO. 3.
RAEEIGH, FRIDAY. JANUARY 20, 1 860
$2 a year, in advance.
p
BP
VOCA
COXTEPENCE rOCUHIENTS.
.J,v--v"- ---
mimittee on Books mid Periodicals submit
'Join in
the following report : .
We have had under careful consideration the
subjects referred to our tdiarge.nnd are not insen
sible to t'leit weighty importance. Very great re
sponsibility rests upon our branch of the Church
of God, in connection with the circulation of mor
al and religious literature. We are rapidly in
creases in" numerical strength, and growing in
wealth and intellectual culture and influence.
We havo the means and the ability to accomplish
as r.nvh in this department of christian effort as
any other denomination in the whole country, and
if we do not meet the obligations which are upon
us in this respect, we shall be criminally negli
gent. We are able, and w- must furnish the
Sou'hern country with hooks and periodicals.
And while our brethren .'if of fur denominations
are exerting themselves in the publication and
distribution of their peculiar views of doctrine
and chinch polity, we should not allow them to
outstrip or supplant us We must maintain and
strenghtheu our hold on the heads ami Hearts ot
the people, by supplying the demand of the increa
sing literary wants of the age and country in which
we live. As a Church wo should unitedly labor
to disseminate the doctrines and usajres of our be
loved Methodism. All our people especially
should te affectionately, carefully and thorough
ly indoctrinated in the gnat principles of the
Methodist faith. Until this great work of instruc
tion is more generally and thoroughly done, our
institutions and church enterprises will not fully
meet the need oe the times. Your committee,
however, are much gratified to learn, from the
"annual exhibit' of the General Agent, that our
Publu-hirg lloe.se at Naiville is in prosperous
and growing condition. The books, which should
be circulated m the .N. C l.uiderence, as well as
throughout the country, are- being rapidly pub
lished! We should do our lest in spreading
abroad these-publications ; and by means of a de
pository, or agency, and in every other proper
way, h-lp to build up and sustain the great book
business of the M. E. Cbmeli. South. And from
the acknowledged liberality of our people, we are
satisfied, that, "had we a depository in our bounds,
or jrrea er facilities for transportation, we could
verv greatly increase the circulation of our books
in North Carolina.
the qi;aktei:i.y hevikw.
This is a periodical very ably edited by the Rev.
T. O. Summers, I. I)., and puhlis-hed at Nash
ville, Teun , at two dollars per niiium . in advance.
The Qwnterfy will compare favorably with any
similar publican-)- in the whole eouutry. We
are pleased to learn that its pc.-uniary condition
has been greatly improved by the adoption of the
cash svstetn and that uiini-ir the past year, its
subscription list ha been surlieieutly large to de- j
fray the expense of its publication.
But still this periodical calls for our continued
and liberal support Therefore,
l?ps'ihd. That we recommend a
more earnest
fculiv to OXt-til its eilvu: :Mon.
THE HOME CIRCLE.
We regret to learn, has fai'e i to meet its liabili
ties bv several thousand dollars.
We regard this
periodical as an important publication ; and while
it is not of- that we would d-.-sire it to be, yet it is
a good work, and deserves to be liberally sustain
ed. The publisher intends to improve the next
volume in many important respects, and after
the.-e improvements shall have been made, should
it fail to sustain itself, to discontinue its publica
tion. The whole Church should rally to the sup
port of the rue Ci-rlc We must not let it die.
Therefore, Res-tired, That we make greater
efforts to place the Homo Circle upon a safe and
permanent basis.
THE X. C. CH. APVOCATE.
This paper has not fully met the wants of our
people. Your committco f-el a deep and an abi
ding int?rct in the success, of this enterprise.
We are of opinion, that the paper should be en
larged aud the subscript i"U price raised to two
dollars. We also believe that such arrangements
should be made as would enable our excellent and
able editor to devote his whole time to the edito
rial department. We de-ire n est earnestly, to
see ' our Advocate crjual it. e very respect to the
very best of our church papers " I hat we may
realize this desire, we pl.ou'u be united and per
severing in our efforts to promote its interests.
Therefore.
Resolved. That we recommend the publish
ing committee to t nlarge the Advocate and raise
the price to two dollars, and that we all pledge
ourselves to extend its circulation.
L. S. IiUllKIlEAD, )
V. 5. CIIAFFIN,
C. P JONES. )-Com.
WM. DARRTXGER,
J. A. CUNINGGIM, j
Report of tas Committee on Parsonages.
The committee t.n Parsonages beg leave to
submit the following report: We have carefully
enquired as to the number of Parsonages within
o :r bounds an 1 find that there has been a very grat
ifying improvement in tLis regard since A. 1).
1846
We learn from a report on this subject in that
year that there were but two Parsonages proper
within our bounds; whereas we now have thirty-inc-ltrliug
a few nearly completed and one or two
held by cert, in friends to be male church prop
erty when paid for.
We are pler.sed to learn also that at least one
circuit contemplates procuring a Parsonage the
next year.
We are also pleased to learn that one of the
bf forename"! Parsonages is located at O'in for the
use of fh, Presiding Elder of the Salisbury Dis
trict. We hope it will not, be long before this
worthy example of our brethren on the Salisbury
District wi'lbe fallowed by every District in the
Conf rence. Why shoul f there not be a Parson
lonfel at s mr; onrenimt point on every
District for the accommodation of our Presiding j
Elders.that they may be saved the tremble of pro- j
viding homes for themselves, and that their pres
ence and influence may be felt among their own
people, as well as they savd much unnecessary i
fatigue and expense incurred by living off their j
Districts. i
We know our people are ub! and wo believe !
the? would be willinr to elo this if tiie subject I
were fairly presented to ih'-m In addition to the
nnmW of Parsonages r.ror.er within our bounds i
several circuits furnish Uioi'r Preachers with ren- j
ted housos.
Thn show3 a com men lab! 3 spirit on the part of
our lay brethren to provide for the comfort of
their ministers and families, yet we believe in
most cases they would f.m' it greatly to their ad-
vantn"e ty buy'or build a circuit Pj' --juajc. Many
I circuits no doubt have paid out money cnougl
already to have paid for a house, and yet this ex
pense must continue from your to year until the
policy is changed. We do sincerely hope there-
fore that for these and other reasons which might
j be given our people will take this matter into
; serious consideration.
We are the more earnest about t'lis matter be
cause we bJieve that for the want of corufortblc
Parsonages our ministers are encouraged, and in
some cases compelled to locate their families after
which though they may do faithful and valuable
work for the church, it is doue at a great sacrifice
of domestic comfort. And in many cases the
man of God is compelled to neglect the work of
the church or his family ; neither of whioh should
be done if possible to prevent, it.
We believe that our people are devotedly at
tached to cur itincraney. They desire it to be
untramnielleu and perpetual. And wo believe that "
if they would cousiuer the beneficial influence the
Parsonage system will exert upon it if properly
conducted that the time would soon be wheu every
District, circuit and station would be provided
with a house that would make any minister's fam
ily comfortahb and happy.
We recommend the adoption of the following
resolutions.
Rfsoli el 1 st, That as Pastors we will urge
upon our pen le the propriety of buying or buil
ding and furnishing comfortable Parsonages on a 1
our circuits and stations.
Rsovec 2nd, Th'at we recommend each District-
stewards meeting to take into consideration
the practicabil ty of procuring a Parsonage on
their respective Districts for the accommodation
of ihe Presiding Elders.
llfscctfully submitted.
P. J. CAR 11 AW AY.
M. C. THOMAS,
JNO. N. ANDREWS.
Report of Committee on Sunday Schools.
TAr. t'ommittie on Sunday Schools, Leg Lace to
present the full on ing report.
We deem it unnecessary to try to impress upon
the mind of the Conference the importance of this
good cause. If the strung and stirring appeals of
our excellent Sunday School Secretary, Dr. Taylor
have in t aroused eery ono to see and feel the vast
ness and value of this means of doing go-iel, uoih
ing we could sa- would effect it. We therefore
simply call yo.ir attention to his appeals and com
mend his plans as being worthy of our hearty
approval and active co-operation.
V coffer the fo lowing resolutions for your adoptiou.
Rerohid 1st, That we organize a Conference
Sunday School See y.
Resolved '2nd, That we elect a Vice President
of the Parent S. S. Society.
R'so've l or 3, We recommend the formation of
SundaySchooi Societies in every circuit and station.
Res'dci d 4th. That we cordially recommend
! the SundaySchooi Visitor to the patronage of our .
people.
Resoh-td oth. That we approve of the propo
sition to raise a Publishing Fund of one hundred
thousand dollars.
R solved G, That we propose to raise five thou- -and
dollars for the Publishing Fund in five years :
in the following way. That the Presiding Elder
in each District raise one hundred and fifty dol
lars annually for five years.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. T. WYCHE,
J. P. MOORE.
Report of the Committee on the Bible Cause.
Your Committee on ihe Bible cause submit the
following Report :
11 hekeas, The Bible is the great moral lumi
nary ; containing all the doctrines necessary for
that faith and practice, which lead unto eternal
life ; And whereas its universal diffusion is an ob
ject of infinite importance. And whereas the
American B'ble Society is a most effective instru
mentality in disseminating this precious word of
life. Therefore,
Resolved, Tha' we most cordially commend its
Agent to the favorable regard of our people, and
that we encourage and co-operate with him in
carrying out this noble, christian enterprise,
llespectfullv,
II. T, HUDSON,
11. G. BARRETT.
11. S. MORAN. Com.
Rev. M. L. "Wood's Lettsr.
To my Bkethkex of the N. C. C om er
exce : When I parted with you a year ago in
Newborn, I fully expected to meet you again in
Beaufort, if permitted to live ti l the present.
True, it was evident at our missionary meeting in
Newbern, that seme one of our members would
soon be called upon to go the "celestial empire,"
to carry to its benighted millions the light of the
gospel; and true, 1 was then determined in my
mind to offer myself for the great and responsible
work ; but at that time, I had not the most dis
tant idea, if accepted, of leaving before the meet
ing of Conference in Beaufort. But it is not as
I expected. The day for the meeting of confer
ence is at hand, and I am in the city of New
York, on my way to China. And even while I
write, many of you have once more greeted eaedi
other, and already commenced the preparatory
business of another annual conference. Perhaps,
yea, I believe, it- is all right, and will result filial
ly most to the glory of God. Still I assure you,
my dear brethren, that it would have been very
pleasant, truly delightful to me, to have met you
once more iu the conference room, looked upem
your happy faces, sfcal e.i your hands, heard your
cheerful voices, and above all, jenncd you in the
worship of God and the Lamb. It always did me
great good to meet you at conference, t always
went forth better fitted for the great and glorious
work of preaching the gospel of Christ better
prepared to take care of the church of God But
tnese blessed pi lvileires are passed from me. No
more shall I with vou enjoy these social, eeclesi-
astical and devotional gatherings. v nen you
are thus assembled I shall be fir away. And
while you meet in Beaufort, on the ocean's side. I
shall launch forth upon its billowy bosom to be
borne far hence. And when you look out upon the
broad Atlantic, remember my dear friends in the
Lord, that I am being tossed upon its waves.
And remeu hr while am not with you in person
I am in hear-. I take you nil with me in my
heart, upon the waves of the sea. I take yon with
me to China. And often, often shall 1 think of
i . - i 1 IT I
you when away from the sight of land, and wiien
on the other side of the earth. I shall not unf re-
quently fancv you walking the streets of Beaufort
entering the conference room singing the
sweet songs of Zion, supplicating together the
throne of heavenly grace, and transacting the bu-
siness of the conference.
It was among the severest conflicts of my heart
to get the consent of my mind, to go from your
midst to live among strangers strangers to me,
and strangers to the gospel of Christ. But by the
grace of God I was enabled to make the sacrifice,
and now I am cheerful and happy while on my
way to my destined field. I would not retrace my
steps. I feel that I am only doing my duty in
i leaving you. And instead of feeling that in go
! ing to China, I am going from home, I feel like I
i am going home. Where Jesus is, is home, and
where duty directs there is Jesus. What a bless
ed thought, that we can be at home any where in
the world. You can be at home in North Caroli
na, and I can be at home in China. We can all
have Jesus with us. And when our work upon
earth is done.we can be at home in heaven, where
we shall see Jesus.
And more, my dear brethren, while we are
separated in body we can live together; uve to
gether at a throoe of grace ; live together iff"Jc -
sus. Ana will you crav tor me and mine, dear
j brethren? Yes, brethren, I know you will pray
J for me. Metbinks that in the opening prayer of
the conference, and in your morning prayers of
j each day, and in the social prayers with the fami
lies with whom you are staying, I hear you pray
for the one who is absent and on his way to a distant
laud. And this thought cheers my heart, buoys
my spirit and comt Tts my soul. But forget not
to pray for me when you are in your respective
fields of labor. Then it will be I shall need your
prayers most, as I shall be engagee! in the ardu
ous work of learning a strange language, and
mingling with a strange people, and exposed to
numerous temptations.
And brethifen, would you like to give me much
pleasure and afford me great delight, in my labor
of love with the heathen? Then write me many
long letters. I thus write you and make this re
epuest, because I cannot write each one of you per
sonally. I would like to receive letters from you
all. Write and I will answer vour letters
And now, my dear brethren, may the glory of
the Lord rest upon you all. May you have the
Holy Spirit to aid jnu in all your deliberations,
and give you a peaceful and prosperous session of
oi(- conference. May the God of Jacob go with
yeai to your appointments and be with you there.
May the gospel preached by you prove the power
of God in the conversion of sinners and in build
ing up the church of Christ. And may you enjoy
the riches of heavenly grace while j-ou live, and
obtain eternal life when you elie. Let us meet in
heaven. " Finally, brethren, farawell. Tie per
fect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace ; and the Goel of love anel peace shall be
with you." Your brother in Christ, and fellow
laborer in the Lord.
MARQUIS L. WOOD.
Dee, 13, 1859, 200 Mulberry st., N. Y.
For the X. C. Ch. Advocate.
Tancinff and its Effects.
If 3ou really desire to please the world ; to de
! stroy all reliaious feelings, and to kill all inedina
j tion to worship the Most High God, whatamuse
j mcnt wou'el y u engage iu so effectually to ac
1 complish that intention, as a modern ball, or
i dance ? Is it not the very thing '! Does it not
! answer the very purpose V Is it not wlia' it is in-
tended for, and does it not fulnll that very end ?
i You know it does. And still you will persist in
I it ; you will allow your sous to go ; you will send
' 1 l. a Si C il t Ml
j your eiauguiers. vminiiaii miner, wiij win you
j allow it ? Christian mother, why will you give
way to it ? Your sous and your daughters are on
) the way to ruin ; they are traveling the road to
,' destruction. Stop and think, before it is finally
i too late ! Then you may weep, but it will not
i bring them back again. Oh! at that great day
j when we shall all appear before the judgment
i seat of Christ, will not some of them bo there
j without the wedding dress ? Then when the
i Judge shall ask the cause, they will be speech
j less ; but if they dare speak, the answer would be
I from a thousand mouths, "the ball ! the dance,
has kept us from it." But you say the Scripture
i does not forbid dancing; but the worel of God
! eommauds you to come out from the world and be
' ye seperate, and you rush blindly into the very
midst of it. Now where are you ? Have you
! not disobeyed God, and stand condemned before
j mm?
Paul, in his Ipistlo fo the Galatians, classes
! revelling among those sins that will keep us out
i of Heaven ; and if, when people are engaged ful
I ly in the dance at a ball, or party, no matter which
you may term lt.if it is Dot revelling,! do not un
derstand what is ; and yet you say dancing is not
forbidden. Now if the righteous scarcely be sav
ed, where will the ungodly and sinner appear.
A METHODIST.
For the N. C. Ch. Advocate.
Four-Square Men.
Bro. Hefmn : Your little article last week
protesting against one of our men moving away,
set me to thinking. The Greeks called a really
important, reliable man, a "four-square" man,
and they were of opinion that a State ought to
use all possible means to keep such, and even to
increase their number by importation. North
Carolina never believed in that doctrine; she has
sent all such, or at least very many such, away to
build up other States. North Carolina is the
greatest leveller in the Utdon. No min here
must rise above his fellows. The very act is so
cial treason. If a man by energy and talent be
gins to rise, he meets such a storm of bickering
and opposition, and such small appreciation, that
he is very apt to retire in disgust. Perhaps you
will put in your caveat against this; but it will be
useless, for the truth is a matter of history. We
do not delight in great men. If we ever have
really great men, we must cultivate them as care
fully as any other production ; they are indigo
nous to everr soil, but they will not mature with
out careful treatment. No State, church or so
ciety will ever rise above the level of mediocrity
without great men ; these give direction toener-
kindle new effort, develope unthought of re
sources, anel command universal respect. Other
States cultivate great men -'four-sided" men,
more carefully than any other production. They
raise them for use and ornament ; they put them
in the ways of merchandize, at the board ef
change, at the bar, in the pulpit, and in all the j
great positions of life. Thus they rise to power j for the night cometh when no man can work,"
and eo.inence. It is sometimes said that men of j and "what thy hand fineleth to do, d with all
the right caliber will be great; nothing can hin- ! thy might." Never allow thy ungenerous, Cain
der them. This may be true, and it may be false, i like soul to ask, "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Men of the l ight ability and spirit, in a congenial j What shall we say to those who fail to attend
j ceuntry.and in times suited to the development of j
talent, will be great in spite of all combinations
and oppositions; but no mm will ever be great m
any country unless that country wants anel fosters
greatness. A few apparent examples can be quo
ted to the contrary, but the rule will hold in all
ages and countries.
Who, and where are the great men of North
Carolina? What man in church, trade, or pro-
; iession. is known at a distance, ana recognizee as
a peer among the giants of mind ? Not one.
Does the public in any European State, in South
America, even in the more distant States of this
Union, know the name of a single prominent man
in this State? Not one. If convulsions in church
or State, should threaten, would the nation look
to any North Carolinian as lord of the temple ?
No. Have we any great men ? No. Have we
any of the stuff of which great men are made ?
An abundance. Why then have we no great
men? Because we do not want them, will not
let them grow ; kill them off by neglect, or expa
triate them by an ostracism peculiar to ourselves.
When a distant place has recognized one of our
disguised giants, and offered him something con
genial to his nature, we protest against his going;
pass magnificent resolutions, write newspaper pan-
.Itf - iand get up all the machinery of regret.
in; i-oy an oe in earnest.Dut pracucauy n means
nothing at all. Why should Dr. Craven, or any
other person stay in this State? What induce
ments are offered ? Other places think such men
valuable ; they honor them, give them fine posi
tions and rich salaries; treat them as men of
mark, and delight in their elevation. This will
be called croaking ; men will snuff at it, and say
the writer is some disappointed mortal. Not so.
Just the reverse. Think a little. Do we make
Bishops of our own men ? Do we fill any of the
great cilices of the church with our men ? Do we
make college professors of our men ? Can our
men lecate railroads? Can they plan a "river im
provement," or fix the foundations for Washing
ton's statue? Can they geologize the State ? If
usage is correct, our men cannot do any thing, ex
cept tbe great staple of manual labor. All this
is wronsr and foolish ; we can and ought to do bet
ter. " LUE.
For the N C Christian Advocate.
Kansas Correspondence.
Kick a poo, K. T. Dec. 31st., 1850.
Mr. Editor, Permit me to call the attention
of the readers of your excellent paper, to a project
of Bro. J. Spencer, a member of the Kansas Con
ference. He is now collecting material to form a bock of
religious exparience. He wishes the book to con
tain between one and two hundred sketches, of
religious experience; stated in a plain manner
facts are what is wanted. He desires every Con
ference in the church South, to be represented
both by the ministry anel laity. The object is to
make a book for the benefit of "seekers of re
ligion, and those who " are moved upon to preach
the gospel" The following are the items he
wishes each one, to embrace in the account of his
experience.
1 Your birth, time and place.
2 The religion of your parents.
3 Whether you were baptised in infancy, your
early religious advantages; whether you were a
Sunday School Scholar.
4 Your age, w heu the first serious impressions
were made on your mind, respecting your future
staje. your age, when and instrumentality, of your
awakening.
5 Your conversion; the length of time you
were a seeker.
0 Your call to the ministry, if a minister.
7 Your sanctification. if you have made that at
tainment in the Diviue life.
Any of your readers who are willing to respond
to this call, will ph-ase send the account of their
experience to Rev. J. Spencer, Westport Jackson
county Missouri. He desires them as soon as
possible. The profits of the sale of this book,
will be appropriated to the Sunday Schejol cause
in Kansas. Please call the attention of your
readers to this notice.
I remain sincerely jrour brother in Christ,
II. II. IIEDGFETH.
SELECTIONS.
Work and Discipline.
The Alabama Conference, at its late session,
issued a Pastoriai Address - from which we
make the following extract :
'Christianity, by the attraction of affinity,
appropriates to itself, by this powerful inherent
law, all who have put on Christ, and who 'make
no provision for the flesh in its affections and
lusts.' Hence a union of all who are likeminded
in every place. And the object and end of all such
united soeiet'es is to help each other to work out
their salvath n. 'o do this there must be meeting
together, there most be worship of Almighty God,
there must be supervision and the word of exhor
tation. Hence the origin and the never-ending
necessity of class-meetings.
Those thus associated have the right, under
God, to prescribe the condition on which they ad
mit others into their brotherhood ; and with us
that only condition is, 'a desire to flee the wrath
to come sitifl be saved from their sins' This de
sire, while it lives under the quickening, guiding
power of the Holy Ghost, will show itself in three
particulars, to wit :
First. In a harmless and sin-renouncing life.
Secondly, la a charitable or good-doing life.
Thirdly. In an obedient or cross-bearing life.
Ilenee, a man who desires to flee the wrath to
come anel be saved from his sins, cannot, ought
not to continue in the Methodist Church, who is
profane, a drunkard, or even a drinlcer of drams,
a brawler, a mischief-maker, a worldly-minded
over- reacher, a cheat, a self-indulgent,
extravagant and vain pleasure-seeker. If this is
not sufficiently intelligible as to our meaning, we
beg you read the "General Rules,'' and then
search the Scriptures, and see whether these
things be so. And then, brethren, having fought
your way through, against the powers of dark
ness, to the point at which you can and do re
nounce sin, then opening your eyes to the condi
tion of the souls and bodies of men, can a real
christian and a true member of the church be "at
ease in Zion What ! an idler in the vineyard
of the Lord ! a drone in the great store-house of
sweetness and perfume! If there be truth in God's
word, the Judge will say in the day or rcckon-
ing, " Take the talents." "Work while it is day.
public worship, neglect family religion, private
devotion, and the solemn ordinances of the church,
Baptism aud the Lord's Supper ? Sin, indifference,
or neglect of ihe plainest duties of the religious
life, is, one or all of them, so incompatible with
an earnest " desire to be saved," that, after suit
able forbearance and admonition, all such ought
to be excluded from the church.
And this briDgs us to another important matter
about which we desire to speak plainly but affec
tionately, and in the fear of God. We mean Me
Jldmhtralion of discipline. All men of common
intelligence, especially all who admit the author
ity of the Bible, readily allow that all associate
bodies ought to have the right to rid themselves
of unworthy members. This supposes the exis
tence of a rule or rules by which to determine
unworthiness, and also, jurisdiction competent to
apply these rules to individual cases. In both
these respect our church is amply provided, and
yet embarrassment arises first in our-selves
as pastors, lest, in the performance of a du
ty for Christ, and the purity of His kingdom, we
6uffer pcasecution. And secondly from the tim
idity and tenderness with which the membership
shrink from this duty. Thus, often between the
two the vineyard is neither pruned nor digged ;
in consequence of which we have worthless grapes
in excess, as the result of the vintage!- Thepdj
per and only remedy foe all this, is for til v?a-.
cerncd, especially for the older members ot the
societies to stand firmly by every faithful pastor
and defend him from the malice of fallen mem
bers, aud the malevolent hate of those "who are
without." Many pious, humble parents, who iu
all things walk uprightly themselves, are unable,
from the fondness of a creature's love, to see that
their sons and daughters are "lovers of pleasure
more than lovers of God ;" hence any attempt on
the part of the pastor or the spirtual membership
ot the church to rebuke the evil and put it away,
is so repugnant to such unwise parents, that, in
deference to them, the evil with all its influence,
is endured, and the offender not cut off. When
this state of things prevails, we have reason to cry
"Men of God! come to the help of the Lord
against the mighty !" All parties must amend or
the glory will soon depart from us as a people.
For what need is there that we preach 'Holiness,'
or publish volumes on "Christian Perfection," if
ice cannot enforce a practical Godliness! By
" practical Godliness" we mean humble piety be
fore God such as searching the Scriptures, secret
prayer, daily family worship, and conscientious at
tendance on all the means of grace, the ministry
of the word, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup
per. A neglect of any of these is highly culpable,
and persevered in, merits in most instances.ex
pulsion, eimply from the fact that it shows such
a deadness to God, and indifference to the soul's
salvation as to ha positive proof that such persons
are not now deeply convinced of sin, are not now
desirous "to flee the wrath to come, and to be
saved from their sins," are not now led by the
Spirit of the Saviour ; " and if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
The rest of the Sabbath is of perpetual obliga
tion : but how many Christian families " remem
ber" the day " to keep it holy" that anticipate
and prepare for it 1 No man prepares to keep
the Sabbath holy, who simply abstains from his
regular week-day labor. He who allows himself,
his children or his servants to gather and cut wood,
hunt or drive stocic, go to market so as to return
home on Sabbath, and to go upon pleasure visits
on the Lord's day, does not remember to keep it
holy, anel thus sins pgainstGod. fn thesf days of
extravagance and worldly-mindedness, Christians
should always observe the Sabbath, both in the
fear of God and the love of souls. Who can esti
mate the magnitude or measure the extent of that
evil which originates from tho example of church
members who do not keep God's holy day aright?
Let us then, dear brethren, in this respect, "shun
the very appearance of evil." '
Elunclers of Pnblic Men.
Some of the political characters of the age
make queer mistakes in quoting the Bible, which
have been recorded to admonish their successors
to read the sacred volume with more care and
attention :
A member of Congress from Illinois, a few
i years ago, (Mr Hoge) is repeated as quoting in
debate, the following lines, as coming from the
Bible.
"While yet the light holds out to burn
The vilest sinner may return."
Col. Benton, in the United States Senate, is
reported as speaking of our Saviour having cast
seven devils out of a certain man ; and Wadely
Thompson, a former member of Congress, and
Minister to Mexico, in his "Recollections" of
that country, speaking of the Hospital of Lazarus,
says: "The inmates would have rivalled, in
sores and rags, the brother of Mary and Mar
tha." It is recorded that two members of a certain
S'ate Legislature, at the close of the session, ad
dressed a circular to their constituents, in which
they said: "We hope the course wo have pursu
ed, and the votes we have given, will meet your
approbation. We hope you will say to us, as
Nathan said to David, 'Well done, good and
faithful servant."'
Another member, earnestly opposing the
measure before the House, said : "Mr. Speaker,
I would no more vote for that measure than I
would fall down and worship the golden calf
that Abraham made " A brother member cor
rected him, saying: "Mr. Speaker, it was not
Abraham that made the golden calf, it was
Nebuehaanezzar."
"That "great men are not always wise," is
still farther exemplified in an anecdote of a
distinguished English Judge. Lord Kenyon,
who understood law better than the gospel, clos
ed one of his charges to a jury, as follows: "Fi
nally, gentlemen, I would call your attention to
the example of the Roman Fhnperor Julian, who
was ro distinguished for every Christian virtue
that he was called Julian the Apostle "
Religious TJltraism.
Its sources are, 1. An ardenet temperament.
2. Mistaken views of religion. 3. A restless
desire of change. 4. The love of distinction.
5 The force of external circumstances.
Its elements are, 1. Self-righteousness.
Censoriousness. 3. Disingenuousness. 4.
consistency. 5. Fanaticism.
Its manifestations. It manifests itself, 1
2.
respect to that which is crong, by opposing it
with an improper spirit. 2. In respect to that
which is comparatively indifferent, by urging it
beyond its real claims. 3. In respect to that
which Isright, by promoting it at the expense of
integrity and charity.
Its tendencies. 1. It has a tendency to throw
open the floodgates of error. 2 To drive many
into the opposite extreme of inactivity and for
niality. 3. To weaken the moral energies of the
Church. 4. To supply to the careless world an
apolgy for the neglect of religion. 5. To abso
lute infidelity.
The remedies. 1. Careful discrimination.
2. Moral courage. 3. Eminent piety. Chris
tian Treasury.
Protestantism in Tuscan
A correspondent of the London Athenaeum
writes to that journal: An important sign of the
times is the legal marriage of two Tuscans, con
verts from Roman Catholicism to that form of
Protestantism called the Italian Evangelical
Church in Florence This anion of two obscure
individuals, under the full protection of their
country's laws, in defiance of the Church of Rome
which has hitherto declared all such marriages
invalid and the offspring illegitmate, strike! a
severer blow at the insolent domineering sway of
Home than all the coquetting of practiced diplo
mates, or the hollow kettle-drumming of rccalci
tant princes, standing out for privileges and hag
gling over concessions with the "Father of the
Faithful." This notable change in the marriage
laws of Tuscany is among the first fruits of the
project of ecclesiastical reform undertaken, as I
mentioned in a former letter, by Cart SaWagooli,
with equal skill and firmness tf p'Jrpot to limit .
as far as may be the grasping power of tho
priests. Tbe Italian Evangelical Church, an
organized religious society, holding doctrines
somewhat similar to those of our Plymouth breth
ren, has feir some years been steadily gaining
strength in Tuscany. Until the 27th of last
April, however, its public worship (to epeak par
adoxically) was kept as secret as possible, to avoid
he persecution which attcuded any avowed lean
ing to Protestantism. Since tho revolution has
given us full liberty of creed, a place of worship
has been opened, and is fully attended every
Sunday. This first Protestant Tuscan marriage
was solemnizeel in presence of a large number
of persons, and assuredly makes an era in this
eventful time.
A Musical Shoemaker.
Atone of our meetings I met the happiest man,
I think, that I have ever known. lie was a bach
elor and a shoemaker who worked half the time
to support himself and horse, and attended meet
ing the other half. I cannot say much for the
breadth of his intellect, the extent of his infor
mation, or the quality of his taste. His faith
seemed to be unclouded, and his soul was ever
on the mountain-top He was passionately fond
of singing, and haa a repertory of songs and tunes
if his own. I think you might have heard him
half a mile off; I have been awakened at all
hours of the night by the vociferous strains of this
minstrel, and have seen him astride a bench see
sawing to and fro, slapping his hands, and pour
ing forth his stentorian solo. Musio teemed to be
his meat, drink, and loelging. His favorite verse,
6clf-made, no doubt, was the following:
"I'd rather have religion.
While here on earth I stay,
Than to possess all the riches
Of all Ameri'-a.
Chorus. Crying, victory, victory,
I long to see that day." Milburn.
King; of Sardinia.
The report is circulating in Paris that the
Sardinian Monarch, together with a very lare
proportion of his subjects, will thortly abandon
the faith of Home. Ia the famous publication
called "Napoleon and Italy," tho Btatc of Sardin
ia is pronounced to be such as must necessarily
prenluee civil war and ecclesiastical severment.
On the late entrance of Victor Emmanuel, the
clergy held themselves aloof from all share in
the loyal dememstations, thus evincing their sus-
j picion of a change not favorable to themselves.
Premeditated Biographies.
In tho office of the London Times there is a
bureau that one would think must be a terror
to not a few. Every man, whose life is deemed
worth taking, ha3 a place in a certain "pigeon
hole," wherein the record is constantly kept
"written up" to the latest possible period a sort
of "log," to be displayed the minute life's voyage
is ended. Deeds done and words said in tbe heat
of passion arc there; acts performed at long in
tervals are brought into startling proximity, and
all. of necessity, divested of the glow and action,
tho touch of nature, as it were, that made us re
gard them in the living actor with a lenient if
not a loving eye. Such a man dies to-night : tbe
"pigeon-hole" gives up its dead, and to-morrow
morning, even before the subject has began to lie
in state, the leading acts and incidents of bis life
are spread all abroad to the world. Quick work
they make of fame. The world is surprised at
this readiness of information. One DodJ, who
used to edit this department of the Times, excelled
in preparing men's biographies before they died,
and hence was called "Haven Dodd."
A Nation Born at Once.
A remarkable display of the power of divine
grace among a heathen people, has recently taken
place in the island of Celebes. Some missiona
ries of the Netherlands Missionary Society have
labored there for some years with but little appa
rent success. One of these missionaries, howev
er, now describes the wonderful shower of mercy
with which they arc visited. A native preacher
was passing through a village on Saturday to his
preaching appointment on the sabbath, when he
saw the priest who had been bitterly opposed to
the gospel and tbe missionaries, with a large
crowd about him. Trembling with fear, he in
quired what they wanted, when he was told. great
ly to his surprise, that he and the people had re
solved to renounce idolatry and become Christians.
The move spread from village to village tkc
people casting away their idols, ard seeking in
struction from tho missionaries. The peorle say
that they had come to the truth chiefly by the in
struction their children had received in the mission-schools.
Tbe missionary mentions three dis
tricts, containg at tho beginning of the year not
less than 10,000 heathen, and adds but to all ap
pearance, and with the help of God bv the snd of
the year there will be not one left there."
'All comes by Chance.
An English lady who had forsaken her God,
and the Bible, for the gloom and darkness of
infidelity, was crossing the Atlantic, and asked
a pious sailor, one morning, how long she should
be out. 'In fourteen days, if it is God's will,
we will be in Liverpool,' answered the sailor.
'If it is Gexl's will!" Eaid the lady; 'what a
senseless expression ; don't yon know that all
comes by chance ?" In a few day a terrible storm
arose, and the lady stood clinging to the cabin
door in an agony of terror, when the sailor passed
by her. " What do jou think?" said she ; "will
the storm soon Le over 2" "It seems likely to
last for some time, Madam." "Oh," she cried,
"pray that wo may not be lost !" His only and
aim reply was, "Sliall I pray to chance T
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