,., ..... . L- r-'-1
T Kit MS.
1J
-
The CimisTiAS Amvotatc is furnished to suliacrl
b'T at per auunm in advance. If payment bo
delayed six nionth, $2 r0; one copy, six months,
CL.IJIJ It A I KS.
T. u 'tpit!s, uue year, post paid
Fifty cvpiea. one year, puei i i
OUK AOK. is.
All the travelling and local preachera In the bounds
. ttiA North Carolina Conference are onr authorised
..gents. Any senon sending na tan subscribers, for
one ear, will receive the pap -r fiee.
0 0 111 1U u u i C Q t f ft.
For the Advocate.
TO S. F. CONRAD.
In iwu lmmlws of the "Biblical Re
e rder," of recent date, appears two ar
ticles over your signature, headeil, "Are
tliev consistent" and "The Metho
dist"." In yi u i- first article, "Are tliey con
siteut," 1 understand you t arraign
the occupants nt' Methodist pulpits fur
teaching tlie following doctrines:
'1st. The different denominations are
hiaiirh.-s of the chui-h.
'2nd. It is i matter of no importance
as to what church you j"in.
old. That it is u.ni-esM-iit ial as to
church relations.
An. I then voti arraign tliem lor the
t' illowing i:u'tiee:
1st 1-m-making persistent
ne t ei'tViiis to prevent persons .if I'edo
liapti-t I'auiiiie-. j jiniiig Anna Baptist
elmveiies. bv o ling them with traets,
t'reo-.ieiitlv vl-iiing aiul talking with
i,.-.. the siin.eet w hen tliev intimate
an intent ion '
.... . T 11 -
o:n:ag tne .vuua iap-
tit eimreh.
'2iu. For i'oriiiing eomhiiution witli
otln'i I'elo Baptist denominations, to
retard the growth and sneeess of the
Anna Baptist church.
ord. When they lind any one eon
i:iced. in tie' light of i lie New Testa
ment, that it i their duty to join the
Anna Baptist elinn-h. they pieaeli long
nnoiis. and writ- n-ini.'roiis articles
for tie- p;v-. to i..-veiii them carrying
out t heir eon ic; ion.
N a I sin l.-i tan 1 y o; to -ay that
! ue-e
l.rae:i
I. ict rmcs arc t.iugnt, and tliese
es are indulged in. by one and
the same 1 : it i
that is by occupants
of the Methodist pulpits. The doctrine-
here taught plainly contradicts
the practice. And if you have correct
ly stated the doctrine and the practice,
then voiir conclusions follow as a logical
c n-i'MUence, vi... ihat the occupants oi
the Methodise pulpits --aie going about
-peaking lies in h pocri-y."
The correctness of the conclusion,
however, re-:- solely up ni the truthful
ness of vour statement. 1 have taken
these clear i-nt statements of doctrine
and practice out of the rubbish of your
Hi-si article; that the casual readers of
new-paper article- might see what
thimrs vou have charged us with teach
ing and doing, for which you condemn
us a- -peaking lies in hypocrisy.' Xow
have vou sp .ken the truth ? is the one
all-important .pn-iion lo decide.
That we teach our people to believe
the different denominations to be branch
es of the church of Ohrit, we do not
deny.
1 have ben a Methodist for more
than thirty years, and I have been in
the ministry of the Methodist church for
n 'ailv fifteen years, yiil dining this
period. I have heard with delight many
warm wiiole-sotih-d fraternal sermons
:id addresses, ih:it would touch all
hearts with a divine sympathy, causing
the tid. s of spiritual life to rise up to
j li.ilant overflowing, and sweetly sub
merge all tiaces of denominational and
d ictriual lines for the time; but 1 have
li'jver heard in all this thirty years, nor
ha ve I ever read in book,or periodicals,
th- itof.r and i-xocai.ified statement,
"that it makes no difference what
. hurcli a man joins." I deny the ac
cusation, and introduce as my witness
the whole history of the Methodist
church as it tjn Is out in bold relief
upon the pages of her practical, doctri
nal and ethical w ritings. Now Mr. C.
vou must destroy the force of this living
witness by rebutting testimony, or you
must fall under the burning stigma and
reproach you have deliberately endeavor
ed to fix upon the Methodist ministry,
and yourself prove to be the 'Lying hy
pocrite." Vow as to the third item of which
- 7
vmi charge us. "that it is non-essential
m t,, church relations." we deny and
j.r.1
ive to m laise also o me s.mn- u-
i 1 1 .1 1 .. i
i'S
Into this logical vise you have
ivisldv nut voiir own refutation, and I
cannot help vou, as it is my purpose
to d.-fend the truth, and let onlv the
often, icrs .-leainst the truth sutler tor
t heir temerity.
You chaw us with making prodigi
on- efforts to prevent persons joinini
the Anna Baptist church, when their
own convictions lead them there.
And thai '.ve combine with other dc
n-c.niiia'ioiis to retard the growth and
prevent the success of the Anna Bap
tist church. Xanie your men, Mr. ('.,
who have done these things, and the
time and place-of doing them, and then
rive us credible witnesses, and I will
assure you tliev shall be brought to
answer for their misdoings.
And if vou fail to give us the names
of the men, the times and places, you
must in this particular, also, rest under
the suspicion of being a false accuser
In vour last article you repudiate the
idea that there was any particular in
dividual or locality referred to, so that
you will be able to give us an imletinit
number of men, in an indefinite numbe
of places, who have formed this coiispi
racv to utterly overthrow and destroy
the Anna Paptist church. If you have
spoken the truth, in this fearful accusa
tion, we demand of you the names of
these despfradoew
iillOiill fPi J. 1 L iMioLlfflll lift J 11 (.111. IK
J V. . V 1 s -j vjr j square. $ I uo : $3 00
. N. J 2iuare. 2 00 ' 6 00
. . - .. 3 S.jures 3 00 . 7 00
W' T i nmiPiTT it i' i 1 - ' iSquares. oV 00'i
UV, . .J. 1. BOM.ll I, D. D., LplToll ASP FlbMSUKR. Tn-.i. t i- - -. Oolmu . S 00 1 ! an'
i' auu uuut; ueiiverea to the rSa 1 n t sj niFV n t nriwuv .. icoimn -too;
I - me? OdlllLN. IU. . 11. 1. JUlON, CotiUKSI'oNPlXii KniTdR. I 1 Colnmn, 15 00'
Vol. XXIII.
Eut, Mr. C, have you not iiianufac
tured these accusations out of your own
corroding grief and disappointment ?
You, sir, have been engaged in tin
work of a proseiyter among mv own
members in this community. You sent
tracts to two of the ladies, who were
converted during the meeting recently !
conducted in the Methodist church.
These tracts had your name written on
them, and you afterward called for
them, and thev were ret tu ned to vou as
your property. I liese were proselyting I
tracts, sent by you for that purpose, and j
lelivered bv one of the members of your I
own church. And ..thus, you .stand co"-J"ot .ios-'jUtJhaxa-tjiii-iu iiiuiiii-Ki'
victed of making an earnest effort to this has led to the opposition that has
pronelyte members from the Methodist existed among various persons to revi
and Presbyterian churches into the An- j vais ? It seems to me that no right
na Baptist church. For of these two thinking man would oppose a genuine
ladies, one had joined the Methodist ! revival if he knew what it was. Some
church and the other had notified the ;
pastor of tlie Presbyterian church of her
purpose to join that church under con
viction ot an enlightened conscience I sometimes gives ground tor such a con
that it was her duty so to do. This ; elusion. 1 do not understand a wild,
work vmi have done. "By their works ' ranting, species of nonsense to be a re
ve shall know them." are the words of vival of religion at all. This is anoth
the one only infallible Teacher. But er source of evil that his led serious
this is not the worst feature in your people to oppose revival-; the manner 5 our church required so little for its sup
case. On one Sabbath morning you in which they are conducted. But this j port. It was very little better in the
were standing in the pulpit of the Anna ; is the old fallacy of objecting to a good j lVe.-diytei' ian church. Dr. Mcl'heeters,
Baptist church, in this place, and took . thing from the abuse of it. j a ufnistcr qualified by his abilities to
occasion to say in substance, that you ! A revival of religion is a work of ni .J,,, highest position in the church,
had never tried to proselyte members i grace in the hearts of men. It is the was required to spend five da vs of the
from other churches into the Anna work of the Holy ( ihost. There can be week in teaching school, and one day
Baptist, and that you never knew a !
minister of the Anna Baptist church ,
to do so. Your works flatly contradict
vour Sabbath morning s assertion. -Which
shall we believe? your words
or vour works ? 'You are insnared in
the works of your own hands.' i.u
have diirued a pit and have fallen into
it. As to your claims of lieing an 111- :
fallible teacher of 'baptism and church j
luties,' I have only this to say: You !
ire to be pitied, as you do not know ;
anv better, being blinded by self con-
it and sectarian bigotry. i
I have taken this brief notice of vour i
1
tirPt .'liucie, not because you, or your
article deserves notice, for 'it is hard to !
conceive how more scurrility and false- ;
hood could be compacted in one short
newspaper article, than you have, hy j
ow insinuations, and mean inuenioes,
vours. But I have written, 1
uk into
siinulv to prevent innocent and unsuspec-
11:,,. ;,,;,,,.1,.i 1.,- '
tne- lieolile lelllii HUUied. o olil 1111- 1
1 . 1 :n;,. . si n.. W.,iw
pudent liil!ingsg..i.e, and slandeioiis
1 .i m .1 1: ci,,i,
attacks, upon the .Methodist t iiurch.
I-
ie! fie!! Mr. Conrad, you seem to lie a !
veritable Ishmaelite, for vour hand is a- i
I
rainst everv man, and when we have ;
tried to be at peace witli you, you have
leen toi- war i
T, . , . . , 1 . 1 .1 . .1
Put let it be understood, that tlie
1111a Baptist church is not held re- .
ponsible for your wicked course to
wards the other denominations. If the
Vnna Baptist church is damaged in this
eoiinminit v. vou are the author ol the
. , . i
mischief. :
It is with sincere regret, that I have
been thus compelled to expose the am- )
mns ot your first article; lor tne evil
minded men of the world will seek to
belter themselves in their opposition to
the church thereby. But you, only, I
must tie hem responsiuic ior ine evn 1
1 111 17 1 .l. 'll
growing out of these publications. For,
without provocation, vmi have made a
vicious and slanderous assault upon the
ministry of the Methodist church.
T. A. Boonk.
Mocksville, X. C-
For the Advocate.
ARE REVIVALS SPASMODIC?
HV II K V . I.. I.. NASH.
"We frequently hear revivals spoken
of as mere "Religious Spasms;" and
that too by those w ho are really friends
to religion. We purpose in this article
to examine the subject candidly; and if
we do not show that lasting results
have attended all true revivals of relig
ion, we will be among the number to
discard them.
It will not be necsesary to go back
beyond the present generation to show
the good effects of revivals. It is per
fectly natural for men to see every evil
in the church. If a half dozen voting
men proiess religion at a revival, and
one of the number backslide, everybody
will forget the five faithful ones, and
harp on the backslider, .lust so if vou
look out on the starry htavens on a
clear night; one shooting star will be
seeii with more distinctness that mil-
lions that do not shoot. When in
fact the shooting star is only a meteor,
while the millions tl.ai stand firm are
blazing suns, sending their gentle light
over the wide expanse of space.
I have had the pleasure of witnessing
several extensive revivals, and the re
sult has always been very satisfactory
to me. Only a small per cent of those
converted went back to the world. It
is true I have always grieved at the
falling away of any, but the number
that stood firm, so far as my observa
tion is concerned, has been, indeed, very
satisfactory.
But we will notice this subject in the
light of history, and not simply in the
aspect of our own experience.
We are not afraid of successful eon-
tradict ion when we assert that all pro-
gress in the church owes its origin to a
revival of religion,
Tlie christian church began in a re-
vival. On the day f Pentecost, the
first genuine revival of religion under
the christian dispensation commenced:
and as long as the revival spirit lasted,
Oodhadapure church in the world.
j 'hit when wealth and fornialitv became
the source to which the church looked
for help, instead of the Holy Ghost, in
His work of revival where the spirit
and power of Christianity alone exists,
purity was rare, and iiuthing 2,n,sl,ure,l
but the thick cloud that brought on the
dark ages.
What is a revival of religion '? Is it
s'eni to think that a revival of religion ;
i a species ol insanity: and the eon-1
I dnc
th
who
participate in them j
no revival ol religion without this.
There are some instames where tin
I Ioly J host operated with the word of j
ttod, as read 111 the lively
; produced a revival, a in
Martin Luther. But Jo I
oracles iiii'l ;
the case of j
s way of l'O- j
viving his work, is through the preaeh
' iug of the gospel by a living minister.
U henever 1 le lias departed trom this
rule it has been w here it was absolutely
necessary for the preservation of His
clmr-di. Ananias is maile the intru-
liient in the conversion of Paul, who is
a chosen vessel.
l5,lt is t,lis w,,rk effervescent in its
.1 1 . t 1:...: :..
cnaiaciei . o so, i.ue i.ngiou is.
t'"'- iwival is an activity of true relig-
"?- :,y :' revival ot church-
"'ere is no revival ot reltg-
ion at all. We use the term religion
"'' i the sense 01 tne nte 01 ua in
th" s""' oi m:UI- as lf h:i l"'on v,'v."
'
tlv defined to he. Whatever com-
plaints we may have to luakw
1
against
i revivals proper! v understood, will hold
11. , .
good against religion itself. Men are
jo s o
,l,:"1 ' trespasses and sun; mey are
awakened and iirougnt to a penitent
state, and to a state of conscious par
don. They are made happy in religion;
thev change their life, and bring forth
fruits meat tor repentance; Mime remain
1
faithful until death ends tlie struggle,
while a few go back to the world.
i This is a brief statement of what a re
j vival is, and what the result are. But
! an objector thinks it will be better to
get t hem converted nv the n-e ot other
; means, as there are quite a per cent that
do not hold out who are cnverted at
1 revivals. W ell I old vmi (jodspeed.
iet as many converts without revivals
as you please, ami if yon can succeed
better in the work of soul saving with-
out revivals than I do with tliem, I will
adopt your plan upon satisfactory evi
dence. But, says the objector to revivals,
"Yon may outnumber me, but I will
show you a higher type of Christian
ity." Only give me sufficient evidence
of this, and 1 will try and combine your
plan and mine, so as to get the largest
number converted, and secure the high
est christian development. So far are
revivals from being spasmodic in their
results, that there is no real growth nor
progress in the divine life without them.
Those churches that oppose them live
by them.
-..-
For the Advocate.
C1I FRCH FIXAXCKK."
liV KKV. IS. T. Itl.AKE.
Aware of my incapacity to ileal prop
erly with the subject, it is with diffi
dence I give public expression to my
sentiments, as to the present mode of
raising money for charitable and church
purposes. In view of the present state
j 0f act ivity 111 all the churches, by the
use of new methods to advance the in-
j tercst of the church, it is sad to observe
j that manv of these methods are not onlv
of doubtful propriety, but are positively
injurious to christian pietv. The apos-
; tie says charity never fails, but accord-
t - J
ing to the "New Faith" it has failed,
and we must try something else, or as a
secular paper puts it, "It is like a sugar
coated pill." It cannot be swallowed un
less its bitter taste is disguised by some
palatable covering. The church people
seem to have racked their brains to find
out new methods to raise money for re
ligious objects, until they have become
a jest for the profane and a stumbling
block to more serious iniuds. Said an
old sinner, "Did I ever expect to live to
see christian people gambling to raise
money for religious purposes." Fifty
years ago in the city of Raleigh an ex
hibition for public amusement Was ad
vertised, with the inviting proposal that
the proceeds, after paying expenses,
would be divided equally between the
I three Sunday -schools. The Methodist
j rejected the proposal, on the grounds
that they could not participate in, or
Raleigh, Q, Wednesday, May 22,
contribute to. an amusement forbidden
j by the word of ( b,d. Thev were then
poor, at least in their own estimation;
so poor they could not support a mar
ried preacher, and with dilliculty sup
ported a single man.
I would not insinuate that there is
less genuine piety in the Methodist.
Church now than there was then. The
contrary is true. In labors they are
more abundant. Their liberality is
greatly enlarged. In proportion to their
wealth they contribute to benevolent
purposes and the support of their pas
tors ten times more now than formerly.
when the Indian gave the missionary a
cut-half-bit. "Poor pay," said the
missionary;" "Poor preach," said the
Indian. But the fact above stated is
so; witli more wealth than has ever
l,ccn in the church since the preacher
received one hundred dollars, collected
Uot iVom the rich, but from the poor, in
small contributions. It could not be
! otherwise when the preacher asked for
no more, and was satislied when he
could get that much. It was a great
recommendation that the ministry of
for ministerial preparation, on the Sab
bath day. Our people were educated to
peiinriousness, because our preachers
Woull pnvicli, vIictInT they were paid
for n Illlt. They would preach. They
ofi.H! in-cached against the love of mon
ey, so as to make the impression that it
was a sin to make money. Mr. Wes
ley's rule was to look on money as eyes
to 1 he blind, as food to the hungry;
therefore he made all he could honestly,
he saved all he could by the most rigid
economy, and then gave all he made to
the poor and needy. Had the early
Methodist preachers been moved by any
other spirit, their ministry would have
been a failure.
Without specifying the several modes
of doubtful utility by which the church
es are now engaged in raising money, I
would urge the discontinuance of all
such a. appeal to men's appetites,
passions or sentiments. Surely the
conscience, the heart, a sense of duty,
and the pleasure of doing good, are suf
ficient motives to benevolent and charit
able acts. It is time for the churches
to consider to what complexion we are
coming by tliese human devices, lf
they are to be continued let us have a
grand lottery for church purposes, and
do a wholesale business.
I am no cynic. I detest such a
character. I agree with Dr. Paley, that
it is an instance of Clod's tender care of
his creatures, that children can be so
easily amused. I have raised children;
have had the children of others under
my care and instruction. It has al
ways given me pleasure to see the en
joyment of young persons in their in
nocent amusements. Now wdiile life's
taper is flickering in its socket, I love
to see young people in their sports,
though 1 cannot participate in them.
But when it comes to pass that the re
ligion of a crucified .Jesus is made to
consist in a round of pleasurable en
tertainments, it does seem we are not
following Him who commanded his
disciples to take up the cross which he
laid down only when he ascended to
lory.
Mav Sth, 1X7S.
For the Advocate.
DISCIPLINE MORE IMPORTANT
THAN INTELLECT.
"Is it not, let me ask," says Guizot,
is it not by mental vigor, by intellectu
al movement on one side, and by order,
and discipline on the other, that all in
stitutions acquire their power and in
fluence over society '?"
Of the two things here mentioned, liy
the distinguished historian, as necessary
to the success of an institution, I think
discipline is the more important. One
definition of discipline is, "Subjection
to rule; submissiveness to order and con
trol." In this definition two classes
are plainly implied in any organized
body of persons rulers and ruled; con
trollers and controlled. These two class
es exist in the M. E. Church, South
which is oiganized on the plan of an
army in order that its operations may
be rapid, united, and harmonious. Like
an armv it has its regular grades of
Bishops, Presiding Elders, Pastors, Lo
cal Preachers, Exhorters, Class-Leaders,
Stewards and Private Members. The
duty of each is defined. All control
and all are controlled in certain partic
ulars, and submissiveness to specified
duties is discipline; and he who procures
submission to order and control on the
part of those who are placed under hi
care is a disciplinarian. This word has
been much abused. When it is said of
a minister wdio is in the habit of ex
pelling many members from the Church,
that he is a good disciplinarian, the
truth is not told at all. He is a good
disciplinarian wdio keeps orderly mem
hers in the line of duty, and induces
disorderly ones to submit to the rules
and order of the Church; and he who
J has numerous Church trials, and ex
pillions untler his administration can
lay 110 just claims to the title of dis
ciplinarian. Nor can that minister or
officer be properly so styled who, being
placed in charge as a ruler to direct and
control, allows himself to 1...
about by
fie si
suggestions or threats of
those ovei
it , '
whom he is placed; or who
allows inn
Iself to be used as a tool of
a faction lof subordinates or private
members tl harass their adversaries. He
is truly a ilsciplinaria 11 who trains those
under himio the prompt performance of
duty audvady submission to order
who 1- he is appointed to
wr.tioi. man tf-iio doc- this, though
he lie of ordinary intellectual capacity,
will accomplish more for the kingdom
of heaven, than the most brilliant
genius who ii-destitute of diseiplinarv
powcrs. There is im poverty of intellect
in our Church, hm there does seem to
lie a want of bold, independent, decided
men lor the officer- of the Church, who
will do what thev are appointed to do
regardless o! where they will be, or
what position they will hold tlie next
year. As a consequence of this want
we frequently see cropping out here and
there amongst subordinates and private
members an inclination to refuse to do
as directed, unless the directions suit
their own tastes and feelings.
It is by order and discipline that great
things are accomplished with littles.
The thinking' man soon becomes con
vinced of tht weakness of individuals,
hence he seess for coiubinat ions; he
seeks to gather the little strength of
each and so unite them as to form otic
mighty power to so direct alt the little
fountains of effort as to cause them to
flow together and form one broad deep
stream of glorious achievement .This Mr.
Wesley did 111 the aiganizalioli of the
Methodist Church, and its unparalleled
sucess is due mainly to its order and
discipline, ami not to its brilliant in
tellects. MELODY 1 TtH E II EAIiT.
There is no music-box so freighted
with melodious harmonics as is the
heart, of the Christian full of the promi
ses and of the spirit of the Gospel. The
Man of Sorrows has filled the world
with songs of gladness and triumph.
J lis love lias harmonized once dicordant
2assions, and caused jarring conflicts
within the sonl to yield to all the sweet
enchantments of faith, hope and charity.
It. is not allowed a believer to be always
on the mount of ecstacv, nor all the
while in the shadowed vallev. The
isciple cannot be exempt from tribula
tion or distresses, lie must have Ins
Jethsemane and his Calvary. For
him there is some bitter cup, piercing
spear. Yet, notwithstanding, he shall
oy even in tribulation. His soul shall
ave its templed glory, its celestial
peace, and its ant hems of rapture. His
exalted and exalting faith will enable
him to catch the notes of the celestial
choir, and to hear the strains of the
harpers before ihe throne. Nothing
can put so much music into a man as
the consciousness of being at one with
Christ. Selfishness of whatever sort,
begets iiioroseness, and fault-limling,
and distrust. Rut whoso is reconciled
in his heart, mind and will, to the au
thority of the All-Loving, will be able
to testify :
"My life flows on in undlcss song, above earth's la
mentation.
I catch tho sweet, though far-off hymn, th:i! hai's a
new creation:
Above the tumult anil the Btrife I hear the music
ringing.
It finds an echo in my heart, how can I keep from
singing ?"
-4--.
FAMILY PRAYERS.
Let me not be misunderstood. Fami
ly prayers are not family religion. I
have known houses in which, with scru
pulous regularity, prayers were offered,
the household always assembled at the
:ue set apart. And yet in vain could
one look for anv trace, throughout the
dav, oi the spirit and power 01 godli
, ... i ii
ness. The atmosphere of the circle was
worldly. Frivolity and mere self-pleas
ing reigned. The worship of the early
hour was the only witness against the
levity of tin' rest of the day. There
fore, J speak of the family worship
merely as a symbol of fellowship. but
if the symbol is rightly used, if it is
loved and kept as a help to the reality,
it is full of profit. It promotes the sym
pathy which should animate the mem
bers of the home circle, it is a visible
sign of their oneness. It provides an
opportunity for instruction in the con
tents of Scripture, all the more valuable
that the Divine teaching steals into the
oul "precept upon precept, line upon
line." It keeps alive in all the obli
gation of duties as more than any claim
of rights, cements the ties of affection,
bestows on all relationships "the beau
ties of holiness." It is a monitor to
those who command, reminding them ot
what they owe to the children and
household: a monitor equally to thos"
who are ruled, reminding them oi the
honor and obedience that are due in the
Lord. It serves "as an edge and bor
der to preserve the web of life fiom un
raveling; it tends to keep everything in
proper place and time; it naturally in
troduces a similar regularity into other
employments. " Let none plead want
of ability for conducting an exercise so
blessed. Rev. Dr. F. Marshall Lang,
in the Family Tkf.asi bv,
1878.
PREACHING PUNISHMENT.
r.V uev. j.tcoi: Tiiim, i. p.
In discussing the doctrine of eternal
punishment. Dean Farrar, in his recent
book entitled "Eternal Hope," adopts
the not uncommon method ot throwiii"
mud at his opponents, and when he has
pretty thoroughly bespattered them, he
seems to think he has established his
case. Because they preach a doctrine
which is revolting to his tender feelings,
he charges them with being cold-blooded,
cruel ;lid lw.-vl-". 1. - 1T .
no higher motive than tear to appeal to,
and who delight in painting pictures of
the lost.
It is readily admitted that the fear of
punishment is not the highest motive to
lead men to lives of virtue and religion.
It is really the lowest one; and yet it is
one which must sometimes be appealed
to. Our Saviour, again and again,
presented the fact of future punishment
as a consideration why men should
"cease to do evil and learn to do well.'"
It is true, he appealed to this motive
only when addressing low moral natures
which were incapable of being moved
by higher considerations; but these low
natures were not men of social or intel
lectual inferiority. Thev were some
times the ma rt: of society; but they were
men with whom might was more pow
erful than right. It was to the Scribes
and Pharisees that desiis put the fearful
question : "Ye generation of vipers,
how can ye escape the damnation of
hell ?" What, was proper in this respect
for Christ to do will not be out of place
for the gospel minister to do, for "the
disciple is not above his Master, nor tho
servant above his lord.'" The need of
appealing to the fear of punishment is
scarcely less to-day than when 'hrist
walked on earth, for human nature has
undergone but little change within
these eighteen hundred years. That
stratum in human nature which is im
pressible only by fear does not belong
simply to a tew exceptional individuals
of the human race; it is a stratum
that underlies all human nature, and is
possessed by every one. It is the bed
rock of our moral natures. "The fear of
the Lord is the iikuixxim; of wisdom."
.In the lowest specimens ofom race
this susceptibility to fear of punishment
comes to the surface, and is the ilpjier
most and only motive to be addressed.
As man rises higher in the scale of mor
al being, one stratum after another is
deposited upon this granite base, until
it is buried so deep beneath the higher
and nobler motives that it is rarely
reached by the picks and drills of life.
When once Ave get to doing right from
tin; love of right, for the welfare of our
fellows, or for the glory of God, we
hardly ever stop to ask what would be
the consequence of wrong doing. But
Ict. a man apostatize from the faith, and
you shall find, that after he has resisted
and rejected all other motives to holy
living, the fear of punishment will at
last call a halt in his career and bid
him consider well his course. A savage
works only became hunger drives him
j to it. He knows no higher motive to
! labor. The civilized man labors for the
comforts and luxuries of life, for fame
and honor, for the good of his neighbor,
for the welfare of the State, and for the
advancement of mankind. He hardly
ever thinks of hunger as a motive to
labor, because he has so many higher
ones. Rut let him reject all higher mo
tives, and refuse to labor in response to
the command of all other considerations,
and he will at last find that the savage
is still lurking in him, and that hunger
will make him labor when every thing
else has failed.
I suppose if Christ could have won
all hearts to himself by appeals to man's
higher nature, he would never have ad
dressed his fear of punishment by warn
ings of a future hell: and so 1 suppose a
judicious minister will not preach hell
fire to a man who can be won to Christ
by the love of God and the beauty of
holiness. For myself, I vastly prefer to
address the civilized instead of the
savage in man. I would rather quarry in
any stratum of human nature than down
in the granite. Rut when all other ap
peals failed, .lesus did not. hesitate to
thunder in the ear of our fears tlie
i "wrath of (bid
md the "wrath of the
Lamb:" and when to-day men will not
be moved by higher considerations, the
gospel minister is bound to point out the
consequences of sin, and to declare the
"terror of the Lord."
The truth or falsity of the doctrine of
future punishment is something which
does not depend upon onr sentiments,
desires, or beliefs. The blatant charge,
so often made, that the men w ho teach
future punishment, are hard-hearted
creatures who delight in .the damnation
of their kind, has no meaning, except
that it serves to indicate the manner in
which those who make the charge from
their creed. It implies that the wish is
father to the thought, and that men be
lieve and teach as truth only what they
desire should be true. It is only fair to
let every man tell his own experience;
and it may be that the men who make
this charge evolve their creed out of
their own sentiments and desires, and
teach only what they wish to be true. I
have not so learned to interpret God's
word. Its teachings do not depend upon
anv man's indorsement for their truth.
ISTuniher 20.
They will be just as true if we do not
like them as if we do, and whether we
believe them or not w ill not change tne
facts. The question of future punish
ment, a taught in Cod's word, is simp
ly one of biblical interpretation. The
.11 .
theologian can neither create a hell if
there be none, nor uncrcatc it if there lie
such a place. He does not consign any
body to a place of torment, nor can he
rescue one soul whom God condemns.
The whole question is one of naked fact,
with which sentiment and desire have
notlrng to do.
nufliTllie' "same, w halevei we may thiiiK
of them, that man is a dangerous teaeh-
, who, on account of his sentiments Jo
the contrary, suppresses or glozes over
the awful realities of eternity. J might
be bitterly opposed (as 1 ;:ni not) to tin
President's order forbidding Govern
ment appointees to take an active part
in party politics on pain of dismissal
from office; but I would be a deceiver.
and an enemy of the very men whom I
professed to champion, if, having read
the order, I undertook to convince them
that participation in a political cam
paign was not an oll'eiise, and would Hot
he punished by dismissal from office. I
would have a perfect right to express
my views in regard to the measure, but
110 right to suppress or deny the fact of
dissmissal from office for violation of the
order. In like manner, he only is a
true friend of mankind who faithfully
warns them of whatever danger he sees
in the distance, no matter what his
views and feelings in regard to future
punishment may be. Whether he like
it or not, if he finds it in the book, com
mon honesty requires him to proclaim it
as there.
Suppose the Czar of Russia had sent
an embassador to offer terms of peace lo
the crushed but struggling Turks; and
suppose, when he arrives at the Turkish
head-quarters and presented the condi
tions upon which his imperial master
would order a halt to the advance of
his conquering forces, he should take it
upon himself to go a little beyond his
instructions, and .should confidentially
whisper in the ear of the Porte: "These
are the conditions which my master has
authorized me to offer, but I am fully
persuaded that he does not mean to ex
act them of you. If you reject, thi.s
offer 1 make, no doubt you will gi t
better terms by and by. He is a kind
hearted sovereign, and, depend upon it,
he will not deal harshly with you if you
reject his offer and continue your hostil
ity." Does any one doubt that such an
embassador, upon discovery, would get
a halter for his pains? What, then,
shall be'thought of the minister who goes
as (iod's embassador to a rebel world to
offer Heaven's terms of pardon and
peace, and who professes to be wise
above that which is written, declaring
his belief that if all terms of salvation
be rejected here, God will olfer other,
if not better, terms in the future? It. is
not pretended that authority for such u
declaration is given in God's word.
Every such minister, therefore, exceeds
his commission, betrays his trust, de
ceives the people by raising groundless
hopes, and is traitor both to God and
man.
THE CIJ A RACTER OF MA IK .M ET.
In forbidding the use of wine, Mahom
et denied them a gratification for which
they had no special craving; but he not
only permitted, he gave, a divine sanct
ion to the unbridled indulgence of all
their characteristic vices. The Arab
inherited a supreme contempt for human
life: Mahomet bade him gratify it to the
top of his bent, on the sole condition
that the life sacrificed should not be
that of a Mussulman. The Arab was
the most vain glorious of human beings:
Mahomet told him that he had a divine
right to his self-conceit, since it was
written in the Rook of Fate that the Arab
race was the predestined ruler of the
world and heir of all the ages. The
Arab was proud of his language: Ma
homet said that it was the language of
heaven, and was consequently so sacred
that its use was forbidden to all but the
True Believers. The Arab was an in
veterate freebooter: Mahomet opened up
to him an endless vista of predatory
warfare, with spoils in abundance, of all
that could fire the fancy, in the case
of victory; or the refreshing bowers of
Paradise, attended by ever-beautiful and
ever youthful black-eyed boiiris, if he
died a hero's death. The Arab practis
ed slavery: Mahomet gave him lor bond
slaves as many of the human race as he
chose to spare after satiating his lust of
carnage. The Arab was gn.ssly licenti
ous: Mahomet gave him leave to take as
manv wives as he pleased, and concu
bines without number: and the crown
ing deli'dit of his sensual Paradise is the
increased opportunity which it offers for
the safe gratification of animal lusts.
The .lews were the first to experience
his vengeance. He had fort ified his
earlier Suras with spurious quotatatioiis
from the Pentateuch, which he said
contained the same revelation to the
Jews which he was commissioned to
deliver, in the Koran, to the Arab:
But w hen lie went to Medina, the Jew-;
denounced his quotations as forgeries,
and he retaliated by fiercely accusing
them of having corrupted and falsified
their sacred books. Denunciations, hov-
1 Mox j:3 Mobs.; 6 Uom.-l Tub
$too! $isoo; $ttn
13 00 1 30 00 1 as oa
1H 00 I 30 0U 41 oa
a 00 i ssooJ M 00
an fwv ! im (mv M
M 0o: M 0u; 76 0O(J 1 0
fWi rc nnH .... aaJ. .... ...
w,( i w j iw j -log im
Adveriiaomenta will be changed one arery throa
month without additional ebargu. For Ty oth
er change there will be an extra ctarga of twenty
eentiaa inch. Twenty t , t.c- cent, la added to
the above rates for (aeclal notice In the Local col
nnm. Term, rash in adduce, unleas otharwtae
Zh-,rUp,?n' . Jh """" rite ehaaper than
..i..;..... . a f v T ,B oonth ot th am
character and circulation.
-
ever, were not enough. The presence of
the Jews, confuting his revelations out
of their I febrew Scriptures was a standing
menace to him; and he took measure
first to silence them, and when that
failed, to get rid of them altogether. A
Hebrew woman of the name of Asmn
who exposed the Prophet and his rid
icule 111 some satirical verses, was noon
afterward murdered by an agent of
Mahomet, who crept into her apartment
at midnight and plungend his damrcr
into her breast as she lay asleep be
tween her little oi:es.-M.uCTL',, Ka-
KINDXESS.
If we could but look down into th
hearts of many pople in our city, what
a sight would be presented before our
eyes! how many hearts dying for on
little spark of sympathy, dying for one
kind word spoken, one act of kindness
shown them;- but alas! only a frown!
only a cold glance which pierces to the
very centre of the heart! Many a disci
ple healing that honored title Christian,
is not a true disciple bearing a cup of
cold water "unto the least of these,"
but instead, giving a cross answer, show
ing a selfish disposition, doing an utij
christian act, not heeding the Master'
words, "Bear ye one another's burdens,"
but giving others many burdens. If
every one did well the jtart assigned
them, what a delightful world would he
made out of tliis now dreary one. Ijct
us scatter roses where we now sow
thorns, sunshine wdiere now cast thick
clouds of sorrow and woe, then our lives
will be joyous; and standing at the
threshold of a brighter and purer world,
ami looking back over the bright years
of the past, knowing wc have done our
duty to our fellow-men in this world, we
will be better prepared to welcome the
joys of tin; next. American Wtsltyan.
RELIGIOUS NOTES.
The New York Adi'ocafe neem t4
think that the exodus of the colored peo
ple to Africa the result of K. K's. out
rages. Tlie editor of that pacrhas too
much sense to believe anything of the
kind, and we had hoped he had too much
religion to say so. Ex.
The Northwestern Christian. Ad
vocate of May the 1st closes a long cd-'
itorial on the Publishing Hoiifie
claims with these exceedingly fraternal
words:
"The claim is brazen, unfounded, and
dishonest."
A young lady, who recently re
nounced Romanism, being told that as
she was born in a Catholic church, she
ought to die in it, replied promptly
" I was born in sin, but I have made
up my mind not to die in it."
Mr. Greely, who had the reputation
of having penetrated the secret of jour
nalism, said once, " It isn't what you
put in a newspaper that makes it good ;
it is what you keep out of it." And it i
this part of his work that the editor gets
no credit for.
Mr. Moody says in his downright
way, " 1 like to see teachers go into
their classes and when the scholar
come in, give them a good warm graap
of the hand, and ask them lion
the mother is, and how the fath
er is getting along, and take right
hold of the lesson as if they meant
it."
What statesmen litis formulated
the right theory of government in clear
er terms than these of Ralph Wal
do Emerson in his fine address on
" The Future of America?'' He eay,
" Morality is the object of government.
We want a state of things in which
crime will not pay."
In 103 Miss Arnott, of England,
commenced a school for girls in Jaffa.
In addition to boarding pupils, there are
more than a hundred day-scholars, Mo
hammedans, Jews, Greek Christiana,
and other faiths, who study bid's word
together daily, in the historic place
where it was made known to Peter that
the gospel of the Son of 5od was for all
the children of A Sunday Arabic
service is also held, attended by the men
and women of Joppa.
An exchange says: "On the whole
we are rather inclined to think the nil
rest way to kill a church is to locate
from three to a half-dozen nominal
preachers in the community who have
a chronic fondness for edifying the
brethren, and who make no charge for
their services. To insure the infal
libility of this method, they should 1
elected to the Eldership. They will
then claim the right to edily by divine
prerogative, and will not allow the church
to secure any one else to do this work.
We have neer known this method to
fail."
Goitehakiff, the Russian diplo
matist, has just entered upon his eighty
thud year.
Now is the time for spring cleaning.
If yon have not got a spring, cleanOlt
your well,