Newspapers / North Carolina Christian Advocate … / March 29, 1899, edition 1 / Page 2
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Contributed & GENERAL REVIVAL OF RELIG ION THE GREAT NEED OF. OUR TIMES. Byll L. Xash, D. D. 1 ' Tlie statistics of Southern Methodism show a decrease of 8,060 members for the rear 1808, as far as compiled. This is a sad summing up and should fill every heart among: us with deep concern. It is tn'ot pessimismto look at facts and inquire into the cause of failure. By this means we mav be able to amend our methods and, if "need be, our lives as well. I shall not endeavor to give the cause of our de cline in numerical strength, butsimply accept the fact, that we have lost mem bers, and are not numerically as strong as we were a year-ago by more than 8,000 souls. Many reasons for this sad condition occur to me, but let us see how. ve can mend our grip and set out on a year that shall bring such results as shall overbalance our losses and leave the cause of failure undiscussed. The way to get the darkness out is to turn on the light. Let us see, if we can,-'how to se cure better results. .The first' thing need ed is a general revival of religion. How Shall we proceed to secure this? .We an swer . ' 1. Let us all begin to live for it. A 'genuine revival always begins by a deep hungering and thirsting after righeous ness in the souls of the ministers and members of the church. It is a mistake to give bur time to thinking, talking, and writing about the short comings of 'others, and the hindrances in the way of any work we propose to do. When we are determined to do anything the best way is to prepare ourselves for the. task' before us. Let everyone look down into Oris own soul, and see if he is properly adjusted to the great revival Agent, the Holy Spirit. Wait not for others to move, but get right with God, and then move forward, and a revival will, spring tip, or come down, Wherever we may be; and when a-genuine work of grace be gins.; there is 'no telling when its influ ence will reach its limit. John Wesley tdid not concern himself about what others did, while he was seeking to know God in the forgiveness of his own sins ; neither did he ever dream of the effect that "would follow the strange warming of his own heart in that little Fetter ane prayer meeting. To live for a revival is to make it the Business of our lives to bring about, as much as lies within, us,1 this gracious work in ourselves and others. Let us think about a revival. Keep the great object before us all the time; and use every means in our power to have the jtrue revival spirit in us all the time. 2. Let us work for a revival. To do this wisely we should study tire condi tions that confront us, and labor to over come every obstacle in the way. If there are any among us who have been over taken in a fault, let us prayerfully en deavor to restore them-in the spirit of meekness; in the meantime, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted. Proper effort on the part of all of us who sincerely love God, and desire the salva tion of men will accomplish much. We can with ease increase the attendance at church and prayer meeting services. Kindly invite non-church goers to go with us to the house of prayer. We can cultivate the spirit of kindness, and let the unsaved around us know that we are in sympathy with them. We should labor to forget self, and be diligent to do something to bless others. A selfish church member, who instead of trying to be helpful to his church and pastor, has to be nursed, and visited, and petted to keep him in the church at all, is a sad sight indeed. Such a church member has not learned the alphabet of Chris tianity. To grow in grace, we must work for the salvation of, others, and the advance ment of the kingdom of God. 1 3. We must pray for a revival. There Is no such thing as a great spiritual work without earnest prayer. We must have power from on high, and prayer is our only means to get it. Let the church observe seasons of fasting and prayer. rrhe preacher who will leave off a meal or two, and shut himself up in his room With his Bible, and God, and pray all over the room will come out of it. with a power the world cannot resist. When dees this the revival will begin in his own soul, and others will feel its power. niiese suggestions are worthy of consid eration. The devil will join battle with any man, or any church who uses them, n n r rr r 4- 1 r--i - si t I .1 1 . a ' T r liii vtiiivi uisiicu every Time. II we neglect to use them we will soon find ourselves at ease in Zion. and the threat cned war will come upon us. No faith f '1 ' ijir r 1.1, . iui homier ciine cross need expect a truce in this war whiile he lives. The idevil delights to assault us if he finds us inactive, and our only safety is to be found in an aggressive Christian cam paign. Christianity is. an aggressive $ower, or it is nothing. It is not the de- sign of our Lord that the church should seek a fortress from the enemy and wait his attacks. The militant host must carry on. an offensive warfare. Founded on the Rock of Ages, her Captain com mands her to go forward, with the as surance that the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. The world must be taken for Christ. The plan of battle was published at Pentiecost. The arms to ac complish t'liis work are stored in the ar senal of heaven. Let us line up, and make requisition on the King for the svord of the Spirit, and the power from on high, and there will speedily be heard the sound as of a mighty rushing wind, and the results will follow. And there will be added unto the church daily such as are saved. A GLANCE AT OTHER DAYS. - By Rev. J. W. Twilley. There is a paper well worn by age and much handling now in the possession of Mrs. G. G. Dailey, of Caswell county, N. C. So far as -she knows the first part of the paper was written by Spencer Hatchett, for many years a leading Methodist and prominent steward. Since the paper was given to Mrs. Dailey, she has continued the record. The paper is headed: "A list of the preachers who have travelled Caswell and Yanceyville Circuit since its formation in 1783." The list is complete from that day to this. The charge was called for many years the Caswell Circuit, and was a part of the Virginia Conference. As other charges afterwards took part of Caswell county this cue took the name of the county scat, Yanceyville. What a history it has had ! ' I give a few names and facts that will be of interest to some of vour read ers. The organizers were Peter Moriarty and Jesse Lee in 1783. Peter Moriarty had been in the itinerancy but two years, and this was the year that the wise and witty Jesse Lee was received on trial in the Virginia Conference. In 1791 Enoch George, afterwards one of the Bishops of the Methodist Church, and Henry Hill, were on the work. A noticeable thing about 1797 is the fact that they had four preachers that year, .viz: Wil liam Wilkerson, William Brittain, Ed. Ellis, and H. Jones. In 1810 John Early, afterward Bishop, and Ethelbert Drake were here. For the first time in the history of the charge there was in 1816 only one preacher here. But, as that one was Lewis Skidmore, there 'as power in the pulpit. In 1812 William H. Starr, the worthy father of the present brilliant pastor of Broad Street church, Rich mond, broke the bread of life to this peo ple. The hirst Presiding Elder here was Lewis Skidmore. That was 1822. In 1828 Benton Field and Abram Penn were here. The descendants of Abram Penn are among the most influential Methodists in Virginia. They are men of merit. In 1834, the inimitable Moses Brock was Presiding Elder. In 1837, Peter Doub (his influence still lingers) was in charge, and the next year he was the Presiding Elder of the district that contained tin's charge. In i838'-39 John Hank, the first to remain two years, was here. He also remained here two years longer as supernumerary. From three to seven years old, it is quite likely that the magnetic minister at Onancock play ed over the old Caswell hills. In 1844 Alfred Norman, a man of striking physique and strong character, the fa ther of W. C. Norman, one of the most prominent and popular pastors in the North Carolina Conference, and N. H. D. Wilson, a man of great intellect, and father of a young man in this Confer ence that worthily bears the name of his sire, were here. In i849'50 James Ried, the father of Dr. N. F. Ried and the grandfather of Dr. Frank Ried, was in charge. In 1855 John Tillett, the father of Rev. W. F. Tillett, of Van derbilt, was the Presiding Elder. In 1861-62 T. Page Ricaud, who joined the Virginia Conference in Norfolk 1841, who, though old and infirm, still lin gers, one of the purest and the best of men, declared to this people the coun cils of God. In November last Rev. T. A. Cunninggim rounded out his eight years as the Presiding Elder of the dis trici containing this charge. He served it two terms, and then the sweet and gentle soul quietly laid down the pangs 01 eartn tor the peans ot glory. You remember the old saying about preacliers boys being bad. Look over a partial list of the preachers that have touched this charge. What a lesson ! How many of the sous caught and worthily wore the mantle of the ascend ing father! Bishop Early has a son in the ministry. A granddaughter of the old hero, Mrs. Vaughan, showed to this writer, three years go kindness -Worthy of the noble blood that courses her veins It would be hard to find a more accepta ble or so talented a man as W: G. Starr. He was born and reared in the itineracy." Two' sons of Jehu Hank. . were in th'e work : but a failure of health drove one from his beloved employ. The other is still as faithful to his calling as any other man. A grandson is in the Baltimore Conference. I think Moses Brock had two sons in the local ministry. - The sons of Alfred Norman and N. H. D. Wilson are an honor to any father. There were three generation's of Rieds preachers, and they were giants. John Tillett was strong; but his son is more polished and stronger. You cannot find, pro rata, in any other calling or business so many men that have produced so many worthy sons. In toils and deprivations, in sor rows and poverty they planted. Bishop Fitzgerald and others, that wear the robe of righteousness on earth or in heaven, show the character of work done. They while sowing for eternity, planted in their own homes a matchless moral manhood. A SAD WARNING. . (ByW.) X n an who was a stranger in Wil mii gec N. C, was recently in that city and ei gaged in such foolish remarks as tls "no one went to heaven but in fant, and preachers," and that as for hi .use!: "he was-going to hell or some other seaport town and was going to run ar engine." He swore to such an ex tent that , an aged Christian gentleman gently rebuked him for it. Finally he embarked upon a steamer, and was curs ing to such an extent that he was remon strated with and informed that ministers were aboard, when, it is said, that he re marked he would rather be in hell than go on that boat with a lot of preachers. In an hour or so he fell overboard and was drowned. What a warning. EXAMPLE OF TEACHERS AND PREACHERS. (Rev. A. D. Betts.) God wants boys to be hearty and strong. He surely does not wish them to use cigarettes. Thousands of anxious mothers wish their sons to avoid their use. I do not want my grandsons to see rheir teachers and preachers smoking. A boy,: ruined by their example, would be tempted to curse their memory. THE EP WORTH LEAGUE'S GREATEST NEED. I he season is very near at hand when many of the young people all over our great church will meet in their annual conferences of Epworth League work. And just at this time it is proper to consider the greatest need of the Ep worth League. Before the month of April has passed away the Epworth Leagues of our two conferences in North Carolina will have held their an nual sessions. And what' should be the crowning feature of both these confer ences? Spirituality, of course, and ' if they are not marked by this, if the young people who meet in New Berne and Goldsboro do not leave these places more spiritual than they were when they came, if they are not drawn closer to Him and have not in their hearts a greater desire to work for Him awakened "Failure" is the only word which can properly be in scribed upon the banners of both confer ences. Let us . pray earnestly that this reflection need not be cast at either con ference. The Epworth League is a triangular institution, but in many, and so far as we can learn, in most instances, one side of the triangle has been and is sadly ne glected. Tf the Epworth League has failed in anything it is in the develop ment of spiritual life. The motto of the organization is "All for Christ," and if we work in the spirit of these words we dare not neglect the spiritual side of the League. God stay the time Which seems to be coming upon us when this organi zation shall represent merely a literary and social club. The soul saving idea seems to be fast dving out of the League, and a more dangerous sign could not appear in our midst. There is too much tendency to make the Epworth League a mere sub stitute for the world to our young peo pie when it should be regarded as a higher and holier organization and should be such than any the world of f ers. The literary and social features when used in moderation are all right, but when we see a Leaerue in which more attention is given to any other feature than the spiritual we may without the leas tear ot contradiction, or of makin a mistake, mark that League as one in which the spiritual life is at' a low fhh I x V- i j Spiritual life like any other phase of life will be active and we need to pray for great, awakening of spiritual life the young people! of our churches, and especially among those of our Leagues. Gorrespcmbence. We need and miist have more of the "surrendered life" in order to have more power in this work of saving souls. Young people have an influence which older persons have no t in winning young people to Christ and the church, but m order to use this influence aright they must have hearts filled "with the happi ness and love of working for Christ; they must be burdened for the salvation 01 souls and must be. known Dy uieir daily walk and conversation as living "all' for Christ." Pay careful attention to reports of Emvorth Leagues in all parts of our church and note how few are the references to the spiritual work of the Leagues . This should not be, for if the Epworth League ever becomes what it should it will be the means of saving souls, its meetings will mark the birth of immortal sc uls into the kingdom of God. May our two Epworth League con ferences in this State be known as great meetings spiritually. Let Christ be the centre theme and they will be. If they are not the fault is ours and not God's, who stands willing and eager to bless. There is a great tide of worldliness sweeping up against the church, and especially against the young people. This can be met and the work of de struction stayed in but one way, and that not by so much preaching offensive, but defensive. Preach Christ and get Him in the hearts of young people and the all sufficient armor is worn, for where He reigns sin has no powTcr. MAMIE BAYS. MODERN DANCING VERSUS BI BLE DANCING (NO. 1.) Dear Editor: With your permission, I will furnish a series of short articles on Modern Dancing vs. Bible Dancing. I do this because the Bible is often quoted to justify the modern dance. A long time ago, before as yet I made any pretensions to religion, I heard a youth discoursing this subject with a preacher from a Bible standpoint. Without join ing in the discussion I found in my heart this rebuke : Young . man, if you will serve the devil, do so, but don't quote the Word of God as your authority for so doing, for that makes it a tenfold more greater sin. I think so still. The first instance of Bible dancing is recorded in Ex. 32. Notice facts. Moses delays upon the. mountain. The people become impatient.- They think he has gone to stay. They demand of Aaron gods to go before them back into Egypt. Aaron takes gold jewelry furnished him and I makes a calf. The people proclaim this golden calf their god, and having strip ped themselves naked they dance before the calf. The calf did not resent the in sult. It wras a golden calf. A genuine calf may not have had any better sense then, but a calf that would tolerate such a thing now ought to be sold to the first butcher that came along. Aaron apolo gized for this conduct by saying to Mo ses: "Thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief." I can see how an idolater, or anyone whose heart is set on mischief" can pattern after these Israel ites, but how anyone who pretends to be a Christian can copy after them is a mys tery. Some of the very people who ob ject to the Bible account of such, things as indelicate, can witness a scene far more degrading and pretend to see no harm in it. A man half drunk and a wo man half naked, whirling and bouncing over the floor like a chicken with its head cut oft. No harm in that? Well, there are some things that if they have to be done at all, they ought to be done in private. But I promised short articles. Remember that while the Bible records the instance given aboAe it does not fail to condemn it. Three thousand of these dancers were slain as a punishment for their sin. x Faithfully, D. L. EARNHARDT. THINGS I WOULD NOT CHOOSE. I should not choose a bob-tailed cow in the summer time, nor a servant with a score of masters, nor a minister with half a dozen ignorant tyrants for stew ards, nor a man who lives with, his mother-in-law, nor should I like to try the truth ot the old saying: "Two cats and one mouse, Two women in one house, Two dogs to one bone, Will not agree long. I had rather not be a dog with a tin kettle tied to his tail, nor.a worm on a fisherman s hook, nor an eel bein skinned alive, nor a husband with a vixen for his wife. A great man is he who, in the midst ot a great crowd keeps with perfect sweetness tne independence of his char acter Emerson. Sensible men don't marry a wardrobt or a bonnet box, they want a woman o sense, and those who" dress sensibly. MEXICAN SUPERSTITIONS The Nahoa Indians had ?Ingu!ar;:. nTafpri all" Stir. VieWS HI rep-arrl 1 They believed that Mictlan (literally' was reached by the dead after a lon! painful journey. Their hieroglv I't-iirhVofp tli-at the rlrad mncf the Apanohuaya River, and to do this? was necessary to have the aid of a yellow dog (techichi) with a string tied around his neck, which placed in the hands of the dead. ft of no other color could be used, as n ther white nor black dogs could cross the river. The white ones won'' say, T have been w:ashed ;" while tK black ones rejoined, "I have been stair ed. These dogs were reared by the n tives for this special purpose, and tl techichi is that well-known favorite no-' called the Chihauhau dog. After crossing the river, the dog lt his master, devoid of clothing, betwee two mountains that were . constant; clashing together, then over gne covert with jagged rocks, and then ver eir hills upon which snow was ever falling on through eight deserts where t: winds were as sharp as knives. After taj he led him through paths where arm were flying continually ; and, worst of a' he encountered a tiger that ate out it heart, when he fell into a deep, dark faoming river filled with lizards, after which he appeared before the king c; Mictlan, when his tortuous journey ended and his identity ceased. It was also a belief that when the bod; began , the journey it must have bee: buried for a period of four years. In till; belief it was not the soul, but the bo:!, in actuality, that made the mysteries journey. For. those wdio enjoy euph'onioi;; names, I will state that the name of the last stopping place was 'Tzniietlanapocii calocca, on which the alligator Xochit onal is encountered ; the alligator is the earth's symbol and Xochitonal the la?; day of the year, which shows that the body here reached the last stage of is existence and became dust of the earth.' When the two are united we readily see the connecting link in their idea?; that at the end of a certain time the body is converted into dust, and the dead art finished forever. The Milk Tree for Dead Children em bodies another superstitious tradition c the Nahoa Indians, which was the exist ence of a mansion where children we:.: after death. This wa,s called Chihauc: auhco, from a tree which was suppose to grow .there, from the branches . which milk dropped to nourish the chil dren which clung to them. It was believ ed that these children would return t: populate the world after the race whic: then inhabited it had passed away. Tc superstitions of today among the Mexi can lower classes, though without ti;i: post-mortem materialism, are quite t strong and closely adhered to. Fan: Chambers Gooch, in "Face to Face YYiti the Mexicans." ST. PATRICK'S HOLOCAUST The burning of the 'Windsor Hotel r N'ew York on last Friday sent throng; the hearts of the American people 1 thrill of horror comparable to that if on that memorable morning when t.i news flashed over the land that the bat tleship Maine had been blown up t Havana harbor. It was a holocaust for St. Patrick day. Fifth Avenue was crowded wn--people watching the parade. The win dows and balconies of the Windsor, large seven story building,, were fill? with spectators. A man carelessly threv a lighted match in some window drapery and in thirty minutes the magnificcn' building was in ruins, twelve persons ha: been burned to death and fully tin) injured. About fifty are still missing. The fire was a sadly spectacular even: Connected with-it were deeds of heroic on the part of firemen and private in:; viduals 'worthy to live in history an song. The Windsor Was a "fire-proof built' ing. After this the one who uses t: term "fire-proof" in connection with a: of the large buildings of our cities, w; be laughed at. What occurred in t case of the Windsor is liable to occur any of our large buildings. A little' girl of Los' Angeles, family 'was about to" move to Arizona and who heard that country spoken p as a forlorn and particularly God-K1'' saken place, was saying her prayers her mother's knee the night before tltf; intended departure. She said all she iiz been taught, and then, with a pecultf emphasis, she said: "Now, gool-ke God, for tomorrow w7e are going to A?' zon; Taking Jesus into life partners--means that the firm of Self, Satan & have dissolved partnership. H. " Bowman.
North Carolina Christian Advocate (Greensboro, N.C.)
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March 29, 1899, edition 1
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