that we desire to have Bible truth to stand on its
own merits, without being labelled with the
unscriptural appellations of Unitarianism, Trinita
rianism, Calvinism, or Arminianism. The Bible
with altof its truths stood up independent of all
the above isms before they had their being ; and
and it can do so yet independent of these human
epithets. We do not wish the truths of the Bible
corrupted with the vain tinsel of hum an philoso
phy. We have arisen with the Bible in our
hands to teach and defend the truth it declares to,
the world ; to enforce its sao«d precepts and per-1
suade mankind to be come practical Christians
according to the teachings of Christ and his
Apostles.
We have no human rules or man-made govern
ment as a test of Christian fellowship. The only
test (if Christian fellowship we recognize is
holiness of heart, and practical experimental god
liness ; we receive and hold in fellowship all whom
Christ receives—all who walk according to the
teachings of Christ and bis Apostles, we unhesi
tatingly extend to them the hand of Christian
fellowship. BENJ. SEEYER.
For the Christian Sun.
, LOVE.
Mr. Eeitor: It has been some time since I
troubled your readers with any of the weak ef
fusions of my pen, and now while I attempt to
write, I know not what to employ my pen about.
But if you think this short scribble worthy a
place in your columns, you can insert it in some
vacant place.
In presenting a few thoughts on Love, let us
first notice God’s love to man. Before Christ
made his appearance into the world, man was sin
ful and lived in direct rebellion to the laws of God.
The Lord looked down from his Throne in high
heaven, upon the beings he had created, and
although sinful he loved them ; His love was so
great towards them, that he sent Christ into the
world to die that they might live. Christ came
into the world, and his love was so great that he
consented to die for themand nothing short of
love, could have caused our blessed Redeemer to
die for man’s redemption.
If God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another. We ought to love God supremely, Christ
devotedly, our neighbors as ourselves, our ene
mies, and all mankind.
Jesus says, “ A new commandment give I unto
you, that ye love one another, as I have loved
you that ye also love one another.” Chrisl has giv
en us a command to love one another, and if we
do not obey, I fear the consequences will be awful.
Christ has $aid, “ By this ye shall know, that
ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.”
, Now I consider that if we have faith, so we could
remove mountains, and all other things necessary,
yet if we are destitute of love, we can never see
the face of Jehovah-in peace nor be fit subjeetsto
enter the fields of eternal repose.
now sweet anu lUVCl^ IU ow uichucu until
together in love. Love worketh no ill to one’s
neighbor, not pure genuine love, but there is a
kind of selfish, narrow hearted hypocritical love,
that I would like to see crushed to death. That
is the love that some have, of speaking fair to
one’s face, and when the back is turned, envy has j
taken the place of love. That is not love but
hypocrisy in its fullest sense.
How delightful to see love reigning in the church,
each feeling his brother’s care. When love flows
in the hearts of the members of The church,
all envy, ^selfishness, contrariness and evilspeak
ing will flee away, as darkness at the approach ol
day. But when they are devoid of this love, all
is confusion, and that church will finally dwindle
away to nothing.
— Then I admonish all church members, to be in
possession of this pure and unadulterated love,
not that love that enduretb for a. little season, and
then vanishelh away, but that love that will en
dure in all time and remain with equal lustre in
eternity.
Love in a community. How pleasant to see
all living in peace and harmony; then there will
be no running from one to another, with evilspeak
ing, and backbiting.
Love in a family, O how delightful to see Fath
er, Mother and children all sitting around a cheer
ful winter fire, and each one’s heart warm with
love to one another, is enough to make one’s heart
to swell with emotions of joy, to the Author of all
good, for this heavenly principle. It is enough
to cause the angels in heaven to shout with joy,
that the beings of earth are capable of obeying
the new commandment that Christ gave unto
them. May the Lord grant that Lave may reign
predominent, iu all the churches under the Sun,
in all families of the earth, that when Christ comes
to make up his jewels on earth, they may be pre
pared to ascend frith him to the regions of purity
and Love, to remain w'ith him that loved us and
died for us, with God who is love, with all the
lovely angels in a lovely place the paradise of
God, and sing the songs of redeeming love
forever.
Mr. Editor, I will now dose my feeble effort on
the all absorbing subject of Love. So for this time
adieu. Yours respectfully, .
LUCRETIA.
Virginia, Jan. 1851. ' ȣff
& , * r or me unnstian Sun.
Christian general book association.
I would earnestly call the attention of our
Southern ministers and churches, to this organi
zation,^^ located in Philadelphia.
A General Book establishment amongst us as
a denomination, at present is of great importance.
Books are much needed throughout the South, as
well as other places, and now the people in this
State have an opportunity to possess themselves
with Books of our own publication, and also add to
their libraries, other books. Therefore, whatever
book or publication you want send to our Gener
al Book Concern and not be dependent upon the
sects, and have to pay extravagant prices, and
benefit others and not ourselves.
If we as a denomination throughout the United
States unanimously patronize our Book Concern;
we shall soon have an establishment, that will
command the respect of the public, and exert a
powerful influence, in our favor throughout the
world. i
Look at other denominations, what a power1
they wield and how rapidly they are building up j
their cause by means of the press and books.
Hymn Books, the writings of our promioet men,
the lives of our ministers who have died, togeth
er with Sermons Tracts, <fcc., can be h&i at our
Book establishment in Philadelphia. -
From this State merchants from every* county go
there to buy goods, you send by them, or we have
a direct communication by Rail Road to Raleigh.
Therefore send up your orders and money and sup
ply this country with our publications. Remem
ber that the Agant is Dr. J. R. hreese, No. 64
ITorlh 3d Street PHiladelphia^ ^ WALTER.
Faucett’s Store, N. C., March 1st, 1851.
For the Christian Sun.
Brother Haves : I am' glad to see the “ Sun”
again in its orbit, and with brighter disk renew
ing its visits to those who have long enjoyed the
light of its rays. I have received two numbers
from the new office in Raleigh, and perceive very
gratifying evidence of careful attention to neatness
and order, by its present conductor. The new
arrangement, which I regard as better than any
other proposal that came within my knowledge, I j
trust will prove the wisdom of the Association i
ind fitness and faithfulness of the Publisher, and ;
mite the minds, hearts. and labor of our Southern j
Brethren in sustaining and improving their own j.
best means of general acquaintance, intelligence,
ind influence. And while those who have a local
interest in the paper must be its chief supporters,
no- doubt the good wishes of many in distant sec
tions, and the aid of some, will attend your val
uable labors And if it may be my privilege to
render any assistance, I shall do so with pleasure,
ind the more especially as my labors and acquain
tance with a large portion of your readers give
me a strong local interest in much of the coun
try for which the Sun is most particularly de
signed.
But as Christians of the same general views,
principles of action, and religious interests, we
not only have our local necessities and labors, but
also occasions for union of interest and action,
not obstructed by distance or local considerations.
Such, to some extent, seems now to be the case
in relation to Education and a College as essen
tial for its promotion. Though the “ Graham
Academy ” in North Carolina, and “Starkey
Seminary ” in New York, may each claim the
special attention and support of many in their
respective sections of the country, and justly pre
vent the raising of some funds that might other
wise be obtained for “ Antioch College,” yet it is
desirable that in each place the brethren may feel
that they have an interest in the proposed College,
and that “ the Christians ” in all sections ipay be
its builders and owners, and that when its success
shall reward the zeal and liberality that produced
its existence, we may, as a denomination, with
propriety call it “ our College," and say that God
blest.us while we refer to the united efforts
of all portions of the body in providing means
for the thorough education of many of the rising
generation.
In this prospect is truly encouraging. The
Agent for New York, Elder C. L. F. Havens, is
a member of the N. Y. Western Conference, and
h as commenced his labors in this part of bis field.
Our Conference contains but little over one tenth
of the Churches in the State, yet within its bounds
nearly four thousand dollars have been secured,
and one thousand more promised provided the
success of the enterprise shall require it. A
pleasant place has also been selected for its loca
tion, where men starting from Massachsetts, Ohio,
or Michigan, may arrive in twenty four hours, and
if I am not mistaken it will require but about
thrice that time to come from your own pleasant
city. And to induce the Committee to accept the
location an offer of ten thousand dollars has been
made by the inhabitans of the place.
Such,success exceeds our former anticipations,
and it is now evident that the sentiments ahdzeal
of our brethren and friends are highly favorable
to a College of the first order, and the hope now
begins to be strong that an Endowment of one
hundred thousand dollars can be raised, and enough
besides to erect suitable buildings for a College thus
endowed. W. R. STOWE.
Ogden, N. Y., Feb. 21sf 1851.
For the Christian Sun.
DONATION VISITS.
Brother Hayes : As in my acquaintance Soutli
I have no knowledge of the custom of making
“ Donation Visits,” I am disposed to give an!
account of the practice in this Country : and,
should it appear profitable, our brethren South
may derive same advantage from the example.
These visits are made for the benefit of Minis
ters, and many Churches make them yearly as a
mark of respect, and to aid their Pastors beyond
the amount promised as their Salary. The pre
vious arrangements are made by a committee
who see that all necessary preparations are
made for the entertainment of the company, and
on the day appointed those who are disposed to
bring in their offerings meet at the residence of
the Minister (those of middle age and older in the
Afternoon, and young people in the Evening
which in this county is not until candle-light)
where the supper is prepared without expense to
him, and all leave jusf such things as they are dis
posed for the use of the minister and his family.
Often a great variety of provisions and clothing
is left, and money also to supply such wants as
no one may have anticipated.
Since I have resided in tins place, the friends
here have made three such visits, leaving on the
average, over one hundred dollars each time, and
more than forty of that in cash. These visits have
been great helps in the supply of numerous-family
wants, and almost everything given has been of
real value, being adapted to some profitable use ;
and while the many small gifts have united in one
great benefit, probably no one has suffered for the
part he has borne in the work of kindness. The
last visit of this kind, but a few days since, was '
the most favorable in the proportion of cash left,
the amount in money being over sixty dollars.
But the friends here are not as regular in such
visits as they are in some congregations, having
made but three for my benefit in more than five
years, but what they lack in this respect they have
well made up in the continual kindness manifes
ted by their gifts brought in separately almost
every week in the year. Besides strictest punc
tuality in paying all they have agreed for five
years, and one third of the sixth now past, they
have paid more than a hundred dollars a year,
above all engagements, for the whole time, and
on this branch the sixth year may be oounted in
full though nearly two thirds is yet future.
It can readily be seen that such unvarying
kindness not only affords great satisfaction to the
mind, but also supplies many a natural want of
a minister and bis family, rfow nwny mwi*1'"'
whose salaries are.not to meet their real
necessities, might be relieved of many fears, trials
and suffering, and greatly aided in their calling,
by a little extra attention and aid from the many
hey labor to benefit ? How many of the com
mon wants of a family may be supplied by small
gifts from the many, and how easy a very eucour-j
aging extra allowance in money can be made up .
by combination when no one pays a sum in the f
least embarrassing to himself? And as I well
know the kindness of Southern brethren, and their
strong social feolings, and how liberally they j
provide for puhlic eutertainmenis, and their read
iness to share in united efforts of kindness, it
seems to me that “ Donation Visits," if once in
troduced into that country, would be highly pleas
ing to the people ; and occasions of much social
enjoyment to friends assembling, and could not
fail, among such warm hearts and liberal minds,
to leave large benefits for those they visited.
But the manner is not the important point, but
let the needy and faithful Minister receive the
free-will offerings of his brethren, whether they
bring them together o/e separately, and w hile the
gifts reward the receiver, God will reward the
giver. W.,R. STOWE.
Ogden, N. Y., Feb. 21st 1851.
For the Christian Sun.
INDULGENCES.
BY ELD. N. 8UMMERBELL.
Many have heard of the sale of indulgences,
and the contention caused thereby among the
monks of the different orders, which was one of
the causes of the dissention in the Roman Church
called the Reformation, who yet understand but
the little about them. The Roman Church teaches
that thesurplus good works of the saints are with
infinite meriis of Christ deposited with the church,
under the keys of St. Peter. These merits &c.,
may be sold to make up any deficiency in this world j
or Purgatory, so as to overbalance the charges
against the sinner and show a balance in his
favor; and may be obtained of a duly authorized
person for a^um of money. I will note a few of j
the prices, attached to particular sins.
Murdering a layman 7
Abortion ' 7
Incest 7
False oath in criminal case 9
Simony ,10
Keeping a concubine 10
Burning a Neighbors house 12
Defiling a virgin_ 9
Laying violent hands on a Priest 10
Robbing. 12
6
6
0
0
6
0
0
0
6
0
Ihe merits of Christ was in as well as the merits
of Saints, there was an infinite fulness, and no sins
could- be too great to be overbalanced, past, pres
ent, nor future. Hence to lack faith in their ef
ficacy was madness. To be lukewarm in pur
chasing, was like Esau losing his birthright, while
to say aught against them the most outrageous
1 heresy. Luther raised his voice, and the Em
pire of indulgences fell with a mighty crash.
There is not one of the cardinal principles of
the “ Christian,” but what is considered essential
by every pious denomination ; and there is not
one of the nonessentials, or superaded principles
which we reject, that could ever be agreed upon,
or was ever considered of importance in a dying’
hour. Ours, is the Substance.
Reader, do you grow in grace ? “ Prepare tj
meet thy God 1” . N. S. j
Two were baptized in the Christian Churc!
Cincinnati on the l^th of Fe’u. making 17 if
who have been received into the .Churc"
season.
tv...
APPEAL TO THE SLUGGAR1
BV ELDER N. 8UMMERBELL.
Tune, “ You will see your Lord a <
1. Come, be up now and adorns
Said the farmer to his neighti
For the season fast is. passing
Who was loitering in the spl
Chorus : Sing the harvest til
Sing the harvest til
Sing the harvest tin
When we’ll reap thl
2. But the Sluggard he went loitl
While the season it was passn
But the farmer he went plowii
Soon to sow the golden grain.
Sing, See,
3. So the Sluggard spends the winti
Passes spring, and wastes the su
While the farmer plowing, sowit
Soon will reap the golden grain.
Sing, &c.
4. O poor sinners are you coming,
If not now be up and doing,
Sow the Seed of life and gloryr
While you’re in the spring of time.
Sing, &c.
5. Come, the cheerful sun is shining,
Come, the flowers now are blooming,
Come, the birds they are a singing,
Come and sow the golden grain.
» Sing, See.
6. Soon the storms of winter’s coming,
Soon the winds of autumn blowing,
While the tempest loud are howling
You will want this golden grain.
Sing, Sec.
For the Christian Sun.
Brother Hayes : The people through this
part of the Sta^e are well pleased with the “ Sun ”
both as it regards the Typography and matter.
And I have no doubt but many more subsaribers
will be added through the year. Go on my*broth
j er in the good work, and let every number grow
I better and better till its light shall eclipse theglory
of this world. ISAAC N. WALTER.
February 22d 1851.
Communications for the Sun have multiplied
considerably of late; we hope our friends will
exercise a little patience, we intend to do’ the best
we can for them. V
CHRISTIAAN SUN.
R4LE1GH, N. C.
Wednesday,]?!*
OUR LEADING PRINCIPLES.
1. We own no name but Christian ; believing it was
given by Divine appointment. * * “ And thou shalt
be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord
shall name.” “ The disciples were first called Chris
tians at Antioch.” 1
2. The Bibi.e, as our only authoritative rule of taith
and practice. “ All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for cor
rection, for instruction in righteousness; that the man
of God may , be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works.” , ,
3. Cristian Character, the only proper test of Chris
tian fellowship. “ By their fruits ye shall know them.”
4. Christian Union, among all Saints upon Bible
grounds. “ Ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
To Agents. You can save us a great, deal of
trouble by observing the following directions :
When you make remittances, be sure to write ir.
a plain hand, the name of the subscriber and his
post office for whom the money is sent.
In sending pay for new subscribers, always dis
tinguish between them and old ones.
In ordering discontinuances, be sure to give the
name of the post office, as well as the name of the
subscriber that wishes to discontinue.
A good opportunity will soon be afforded to
many of our subscribers to send us the dollar, in
payment of their subscription. It will be seen
that Elder I. N. Walter has published a long list
of appointments where he will meet his brethien
in the South, perhaps for the last time on earth ;
he will receive all sums due us, and forward
them on,—they shall be duly receipted in the
Sun.
We shall hereafter discontinue no subscriber to
the Sun, who has taken his papers from the
Post Office unless, he pays all arrearages due.
gW Postmasters are required by law to give
the publishers of newspapers the names of per
sons to whom newspapers are sent, who fail to take
them from the. office.
Our dear Brother Elder I. N. Walter will soon
leave the South, to return to his native State.
We feel well assured that the good wishes of
thousands of his brethren and friends in N. C. and
Va., will follow him to his home in the far West
That their prayers will not cease4o ascend
Throne of grace for his prosperity ani’
in time, and his eternal happinei
home of the good
His visit among us 1:
incalculable good,
that they ev
W<
XX A» Jb IT VMWJ
Churchman says in
order of married prea
employment for those English'
being married, cannot become Komish p
mber, fiftn
Errata. On first page in our last number, I
column and 18th line from the bottom, instead of
“virtual” read ritual. i'- *
Appointments for Elder Benjamin Seevsr.
March 25th at Wilson’s, 20tb at O’Kelley’s, 20th
and 30th at Raleigh.
Erysipelas is booming quite a fatal disease.
Six persons died from it in New York last week.
EXPOSITION OF JOHN III. V.
“ Jesus answered, verily, verily I say unto thoc,
except a man be born of of l,,c spirit,
-wcsranoi enter into the kingdom of God/’
We would not nttompt an exposition of this
seemingly difficult passage; but for the use which
some men try to make of it. By many the ex
pression “ born of water ” is supposed to refer to
water baptism, and hence they conclude that no
man or wtoman can enter the kingdom of God,
unless baptized by water; some suppose that'
because water is mentioned first in the text, that
a man should be first baptized and then born of
the spirit, in order to enter the kingdom of God.
Some have been willing to admit in their theory,
that all are fit subjects for the kingdom of God,
who have been baptized in infancy, or arriving at
maturcr years, and have afterward been regener -
ated or born again. While others have conten
ded that only those who in inhitation of our Lord
have been immersed in water, can enter the king
dom of Heaven.
Now we look at each and all of these views of
ihe subject as being entirely erroneous and in
correct.
If the passage has reference to water baptism
in any way, it evidently excludes all from the
kingdom of God, who are not baptized. To draw
this conclusion would in our estimation be placing
quite too much importance- upon the externnl rite,
or outward performance. Man’s salvation would
depend too much upon man. .For where there
was none found to pb baptized, none could be
saved. Christ could pot consistently, and in truth
tell the thief upon.the dross, that he would that
day be with him in Paradise. All who die on
sick beds, having repented and believed in Christ
during confinement would be lost. Goerge Fox,
Wm. Penn, and a host of other kindred spirits
whose piety and godliness, have caused their
names to be reverred by all, would be among
those not saved. Who can prepare hisunindto
believe such things ? For one, weconM[
not. The holy man i
God’s face in heq
Again, if
tism (as
ha
then
der to enter the
places of the scripturfli
regeneration.” The new
Nicodemus, and so it is to ere
now. “ Ye must be born again.”
These thoughts Are submitted i
«dor* to the