The Christian Sun
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23,1880.
D. B. Dunbar,.Proprietor.
Her. J. Pressley Barrett-Editor.
Ol7R PRINCIPLES.
*1.—Th« Lord Jesus Christ is the only Heaa of
the Church.
2. —The name Christian, to the exclusion of
all party, or sectarian names.
3. —The Holy Bible, or the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament & sufficient rule of faith
and practice.
4. —Christian character, or vital piety, the
only lest of fellowship, or church membership.
5. —The right of private judgement and the
liberty of conscience, the privilege and duty of
all.
EDITORIAL NOTES.
Remember February is tbe month
to take up collections for Ministerial
Education. Do yonr best.
Rev. Dr. Deems bas established a
scholarship at the University of
North Carolina. Good thing for a
New York D. D., to do.
The Central Protestant says that the
Hon. Jno. M. Moring is ill with ere
sipelas. This is painlnl news to his
nmuy friends in Eastern Virgiuia.
Somebody wishes to know if Rev.
M. B. Barrett has told us of all he
likes to see. if so, they think ho does
not like many thiugs. How about it,
Bro. B »
Rev. D. T. Deans seems to be do
ing quite well in the Valley. He is
conducting a meeting at Liuville.
Bro. Deans is a lone sentinel, but he
stands to his post well.
Rev. H. H. Butler is greatly be
loved iu bis field. Tbe cburcb in
Berkley is doing well. Bro. Butler
bas a bard field, but we hope be may
be able to eudure its hardships.
It is stated that the Rev. Lovick
Pierce, D. D., tbe father of Metho
dism in Georgia preached during his
long and useful life eleven thousand
sermons. Well done, good and faith
fill servant.
Rev. E. W. Beale believes piety is
of great value in church members.
Without it they may have the form of
usefulness, but they will not show
the power thereof. Reader, you can
not afford to do withobt piety.
The District Meeting for Februa
ry will be held at Union, Southamp
ton comity, Va., the fifth Sunday
and the Saturday previous in Febru
ary. We hope that the meeting will
be well attended. Programme next
week.
Rev. W. W. Staley begins this
week to write for the Sun. Iu a
private note to us he says : “I will
try to write once in two week.” We
are quite sure our readers will be in
terested iu his articles. This week
he answers an important question.
Do you think he is right 1
The Missionary cause is gaiuiug
strength every day. Almost every
letter from North Carolina brings us
news of new efforts in this direction.
Rev. W.G. Clements feels encoura
ged we are sure, as well as others.
We think our people ought, to begin
an effort to build a church in Ral
eigh.
Last Sabbath we spent at Holy
Neck. It was a delightful day and
a very large congregation was in at
tendance. Holy neck is improving
we think, and we look for much work
to be done in that vineyard this year.
At night we met several people in a
prayer meeting near the Quaker
church. We had a delightful time
there also.
The Baptist Review says: “If the
Baptists increase in the same ratio
they have increased since 1800, and
the population of the world increases
at its present ratio, in 2100 A. D.
everybody in the world will be Bap
tists.” And the Christian at Work
answers : “If all the trees were bread
and cheese, and all the water ink, if
all the milk were changed to silk,
what would the people drink?” Our
Baptist brethren are an ingenious
people. That is a nice calculation
and would be exactly correct, if it
did not have such a big “if” in it.
That spoils it. Do you not think so,
Dr. Dickinson 1
We believe the Raleigh Christian
Advocate is a lover of Christian Uni^n,
judging from what it says of the ob
servance of the week ot prayer in that
city. It says : “The Week of Prayer
was observed iu this city last week
by the Methodist, Presbyterian and
Baptist Churches. Very irfterestiug
union prayer meetings were held iu
the Churches of each of the deuomi.
nations above mentioned and great
good was accomplished. We re
joiced much to meet the Christians of
" other denominations that we might
mingle our songs of praise and lift
our hearts in prayer together. If the
Christians of this laud would get
nearer together and work with more
uuity aud charity, the gospel car
would roll on much more rapidly.”
That suits us exactly. Here is our
fraternal |y, Bro. Advocate.
THE GOLDEN MILE STONE.
A purpose is of prime necessity iu
every action. Indeed meu do nothing
without a purpose. This is no less
true now than when Adam aud Eve
partook of the forbidden frnit—they
had a purpose; they wished to be
come wise. This is a common cliaiv
acteristic of the human family—not
of individuals only, but of collective
bodies also. In short, a purpose
seems to be at the bottom of all ac
tion.
Augustus erected in the Forum a
“Golden Mile-stone,” which was the
center of a great power. From this
mile stone fine roads were construct
ed to all parts of the surrounding
world—to Cadiz iu Spain, to the Cat
aracts of the Nile, to many towns on
the river Danube, through Gaul to
the cities of Asia, so that the citizens
of the Empire could go to the distant
frontier on fine roads.
This brought together all the na
tions of the adjoining countries. An
iutimacy and communication sprang
up never known before. From the
Golden Mile-stone a Roman influence
went out over the magnificent roads
to the several nations around. Iu a
short while Brittain, North Africa,
Spain and Ganl became Romanized.
The Greek and latin languages were
spoken in all parts of the Empire.
When Augustus planted this Gold
en Mile-stone and constructed those
splendid roads to all sections of the
country, he had a grand purpose be
fore him—it was to Romanize the peo
ple of these sections, and bring them
under the Roman power.
VYe, as a Christian Church, have a
great purpose before us. First, the
conversion of the world, and second,
to teach Christian people to give up
their narrow sectarian view's, and
with the disciples learn that he that
is not against ns is on our side. Such
was the teaching of the Master when
he walked among them on earth,
speaking as never man spake. Is
there a necessity for our work in this
direction! Undoubtedly a great ne
cessity exists. Sectarianism among
God’s people is, we believe, as great a
barrier to the spread of the Gospel
among sinners as the wickeduess of
the people itself. It is simply alarm
ing to see to what extent this evil
prevails in churches claiming to be
churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Iu many cases sectarianism has taken
such a bold on the people that they
do not hesitate to olaim that members
of other churches arA not Christians
at all—that they willSrot be saved.
Sectarians ofteu claim that members
of other churches are not Chistiaus at
all, and that because they do not be
lieve as they, do there is no hope of
Heaven given te them in the Bible.
Again we have knowu cases where
sectarians would rather their friends
would be in the world as sinneis than
be iu a church that was not of their
“faith and order.” We know of a
case not far from where we write,
where a sectarian was unwilling for
boys, relatives ol theirs, to attend a
j Sunday-school, of another denomina
tion. They wickedly devised plans
to get the boys out of this Sunday
school. They succeeded. Those boys
now are wild and will not attend auy
Suuday-school or church even. Thus
it seems a clear case of a prefereuce
to have them in the world rather
than in a Suuday-school or church
holding and teaching views that do
not accord with those they them
selves hold. To put aud end to this
sad and hurtful state of thiugs is one
main purpose of the Christiau Church.
Instead of those ill sectarian feelings
that would rather have people to be
sinners than to be Christians in an
other church, we wish to spread as a
people among all the denominations
of the laud and show them by our ex
ample aud by the doctrines we teach
and practice,that the Bible is opposed
to such a barbarous state of thiugs,
and that Christian Love is the
great bond iu all the churches, which
should be exercised by all of whatev
er faith aud order, if so be that they
are children of GNod at all. This,
we repeat, is one main purpose of the
Christian Church. Now in order to
accomplish this purpose, like Augus
tus planting the Golden Mile stone in
the Forum, we must plant a Golden
Mile stone aud put men and women
to work that the ways, the roads to
all sectious of the country, may be
prepared for the spread of our immor
tal principles. Do this. It will put
us into communication with the vari
ous sections of the country and the
many classes of people, who differ
from us. If we are industrious in our
work, if we are earnest and consecra
ted this will give us an influence
among the people and thereby we
may, under GglJ’s. blessing, like Au-,
gustus Romanizing the country gen
erally, Christianize the people, at
least to such an extent as to induce
them to tolerate the right of private
judgment. But how shall all this be
done! What shall be our “Golden
Milestone”! Let us awake to our
surroundings. Rome, under the work
of Augustus, reached the zenith of
its power aud glory. For a long
while, we have been dragging our
‘slow length along.” Let us stop
and plant our “Golden Mile-stoue,”
rr7- 1
and then proceed to open the ways to
the countries rouud about. The Mis
sionary spirit shall be our “Golden
Mile-stone, and instead of erecting it
in the Fornm we will plant it in the
Churches that we now have. From
these this missionary spirit shall go
out orer the oountry and vipen the
way,shall construct magniliceut roads
for the Heaven-born principles of the
Christian Church—so creating a
means of communication among the
sectarian churches and plauting in
their midst, in their doors, the great
truth of love for all of God’s children.
In this way we may hold up to secta
rians the great banner of true chari
ty with the right of privatejudgment
and the liberty of conscience floating
upon its folds, promulgating the doc
trine of Christian Union for which
Jesus so fervently prayed when on
earth.
I<rom every direction, m many ol
our Coufereuces conies tlie news that
the Missionary spirit is spreading—
Missionary Unions and societies are
being formed, missionary collections
are beiug taken, missionary tunds are
beiug raised, new churches are bging
organized, and our work is preparing
perhaps as never before in our histo
ry. What does this meant Why, we
are planting our Golden Mile-stone,
we are preparing the ways to the
surrouuding countries by which our
cause is to reach the zenith of its
usefulness and its success. In short
to speak plaiuly, our hope, is under
God’s favor, in a wise management of
our missionary work. This is our
“Golden Mile stone.” Every church
must become a missionary organiza
tion in itself. Every lover of our
cause, who hopes to advance our prin
ciples, must become an individual ad
vocate of the missionary work. The
missionary spirit is the spirit of the
gospel—is the Christian spirit. Jesus
himself was the first great missiona
ry. The New Testament is a book
on missions. The world is a mission
field—we are the laborers in that
field. If we be faithful earnest mis
sionary workmen, the field will be
well cultivated aud our beloved
church will li*re and shine with the
glory of success—If we work not, then
we die.
PROF. STALEY ANSWERS,
The men of the world watch in a
businesslike manner the interest of
their work. Why do not Christians
in like mauner watch the interest of
the church 1.—-I. V. F. That is rath
er a hard question. We refer it to
Kev. W. W. Staley of Graham, N. C.,
with a request to answer the same iu
these eoluuis.—Christian Sun, Dev.
5th, 1879.
ANSWER.
The world may be divided into two
main classes. Of course there may
be many sub-divisions. The two main
classes embrace those who take ail
interest in their work, aud those who
take little or none. The above state
ment is, therefore, true of one class
of men, while it excludes many others.
Real business men correspond to this
statement. They are found in all
lines of business aud iu all grades of
society. They dignify any business
they espouse, and are models for oth
ers.
Some of these accumulate fortunes,
others make a bare living. Some of
them, no doubt, have ten business
talents, while others have only one or
two.
They are to be measured by the
way they use what they have, rather
than by great success. The error is
too common in judging the world to
take the best men and to make them
the standard; when they judge the
church, they take her most unworthy
and make 'them the standard. Tho
two classes of the world, represent
two classes iu the church—a working
class and an idle class. It must be
remembered, too, that all church
members are not Christians. There
are tramps in the church as well as
in the world. Both have their share
of those who are unworthy. But the
best class of Christians watch the
interests of the church as well as the
best class of the meu of the world
watch their work, i.et the church be
judged by her best and the world by
her best and then it will appear that
the church of Christ, as a church
equals the world, panting and throb
bing with business. Tho standard of
the church is her best and.her truest,
i \V. W. Staley.
Graham, N. C.
PRAYER FOP, THE DEVIL.
We have heard of many re
quests for prayer, but the one men
tioned below is tho strangest we
have yet hearR of—perhaps it is
something new.
“A preaches in London has been
struck with a bright idea. He sug
gests that special prayer be made for
the conversion of the Devil. He
thinks if the desired end could be ac
complished it would help the preach
er in his work wonderfully. Instead
of trying to get the devil out of our
way we had better direct our efforts
and prayers to get ourselves out of
his way.”—Raleigh Christian Advo
cate.
Subscribe for the Sun.
REMINISCENCES.
I Lave already listed some oft bo
events that transpired during the
time of the ministry of Rev. Richard
Gunter in the Haw river section.
The reader will understand, that
his labors were mostly eoulined to
that part of the country, for twenty
years or more, though at times they
were somewhat extended.
Ou one occasion ho attended the
Freewill Baptist Conference at Bay
river, in the Eastern part of the
State, ile sowed the gospel seed in
the neighborhoods of the churches of
Moore Union, Christian Chapel and
Shallow Well, anterior to their or
ganization. JIe attended the “Gen
eral Meetings” at Pleasant Spring,
(now Catawba Spring, in 1831, when
and where the “North Carolina Chris
tian Conference,” was organized,
which, continued its Annual sessions
until 1854, the time ot its am alga in a
tion with, “tho North Carolina and
Virginia Conference, at O’Kellys
Chapel. Ho <jbn tinned a mom her at
the same until his death. (Note. In
“the North Carolina Christian Con
ference,” baptism, prior to the amal
gamation was uniformly administered
to believers only, and by immersion.
After the amalgamation Irrespective
ly, as at present.)
The ministers of the North Carolina
Conference that united, are nowall
dead, except the writer; and like
some lone oak on t lie heath, he stands
ready to topple over, when the next
storui shall vent its fury,
The church at Catauba Spring, we
would state, cure known as the
Pleasant Spring church (where much
of my labor in for many years was
spent) organized in 1802, by Rev.
Abel Olive. It has “weathered the
storm” so far, under many disadvan
tageous circumstances; we greatly
rejoice, however, that her strength is
now being put forth for the glory of
God, and she is becoming a praise
in the earth.
II. B. Hayes.
SUFFOLK COLLEGiATE INSTITUTE.
Some of our friends at a distance
may desire to hear from us again in
reference to the condition and future
prospects of this School.
I am glad to say that every thiug
looks hopeful. The present condition
is most eucouragiug, and its future
prospects are most flattering. We
have ou the roll nearly one hundred
pupils, and hope to have that num
her increased at the beginning of the
next half term.
Why, the question may be asked,
has such unprecedented success at
tended this institution of learning. I
answer, because it is deserving. The
work done, recommends it. The pu
pils recommend it.- And the plan
upon which the school is conducted
recommends it, viz, the system of co
education.
Sooner or later the truth that boys
and girls should be educated together
will predominate. They are not se
parated in the common schools, why
then should they bo in the higher
schools?” If the little oues are thu3
educated, why should not the larger
ones he thus educated? Why should
not young ladies and young gentle
men be brought together in the same
recitation rooms in the same classes?
I have never heard one solid reason
why they should uot be. On the oth
er hand every argument worth the
uame favors co-education. Separate
them in tbe schools and you deprive
each of that elevating, refining influ
ence which one exerts upon the oth
er, especially upon the rougher sex.
Amt then there is a spirit of rivalry
gotten up, where they are brought
together in the same classes, that is
not seen where they are separated.
Where is the young mau of any
pride who would not be ashamed to
recite a popfly prepared lesson in the
presence of a number of young la^
dies? Ami where is the young lady
who would not feel mortified in the
presence of young gentlemen to do
likewise! I need not say more. The
Suffolk Collegiate Institute with
its faithful teachers with its no
ble young men and with its sprightly
and charming girls is a success in
this community, and will be a bless
ing 1 hope under God to hundreds of
others in the future. Send your boys
and girls to this school and thus (if
not already) fully satisfy yourself
about the matter.
E. TV. Beale.
THE FIVE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
We often hear of the one hun
dredth anniversary, but it is very sel
dom we hear of anniversaries older
than that. The Coveitant of Phila
delphia' has the following to say of
the five hundredth anniversary of
Wiekliffe’s translation of the Bible:
The translation of the Bible into
English was completed by Wickliffe,
in 1380. It is beyond the power of
human thought to estimate the in
fluence of this groat event. And it
is lit aud proper that the Five Hun
dredth Anniversary of it, should be
appropriately kept, both in Euglaud
aud in this country 1
Suhsobibk for the Sun.
TAKE YOUR CHURCH PAPER.
The readers of the church paper
are the best members generally of
the church. They are more liberal,
more prayerful, more watchful, more
punctual, more pious, better Chris
tians than those who do not subscribe
for and read the paper of their
church. If this be so, and it is,
should not every family have the
church paperT If they would pay
more and pray more and work more,
by reading the paper, surely they
should read it. Because all these are
necessary to make up the life of a
Christian, and a man is not a Chris
tian nor cannot be without these.
But why coutinue this subject T Who
will bo affected by itf In addition
to those who are already subscribers
how many more could be influenced
to do so by lengthening this article.
Well, il you who road this, take your
church paper, get some oue else to do
likewise and if you are a member of
the church aud not a subscriber, be
ashamed, and do better. It will cost
you two dollars a year to enjoy the
privilege of being classed among the
very best members of the church,
besides supplying a necessity which
should be felt in every Christian
family. Now if these are not worth
two dollars, tligu I pity yonr appre
ciation of what is really valuable.
IS. W. Beale.
YOUNG LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
Mv Render, Have you any selfres
pect f If so do uot leave it at home
when you go to chuch. Have yon
beauty f.If so do not spoil it by gig
liug, whispering and gazing about in
church like a semi-idiot. Have you
been brought up by intelligent, res
pective parents! If so do not disgrace
them by misbehaving in church.
Have you ordinary common sense f
If so do uot cause people to doubt it
by misbehaving in church. Is your
name on the church roll ! If so do not
forget this fact while in the church,
at least do uot forget it so far as to
turn round in your seat, gaze up into
the gallery, laugh and talk, while the
congregation are at prayer. It might
be a gooii thing lor certain selfimpor
t.ant — \\ isc - iu - their - own - couciet
young people to cut this out aud past
it up iu a couspieious place iu their
rooms where it would be a constant
reminder.
Senex.
AN INTERESTING RELIC.
Iu looking over some old papers a
few days ago we found a small piece
of paper, upon which was a strange
hand-writing. Upon examiuatiou
wo found it to be the hand-writing of
Kev. James O’Kelly, the founder
of our church organization. It con
tains the date of his birth—March 19,
1741. The birth of his wife, Februa
ry 20, 1744. The date of his marriage
June 25,1759. The birth of his first
son, John O’Kelly, Juue 11th, 1760.
Also the birth of his second son,
Willian O’Kelly—April 29, 1703. It
also records the fact that he was
three years older than his wife, save
from Feby. 26, to March 19. Upon
the back of the paper the follow
ing lines appear just as given below :
Our Ages.
October 1797.
JAS. ok—50.
ELISAB. OK—53.
JNO. OK—37.
W. CK—34.
We regard this as a most interest
ing relic of this great and good man.
It is the only thing now in existence
from his pen so far as we know. We
shall carefully preserve it.
THE SUNDAY QUESTION.
There is quite a stir in many of our
large cities among a certain class of
people who wish to use Sunday a^ a
day of amusement instead of a day of
r^st aud worship. It is astonishing to
see how people do pnt the question of
making money between them aud
the sanctity of the blessed Sabbath.
Men ought to learn to reverence the
Sabbath, no matter how wicked they
may be. The day will come when
they will realize that death is upon
them. The eud of the journey may
be near at haud, even now. Learu
to love Sunday.
The New York Tribune, in an edi
torial “Concerning Sunday,” puts it
in this very striking way :
“The primal idea of Sunday never
grew out of a man’s brain. No hu
man intelligence* ever devised the
plan of forcing men to stop short at
stated times in their ploughing, buy
ing, cobbling, all the million ways of
earning' food aud clothes, to ask
themselves, ‘What is the meaning of
it all ? Where did I come from be
fore I began this work t Where am
I going? What ami to do when
the journey is over ?”
Kev. W. S. Long is closely enga
ged m ttfe Graham High School. He
is doing a good work there, but we
feel very anxious to have his efforts
given at large for the benefit of the.
church. He is one of the firs t think
ers in our ministry.
The lialeigh Christian Advocate
will put on a new dress soon, it says. ■
ADVICE TO BOYS.
“Youth when deroled to the Lord,
I« pleasing In Hie eves :
A flower though offered in the bud,
I> no vain sacrifice. a
’ Tia easier far if we begin, ,
To fear the Lord betimes;
For sinners who grow old in sin,
Are hardened in their crimes.’’
Bear in ini nil boys, now is the
spring-time of life with you, and it is
i most important period. It is the
time to give your hearts to Jesus.—
Surely He has a claim to eur first
and principal attention, and religion
ilemauds the morning of our days,
before ive are encumbered with caret
and engaged with business. It is net
»nly the time to seek the pearl of
great price-religion, but it is the
time to store your minds with knowl
edge. Bear in mind that learuing is
favorable to goodness and happiness;
the refinements of literature adds lus
tre to the devotion of piety; grace of
mauners receives a higher polish from
the discipline of schools, and sheds a
cheeriug light over domestic duties:
its very sparkle, like those of the dia
mond, at once attest its purity and
power. Wheu knowledge is com
bined with industry, it is power. It
unfolds the laws of physical, mental
and moral health ; fills up leisure mo
ments with refined enjoyments;—
delves the mines; explores the deep;
economizes,accumulates wealth : com
mauds inlluence and respect; indefi
nite!,)' multiplies the conveniences and
comforts of life; steams over conti
nents and oceans; dashes intelligence
around the globe. But to relate all
that it performs would be too tedi
ous.
Let ns implore \ou, boys, to culti
vate the love of labor. If you would
brave the storms of life’s troubled
ocean be industrious, be h-ugal. Nev
er taste of ardent- spirits, unless ad
ministered as medicine. “It bites
like an adder anil stings like a ser
pent.” If you acquire the habit of
drinking in your boyhood, )ou will
drink in your manhood. Do not learn
to smoke : this is another bad habit.
Be discieetly generous. Be kind to
all, especially the loved ones at home;
honor your parents in all things.—
Make yourself useful at home; ever
be willing to assist your fathers or
mothers in their labors. Be respect
ful to the aged, sympathize with them
in their infirmities. Forbear scoffiug
at the condition or natural delects of
any person. Never utter any profane
language. Let your words be few,
when in the presence of your superi
ors, lest you betray your own weak
ness. Never interrupt one when he
is speaking—hear him out: this is a
mark of true politeness. Never wound
any person’s feelings, because it will
leave a lasting impression. No mat
ter how poor, how destitute one is of
personal attractions, how ignorant, be
polite if uot intimate with him. By
doing so you win his admiration and
esteem. Again, after you grow up to
manhood, take your places in society,
gain all you can without defrauding
anyone, then save all you can, and
give as much as you can afford to
charitable purposes. Aud “it will be
given back, pressed down, shaken to
gether, running over.” And be per
fectly honest. We do not use this
word “honest” in the narrow sense;
for the commom pride of young gen
tlemen would constrain you to be so.
We use it in this sense of discharging
ail your duties, both public aud pri
vate, with the most scrupulous heav
en-attesting integrity, which drives
from the bosom, all little crooked, de
basing considerations of self, aud sub
stitutes iu their place a nobler, Loftier,
bolder spirit—one which will dispose
you to consider yourselves as uot so
much born for yourselves as others
and your country.
Qatetville, N. C.
S. F. C.
LABOR IN THE VINEYARD.
How many of the members of our
ehurches seem to live as if they
thought to have their names on the
church-roll is sufficient to ensnre sal
vation. This is a n.istake. The Sa
viour said : -‘Go ye also into the vine
yard and whatsoever is right I will
give you.” ludeed we believe that
no one ought to be admitted into the
church till he has made up his tnind
to go into the church, as a man going
into a vineyard, to work and to work
hard for the Master’s cause. We be
lieve this because we arp told that
when he had agreed with the labor
ers for a penny a day, he sent them
into his vineyard. For this reason
we believe that there should be an
agreement to work before we admit
members into the church. The Cov
enant says : “The Christian Advocate
will have it, that Chnrch-membership
must be “made to mean, personal la
bor in the vineyard.”
“Doubtless the Advocate is right. It
ought to mean that. In the miud of
the Master, it does mean that. Some
where, in every church-fleld, there is
a place for every one of its members_
a work with which he is to be speci
ally connected. The Church is un
like a Ship in this, that all on board
make up the crew. There are no pas
tenders—tor all hands are needed for
;he perfect working of the ship!
news fromjthe field.
« T.n «a aiar tytt, and look on tko Fitldi; for
Ikryart “U, drUy lokaro„l."-Sl. John 4.-3S.
BALLlti«rINK's HrtM, N. 0., Jan.
Utb 1*0—E *as ttt Mt- Eler®an
last featbulay mid Sunday. On Sun
dav a very large congregation was
present. After preaching tweuty
seven names were receive for th«
Children’s Missionary Society. The
brethren are keeping up the Snuday
schooi t It rough the winter. The Lord
is blessing us tills year, aud in the
Lord will we trust.,
J. A. Jones.
Linvili Bi A k-i Jan. 12th, 1880.—I
received this morning, through Col.
Sipe the Annuals of 1879 for dietri*
button hrtoug. the chnrcKes of this
Conference. 1 And on page 60, my
name was handed to the Executive
Committee for uot submitting my
ministerial report for last year. I
want to say througli the Sun to those
whom it may concern that 1 did sub
mit my report in writing, stating
that I had received and accepted a
call from the Virginia Valley Chris
tian Conference. I mailed this re
port iu due time to the Standing Sec
retary of the North Caroliua and
Virginia Christian Conference. As
it failed to reach its destination, it
was no fault of mine. I have been a
member of Conference twenty two
years, ami I have never failed to
represent myself either in person or
by letter. The “week of prayer” was
observed by the church at Liuville.
I am continuing the meeting with
fair prospects of a revival. Will let
yon hear the result.
D. T. Deans.
Berkley, Va., Jan. 19th, 1830.—
Last Saturday and Sunday morning
I spent very pleasantly, with the
brethren at Berea church, Norfolk
county, Va. We hud a very good
meeting on Saturday. Transacted
much business, which we hope, will
result in great good for the church, I
also had the pleasure of meeting with
the dear young brethren iu their
prayer meetiug on Saturday uight.
These meeting^ arc kept up iu the
church every Saturday night. We
are looking forward for a revival of
religion to commence in these meet
ings. May God bless the efforts of
these dear young men! Sunday
morning, Bro. N. Onley was ordain
ed to the oliice of a Deacon iu the
church. May God help him to dis
charge faithfully tho duties of this
oilice.
I preached to a largo congregation,
after which, we gathered around the
Lord’s table, ate aud drank in re
membrance of Him who died that
we might live.
I presented the claims of our
church paper. Got live new sub- «
scribers. Preached at Providence in
the afternoon, aud iu Berkley at
night. Had a good congregation at
each church. 4
H. H. Butler .
FRAUKLINTON, N. C., Jikfl. 19th,
1SS).—I have just returned from a
little trip to Granville and Warren
counties. During the trip I spent a
night with Rev. P. W. Allen aud his
pleasant little family. I hope from
this sprightly family of children that
we may in'the future get one or two
preachers. 1 also spent one night
with Rev. Chastiue Allen am) his kind
family. lie is now about St) years of
age, bat in fair health. As I passed
Henderson,I noticed the salesof tobac
co in the various ware houses. Sales
were good. Tobacco brings a large
amount of money to this community.
There are three ware houses aud the
fourth is building. 1 spent last Sat
urday and Sunday in the pastoral
! charge of Rev. M. L. Hurley. The
congregation was large and attentive
on Sunday. All were in good spirits
about the interest of their church,
and their pastor is much beloved. As
he is a modest man, and may not
tell you, I would say I accidentally
saw several of his mem bets pound him
first on one side, and then on the
other, with such articles as a new
bouse keeper very much needs, and I
learn that there was more to follow.
Here 1 met many dear friends to
whom I have often preached in days
gone by, having been their pastor
for 10 years. There are two new
places in liro. Hurley’s Hold. I hope
to hear favorable reports trom them
this year. Jlay the Lord abundantly
bless his labors during tbe year.
J. W. Wellons.
THE BELL-CLAPPER.
The Herald and Presbyter wants
to know if ‘‘there isn’t somebody in
your church that is always talking
about the coldness of the brethren,
the divisious that abound, and the
very low state of piety there.” ^
Now we are acquainted with that
person—we have met him on several
occasions and find the party to be
troublesome—he does iuucb%barm to
the cause of the Master—discoura
ge? many weak and faltering ones
and prompts Madam Kumor to say
much against the cause- of God.
Upon the whole, we fear the result of
such a party. The Herald and Pret
byter further says: “Tell such
grumblers the fable of ‘Bell-Clapper.
The bell in whioh it was hung was
cracked, and the clapper was always
complaiuing of its sad fate in being
hung in such a bell. A good mauy
unsophisticated people pitied the
clapper, and condoled with its sad.*
lot. At length the spirit of Dioge
nes, the old cynic, who could not en
dure shams of any kind, came along.
He beard of the clapper’s complaint
and said : ‘Before yon make any more
fuss nbout the bell, remember two
things. First, yon cracked it; and,
second, nobody would know that it
was cracked if yon did not tell them/
the moral is obvieus, but those who
teed to ponder it will be the last to
fee it.”