The Christian Sun. FRIDAY, MARCH 12,1SS0. D. B. Dunbar,.Proprietor. Rev. J. Pressley Barrett - - - - Editor. OUR PRINCIPLES. 1. —The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Head of the Church. 2. —Tile name Christian, to the exclusion of nil party, or sectarian names. 3. —The Holy Bible, or the Seriptuiesof the Old and New Testament a sufficient rule of faith anil practice. m 4. —Christian character, or vital piety, the only test of fellowship, or church membership. 5. _The eight of private judgement and the liberty of conscience, the privilege and duty of all. EDITORIAL NOTES. The article on “Contentment,” by Miss L, M. K. will interest you. Maj. Dunbar’s health is considera bly improved—Has been out a part of the week. Bro. R. A. Ricks, was in Suffolk a few days a^o and handed ns several subscribers.—Thanks. Uev. J. W. Holt gives an interest ing account of the district Meeting at Martha’s Chapel, and so does li. E. Porter. Mt. Carmel Church is doing well growing. liev. M. B. Barrett, the pastor, says they are preparing to enlarge the house. Bev. E. YV. Beale is striking the key note as regards the reformation needed among the people of Suffolk. Sec his article this week. A new church is soou to be organ ized at New Hill, N. C. Bro. Sea graves thinks the prospects are good, and we wish these brethren much success. The Lord willing, the Editor of the Sun will spend next Sunday with the church at Catawba Springs, near Ra leigh, N. C- We hope to bring home several new subscribers for the Sun. Rev. J. W. Wellons, our evange list will leave Erauklinton the week after the second Sunday in March for the Georgia and Alabama Conference. May the Lord bless his work in that important field. Did you read in last issue of the Sun the article on “The Upper Rooms aud Chief Seats? If not, go back aud read it. Possibly Nmtuias meant to hit yon. If you think he did, call him to account for it. A letter from Rev. J. W. Wellons of March 8, is crowded out. It gives an account of a series of meetings held at Lockville, N. C. Bro. Wel lons’ post office address after this week will be Richland, Ga., till fur ther notice. Rev. Jno. U. Newman, one of our most promising young ministers, is suffering from the effects of a deep cold. At present he is in Sussex, w h.ere lie has charge of a school. We hopg this dear brother will soon be entirely well. Rev. Jno. T. Ball is this week on a visit to his family in Ualeigh. lie will return in a few days aud go for ward with his work. He expects to be at Barrett’s Church the fourth Sunday in this mouth. Get ready to give him a hearty welcome, brethren. Uev. P. T. Klapp has succeeded in organizing a Missionary Society in each of his churches, and every other pastor ordinarily can do the same thing if be will. You know where there is a will, there is a way. We commend Bro. Klapp, and urge those who are behind in this respect to go and do likewise. Rev. C. J. Ralston has organized a new Christian Church at Purvis Sta tion on the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. The church was organized on Thursday, March 4th,. with 13 members. There is a good openiug at Purvis (commonly called Buck horu) and we wish the new organiza tion much success. Bro. Ralston will serve the Purvis church as pastor tor the present. The lirst and of course the oldest religious newspaper Mn the United States, if not HTi .^he world, is the Herald of Gospel Liberty, now pub lished by our brethren of the Chris tian Church, North, at Dayton, Ohio. The first number of that paper was published in 1803. In looking over some old papers a few days ago we found a copy of that paper bearing date of February 1817. It was pub lished at Boston, by Elias Smith. Its table of contents is a lively one.— Among the number of contributors is Rev. Mills Barrett, who addresses a letter of a spicy and biting character ta Dr. Samuel K. Jennings, concern ing some remarks made by Dr. .Jen nings at a Camp Meeting in Isle of Wight county, Va. This copy of the paper is of magazine form and s ad dressed in a legible hand-writing to Stephen Smith. It is quite an inter esting relic of the early days of our denomination. FORWARD ! THK VIRGINIA VALLEY CONFERENCE FALLS INTO LINE. & Cheering news comes from the field almost every week concerning onr cause. The most encouraging phase of this news is its missionary character. For a long while our most earnest desire and prayer to God has been to see onr people be come a missionary people, believing that our usefulness in the world as a church hangs on this point. If we become a missionary people we will live and grow, for, as we have often said,'we do not believe an active mis sionary people can die; but, if on the other hand, we remain in active and an anti-missionary people we will not only die,but we ought to die, for there is no place on the earth where we would then be needed—that is if we were an inactive, do nothing sort of a people. The subject of missions has greatly concerned a few of our people since 1875. The matter was discus sed from the pulpit and in the paper, but the chances, as muuy thought, were against us. A few continued to plead its importance. Now we think the tide is ticoding, and our prospects are very bright. From almost every diiection we get the glad news of the rapid spread of the missionary spirit, which must be the foreruuner of our success in every field. Mission work is esseutial to our success under God’s blessings. The Noitli Carolina Conference and the Eastern Virginia Conference have been nearly side by side in this gteat work. Then the Deep liiver Conference fell into line, and has be come a growing people. Now the Virginia Valley, under the leadership of Rev. D. T. Deans, falls into line, leaving ouly one more Conference in our General Convention to be heard front—The Georgia and Alabama Conference. We hope our Evange list, Rev. J. W. Wellous, who leaves next week for that part of our field will arouse the missionary spirit there and send us the good news. We give below Rro. Deans letter telling of the work as it has taken shape in the Valley Conference. Dear Brother :—At tny request a number of the brethreu and sisters of the Valley of Virginia Christian Con ference, met at Antioch Church on last Saturday and organized a Home Mission Society, by signing bonds ranging from five dollars to one hun dred, running sixteen years ; the in terest to be paid semi-annually. 1 have already secured the amount of one thousand and seven dollars, with a fair prospect of doubling it by our next Conference, as the people here seem to be fully enthused in regard to Home Missions. I, in connection with my “co-laborers,” expect to pash this enterprise until every member and friend of the Valley Conference, within its bouuds, has taken part in this good work. The Society has adopted a constitution for its govern ment, and elected the following offi cers : Jesse Burkholder, President, Elias Emswiler and Ephraim Mitch all, Vice-Presidents, Win. P. Byrd, Fi nancial Secretary, A. J. Showalter, Recording Secretary, ahd Thomas J. Cline, Treasurer. As brother Emanuel Sipe has the constitution under revision prepara tory for publication, I hope he will give the readers of the Sun a sketch of that document, setting forth the objects and aims of the Society. 1 have found in onr brother, Rev. John C. Williams, a devoted friend to his church, and a faithful worker for its prosperity. With such men as are mentioned in this article laboring to gether for the Master’s cause, surely we will not fail of success, if we ask God’s blessing on our efforts. My deal brother, pray lor us that we may succeed iu this and every other good work for the glory of God and man’s good. Yours in the gospel, D. T. Deans. This is a most important step taken in the Valley Conference, and we con gratulate Bro. Deans on the pros pects before him, aud the Valley churches on having obtained the ser vices of such a leader as Bro. Deaus is showing himself to be by bis works. May God bless this move in the Valley Conference. Brethren, pray for these brethren, for their work. Their future is most hopeful. This mission fund will soon enable them to keep more than one preacher in the field. If this work is well managed iu five years from this time they will not only have a seutinel, but a picket line and an army fighting' against sin under the banner of King Im manuel. PITHY POINTS. —I think jt (the JJistrict meeting at Martha’s Chapel) was quite a suc cess. *»**! think a good impres sion was made in the community— Her. J. IK. Holt, Fittsborough, N. V. —I would like to live to be as old as Mathu3elah, that 1 might have the privilege of seeing what the Chris tian Church will do in the future— Rev. J no. T. Hall at District Meeting. —1 do not believe in back biting— it is a poor business—E. T. II. We never could see any necessity for the mbit, besides it is very dangerous. —I believe in pay ing my just debts —II. Yes. a great many say so, but lieu they do pot ieir. Ilevs. .1. W. Hatch, I'. '!. Kla| ]> and l!ro. Alfred Muring also made good speed es ad vocating l lie cause of Home Missions Twenty or more omuls were then till ed up and signed, making an amount that was very good for too chinch and community of Martini’s Chapel Sunday morning was bright and lovely, and a large crowd came to gether and was addressed by Uev. .J. W. Hatch on the.subject of Sunday schools. At 11 o’clock A. M., Kev. i’. T. Klapp preached an excellent ser mon to a large and attentive congre gation. Tfie exercises both on Satur day and Sunday were interspersed with some very good singing, led by Bro. James Howard from (VKudley’s. Altogether, the .District Meeting at Martha’s Chapel was one of the most successful that has been held in this Cor fere lice. J. W. Holt. Lockville, N. C., March 1, 1880. —I closed my meeting at La Grange last Thursday night. The congrega tion was large and attentive to tHe close, and I think ihe meeting result ed in great good. 1 suppose there were some 12 or la converts and (i penitents left at the altar. The dif ferent denominations were well rep resented. On one occasion there were seven ministers (including self) and all of ditfeient denominations. We have no church at that place,and it is too remote from our work to or ganize one, unless 1 could remain in that vicinity long enough to hold other meetings. VVe have one mem ber here, Bro. D. C. Murchison, of the firm of Edwards & Murchison.— Mr. Edwards’ father is a member of the Christian Church, and lie ought to be. i. rot. ivmgsiy lias ii very lino school liero. 1 was pleased with his in mi ner of teaching—opening anil closing with vocal music. There is a Bap tist and a Methodist Church in town. The M. P. Church has been organ ized. Our brother, liev. L>. A. Long, has some very staunch friends at La Grange. The people at La Grange have endeared themselves to mu very much. They are hospitable and kind. I am now at Loekvilie, N. C. Com menced a meeting here yesterday— had a good cougregalion moruiugaud evening. Some arose and some knelt for prayer—we had meeting again this morning and one convert. Do not know how long the meeting will continue, but pray the Lord will bless our labors here. 1 expect to be at home in time to leave for Americas, Ga., the week after the second Sun day in order to get to Uichland, Ga., iu time for a meeting near the third Sunday in March. When my corres pondents do not know where to write to me at, direct to Franklinton, N. 0., and my mail will bo forwarded from there. J. W. Wellons. We wish P.ro. Wellous a most suc cessful visit to our brethren in the far South. May the Lord bless his la bors there. Sanfoud, ST. C., March 2, 1880.— I have accomplished in part, what 1 have long desired to do; that is, I have succeeded in organizing a mis sionary society at each of my church es, viz., Zion, Christian Chapel, Shal low Well and Moore Union. Part of my work is in a better condition than 1 ever saw it. The Sunday-school at Zion is progressing finely, it uumbers about two hundred. To God be all the praise. P. T. Klapp. Ivor, Va., March 8,1880.—My 2nd [ quarterly meeting lor this Confer ence year, was held at Aft. Carmel church, on Saturday and Sunday last. On Saturday quite a large number of the members met, and 1 delivered to them a plain practical lecture founded on the old hymn commenc ing, “A charge to^keep 1 have,” after which the business of the church was attended to promptly and iu nmeli harmony. The financial condition of the church is good. On Sunday, notwithstanding the day was very rainy and disagreeable, a goodly iwimber met and 1 preached to them. I had some liberty in speak iug and hope some good was done. The coinmuuio.n season was solemn yet pleasaut and many felt that it was good to be there. The building committee intends to I push tlie work of milling » piece 1° the bouse of worship, with a recces for the pulpit.. When that is d°ue we will have a large, commodious bouse in which the large and Brow ing congregations ran worship. M. B. B a itKKTT. EDITOR’S BOOK TABLE. TO PUBUSHEBS: All books and peri odicals sent to "Editor Christian Sun,” will receive snoh notices as the Editors judgment may deem suitable. Mark dear ly the price. The Virginia Law Journal, ed ited b.v G jorge L. Christian, Ran dolph & English, publishers, Rich mond, Va. Monthly—price $5 a year. We have been interested in perus ing it* pages, and we suppose it is one of the necessities of the legal profes sion. Alt might be worth its price to many outside of the profession by the suggestions and information which it gives. Thu Light of Asia, or the Great h'cnunciation. Being the Life and Teaching ol Gautama, Prince of India and Founder of Buddhism, as told by an Indian Buddhist, by Ed win Arnold. 'fbe work is quite interesting. Its similarity to the teachings of the Bi ble is striking in some respects.— Price 15 cts. 1. K. Funk & Co., 10 & 12 Dey St., New York. Altar-Cloths and Flowers : A Ruvieir. Randolph & English, Pnblisliei s, Richmond, Ya. About a year ago quite a controver sy arose in Virginia between the Bishop and clergy of the Episcopal church in regard to Hie use of Altar Cloths and tinners on occasions of festivals &«. This is a review of the matter and will doubtless have an ex tensive reading. The Preacher and Homiletic Monthly for-Maich is before us.— The following is a portion of its table of contents: Sermonie:—“'Talking Worthy of God,’’ by F. A. Noble, 1). I) ; “Onristmas day- Lessons.” by Dean Stanley ; ‘-The Prey-Taker,” by T. DeWitt Talmage, D. 1>.; l,This Year Also”—New Year’s Sermon, by Rev. U. H. Spurgeon ; ‘‘Basis of True Greatness,” by Rufus W. Clark, D. 1) ; ‘-A King Frightened by an In fant,” by Rev. Thos. Kelly ; “God in Human Activity,” by II. M. Gallaber, I).D.; “The Spirit a Qaickeuer,” by J. S. Kennard, D.D.; “Eternal Life,” by Prof. Herrick Johnson, D.D.; “The Holy Spirit,” by A. S. Hunt, D.D.; “Christ and the Immortal Life,” by W. J. Tucker, D.D. Then we have “Brotherly Talks with Young .Minis ters,” by Dr. Cnyler; “Expository Preaching,” by Dr. Taylor; “A Sun day on the Sea,” by Dr. Deems;— "Prayer Meeting Service,” by Rev. Lewis O. Thompson ; “Studies in the Book of Revelation,” by 1). 0. Hughes; much iu the way of “Sermonie Criti cism,” “Preachers Exchanging Views,” etc. This Monthly is brimful of serviceable hints to all clergymen and other students of the Bible. 25 cents, single issue ; #2.50 per year. I. K. Funk & Co., New York. I JOSEPH COOK ON LOCAL OPTION. The learned Joseph Cook is a pow er against ignorance and bigotry.— He strikes right and left without re gard to who stands iu liis way. If you choose you may get in his way, but you will wish you kadu’t, especial ly about the time you feel the last prop give way and you find yourself falling flat to the ground.—Ed. Sun. “Joseph Cook advocates “local op tion” in regard to retaining the Bible in public schools. He does not see why any political party that is dis posed to exclude the Bible from schools, when it obtains the control of a state like Ohio, should ride rough-shod over the local option of Oberlin, which is a thoroughly Prot estant town, lie most- pertinently asks: “If Oberlin wants the Bible honored iu her schools by daily cita tion from it, and by the use of the Lard’s prayer, has Ohio a right to say that this local option shall not bo exercised 1” Of course there would be some towns iu which the local op tion would be against the use of the Bible, but iu regard to them he puts the opposite query, How long would these districts have superior schools t and says : “If I could only re-arrange our population, and put the infldels in wards by themselves, and the ex treme Romanists in wards by them selves, and American Protestants in wards by themselves, I should be willing to allow the law of the survi val of the fiitest to determine whoso schools are best, and whose literature, | whose newspapers, whose politics, and whose science.” Meantime, the danger that the real minority, through the bargains of politics, may dictate to tho real majority in this matter is no Inconsiderable one.—JV. S. 8. Teacher. Several interesting eommuirtcatious crowded out this week. Among the number,one from Rev. It. H. Holland, oue from R. E. Porter, one from “r'i dus” and omjfrom ltev.M. L. Hurley, They will appear next week.