Newspapers / The Christian Sun (Elon … / Oct. 23, 1890, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The Christian Sun (Elon College, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
The Christian Sun. ■•wkw* At*. m4 P»n« St THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1890 Her. J. PmssLfr Bt**en, D. P„ - • tom* field notes Rev. J. D. Elder came near being killed retently by a runaway team. He was hart, bat is ap and out. Twelve new members were recently received into the church at Mew Prov idence, Graham, N. C., by the pastor, Rev. P. H. Fleming. • * Rev. J. D. Elder says that the effect of Rev. M. L. Harley’s preaching in Alabama has been wonderful. That is good news. Brethren, Conference is almost here Are you ready for it?—Collections all made? Report ready? Eh? Well, • get ready at once. * * Watch the collections. See that every department is properly repre sented and the money scat up to Con ference. It is now probable that an effort will be made to establish a Christian Church in the City of Indianapolis, Ind. Miss Minnie M. Walker, eldest daughter of Rev. and Mrs. W. T. Walker, was married Oct 15,1890, to Mr. I. H. McNeill. We tender hearty congratulations. The Eastern Virginia Conference meets with the church at Providence in Norfolk county, Va., on next Tuesday Are you ready? It is a most impor tant meeting and every church ought to be represented. The Christians North and South have united, subject to the approval of the Southern Conferences.- The basis or plan of Union is given in the Editor’s Letter from Marion, in another column. * * Rev. C. V. Strickland, the. author, and compiler ot the ‘Evangelists Songs of Praise’ is a fine singer. We had the pleasure ot hearing him at Marion. His wife sings beautifully also. * * The paper read by Rev. W. S. Long, D. D., before the American Christian Convention on Education was an able production and made a fine impres sion. A copy of it was requested for publication in the Herald of Gotpel htberty. * • Rev. M. L. Hurley reports a grand time in Alabama. He says that the pecpie m that Conference are stirred over the principles and work of the Christians. He thinks a brighter day s dawning upon our work in that section. The-Lord grant it The Alabama Conference has shown Us pluck—it raised within $4 of the whole amount they assessed for mis sions the past year. That is a record of which any conference might be proud. May it be but the beginning of yet greater things. We met Rev. J. P. Watson and his noble wife at Marion for the first time, fie is a hard worker—has done more to create missionary enthusiasm in the Christian Cbnrcb North than any other ten men. He has a most pleas ant face and is very cordial. To know him is to love him. He is the accomplished editor ol the herald of Gospel Liberty. » * - * We wish to direct the attention of our readers to the r ew advertisment ol Harper a West ol Suffolk, Va. as it appears in this issue. Bro. West is as devoted member of the Christian Church, is thoroughly reliable and a progressive businesss man. We cor dially recommend him to the public. Read the advertisment and it you have any business in his line give him a chance at it. * * • Rev. T. M. McWhinney, D. D., pas tor of the Christian Church m Marion, lnd., where the American Christian Convention was held, has done ft great work in that beautiful city. The new Temple is a marvel ot beauty and taste—and the most convenient house of worship we have seen in a life time. Its architecture is Roman, —it cost $25,000, but far surpasses any church we know ot ever built fur that money. Dr. McWhinney, like our beloved brother, Rev. P. T. Klapp, is a real church builder. He says he feels a desire to build one more bouse for the Christens before he goes home to his reward. He has been in the ministry 46 years and yet does not look to he very old. He is active and strong and fall of push and thought, iie if $ man of commanding talent. ] -7-Z’ THE AMERICAN CHRISTIAN CON TENTION. Letter From the Editor; Marion, Ind., Oct. 11,1890. Dkar Sun:—I wrote you last from Norfolk, Va. We left that city at 6 o’clock, Monday, Oct. 6, Id a company of five, viz; Revs. W. W. Staley, W. S. Long, D. D., Rev. J. W. Wellons, Col. A. Savage and the Editor of the Sun. We came by the Bay Line to Baltimore. The bay was calm and the trip was pleasant. When we landed in Baltimore,the rain was falling fast.' At 10:20 we took the Chicago Vesti bule train, limited, for the West, ^fe traveled at 45 miles an hour till Wed nesday morning about 8 o’clock, mak ing a stop for meals at only one place between Baltimore and Holgate, O* The route was familiar to this writer as far as Cumberland, Md. From that point we entered a strange terri tory and our engine continued on fast time. We went up by Deer Park in Maryland, which is noted among the people of the United States chiefly as the place visited by Mr. Cleveland and bis bride when on their bridal tour. It is a pretty place. Next came Moun tain Lake Park, which is a noted camp meeting ground. We have of ten looked upon rich mountain scene ry, but we have nowhere seen any thing to equal that between Cumber land, Md., and Wheeling, W. Va. It took two engines to pull us up the mountain side. We simply hnng as it were on the side of the mountain for miles, with hundreds of feet be tween us and the valley below. We had a jovial company and all seemed to enjoy the scenery. In passing through a tunnel, where it was as dark as mid night, Rev. Dr. Long felt a hand trying to get into his pocket, which of course he vigorously resent ed, only to find that it was a playful brother of our own company—all done in fun, and we had a hearty laugh together. We reached Holgate, O., on Wed nesday morning, just twenty minutes too late to connect tor Marion, Here we must wait over till noon, which made it about 4 o’clock in the after noon before we coaid reach Marionj Ind., for notwithstanding we were about one thousand miles from Ral eigh, N. 0., already, still it was over another hundred to Marion. Between 4 and 5 o’clock we walked into the Christian Temple in Manen to find the American Christian Convention busily at work, having assembled at 9 o’clock in the morning, Rev. D. A. Long, President of Antioch College, presiding. We soon met Rev. M. L. Hurley who had come on direct from the Alabama Conference snd got to Marion ahead of us. lu a few miDutes the Board of Com missioners from the South were intro duced to the Convention, and each member made a brief reply and re ceived the attention ot the people. The editor of the Sum created a burst of applause and enthusiasm, as he was the last called on to speak, by presenting the Convention as a body with a walking cane made from a sill in the old church house at Lebanon, in Surry county, Va., in which the Christians had assembled Aug. 4, 1794, as ‘Bepublican Methodists/ and declared they would no more be known by party, or sectarian names, hut simply as Christians. He told the Convention that he presented it to that body to be kept is by President as the insirnia of bis office. The stick was accepted by the President of the body in a neat little speech and soon the body adjourned for tea. - It was announced that the Boards of Commissioners would meet at 7 o'clock. They did so and agreed on a plan of Union in a short time alter a free, full and broth' erly discussions of the situation. The next morning the report wasmade to the body and adopted unanimously amid great enthusiasm. The motion to adopt the report was made by Bev. E. Mudge ol Michigan and seconded by Uev. D. E. Millard, also of Michi gan. Bro. Mudge stated that a Mich igan man made the motion for divi sion in 1854 and it gave him pleasure to make the motion for union in 1890. Bro. Millard stated that his father seconded the motion for division and he felt great joy In seconding the mo tion for union. The vote was taken in great enthusiasm and deep ieeiing. Then it was stated that the lamented N, Summerhell, D. D., had a leading part in the division, and his aged widow came forward and spoke a few words tenderly on the blessed results. Many eyes in the vast audience were dim with tears and joy ran high. Bev. W. B.. Wellons, D. D., as is well known took an active part in the fight at Cincinnati, O., in 1854. He has long since gone to his reward, but his brother, Bev. J. W. Wellons was present, and it was said by some that | he wore the happiest face in the con gregation in the time of the general band shaking which followed the con. summation of the union. The following ia the plan or basis of Union: Between our brethren of the South and ourselves no concessions and no readjustment of principles is re quired; as in this respect we stand upon the same ground; besides be tween us and them a spirit oi union largely prerails and is practically manifested. Ministers from the South coming North and of the North going South, are received with tbe unquestioning welcome and fellowship of brethren of the same denomination. Ministers of tbe North have been editors and contributors for tbe Southern papers and southern ministers are regular contributors to our Northern papers, and Southern ministers have by us been made Vice Presidents of our Convention. Organic co-operation by the sending of delegates to our Con vention is all that is necessary to complete organic union. As our Pres ident has well said, ‘No concessions or modifications of local polity and no interference with the independence or autonomy of local churches, con faiences or conventions would be re quired.' For such a Union our doors are open and our hands of welcome are ready. J. T. Phillips, J. B. WE8TON, D. A. Long, D. E. Millard, C. A. Tillinghast, A. H. Morrill. In response to the above sentiment through their representatives, W. W. Staley, A. Savage, J. P. Barrett, W. S. Long, J. W. Wellons, M. L. Hur ley, desire to be admitted in tbe man ner indicated by the following, to wit:— The General Convention of the Christian Church, (South) agrees to send delegates to the American Chris tian Convention upon the following conditions, to wit: 1. That the General Convention of tbe Christian Church maintain its au tonomy in every sense undisturbed. 2. That the General Convention of the Christian Church shall be bound by no action of the American Chris tian Convention to which it has not given its official consent. 3. That the Southern delegates shall have tbe right to, vote in the A. C. C. only upon subjects which their Convention has approved,or does approve, by their vote, which vote shall be subject to the ratification of the General Convention itself. W. W.Staley, A. Savage, W. S. Long, M. L. Hurley, J. W. Wellons, J. P. Barrett. The report was unanimously adopt ed and the united body proceeded to work. In a short while the report on union between the Christians and the ‘Christian Union’ brethren of tbe West was made and adopted. Thus the union of the church North, South and West greatly adds to tbe power and resources of the main body, and the future of tbe body looms up with brighter prospects than ever before. There is much yet to tell, but this will do for one letter. J. P. B It Is a Mistake.. The following appeared in the Spir it of the Age of this city of which the Rev. R. H. Whitaker,® D., is editor in its issue of Oct. 17, 1890: We notice the statement that the Southern wing of the Christian Church which seceded m 1854, has re-united with the Church North. The dea patch making the announcement says: ‘The conditions o4 the retnra of the Southern people having been agreed to, an informal and hearty greeting was extended to the erring imithera, While the congregation sung, ‘Blest be the tie that binds.' " It’s none ot onr business, but we don’t relish that pompous pioeity that has the conceit to call Southern Chris tians ‘erring brothers.’ That was said by the man who re ported the item—nothing ot the sort was said in the Convention at Marion. Neither was it a going back on the part of the Southern brethren—it was simply a Union of two bodies of Chris tians—they came together, that is all. The Board of Commissioners were cordially received and kindly enter tained. Conference. Remember, brethren, that the Deep Rjver Christian Conference will meet i with the church at Staley, N. C., Thurs day before the second Sunday in Nov. 1890. All persons coming to this conference will come to Staley, N. C., a station on the C. F- and Y. V. R. R„ 27 mile, South of Greensboro, N. C. J. W. Patton, Pastor. Liberty, N. C. All persons expecting to attend the Deep River Conference at Staley, N. C. Nov. 6-9 are requested to notify Bro. H. A. Moflit, Staley, N. C. that homes map be provided for #JJ. Explanatory. While the editor of the Son was absent from his office, attending the American Christian Convention, at Marion, Ind., certain persons induced a part of our printers to leave the office. Being away from the city, we could not supply the place and therefore the Sts did not ap pear last week. It is out on time this week nnd we trus t we may have no fur ther delays. We have distressing news trom Japan. The Cholera is rapidly spread ing in that country. A letter firom Rev. D. P. Jones of Sept. 9ih says a body had just died across the street from his residence. Of tho 15,400 who have had an attack of Cholera in Japan, 9,285 have died. Our missionaries are exposed to the dr seasc. Let the prayers of the church go up to God 4pr their safety and protection. Queries. 1 come to you to day by request for information and counsel. An an swer . is desired through the Sun. The questions are as lgBowa: 1. Y. is a member of A. Conference; but pastor of a church in B. Confer ence. Now can he be legally elected President of the Conference to which his church belongs without first wilh member of B. Answer. No. 2. Can the Executive Committee of a conference bring charges against a minister of another conference, in writing and sustain them by affidavits or must they present their witnesses at the bar of conference ? Answer. No Minister can be tried before any Conference other than bis own. The Executive committee of his own conference can try him if charges be preferred.—Editor Sun. From the Triple Cities by the Sea. Mr Dbar Brother:—You invited me to write to your paper, but I have not found many items to mention this week; however, in the future, when 1 hear something, I wilt send it in. Hope yon enjoyed your trip west, and that you are in good health. The protracted meetings held in Norfolk, nnder the special effort of Rev. Dr. Wharton, ended on last Sab bath evening, with 500 conversions and additions. We may say of this series of meetings, that it was suc cessful in every sense ot the term, sinners being converted, backsliders reclaimed, and the churches greatly strengthened; the 500 converts took their places in the various churches throughout the city, and added their strength in the great battle against sin in its many forms. Even the Catholic churches profited by this meeting, and we trust that some who opposed it in every way possible, have by this time learned that God’s pur poses are earned out in the. face of all opposition. A series of Gospel Temperance meetings will be inaugurated in the tabernacle in Norfolk on next Sab bath evening, Oct. 19th, under the leadership of Mr. Francis Murphy, who is now in that city. We trust that thqse meetings may prove a blessing to the community, and that thousands may be led from the curse oTdrink to the light and liberty of CbriBt. We feel very much encouraged in reference to our work in this city; four have united with the church in the last month, and we expect more in the near future. Our prayer-meet ings are well attended, and the Sab bath congregations are large. We ask the prayers of the brotherhood that God may bless this church and congregation, and make it instrumen tal of great good in this community. drawing firom A. and “Omeoa.’’ C. J. Jones, Jr. Berkly, Va., Oct, 17, 1890. Field News. Our protracted meeting at New Providence, Grabam, N. C., began the fourth Sunday in September and closed Tuesday after the first Sunday in October. There was a deep inter est manifested from the first which continued until the close. The weath er most of the time, was very rainy, but the evening attendance was large during the entire meeting. The morn ings and afternoon, attendance was small. Towards the close of the meet ing the church was more than filled. After preaching twice last Sunday, I announced that the meeting would close, but there came a request from the congregation for its continuance. 1 at once announced from the church door steps that the meeting would continue. That night eight or ten professed Christ. The entire number of profes sions during the meeting was about forty. Revs. W. G. Clements and J. L. Foster were with us a part of the time Their sermons were good and much enjoyed by our people. We hope they will come again. Bro. D. M. Williams, a ministerial student at Eton College, was with ns Sunday and Sunday night. Bro. Goppege of the Presbyterian church, and Bro. Ivennett of the M. P. church were present one night each. Truly a great -work was done, and to God be-i le ngs the praise. Amen. P. H. Fleming. Graham, N. V. We note with pleasure that our ex cellent friend, Mr. James I. Johnson of the firm of Lee, Johnson & Co., drug gists of this city, has bought the entire business of that establishment He is a clever gentleman and a first-class drug gist, and we wish for him long continued prosperity. Seo his advertisement on third j?age. Suffolk Letter. No doubt the Editor will give you enough about the American Christian Convention which met m Marion, ind., Oct. 7th and olosed Oct. 14th; but I may be allowed to give my impres sions while there and while going and returning. Norfolk, Va., was our starting point and October 6th was the day. There Revs. W. 8. Long, D. 1)., J. W. Wellons, J. P. Barrett, D. D, Col. A. Savage and myself entered the steamer Carolina, ot the Bay Line at 6 p. m., and spent the night in a pleasant ride up the Bay, reaching Baltimore next morn ing about 8. Bro. E. J. Driver of Driver's, Capt. E. C. Ramsey and wile at Cbuckatuck and bro. —Coe tan ot Banbury went np the Bay with ns to Baltimore. Having a couple of hours to wait for the B. A 0. train Rev. W. 8. Long went to the Dental College to see his son W. 8. Long, Jr., who is there attending lectures. At 10:20 we boarded a vestibule train and sped out for the west by way of Washington, Harper's Perry and Wheeling. To describe our ride for more than eight hundred miles, and to do it tally would, might, be a waste of word? and of your patience. But nature is so rich in resources and Americans so wise and brave in dis covering and mastering them that I must be excused . if, l write of«ur journey. Prom Balto to Washington we dart along like an arrow through fields, by villages, over streams till the capital ot our nation looms up as the white marble structure of graceful proportions symbolising the solid and beautiful government of which it is the temple. Up the Potomac we fly through groves and villages and farms and tunnels till Harper's Perry is reached. Here nature and art and historic events have all joined hands, where three states, two rivers, and three-mountain heights unite as wit nesses to nature's grandeur. Wind ing up the Potomac and climbing the mountains the natural scenery is en chanting. Every rock and tree and herd of cattle and streamlet and fly ing bird seemed to be in position to add most to landscapes that went running away from our vision. At Cumberland, Md., our train tarried a few moments and Dr. Barrett said: ‘I think I see Dr. Martyn Summer bell,^ So he went to see;, and we soon found a palace car load of delegates hom New England on the same train with us going to the Convention. Greetings were exchanged by the few acquainted, introductions were given to others, and we began to feel on our way in earnest. Little trans pired beyond this, worthy of mention here, till we reached the oil wells of Ohio. Of course we were all intier ested in what had been the cause of excitement and speculation in the west and the source of fortunes * to many. We reached Marion on Wed nesday afternoon having been delayed at Holgate for five hours Dr. B*r rett was somewhat anxious to get there on time as he had a paper to read on that night. But he made a fine impression with a good paper, notwithstanding our delay. We all had good homes, received a cordial welcome, and enjoyed our stay. There were over two hundred delegates, mqre than three hundred visitors, and hence more than five hundred in all present at the Convention. The meeting was harmonous, more aggressive than ever before, and the future promises betljer results for the Christian Church than the past. ! . Terms ot union between our con vention and the American Christian Convention were agreed to by the joint ‘Board ot Commissioners’ and ratified by the Convention. I have not the text of the agreement in my possession now, but if the Editor does not publish it, 1 will get a copy and publish it ih the ‘Sun/ It is subject to the ratification of the south ern church, but I am sure every church in the South can endorse it without any hesitation or reserve. Our ‘Board’ was unanimous in ap proving the terms ot union. Rev. M. L. Hurley, who had been in Alabama several weeks, met us at Marion and was also a member of our ‘Board;’ so six ot the nine appointed were present. The southern branch of the Christian Church sometimes feels discouraged on account of small numbers, but it .they could all see the American Christian Convention they would find some relief. We are a part of a great movement which will win position, usefulness, and great reward. We labor for a larger fellowship among Christians, without interrupting the essential doctrines ot the Christian faith. We are evangelical in the truest sense, and must be a potent factor in liberalizing Christian thought. Never before in Convention has there been such manifest desire and effort to put the Christian principles into concrete form. Home and Foreign Missions and Educational interests seemed to dominate the purpose ot the Conven tion. All these interests will be cared for, and furthered as never be fore. And we are in line in the South. This year will witness larger sums of money raised than any pre vious year of our history; and yet we have not reached the maximum ot our strength. I am pressed for time this morning and must soon close. All the breth ren from the south left on the morn ing ot the last day, except myself. I remained to the close. The next day I accompanied Rev. 1). A. Long, V. D„ to his home at Antioch College and Bpent the night. At his request I addressed a lair audience in the Col lege that night The next morning was ratuy, but Bro. Long and myself visited the Yellow Springs' grounds which are among the finest I have ever seen. We visited the College also and the Hor&oe Mann monument which stands in the campus m front of the main building. Magnificent grounds, massive buildings, a good faculty, an enterprising president, an earnest student body. Antioch takes .rank among the beet institution*. My stay was short but very pleasant. I left at 10 next day and reached Suf folk on Saturday in time to preach to my people twice ye» lerday aud am now trying to get ready for our con ference which meets next Tuesday, Oct 28. W. W. STAi-sr. Get. 20, 1890. Eton College Motes. It was remarked a few days since that to one who would observe the regular routine work of the College, this did not seem like a new institu tion: and only a lew weeks old. The regular ringing ot the college bell, the oommg and going of the students to their recitations aud 16 their studies without friction and without stir or excitement make it seem that this is the kind of work we have been use to for many months. Then the Literary Societies—three in number—the Clio, Philologian and Victoria—have been long since organized and the voices of the young Demosthenes’ and Cice ros’ ring through the halls and re mind us of the tact that the world will soon have some orators,, debaters and writers for which it has long since felt the need. If boys and girls are ever to become graceful and able speakers, writers and debaters—if they are to ever learn how to express themselves clearly and forcibly at school is the place to begin and we are very much encouraged at seeing our students take so much interest m this kind ot work. There is nothing that serves so well to develop, to ele vate one's taste for literature and learning as work in a literary society. Dr. Herndon was with us two or three days last week. Mrs. Herndon and children also stopped over night with us while on their way to Ashe boro for a tew week's visit. We now weloome Dr. Herndon as the merchant, the druggist. His new store was opened up last week and already trade has begun to pour in. It will only take a few .weeks to show the Dr. bow wise he was in coming here to do business. The Burlington Fair was on hand last week and they say it was a suc cess. We did not adjourn school for it, but a number of our students, ‘had permission from home' and therefore must take in the Fair. It has been suggested that Elon College will not often (7) adjourn for Fairs, Circuses, Theatr28, Tourna manta, Ball Games and the like and that it would be well for parents and guardians to not be too free in send ing ‘permission from home that tnv son John and daughter Jnary can at tend such and such a place, etc.’ The Faculty are here and can us ually take in the situation and look at all sides of such questions and will try to exercise their very best judgment m such matters. But it is hard for a Faculty to say ‘you shall not’ when a ‘written permission from home’ says ‘you may.' Of course we do not expect students to keep pour ing over their books all the time. On the other band we wish to make school life pleasant and agreeable and at the same time as beneficial as pos sible. But we are of the opinion that too frequent holidays for students are of more harm than good. Dr. Long has not yet returned <•_ /I___ UV1U VUU w man preached another one of bis able sermons for us on Sunday. Pof. Moffitt announced at Sunday school that a Young Men’s Christian Asso ciation would be organized in tjbe chapel that evening. At 3 o’clock the young men assembled and effected a temporary organization by electing Prof. Moffitt President, Mr. J. H. Jones, Vice President and Mr. W. 0. Wicker Secretary. It was appointed to meet next Sunday p. m., and ef fect a permanent organization, elect permanent officers and begiu work ip earnest. We hope for good results from this organization and sincerely hope all of our young men will take a part in this work. The sad intelligence reached ns last night that a daughter of Kev. M. L. Winston was dead. She has a sister and brother in school here and uunng their hofrrs of sadness and grief our hearts go out in sincere sympathy for them. The bereaved family have our sympathy and our prayers during their hours of sore affliction. No sickness at the College and all seem to t&moviLg along smoothly. Ipt J. O. Atkinson. hem College, N. (! . Oct. 13. 1890— Cholera Very Near. No doubt ere this you have heard about the Cholera this summer in Japan. For a while in the earlier part of the sea son it stayed about Nagasaki; after a time it went North, keeping much to the West coast, then to Kobe, Osaka, Yoka hama and finally to Tokyo. Its stay in Tokyo is comparitively short, yet long enough to commence its deadly work. From 60 to 100 daily are taken, and, as a rule, a large number die, as may be seen from the report to day, which shows that in all Japan 15, 400 persons have been taken with cholera, out of which 9,285 have died. Last evening we were surprised to learn that two police officers had gone to a house almost opposite our gate, and that some one had died. We knew at once what it meant and finally heard that an old lady was taken during the day with cholera and had died. Suffice it Tiere to say that the police were ready to take all necessary procautions to prevent its spreading. D. F. Jones. O God, merciful Father, graciously hear us, that those evils which" the cratt and subtlety of the devil or man worketb against us may, by thy good providence, be brought to naught; that we, thy servants, being hurt by no persecutions, may evermore give thanks unto thee in thy holy Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. newt n tie Our protracted meeting at Centerville began on the 3rd Sunday in Sept, and continued until Thursday evening. The congregations were large and attentive I was ably assisted by Rev. M. W. But ler, of the Christian church, and Rev. Mr. Deberry, of the M. E. Church. The church seemed much. revived and about fifteen professed faith in Christ. It was a good meeting. ... Waverly Christian church n doing well. Our series of meetings closed last Friday,tho 10th. We had a glorious re vival of religion in the church. Many of God’s children seemed to get very near the blessed Saviour. Fourteen pro fessed faith in Christ. Among the con versions was an aged and highly respect ed father and his two grown sons. The mother of this family passed over the River a year ago, and is doubtless en joying eternal peace. Blessed thought, that now father, sons and daughters have placed their feet upon the road, that leads to the blessed abode. Six have united with this church and I think others will soon. I was ably assisted by Revs. M. B. Barrett, J. T. Kitchen and M. W. Butler. Many thanks to these dear brethren for their kindness. J. W. Barrett. Oct. 13,1890. Wmerly,Va. m 9 ■ » Notice to Delegates and Visitors. Notice to delegates and others who expect to attend the Eastern Va.., Con ference which convenes at Providence, Norfolk county on the 28th inst. Prov idence Station on the Norfolk and South ern R. R., is near the church. Passen fer train leaves Norfolk and Western epot at 9:20* A. M., daily and returns at 4:30 P. M. Persons from Norfolk and Berkley and those coming on the early trains on the Atlantic and Dan ville may take advantage of the above. Persons coming on other roads and other trains, which will make them too late for the above train will be met with conveyances at the Eastern terminus of the Berkley St. It. R. All persons wishing to be met will please notify. It. A. Hysu>p, Norfolk, Fa. The Blessings of Headwinds. The worst calamity that could be fall us, short-sighted'creatures would bo for God to let us have onr own way. In tho voyage ot lile we should choose nothing but smooth boss and fair winds and full cargoes, and ‘quick trips’ and safe harbors. God is wiser than we are, and He no more consults us than I consult my grape vines when 'I send a gardener to prune off the surplus branches. When Christ directed His disciples to cross the lake ot Galilee on a cer tain night, He did not give them the control ot the weather. He knew that a storm was ooming, but Hq did not tell them. They found 4t oat. for v themselves before they had gone very far; and Peter, who was an‘old hand' on tual lake, had never known a rougher night ot a surgier sea. The wind is fight in their teeth, and the wavesjhammer the bow ot their fish iag-smack like iron sledges. With all their sturdy pulls at the oars, they make but. little headway. They are learning some lessons that night; and so are some of my readers who are just now passing through storms ot trouble and enveloped by darkness of a mysterious Providence. They are learning the blttnng*of hrad-vaimdt (1) Prosperity breeds self-conceit, uulu iu a vuustiuu auu a uumvu auu in a nation. We take to our-selves the credit. When we are ‘hard up’, we are apt to call upon God for whatv we want; when we have got it, we are equeally apt to set down to our own skill or onr own industry and seamen* ship. Prosperous churches congratu late themselves on the eloquenoe and popnlarilv of their pastor, the skill ot their officers and the liberality of their contributions. When the chil dren of Isreal had things to their lik ing, they forgot God and turned idol aters; when calamities overtook them, they were driven back to God, and cried lustily lor His delivering arm. One of the subtlest formB ot am is self direction. We ignore God and set up a will and choose a way of our own. He is too wise and too loving to allow this, and sends a stiff gale into our, faces for our chastisement and correction. Whom He loveth, He chasteih; the stiffnecked and rebell ious He allows to go on the rocks. (2). Head-winds strengthen the sin ews and develop character. Nearly every American who has attained to the highest mark of honor and use fulness was ‘seasoned in his boyhood by sharp adversity. As Joseph was prepared by a pit and a prison for the Premiership ot Egypt,so Abraham Lincoln was educated for his high calling by splitting rails, and eating the tonic bread of poverty. If he had been born in a brownslone mansion instead ot a log-cabin, history might * never have heard of him. Probably the best part of George Washington's training for his destiny was his rough experiences in the frontier willderness. Silver spoons and soft raiment are turning too many of our young men into wretched pulp. Smooth seas and gentle breezes never make a sailor. This same truth applies to all the spiritual experience of God's people The great purpose of our heavenly Father in this school-life on earth is to develop godly character. ‘Count it all joy, my brethren,’ said the Apostle James, ‘when ye fall into manifold trials; knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.' Afflictions often come upon bad people as the just retributions of their sins; but God often seinds them upon good people, in order to make them still better. That hard rowing in the night-storm on Galilee proved the disciples, pluck, and gave some fibre to their sinews. They were learnibg to ‘endure hard ness,' and were rehearsing their sub sequent experiences in the teeth of persecuting Sanhedrims and bloody Herods. Adversity brings out the graces and beauties of the noblest Christian chat* [CONTIUED OK THIRD PAOI.J
The Christian Sun (Elon College, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 23, 1890, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75