The working Christian. [volume], November 25, 1869, Image 2

About The working Christian. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1869-1877

Image provided by: University of South Carolina; Columbia, SC

                
Sunday-school," ami no department demand
ed greater care or more thought. Singing in
the Sunday-school performed the part which
the cavalry did in war,—havering about the
army and ready to aid-the general movement'
Singing in the 'school brought up the rear,
ready for effective service anywhere. It needs
to be thoroughly trained, that its inherent
efficiency might not be frittered away, but
turned to good. Sentiments, whose force by
mere reading would pafcs away like a shadow,
were ui uujiiiL *imu me very wcuict umuiuci vim
i lie heart by simple but engaging tunes, nu<l
tfiok up their permanent abode cither for good
cr eviL Not only did song seem to hold tho
key of the inner heart, but it began to exer
iise its jxnver at an earlier period, and it re
tailed it to the latest. The infant was sooth
ed bv its mother’s lulaby, and the prattling
child often had some favorite hymn. Such
was singing, which came knocking at tho
door of. the Sunday-school to lie employed as
a mighty engine in their work,—looking for
no higher work than that it might aid in
winning little children and the youth to the
truth ; it bids us elevate it from the degrad
ing influences of sin (whieii it was never
meant to foster), and use it for the salvation
of souls. Some years ago there were negro
ditties, and they spread like wildfire through
the land. But a great revolution had taken
place in this resjieet, and now they heard
whistled and strummed and sung such neat
pieces as “I love Jesus,” and that sweet song,
“Shall we gather at the River?”
It was thought that former popular airs
might be lifted out of the slough and adapted
for Sunday-schools, but it was found useless.
It was said in defence of tliis, that, it was not
right that the devil should have the best
tunes, but the devil was welcome to the negro
ditties. If the sentiment was true that was
couched in the oft-quoted expression, “I care
not who makes the laws, if I make the songs
of a nation,” then, in deal, was the singing of
the Sunday-school exalting in a nation. In
answering the question, “What shall we sing?”
lie would say, Those words that shall best
touch and train the moral nature, and lead
the heart to Christ. The jolly, no-religion
songs were never in place in tlic Sunday
school, however much they might please.
Tlicv needed a richer hymnology in Christian
experience. After all the hymns tliat had
been written, there was constantly felt some
thing needed on the subjects that came up
from Sabbath to Sabbath. There was a mine
in the word of God that was yet hardly
touched. Let tho soul be turned constantly
to Christ. Let his life, his work, lie their
constant theme. He suggested to the Amer
ican Baptist Publication Society, thut in the
great multiplicity of Sunday-school music,
there was a sense of fulness and also a sense
of want, and since the Convention was sing
ing here under such accomplished leadership,
was it not a prelude of the time, when, washed
in His blood, they would sing, “Hallelujah,
blessing and honor, glory and power, be unto
Him who sitteth upon the throne, and the
Lamb forever.”
.Mr. Doane, the musical leader, was invited
to give his opinion on the subject. He stated
at -ome length, that singing had two objects,
first, as a religious exercise, and secondly, to
afford spiritual instruction in a pleasing way.
HOOT It I.V A1, TRAINING.
Dr. Ilodge, of Wisconsin, in liis remarks on
Doctrinal Traiuing, said that “doctrine” was
a much-abused word. In the jiopular con
ception it was but a synonym for dry formula,
the unsightly skeleton of a theological creed.
The main thing in the Bible was its truth,
and that truth, rightly apprehended, consti
tuted a beautiful system, aniHlio conveyance
of that truth in a systematic form, constituted
the doctrinal traiuing for which he pleaded.
It was that training, which in due course of
time, left the pupils in possession of right con
ceptions of Bible truths. Feeling which rest
ed not on important truth was amongst the
most ephemeral and fruitless things known
among men. Nor were the chief truths of the
Bible of such appalling abstruseness as to
frighten away .fiildhood, although some un
skillful teacliers always baeame obscure when
they stepped onto metaphysical ground. In
the’course of his remarks, Dr. Hodge said,
“I doubt if any evil in our whole Sunday
school work more rigorously demands abate
ment than the persistent neglect of indoctrin
ation. We are moulding tho 011-coming gen
eration of Christian work' rs. That we stim
ulate their sensibilities is not enough. If we
would have them bear fruit upward, we must
see that they take root downward. The acorn
when it sends out its plumule to lift up its
head among trees, at the same time puts forth
its radicle to strike into the earth, and to
clasp its spreading arms around the hidden
rucks, and, anchored thus, the monarch of the
Purest laughs at the storm. Omit this under
ground process, and the wintry blast will
h ave the oak among the fallen, even as sweep
ing errors do the once fair professors, who
have never lieen anchored among the doc
trines nf the world.”
The conductor announced tliat Rev. Dr.
Win. Hague, of Illinois, who had l>een as
signed to speak ujh)ii the subject of Sunday
school literature, was not present, and owing
to the lateness of- the hour tliat subject and
all discussions ujion it would be omitted. The
following resolutions were adopted :
llm>lved, That the cordial thanks of this
Convention arc hereby tendered to the mem
bers of the Second Baptist Church, and to the
citiaens of St. Louis, for the hearty welcome
and lilierul hospitality extendod. • •*-—'
Kt -toht'd, That our thanks are due to W.1
II. Donne, "Esq., of Cincinnati, who has con
tributed so much to the interest of this Con
vention ; ami also to the various conductors
and speakers who have taken any part in the
meeting of this Convention.
Henohid, That our thanks are tendered to
the press of St. Louis, for their full and ac
curate report of our proceedings ; also to the
various railroad companies.
ilemlved, That our thanks arc hereby ex
tended to the general and local Committees,
whose indefatigable labors have lieen so suc
cessful in contributing to the interests of the
Convention, and the comfort of its delegates.
On motion of Itev. Sir. Lowry, of Pennsyl
vania, the Baptist publication Society was re
quested to publish a full rei>ort of the proceed
ings of the Convention.
Prayer'-was then otlered, the lxmcdiction
was pronounced by the Rev. Geo. A. l’eltz,
of Philadelphia, and the Convention dissolved.
THK 80CIABI.E. . U
With the space now left us, it will be im
possible to give hi detail the features of this
eminently pleasant occasion. The gathering
was held in Mercantile Liberty Hall, from
7 to 101 o’clock, Thursday evening. The ar
rangements were well conceived and success
fully carried out. - At 7 o’clock, .prompt!
Mr. E. D. Jones called the meeting to order,
and Kev. Dr.' Anderson, of New York, ad
dressed the Throne of Grace ; after which,
while some minor details were being perfect
ed, Mr. II. Tlmne Miller, entertained the au
dience with a song, entitled “Life in the
; West,” which was linely rendered and loud
; b’ applauded. When the applause had sub
sided, the front door of the hall was thrown
open, and fifty young ladies, beautifully at
tired, filed in, each one l>earing a salver of re
freshments, consisting of sandwiches, eake,
ice-cream, etc. This feature of the sociable
commanded the admiration of the entire as
sembly. When these refreshments had been
disposed of, Messrs. Doane and Miller sang a
duett, and then Mr. E. D. Jones introduced
Mr. Miller as chairman of the evening.
Messrs. Tlieo. E. Perkins, of New York, and
W. H. Doane, of Cincinnati, acted as musical
directors. The speeches were governed by
the five minute rule. They were full of va
riety, containing spice, fire, energy, and emo
tion, forming one grand cord of harmony.
Among the speakers were some who were not
Baptists, but who had Sunday-school on the
brain and the heart. The following genial
letter from Dr. S. Y. Niccolls, of the Presby
terian Church, was read :
St. Loris, Thursday Morning.
Dear Brother Jones:—I have just this mo
ment received your kind invitation to be pres
ent at the “sociable” given to the Convention
now in session. I regret, my dear brother,
that I cannot be present with you, as a previ
ous engagement compels my attendance clse
wliere. I trust that you may have a good
time, and that all may be immersed,—inlove.
Fill the house full of the spirit of Christian
love, and if any one come there encased in
self, like the diver with Ids submarine armor
on, cut the hose that connects him with the
outside world, and make him live or die in
the new element about him. I don’t mean
to make him live “under water,” but iu love.
It is the true element of Christian life—alas!
that so many Christians should get into it like
divers into the sea. May you all take to it
to-night like fish to the water.
With many thanks for your kind invita
tion, I am yours in Christ,
, Sam. Y. Niccolls.
Refreshments were once more served, Mr.
Wm. Lawrence, of Chicago, led in prayer,
and the benediction was pronounced by Rev.
Dr. Clinton, of the First Methodist Church,
St. Louis.
[We are indebted to the National Baptist
for the above report.] ■
YORKVILLiE, S. C.:
THURSDAY MORNING, SOY. 25, 1SC9.
TERMS--1N ADVANCE,
One Copy, One Year,.....• 2 50
Five Copies, One Year,. 11 25
Ten Copies..... 20 00
pis- Aii extra eopy will be given to the person
sending; ten names, accompanied by tlie money.
pit- The Working Christian and tho Y’oiik
viLi.K KNQUiBER--a large and elegant family
weekly newspaper—will tie sent one year for $.5.
Tho pi-ice of tho Enquirer alone is Throe Dollars.
A limited number of unobjectionable ad
vertisements will is- inserted at moderate rates.
per All communications should lie addressed
to'the “Wouki.no Christian,” Y'orkvilie, S. C.
Money sent in Registered Letters will lie at
our risk ; but the person sending must pay the ex
psotiuo of registration.
PUKM1UMS.
Iu order to reward persons who may lie dispos
ed to procure subscribers for The Working
Christian, we offer the following Premiums,
which will be awarded to tho persons entitled to
them, on the twenty-fifth day of December
next :
To the person sending us the largest list of sub
scribers—with tho money—at Two Dollars for
each name, we will give Adam Clark's Commen
taries on all of the Bible except tho Pentateuch,
(4 volumes—leather bound—good second band;)
or Meander’s Church History, (4 volumes) or
Moshiem’hChurch History, (3 volumes—leath
er bound.) Any of the above works is worth $10.
To the person sending us the second largest list
of sulwcriliers, at the same rates, wo will give a
copy of Kitto's Illustrated History of the
Bible ; or a copy of “Handwriting of God,”
(Randall's Travels in Egypt, Sinai, and the Holy
Land) either, worth Five'llollars.
To tho |MTHon sending us the third largest list of
names, with the money, we will give tho History
of tiie Reformation, by D’Aubigne. (5 volumes
in two), or Dago's Theology, (2 volumes) or a
copy of Hodge's Outlines of Theology, Jose
phus’ Works, or Frost’s Lives op Eminent
Christians, auv one of which is worth at Joast
Three Dollars. The above liooks arc already on
hand.
All persons who get subscribers must send tho
nainos and the money as soon as obtained, and we
promise to keep a correct list of names sent by
each person. Tlie contestants for the prizes, may
send in names until the 25th of December, when
the prtzos will lie awarded to the successful con
testants,
per No names will he entered unless accompa
nied by the money.
DR. R. FURMAN1.
We are glad to learn that Dr. R. Furman
has greatly recovered from his serious illness,
lie was able to attend the last meeting of the
Charleston Association. . .. r
SILVER MEDAL.
We are gratified to know that Miss Lilia
Crenshaw, of Yorkville, who sent a box of
hair work of her own manufacturing, to the
recent fair in Columbia, was awarded a silver
medal.
k._ —— am* ■ w -
1 UREENYILLE SEMINARY.
We are under obligation to several of the
students of Greenville Theological Seminary
for communications for our columns, as well
as for worda of encouragement We earnestly
solicit contributions from that source.
SHALL WE*HEAR FROM THEM 1
1 We send this issue'of our paper post-paid to
I each one of the delegates of the Charleston
' Association. We trust that each one of them
will send us bis name at once, and also make
■ us a club and send it on. Dear brethren,
shall we hear from you soon ?
)• , PERSONAL.
! Wo -had the pleasure of a visit from our
j old friend T. Q. Donaldson, Esq., of Green
! villc, who was in Yorkville last week on le
I gal business. He gives a glowing descrip
tion of the enterprising spirit now showing
itself in Greenville. We were glad to hear
that Mr. Donaldson is succeeding well in his
profession. .
X ; DEATH OF MRS. DICKSON.
We are pained to hear of the death on the
9th inst., of the wife of Rev. Henry R. Dick-j
sou, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in
Yorkville. Mrs. Dickson had been in declin
ing health for several months past, and was
spending some time at her mother’s, in Fair
field, where she died. She leaves several small
children. ..
THE YORK DAPTIST UNION.
The last meeting of this Union was held at
Old Sardis Church, 9 miles east of Yorkville,
on Friday and Saturday before the 5th Sab
bath in October.' On Friday very few per
sons attended. On Saturday morning, at 11
o’clock, a sermon was preached, after which
Rev. J. M. Garrison was called to the chair,
and Bro. J. R. Garrison acted as Clerk. But
little was done beyond appointing Mill Creek
as the place of the next meeting on Friday,
before the next 5th Sabbath.
On Sabbath there was a good congregation
who were preached to by one of the brethren.
In the afternoon Elder J. M. Garrison bap
tised several colored persons.
HEU ABSENT SONS AND DAUGHTERS.
We desire to send Tiie Workino Chris
tian to the scattered sons and daughters of
South Carolina who are to be found in almost
every Southern and Western State. In or
der to do this we have inserted in another col
umn an advertisement, in which we make
liberal offers to persons out of this State.
We want each of our readers, who has a
friend in another State, to do us the kindness
to send this number of the paper, or clip the
advertisement and send it, to that friend.
Will not each reader of our paper, in writing
to absent friends,insist on their sending forTuE
Working Christian ? Would it not be a
nice Christmas or New Year’s gift to send
The Working Christian to our friends at
home or abroad ? IIow many of our friends
will do this? We will send all papers de
signed as gifts to friends for tivo dollars.
SHORT LETTERS.
Bro. W, A. Brant, Buford’s Bridge.—
Thank you for the sketches you sent us.
Please send others.
Rev. T. J. Taylor, Greenville. — Thank
you for the favor you have sent us.
Rev. W. H. Williams, Staunton, Fa
Thank you for the subscriber and money
which you have sent. The name has been
registered and paper sent. Glad to know
that we have your best wishes for our success.
Benjamin F. Clement, Gwinnett Co.,Ga.
Dear brother, we were glad to hear from you.
We have sent papers. Hope you will read
our advertisement in this paper and see what
liberal offers we make to South Carolinians,
in other States. Please act as agent for our
paper.
Bro. A. W. Hudgens, Lauroisville.—We
make no charge for the proceedings of meet
ings, such as you send. Arc always glad to
get anything in the way of denominational
news. We do hope that you will send us
your club from Chestnut Ridge at once.
R. S. Head, Cluster.—We will be with you
at Hopewell Church to assist in the ordina
tion of deacons, if you will appoint the 4th
Sabbath in November or 2d in Dec. Please
let us know when it will be.
Y. J. Pope, Esq., Newberry.—The regis
tered letter with contents came safe. Thank
you. " ’
CALVIN’S WIFE A BAPTIST.
It may not be generally known that John
Calvin married a widow whose first husband
was an Anabaptist. Her first name was
Idelette do Bure. She first married John
Storder, who was of the sect of Anabaptists.
After the death of this good man her widow
hood was spent in training the children she
hail by her first husband. When Calvin was
thirty years old he wrote to his friend Farel,
in May, 1539, and gives his ideal of a wife :
“Remember,” he says to his friend, “what
I especially desire to meet with in a wife. I
am not, you know, of the number of those in
considerate lovers, who adore even the faults
of the woman who charms them. I could on
ly be pleased with a woman who is sweet,
chaste, economical, patient and careful of her
husband’s health. lias she of whom you have
: spoken to me these qualities? If not, let us
say no more.”
This widow was selected and recommended
to Calvin by his friend. She must have been
j regarded ns a treasure indeed to have been
thus singled out for the Reformer. When
Calvin was 31, in 1540, he and this excellent
woman were married. He had three chil
dren by this lady, all of whom died in infan
| cy. They lived together about seven years,
I and this pious woman died in 1547. Calvin
testified that he found his wife all that he
i expected. She was devoted to his happiness.
When about to die her greatest concern was
about her children by her first husband. <
One of her friends asked her to speak of
them to Calvin. “Why should I do aoj-’*
she answered ; “what concerns me is that my
children may be brought up in virttie. * * *
If they are not, why should I recommend
them to him ?” But Calvin biniself knew her
wishes, and promised te-'tfreat her children
as if they were hia Jfwn. “I have already
commended 'them to God,” said Idelette.
“But that does not" hinder that I should take
care of them also,” said Calvin. “I know
well,” said she, “that you will never aban
don those whom I have committed to the
Lord.”
Thus the good woman fell asleep in Jesus.
Calvin always spoke of her in terras of tender
ness and love. He never married again,
though left a widower in his 39th year. How
much this pious woman, who was doubtless
thoroughly acquainted with Baptist doctrines,
assisted Calvin in his work of Reformation,
cannot now be ascertained. Priscilla-like,
she no doubt instructed her husband more
perfectly in those principles which effected
the Reformation ; for the Anabaptists 4*r
tainly have the most • ancient claims to the
doctrines • which Luther and Calvin used
against error. If Calvin had made a com
plete surrender of the errors of the Roinish
Church and had married the religion of the
Anabaptist, John Stordcr, as he did his excel
lent widow, and had all, the Reformers, im
bibed all those sacred principles held by this
despised sect, the Reformation would have
been a grand success.
' Forth* VVnrklngOlift<iti*ii. j
WE NEED IX TIIE i'ULPIT j
Simplicity—Simplicity of word in the pulpit
is admired by the masses. In this wise those
who havo not had the advantage of an educa
tion hear the gospel and are made glad in ^
their hearts. The preacher who uses words
not understood by the unlearned, especially
phrases of Latin and Greek, reaps finv souls
for his hire. ‘ j
Earnestness. — Earnestness in the pulpit •
draws the attention of the hearers. The
words seem to1' jicnetrate the very heart.!
The soul vibrates within, and hope and faith j
become strong. There is a warmth that
springs up among the brethren, and emo- j
tions of love, one toward another, become j
strong, and the bliss of Heaven is portrayed :
on every countenance. • I
The Truth.—The truth from the minister’s ;
mouth without fear of man, or afraid to of-j
fend, does more than any one tiring to encir- j
ole his flock around him, and have them to
repose all their confidence in him, feeling;
that he is shepherd of the Church and will j
lead them into the green pastures of rest. [
Washing ton, Ga. F. |
—-— - -j
For the Working Christian. j
DOCTRINAL SERMONS.—No. 2. j
In our first article we had traced the effects
of exclamatory sermons through one of those j
uprousals which are improperly termed reviv
als. We here resume the subject. !
Go back to the aforesaid church a month j
after the great “revival” and you will find
the dead calm that follows the storm. A'
complete reaction has taken place througlwut
church and congregation. The church, new
converts and all, are as cold as an iceberg, j
The reaction has reached the pastor too. He
comes back to his next monthly appointment,
without any definite object in view further
than merely to “preach,”—to fill out his time.
His sermons now consist of a diseoneeted re
hearsal of the most commonplace truisms
and old pulpit phrases, which have long since
become threadbare by usage. The members,
generally fold their arms with impunity and
fully believe that they have nothing more to'
do religiously but to go “to meeting” once a
month until protracted meeting time comes
round the next year. The Sunday-school dies
and the next letter from this church to its As
sociation reports the church as having passed
through a “cold wintry season.”
But what of that large number of hopeful
converted persons, who were brought into the
church during the past excitement ? In a
short time they begin to find out that some
thing is wrong. The harness does not quite
fit them ; the harness is either not exactly
adapted to them, or they are not exactly
adapted to the harness.
Spiritually they are puny and sickly, hav
ing little or no disposition to improve in piety
or religious knowledge. Christmas comes
with its balls and its parties, and by their un
abated interest in these, they soon give con
clusive evidence that they are lovers of pleas
ure lnore than lovers of God. By the time
protracted meeting time returns, a number of
them have been excluded for immoral con
duct. The greater part of those who remain
are merely hanging on because tiiey are there,
having a form of Godliness, but denying the
power thereof, a name to live, but are dead.
They are clogs and stumbling blocks and a
reproach to the cause of Christ. Thus they
live, and alas! too often thus they die, the
self-deluded dupes of clerical quackery. They
were not instructed into the kingdom of God ;
they were stultified, bewildered and excited
into the church.
Such are the effects of were exclamatory
preaching which operates upon the feelings
and passions instead of instructing persons
in the doctrines of Christianity. The empty
headed, shallow-brained, exclamatory preach
er, is to the Christian ministry whatjhe med
ical quack is to the skillful physician. The
quack drugs his patient with narcotics, ano
dynes and stimulants, and thus succeeds in
producing immediate effects, while he leaves
the cause of the disease untouched, which will
sooner or later develope itself under the same?
or some other form more formidahle^tWn ev
er. The skillful physician seeks to eradicate
the cause of the disease, ahd, removing the
cause, he removes tbc/fiisease itself. So does
the skillful prcaelier first endeavor to expose
the sijj, 4he guilt and the corruption of the
1)liman heart, which brings the sinner to be
sensible of the need of a Saviour.
We will now submit a few thoughts upon
the ordinary effects of sound, doctrinal gospel
sermons. The preacher who deals in this
kind of sermons does not often draw his bovt
at a venture. His first aim in the prepara
tion of his sermons is to select subject* adapt
ed to the present wants ofhis church and con
gregation. Having decided upon his subject
he prepares his sermon with a view to en
lighten the minds and convince the judgment
of his hearers. He knows that incoherent
exclamations and a boisterous delivery will
not do this. He knows that a human soul
cannot be spiritually enlightened and con
victed for sin but by being brought In direct
contact with pure gospel truth. He knows
that all the means resorted to by professional
revivalists to excite the passions and move
die feelings aside from the faithful preaching
of the gospel, will have only a temporary.ef
fect, which subsiding, leaves the soul in a
wd*ne stabs that* before. Hettce •'his great,
aini ig tofcring is much divine truth to hear
upon the'Souls of his hearers aif possible. -He
goes to his appoiutmeut with a carefully pre
pared, systematic, logical sermon, richly lad
en with spiritual truth. In the delivery of
his sermon lie relies for effect, not upon a loud,
vociferous, stentorian utterance, nor upon i
wild, extravagant,unnaturalgestpresj but up-:
on the blessing of God. |
Now for the enecte oi this kina oi preacn
ing: There is usually profound attention
throughout the entire aiidioiiee. Now
and then a tear is seen in some eye; but
strange to say, there is little excitement in
the usual acceptation of the term. Nobody
goes into ecstacies, nobody swoons, iiobody
shouts. This minister sometimes thinks it
strange that he has less power over his hear
ers than other meH that he knows of who
have very ordinary minds and very limited
attainments. He thinks sometimes that he
would be willing to give a large sum just to
be able to get at people like some of his il
literate brethren do, who preach exclamatory
sermons. Now and then accessions are made
to his churches; sometimes one or two, some
times several. These accessions are generally
made when there is no special excitement,
and, as a general rule, they make, intelligent,
active, lively, growing, working Christians.
Another result of this kind of preaching is
that the eburch is generally under good dis
cipline, and is all the time in good running,
working order. Instead of spasmodic, peri
odical efforts, which soon subside, leaving the
church in a worse state than before, such
church is usually characterized by a calm,
steady progressiveness. Such church is like
a city set upon a hill, which can not be mov
ed. Jt is a perpetual witness for Christ It
is a power iu any community which ■ cannot
be gainsayed. The members, as a general
rule, are intelligent, warm-hearted and liber
al. They are always ready to engage in any
good work. They have an efficient Sabbath
school, pay their pastor liberally and contrib
ute liberally to the cause of missions; and
the most of them patronize a religious news
paper, and occasionally purchase some instruc
tive, literary, scientific, or religious book. The
Popish theory that ignorance is the mother of
devotion has no advocates among them.
In conclusion wo wish to call special atten
tion to the reason why an illiterate, incohe
rent, superficial, exclamatory preacher seems
to produce so much greater effect upon his
hearers, than a profound thinker, who preach
es carefully prepared, systematic, logical,
doctrinal sermons. The reason we conceive
to be is riot because of any advantage that ig
norance may possess over learning mid intel
ligence—not because the intellectual machine
ry of the one runs so much lighter and swift
er because it is unincumbered, than does that
of the other under its ponderous load of learn
ing ; not because the exclamatory preacher
is warmer hearted or more pious than the
doctrinal one. It i3 because the man who
preaches systematic, logical, doctrinal ser
mons sets his hearers to thinking; while the
man who deals in commonplace truisms
and incoherent exclamations, accompanied
by a vociferous utterance, and boisterous
manner, merely raises a dust, as it were*
which beclouds for the tunc tlic mental
vision, while at the same time he stirs
up, so to speak, the dregs and sediment
of the imagination, and thereby muddies
tlie fountaiirof thought. This being done
his hearers soon lose all self-control, and
are easily carried away through mere sym
pathy.
The doctrinal preacher, as before remark
ed, sets his hearers to thinking. He opens
the avenues of the soul and lets light there
in, He touches the hidden springs of the
mind and sets the mental machinery to work,
while at the same time he supplies it with
material upon 'which to work; hence the
. person forgets to .make noisy demonstrations.
He feels,. yes he feels, but his feelings are
based upon principle, and are often too deep
-for utterance^ The effect produced upon his
soul by this menus are lasting ; they die not
with the occasion that gave them birth. Ho.
has received new impulse to action, which
impulse is based upon principle, the princi
ple of divine, eternal truth. Hence that
impulse lasts^ only to be strengthened by
fresh contact With that truth which gave it
birth. The results produced by sound, doc
trinal preaching, are not boisterousjand. noisy;*
because the impression^-aro.. deep and based
upon; principle. ^ -The results produced by
exclamatory/1 pt^aching are boisterous and
! noipy Tfecnuse the .impressions are altogether
t superficial and are based upon sympathy, or
anything else but principle.
foregoing we conceive to. be the true
philosophy in each of these cases. It is there
fore no wonder that the greater part of those
so-called hopefully converted persons, who
are taken into churches during seasons of
great excitement produced by exclamatory
preaching, turn out badly—“fall from grace,”
as our Methodist friends say, because a true
work of grace was never wrought in their
souls.
God save every church from the evils of
empty, superficial, declamatory preaching,
and give them more of that which is sound,
doctrinal and Scriptural.
We do not object to protracted meetings
nor to invite persons forward as subjects of
prayer. What we contend for is that the
people must be indoctrinated, enlightened, in
structed, reasoned with, convinced and con
victed ; not temporarily excited by mere cant
and nonsense. No.-? do we contend that none
but collegiates can preach the gospel. But
we do contend that a preacher must be a
man of sound, practical, common sense, a man
who reads, thinks, studies and prays; other
wise the evil that he will accomplish, moot
likely will overbalance the good. T. W. S.
Union, S. C. Oct. 28th, 1869,
For the Working Christian.
> CIIAItL|j$TOX BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
vrThe one "hundred and eighteenth session of
this body took- {dace in Sumter on Saturday
the 6th irtstiuit The introductory sermon
was preached by Rev. IX W. Cuttino to&
large and attentive audionce.
LIST OF DELEGATES. •
Charleston—T. P. Smith.
High Hill—J. Myers.
Congarec—J. T. Weston;
Wassamasatv—Rev. J. L. Rollings.
Camden—J. W.'McCurry, T. W. Pigues, J.
A. Boswell.
Calvary—Rev. H. V?. Mahoney, S. W.
Howin, J. E. Tindal, R. J. Holaday.
Bethel—Rev. I. Nichols, II. Wells, Williai®
Wells.
Four Holes—E. Rickenbaeker, J. C. He
nar, E. W. Brantly.
Sumter—Rev. S. M. Richardson, Rev. E.
A. Edwards, W. F. B. Hayiraworth, S. Wat
son, J. B. F. Boone.
Santee—W. J. Snyder.
Fellowship—B. R. Gibson.
St. George’s—James Weeks, Jacob Weeks,
0. Meets.
Bethany—Rev. C. O. Stiles, R. M. Wheeler,
-- Baker.
Saint James—II. II. Flatman.
Mount Carmel—B. F. Thomson, L. II.
Zimmerman, S. E. Rickenbaeker, J. S. C.
Huffman.
Providence—Wm. Osteen, A. Rodgers.
Zoar—N. Graham, A. J. Tindal, J.B. Fort.
Soldain—J. W. Davis.
Home Branch—R. S. Brodwell.
Saint Stephen’s—P. Huxford.
Antioch—J. E. Rodgers, S. Davis, A. Me-,
Lcod, T. Davis, J. P. Wcstbury.
Mount Hope—J. W. Nettles.
Manning—D. J. Bradham, R. J. Winter,
A. J. White, T. A. Bradham.
Kingstree—A. M. Jayroe.
Taw Caw—D. W. Cuttino, T: II. Conners,
W. W. Hollowday.
Mis])ah—Rev. W, E. Ilughson, William
Nettles, Willis Osteen.
Good Hope—Rev. T. W. Mellichani)), M.
R. Clark, N. Mellicliamp, J. S. Jeffers, Rob’t.
Seay. •
Citadel Square—E. T. Winkler, D. D.
Corinth—C. Riehbourg.
Pisgah—W. J. Hatfield.
Walnut Grove—J. Riley.
The meeting was organized by electing, by
acclamation, Rev. E. T. Winkler, Moderator,
and W. E. Ilughson, Clerk.
The remainder of the forenoon of Saturday
was consumed in reading communications
from newly-organized Churches, and in re-,
ceiving and welcoming Messengers from oth
er bodies. Three new Churches presented
themselves for admission into the Association,
Walnut Grove, Corinth and Pisgah.
Messengers were present from the Welsh
Neck and Moriah Associations, and represent
atives from the State Mission Board and
Furman University.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The body resolved itself into the General*
Committee of the Association, and after fill
ing vacancies and making such new appoint
ments as were necessary’, they proceeded to
the appointment of the subsidiary boards as
follows:
On Moneys—N. Nettles, J. Riloy, A. Mc
Leod.
On Beneficiaries—I. Nichols, A. W. Ma
honey, N. Graham. t
On State Convention—J. E. Rodgers, 8. E.
Rickenbaeker, Henry Wells.
Treasurer's Account—T. P. Smith, J. B. F.
Boone, G. W. Davis.
After the presentation of the claims of
The Working Christian by Rev. T. II.
Pope, and the Assignment of 103 o’clock,
a. M., on Monday’ as the time for hearing the
representatives of the State Mission Board,
and 12 M., for hearing Prof. Judson for the
Furman University, the Association adjourn-**
ed to Monday morning.
Sabbatii-day, 7th.—The Charity Sermon
was preached on Sunday morning to a large
audience, by'Rev. E. T. Winkler after, which
a collection of $85.75 was taken up for benev
olent purposes.
lhe pulpits of the Methodist and Presby
terian Churches were filled by Rev. D. W.
Cuttino and Rev. Thomas Melliehamp, re
spectively. •
In the afternoon addresses were delivered
to the children of the various Sabbath-schools
of the town, assembled at the Baptist Church,
by Col. B. W. Edwards, Dr. E. T. Winkler,
and Rev. W. D. Rice.
At night the pulpit of the Methodist
Church was filled by Rev. John Copeland,
and that of the Baptist Church by Rev. T.
W. Mellichamp.
Monday Morning, Nov. &th.—Before pro-*
ceeding to the business of the Association, a
half hour was spent in devotional exercises.
After the reading and adoption of the Min
utes, the reports of the various Committees
were called for. '
Rev. D. W. Cuttino presented the report of
the Committee on Minutes and Letters of
corresponding bodies, which was received and
adopted. «
Rev. T. H. Pope, the Agent of the State
Mission Board, according to previous appoint
ment, now addressed the body, setting forth
the claims of the Board on the sympathy and
supi>ort of the Association. After the close
of his remarks, the Pastor of the Church
presented him, as the Agent of the State Mis
sion Board, with an offering from members
of his flock. The nature of the gift, and the
self-renouncing devotion to Christ which it *
displayed, called forth remarks from several'
of the delegates present.
At the time allotted to Prof Judson for
presenting the claims of the Furman Univer
sity, the Moderator gave notice of the same.
The Rev. E. T. Winkler then addressed the
Association in behalf of the University, set
ting forth the advantages of education iu
general and exhorting the Association to stand ,
by this time-honored Institution,
He was followed by Prof. Judson, who laid
before his audience the history of the Institu
tion, and the means by which he hoped to see
it supported and kept alive in the future.