Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-11-20

on some similar future occasion they ma,
be converted. The former are expected
to apply for baptism at the earliest oppor
tunity, aud are generally, upon relation
Of their experience, admitted into the
church. y
Such is brief sketch OF tho history o.
protracled meetings, both baptist and
methodist as | have witnessed them in
N. Carolina. God forbid that should
dislorl, or exaggerate, or sci down aughl
in .scorn, or with view to bring reProach,
or ridicule upon my brethren. They have
received me kindly among them, cordial
ly invited me to preach, and it ever re-
ceived hear,-touching evidences of being
listened 10 with profit and with gratitude it
has been al such meetings. 1t is with far
other inreutions than 10 furnish handle
for The knocking world that give this
plain and faithful delineation. If these
proceedings are. right, are scriptura, are
and owned of God, as well pleasing
in his sight, my brethren who con-
duct and encourage them, will not be a.
shamcd of having them exposed 10 pub
lie view but ifihey are wrong and un-
scriptural and fraught with numerous
evil, to the world and lo the church, any
looker.on who wishes we'll to the cause of
religion, is justified in demonstrating and
erdeavoring, with kindness, to conyice his
brethren oflheir error. My opinion has
not been withheld when l have been pre-.
sent at such times, bul il had little effect.
1t was attributed, suppose, TO lack Of
zeal, or TO prejudice, while perhaps, in
their hearts, they were inclined TO give me
Gamaliel's advice "No,O l say unto goa
refrain from these men and let them alone !:
for ifthls counsel or this ,gork be of men it
1OiH come TO naught u: but d it be of God
you cannot orerthro,o 1t lest hapLy ye be
found euen to fight against God"
Although this paper has been penned
rather to call out their viows Than exhibit
my own. I will briefly state the reasons
on which have left myself warranted, to
bear this testimony against this mode Of
working on the minds Of men in religious
meetings.
LIST. IL is not scripiural. Tcannot think,
if any man will seriously read | Cor. xiv.
from The 30lh verse to the end, he can help
perceiving that the Apostles reproof is
directed against disorder and confusion of
much the same kind as that now in ques.
tiont arising from more than one speaking
at time, and particularly women taking
q part in public exercises.
Cd. 1t is depending on other means than
the word, faithfully preached and urged
home uron the conscience and heart. AZ
ter this is done there is evidently ads
trus, of leaving the matter here. Violent
agitation must be produced, and this asl
tation is regarded as proof, and the only
proof that The truth has taken effect and
this agitation, when once begun, is rejoiced
in and expected 10 propagate itself,brough
the assembly. Is not this aiming TO pro-
duce religion in the heart by exciting ami
NAL sensibilities? Indeed any one who
watches the progress Of such ezcitements
will see that the greatest emotion is often
produced, not only by The powerful eshi-.
bilon Of Gods law and gospel, but by
glowing and melting descriptions OF fami-
y scenes, which might produce the same
even if religion had nothing to
do with the the meeting -. 4
Sd. 1t brings quiet and orderly mee
lings into disrspite. ifnot contempt. The
deep, still, inward communings of The soul
with itself and its secret intercourse with
God. are nothing-every thing must be
made 10 spublic-rhe feeble, incipient,
aw akening Of the mind must
be proclaimed aloud, or, else the spirit, is
resisted, and our convictions crushed.
Hence, these meetings are looked to, from.
time To- time ,asthe onlyaplaces where re-
ligion iy TO be obtained. 'etF-5 ~
.4tb. A prominence is given to those who
are noisy and open in the manifestation Of
their feelings, which prove, a snare totheir
minds, tbegelting yain-giory and selfcon-
6dence. af'appeaitosthose who have seen
most of these things, whether those who
take The most forward and conspicuous
parl 10 these scenes Of excitement are the
converts on whom they rely for honoring
The cause? Sometimes, L admit, .valua-
BILE, leading members ofthe church take a
conspicuous part 10 raising and keeping
upthe'e$citement, because they are taught
10 believe that il is their duty, and that if:
they did not, ii would indicate want Of
zeal. Butt have asked ministers who
were most successful n agitating those
large assemblies;,whe the persorsmosi
excited wore well, and gave abiding proofs
of a. work of the spirit on their hearts, and
tb NJ, bo 90 haan ohlioed IN ud ~ o,,oh
persons generally did not,. and The concur
renee Of these ;imnisters 10 such noisy pro-
ceedings seemed 10 be, more from compli:
ancewilh custom Than from the calm re-
Election oftheir own minds. I
5th. These excitements, when once be
gun, are beyond. the control OF the agi.
la,ors, aud oftent lead TO scenes of tumuh
and Sindecorous bodily gestures aud posi-:
lions which grieve serious peraons and
furnish loo just occasion for ridicufe aud
sainsayiug 10 the light bysIsn,iers looking
- r ~ 49, 600 hao,- ftn =, n ,,f,,,a.i ., o:,a~