Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-11-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The Biblical Recorder.
To the Rev. WIN. B. JOHNSON, D. d..


My Dear Broiher:-Pardon me for
thus bringing your name before The pub
lie. ii was for The purpose. and with
the expectation Of doing good TO that
branch of the church Of Christ to which
we both beloug.-l have occasionally no
.iced ir our religious periodicals letters Of
this nature, addressed TO men Of deserved
standing and influence in the church ; So
5licitips their opinions and advice as 10
certain doctrines and practices then prev
oIent, and asita,ing the minds Of men for
good or for evil. Such communications
appear to the TO he extremely useful anu
interesting. They are read with avidi.y
as coming from source high and respec-
ted aud carry benign influence over an
extensive field.
Why not make whatever wisdom and
piety there is in The church available for
the general good ? The property, as it
ought 10 be. no, of some little corner flhe
land but The whole Brotherhood Of faith.
Many errors in faith and practice, which
have curraucy and are doing mischief in
some less enlightened sections of the
church, might be arrested and abandoned
If the propa gators and encourages of them,
who often mean we'll, could see them ju-
ticiously discussed and satisfactorily con-
demned by some Of their venerated bre-
lhrep. Your age and services TO the
church, and your long experience in the
Lords vineyard, enlitle you TO the dislinc-
lion, among many other worthy brethren,
Of being requested. on this occasion, TO
furnish our members with your views in
regard 10 the practices and modes Of wor-
ship which have frequently witnessed.
and which am now about 10 describe 10
you. have lived for many years in N.
Carolina, and since my removal to South
Carolina, my summers have been chiefly
spen, in the upper or central counties Of
The former State. During all this time |
have been very frequently present at large
public meetings held by our baptist bre,h-
rem continued for several days in success;
sion. These meetings are almost always
held in the open air, under the shade OF
some pleasant grove, in the cenre ofwhich
is erected 1.-The staud." as it is called, or
pulpit, with seats for considerable mum
Der of preachers; and in fine weather. when
thousands Of immortal and reponsible be-
ing are seated in. respectful silence around
and looking up 10 the ambassador of
Chris, there elevated to teach and TO per-
snade-nohing can be more imposing,
nothing more inspiring 10 The feelings,
nothing which ought to fill the breast of
such ambassador wll,more trembling awe
lest he should say or do something wrong,
for if he should, it might light upon some
unstable, exci,able mind, who will propa-
gale it rapidly BY sympathy TO rhe i'm
mense multitude.
The exercises. on the occasion Of these
large prolracted, meetings, commence, as
is usual, in ordinary meetings. A sermon
is preached, and The utmost decorum and
silence is observed, and generally an at
ten,ion is giving highly gratifying to the
preacher; who, unless he should become
vociferous aud appear 10 be desirous 10 stir
the muI,ilude:into noise.l will sit down
amid an audience still and solemn, and
showing a disposition to hear more. Of
ten second sermon is delivered with The
same gratifying effects. stiffness and solem-!
nity. Burlhese silent, consequences, how
ever deep the feeling. seem mol 10 satisfy
the preachers or their hearsrs. They both
seem to think no:hins is achieved unless
the audience is thrawn into convulsiors,
andtunless some demonstrations are gi-
yennby! !shoursiofs sjoyor screams ofdiss
.tress,, that the speaking has taken proper
effect. Accordingly The preaching, which
is often too didaciic and calm to agitate
The multitude is always followed by
warm. impassione,l exhorlalions, in which
he has been aiming al takes place, namely
a general comHolion and confusion Of vol
ces, some screaming t'glory, glory" al the
same time jumping and clapping their
hands, Others, cryiugsin apparent agony,
while large number strike sup5a hymn
which they sing amid conflicting sounds,
oftenlimes unable TO keep i'm .concert by
reason OF the confusion. and sometimes
two different humns going on IN different
parlsaf rhe congregation. Above all, there
is heard the voice OF the exhorter urging
them to come up 10 the altar which is an
enclosure e5near.i'the pulpit provided for
those who are thus spowetully wrought
upon 10 kneef down in. and yhecome the
ohjecis ofspecial prayeregsIt is generally
thronged; bynumbers, chiefly women, who
there throw themselves ON their knees,
commonly with loud lamentations. Then
some; person is called upon TO pray for
..the moIfners, . after which is concluded,
singing recommences. while The preachers,
deofienlines The more jealous among
the ghearers, also go about among the
rowsfofkneeling, st.mnurners.' pressing on
Them an immediate renunciaiionI of.ihe
world and surrender 10 Christ. "a success,
sion ofIhese tumpltuous scenes is; Kept up
often I'LL the late hour Of i,ths night !; and
it is not uncommon for some of The per
sons thus hdt.in; violent agitation, particu;
lerlythe negroes, 10 continue their screams
iaImosi through the whole night. This
s.nrocess is the usual order Of every sday.