Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-12-25
Eagehela Court Mouse, s. c., Decernher %, As44.

;. When taste IS brought TO rellsn nlSh sea-
soned food, it is not readily satisfied with
palmer fare. So when the spiritual taste
has been feasled on the high wrought
scenes of proracted meeting, it is lily
prepared to return 10 the ordinary exerci-
ses of religious meetings at home. The
instructive preaching Of the Gospel, the
self denying duties Of euery days concern,
The cultivation Of brotherty loue. and the
exhibition ia consistent example. are too
tame, TOO slow l. their influence for The
activity of tastes thus formed in the rapid
movements of protracled meeting.
The consequence is. that the ordinary
means Of grace are undervalued. No
great success is looked for from the stated
preaching of the Gospel, the operations Of
the church, or The private efforts of chris
lians. We seem to adjourn the conversion
of souls to the prolracted meetings; and to
adjourn also our own growth in grace to
The same period, when, by the power then
exhibited, we may regain in few days.
mure than we had lost in many months.
Hence the Indifference 10 pastoral support,
that pastoral vsiralioHs may be enjoyed
10 the improvement of the ministry to
mutu1.l exhortalions; TO liberal conlribu-
lions for The support Of the Gospel. is not
removed. Two of The striking effects Of
the revivals recorded in the New Tesla
menl are Iiberality and brotherly love.
"hnd the multitude of them that believed,
were Of one heart and one soul: neither
said any of them that aught of the things
which he possessed was his own" But
alas. these effects are not now producled
by our pruracted meetings. And hence the
general sla'e Of things of so unfavorable a
character, as detailed in my second letter.
Now if the spiritual taste becomes Vita
ted by the manner Of conducting our pro-
tracled meetings, so that The mind loses
its relish for the ordinary, stated means of
grace, aud is looking away from these 10
the high wrought scenes of prolracted
meeting, it is not difficult to see, that to a
great extent. an inderdict is imposed upon
the true elevation of the christian character,
and upon the influence of divine truth
upon sinful world. Is here not rea-
son, then, justly TO apprehend, that an
unfavorab!e influence is expected by these
meetings upon he general intelsts of rel;-
giou in The churches
Ii the views given in this letter are cor
rect i; is feared, that in the depressing
influence thus exerred upon The interests
Of religion in The churches, they have ma
terially suffered. Excitement, great ex-
cilement becomes the order Of the day.
The churches sought for feeling, the luxu
ry of the religious feeling, that brought
with it no labor of thought, no d eep study
OF The scriptures. no self-denial, no painful
modification of sin, no draughls upon the
purse. The result has been state OF,
selfish feeling, that shuts up The bowels
of compassion 10 the heather, and leaves
the ministry TO toll for support in the
ahors of some worldly avocaiion. What
then, may be asked, will you have dono?
In reply, l submit the propriety Of discon.
tinuing these meetings, or if they must be
continued, let them be conducted in con-
forlnity with apostolic examples Of preach.
ing and exhortation. Let the churches
''sel in order the things that are wanting"
Let then abolish their monthly meetings,
and es'' bish weekly meetings on every
Loads ~. Let each church have her
Elders; or of whom shall labor in word
and doctrine, and letlhe preachers be lib
orally supported, that they may give
themselves 10 the word Of The Lord and 10
prayer. Let the churches contribute of
their substance, as the Lord has prospered
them, for the support of the Gospel at
home and abroad. Let the members
engage in The mutual exhortation, put
away conformity 10 The world, and he con-
formed 10 The image Of Christ. These will
be scriplural observances, and God will
bless his own institutions.
Ihave taken the liberty, my brother, as
you see, 10 extend ruy reply. 10 you beyond
The point Of your enquiry, becuse thought
the opportunity for enlargement was favo-
rabiy presented. The observations, which
have made, are the result tf much thought
and careful nolice of the state Of things
during the existence aud operation ofpro-
,racled meetings with US. repeat that
when FIRST held many valuable additions
were made 10 our churches, aud a general
attention 10 religion was excited; but the
influence of them 10 continuance has
1 fear, not been favorable to The interests Of
iruereligion. IfT Thave erred in any thing
that lhave said, l shall deeply regret il.
My intenlion,iias BEEN to stag things as /
honeslla apprehend them to be, and ifI
have erred, shall be pleased TO be set
right. What | have written is the con-,
lribulion that | offer TO the general fund
ofcommunica.ed thought and observation,
/ for the promotion of pure. and unde6led
i religion, and j shall be happy to see it
4 enlarged by farther contributions from
s[Eyouf:own pen, and that of others of obser-
svalion!and experience.
Affectionately yours,
WIN. B. OHNSON. r
Il EdgeGeld c H., 8. G., Nov. 5h. 1874.
! Is Il so?-An English physician by the
: name of Johnson, says in late work 81