Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-11-04


ed in the worlds salvation. Each one
armed himself for the warfare, each one
moved on in its propar course, and COL
lec,ing fresh aid as he advanced, like an
avalanche in its descent, they well nigh
swept away the cottages of sin. the pa
Iac5s Of corruption, and overwhelmed
the kingdom of Satan. Yes, the spirit
of God working through each and every
disciple did these great things. Then
let US no longer think we have done our
duty after attending upon the preaching
Of the word every Lords day; even,
much less after attending upon ii once
month only: lie, US by assembling to-
gether on the first day of every week,
endeayor TO keep alive tho fame of
christian love, 10 call forth the "gifts"
among us, (be assured they are among
us) and send their possessors out when
tried in Gospel form, with the Bible in
hand and the love Of souls at heart to
proclaim to others more destitute the
glad tidings ofaalvation." Such course
would, if pursued with christian spirit
and in gospel order do all that we have
intimated and soon make this objection
as groundless in appearance as il is in
reality. Certain it is if there arc any
"gifls" among US they would be thus
elected. How surprising it is that we
should complain Of scarcity OF preachers,
when We by our present conduct, neglect,
discourage or forever conceal the gifts
which we have
Objection 2nL "We camel support
minister in each Church,
This too is exposed to the charge Of
misconception Of the object wa should
have in view in meeting together. And
We notice it simply with the design Of
denying that each Of our, Churches as
a general thing, is unable to support a
minister. This of course restsupon facts,
and to them we appeal for The uuth of
our position.
But grant we are 100 poor 10 support
minis er in each Church. All will ad-
nit we die MT too poor 10 do our duty.
Now have we done this !? Have we met
egerysl sord'saaiaya aLoa worship
God? And have We seen tiat the Lord
has failed to perform his parl2 TO
increase our stores? To improve our
temporal condition? and above all to
enlarge our hearts, so that we may feel
willing to contribute to the utmost OF our
ability? Then, and not Till then. will
this plea avail US any thing.
Objection 3rd. " Very few persons
would meet with US on every Lold's
day, land much too few ofthaI class whose
benefit we would design"
We ask who are these !? and would
pause fol reply, did we not know, that
tue objector is Iaboring under a treadfu!
ignorance of the nature Of his own case.
Christians, true and genuine, are con-
vinced of their own Iamentable Jack OF
holiness, which it is the principai design
of our asst milling together to promote.
But we deny, that so few. persons would
attend, if, as is proper,the custom should
be held sacred, and viewed as binding
upon all christians, and if the love OF
God and immortal souls glowed in our
hearts, with all that warmth which the
case demands and God enjoins.
Various other objections may be ur-
gcd, which can be repelIed with great
ease, but we choose not 10 be burden
some 10 you.
In conclusion, we ask you to weigh
what we hava advanced in the balances
of Scripture. Try the course, we are
convinced, the Bible recommends. Try
it with faith in its efficacy, not with a
timed apprehension of its failure. Try
it with firm conviction that it is pro.
pet, that it is your duty, and that God
will bless you in it, though the bles-
sing tarry. See if it will not knit your
hearts together as the heart Of one man,
if it will not be touclstone Of sinceri-
ty, preventive Of spiritual decay, and
a remedy Of numberIess evils which we
might point to, as existing in the very
heart oftoo many Churches, and oppos'
ing formidable barriers 10 the spread ol
the Gospel. Brethren, farewell!
WILLIAM B JOHNSON,
Moderator.
Thomas LAKE, Clerk.
'Ephraim, I've heard something about
xto,y