Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-04-29
From the Southern Christian Advocate.
TO TIE METHODIST OF THE

From the Southern Christian Advoeate.
TO TIE METHODIST OF THE
SOUTH AND SOUTH WEST.
Dear Brethren The position in which
we are mutually placed by the Organiza-
ton Of The Southern Conferences INTO The
NJ. E. Church, South. will probably be
"A sufficient apology for the liberty | take
in thus addressing you. The Southern
Conferences having all without exception,
ratified The acts Of the late Louisville Con-
venlion, and elected delegates TO repre-
sent them in the approaching General
Conference, at Petersburg, | may be al
lowed To Congratulate you on the unex-
ampled unaDimily of sentiment and feel.
Ing with which this movement has been
carried through, The peace which pervades
the new conuection /; aud the security and
equality Of ecclesiastical rights thus effec
ted. Southern Melhodisls now feel tina,
their privileges are not held at the mercy
of d wild and wayward fanaticism which
makes its caprice and its power the rule
Of action, aud which by mere courtesy al
lows slave-holders to continue members
Of The Church. InsteaJ of the quad
rennal struggle which in former times
made the General Conference The arena
of strife, aud which continually threatened
TO put the ecclesiastical power iu confic,
with The laws OF The Southern States, and
periled the gospel which it has ever been
the peculiar mission OF the Southern min-
is,ry TO preach to The pour; we now look
forward 10 peaceable sessions where The
appropriate work OF the Christian minis.
try will alone claim attention, delibera-
lion, and action.
Will you alluw me 10 express the wish
that in behalf of the approaching General
Conference.-The first to be held under the
new organization, fervent aud united
prayer may go up TO The throne of The
heavenly grace, that God may vouchsafe
10 The members composing that body, the
unc'iun rich, and full, aud free, Of The
Holy Ghost, withou, whose light aud aid,
nothing good can be effected. Send up
10 the mercy seat from every family aud
church altar, and from every closet lhro'-
oul our extended Zion, mighty and be-
iievlng prayer that Jesus who bought the
Church with His own blood, and who as
lhe srea, Shepherd of souls careh for the
loch, may be present in our minds, may
preside in our counsels, TO enlishteu, d.
rect. and restrain ;--that the deliberations
oflhat body, which mus, be 80 influential
for good or evil through all the time to
come, 10 the Church of which i, is the
highest council, may in all their issues he
for the manifestation Of the truth aad the
advancement Of the cause of God among
men. The best abilities and strength OF
the Church will be found in that assembly;
yet our trust is not in an arm of flesh, but
in The living God. His presence aud
blessings will give prosperity, will ensure
a successful result to all the measures for
the veal Of the Church, whirh may be
devised and Instituted on that importan,
occasion. And we are confident lharlhe.
prayer Of faith, presented most humbly
but most earnestly, and in The all prevail
Ing name of Jesus, will secure to- us the
divine guidance and blessing.
Indulge me with the liberty to- add. that
ii is most devoully 10 he wished that The
commencement ufour history as an indie
pent Church under The exclusive iurisdic
ton Of Southern General Conference,
may be marked as a memorable starting
point in fresh and glorious career of ho-
illness and usefulness. Let us labor and
look for large baptism Of the Holy Ghost;
such deepening OF The work Of grace in
The Church as has not here'ofure been
known. Let preachers and people pray
for mighty and sweeping revival Of re-
Esiou seek it from Gpd, through Christ,
night and day, in solitary and in united.
supplicalion, and never rest uniilour sta
ton circuits, and districts feel the halowing
influence Of The promised Spirit of grace;
and rejulce in the triumphant march of
truth aud holiness over the land. 'Fhen,
and then only, shall We have old d.fashion.
ed, primitive, genuine MeIbodism, when
believers are advancing in holiness and
sinners by scores and hundreds are turning
TO God. For this high and holy end all
church organizations should exist. Where
this is npl accomplished, all else is vain ::
the body has no quickenins spirit no
vital, heaven-kindIed soul: The temple
has no iudwe5Iing divinity. Ibeseech my
brethren in The ministry, to seek fresh
baptism Of the Holy Ghosl, to give Them
selves with redoubled energies 10 their one
great work nf calling sinners TO- repent.
ance, and building up believers on their
most holy laiih;-to bes'ir themselves that
the blood of souls be no, found upon their
garments. Let us grid ourselves afresh
for The duties appropriate TO our presen,
circumstances, maintaining an unwavering
10, ally to Christ, aud an unfaltering faith
in Gods promises aud looking with
confidence to see The work of holiness
increasing and spreading over these South
ern lands.
And now aha, the God of peace may
direct and sustain The whole church, mem
bership aud ministry, i'm the blessed maths