Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-10

tiers of the North Caroline Conference, and I
forwarded by mail as early as possible. But a
as it is a matter in which many of our read =
ers are interested, we give it a place in our \
columns, at the request of the Chairman of n
the Committee. Although the Circular is t
addressed to each preacher, its contents are 7
designed to be made public Ed. AGE.
CIRCULAR. '
FAYETTEVILLE, n. c., Jan. l, 1855. I
DEAR BRoTHER:-You are aware that the {
undersigned were appointed at our late Con-
ference, a Committee of arrangements, to
carry into effect that portion ola PLAN adop-
ted by that body, which relates to the publ
cation of a religious paper under its patron
age. In order to secure your cooperation
more effectively in carrying out this project,
the Committee deem it advisable to address
you this Circular.
You will r~ecollect, that the following points
were embraced in that plan:
l. That it is expedient that a religious
paper be published under the patronage of
the Conference, and that a Book Store be es-
tablished within its limits, as soon as cir
cumstances justify.
2. That in order to carry out these designs,
an association, composed Of ministers and
laymen, be formed on the joint-stock prinei-
ple-the capital stock to be limited to $1,000
at present, to be divided into shares of $25
each-one-half to be paid in at the first meet
ing of the Stockholders at the next session of
the Conference.
3. That all the Presiding Elders be a board
of Commissioner to open books and receive
subscriptions to said stock.
4. That the undersigned be a Committee
to make the necessary arrangements as soon
1T 0so~A 1911 - &oJ-ao fn~ ~r1hItShyn
said paper by the 1st January, 1856.
1t is unnecessary to the present purpose
of the Committee, to give more of the plan,
in detail. With that portion of it which re-
lates to a Book Store, the Committee have
nothing to do. That is a matter for the flu
ture consideration of the Stockholders.
In furtherance ofthe scheme, it is expected
therefore, that each Presiding Elder will forth
with proceed to procure subscribers to said
Stock; but in doing this, they will require
the aid Of all the ministers. Your Presiding
Elder will especially need your assistance in
explaining and recommending the plan to
the TENDERS Of your charge and, in his alb
sence, it is desired and expected that you
will procure the names of all responsible lay
men who will take stock, and that you will
duly report said names to your Presiding
Elder, to be entered in his subscription book.
: The Committee request each Presiding
- Elder to report to their Chairman the amount
of Stock subscribed. at farthest, by the first
of June next. AS one half of each share
taken is to be paid at the next annual Con.
ference, it is important that the Presiding
Elders leave with each preacher in charge, a
t correct list of the subscribers, in order that
d he NAV collect half of the subscription from
e those Stockholders who do not expect to be
T at Conference.
n Every Stakeholder should be present q
that meeting, either in person or by prory
It It is desirable that the whole amount of stool
be taken. If the project of the Book Store
be abandoned, only one half of the S5O0l
will be required for the permanent establish
+ mqRPss q ao the R 9 q9Ga -6eh8R4& i n assssssrtEsiih Sh IL, II
a sufficient amount of the stock has beer
| taken to justify the enterprise, they will issu
v a Prospectus for the new paper, and forwar,
it to the preachers to obtain subscribers
I They will then make arrangements for tn
publication of the neatest and largest pape
v which can possibly be afforded at 81, to y
published on the cash principle-the first Nc
! to be issued about the 1st of January. 1856
The Committee are aware that at Conferenc
many preferred a paper at 81, but they be
D. lieve that a large majority are, by this TIM
% convinced, that a paper at 81, promises tn
surest success, and will be most general
approved.
You, of course, cannot hesitate, to give you
4 aid and influence to the enterprise. Even
4. you doubt it's success, it is at least, worth
ls of a strong effort to carry it through. If
q should fail, it will be easy to abandon il
10 without pecuniary loss to any one. But
N cannOt fail, if we do our duty.
is But, perhaps, an objector will say,
such a paper needed among us ?" We thin
it is. Next to the pulpit, the religious pre-
te, is the most potent engine for good, which tn
Err Gbupnb has Of hor aOunnoanA Tho onopo;c
n of christianity and of Methodism are usin
a the press with a sleepless vigilance and sha
es aCe slumber Should we not be up and
lily them, and brayely meet them at every point
by "But do not the present Church paper
ut meet the necessity" We think not. Tt
he same question was asked, when the Churc
or had but one, North and South. Now, W
th have sr in the South alone, and yet the oil
IN lection has no more force now, than them
Sc If sac Church papers do incalculable goo,
us what might one in every Conference accom-
mt plish, if SO many could be sustained? Woul
not the number of readers be greatly multi
&c piled? IF they do good at all, will not tt
or greater good be secured to the greater nun
ty. Der by their increase? Besides, the prese1
of Church papers although edited with marke
ability and excellent Of their kind, are cor
Vi PEELED to bestow so much attention upon IL
wants of the Uhole Church, and are necess
m, riy ODllSeu W Ue, 10 50 great an extent, tt
ul vehicles of thought to the Conferences
which they are located, that they do not an
cd cannot fully meet the entire wants of OIL
Conference and people. Have you not see
and felt this?
of Now, in addition to the able and valuab
he Church papers we have, we need a COME
dy ence paper-a HOME, family religious pape
.c- cheap enough to go into every family-to
a promoter of family religion-an earne
di- and energetic preacher of piety and holy Ii
en- ing-an advocate of our educational and b
air nevolent enterprises, and a defender of o,
is doctrines and discipline. Our education
sly and benevolent operations are assuming
much Importance, that the paper present
ian tion of them alone demands it, if there we
no other substantial reason.
hv Will not our paper interfere with Il
his Church papers?" We hope not-yet it mi
TO some extent; but not so as to affect the
~ seriously. Many of the laity ought and W
AZ continue to patronize them, and we Dug
aud will encourage them to do so. The
IT are no opposers of the Church papers amol
IT US. Many will patronize them and ours to
but a larger number who will not be Undue
w tosubscribe to a distant paper, will cheerful
"f take a cheap one, published at home.
II present, after all our efforts, not more tn
~ 1000 copies of all our Church papers are