The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-12-20
PASTORAL LETTER.
The Presbytery OF st. Clairsville to
{ the Churches Under ITS Care.


L BRETHREN BELoyEDIN THE LORD: We
have bsen this second time waiting for
the promiseg which we have heard of Je-
Isus.- Refreshed in soul, and united in
sentiment as to the necessity of a time Of
refreshing from the presence Of the Lord,
we send you this. letter.. The drooping
state of religion and the want of unity
and harmony in-the work Of the Lord,
and the bolaness of Satan and his emf
saries are known to all, and should be
mourned over by all Gods children. The
desire for a change IN the moral aspect of
our heritage, and for greatly elevated
standardo of ety;hns already been poured
out upon many of God 8 servants, Minis
ters and Laymen. This indicates His
willingness to- bestow a still greater bles-
sing. Brethren, the blessing desired is
not temporary religious excitement such
as may have been enjoyed in times, past,
but an outpouring of the Holy Ghost.
commensurate with the promise ofsGod,
and such as will reproduce the apostolic
type of religion in the whole church.---
That this blessing. to its full extent, may
be bestowed upon us by the sGod and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ad-
dress youin His name, and in the spirit
of love, exhorting that every stumbling
block be put out Of the way. To thisend,
etthere be an honest putting away of the
old leaven of malice and hatred, and
lprayerful following after the things that
make for peace Let there be q faithful
search on the part of every one, In his
own heart, lest there should there
llurk the sin of Achan-the covet-
| ing of the golden. wedge and the Babylo-
nish garment. .. ssg, suv. .nagaioo eae
, Moreover, we exhert to the faithful
; putting away of worldly conformity--es-
peciaily, la providing for and going to
the promiscuous dance-in providing for
{ and indulging in the habit Of usiug wine
, and strong drink, which things are not
, only "not convenient" but especially DO
they aglieye the, Holy Spirit Of GOO. -
, We would especially stir up your minds
"by way of remembrance" to the duty of
prayer as the great means of bringing
!. do,on the promised Confortef. Too many
I families the heads of which profess
christianity-are placed 10 the catalogue
of those upon whom God has said he will
pour out his fpry, because they "call not
upon His pane" regularly in prayer ,mor-
: ming and evening. How many neglect
the duty of secret prayer siknown only
: to God. The multitudes that stay away
t from the weekly prayer meeting and from
the weekday service of the sanctuarylare
known and mourned over BY the ministers
: and elders within our bounds. We voc
! therefore earnestly press it upon auipn
der our care that the great meansito Sc
lcure the return of the Holy Spirit to oul
hearts, our families, and our churches, Il
: the faithful and constant drawing nigh to
e God, in secret, family, social and public
e prayer We would also have you remeni
If ber that giving of alms is WORSHIP, and
e no more to be omitted than prayer and th'
z hearing of the word, and would therefors
= urge it upon you all to exercise, and tc
: pray to God to cultivate within you the
grace of giving, that thereby all the .tithe'
& may be brought into the store-house o.
a God. Then we may expect Him to open
n the windows Of heaven and pour out upon
of US blessing till there shall be no more
l. room to receive it.
And now, Brethren, wo pray God tha
Z He "for Christ's sake would, grant you
! according to the riches of his grace, TO bt
& strengthened with might by the Spirit i
) the inner man; that Christianity dwell il
you by faith; that ye, being rooted ant
ri grounded in love, may be able to compre
! hend with all saints what is the breadth
d and length aoddepth and heighths and K
!. know the love of Christ. which passeth
I knowledge. and that ye may be filed viii
all the fullness Of God. s
Now unto Him that is able to do *
ceedingly abundant above all, we ask, q
Z think, according to the power that work
Is eth in us unto Him be glory in the churci
> by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages
world without end-AMENi 4 fssff.f.9t3