Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-03
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
Methodist Episcopal Church South,
WITHIN THE BOUNDS or THE
3d TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 10

d Dear Brsfhren. We have passed through great
tribulation. The cloud of war has been upon us
the horizon has been dark in every direction, aud
our land has been full Of sorrow Poverty ha.
usurped the place of wealth, misfortune has spread
her dark wings over hearts and homes once smiling
ID filed with joy. The Church of God has shared
in the common desolation; the walls Of Zion have
been broken down, her beautiful palaces have been
laid ia the dust her fields have run TO waste, and
Gods people have hung their harps upon the will
lows, and asked, how can we sing the Lord song
in strange land "'
noBut thanks be to God, light begins to break
The war is overI peace again stretches her balmy
wing oveF us, and we are hoping to see bright and
beautiful days as once they stone upon us, when
we Aourished as people, blessed Of the Lord.
1t becomes us as Christians to humble ourselves
TO submit cheerfully to the chastening hand of the
Almighty TO kiss the rod that has been laid upon
us in mercy, ahd grow wiser and better, by this
heavy dispensation of gracious Providence We
should ever bear in mind that "a things work
together for, good to them, that love God" and
that these "light atlictious, which are but for a
moment, work for MS a far more exceeding and
eternal weight Of glory" go 1i'7+ sF
The question has been often asked, why has the
Lord so afflicted his people? Wherein are we sin
ners above Others that we should be caused thus to
suffer? We answer, whom the Lord loveth he
chasteneth,' and if ye be without chastsement,
then ye are bastards and not sons And yet breth-
rem, upon a careful examination, perhaps, we may
hnd that we had gone astray. How much OF pride,
of world y-mindedness of self indulgence; of
conformity to the world; bow little of humility |;
Of selfdenial; of feryent piety; of faith Of holy
living. Truly may we say that we have not come
up to measure of our privileges and have fallen
far below, the gospel standard of holiness. God
has taken US through the furnace, that we may be
as gold, purified; He has caused US to pa Is through
the fire. that He may test us. Blessed is he whose
faith failetn not y.n' '1 v b1h i" -tiis,
we have now fairly re-adjusted ourselves are
going afresh to the fields Of labor. We anticipate
trials and conflicts We shall not only meet the
common enemies infestng the path of every Chris
tian and Christian Minister but we shall perhaps
meet new and willy foes, those who will misrepre-
sent US, and attempt to prejudice the public mind
against US, to ALLEVIATE the affections Of people
fronaus and N n Ter our work arduous and unsuc-
cessful. Too many will doubtless. attemptto to sow
tares in our fields - 2e..ta. 9,.r .t ...l. =.
And then many of US have been reduced
in our finances; our wives and children have
been brought to poverty, and the prospect
is, that in fulfilling the holy vocation TO
which God has called us, like st. Paul, we
may suffer hunger and nak-dness. Once we
could look to you with confidence; once your
hearts and homes and purses were all open to our
comfort. But circumstances with you have
changed; you too have been straitened, and though
your hearts are full Of kindness and charity,
your means are limited, and what you find
in Your hearts to do you have not the
ability to perform. Yet we are persuaded
that you viii not forsake us in the hour
Of trial While we are willing to go forward,
trusting In God, and coniding in your liberality,
we believe you will meet in the spirit of brother
ly kindness and self-sacrifce, and share, with Us
your temporal things" though they be meagre,
while we minister to you in "spiritnal things
The spirit that will actuate all, viii enable US ,c
say .l.... ... .a t.. ~ fi.-r vrf