The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-05-04


water, and conquer ourselves, sin, and the.
detil We arc able TO keep odtselves pure, mo-
matter who around US may be defled This
sort of religion-fhe inward life.power religion
makes Us diligent in business, while we are
fervent in spirit serving tho Lord alike in both.
Thus It is the spring Of all Improvement. In
one hand it holds the promise of the life which
now is; in tie other the promise of that which,
is 60 7eotne.
Hold fast to your religion, then. Hold fast
to Christ. He shed his blood to ransom yoa.
Hold fast the profession of your faith, with
out wavcring. Your ministers imp1ofe ih gou1
behalf blessing and influence Of Him who can
establish, strengthen, and settles you. Let.no
false doctrine no lying fabis, no spot OF defle-.
mont, no wrinkle of religious decay, be fodnd
among you Atted the worship of God rIHr-
tual|y, and conform to.tke requirements Of Tho
Discipline Of she Church, rsfi
Send your children to she Sanday school
They will there be taught to read Gods holy
word-tought the fear Of the Lord. Opportw<
mites Of instruction and improvement are now
/ open to your children, which many Of you did
. pot enjoy. AS far as you can do so, faavis0
you to send your children 20 The day schoob
also, and encourage them to improve sheff
minds This Improvement will qualify tkeM
to meet the responsibilities and perform the
duties of the station in life in which it has
! pleased the providence of God to place them.
It VII, teach tthcm true selfrcspect They viii
be modest, orderly, and well-behaved in pro-
portion as they become intelligent, and ac-
qiasintea with the true value OF industry, frn-
gality, and order. provided they arc brought
up i'll the nurture and adlnonition of the Lord.
The General Conference, ut it's last session,
made provision that whorcvcr the colored
members Of the NJ. E. Church, South, prefer
it. and their numbers justify it, they may be
organized into separate pastoral charges, each
having its own Quarterly Conference com.
posed OF official members, as provided for In
tho Discipline. These Quarterly Conferences
| may recommend to the: Annual Conference.
aftor suitable examination into gifts, grace. and
usefulness, persons whom they may deem suita.
bic for dcacons' and elders orders. In time,
when these pastoral charges become large and
numerous enough to be formed into Presiding
Elders Districts the law of the Church allows
it to be DONE if in the judgment 1ofstIc Bishop
having jurisdiction, the religious interests of the
colored people requirc it, And whenever tho
state of the work shall make it necessary, An
nual Conferences of colored preachers may be
organized. Then You see, all necessary and
judicious measures for your future wants and
probable growth have been provided.
Let me beg you. however, to be watchful
and careful as to the religious. character and
qualifications of the men you license to preach.
and recommend for ordination. They ought to-
|sbcSmenso moral tor
men who understand the great truths of the
gospel, and can teach them to others; men not
puffcd up with sclfconceit, but alive to- the
solemn responsibilities of the ministerial Office.
Bible truth alone can save the soul and all
preaching is only sounding brass or tiukling
cymba which does not give instruction in this
truth
And now, let me remind you that We are all
strangers and pilgrims on earth and that our
great business here is to prepare for another
and bctte. country beyond the grave. Be salts
fed with no grade Of religion which docs not SO
lead you to walk with God rs TO have the tcsti-
stony that you please him.
BY diligence, by watchfulness, and prayers
by the devout. and conscientious use of the
means Of grace and the ordinances of the Lord,
the Sabbath, the sacramcnts, the preaching of
MS word, keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
unto eternal lifc So at last an entrance shall
be ministcred unto you abundantly into his
everlasting Kingdom
BY order and in behalf of the Conference.
w. NJ. W1aHTMAN.
Greensboro 4ala., FsJ. 2OM, 1867.