Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-17
.,-,z- For fhe Advertiser. .,,.,.,,,..,.....-s..
Church Union Meeting at Red Bank.
Rrn RANK CauRcu. Jpna 2oth 1857

--yr-- VI Lug duVeIIlseE.
Church Union Meeting at Red Bank.
RED BANK chuRcn, June 10th, 1867.
MR. on;--Thes Union Meeting appointed
for this place net to-day. The introductory SER
mon was preached by Rev. j. W. colEN4s, from
:zzschar;ah s: q, Let,ps go speedily to pray be-
fore the Lord. !" Subject: Prayer, whiehwastssassd
as follows: 1ss. Tho Nature of Prayer. 2hd, The
.subject matter Of Prayer. 3rd, Thsimportance OF
Immediate action in tho matter. The sermon was
clear, concise, and earnest in its tonss
The meeting was then organized by calling
Rev. IF. PETERSON to the Chair, and the writer
to uct as Secretary. Ministers present, O. WAT
K1Ss, J. w. Coleman, J. F. PETERSON, A. P.
Norris and ". A. GAINES. Amcng the visiting
brethren we noticed Brother CoGBURS Of Mt.
Tabor, DR.. TIuxous of Little Stephens Creek,
and Dr. MORLEY OF Dry Creek.
On motion, the Chairman appointed a Commit
tee consisting of Brethren EDWARD ArEA%Af and
Dr.. ]. F. DANIEL to arrange preaching for Sun
day.
The subject assigned for discussion was then
taken up, which Was: IT,.
1st, What are th, causes tha: have led to the
present decline in religion -
2nd, What is the remedy7' .@. .s
But it was here objected that in the proposition
point was assumed that was itself debatable,
and the first question that came up was :; Is reii-
kion in declined sta.s7 Some brethrsh who are
naturally inclined to look on the bright side Of
things and hope for the best argued thas the con-
di,ion of the Churca WIS MS good as usual. In
support of which it was urged that:
1st, The improvement in intelligence morals
and civilization generally has made favorable
changein tho Christian department and courtesies'
End, The hospitality of Christians is as marked
as at any past period. 3rd, The very redeeming
feature that IN proportion to their means they are
far more benevolent now than at any past period.
On the pthet hand 1t was argued that: 1st The
public worship of God is not, in proportion to
population, q. we'll attended Us formerly, espe-
cially on weekdays. End, Religion IS not SC
much the theme Of consideration as formerly. 3rd
With the truths of revelation and practical godh-
n,ss, Christians are not as familiar as formerly
4th, The duties of Religion are discharged with
more formahty and less life than. formerly. 5th
Church discipline is less faithfully. administered
than formerly. 9th, Ix,proportion tothe'numbei
Of professors there are, in this section, fewer
ministers than formerly. 7th, There is a Sad
want of confidence md love in Christians toward:
one another sth, Ee,ides the general demorafi'
zation, gross indiscretions and spirit Of revery
is everywhere felt and deplored,
The proposition being fully sustained the. dis
cussion was then entered upon. ~
It wa, then sugges.ed that in,the question, o
comp parison was implied between the present end
some past time. What past time-is meant? An,
swer, The last lfty years, but more especially
the happy seuson of 1882, 1858, &C..
It wa, next asked what are we to understand
by decline in reigicn?" Do the manifestations
of pety vary in true Christians, or is it owing
TO fluctuations in tn. number and conduct Of
nominal professors7 Answer, Both.
While it is true ths: nominal professors bring
most of the reproach on the religion of Jesus
yet it is painfully truo that true believers often
go astray, as David did, and the light that is in
them for time becomes darkness.
These wcll.timed limitations giving more
definite shape 10 themsin question, it was resumed
aud among the many causes that havo led to the
decline in religion tho. following were named as
being more prominent:
1st, We lave looked to human means and in
strumentalities rather than to the Holy Spirit sc
| that things that ought to have, proved blessing
rs the learning and -eloquence of the ministry
wealth and intelligence of membership, have
worked an injury. W. have forgotten that Pau
may plant and Appollrs water, but itis God tho
gireth Tie incrsase."
2nd, Ministers and people have loved novelty
and excitement moro 4nan truth. The simplicity
of the Gospel-thc sweet story of the Cross-ha'
been too much ahanionnd, and mere animalfeeling'
have been stirred up By means unworthy gospc
ministry, and our Churches have been swoller
With the creatures Of excitement, who rise anG
fall with popular feeling, rather than with true
believers rooted and grounded in tho truth. Be-
sides, we have been more anxious to catch and
mark even true converts than to tame, harness
aud discipline the young converts.
3rd, A very general failure on our part to con.
secratc ourselves and all We control to tire service
Of God. Outside interest, have been the bans ol
the Church. In accunulating wealth, rearing
our children, and in plans for life, Gods glory
ha, not been paramount. Our objects, hopes and
desires have centred in ourselves and our children
which has resulted in le,nness of soul, and spar
city of spiritual gifts in the Churches.
4th, Much that i. now .dcplorcd in the Church
and in society generally, is directly attributable
to the dom moralizing efcss of the great civil wa'
through which We have just passed, which b its
duration, magnitude, and fercenoss drew all into
its Nhirling vortex.
III. As to the remedy, oil agreed in advising
T LIST, That we, in prayer and faith, seek IA out
pouring of tho Holy Spirit, and tefreshings from
the Divine Presence.
2ud, return to the faithful discharge of all
the duties of reigion.
1t was urged on Christians that VIC should mol
be content. with. merely regainiug lost ground,
but that our aim should 30 upward and onward
until the banner of Jesus waves triumphantly
over all opposition.
The next meeting is apaointoi to convene at
Salem Church, on Friday before the fifth Sunday
in September. Subject, "The reciprocal duties
of Pastors and Churches" The surrounding
Churches nre invited to attend.
BY a unanimous Resolution, the Socretnzy was
requested toprepare notice of the proceedings of
tn. meeting for publication in the Edgefeld Ad-
rertiscr. ="
In compliance with the above request, this.p
per is Respectfully submitted,