Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-08-12


OF this amount, DIR. Calhoun and Thos. Her.
man proposed to give each $50.
After further remarks, the meeting adjourned
with the e:bencdiction.
i EVENING: SESSION. zst;sf
The Meeting was opened :at,4 o'clock, Pm,
with singing and prayer. Bishop W:M. Wight
man in the Chair. .4
:. Rev. W. S. Black, chairman@of the Gem
mittec on Missions read their report.
81. F. Parks, Chairman of tho Committee on
Support of the Ministry, mads tho following re-
port: .,..e......, .a.,,..,...,-- -,
The Committee to whom has been referred the
subject of Ministerial Support, beg leave to make
the following Report:
Your; Committee. .are deeply impressed with ths'
conviction that one of the most successful Ways
to obtain a+Iiberal SUPPORT for the Ministry isto
interest the entire community by instrueting
them in the great advantages derived, directly
and indirectly, through this instrumentality-
One of the great reasons why the collections in
this direction are so SMALL is that the people, as
mass, have not been sufficiently appealedtc by
the Stewards of the Church. There is not on in
dividual in our broad Land who does not receive
untold blessings through tho preached Gospel; /;
and if oil are the recipients ofits manifold bless
iues is it not the bounden duty asfweli as priyi-
lege of every member of society, to be interested
in this great cause? How, then, can so desirable
an end be accomplished? We unhestatingly re-
My: by educating our children to contribute to
the support of the Ministry, and impresSing
upon their infant minds and tender hearts that
.hey have ON interestin the SUCCESS Of the Church
uud,tho cause Of. Christ. 80 sa
This policy, faithfully pursued, will produce in
few years IN active md spiritual membership
in the Church. What is it that produces SO much
| tlcthargy and want of zeal? We fear, and verify
believe, that our people have not had sufficient
early training in contributing literally towards
benevolent end Church enterprises; and We feel
TINT the days of cheap religion have passed,
aud we must now contribute literally even of the
scanty resources which have been left usby o
desolating war.
Your Committee nre of the opinion that great
majority of persons, both in and out of the Church,
do not fully appreciate the grea! privilege Of CIV
ing TO the support of the Gospel, That it is a
means of grace none so we'll know as those who have
tried it: and rs Stewards we would recommend
it favorably to every man who has.nottried it.
The consciousness Of duty done, the reflex iuhu-
ence upon our hcarts;; and the many blessings
which descond upon Christian community
through the Ministry, should stir up tie Church
and people to this great and good work by prompt
ing us to sustain with our means, md encourage
with our sympathy, the hearts Of those whose
dnty it is to preach the. Gospel4 -.3 :. :
The system of voluntary contributions which
obtained in our Church, is to great degree i'm
practicable ut this time; and while we may not
be nble to devise plan entirely free from defect
the system of Assessment has as many or more
claims than any other to recommend it to our IN
yorable consideration. Ard in view of the ne
cessites of the Church, and the altered condition
of our finances, We trust to ses the Assessment
plan adopted o, the policy of the Church. And
in making this srecommendntion'we feel sure that
we are but extending to individual Churches and
members a system already iuaugurated anu in
successful operation SO far as the various apsro-
priations for benevolent enterprises, being as
sessed upon the different District and charges.
While the Assessment plan requires the payment
of the obligation of each member, it does, not
prevent the liberal hearted from paying more
than the assessment, andgit does impel many to
do their duty, through the expressed voice of the
Church, who might otherwise fail from ignorance
or Indifference.
Your Committee recommend that Stewards
Meeting be held in the various charges as soon
as the Pastor arrives on his work, and that suf-
Gcient amount of cash be advanced at once to
relieve him of any and all anxietyuutil the first
Quarterly Conference; and that ut the aamo time
n liberal Assessment bc made upon the Circnit OF
Station, apportioning cqnitabIy the amounts to
be paid by the different Churches. Each Church
should, at its first Church meeting, appoint a
Committee to assess its members, each member
feeling bound by, every sense of duty and honor
/. to pay the amount with which he is charged
| We earnestly urge early collections; one half
at least, by First Quarterly Conference. From
the rariou. Reports which have been mado, we
feel warranted in stating that there is slight
improvement in the amount collected this yeir
over last and while as Stewards we d.cply re
gret the xunt Of interest in this direction ly
many in the Church, We trust that with tie self
sacrificing spirit, which characterizes the Minis
try, and with az increased zssl on the Fart of II
few, the Church will yet accomplish her grand
| and glorious mission. =
In conclusion, your Committee would make an
earnest appeal to our brother Stewards. Let
nothing deter us from more faithful discharge
Of duty in these trying times, and let US catch q
new inspiration from this occnsion, and from the
necessities of The Church, and go forth to the
battle, holding, up the hands: of Gods Messen-
gers, remembering that delays are, dangerous in
every department Of life. Let t-us not fail to do
our whole duty let it not be- said that VIC are
.unproftablc Stewards, and n hindrance to the
prosperity of Zion. But let us remember thatall
we are, and have, and expect to receive in ths'fu
ture comes from God. Let US not put of paying
our debts to him until all other claims are salts
fed, bat let us exhibit to our Pastors and their
families that their comfort welfare and happiness
are inseparably connected with our own.
Respectfully submitted, -
f.. J. IT. PARKS.
-r J. F. HARMON,
/, ..sf.ss TYRA JAY. Il ~
HENRYeBEARD,G "A
Committee.
After discussion, the. report was adopted
w. J.. Ready, Chairman of the Committee. on
Periodicals and Church Literature, read thoir re-
port, which was adopted. .r';