The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-12
which is invading the church, and threatening

pleaded for 1t, Is destructive TO the growth, not
to soy the very existence of spiritual religion
In those who delight to indulge In IT.. Gene
rally, 1t is a species Of .'reveling," condemned
and forbidden by the Word OF God. and its ten
dency Is evil only.
In immediate. connection with the spiritual
welfare of the church, the great and only ef-
fectual remedy for most if not all our de1cien-
ces as q Christian people, is an increase of in
ward. genuine, scr!ptural holiness. We fear
that the doctrine Of Perfect Love, which casts
out fear and purifes the heart, and is the
measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ as taught in the Bible and explained
and enforced in our standards IS distinct and
practicable attainment is too much overlooked
and neglected. his was prominent theme
in the discourses Of our fathers; and alike in
their private conversation as in their mnistra-
this perfection Of sanctifylng love. The re-
vivafs which followed their ministry were not
superficial or ephemeral. Their genuineness
and power were proved by the holy lives and
triumphant death Of the converts. If we would
be like them in power and usefnlness we must
resemble them In holy conservation. Nothing
Is 80 much needed at the present time through
out all these lands as general and powerful
revival Of scrlptural holiness.
We regret that we have not been able to ex-
tend our foreign missionary work since our
body assembled last, owing to the want of
funds. Indeed, after oil the efforts which have
been made, we have not liquidated In full the
old debt contracted during the late war. There
is, however, strong probability that this very
desirable result will be accomplished before
long. Our domestic missions have multiplied,
and with increasing usefulness. Your utten-
tion Is particularly Invited to the great and ef-
feetual door now open in the West From the
mouth OF the Kansas River to the Golden Gate,
from the Rio Grande to Puget's Sound, there
T. az11 hoo ,i.,uo oriH
than any in which our fathers laoored IN their
day. No louder call has ever fallen on the ear
OF The ministry than that which comes to US
from this vast region. Other forms Of re-
llgion, some Of them corrupt, are pressing
their missions with astonishing vigor. All
along the line Of the Union and Pacific Rail
road they have secured real estatei and at
on commanding sites. They lavish money In
gaining o foothold there, where, In the course
Of q few years, as they fOresee, there will be
populous and enterprislng communities. Much
Of tho population will be from our own country,
and In sympathy with us; yet, up to tnis
moment, we have done nothlng toward tne
occupancy Of the country. Your bishops are
receiving repeated and most urgent calls for
men. But In the very nature OF the case We
can send no men, unless the church at home
will send money to meet the first expenses In
CURED. This Is oil properly missionary ground
at present, including Oregon and Southern
California In Central California the work is,
for the most part self-sustaining. and, indeed,
prepared to aid the common enterprises Of the
church. We feel well assured that money eX-
pended on the great field will yield as rch a
harvest Us has ever been gathered from such
sowing.
The subject of education is one Of general In
terest and prime Importance, and no intelli-
gent phllanthropist, patriot or Christian can
feel Indifferent to 1t. Viewed either in its in
teectual, moral or religious aspects, 1t rises
into grand proportions and Is invested with
powerful influence. The mpolicy of multiply.
Ing colleges under the patronage of annual
conferences must be evident to those who are
acquainted with the present condition OF many
of those already in existence. In welding
Alright this great agency, there must be more
foresight, and concentration Of effort and hbe-
rality. Let those institutions to which we are
already committed be encouraged with The In
creased effort 10 endow and sustain them. Let
a higher grade of scholarship be established In
them, and the most earnest spirit OF religion
be cultivated by officers and students. II
there be those which cannot sustain the rank
of collegiate establishments, they must be con-
tent with q lower position.
The proper training Of young ministers is a
matter of high and acknowledged Importance.
Hnw this may be best and soonest accomplish
ed will claim your most thoughtful considera-
n0n. we COmueuu Gilo ouUJCSI W JUL Coih-
est attention.
The inadequate support furnished, In many
parts of the connection. TO the preachers reg
ularly engaged In the pastoral work. and the
consequences which must follow ii this evil
be not remedied, will not fail to be noticed by
you. We must perpetuate an itinerant minis
try, separated TO the holy office, and conse,
Grated to the care Of souls, with all OF time and
thought and energy devoted to their sole and
appropriate work. But to enable them to do
this tile church must make proyi'on for a
proper supply of their wants. While affords
us pleasure to say that In most Of orr wide
field OF operations there has been witnessed
decided Improvement, yet there Is no doubt OF
the fact that in come sections there is still
means of support, and Of consequent priVation
and suffering among the preachers. Do not
the members of the church need to be specially
instructed and trained In this class Of religious
obligations?
Our attention has been Of late years arrest
ed by the inadequate supply OF young men
Offering themselves to the work OF the Elnls-
try, either for the home or the loreigu MISSION
ary work. May we not assume that Christ,
the Rsdcemer of all men, the Intercessor for
all, does call men to the holy office, In num-
hers sufficient to the demands OF His cause IN
the world The fault must be with US. HOW
soon would an Increase OF piety and zeal IN
the church supply the remedy for this denGien-
cy? What can be done 10 arouse our whole
communion to united, fervent prayer to 'the
Lord of the harvest that He Will send forth
laborers into HIS vlneyard?"
You will consider, OF course, with great care,
the whole Sunday school Interest, which, we
are happy to say, has assumed magnitude
and importance never before known IN the
history of the southern Methodist Church. We
think YOU NAV find 1t practicable to adopt
measures that will secure uniform scheme
of instruction, with texts furnished OF our
publishing house. together with the enlarge
ment of the Sunday.School Visitor, and pos
sbly. in addition to that paper, tile publication
OF q monthly Journal adapted to teachers and
the older classes OF pupils. 1t Is very desira-
BILE that there should be an improrem mt both
In the character and price Of the books pre-
pared for the use Of suaday-school libraries.
We recommend the appointment Of q suitable
pereou to be specially entrusted Win the
oversight of these vital interests.
The literature of the church will not be over
looked by You. We cannot consent to surren-
der TO others tho vast power and influence
Welded by the press; no church can safely 40
40. In proportion to the potency OF this lnnu-
ence is the solemn obligation resting on us 10
Guard and guide the press. 1t must MAINTAIN
3 hIph religious tone-neither subsidized by
wealth or power nor perverted by ambition TO
partisan and political purposes. IL shouia am
steadily at conserving the connectlonalsln VI
the church, and be committed 10 trustMorIny
and competent men who love the whoie church
too well to put In peril her unity ano peace.
IL nd htnrQrv nnU2nQnQr