Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1870-05-21

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The efficiency Of the Church o
Christ must result from His gifts ant
grace, and the General Conference
can reasonably expect to do but little
to increase IT, by merely prudential
means, except as these tend to In
crease its spiritual lie. It's your mrs
outy, therenre, 70 ascertain tne rea
cohdition ofthe church IN tnis respect
III oruer 10 correct what may p'
wrong, and supply what may p'
needed iOr TINS great end. Your at
tention is earnestly invited 10 care,
fui examination into Its spiritual
state, ana OF the means and measures
iikely 10 contribute 10 .his, It's high'
est, most vital interest.
With0ut intending dlsparaglne
comparison between the piety OF the
present Day and OF our fathers IN tht
early days or Methodism,. we feel u
right To say that we are deficient as
to several matters which were for.
merry regarded as aids and tests o.
Methodistic piety. We allude, es-
pecially, to the neglect of class and
pray-meetings OF fasting and absti'
- W 't-thfy $3.50 pNNs>s lsN>J
indulgence In worldly pleasures. 10
some, II not all or these things, we
rear our people, not to say our preach
ers, too, are all below the pattern set
US by the piety OF our fathers In other
days. We do not mean that this de
clension Is universal, but gladly ad-
init there are large numbers who ex-
lliolt tie ancient marks OF Methodis-
tic piety In an Intelligent and ardent
devotion to God, and In hrm attach
ment to our doctrines and discipline.
The action Of the last General Con-
ference modifying the rule to class
meetings. 80 that attending them
should not be a condition OF church
membership, has been constructed,
unfortunately, by some as abolishing
them. Wedo notso understand 1t; and
we regard these meetings to be SO pro-
motive OF the spiritual prosperity OF
the church, and so essential to the ef-
ficient working OF oureconomy, that
we are very reluctant to see them fall ,
In any measure, into disuse. While
attendance upon these meetings Is
not condition of membership, yet,
we do not consider that pastors have
been released from the appointment
and oversight of leaders, classes, and
at least a quarterly visitation and re-
port. We recommend to the Gener-
al Conference the consideration of
this subject in connection with q
PASTORS duty.
We invite your attention. especi-
ally. to the subject of family religion
and the Christian traininy of Chill.
dren. It's imnOrtance cannot he owe,
estimated. Reynlar family worsbin.
morninp and NIGHT. accom- nanied
With ths c"nsacnt;ya ; reod;n~ E "f tbe
scriptures. Ia 40 morally At reasona-
Bile and saiutary. that To us n seem :
strange that the heads of Christian
families can feel guiltless In neglect
ing 1t. While we rejoice I'm the great
ly increased interest exhibited In be-
half of Sunday-schOOls, we are sure
that there can be no substitute for re
ligious training in the family. The
impress whether for good or evil, 10y
family instruction aud example is in
delible. In the home circle Is found
a domestic and patriarchal church
the training school of the kingdom OF
Christ and pledge and foretaste OF
the bliss of the kingdom above.
Indulgence In worldly and fashion,
bile diversions Is another great enemy
of earnest piety which Is sinvading the
church, and threatening to estrange
our children from us. Dancing, in
particular, whatever. er.plausible excuses
may be pleaded for It, Is destructive
to the growth, not say the very exis-