The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-11-05
Ministerial Association.

Association met in the M. 4. Church at
Woodstield, Ohio, October 81, and after
appropriate religious and devotional ex-
ercises, proceeded to organization.
The opening sermon was preached by
Il. II Pershing, from the words, Il have
learned in whatsoever state am in, there.
with to be content" The sermon was
good one, and reflected much credit upon
the head aud heart of the speaker
The constitution and bylaws forthe
government of the association were then
read by the Secretary, after which, the
following resolution, offered by B. +. Bea.
zelle, was read and on motion adopted:
RESOLVED, That we Welcome to this as
sociation all the visiting brethren OF our
own and other churches, and cordially in
vite them to participate in all the exerci
ses
The regular programme exercises we're
then taken UP, and an essav on prayer
MAS read by E d. Holtz Although Bro.
Holtz is long for this world, il De should
die Tomorrow, he does not believe much
in long prayers; he also advocates pray.
ing with the hands as well as with the
heart. The essay was good one.
"Our Mission Work" was next called.
j. E Scott responded in very neat and
earnest essay, in which he discussed the
condition, Importance and wants of the
church mission work Bro Scott is d
young mau Of much force, and promises
If spared to be a very useful and eff.
cient minister.
After singing the Battle Hymn Of the
Republic, ~ led by the Presiding Elder;
Rev. s. Burt, the next performance was
called, and Rev j. S. Lennon responded
in an admirable essay on "The Church
School" The author thinks work in the
Sabbath School should be made q test Of
church membership He also urged the
church to greater effort and more deter
mined zeal in the department of christian
enterprise until the poets dream should
be realized, and the "World be bound Ia
golden chains at the feet of God" A re-.
reading ofthe essay was requested by the
Association.
At l01 o'clock Rev. S. Price delivered
q sermon found in 1st Cor IL 9, in which
he clearly demonstrated the inability OF
the natural man to comprehend the things
Of God which are spiritually discerned.--
1t was complete refutation of that cold
and stoical philosophy which would con-
vert men by kind OF mechanical pro-
cess, and shut God out of the soul. Many
of US felt under the sermon as Wesley
felt under the reading Of Luther's Com
ment on the Galatians-our hearts
strangely warmed within u.s."
The next performance was lecture on
zoology, byJ. Stephens. The lecturer
began with the lower order of animals,
describing their homes, habits and per-
feet adoption to their circumstances, and
gradually ascended to the triumph ofdi-
vine power--man-whom Thomas JEFF
ferson defines to be a Laughing, lying,
thinking, acting animal" The essay was
copiously illustrated with rare and inter-
esting specimens of fossilized animals. -
Bro. Stephens is quite naturalist, and
Sunday Schools or associations desiring
lectures of this kind would do well to give
him an invitation.
On Thursday evening temperance
sermon of great power was preached by
; Rev. j. FL. Rogers, of Bellaire Brother
Rogers has no sympathy for the rum
traffic. The sermon was made up ofsub-
lime figures, convincing logic and thrill
ling incidents. The Prohibition party
would do we'll to employ Bro. Rogers to
"stump' the Estate of Monroe tor the
coming election.
The next performance was an essay by
Rev s. Burt, entitled Review of God
Man" Bro. Burt was necessarily absent
from home the week preceding tire, assO-
citation, and therefore had not the time to
prepare an elaborate discussion of his
subject. He, however responded in :
very neat and able article, prepared dur
ing the meeting, giving evidence that be
had at least read the book, and furnishing
rebuke to any who may hereafter come
unprepared.
Review OF Nast's Introduction" was
the subject Of an elaborate essay by M
j. Ingram, evidently prepared with great
care, and rejecting much credit upon it
author. When Bro. Ingram appears be.
fore the examining committee OF the mex,
conference they will no doubt find him
posted ON Nast's Introduction to the
Gospel Records.
| ministerial Department" was the IT,
tie of an able essay by b F. Beazelle, in
which some happy "hits" were made q
old and worn out customs and manners
still practised by many ministers, bu,
the tendency of which are to crush the
manhood of the ministers and destroy
his social enjoyment Brother BeazeIle
!, deserves great credit for the rnasterly J
manner in which he handled his subje ct
| The next performance was an essay
Ton "Science and Religion" by C. J.
Feitt.. This essay was so numerically
criticised that / have fallen out of con.
ceit of it and will therefore say nothing
pro nor con.
MANS inhumanity to man
Makes countless millions mourn
The subject for consideration, "Our
duty concerning the Sabbath was Ia.
ken up and opened by ]. Wright and II.
Pershing. Brother Wright, in a very
pleasant little speech, advocated arais.
ing the standard higher" which brother
Pershing thought there was a possibili-
ty of making the form too severe. Both
sides were advocated by members of the
association. All, however, we're agreed
in their opposition to the attempts Of
our German population to desecrate
Gods holy day in both its form and
spirit.
| The Scriptural doctrine of holiness
was next discussed by j, II. Rogers and
S. Price. Both were opposed to tht
second blessing.
| The evening session was devoted to
the Sabbath School interests, and not.
withstanding the rain which was ther
falling, there was crowded house. The
children was addressed by J. S. Lem
mon, j. E. Scott and j. C. Castle, aflel
which the following preamble and reso.
luton, offered by C ]. Feitt, was read
=