Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-11-25


chief advocate in those who love study,
aud who are guided by Code word. 10
is the constant, unTemilting, syst ema'ic
study Of the bible ia the Sunday-school,
aud its free exposition by teachers aud
ministers that have led to these excel
lent results; the intelligent laymen haV-
ing contributed by their earnest etfJrts
toward Teuniting the great army, now
! cOntending against the world, the flesh
and Satan. The bible Is aud will be the
rich stOrehouse Of christian knowledge,
and also the perpetual fountain Of di-
vine inspiration forever. Win
! Us truths aud doctrines engraved upon
our hearts, we may feel sure Of a
c psecration to him, who Is CUR medi-
stOr and Interchangeable friend. How can
We enjoy the benefits and sslutary in
| fuences Of such an exalted, precious
volume; and what duty should be en-
Joined upon the laity In reference to it2
[ answer: "Gatber the people together,
men, women and children, and teach
them the truths Of the goepel and bow
| to do the will Of the Lord. The public
| assembly IL most favorable for the de-
velopment ofstrnng emotion, aud truths
and doctrines difficult OF being outlined
TO the apprehension In private
may be easier impressed on hearts
ia public. 10 the tabernacle system
fOy the conveyance of the religious
idea, God added the public assembly
for the awakening OF the sensibiliues-
and the persuasion Of the people to ac-
cept and obey the truth. The Sunday
school affords an agency In which chill
dren, youth and adults can be taught iu
christian knowledge, trained ia christian
experience and christian work. It's text
book is the bible. Where the religious
instruction Of children by parents has
been omitted, and where conversion has
not oeen effected, it makes up the def
cheney. But it, chief end, after CONVEX
sion, il 10 stir the disciple to a more
thorough understanding OF the fullness
Of the book, and a more exalted
comprehension Of God and his Con.
A distinguished divine Of England
writes: "Our fOrefathers carried on
the education Of the poor and unleaTBed
by diligsDt csteehising; by questioning
them concerning the great truths Of
christianity. But, as preaching Is now
regarded the great thing in the church,
this catechisIng aud questioning has
fallen into disuse." Those wishing to /
grow IN 8 knowledge OF their Lord and !
Master, must make progress under sys- |
temstic instruction and chateehisiug |
Distinguished men in spiritual affairs of |
an early day, such as Richard Baxter, /
in 1855; Thomas Fuller, in 1851; Arch |
bishop Usher. and Matthew Henry, {
vigorously cOntended by Bible teaching. /.
We learn from the Jewish TalmUd that I
there were four hundred and sixty syna- |
gOgues in Jerusalem, in each Of which /
-Fg - -
of the law, and another for the /
gathering Of men for research and in /
structiOu. 10 the same book it is writ /
ten: "At Ave years Of age let children 1
begin the Scri ptures; at ten the Mishna /
a digest Of Jewish traditions and COM I
pendulum Of the ritual law, and at tbir- /
teen let them be subjects of the law" /
Christ himself was a catschumen and |
was taught the law. With the Bible in 1
hand, the laymen of the church can aid /
the clergy in the conservation Of the law /
and its dissemination, with results that /
might be startling to all. We have |
profound regard for the pulpit work; we I
recognize the power OF the ministry in /
converting the soul AMI training and /
the convert for . life ]
Of piety and usefulness on earth. /
We would not detract from, but magni- /
fy the unselfi-h and great IsbOrs Of the |
profession. But, to reach its |
full fruitiOn, their work must be supple [
Inented by that of laity; and this class /
have duties limited only by their cspa- |
0ilities, powers and opportunities. The |
sphere Of their appropriate labor is in 4
the b bic school; among their own and I
neighbOrs' children; teaching by exam~ /
ole ss well as by precept, not only on /
the Lords day but on week days, BY the |
sweet influences of their lips and by the /
distribution OF the truths Of holy |
writ. AT this moment the
newspapers of Great Britain ard 1
America TEEN with the wOndrous /
work being performed ia the first named I
country oy two cody isymen Of Ameri- /
ca. They have inaugursted, and are 1
now conducting, religious movement /
10 Ireland and Scotland. prosecuting g (
mission work and expOunding the scrip !
lures with such converting results as 20 /
startle the communities 10 which thew I
are working. More than three Thousand /
persons in the district carne forward, IN |
Ter the ministration Of these men, aud |
obeyed the gospel by public contest n. /
The chief acton in the evaDgeliZiDg Ia !
bors, Mr.. Moody, was formerly Of Chi !
eago, and was without education when I
he came under religious il fiuences, but, |
exhibiting that moral power possessed !
by men OF positive convictions under (
me dominant feeling, he became dill
gent student of the English bible. By /
untiring and continuous application, he /
soon caught the spirit OF the gospel, and /
ne d termined 60 go about doing good 4
He hath done 8 good work for souls, and /
this by man without pries tly orders.
The bible made Messrs. Moody and
5anky all that they are. They address
ed in Dublin ten thousand persons at
one time in the Crystal palace; in L n
iOnderry Glasgow, Edinburgh aud other
places their teachings were heard with /
great giadness, and with amazing sue
cess in awakening the masses to q con-
ceptiOn Of their sins. These men are
svRngelists in the true sense Of the /
word, resting all they say and DO upon
the bible; expanding its mysteries, and l
Its promises with the burn
ing zeal of the apostolic age. Now, I /
lOld, that the mere conversion OF a
soul is but the beginning Of spiritual /
ife--an entering into the inner courts
If the church As q disciple, where the
christian begins an experience of study, |
conflict and service, commencing q war
iare with the man of sin, where he must !
light and build as in the days of Nehs-
niah; when every one, With one OF his
hands wrought in the work, ard with
he. other held weapon. Here, then,
aegins the bible schUOl-the school of
Christ. The word disciple" signifies a
.cholar. The church of Christ was
school in which Jesus himself wss chief
master, and his apostles subordinate
eachersS All converts were disciples OF
coming to be instructed in the
knowledge Of themselves, Of God, OF
heir duty to him, to the church
70 society aud to themselves. They re-
luired line upon line, preeept upon pre-
;ept, ia order that they might be ss-
in the truth. Men, women
md children Of the present day need no
ess. 1t is your privilege my cherished
friends to be disciples of the church of
Christ. l coDjure you therefore to study
be holy precepts of the bible, that YOU
nay put on the whole armour OF Christ,
o diligently labor in the field Of contest
With sin until the battle be fought, the
victory won and you wear the crown Of
,terDal life, reserved by Christ for all
valiant soldiers Of the cross. May God
help you to do this grand work.
The business OF the convention then
lssumed an interesting form by discus
ions, in brief way, by the deleg ,teF,
Is 10 the proper manner Of conducting
Sundsy-schOOls, whether by question
,oOks or otherwise, and their relation to
be church. After which the conven-
ion adjourned.
TRIMMING SILKS REDUCED.
Silk Turqoise and silk VelOurs st IS
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