The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1886-11-04
PREACHERS IN COUNCIL.
The Ministers of the Columbia District
Meet to Map Out Their Work.

Meet to Map Out Their Work.
Upon the adjournment of the
Tennessee conference at GAINESVILLE
the presiding elder of the Columbia
district, Rev. t. j. Duncan, called
a meeting of the preachers of his
district for Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1886,
at Pulaski. In accordance with the
above call, fourteen of his preach
ers met their presiding elder at the
district parsonage in Pulaski at the
appointed time. The presiding ell
der stated that the object of the
meeting was that the preachers
might have an interchange OF opin-
ion and plans of work, and dis
cussion OF the best methods of pro
noting the spiritual and financial
interests of the church. Religious
services were conducted by Rev.
Jno. H. Nichols and L. II. Amis
was made secretary.
The relation of the spiritual and
financial interests of the church
and the best methods of promoting
these was the general topic. 1t was
insisted upon by several present
that the preacher must not be lost
in the financial agent; that preach
ers must not be servers of tables"
While there is work of this charac-
ter to be done by every pastor, still
it should be done in such manner
as not to make the impression up
on our people that we are band Of
tax gatherers. Collections should
be taken in religious way; show
the people the moral obligation
resting upon them to support the
gospel and bring out also the reflex
influence upon the giver: 1T is
more blessed to give than to re-
ceive." "The Lord loveth q cheer
full giver." Some give because the
preacher who makes the collections
is a favorite, others because of their
church pride. Instead of these,
love to God and gratitude for spir-
itual blessings and temporal bene-
fits should be the moving causes of
liberality.
AS to best plans it was generally
agreed that the public collection is
best for two reasons: l. 1t edu-
Gates the people, and 2. 1t is more
successful than other methods.
Whenever a fair statement of cur
needs is made to the people they
will nearly always respond literally.
The majority of the preachers take
the collections all together, some
take foreign mission first and the
rest together. The idea prevailed
that whenever a man was in real
earnest about receiving these col
lecGons, and began early and work
ed late, he did not fail no matter
what his plan.
The feasibility of district and
an interdistrict missionary conven-
ton was discussed. 1t was thought
impracticable to introduce these be-
fore next spring.
1t was considered advisable to
hold missionary mass meetings at
convenient points so as to include
three or four charges in one meet
ing, with the distinct understand
ing that there be no collections
on these occasions. 1t is the in
tention of these meetings to gather
from the different charges as many
members as possible that light be
thrown upon the subject and the
masses instructed as to the extent
and intent of our missionary opera
tions. 1t was thought that by
these gatherings great good could
be accomplished.
The presiding elder announced
the death of Mrs. VIII Alien Tur-
ner, and resolutions of coincidence
were read and adopted. Special
prayer was offered for our beloved
and bereaved brother and his ten
motherless children.
The following was offered by
Rev. VIM. NJ. Green:
Resolped, That as far as in US lies, we
will make this, the last year of our
presiding elder, Rev. I. j. Duncan, on
the Columbia district, glorious in splr-
ituality and materiality.
The following was offered by
Revs. B. F. Haynes and John H.
Whereas, The missionary cause is an
interest of paramount Importance to
the Ckurch of Christ, and one whose
scriptual and divine claims are recOg-
nized by our beloved Methodism in her
doctrines, her book of discipline and
her general church work;
Resolued, LIST, That we affirm our sim
cere faith in and love for the cause of
missions, and rejoice in the success of
our missionary work in home and for
eign fields. That we have witnessed
with profound satisfaction and pleasure
the growth of the Columbia district in
the grace of liberality in responding to
all the financial demands OF the church.
RESOLVED, End, That it is the earnest
desire, the deVout prayer, and shall be
the aim and perseyering endeavor of
each preacher here present 70 bring up
the Column bia district on all the cOllec-
tions ordered by the annual conference
and that we endeaVor if possible to
raise all these collections by Jan. l, 'S7.
The resolutions we're adopted
with a hearty vote. Also the fol-
lowing:
Whereas, Within the last two years
there have been 264S conversions and
1900 additions to our branch OF the
Church of Christ in the Columbia dis
5rict.
Therefore, be it resolved, That we
most devuOtly thank the great Head OF
The church for giving us such a spiritu
II harvest. That we hereby recoEse-
crate ourselves and pledge ourselves to |
yet greater endeavors and pray that
.his year may be more glorious in its
revival esults than any of its prede-
1t is thus seen that our spiritual
advance has been greater than our
financial gain.
Various questions of interest to
he different charges and TO the dis
.rict at large were freely discussed
1t both morning and afternoon ses-
'ions. The preachers separated +
ceiling that they were better pre-
pared to enter upon year of labor
or the Master, because of this
,rotherly interchange of opinion
md plan. L. r. ANIIs.
eS-s