The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1889-05-08
4 True Tale of how Church Difficulty
was AdiuSted.

4 True Tale of hOWa Church DlHculty
was Adjusted.
GEEELEYv1LLE, April 3O.-Elitor Times
Once upon time congregation of chris
tians was greatly disturbed on account of
disagreement between two of its members.
Each thought the other was in the wrong.
Neither would apologize. Neither would
forgive. Each one had friends, and among
them some who would talk, and some who
would listen and repeat with such tones and
emphasis as suited them. The pastor Ia
mented the state of affairs, but as no one
would prefer charges against any of the per-
sons involved, he claimed that be could not
use discipline in the case. In the pulpit he
warned them; in his closet he prayed for
them. In private he exhorted, expostulated,
advised. only to find that each party accused
him of being prejudiced in favor Of the
other party, and in consequence his infu-
ence for good was lost.
As Il last resort it was suggested that the
congregation unite in asking counsel from
former pastor then living at distance,
one whom they all loved, and in whose Wis
dom and piety they all had the utmost con-
fdence. This was agreed to with the posi-
tive understanding that his advice in the
case should be implicitly followed by all
concerned. The difficulty was then fully
explained in letter to him, and his answer
anxiously awaited. The perusal of this COM
munication from his former charge filed
his heart with sorrow. Like true lover of
souls he deeply lamented this deplorable
state Of affairs into which this body Of pro-
fessed christians had fallen, and ne gave it
his most serious and prayerful considera-
ton.
When at length he arrived alta conclusion
be stated it in writing, to be transmitted to
these unhappy people, with the fervent
prayer that an all wise Father would direct
their hearts Alright Laying this letter aside
he continued his correspondence with va
rious other persons, one of whom was the
manager of his farm, who had informed him
that the herdsman had been having some.
trouble with one of the animals, and asking
for his direction as to what disposition
should be made of it. To this question he
gave hurried answer in one brief sentence.
Inclosing each communication in a separate
envelope, he addressed them, and sent them
to the post Office.
When the secretary of the church re-
ceived this letter, he summoned the entire
congregation to hear it read It was SOL
emn and momentous time. From the hearts
of many, silent prayers we're offered that all
might be well; that heart burnings would
cease, and peace and harmony be restored.
In the midst of profound silence the clelk
opened the letter and read these heavily en-
phasized words: 'Driuethe bull ont O the pas
t,re." This was like o peal Of thunder from
3 clear sky. Every one was speeches.,
some with anger, some with sorrow.
At length brother arose boiling over with
wrath and said the letter was an outrageous
insult, and should be returned with the
contempt it was calculated to inspire for its
author. Another brother arose and said he
was fully satisfied the old preacher was
crazy, and should have their sympathy.
Then venerable member arose and said he
differed with both the speakers. He thought
there had been some mistake, but whatever
it might be, it was under the special control
Of the all wise being who had promised that
all things should work together for good to
them who love God. Then an aged sister
timidly arose and said: "My brethren, I
do not think our former pastor intended TO
insult US. do not think he is crazy. do
not think he made o mistake. I think he
intended to write just what he did write. I
think he meant to represent the devil by
that beast, and to drive him out O the pas
ture means to get rid of the devil whom he
knows to be the author of sin. Now the
Bible says, resist the devil and he will fee
from you, draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to YOU; and my advice is that We
seek Gods help in driving out the devil
from our hearts, and that we pray earnestly
for those we feel are our enemies; for my
experience has been that It is impossible to
to pray earnestly for person, and hate him
at the same time. Let it be our business to
love God, and our fellow men as he has
commanded US, then we may leave it to him
to see that ali things shall work together for
our good" Then the pastor who had been an
interested listener arose and said: "Let us
all pray" And every heart responded,
Ar,en. J. NJ. B.