The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-02-06
The Egis & Intelligencer
Rel Air Md. February 6 1881.
HEMlNlSTRY OF TRIAL.

From a Sermon Preached by Rev: David
Jamison, at Grove Presbyterian Church.
Aberdeen.
INV brethren, count it all JOY when We fall into
divers temptations, knowing this that the trying
of your faith worketh patience"
Ii was a time to try mems souls. A new ialt n
had come with its inevitable consequences, awalS-
ening opposition, bitter and relentless. Deep-roO&
ed prejudice prescrpsye nsth h en,frs hsd
no room in its heart for the pure doctrines OF Inc
cross, and Judaism was hopelesssly divided. Cir
those early times; and when circumstances are
against you it requires grit, faith. manhood to
stand firm. Poor human nature is very cowardly,
has so little stamina Possibly il would not be uil-
orthodox to ask the Lord for back BONE the ability
to keep promises, whether they help or hurt us,
for there is such thing as losing i'll money-Value
and gaining in character-building. The spirit OF
Christianity while 1t inculcates meekness, gentle
ness and forbearance is also spirit of truest man.
hood-so vigorously urging us to stand fast to the
principles OF right that 1t would have us risk every
thing In defence of the same.
We fall into divers temptations" word Of expla-
nation may not be out of place. The word temp.
of "enticement to SIM but in its original sense OF
trial, proof, state of being tested. But even IN
What sG Soes james means Surely we may rejoice
when we are victorious. Blessed Is the man lnat
endureth temptation Alas! Tor me Permasnesnes icy
are made until the crucial test is applied. sum
mer Zephyrs, autumn's bracing air. do not prove
the endurance OF the constitution; IL y wlntry
blasts and fierce storms that bring out the weak
points and leave the wrecks. We are prone to
hnE THOSE appy Sde "ney and peacefully
on from the cradle to the grave This is but asuper-
fetal view of life-our text would have us go deeper
1t is not under such influences that the strongest
characters are developed. DO not think would
have you court temptation and run after trial far
from it. Nor should we fight for caprice, a whim,
tradition custom, as if it were the most important
point in the Decalogue. But when trials oefall us
stakerwe must stand firm, despite fierce storms
of opposition, though the whole world seem array
ed against US.
Blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ! 1t Is deep-flow-
Ing and far reaching.
Count it all JOY when We fall into divers tempta-
tions, knowing this. that the trying of your faith
worketh patience. But let patience have her per-
feet work. that We may be perfect and entre want
ing nothing
Now we see the purpose of trials and why we are
to rejoice in them. What was it that built up that
great man. Paul by name? "Perils by land and
perils by sea and perilS among false breathren
impriSonments and stripes and all manner of hard
ships. made him an example for all ages OF suf-
fering bur triumphant saint. 1t is not enough that
we put the gold in the crucible, we must lay tho
crucible the fire if we would separate the dross
from the precious metal Let us thank GOD for
Affections, SORROWS bereavements, financial EN-
barassments and political dsappointments-all
sorts of trials. They are for our Improvement and
Shallow thinking is tearing us to pieces and
breaking us up, is but the Divine circumstance
which is supplying what is needed to round out
and complete our Christian manhood and woman
hood.
Sweet Pleasure thought her bliss would be COM
Could she escape her spiteful sister Pain,
Who plagued her life, dug pitfalls for her feet.
And when she sang mixed discord with the
strain.
Pleasure planned her death, half mad with rage.
She slew her sister. but her own heart broke;
She tried to live alone. but died instead
Look at the softness and righteousness of Chris
tlans OF our day. We must have cushioned seats
and fine choirs and famous preachers. Churches
magnificent in all their appointments to gather a
congregation; then no clouds In the sky. pleasant
sidewalks and good roads, lots of things that the
fathers did not dream OF as necessary for march
tienee In these timesP why every man you meet is
impatient, fdgety. and women ready TO fly all to
pieces at every little thing and SO we go on not at
Living rate. but at poor, dying rate. Alas, poor
human naturei Let US look away from 1t and nix
our mind on the purpose of God as most clearly
''al the perfect people are in heaven" Gods pur-
pose is to make something noble and sublime out
TO be wise and yield ourselves TO His loving dis
cipline and then though trials come upon US like
mighty delnge, threatening to engulph us, we can
God is our refuge and strength, very present
help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear though
carried into the midst of the though the waters
thereof roar and be troubled, though the noun.
tains shake with the swelling thereof. The Lord
OF Hosts is with us; the God OF Jacob is our re-
Blessed truth, our trials are the rounds of the
ladder of Gods Providence by which we may
What than is our greatest need? Not less of the
defeats ana Q, me s nr sssnce on
God. more faith in Divine wisdom and love
Away with sadness and mistrust, count It all Joy.
Away with heavy thoughts and gloomy forebod-
ingsi 1t is good we are receiving at the hand OF
our Father Bless God for the sonl,stirring uPllft
ing idea of the text Thus runs the purpose OF our
God, all glory to His name!
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE OF THE NJ.
e. CHURCH.
For the Egis and Intelligeneer
The 1O7th session of the Baltimore Conference
Methodist Episcopal Church will be held in the
ains on Wednesday, March 4th, 1881 at 8 O'Clock.
The Rev. II: R. Naylor, d; D.. the pastor. with
the cooperation of the preachers who are station
cd in the city of magnificent distances have been
engaged for some time in making the necessary
arrangements for the entertainment OF the Con-
ference To secure houses for at least two hun
dred besides the various other duties connected
with the meeting of a Conference. is quite task
large bodies is attracting considerable attention.
Already some of the Conferences have abandoned
the old plan of free entertainment. and have made
provision to board the members at hotels
Whether not this plan will become general
is question that your correspondent cannot
Five years have passed away since the confer
ence met at the Capital OF the Nation. During
this time, II members have been transferred to
that Conference where they are not affected by the
tinerant plan.
be presided over by Bishop j. w. Joyce. Bishop
joyce elected TO the Episcopacy at the last ses-
sion of the General Conference. he IS known TO
quite a number of the members. from the fact that
he served for short time, few years ago, at the
Bethany Independent church OF Baltimore city. as
pastor. By marriage he is related to that prncely
iayman of Baltimore Methodism, Mr.. Chas. j.
Baker. He is native Of the Buckeye State, and
10 very vigor OF manhood, having recently passed
the 54th milestone along the highway of life. He
converted in his sixteenth year, and at once
became a member of that church over which he
has been made one OF the General superintendent
HI admitted into the Northwest Indiana
Conference, in 1883, and for 81 years has made full
.fnfhi try ~ a
fhl'preacher OF the word: and under his ministry
many have been saved. He seryed sQme Of the lead
inl churches in Indiana and Ohio. He has strong
bers0Iality, which he impresses upon all with
in the range OF his intiuence, SINCE his election to
the office OF Bishop he has been almost constantly
on the move. During the last year he has travell-
ed over $4,000 miles. His preaching is effective in
winning souls for Christ. The conferences held by
Ii is sincerely desired that ours may be the most
remarkable in this particular.
The past year has been one OF moderate success
within the bounds of the Conference. number of
new churches have been erected, 4 lew parsonages
completed and Iarge sum contributed for other
general as in some other years at least $500 names
have been added to the roll Of probationers.
The most important matter to be considered at
the coming session will be the vote on the
question of making women eligible as delegates
to the General Conference. While the vote
Of the entire church has been largely in favor
OF this change. the Baltimore Conference
has voted against the proposition From al
ent. he reaches the conclusion that the measure
viii be defeated In the conference vote, lby at
least 40 majority. IL - Fil.t zoe ~ ~
lhIiriag the past year. death has called away from
lt1assofiafioni tive of Ollrt members, Rev. May
berry GOheen and o. z. Wrgman The former.
was one OF the most sanity men. whose life deep
ly impressed those with whom he came in contact:
He retired from the active ministry a number OF
years ago, and settled down on a most beautiful
httiefsrm Immediately adjacent 10 Hagerstown!I
Here he spent the evening of his long life in rural
hEslits. and at the same time went here and there
t6pfeach the blessed gospel OF Christ. No imam
Was more highly respected in the community
WIieri the journey of eighty and eight years was
Over. the Master whom he had served so long and
we'll called him higher. - - az ' a..
"The latter, Brother Wirgman. was not generally
known among the rank add file of the conference
from the fact thai he had not been IN the active
Epdance apon the SESSIONS 81 the 'b6dyf He was
hikhly respected by those wing kneW him wen. and
the testimonials Of approximation Of HIS work and
worth were numerous from the members Of the
other branches OF Christ's Church. where he lived
and died. This Is significant fact. 1t speaks
volumes. He had been member Of the Confer
ence for period OF forty-fOur years.
BY the death of Brother GOheen the name OF Lit
Teton +. Morgan, so well and fovorably known,
takes the head of the list. May the good Father
In Heaven allow him to remain there for NOV
years to come, for such mo" ,r - 49,, ~
poor sInlul world lily afford to have them 90
hence.