COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON FLOWERS MEMORIAL COLLECTION DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DURHAM, N. C. PRESENTED BY W. W. FLOWERS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/sermonii249leig SERMON II. BY REV. HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, or THE NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. *' The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he l.ath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor ; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliver- ance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." — Luke iv : 18, 19. The imagery of this passage is too clear and impressive to pass unnoticed, or without effect. Objects, common to hfe and adapt- ed to excite the sympathies and commiseration of all who are merciful and kind, are here penciled with a brightness and variety of aspects, sufficient to rouse the feelings and to excite the finest sensibilities of the heart. To attend to them, therefore, is the ready way of deriving the benefit designed to be imparted. When one of your fellow beings is presented to your view, des- titute of the good things of life, deprived of the means of a com- fortable support, apparelled in ihe tattered garments of poverty and wretchedness, with distressing melancholy upon his brow, as his imploring eye glances in tearful silence on the objects of his peti- tion — what is the language of the passing scene ? Is he not the poor? When, in your undesigned excursions or friendly visits, you approach a mansion, bearing prominent marks of a distressing rev- olution, and hung out in the solemn scenery of affliction and wo; if, after casting your eyes for a few momenis over the mournful habitation, you behold an individual in sohtude and under the en- signs of sorrow and bereavement, bemourning her forlorn and piteous condition, and refusing every earthly comfort — what would be the exclamation ? Is not this the broken-hearted 7 16 THE SOUTHERIf When yo?i have \vitnes.s,ul, or lienrd of, irifestine hroils niul warlike commotions — when you liave seen nations and armies in hostile array, contending with swords and hayonetp, ojjrning- in thundering pe.ils the dark-nioutlied cannon, until one, overpow- ered and subdued, surrenders ; submits to galling chains ; is lorn from friends, relatives and coimirymen ; is diagged to a land of tyranny and oppression; and left within the confines of some dreary prison-hound, to lift his cheerless eyes upon its unmovin^ walls and bear the horrors of his clanking fetters here pause and utter — " It is the captive !" When, standing on some commanding eminence, yon fix your admirinir gaze on the wonders of creation, — the beams of yonder sun floating in lucid streams through the air, opening upon your hemisphere, by a gradual increase of light, the full blaze of daz- zling noon, the enchanting blush of vernal flowers, the gay pro- fusion of thriving fields, the unsparing bounties of summer har- vest, the glowing colors of nature's richest drapery, — you intagine yourself destitute of the facuhy of seeing, you would be struck with a heart-felt sympathy for him whose straining orbs never re- ceive the beauties of this goodly universe. When, by some unfortinuite circumstance beyond hurnan con- trol, you see a man with half his system paralyzed; his leg or hand severed from the body ; his features distorted, his limbs almost inverted by pain : are you not ready to exclaim " behold the bruised! Bring all these into otie assemblage ; hear, and, at one glance, see, as the Deity must, the affecting plaints of the poor; the disconsolate wailings of the broken-hearted; the sighing lamentations of the captives; the viewless gaze of the blind, and the distressing groans of the bruised, and will yon not be con- strained to acknowledge the need of a Saviour for our dying world? While this picture of human calamities rouses all the tender feelings of sympathy and benevolence, it shows you also the mula- dies of your spiritual condition. It may be regarded as presenting a just view of mankind in their natural state. They are *^poor," liaving forfeited " the inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away," — " broken-hearted," having put away the only balm of spiritual consolation— '^captives," having sur- rendered to the bondage of Satan—" blind," having yielded to METHODIST PULPIT. 17 the influence of darkness — "bruised," having l^een brought under tlie dominion of spiiilual death. In this condition the eye of the Deity saw them ; his heart pitied, and his love sent his only be- gotten Son into the woikh "timt whosoever beheved on liim should not perish, hut have everlastirjg hfe;" and this Son, in the nccom- pUslirnentof his errand, preaches the gospel to the poor, heals the broken-heat ted, frees the captive, imparts sight to the blind, re- stores the bruised, and proclaims the acceptable year of the Lord. The mission of this great and Almighty Being to our earth, demands attention and the most serious inquiry. As earth's in- habitants are infected — deeply afflicted with a mortal disease, and dying daily under the ruinous plague, it needs a physician of no ordinary character — one who is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipo- tent, merdful and gracious ; — omniscient, to comprehend the dis- ease and remedy ; omnipresent, to witness the occurrence and rem- edial operalion in every case ; otimipotent, to render the prescrip- tion effectual under all circumstances ; merciful, to be tenderly disposed towards every individual ; gracious, freely to bestow, where no recompense can be afforded — a physician beyond the influence of earthly wealth and distinction ; who looks on every subject with feelings of impartiality and with the commiseration of the most tender heart ; who, needing nothing that belongs to any one to enhance his glory, to add to his felicity, or to exalt the honors of his Throne, acts upon the principles of disinieiested be- nevolence. Beholil the mission of the t*5on of God, and you will see a physician of such a character. It is benevolent in its object, embracing the poor — merciful in its visitations, healing the broken- hearted — powerful in its o|)eration, delivering the crptive — benign in its influence, giving sight to the blind — kind in its oflers, reliev- ing the bruised — impaitial in its provifions, proclaiming the ac- ceptable year of the Lord. L The mission of Jesus Clni-^t is benevolent, because it em- braces the poor. Such persons, before this great philanthiopist came into the world, were, in all nations, entirely neglected. 'I'he rich have always been held in estimation and honored, in some degree, whether aboiuiding in virtue u\ sunk in vice. But the Son of Gv)d has instituted a diffe rem. scale of nioial woith, leading to a judgment of another kind ; and has taught you, always to P42732 18 THE SOUTHERIf graduate the esteem by (lie character and extent of virtue found to exist. Before his day the poor sunk in estimation as they be- came depressed by poverty, until Jhis formed, at lengih, the ground of their slaver3^ It was among one nation only that a respite, or year of release, was known ; and that one received the statute from heaven. Among others all means for the improvement of the poor were neglected ; and, therefore, with the servility of the vassal, disrespect and disgrace were always connected. Among the refined of the present day, when pauperism never becomes the road to slavery, who receives the poor into the splendid abode, and welcomes them to tables of luxurious Hving and to halls of festive song? It is true, indeed, that where the rehgion of Jesus Christ has shed its sacred influence and directs the movements ot life, in- stances of this kind may be found ; for whatever of this exists in the world, is wholl}^ attributable to the benevolence of the Gospel. Its dispensation among men has effected a general change in so- ciety ; brought men under sentiments and feelings of charity; and, in many places, established, by law, munificence to the poor. This truth may be seen in the words of Julian, who was a bitter persecutor of the primitive Christians. " His method of attack- ing Christianity differed from that of his predecessors. The un- bounded charity of Christians rendered their system truly venera- ble and dignified ; and, therefore, this Tyrant attempted to clothe Paganism with the same character. Hence, he wrote thus to the pagan Priest: 'Let us consider that nothing has contributed so much to the progress of Christianity, as the charity of its votaries to strangers. I think we ought to discharge this obligation our- selves. Establish, therefore, hospitals in every place ; for it would be a shame for us to abandon our poor, while the Jews have none, and while the Christians not only provide for their's but for our's also. ' " Viewing, therefore, the reformation thus effected by our holy Christianity, has not Jesus Christ brought good new^s to the poor ? has he not eflfected an important change in (heir condition ? So different are the feelings of the rich and worldly towards this class of the community generally from wliat they were previous to the days of the blessed Redeemer, that circumstances of real indi- gence excite pity ; cause the wealthy to lend pecuniary aid, to support Sunday-Schools, Bible, Missionary, and Tract Societies, METHODIST PULPIT. 19 and every other association, designed to meliorate and elevate their condition. Behold the efforts now being made to give the Gospel to the needy, Vv iielher in barbarous chmes or savage countries. — Disgrfice does not, necessarily, connect iiself with a state of want, when honesty and industry are the characteristics of the life. The poor have civil immrmities and religious fellovvship, due respect, and more than ordinary sympathy; — all of which are wholly ascribable to the transforming influence of the Gospel. Shout all ye poor and laud his name among the people, for Christ, the Loi'd, has brought to you good news and glad tidings of great joy ! " His errand to earth bears a mark of special regard to you ; and, it may be, that as you are the more afflicted part of his dying chil- dren, like earthly parents, he bestows most care where most is needed. In this divine favor, however, no designed or positive neglect to the rich is to be inferred. Promises of the highest order and of the most invaluable kind are made to them. If you will become hum- ble and contrite — he, whose name is holy, whose habitation is eternity, will dwell in your hearts, as his Temple. Become poor in spirit, and your's shall be the Kingdom of Heaven. The bless- ings of the Gospel are freely and fully offered to all on the same principle and terms of acceptance. A union is effected among men in different conditions, and a peaceful harmony reigns through all of the same birth-right and inheritance though variant in the cir- cumstances of their earthly pilgrimage. They are of one — Jesus Christ — of whom the whole family of heaven and earth is named ; and the songs above are one. " Worthy is the Lamb ! Salvation and honor, and glory, and power unto the Lord our God." 2. It is merciful in its visitation, because it heals the broken- hearted. Many of the occurrences of the present state, lie be- yond the sagacity and prudence of the most pious and circum- spect among men ; and, therefore, they cannot be controlled, eith- er in the object or eflfect of their operation. To such a state, af- flictions the most painful and distressing, heart-rending and op- pressive, is incident. Irregularities and improprieties must attach -themselves to the conduct of man, so long as he continues in hia depraved and imperfect condition. How endeared soever any earth- object, may be, it is ever subject to an instantaneous removal to THE SOUTHERW from your possession or enjoyment. No human power can pre- serve its cxisfence, or secure its fruition. Changes adverse and ruinous affect the pleasures of the liappiest circles; and cause the high and lofty, to wander in poveity and distress, through the vale of wo. How many, this moment, are settling under tho deepest shades of melancholy, lamenting the departure of friend/C, relative?, companions, or childien — how many are mourning un- der the darkest adversity, the candle of whose prosperity has just heen extinguished— how many are shedding tears of affliction atid overwhelming sorrow — how many are sighing in broken- hearted accents for the hopes of redemption from the grave and the perdition of ungodly men — how many, this moment, are pi- ning away under reflections painful and soul-distracting, known only to themselves, and who must, soon, in sorrow lie down, with- out a solilaiy gleam of hope or spark of glimmering day. Could you, like the Deity, take, with one glance of the eye, a full view of the whole wot Id, what a melancholy hospital would open up before you, — one as large as the eaith, in which complaints and disorders of every kirtd and giude weie to be seen, and not a mo- nieni would occur without sighs, groans, cries and death. What a soul-stirring spectacle! What an object of pity and deep com, miseraiion ! It was this that brought the gre.it Physician of soids to earth ; for they that be whole need no Physician, but they who are sick. Aie you soirowlul on account of your sins ? Do the fears of death and the wailings of the damned tender you mise- rable ? Feel you the wotmds and bruises sin has made? Heie is the Saviour, the tender-hearted friend offering lo heal li.e bro- ken-hearted ! Are you distressed, afflicted, bowed down and wo- worn? despond not, but hope; for you have his compassion and njost tender regard. Ktmeniber, you have Him as a high Piiesf, touched with the feelings of your infirmities, and bidding you to come boldly to a thione of giace, obtain mercy and find grace to Iteip in lime of need. Wipe away the faUing tear, check the heaving sigh, and arise foi your light is come and the glory of God is relulgeni around \ou. Cel. eld him on his way to the city of Nain ! A great multitude is issuing thence, slow ly moving to the sound of death. Over tbat n ultitude Jesus cast a piising look, when liis eye fell upon one, really Liokea-hearted, shedding METHODIST PULPIT. almost, tears of blood, ns she followed licr only son to the grnvc. She was a widow, perhaps hieeding f;iill under the woiindt' of a f)nTier bere.avenienf, and now | les^-ed down to earih under a loss which notliing worMly could repair. Her hope died wiih the death of her only son. The syinpatliies of the Saviour were rousei' — he force 1 his way through the dense crowd to the hier — shook death o.T the young man, and presented him once more a living body to his joyful mother. With him, Martha and Mary and his attending disciples suriound the grave of Lazatus. See him lift- ing his eyes to heaven, and, with the feelings of a niost gracious sympathy, let fall the tear of kindness and pity. And will l.c overlook you, my dear reader. Come to him, but not (done. — Bring friends, children, relatives — bring the hiohen-hearted^ and relief is yours. 3. U is powerful in its operations, because it frees the captives. As all partake of the corruption of their progenitors, they are in a state of bondage, being childien of wrath and obstinate disobe- dience. Reason, though clear in iis dictates, being enlightened by revelation, is violated in principle and practice. Conscience, though stung by remorse, and fearful in its anticipations, is, nevertheless, disobeyed ; not because its impressions are wrong, or its censures unjust, but, because the propensity to evil is superior to its strength and mightier than its power. This fact is common to the expe- rience of man — you have perpetrated a crime, you have indulged in vice ; conscience makes up a judgment against you ; reason declares the whole wrong and truly criminal ; you resolve on amendment and purpose to decline, in future, the repetition of the fault; but no sooner does the temptation recur than the trans- gression is repeated. At the time, too, when the temptation is ex- erting its greatest force, reason's voice is as full and as dear, ag justice and truth could make it ; and 3^et, with wayward and heedless step, you proceed to dissipation and crime. What state is this? Is this not bondage? Is not this being led captive by the devil at his will ? Perceiving, as you must, your real condition, the question comes up in the language of the Saviour, "Will you be made free''? " If the son shall make you /ree, you shall be/ree indeed. '* Of all revolutioas in Church or State, in person or property, none THE SOUTHERN equals this ia importance. Only submit, then, to the counsel of God's unerring word, and the operations of the Holy Spirit and deliverance will surely come. These will correct your disorderly passions ; sanctify your unhallowed affections ; and subdue the foe of inbred corruption. Sin shall no longer have dominion over you ; your members shall be made instruments of righteousness unto hohness and the end shall be everlasting life. The unhal- lowed lust of the degenerate soul shall become extinct, the pride of life shall wither, and the image, formed upon the soul, shall be after God in righteousness and true holiness. The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus will free you from the law of sin and death ; and being thus made free, you " shall have fruit unto ho- liness and the end everlasting hfe ". The evidence of this great work of God is furnished in the witness of the Holy Spirit with yours, that you are born of God ; for, being a child of his, you shall have the Spirit of his Son, Jesus Christ, in your hearts, cry- ing Abba, Father. My dear reader, are you a captive of Satan T Jesus is speaking to you this moment ! Long has been your toil- some servitude, many and alarming have been your fears, and dreadful is the end ; for the wages of sin is death ! Will you let the Lord of life and glory break the fatal spell, snatch you from the devouring flame and lead you forth unfettered, unbound and fully restored to life and liberty. Unbind, O Lord ! the sluggish soul, fast in Satanic chains ! 4. The mission of Jesus is benign in its influence, giving sight to the blind. Blindness may justly be considered one of the great- est misfortunes incident to man. The highest and most refined pleasures of the present state are addressed to the eye, and through this organ affect the soul. One scene may present to the eye an assemblage of grand, beautiful and splendid objects — prospects^ pleasing, delightful and enrapturing, — notices of the divine Being, truly astonishing and sublime. The Heavens, where oft amid thick clouds and dark. Heaven's all ruling Sire chooses to reside, his glory unobscured ", afford a view which makes the contempla- tive mind exxlaim with the Psalmist " What is man, that thou art mindful of him ! " — and with the Apostle to the Gentiles — "The invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world are clearly ^«n, being understood by the things that are made, even bis eternal METHODIST PDLPIT. power and godhead. " To be deprived of this facnlt}^, then, is to be deprived of one of the Creator's best, gifts. Blindncs?, tlien, fitly becomes an emblem of that miserable and wretched condiiicn ill which you are placed by nature; for yoii have eyes and sec not. This, however, as a temporal, or spiiitual disease is under the control of the great Physician. Eyes ihat hnd never seen lie restored to sight, making them perceive things in ihcir appropriate sphere and order. 7\t his word the laws of nature ceased to rule, and Christ was proclaimed their aiMhor. I'lic law, by which blindness was produced, gave up its authority when he said to the subject, "look up." To this truth the New Testament cleaily and fully testifies. But I would direct your attention to this, as a spiritual disease. Under his ministering Spirit your minds may have the prospect of things invisible; the filthiness of the f^esli and spirit wholly subdued, and a prevailing disposition to assimi- late to those holy and pure objects upon which your eyes shall be fixed. It is the declaration of Jesus Christ that he, who had seen hirn, had seen the Father; and that no one knew the Fathcv but the Son and he to whom the Son would reveal him ; but the Spirit, which he sends to every believer's heart, tnakcs him know the things, yea, the deep things of God ; for, he laketh of such and showeth theni unto him. Thus Heaven, with its saints and angels, — its untold pleasures — unimaginable felicities, and resplen- dent glories, is opened to view. The voice of the heavenly mis- sion is "Come unto me all ye ends of the earth — come unto mr, all ye who are weary and heavy-laden, and 1 will give you rest.'* You are to be like him, because you " siiall see him as he is." Beholding him with an open fice, as in a .j;las?, you shall be changed into the same image, from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. 5. The Gospel is tender in its views, relieving the bruised. This is, most certainly, a very expressive term. It indicates the ruinous effects of sins, both on the souls and bodies of men. The prac- tices to which it leads are disgracefid to the character, perniciou3 to the body and destructive to the sotd. It inipairs the constiiu- tion ; enervates the mind ; and, for the most part, terminates in aa untimely and dishonorable grave. Without, however, conEider* 6 THE SOUTHERN ing the most desperate effects of sin in society, contemplate the afflictions common to human life. Behold the gloomy badges of mourning, hung over the faces and covering the bodies of thou- sands of your fellow beings, proclaiming death. Its desolations have invaded some peaceful family and struck in thrilling vibra- tions the chords of woe. A friend is gone — the head, the father of a family, has fallen, severing many of the strongest and most endeared ties of nature — a mother has made her adieu in affection- ate counsels and pious encouragements to her almost breathless children and heart-broken relatives — the parting tone of a dying companion has left its echoes still lingering about the ears of the survivor. Ah ! my dear reader, could you in one view compre- hend the whole world, could you hear the groans and witness the melancholy of millions of sufferers on its surface at any one in- stant, you would have a scene presented which the strongest im- agination is incompetent to portray, and which the most capacious and well instructed mind could never realize. Thousands in con- vulsions, thousands groaning, crying and wailing, and hundreds dying. Amid the confusion and wailings of such a scene to what would you be prompted? Would not a deliverer be the first thought 1 — the first inquiry, "Who can alleviate Vv'oe? Who can re- lieve the distressed ? Who can guard against the monster death, causing so many fears and sorrows ? AVhat you thus see so much needed is what the mission of the Saviour embraces. He relieves the bruised. Heai his declaration to St. John's disciples — "the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised, and to the poor, the Gospel is preached." It is emphat- ically a relieving of the bruised. 6. The Gospel is impartial in its offers, proclaiming the accept- able year of the Lord. This has an evident allusion to the year of Jubilee among the Jews, the commencement of which was announced by the sound of trumpets through the land. It was the time of general release to debtors: eiimncipation to servants, and liberation to strangers; foifeited possessions were restored; former trespasses were pardoned, and the right of freedom estab- lished to every citizen ; various plans of instructions were attend- ed to; the illiterate were taught, and the whole country rested. — Thus under the gospel dispensation provision is made for the whole METHODIST PULPIT. 25 human family ; spiritual freedom is offered to every man, and the right of life eternal secured to "every individual by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The present auspicious period may be adver- ted to as an evidence of this truth. The Bible — a book contain- ing" the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, of life and salvation — is printed and given to the poor ; the destitute are taken into Sun- dew-Schools and taught the way to life and the road to happiness ; humane societies are instituted and provision made for the poor and needy ; missionai ies are going through every clime and to every land bearing the words of endless life. They have subver- ted the altars of superstition, extinguished the fires of pagan sa- crifices, and accelerated the universal shout of Hosaniiah to Je- sus ! Soon his reign shall be where'er the Sun does his suc- cessive journeys run." The Bible Societies in Europe and Amer- ica have carried the v-'aters of life through the world, and mission- aries are now ranging on their banks through the whole extent? crying " Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters." IT. The certainty of success in this glorious enterprise may be observed in the agent employed : — The Spirit of the Lord is up- on me."' He was before time began its march, creation received its form — or even the morning stars sang together and the angels of God shouted for ^oy. When earth's lovely frame laid deep merged in chaos, and no canopy appeared above studded with lamps of golden hue, He brooded over it — sent forth his influence upon it, and brought creation forth teeming v/ith life. To him is to be ascribed every moral change that has repaired the features of depraved man. When wickedness sprang up in the earth, and darkened every prospect of life, insomuch, that infinite wisdom de- termined to destroy it— through him was Christ preached to the spirits in prison in the days of Noah during the forbearance or long suffering of God. He testified to prophets the sufferings of Christ and the glory w^hich should follow, long before the advent of the Saviour, and caused them to search and inquire diligently what was thus signified, both as it relates to time and matter ; and by him they understood, distinctly, that they ministered the things which are now reported by the Gospel unto you by them who preached it with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, which things the angels desire to look into. As He directed and sustained THE SOUTHERW nil ilie prophelp, so lie did the Apostles in the gift and spread of Go>^pel HimI) ; and so he does, still, all genuine ministers of the cross.. This is a qnahfication essential to every Preacher, and which no human accomplishments can supersede. No man is called and commissioned hy Ahnighiy God without if. 'j'his is clear froni 1 he success of I he Gospel in f he worlih At first it lacked hmnan aid and support, heing advocated only hy a few poor, illit- erate, uninfluential men, and opposed by rank, leariiing, power, fjitune and arms. In every stage of advance, formidable opposi- tion has been presented, and skilful artifices used to abolish it. Still it prevails and triumphs gloriously. Enemies, who have applied their utmost force, and exulted in the prospect of its utter over- throw, proclaiming their taunting insolence of crush the wretch^* lirivc cxpiied, met the vengeance of eternal fire, while the object of their hatred and violent opposition continues to flourish and promises soon to fill the wliole earth. A living ministry is kept up, — a widening ialluence is still extending in broader circles ; and the hallowed cross now appears in every land, lauded by almost every tongue. To what will you attribute this? To the influence of human policy, wliich embraces and upholds the Church. Sometimes, it is true, a union of Church and State has been effected, but God has refused to approve the junction. In every instance the Church has suffered loss, and much mischief. AVherever the disunion has been most perfect, the prosperity has been greatest ; and this, too, where the opposition has been formidable. Then, it is the minis- try that has borne the ark along, and given it a location in every part of this world's wide dominions ? No ! No ! It is the Spirit of God in the ministry. To Him are the concerns of the Church consigned. He has the conducting of it through the sea, as well as the wilderness ; and he preserves her in the midst of fires as that emblem, the burning bush, beautifully exemplifies. Vain are the thoughts of successful opposition to Christianity. Can the hand be held in the fire and thus quench it? Can mortal ai!ii turn the stars out of their courses? or shake the Sun from liis centre, or extinguish his rays in the dust of earth ? When this is done you may entertain fears that your Redeemer's cause will Jioi succeed. For, surely, the power which keeps the sun and METHODIST PULPIT. 27 Stars in their respective spheres, is adequate to the accoinplishinent of every purpose which he intends to efrett; and, as it is tlie same which sustains the christian system, you niay as well calculate on success in opposing one as in oi)posiiig the other. It is the Spirit of God that gives success to Christianiiy. As this is the cause of God you cannot hesitate in giving it aid nnd suppoit, as he has made it boih your privilege and duty. You may not object on the ground of giving support to what is inefti- cient or useless. All the good now in the world has been done by t Episcopal Church, South. She can never renew the offer of fraternal r»la- tions between the two great bodies of Wesleyan Methodists in the United States. But the proposition can be renewed at any time, ether now or hereafter, by the Methodist Episcopal Church. And if ever made upon the bat-is of the Plan of Separation," as adopted by the General Conference of 1848, the Church, South will cordially entertain the proposition. With sentiments of deep regret, and with feelings of disappojated hope, I am yours, iu Christian fellowship, L Pierce. Delegate from the M. E. Church, South. Pittsburgh, May 9, 1848. 4. The Commissioners. On tlie eleventh day P. P. Sandford presented a communication from the Conuiiissioneis of the Meth- odist E. Church, South, preferring the claims of that Church to a division of the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and METHODIST PULPIT. Oilier matter?, signed by A. L. P. Green, C. B. ParsonF, L. Pierce, and J. l^.niy. So nuicli of tliid docume^it as pcrtaiiied to tlio j.roperfy ques- tion, was referred lo liie coniniiiiee on (lie Stale of the (,'lmrcli. Subsequently G. Peck presented tiie following, which was read and adopted, wiili insiructions to appoint a sub-comuiittee of iheir own number to confer with the Southern CommissionerF, or to in- vite them into the committee for tliat purpose, as their own judg- ment might dictate. The Comniittee on the State of the Church beg leave further to report in part: 1st. Tlicit they have had under consideration a communication from the Conmiissioners of the Meihodist E. Church, South, in relation to a division of the property of the Cook Concern, and question is plausible, buL it. asks tiic Souili to abar.don ibe Plan of Separa- tion, upon which alone ii, can l);ii^c r.ny Ipgal claim to the proper- ty. This will probably be yuITkient lo desiroy its practicability. AVe present the resolutions enibodying the plan su^^gested by the Northern General Confeiencc, and with them we close this chap- ter of our chronicles of the Church. 1. Resolved, by the delegates of the several Annual Conferences of the Meth- odi>t Episcopal Church, in General Conference assembled, That we hereby au- thorize the Book Agents at New York and at Cincinnati to offer to submit said claims to the decision of disinterested ai biters ; provided, that if said Agents, oil the advice of eminent legal counsel, thai! be satisfied that when clothed with all the authority which the General Conference can confer, their corporate powers will not warrant ihem to submit said claims to arbitration, this resolution shall not be binding on them. 2. Resolved, That should the Agents find, upon taking such legal counsel, that they have not the power to submit the case to a voluntary aibitrdtion, and shou'd a suit at law be commenced by tlie Commissioners of the M. E. Ciiuich, South, said Agents are hereby authorized then and in that case to tender to said Commissioners an adjustment of their preferred claims by a legal arbitration, under the authority of the court. 3. Resolved, That should the Agents find that they are not outhorized to tender a voluntary aibitration, and should no suit be commenced by the Commissioners afore' aid, ihen and in tl at case, the General Conference, being exceedingly desi- rous of efi'-cting an amicable settlement of said claim, recon mend to the Annual Conferences so far to suspend the "sixth Restr.ctivo rule" rf the Disci|iline, as to au thorize our Book Agents at New York and Cincinnati to submit said claim to arbi- tration. 4. Resolved, That in the occurrence of the above specified contingencies, the Bishops are rG:iuested to lay the foregoing resolution before the Annual Conferen- ces for their concurrence. RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE. The annual Commencement of this Institution look place on the 14th of June, and was largely attended. Tlie Address be- fore the two Literary Societies was deliveied by Major Lrinkard, Editor of the Petersbmg Republican, who, upon extremely shoit notice, acquitted himself in a manner highly satisfactory to the Societies and to his numerous friends. The Rev. Thos. H. Rus- 40 THK SOUTHERN j-ell, of Suniplerville, S. C, addressed the As?ccia(ed TMiinuii of the Colleije. We have seldom met a gemleman more riclily fur- nished with flie elements of eloquence than Mr. R^issell, and have seldonj heard so h)ng a speecli as his hstened to sviiJi 9o much ap- parent pleasure. Boih these adihesses will be pidilished. Ten yonng men received (he degree of A. B. 'J'he Honorary Degree, of A. M. was conferred upon the Rev. Benjamin Jenkins, Mis- sionary to China, and upon the Kev. Willianis P. Davis. Principal of the Preparatory School of the College. The friends of I Ills Institution throughout the Church will rejoice to hear of its biight- 'Cning prospects. EMORY AND HENRY COLLEGE. We have received the Catalogue of this Ittstilution for the cur- Tent year, from which it appears that there are in aiteru'ancc 55 Regidar, 56 Irregidar, uud 53 Preparing Students, making in all 164. This Institution is situated in Washingtcn Co., Ya., and in addition to the regular College has a Manual-labor department fConnected with it, in which the students may he employed at their fOwn option. The Faculty consists of the following gentlemen : Rev. Charles Collins, A. M., President, and Professor of Moral ^nd Mental Science; Rev. Ephraim E. Wiley, A. M., Professor of Ancient Languages and Literatuie; Edmund Longley, A. M., S^rofessor of Mathematics, and teacher of Modern Liuiguages* John A. Davis, A. B., Tutor. PULPIT. 41 OUR REVIEW DEPARTMENT. Elements of Divinity : or a course of Lectures, comprising a clear and concise view of the system of theology as taught in the Holy Scriptures ; vifk approiiriate questions appended to each Lecture, By the Rev. Thomas N. Ralston, A. M. Louisville, Ky* Published by MiYTton the Bible. If every preacher in the connexion would see that every family in hi» 42 THK sorTHr.Rx charge had such a work there would he more intellifrenf, re!i"',oii among u«. more who could "give a reason of (he hope tluM is \\y them." With a view to this we rccomiYiend Biotlicr Rals\on's ^'Elemenl?." It is for sale hy the Agent? of the M. E. Chuuh. The Life and Times of llie Rev. Jesse. Lee. hy Leroy M. Lre^ D. D. lliehmond, Va. Publishc-l htj John Early, for the Melhodi^t EjAs- copal Churchy Sou:h. 1843. The character of (he suhjecf, the ahility of the author and the typograpliical elegance of this hook, wili give it a wide circulation. Jesse Lee left liis niaik as well on the Ai^ierican people as a na- tion as upon the Chuich of which he was a distinguislied minis- ter. His travels North and Souiii were extensive and his lahors abtmdarit. The uiiier of this woik lias had amj)Ie niatcriids^, has "taken his lime,"'' and has j)io(k!crd a hook' destined to he «i perpetual standard in AmcMcnn Methodist literature. We admire no less the delicacy with which lie ligs handled liis suhject than the industry and disciimiiKiiion witli wliich we know lie has used his materials in ftn-nisfiiiig a hook whicli will be the deliglu of thousands of Methodist readers, fur generations to come. An Appeal to Reason and. Srripfurp^ asainst the errors set forth hy ihe Rev Mr. Pryor, in his Sennons on ^'Ehciion. Rcproh ilian and Final Persereranrc : by Rev. Jus. E. Joyner. of the Virginia CoU' ference. Richmond. Pri iied at the Methodist Office. 1348. The sermons of the Kev. "^riieodore Pryor wcie delivered at Nottoway C. H., Va., in 1S41. Recently they have re-appearcd and have been circulated, accompanied hy the taunt that the Methodists were afraid to reply. Brother Joyner, who travelled that circuit last year, has taken the matter in hand and in a very spirited pamphlet of 58 pages has administered a good tempered and very sensible rebuke to the sermons of Mr. Pryor. This pamphlet ought to be circulated by our Methodist brethren wher- ever Mr. Pryor's sermons have gone. METHODIST PULPIT. 43 An Earnest Appeal to the True Church of Scotland on the svhjrct of its Ecouomirs. By the Rev. Thomas Chajiiers, />. D. PhiladeU j)hia. Preshi/lcrian Board of Fublication. 1847. An p.arnest appeal ! Did ever Dr. Chalmers do anything wiih- oiil earnesine.^s, fioni playing wiih a babe or a kitten to taking his seat on the throne God had prepared for him ? AVe see that some benevolent American Presbyterian has provided means for sending a copy of this pamplet to every minister of Jiis Church in (his countr3^ We wish wc were able to send a copy to every Methodist minister. Notliing has so tended to retard Methodism as her defective Economics. We have proposed ever since last year to bring this pamphlet more fully to the notice of our Church, but we have neither time nor room just now. Vindication of the Order if the Sons of Temperance ; embracing its Origin, Nature, Dengn, Adcantases, and Progress. By Philip S. White and Ezra Stiles Elu, D. D. 12 mo., pp. 48. Tills is a neatly printed pampiilet from the press of Oliver & Brother, the enterprizing publishers of the iSew York Organ. We Iiave read this vindication with pleasure. It is w'ritten in a good spirit and with much ability. For ourselves we have for some lime been convinced that the Order of the Sons of Temperance is incomparably th.e most effective organization for purposes of Temperance Reform of all societies that have hitherto sohcited the co-operation of benevolent christian men. But there are those who have prejudices against the Order. Let them send for this little pamphlet and read it carefully. Men ought not to denounce what they do not understand, and we cannot conceive how any man who is really anxious to do good every way, with both hands, mightily, can hear a fair statement of the objects and methods of the Order without resolving to abstain from opposing, if he does not resolve to give it all the might of his influence. The pamphlet before us gives a brief but appalling history of intemperance in our country, of the early elFoits to suppress it, and of the Order of the Sons of Temperance, an organization which has existed only since the year 1842. The reader will here find much historical information on these points which he could not readily obtain elsewhere- W^e liope the Temperance Societies 8 44 THE SOUTHERN throughout the country will give this opportune pamphlet a most extensive circulation. It may be had at 12 1-2 cents a single number, or $1 a dozen, by application to the Editors of the New York Organ. Much of the pamphlet seems to have been written by Dr. Ely, and the Rev. gentleman makes awful revelations of the havoc wrought by strong drink among the ranks of the clergy. Of all horrible and disgusting things a drunken parson is to our mind the most horrible and the most disgusting. And what minister, or what man, who drinks at all, can tell whether or when he is or is not a drunkard? From much that is interesting we make a few extracts. "In the old Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch Church, in Garden street, New York, we have seen a barrel of strong beer on tap, in the midst of the long pipes and smoke of consistorial proceedings, and with the venerable divines and elders of the classes we have taken our share of the tobacco and the beverage." P. 10. What a picture f How spirituariy minded must have been those sage and learned fathers! How clear their perceptions of the w^ants of the Church and of the world ! But we may not trifle with so awful a subject. Here is something still more appalling. ** We could give the names of more than thirty clergymen in the circle of our acquaintance, who did become publicly known as drunkards ; and of these, iour were Bishops in the Protestant Episcopal Church ; three had been Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church ; and ten were distinguished a*- Doctors in Divinity. Of the thirty to whom we refer, twenty have been hurried prematurely to th« grave by their excess in drink. Some of them died of delirium tremens. Six of them were reclaimed by ecclesiastical discipline, and other means. One of them, returning from a walk on a summer's day, caught up a porter bottle, which had tho smell of ardent spirits, and in haste drank heartily of it ; but he soon discovered that he had swallowed a mixture of corrosive sublimate and whiskey, which his wife had prepared for the cleansing of her bedsteads. He next swallowed, in still greater haste, a flask of sweet oil ; and by the help of emetics and a skilful physi- cian was then snatched from sudden death. This did not cure his love of strong drink. He was suspended from the ministry, and dismissed from his pastoral charge. This did not reclaim him. In a drunken fit he subsequently fell down stairs, dis- located his hip, and fractured his thighbone. For about four months preceding his death he appeared to be a penitent, reformed man ; and in his dying moments, in answer to a friend who asked after the state of his mind, replied, " Ths least of all Crod'e promises is quite sufficient for fiuch a sinner »s I am." METHODIST Pt'LPIT. 45 One of the thirty was a German Lutheran minister, in a large town, of fine tal- ents, and of exemplary character, before drink overpowered him. Ho was sus- pended ; but not until be had been proved to be so drunk at the communion table that his elders were under the necessity of holding him up, while he dispensed the •mblema -of the body and blood of his Divine Master." P. 13. THE APPLETONS, 200 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK ; 140 CHESNUT ST., PHIL. One of the most richly furnished Book-stores in New- York is that of the Appletons. To clergymen and students of Divinity, as well as to gentlemen of general literary tastes, their catalogue presents a most tempting bill of fare. Their importations are of the most valuable class of English books, and their issues are in a style of superior typographical execution. We recollect, also, their politeness to us, when, a boy and a stranger in " the city,'* we set our heart upon an English copy of Bishop Percy's Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, and how kindly, when they saw us lay the book down with an expression which perhaps unintention- nWy indicated the condition of our Exchequer, they adapted the price of the book to the state of our purse. To our brethren in the ministry and to other friends visiting New-York, we recom- mend a visit to the store of the Appletons. We have received from ihem the following works : English Synonymes Classified and Explained, 6fc, By C. F. Gra- ham, Edited by Henry Reed, L. L. Professor of English Literature in the University of Pennsylvania. New- York : D, Ap* pleton 4* Co. 1817. The study of English Synonomy is absolutely essential to ac- curacy in speaking and writing. Crabb's work on this subject is very valuable, but is entirely too extensive for school purposes. — Mr. Graham's book is just the manual needed by younger stu- dents.^ It is philosophic in its arrangements, lucid in style, and greatly increased in value by the practical Exercise accompanying each Example. Prof. Reed has enriched the work by illustrative quotations from Shakspeare, Milton, and Wordsworth, selected, so far as we have been able to examine, with judgment and taste. — We commend this work to young men just entering the ministry. 46 THE SOUTHER?* Romance of ike History of Louisiana. A series of Lectures. By Charles Gayane. New-York : D. Applelon <^ Co. 1849. I vol. 12 mo. The auilior lias selecleJ a lich subject, and the |)iint°r and binder have produced an ele^aiUbook. We were, however, some- what disappointed w hen we came to read the work. It did not come lip to our anticipation. Tliis struck however; that, al- though the book presents n;any gkiring specimens of false taste, sentiment, and style, the author continues to improve as he writes, and there are many passages of simplicity, beauty, and strength. We regard tliis as the promise of something better from the same pen. Ollendorff' \s New Method of Learniner [q Read, Write, and Speak the French Languat^e, c^'c, c^c, By J. L. Jewell. New York. D. Appleton. 4' Co. 1847. A Key to the Exercises in Ollendorff's New Method, Sfc. Revised Edition. New York. D. Avplcton Co. 1^47. It is rather late in the day to speak of Ollendorff's New Meth- od of teachinsf and learninar the livinsr lans^uaf^es. ScJiools inter- ested in such matters have long since examined these works and formed their opinions. For oui'self we were some lime ago brougfrt to the opinion that Ollendorff's is the natural and consequently the most reasonable method of giving instruction in languages. 1. A First and Second Latin Book and Practical Grammar. By T, K. Arnold, A. M. Carefully Revised and Corrected by the Rei\ J. A. Spencer, A. M. Sixth Edition. New York. JJ. Appleton or to the production of this work. 49 THE SOUTHERJf So far as we are able to judge, it now stands at the head of books of American History, adapted to the higher classes in schools and to general readers. History of the United States^ for the use of schools^ By Marcius Willson. Cincinnati : W\ H. Moore 6^ Co. 1847. A smaller work by the author of the History above noticed, from which this has been taken. Principles of Geneial Grammar^ adapted to the capacity of Youth, — By A. J. Sylvestre De Saey^ Translated and adapted to American i«e, by D. Fosdick, Jr. 3ri American from the 5th French Edi- tion. New- York : Mark H. Newman ^ Co, This is a well known work by the learned Baron De Saey, one of the most distinguished of modern linguists. Although the au- thor holds some opinions not generally received by scholars his book is a valuable aid in the study of Languages. Its simplicity and clearness adapts it to all beginners, whether young or old, and ought to be read carefully by those who give elementary instruc- tion in this department. The American Editor seems to have discharged his duty well, bringing to his work an evident appre- ciation of the philosophy of language and the resources furnished by a thoughtful perusal of the masters of our own tongue. The Bible is not of Man : or an Argument for the Divine Origin of the Sacred Scriptures^ drawn from the Scriptures themselves. By Gardiner Springs D. Z>., Pastor of the Brick Church in the City of New York, Published by the American Tract Society, 12 mo, 319. To the reader who has carefully studied the bulwarks and de- fences of our most holy faith this excellent work of Dr. Spring's will show nothing new. Indeed, we suppose that the author did not expect to devise any new mode even of presenting the same arguments, which the learning and zeal of the last two centuries especially, have furnished as weapons in the warfare with Infidel- ity. And yet there is need of just such a book at this time. It is written in a clear, pleasant, and manly style. It is an attractive re statement of what many having heard frequently before, may find it to their profit to read again and again. We recommend it to brethren preparing for the ministry, in addition to other works (such as Paley's) or the Evidences of Christianity, which this vol- METHODIST PULPtT. 49 lime cannot supersede. It is a broader argument than Paley'g. — We should think it a good text book for the classes in gome of our Colleges who recite on Sabbath; and, indeed, for Bible-classes generally. We cordially recommend it to heads of families as a good book to be read aloud on Sabbath evenings when their fami- lies cannot attend divine worship. It has this advantage for the young) that instead of stating the objections of infidels it goes right foi'ward with ample illustrations of an admitted fact, that — the Bi- ble IS NOT OF MAN. REPUBLICATION OF THE FOREIGN REVIEWS. We have prepared a long article on this subject which we are obliged by want of room to postpone to the next nunrber. We refer to L, Scott & Go's card in our advertising sheet. We give the contents of the latest numbers. Tfie London Quarterly Revieiu. March^ 1848. I. Antiqua- rian Club Books. II. Scotch Topography and Statistics. III. Eastlake on the History of Painting. IV. Tennyson's Princes?. V. Our Military Establishments. VI. Count Montholon and Sir Hudson Lowe. VII. Lord Hervey's Memoirs. VIII. French Revolution, February, 1848. Westminster Review. Aprils 1848. I. Life of Lord Sid- mouth. II. Primogeniture and Peasant Proprietors. III. State of Education in Wales. IV. Bicetre Asylum. V. Adventures in Mexico. VL Louis Blanc. VII. M. Albert, "Ouvrier." VIIL Road Reform. IX. French Revolution, Feb. 1848. X. Foreign Literature. XI. Correspondence. XII. Critical and Miscellane- ous Notices. Edinhiirg Revieio. Aprils ISiS. I. The Genius of Plato. — IT. Coleridge and Southey. III. Everest's Measurement of the Meridian in India. IV. Midsummer Night's Dream. V. Dea- conesses, or Protestant Sisterhoods. VI. Law of Settlement. — VII. Leslie's of Constable. VII. Proscribed Races of France and Spain. IX. Modern Quakerism. X. King's Argentine Repub- lic. XI. French Republicans. XII. French Revolution, 1848. North British Revieio. May, 1848. I. Tennyson's Poems- BO THE SOUTHERN II. Two Summers in Norway. III. Snbbatli Observance. IV. Mrs. h)omervi!le's Physical Geograpli}'. V. Foster's Life of Gold- smiih. YI. Reofifit French Social Philosophy. Vlll. Life and Labors of Mrs. Fry. IX. Budget of 1848. Blnckwood-s Ma^^azine. June, 1848. I. How to Disarm the Chatiists. II. Hoddart and Angling. III. The Caxton's, Part 3. This is worth tiie price of the whole volume for one year. — lY. Guesses at Truth. Y. Life in the Far West, Parti. YI. Lombardy and the Italian War. YII. The Inca and liis Bride. YlIT. Sentiments and Symbols of the Frencli Republic. IX. American Feeling toward England. A more than ordinarily lib- eral article towards this Republic. HoMen\