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TPRBORES. Two Dextans per year, if paid in advance—Two Doutana and Fiery Dexts if not paid within six months—and Taree Doutass if not paid before the expiration of the year. _ All subscriptions not distinct ly limited at the ti f subscrif unF will be consider ed as made for an indefinite pound will be con troled and all agreatages are paid, or at the option of the Publisher. Subscriptions from other States must INVARIABLY be accompanied with the casa. ‘Apventisentza will be conspicuously inserted at 78 cents per Square (12 lines or less) for the first in sertion, and 374 cents for each subsequent insertion. When only published Monthly or Quarterly $1 per Square will be charged. All Advertisements not having the desired number of insertions marked on the mar ine will be continued until forbid and charged accor ingly. Phone deiing to advertise by the year can do so on liberal terms—it being distinctly understood that con tracts for yearly advertising are confined to the imme diate, legitimate business of the firm or individual contracting. Transient Advertisements must be paid for in advance. For announcing Candidate, Three Dollars, 1x ADVANCE. For Advertising Estrays Tolled, Two Dollars, to be paid by the Magistrate advertising. Advocate. LETTER “From the Southern Chri FEWS IN METHODIST CHURCHES. FROM BISHOP PIEECE, Mr. Editor :—An_ incipient evil of no small magnitude is creeping into the Methodist Church, and by plausible and even pious pretexts, is seek ing to modify and change a great and vital system. In my wanderings, I awe and hear many things to deplore. And propose, if other labors will allow, an occasional article for your paper on existing evils and the true remedy. To begin with one an yet incipient in the Southern Con ferences, but which, like all other evils uncheck ed, is destined to grow, and spread, and ruin our city churches, and by-and-by, to set up it self in wealthy neighborhoods, even in the coun try—I mean pewed churches, Tobject, first, as a Methodist. It is a graft from another tree—more distinguished for bar renness than fruit. The graft always bears after is own kind and not after the stock. Se condly, because it separates the church into clas ses—creates castes, odions to the genius of the country and the spirit of Christianity Thirdly, because being an exception to our common plan, the intrusion of a strange and foreign element, it produces alienation, strife, discord among the bretheren. I object as a Preacher, because it diminishes my congregation—restricts me to “a seject few,” when my business is with the crowd—the people. {t curtailes—defeate the ministry to a great ex tent in the work of saving souls. For proof, read the history of christian denominations in the United States—Secondly, because it brings the influence of wicked men into the manage ment of what ought to be a spiritual organiza tion. The pew-holder claims the right, if not of dictating at least of interferring and advising, and the apprehension of losing his money, gives him weight—power, where he ought to have none. I object as a Christian. Because the system ex | alts my rich brother and mortifies my poor one. Seats for the rich and seats for the poor in the house of God! The one bought with money— the other allowed as a favor. “For if there come into your assemply a man with a gold ring in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and you have respecto him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him all thou here, in a good place, and say unto the poor man, stand thou here, or sit here under my foot stool ; are ye not then partial in yourselves and become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, hy beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the eor of this World rich in faith and heirs of the ingdom which he has promised to them that love him? But ye have despised: poor.” I believe the whole policy of pewing churches is wrong—unscriptural. I do not mean to say that the intention of those who favor the plan is wicked. By no means. But I do believe that they are in Judgment, under the influence of views and feeling, undetected by themselves, which, if rigidly analyzed, would be found far more carnal than pious. Very religious reasons are urged sometimes, but these concern all con ditions of men, and are as likely to be felt by one @dless ag another. But do the poor, the hum ble, the simple-hearted, over project those schemes? Is not the aristocracy of money at the bottom of it? I knew a wicked man once to urge his friend to help him build a pewed church, saying, “ Let us go to heaven like gen tlemen,” “Is not this the spirit of such enter prises ? “My house,” says God, “shall be called a house of prayer for all people,” but these few people build houses only for those who are able to pay for seats, and the very few who will do them the homage of acknowledging their own inferiority, “ children of wrath even as others,” bought with the same precious blood—all un worthy, needing pardon—let us sit, kneel, pray, sing, worship together, without distinction. Gaery : What right has anybody to speculate upon the house of God? Is it to raise money with more ease? Is it to bing one—some great one, over to our side? Is it to shield ourselves from the feprous touch of the common herd! No matter why—when the house is parcelled out—sold in fractions—men and wo men invested with legal exclusive rights—how much of the building belongs to God? Very much of it is private property. Call me fogy— fool—I think the new system very little short of sacrilege. But it is gid to be a good plan to raise money for the support of the Gospel. True, but then there is no principle—no Gospel benevolence in , the plan.—These men do not give money to sup port the church, they pay for their own accommo dation. It is a bargain—a trade—not a christian gift—a pious contribution. It is possible that some persons may be brought to attend upon the Methodist ministry under this arrangement, whose pride of prejudice might else keep them away. To secure them in this way—to drive off their betters—a bad ch ange. Diminished usefulness is a terrible Price to pay for increased respectability. After all let it be remembered that men may be sen to Christ—they cannot be bought. Whether the church concludes to sell her simple christain econ omy for the sake of any man’s favor—the pat ronage of any class she ought to ask more than the mere premium, which they are willing to give for their selfish indulgence. However high the rate—the trade is always a bad one. I might multiply objections and exceptions , but my only object is to nip the nascent noxious bud, which I have seen here and there in the garden of Methodism. To our people, it ought to be an invincible argument against the pew system, that it arrests and neutralizes material ly the aggressive power of the Gospel. ‘This is demonstrated in the fact, that in those churches where it is the common plan, whenever anything is to be done—a revival to be begun or sustain ed, the kingdom of heaven to be taken and the people allowed to press into it—then the sys temv is suspended. ‘The house is thrown open “the embargo is lifted. ‘The scriptural invita ion, “come let us go to the house of God to ether,” is upon the lips of preacher and mem ‘era. But When they mean only to ty through the motions of a hate with sin on the devil, then the old restrictive, exclusive system comes in again and truly nothing is done. All is stag nation—formalism, death, i eat plea—I had almost forgotten. It seizures may have the children “under their own eye. ‘This is more plausible than colid—more specious than pious. Let parents obew the Bible, teach their children the fear of God, and, by instruction, discipline and example, bring them up to obedience, reverence and duty. A child, well taught, well governed at home, will behave as well a hundred miles from the Fras of its parents, as it will within two feet of » ‘iere-person. ‘The good behavior, that does not spring from principle, wisely implanted and prayerfully nourished, is mere eye service, Ibis ho proof of virtue, or security of character. Rather the reverse, one who govern s their children by the eye and the rod—the mere fear of punishment—may make—will make hypocrites, but never can make boys and girls of tender consciences and high principles. Re strain on Sunday, and license all the rest of the weeks is a poor apology for family government, an very light vice.of parental piety. The reform we need is not in church sittings, but in family religion and household discipline. Methodism is a peculiar institution, based of God to do great things. Very much of her power is in her peculiarities. Take off these and Sampson's hair is gone—and his strength too. In many places we are committing the name error the children of Israel did, and for the same reasons. Samuel’s sons did badly, and the people asked for a king to reign over them like the other nations. Congregational singing is badly led by somebody, and we set up a choir and praise God by proxy. Free seats are esteemed vulgar by some people, or some thoughtless persons defile the floor with tobacco juice, and we put up a pened house, to be equal with our neighbors. Dr. Clarke said, “ keep the devil and choirs out of the church.” “I would add organs and pews. For the devil none of us have any fellowship—I wish we had as little for the other three. These things may suit other people and other systems, I doubt—but I will not condemn them. I am a Methodist, and de precate this aping imitation of oth ,especial ly when we make such bad selections. Let us inquire for the “ old paths and walk therein.” A last thought—disgest it well. Pewed churches, and itinerancy will not, cannot work long together. I speak as unto wise men— judge ye what I say. G.F. Presce, crores = Cuuren Property Cosmscatep sy THE State of Cosxecticut—Since the fact has been well settled that the Rt. Rev. Bishop O' paley was on board the Pacific, and that he is probably lost, a question of much interest con cerning the property of the Roman Catholic Churches in Conneticut, has arisen. He was the bishop of the Hartford Diocese, and the Ro man Catholic Church property in this city, and probably in this State, stood in his individual name. At the last session of the Legislature of this State, a law was passed, (see pages 71 and 72 of the new pamphlet nets, 1855) providing that no devise, lease, grant, or conveyance to or for any person in any ecclesiastical office, shall vest any estate or interest in his successor ; that no pro perty appropriated to purposes of religious wor ship or for burial, shall vest in accordance with a law of this State, that any church property heretofore devised or conveyed to any individual shall be deemed to be held in trust for the bene fit of the society or congregation using the same, and shall, upon the death of such individual, vest in the religious corporation formed by such so ciety, provided such corporation, organized in accordance with the laws of this State, is in ex istence at the time of the death of such indivi ual. But in the case the property is held by an individual, and there be no such corporate body, then it is enacted: “ Section 4. In the event of such congregation or society shall not be incorporated as aforesaid, then, and in that case, the title of such real estate shall vest in the State of Connecticut, in the same manner and with the same effect, as if the person holding the title thereto had died intestate, and without heirs capable of inheriting such real es tate.” The next section provides that the treasurer shall deed said property to a corporation of such congregation, when it shall be formed in accor dance with the laws of Connecticut. It is now probable that Bishop O'Reilley is dead. He held severe churches and other real estate, for the use of Roman Catholic congrega tions; they were not organised into corporate bodies, and this remarkable law confiscates the entire property.—Hartford Times, Less mement Reuicious Ferpix Caxapa.—Considerable excitement was created in Toronto on Monday, the 7th ul, by an announcement that a Roman Catholic procession ,would pass through the streets, accompanied by the carrying of the Host, for the first time in that city. The Orangemen were highly indignant and were determined to prevent it. They placarded the town with ad dresses to Protestants, calling on them to arise and put down the proposed demonstration by force of arms. The Catholic Bishop, Charsonnel, became alarmed, and announced in the church that the original plan of the procession would be given up,and that only the children attending the school of the Christian Brothers would walk in procession.—This did not satisfy the Orangemen, and on the morning of the 1 7th, a party of their brethren arrived from Hamilton, and it is stated that two wagon loads of rifles were conveyed to St. Lawrence Hall to be ready for any emergency. The Mayor on gaining tidings of these prepara tions, went to Bishop Charbonnel’s residence, and induced him to forbid the procession alto gether. This step, no doubt, prevented blood shed. The ill-feeling between Catholic and Protes tants is said to have been caused by Bishop Charbonnel’s attempts to destroy the Common School System, by means of the French Rowman Catholic Vote in the Home of Assembly, and by a Catholic Judge and Jury having acquitted the murderers of a son named Costigan. The Catholic, on the other hand, complain that a Catholic farmer was recently killed by Orange men and his murderers were allowed to escape. —@chronicle Sentinel. 40 THE PUBLIC. On Monday morning of the 21st inst, my daughter Isabella, was enticed from my house, in my absence, by one Harris Hawley, who misled her by falsely representing that I had sent him to carry her on to me at Wilmington, N. C., where I then was. They have been traced on to Wilmington and from thence on to the Weldon Railroad, up to Goldsboro. It is conjectured that he carried her on towards Ra leigh, but nothing positive is known as to their subsequent route. The villian had been for some time paying his addresses to her, represent ing himself as a widower with one child, who was in Wilson county, N. C., but it has been ascertained that he has a wife and four children now living in that county. I fear that she has believed his representations, and allowed herself to be entrapped into a false marriage. I call upon all who can sympathize with a father, un der such distressing circumstances, to give me any information in their possession, as to where they are, or whither they may have gone. I wish to recover my daughter. If she shall see this, I implore her to return or write the word where I can find her._ Hawley is from North Carolina. He has been engaged for some time in Darlington Dis trict, S.C. in the turpentine business. He is about § feet 8 or 10 inches high, good complex ion, hair straight and rather light in collar, eyes blue, mouth large, teeth good, but rather pro jecting, good figure, manner not peculiar, except i n a propensity to laugh a good deal. He will likely assume another name. My daughter is of ordinary height, about 17 y ears old, pretty face and figure, eyes and hair black, no mark about her except a scar, which is not very perceptible, on her neck, below the jaw. if I will be thankful, and will give a suitable re ward, for any information that may lead to her recovery. My address is Lynchburg P._O., Sumter Dis trict,South Carolina, JOHN COLE. April 25, 1856. GF The press generally, and the North Carolina paper, particularly, are requested to copy. —_+—__ . ‘The American Guano Company, says the New York Tribune, have received further and impor tant evidence of the almost inexhaustible de posits of guano on the island which belong to them. Three or four captains of whalers have recently exhibited to the officers of this compa ny their log-books, showing that they landed at this island and saw the graves of the American seamen buried there. The existence of the island and that it is covered with guano appears to be placed beyond a doubt. One of the cap tains alluded to offered to abandon the voyage upon which he was bound and take charge of a ship to load with guano at this island. ‘This is ‘one of the most important discoveries for this country that has ever been made, as it makes the United States entirely independent of Peru for this valuable fertilizer. Wheat—From all we have seen and can learn of the wheat crop of our District, we are led to believe that it will be an average one. All danger from a spring frost is now over, and if it should escape the rast, we will have every reason to be thankful—Anderson Gazette and Advocate,
Newspaper Details
Edgefield Advertiser
Edgefield, South Carolina, US
Wed, May 07, 1856
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Tracey B.
