Raleigh Christian Advocate from Raleigh, North Carolina • Page 1

CI 1 1 Advocate IffH BEV. J. B. BOBBITT, Editor. PUBLISHED EST THE DTTEEESTS OF METHODISM NOBTH OAEOLDTA.

$2.00 PER ANNUM, IS ADVANCE. RALEIGH, N. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1874. WHOLE NO. 1,019.

VOL. XX. NO. 31. -Lk3 lb JLoLXJL A self to be baptized, though ho went d) ni a ti SCIENCE.

Lady Coi.kiudoe is painting a por about 40 sermons, and baptized 8 persons, co-operates 'with the pastor; afniction has prevented him from doing as much work as desired. Selections. From the N. Methodist. Posthumous Influence, stream of little obstacles.

Other sources of discontent, very common, indeed, are the little cross purposes of husband and wifo, in common on-versation; a disposition in either to ward God; and in the act of true worship, when the soul is absorbed, we almost forget earthly things. AYe are imprisoned here in the body, but in worship we forget the body; in the regards it a fniitful field of usefulness; has labored in the Sabbath-echool; has found great pleasure and profit in 1 visiting the siek and the dying. A. K. 3Iurchison, Deacon Salisbury, Salisbury Station, has itinerated years; located last year on account of ill health: is engaged in editing an independent, political family paper; preacher as ofton as practicable not much missionary ground in Rowan county.

Thomas Reagan, Licentiate, Jamestown, S. Guilford circuit, has not 3 among the hypocritical Jews imperious, wicked unbelieving men; yet, as he submitted, the heavens oponed and tho voics came, as the dove descended, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Then that voice camo from the ilount, which the disciples heard, "This is my beloved Son. ye him." And our Saviour promised that ho that would do the commandments should have the Spirit within him, and tho Comforter should come and well with us, and in us; and in acceptable worship there is the an swer. It comes not now in the cloud of heaven. The heavens are not open ed.

There descends no dove in visible form; no voice comes from the heavenly world; no flashing ot light from th-j Shekinah; but there is a sweeter power, deeper, brighter than all the witness in our hearts that we are born of God. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." God gives unto us the Spirit of his Son in our hoarts, crying Abba, Father! the childlike tone, the filial confidence, the loving heart; and where man offers acceptable worship to God, God does answer, and there drops into the heart peace and love and iov in the Holv Ghost. And this is better than all outward signs. It is expedient for you," said Jesus, "that I go away; for if I go away I will send the Comforter unto ymi better than Christ's piosence; and yet have vou not felt as I have? Oh, I have wished a thousand times that I could have got near him; that he had laid his hands on my head; that he had said," "Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee. 1 would give all I have for such a voice.

I would go a to Jerusalem or Nazareth if I could meet my Saviour and have him lay his hands upon me and tell me I was his. And yet, were I to, were I to meet him, it would be but a momentary meeting. I could not take his time. I could not be with him always. I must be parted from him.

I must return to my varied duties, and so must you. Jesus gives himseil unseen, spiritually, to my heart. I may be at my home: he is there. I may ascend the mountain: he goes with me. I may lio in tho dungeon: he makes my bed easy.

My limbs may be mancled: he softens them. My heart may almost burn with sorrow: I feel the dewy influence 01 ins tears. He comes, lays his arm around me, lays himself down by my side, and lets me lean my head on his bosom, that I may feel he is the Son of God, the sinner's friend: and he gives me a testimony that he accepts me as I come and stand by faith trust ing in Lis atoning blood. But Abel's words tell not only of true worship and its results in the be liever's heart, br.t he speaks to me of trne manhood that it is manly to worship; that it is the noblest act a man can perform. Is not gratitude lor guts i iniv: ue ungratetui is to be unmanly.

To receive gifts with out the homage of the heart in return is base, is low. The true man, if he receives a is ready to acknowl edge it; If he is aided, he blesses the hand which aids him. And, then, worship is manly in this, that it brings the man into higher associations Labor joins him with his fellow-men. It is dignified to labor. It is worthy of man to do what he is appointed to do.

He has the bodvr, and that body must be em ployed. These hands were formed to work; this frame to toil; this material indwelling of ours to encounter the winds and waves and elements small as it is, to be victor ever them all. Small as is the human form, it was made to rule the world. And all the powers of earth ai'e to be brought in to subjection to this form of ours. It is dignified to work, to labor, to toil, to command; for, after all, work is command; it is making tho elements obey; and the time is coming when eyery element in this world shall be made to yield to human comfort and human elevation.

But then, while it is manly, while it is digniffed, to labor, it is grand, it is sublime, to worship. Thought travels upward, thought travels backward, thought travels forward. The man leaves the present, the now, the surroundings in which he is, and his nature swells; he feels the God like birth, the divine nature glowing within Mm. He touches not th.e. little spot of earth cm whieh he stands; he shakes not hands merely with the few friends around him, but in the dignity of worship he rises to embrace in thought so far as he may, the throne of God; he rises above earth, and above the visible heavens, up: t.

where God's throne, is, the centre oi the uni verse and there his mind takes in, as far as it may, the eternity of God, the omnipotence of God, the omnipresence of God, the holiness of God, and his thought goes forward into the lar-reaching future; and in his worship he joins himself with God. Oh, it is magnificent to worship! Thought ex-rands; the soul rises; the breath that x. God gives us swells back again to- trait of Dr. Nswman. Ix is said that Liszt, tho eminent musician, is preparing a work to ba entitled "A Theoretical and Practical School of 3Iusic," to bo published in throe volumes.

Dit. James Russell Lowbll will re sume tho work of his professorship of Belles Lettres, at Harvard, in Octo ber. A magnetic observatory has been established at Si k.a-AVei, in China, under the superintendence of Father Dechevrens. Thb German Socloty of Anthropo logy intends to issue a "prehistoric map." Among othei points to be indicated on this map will be the most notable prehistoric settlemt'' -tifications, lako-dwellings, c-3 Co. ings, burial mounds, and o'ee'' of sculpture.

An International Congress of per sons interested in geographical science is announced as to bo held in Paris sometime next year. All the Frenoh Ambassadors and Consuls have been directed to promote its objects, and endeavor to secure the attendance of as many foreign geographers as possi ble. The recent deaths from hydrophobia, in New York city, have directed the attention of many scientific men to the disease, and there is a prospect of a real addition to our knowledge of its nature. An investigation nmda with the microscope by Dr. Hammond, th eminent physician of diseases of the nervous system, upon the nerve centres of one of the victims of the disease, makes it quite probable that the virus of hydrophobia is not a poison of the blood, but of the neavous system.

Am yet no very definite results have bean reached; but the Bubject is under careful consideration by many eminent physicians, and we shall look with in terest upon the progress of their study. A paper "On the Ethnology of was read by Professor Owen at a motting of tho London Anthro pological Society recently. He did not consider that Egypt owed its civ ilization to a low race, but to a race equal in development to those of the present day. He described their civ ilized dress and skill in artistic ornament. He narrated tho conqest by the Hyksos, 11.

c. 2328: Aftoward, tha conquering Shepherd Kings adopted the civilization of those whom they had conquered. Reviewing the facts of architecture, civilization, and art, it was clear that the whole mind of Egypt was more intent on the future than on the present life. They held the doctrines of the resurrection and metempsychosis. They believed in the resurrection of the body, in Su preme Eternal Cause of all things, and in the Incarnation of tho Doity under various forms.

The arts of the goldsmith and jeweller have not advanced during tho 3,574 years which have passed since tho Egyptian princess loft her jewels, which were shown at the Paris Exhibition. In astronomy, geology, and land surveying the Egyptians excelled. They 'probably knew the earth as an oblate spheroid. Choice Paragraph! Pray for the young. Pray with them iu language perfectly simple, in terms expressive.

Lay aside your grandeur, and be yourself little chil dren with them. They will cling to the knees which have bent with them before the throne. It is good for us to look into our hearts to see the evil there, and watch the progress of the Holv Ghost. Self-examination is a duty for, all. But many persons do so much of this work that they forget to look out of themselves to look away to Ohrint who is their only helper.

"Look unto me," is his at no time should we neglect to keep the eye oi faith in that direction. Many Christians take little thought previous to prayer. A vory judicious Christian onco wrote thus: "I can hardly tell you how much advantage I have found, since, instead of bowing down at onco in my closet, I walk two or three times around it solemnly asking myself, how shall I glorify God, and please him most in my prayer This simple question brings me to the exact point, by bringing be fore me all the responsibility of addressing the Almighty." If a poem be really a great one the work of a master of his craft it is hardly possible too carefully to dwell on its details, to linger too lovingly over each line and phrase.to trace the thread of thought which binds the parts together to brood over the poem from end to end, with too mi croscopic attention. There are single lyrics one could name, consisting of not more than twenty or thirty lines, over which one might pause for all the time you have to spare now, and even longer, without exhausting half the quality that is in them. Good Words.

For the Advocate. Looal Ministers' Conference- iUlfio I'f i July 16, iO i A. M. Carolina Local Jiinis- mot Sos- 10 o'clock, A. in the Episcopal Church, South, at (ii-ii Point, N.

C. I II. Whitaker was culled to the and opened the Conference by a lesson from the Scriptures au.i prayer. L. Branson, See.

und Ircasurei- The roil call was omitted. On motion of L. Brandon, it was resolved that this Conference do cor-diallv invite any itinerant ministers, ho mav be present, to take Keats in tin Conference and participate in the deiihonttious of the body. The Chair appointed as Committee uU liivinu Services, C. 31.

Pepper, 1 stor. i. wuisira vi uic UK'. H. 11.

Ol Jiiy" lllit. It whs moved that ii! Conference -1 o'clock, P. 31. Ad- Miuneil Willi ociiluicuuh uv mo j. icm- iduit.

2 P. 31., Thursday. The Conference met pursuant to adjournment. E. II.

AYhitaker in the Minutes read and approved. present during the Con-li. H. Whitaker and L. Bran jii.

ui Raleigh; 1'. II. Joyner and S. IX Tranklin, uf AYinston; J. B.

of Troy; J. AY. Burton, of Thorn asvilie: X. Jurney, of Olin: R. L.

cniethv and B. York, D. ot huiLd'ford Colle Solomon Pool, fi Jllll: AlliOS VJleLtSUil. Ol emuu i TT-n Factory: Thomas Reagan, of Solomon Lea, of Leasburg: A. K.

Muichison. of Salisbury: C. 31. ipper, J. AY.

Lewis, R. A. AYillis, Ciaveu, I. D. C.

Johnson, itinerants: Geo. B. AYetmore, of the Episcopal; P. H. Dalton, of the Pres-Lvtemn, and J.

B. Richardson of the Baptist Church. Report ed by letter: J. T. Brogden, J.

-J. Setliff, AY. P. AYilliams, F. B.

Andrews, Turner 31. Jones. D. A. J.

3IcBridc, H. S. Scarborough. D. G.

3Ieekins, Jacob Shock, (J. 31. Greer, C. AY. AYestbrook, J.

AY. Compton, Aliles Powers, J. A. J. X.

3Iann, J. F. Roberts, T. A. Ii'sty.

Pi. Joseph Ledford, G. 31. F. Aliller.W' A.

Brame, Jao. 31. AYatson, John L. Pugh, AY. H.

Thjinpsou. Thos. G. AYhitaker, L. 1).

Smith. Samuel Long, Jas. T. B. D.

P. Jieacham. jienjainin Xutt, G. AY. P.

31. Farrow, Penly, Lewis The Chair appointed as Committee ou ''Missionary Work:" L. Branson, U. li. Ballard, P.

H. Joyner. jnnuittee on Temperance: R. H. W'iitaker, S.

D. Franklin, X. 31. Jur-J. W.

Barton. Ou motion, election of officers was aiade the special order for 2 P. 31., Friday evening. lii ports of preachers were called for. i.

Jjiiilard gave an interesting of his labors in 3Ioore county L'i'1 success at some out-of-the-way Branson reported labors per- J. W. Burton gave a feeling accoi.nt I labors from house to house, of niiivcc- lueetintrs and labors in the Sahhath -school: he testified as to 'Cm; hannv influence of class-meet- S. D. Franklin stated interesting in connection with his labors, fiud especially in his ont-of-tha-way appointments I'.

H. Joyner gave valuable suggestions in connection with labors as a Minister. J. AY. L' wis and C.

31. Pepper, testified as to a gratifying ivroaso in the usefiduess of the Local ministers for tlto last few years. The Conference adjourned with the hune-'liction, to meet again at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. jhm.Av, 5 A. 31.

Conference met pursuant to ad-i'JBminent. Divine services were had A. K. AInrchison. Jubez Leach, of Trinity College, fJiw of the fathers in Alethodism, was introduced to the Conference, and on 'notion was invited to take a seat in ho ly and participate in its delib-fciiitions.

ft H. Whitaker gave a valuable of labors performed, and "eciaily oi his temperance work, and taw it aided the prosperity of the li- York. D. Elder, Happy Homo, Hippy Home circuit, reported 80 nons preached, 40 Literary Lec-tftfe-s delivered, and many lectures on fir, ,...1. A A- 1 uwus epecrs io- la lojjg ai.

auie in every possible for flic. r.t tn. Kihgdoiu y.ry.LXj WA VllIJni 'I'jrnon Pooh Elder, Chapel Hill, npr-1 ifai circuit, has been much uciged in the Tempsranco work, and AY. A. Brame, Deacon; Louisburg, Tar River circuit, has been preaching and holding prayer meetings, is in full sympathy with the Conference, and prays God's blessing upon it.

Josoph Miller, Deacon; Salom, Davidson circuit, has had 3 regular appointments, preached 50 sermons, delivered 2 Sunday school lectures, held 10 prayer meetings, baptized 15 persons, has buried 10, preached 10 funerals, and married 5 couples: his heart is with tho Conference R. L. Abernethy, Deacon; Happy Home, Happy Home circuit, has preached 71 times, baptized 25 persons; received persons into the church; held 32 prayer meetings and aided in 10 Temperance mootings. He has performed laborious work as President of Rutherford Collego, and much miscellaneous work. R.

Ledford, Deacon; Grassy Branch, Shelby circuit, has had 4 regular ap pointments, has preached 200 scr nions, delivered 3 Sunday school Lectures, has organized 3 Sunday schools, baptized 1 person and received 14 members into the church; reports prosperous times on his work. Solomon Lea, Elder; Leaeburg, Leasburg circuit, has preached G4 ser-soms, delivered 4 Sunday school Lectures, conducted 12 prayer meetings, has co-operated with tho pastor alternating with him at each of his appointments. (TO IiE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK Fur thtt Advocate "Oursel'8 as others see us 3Iu. Editoh: On last Sunday I preached by request in a church be longing to another denomination which is without a pastor. In a note from one of the official members of that church requesting me to announce that a minister would visit them on next Saturday, in order to give them a chance to "call" him to the pastorate, he closed with the following postcript: "I think we will have to adopt your (the Methodist,) plan, that is, assess our churches, and cotscript our mhi h-ters." This is hiprhlv sucrcfestive of the excellency of our system in its peculiar method of supplying all our churches with ministers, and securing their support And a still moro forcible comment is supplied by the state of the churches in that community.

There are one Episcopal, two Pres byterian, two Baptist and two Meth odist churches in that section, all of which, except the 3Iethodist, have been destitute of regular pastors most of the time since the war, while the Methodist churches have been regularly supplied, and tho pastors have been supported Here these good people walk with saddened hearts anions' the stationary and rusting machinery of loosely adjusted systeniH, and look with admiration on tho Great Iron AYheel" (I thank 3Ir. Graves for the name) as it rolls on in perpetual motion, with all its smaller wheels clattering to the tunc, set by its immortal founder, "All at it and always at it." Yes, Methodism is a "Greatlron AYheel." AYith iron tread. and iron will, and iron nerve, and iron muscle it rolls on crushing out ancient prejudices, and sins, andholding eveiy foot of conquered territory with iron grasp, and defending its positions with iron hardness; but the "bruised reed it never breaks," and the lilly of purity always flourishes in its track. Alay the Arm that moves it never be withdrawn; and Wad om power th (flflje gie u. To rv onrst)ln hr lthtr oee Gexio.

July 21st 1874. Do not be Afraid of thj Bible. Its triumphs are certain. The owls may hoot at the rising sun, but the sunshine creeps on notwithstanding. Tribes may perish, priests may die, altars may crumble into ruin, but this blessed Book advances at a pace thai never ceases; and it ever retreats, it is to cover ita retreat with a greater glory than its advanoe.

This book inspired by the spirit of God, climbs steep hills and crosses broad rivers. It is found under the sailor's pillow; in the soldier's knapsack; and it soars on wings that are not numbed by po lar snows, or relaxed under equatorial suns. It carries with it an earnest of ultimate and everlasting victory. And this book tells us what the real disease of man is. It lays, its finger on the very spot, and it tells ub the blessed truth that there is no chance or accident; that all is settled and perfectly arranged; and even that rip- pleof sorrow that sometimes comes to the sensitive heart, as you will find if you trace it backward, came fi-qm HQ earthly spring tq fret us.

but from the fountain of living waters to strength en, cheer, and encourage us. AricToa Hugo is preparing for pub lication a collection of his miscellane ous poems. 1 criticise and question what tho other says, a desire always to demonstrate und make the other feel in the wrong, especially in company. Nothing is so goading. Much better, thereforo, if our companion views a thing in a ight different from what we do, leave him in quiet possession of his views.

What is the uso of rectifying him if the thing bo unimportant? Let it pasB for tho preeront, and wait a softer moment, and more conciliatory occasion ot reviving the subject together. It is fvondorful how many porsonB are ren dered unhappy by inattention to the little rules of prudonco. Women of tha South. Like the captive Hebrews, they sing not now the songs that once waked to music sweet their David's harp, for that harp now hangs upon the willows by tho river of Babylon, where they sit down and weep over fallen Judea. Truo, they Bing tho songs of marriage- feasts and vintage ingatherings, yet they come with flowers and tears to testify their sympathy in the sorrow of their land, and their undying ap preciation of their gallant dead.

hat better onenng has sorrow or grief than the timid heart's -ease, or the modest fern? What purer testi monial of the heart than tho humble violot, planted by beauty's hand over the lovod one's grave? As tho trees that grow over the grave of the daugh fcer of Thrace, at stated periods, drop- peu tne tears or tnoir Drancnes over "i 1 ji 1 her resting-place, so do these noble women come, when spring flowers bloom, to plant tho memorial shrub, and shed their tears of love over the human mounds that tell where our heroes sleop. For this I givo them honor and praise; and unfeeling must be the heart that does not do homage to our Southern women, the perfection of beauty and the glory of the land. AYith them patriotism is a religion, and love an element of life. The hour of adversity is their hour of triumph. Does the storm gather and the tftinpest sweep? Man, the Bashan oak, falls before the fury of the blast but woman, the willow by the waters: flourishes, beautiful in her humility.

and luxuriant in her sorrow, when the tempest is over. Do the thun ders crash or tho Hghtnings stiikf? Man the towering pine, is riven by the stroke. AYoman, tho humble flower nestlod among our garden plants, emits a sweeter fragrance when tho storm is hushed. Firm, constant. devoted patriotism, pure as the waters from "Chindara's Fount," enthuses their bosoms and signalizes their lives.

Meek, gentle and confiding; a devotion and love, Bweet as tho fruits of the "Aninta tree characterize their every action. Generous and self-sacrifi cing, they stripped beauty of its jewels and home oi its luxuries lor tho suc cess of their cause and the comfort their bravos. And now that the flag is uproiied, and the jacKet 01 gray hangs empty on the wall, they bring their offerings of love for those who "Died for the land they could not save." Address of Col. JTardcjnan at Macon, Oa. What Made the Difference A few days since I was with one of the best and holiest of God's ministers; and he said to me, speaking of this subject of power, that a number of years ago ho preached a certain ser mon.

AVlien he got through, one of his elders stepped up to him and said, "My dear pastor, I hope that you will never preach that sormon again, it is one 01 tho poorest you have ever preached;" and ho said to himself, will not." Time rolled on. The Spir it came with powor upon that people iSight after night tho pastor was pressed with extra service and work. He had to resort to his old pile of ser mons. He took down the condemned one, and preached it with a prepared hoart warm and gushing with love. and it seem to glow and flash with light.

That same cider came to liim at its close and said, "My dear pas tor, you never preached such a Bermon in your life!" And scores of souls wer given to him as the result AVhat made the difference? Ah! Go now used the sermon Before, it was only man, dull and lifeless man preaching to men like himself. Now it was given forth by a consecrated soul, on fire with love and faith, and it was preached with demonstration and power, and God was in it. Oh! this power comes only from heaven from heaven, and is imparted only through consecrated souls! iYi C. Presbyterian, Thi French Geographical Society has expressed a favorable opinion of project for the formation of an inland sea to the south of the French Colony of Algeria. Pbofessob Tvxdall is studying gla ciers, in Swizerland, this Summer.

ethereal, face to face with the Almighty, our soul becomes, like the face of Moses, all radiant with glory. I do not know, as I said, what the testimony was that Abel received. Some have thought that fire came down from heaven and oonsumed hia sacrifico. That may or may not have been. I have sometimes thousrht that as Abel lookod away to Calvary, his face glowed with celestial light from heaven's own courts that came down upon hini; and as 3Ioses, chambered with God for forty days and night upon the mountain summit, came lown all radiant, so that his face could not be gazed upon until covered with a veil, may it not have been that ngnt snone ail around on the coun tenance of Abel, and Cain, looking, was sad, and darkness and gloom of skepticism, of unbelief, of disobedi ence, of jealousy, of anger, mantled his browT lie that as it may, in wor ship there is the lightening up of the soul, tho expanding of the nature which God hath given us.

There is the bringing the man into contact with the grandest thoughts and grand est realities; there is the life past and the life to come. And yet strange is it that men oftentimes fancy it is un manly to worship. AYorship has in it tho confession of sin. If we have sin ned, is it unmanly to confess? Is it unmanly to bo true? Is it unmanly' 11 1 1 j-ruui is uigmnea. jj tne heart is sad because of sin, is that unmanly? If I have done wrong, ought I not' to be sad? And if the tear shouid drop, is the tear unmanly? Ah, if my heart feel as it should feel, that I have been ungrateful, that I have been disobedient that I have sinned, is it strange if the fountain of the great deep of my soul bo broken up, if the eyes should overflow with tears? But whether the tear fall or not it is manly to confess our sins, to trust in a Saviour given us, to come unto him who is our elder brother, and has given himself for us that we might live.

(to be concluded.) Strmons- BI RKV. AARON 8TOWB. fternions are like guns. Some are lar ge, others are small; some are long others are short; some are new, others old; some are bright, others rusty some are loaded, others empty; some are owned, others borrowed. Some are air guns, some are pop-guns, some of every size, from the pocket-pistol to the Paixhan gun.

Some are charged only with powder, and make a great noise and smoke. Some send ordy small shot, that irritate rathet than kill. Soma carry heavy metal that does execution. Some discharge chain shot, mowing down whole platoons. Some are wide mouthed nioitars, throwing only bomb shells Some are duelling pistols, used only in controversy vile things.

Some go off half bent. Some flash in the pan. Some make a terrible fiz, the charge all escaping at the priming-hole. Some shoot too high, some too low, some side-ways, and a few directly at the mark. Some aim at nothing and hit it.

Some scatter prodigiously. Some kick their owner. Some are unerring; others always hit the wrong object. Some have too much wadding, and vice versa. Some are alarm guns; others are complimen tary guns, used only for Balutes on special occasions.

Some are in a series, constituting a battery; others on swivels, made to turn in any direction. Some are useful, some useless, some dangerous. Some amuse, some frighten, some exasperate, some explode, some gain the victory. Arery much depends upon the manner in which they are made and managed. Methodist Recorder.

Man and Wife Thomas Jefferson wrote the following excellent advice. There is much human nature and good sense in it: Harmony in the married state is the very first thing to be aimed at Nothing can preserve affectioaa uninterrupted but a. firm resolution never to. differ in will, and a determination of each to consider the love of the other of more value than any earthly object whatever on which a wish can be fixed. How light, in fajtis.

the sacrifice of any other wish when weighed against, th6 affections of one With whom we are to pass our whole life! Opposition in a single instance will hardly of itself produoe alienation; this only lakes place when all the little oppositions are put, as it were in a pouch, which, while it is filling the alienation is insensibly going on, and when fuU it is complete. It would puzzle either to say why because no one difference of opinion, had been marked enough to produce a serious effect by itself. The affec- tioa are wearied out by the constant A SEBMOS BY BISHOP SIMPSOX. (Continued from lust week.) Anil by it he, bolng dead Hun. xi i.

yi peaketh." So far tho offering of Cain was a right offering, but it lacked the confession of sin, the knowledge of guilt the trust in a Redeemer to come. Doubtless in that early age was known, as well as in later ages, that without the shedding of blood there was no remission of sin; and yet the human heart is unwilling to look out from itself to some medium of help; unwilling to glance away toward a mediator. Man is willing to bring of his substance, of his labor, to do anything and everything that is within the compass of his own skill and power rather than turn his heart away to Calvary and look simply to a crucified Saviour as his only help. That was tho merit of Abel's offering, liis obedience and his faith; it was the defoct in the offering of Cain. The two stand by the altars they had erected (I suppose at an annual feast, for it is said "In the process of time" the margin renders it "the end of days.

1 suppose it to be some stated time of worship, possibly the annual ingathering); Cain, as the elder, has prepared his altar; it is gar landed with the most beautiful wreaths, covered with fruits the most precious, gathered from the ground. from the trees, picked from the shrubs. Look at the borders round those fruits, of the rose and the pink and the dahlia. Think of the artistic skill with which they were combine! as we combine those beautiful bouquets to day, but arranged with such art and taste, and he stood like the Pharisee beside them, saying, "God will cer tainly accept that work, that skill, that taste." At the other altar stands Abel. Ho has slain the victim.

The blootl has flowed. He has dipped his finger in the blood and applied it to himself, and is standing with his head cast down, thinking over his sins, and his prayer, as they come up before him, is, as he hardly raises his eyes toward heaven, "God be merciful to mo, a sinner." And as he stands by the altar his thoughts og far away There comes a strange conviction. He looks away down the channel of time. The ages open. He sees a mountain, sees a cross, beholds suffering for him, as he glances first at the lamb that was slain, and then the lamb dying on Calvary And oh, as he stands there.

Cain looks upward. No smile from heaven. Abel, scarcoly able to look upward, receives a testimony that God accepts him. I do not know, for it is not recorded, how that testimony came, but Abel tellB na not only that acceptable worship is that offered in faith in a coming Redeemer, but that acceptable worship is accompanied by some testimony of approbation. Has it not been so in all ages' AYhen, at the setting up of the tabernacle, the bars, the curtains, the fur niture was all arranged, did not God come down in glory and fill the taber nacle with his presence? Did he not illuminate it with his light? And when the altar was erected and the lamb laid upon that altar, according to Lod command, and prayer was offered, did not fire coma down from heaven and consume the sacrifice, at testing God's acceptance of tho sacrifice? Xot only was it so in the days of 3Ioscs, but when the knowledge of the true God had almost vanished from Israel.

Yonder, at Mount Car inel, when Ahab gathers, at Elijah's request, the prophets of Baal, four hundred and nlty men, and it was God, Baal or Jehovah, the priests of Baal arranged their sacrifico, and they called through the heat of the day, as the sun was their god, until the middle of the afternoon, and there was no response: Elijah gathered up the stones of an old altar; placed the sacri fice upon the altar; poured water on the altar, that it might be evident that there could be no collusion; then, at the hour of evening prayer, three o'clock, asked God to prove, in the sight of the people, that he was the Lord, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice and licked up the water all around the altar, while the people tell upon then-faces and cried out, ''The Lord, he is God, and Jehovah, the God of Israel, is the God of the universe!" Thus God has answered by testimonies the faith of hia people, and has given evidence that he approved the acts of his worshipers. This he did sometimes by the words of the prophets. This he did by the indwelling Shekinah on the inercy-aeat; by some indication on the ephod. We know not to-day, clearly how he answered by Urim and Thummin, but the history of religion is that God, in some way, indicated to his worshipers that he accepted their worship. So in our Saviour's days there was the approbation when he submitted him preached because of lung disease -preached much during the 20 years in which he has been a minister.

R. L. Abernethy reported labors performed, and gave valuable information in reference to missionary ground and missionary labors. Interesting discussion was had in reference to the Local 3Iinisters' duties in baptizing and taking members into the church. Dr.

Craven was introduced to tho Conference, and by request explained the relation of the Local to the Itinerant minister. ''According to the Discipline, the Pastor is pastor of the Local Minister, and the local niinibter is the helper of the pastor; anel he is to help in all kinds of work, since we ordain him and prepare him for all work. All his labors are by the direction or tacit consent of the regular pastor," and hence legally valid. The Conference adjourned to 2 P. 31.

Vrittai Jlijiortx of' I'reachera from June 1st, 1873 to June 1st, 1874. Lewis Phillips, Elder, Harper's Cross Roads, Deep River circuit Has had four regular appointments, preached fifty sermons, delivered seven Sunday-school lectures, organized one Sunday-school, conducted fifteen prayer meetings; hopes the Conference will have a profitable meeting. Geo. AY. Penly, Elder, Laurel Fork, Sulphur Springs circuit.

Has had 3 regular appointments, preached 40 sermons, delivered 13 Sunday school Lectures, organized 2 Sunday schools, conducted 2 prayer meetings, and re ceived 10 members into the church; would be glad to be present at the present Conference, but cannot do so. Benjamin Nutt, Deacon; Siloam, Sui'ry circuit. Owing to infirmity has not been able to perform any ministerial work during the past year. P. 31.

Farrow, Deacon, the Cajje, Hatteras circuit has had 2 regular appointments and preached 20 sermons would be glad to attend has been very much afflicted the past year, especially since attending the Annual Conference in 1873. D. P. 3Ieacham, Deacon, Raleigh, Edenton St. Station.

AYork has been of a and 3Iissionary character, has kept no memorandum of work performed. J. B. Floyd, Elder, AYilton, Granville circuit. Has had 3 regular appointments part of the year, and attended several protracted meetings, preached about 35 sermons, attended Sunday school generally, visited and prayed with the sick thinks he has done but little is desirous of doing wliat ne can tno blaster cause sends his love to the brethren can not attend because of family alllic tion.

Samuel Lony, Elder; Salem, For- eythe circuit has been preaehiiur 40 vears, is now quite old and infirm cannot preach any more; has preached only 2 sermons on funeral occasions, during the past year, is in destitute circumstances, and would be thankful for any assistance. G. 31. Hampton, Asheville, has had 2 regular appointments, has preached 25 4 Sunday school lectures, held 40 prayer meetings, and organized 1 Sabbath school T. L.

D. Smith, Kittrells, Tar River circuit, has had 3 regular appointments, preached 25 sermons, delivered 2 Sunday school lectures, conducted 12 prayer meetings and baptized persons has not done much this year on account of family afflictions. Thomas G. AYhitaker, Elder, Cary: Gary circuit, lias had I regular ap pointments, preached 30 sermons, de livered 1 Sunday school Lecture, has preached several funeral sermons, is now old prays God's blessing upon our Conference. Amos Gregson, Elder, High Point, Trinity circuit, has preached 25 ser ruons and organized 1 Sabbath school.

is ereatlv interested in our Confer- ence. AV. H. Thompson, Deacon; Oaks Alamance circuit, has had 2 regular appointments, preached 54 sermons J. L.

P112I1, Licentiate; Mouth of AYilson, Jefferson circuit, has had regular appointments, and delivered Sunday school lecture; has preached 50 sermons during the year, works according to our usage, tne worst nlaces nravs the Lord's blessing on J. our Conference. James M. Watson, Elder; Lake Landing, Mattamuskeet circuit, has had 3 regular appointments, preached.