University of South Carolina Libraries
LUTHERAN VISITOR. .COL compelled to oonfes* that it wat » conservative aoreawit with reaper to the troth; ami not, m many ^ the soperflcial or partial hare nUi*. tained, a violent partisan Hfort at detraction and revengeful 0Vt!r throw. Prejudice and bigotry nothing to do with it, neither faaati- ciam or berrey. Nothing waa rejected because it waa found the cba*4 and approved by the Pope, and ae thought waa eutertaioed of begfe uing Momethiug novel, (autasticaL w original. And a* the aaiae when we aee what was rejected at unncriptural, doM and purely he- man, we shell find that all thiug* were proven as commanded by the apostle, and that the movement vaa radical towards error. Aad «* reformation exhibits itself sa ndtlt all coneenrative, nor all radkai^ ku both • according as it respects truth or falsehood, just aa the ward of God approves ami demands. The first thing that I shall mention m being held fast by the Rrfbnaen fall, flpy first imbibe Mas doctrine*, and tjpn comes their ruita. It is of tbe dflfcsost importance that chris- |jana %old fast the affirm of aound words* of which the Apostle speaks. We may be condemned for preaching too much npoo the importance of doctrine t especially by those who ifuorautiy maintain that it does not make any difference about tbe doc trine, but that everything depends upon the life and works. This is Itself s grand delusion and misoou ceptiou. Everything depends npon the doctrine! Tbe life and work* depend npoo tbe doctrine. Take up the history of the church since the days of Christ and the Apostles, and mark tbe corruptious that have as sailed the purity of the Christian faith and system and attempted their overthrow, aad yon win no longer be surprised .at the exhortation of the Apostle Paul, ‘Prove all things; bold fast that which is good.* Every single doctrine given by Christ, sod taaght by tbe Apostles, has been assailed. AU the learning and inge nuity of tbe world has been brought to bear upon the various points thought to be the weakest Every stone in the edifice, every piece of timber, yea, every nail that bolds it together has been tried. Even the plan of constructing other buildings in imitation, and as competitor* of tbe church has been tried. Schisms have sought to reud the body of Christ, sod so take away its life. Aod so disguised have these more taenls often been, that the simple and unwary, like Adam and Eve, were deceived aud led to imagine that heresy was the true doctrine, nod fanatics and gilded impostors the right people, aud that piety and wisdom would die with them. We are to prove all things first, according to the text. But while we exercise tbe right of private exami nation and judgment, we are uot at liberty to reject the truth. We must hold fast that which is good. No matter where we find it, or who else holds it, or how it is mixed up with error, we must separate the gold fruoi the dross, sift tbe wheat from tbe chaff, aud gather, and hold, and value it as it deserves. It seems to me that two principles are net forth in the words of Paul, that must foi ever continue to control the church in her collective capacity as E potHion that the Scriptum* are inefficient and incomplete rove MV Chaklkhtok, 8. C.—We are truly glad that the yellow fever has bean conquered aud driveu off by Jack Frost. Leading physicians have ad vised their patients that they may safely return. A twenty rz#** -r 1 ". , solemn »»«l »' £ troth, <*«•*" Thry <1M »»< Sair&rug* gSSrtW ST^feo bear relict eu*toio<* cond. «n, j t^o say “it *• ’ Jlw Catholics, thJ fealt, or arguun *e flection! But to cast away tH true God, tbe dock tbe doctrine of tbe sot) ^ TtmmeUoti tl Heaven bell, Catholics bold the* thgfnn* do «** W Brmnni T*. Reformers did not. ^ them to be candid bigot*- Those who op. diuply because othei- ^geh enemies of tb* Apostle says, “Prot* ytf fast that which Keformation which gas aatfoV' clearly u We bgre received No. 1 uW Dw Harfc, (The HsurpJ a collection of carefully selected sacred song manic, find my fhmlly la the paraooafs, ment, by Julios Hchaaf, organist Published by Schafer aod Koradi, Philadelphia, soCtli wesS serum- of Fourteenth and Wood ft6*et. Hie NSW jUOl/TlTHMVaiT. dollar greenback. Tbe only weak point In the execution seems to be tbe central figure is met seen in the rapid counting, it being hidden by the hand or the overlying bills. The other points of the bill are so ex* cdleut as to stand the teat of the strongest tight We are told that two or three banks have beea de ceived by the bills. There has aot been a more dangerous counterfeit put afloat Ret. Jjco. Fobthman.—Tbe Amer ican Lutheran says: “This dear bro ther has been very- much afflicted with a disease of the throat for upwards of two years. He has in consequence been incapacitated for the duties of tbe ministry, and even to a great extent, for secular bust- ue*s; his wife also has been seri ously afflicted. We should judge, therefore, that they are in want of the necessaries of life, and should be assisted by ehristiaus in such things as they need. Any douatkms in money or goods would be a chari ty well applied,' and any kindness done to a child of God, tbe Saviour declares he will regard as though done to himseH. His address is Carlisle, Pa.»* Brother Forthman labored years ago very acceptably in Virginia. We hope his former parishioner* will remember him kindly aad sub stantially. Matt xxt : 36. VntGTSIA CoBRESPOXDEVCE.—“I am sorry ‘the news* crept into your paper thht this charge had starved out Her. , which was uot tbe case. Rev. — got from his people what be asked for, besides many presents. The only objection which a few bad to him, was the lack of interest in circulating the Visitor, and in introducing the Book of Worship. But there was no sala ry withheld in consequence. We hope our present pastor, who has just entered upon his labors here, will not be derelict in this respect. ‘Gravel Sfbisgs.’* Newspaper Jubilee.—Very few papers, religious or secular, now published, have 1 been in existence more than a quarter of a century; but the Sere York Observer nnuaaacen that it will enter npon its fiftieth year in the beginning of 1872. It was established as a religions paper; giviug, also, the most important sec ular news ; and it has been ooe of tbe ablest, and at tbe same time, ooe of the most successful journals in tbe country. The Publishers announce for the coming year, as a free gift to each of their subscribers, a Xew Year Book; containing a vast amount of infor mation in regard to Church and State, ami all important buaiuess affairs, a real encyclopedia, such aa any intelligent person wishes to have always at band. Specimen copies of the paper and Prospectus of tbe Tear-Book, sent free to all who will apply. New subscribers will receive the paper free until January 1st. The Reformation.—“Insulae us,” tbe able aud interesting correspond ent of the Lutheran and Missionary, says: “The New England Thanksgiving day has gradually become a national feast, and even Governor Hoffman gracefully surrenders State rights in so far as to adopt tbe day ap pointed by tbe President of the United States, in preference to his own; and so the annual commemo ration of the great Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, from which came our civil and religious liberty, may become a general custom among Protestants. We believe that the Lutheran Church has a mission in this country, and that the infloeoee of her theology will be felt more than it has been. May not the united celebration of October 31st, by all who call themselves Lutheran, have a tendency to make others also think oftener and with more appre ciation of that great event, to which all are equally indebted f We have the time-honored festivals of the Church; but it will uot hart to add this day to the rest. If nations, cities, societies, etc., can afford to keep anniversaries, aod to make much of memorial days, surely the Evangelical Lutheran Church ought to make a special effort to keep tbe anniversary of the Reformation. It may be toq^ early to speak of the epl«‘iidi<1 h n tiian Loo much praise caa aot be be- stovfed ppon this work. The fine taste aud elevated style of harmony, which are Us premiueut features, most uot be considered otpectioua, as destructive of the simplicity which ought to characterise Mured music. If we assemble ia a great multitude, to hear some gifted mao of God preach the Word iu fine periods, and harmonious sentences, we do uot feel that bis eloquence has marred the simplicity of the gospel Then, surety, the heartiness of praise will uot be iqjured, by employ iag, is hie service, the knowledge which God baa revealed, of the capability of musical tooea being combined into pleasing chords. No doubt pulpit oratory may be so inflated into bom bast, and church music so strained into unmeaning sound, ns to become mere lq> service; yet, there is cer tainly n well defined path, along which elegance can aafely move— and move upwards* From e careful examination of tbe alx piece* eon tabled in thia number at thirty two (tag**, we earnestly recommend that the enterprise be largely p*trowi*ed. The study of such mtnde wifi Inreeaar our desire to sing praises unto tied, and create within u» n new suarre of gratitude to him for hi# permis sion to beautify his aerviee with elegant chorals, ns we, aew and then, feel gratefolly at liberty t# decorate bis house with tasty com bination* of flowers. srseiAL notice*. amended as to rend; Amslud, That the following be atonof Ooshnswt Is to nwweeery In the prosperity ef the rharoh to buM protracted meeting* f end, if so, what is the beat manner of boiling them ? * - „, tt4 . _4n On Holiday wonueg Hev. N. Al (ir»oi>delivered*# intonatingsocmen. iv<iuiit4 MSrely thufpaper qymail, is mrrnbfi rteienti All I cr is n nee—ary, iu order -utries maybe promptly tade. i > obituary notices, aad temlet for publication, i separately, and not in to re* rive proper at ton- Tbe idea of beginning a new dnuefe fifteen hundred years after Chrtot, different from the one which had existed daring ell that time, was as preposterous sod wicked, that they would have expected the wrath «f God to destroy them in such sc evil undertaking. They not only held to tbe ooe holy Catholic or Christian Church which is invisible end knows only to God, composed of ell tens believers, bat they even retained tbs visible church In its organic and historic form. It is free that they cat off some - things that dang like ugly tumors mid excreueoces to the body of Christ—-urn* things that like shackles and chuhis fettered and tiouud her limbs, but they struck no vital pert. fcbey cot off the Pope who vauntingly aod aariligmody claimed to be the hpad of the church, which Christ nlooe could be. They cut off tbe hordes of eodesiastioi in the form of monks and nuns that clung like leeches to the eh arch, sucking oway her blood, sad who stood in the way of those who, turn iug their faces Zionward, desired to see Jesus and commune with bus. The rags, ribbons and pagan habili ments that had been made s pact of tbe • visible church without divine authority or sanction, they fearlessly cut aud tore away. But tiaplinu, confirmation and ordination reman ed. These were valid. None of these were repeated upon those who had received them under the Papacy. The historical chain of ordiuancm was unbroken. The stream of church That which started ■ tips week attend ion of Rev. G, A. Matthews, Omnge- is ooe of the neatest, prettiest and moat comfortable ft have seen. The membership ia 2ft!, mid the atteod soor about 400. Tbe Hauday school numbers 20ft, and if the basement room was larger, the school could be increased I tiled to preach my first sermon here oh Sunday night, to about 43ft, aad a more serious and congregation 1 never ad f Ae are deligbt- we are permit- I again. It has Je fiery ordeal, hud though not tjnotii sheet, yet jd as strong as 0^*1 authority. But .ijortirc error and th the church, was ale* exerci**k For as mil is food was to be held things were to be pn>v> n ,««j things were rvi* they were evil. IT They rejected tbe of the church, becam* bis riaifo 6 id ° there was no autliorir sUC b an office. None* f ties bad any pre cin .m the otL* provideues v€ aUeotiv dressed it. It is pub- u Prcsbyteriuu the Town o the Lutheran the paper free mougem to intersperse their artidm with capital*, ia order to invite attoa- tiott, #o I will follow soil, and begin with Tin: DtiAlTlKX At UJ aa the 1st of November, we hade a sail fecooetl to obi ami highly valued friends at Frog Level —fricods tried and traa. frtemU of tay youth, and fnemU of my father —Mqv. Jacob Haw- South Carolina, and ho Imtheran eougrv town, has entered •ge of his ministerial riority over such tiling aa univerfs even hinted at iu tin- B contrary. tbe pope, in moas assumptions God, wae okearly defines as anti christ. And h preached bis first evening last, to a You may be interested by tbo following abstract of the proceedings tmj ;uuiu, mki iiicuiu ui uunri ami mother, sack (Heads as 1 hops 1 ever to rgmember; for Hoiumoo has , advised me: -Thy friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not.* With mmstrood rye* wo watched tbe boao | ttfral little village receding from our vision, white the earnest prayer fur those dear people, and their fervent ' prayer for rm, mingled, as they ' ascended to a rich throne of graer. On the train we found Rev. J. M. 1 Hchnrckhlse, who had been la .Sooth j ( arutina on a visit, ami was now retunuag to Virginia. At • P. SC. we arrived fn ^4 v st '® - tjr * .»■ ^ ttff CULt MBIA. Evaagolical Lutheran tfynod at Norih Carolina, s»#sh>n October 'M, JM71. The following ministstu wore proa eat: Revs. W. Arts. N. Aldrich, Prof. L A. Bikle, L a Giwaeolasa, W. Kimball, W. K Hubbert. aad A. D. U Moaer my of tbe church and ti % Tbe worship of th< and other saints wa> v idolatry- Because |he mandmeut forbids us t than one God. or give < to any creature or inj.t _ ualy. “There is bat <>. one Mediator between <. the man Christ Jesus.' A They rejected well aa her individual members: one is, the right of rtformnttarn when nrces aary ; ami the other ia, that reforms trams to hr right mast he cornier rati re. Let aa see w bother these princi|4e* weir consulted in the sixteenth oen- tary, »b-u by the hands of Martin Lather, I*hilip Meiancthou, the Elec tor Frederick of Saxony, aod others, that great couvalaiou took place in the church and the world, which divided professed Christians into two great bands. The Evangelical Catholic, or Pbotebtantu, and the Roman Catholic, or Papal. U will hardly be necessary to dwell more than s moment a|»ou the his toncel |mrt of tbe movement, as every person in our day ia supposed to be familiar with it. The first real beginning was iu secret, when God selected aud qualified Luther by various providences for the work as bis agent and representative; eape rtally by the discovery of the Bible in the convent, and its truth saucti- lied to the conversion of his soul aad the change of hi* heart. The Hpirit of tbe Lord lending this ohoseo instrument from ooe poiut of knowledge aad experience to an other, teaching him almost forcibly many of the fundamental doctrines of Christ, aod thus setting up the model of a purified church iu his owe soul preparatory to the eatue great wtr.k at large. • • • Of course tbe immediate occasiou of the public commencement of tbe Reformation was the sale of Indul gences by John Teuel, ooe of the hirtiiugs of Pope Leo 2L, which caused Luther to nail up 115 these* iu opposition on the door of his church in W it ton berg, aud discuSs the doctrines of Repentance and Justification before multitudes of in terested and excited people. # * Passing over all the y ears and mo men tons events that occurred be tween tbe Slat of October, 1517, and and the year 1530, we shall be able to nee at a glance that the great movement that shook uot only all Europe, but the whole Christian world, was ou the part of the Evaugelinal party strictly a reforma tion, aod a conservative reformation, ami uot a revolution. If we consider attentively what the Reformation retained that was found to be good in the existing organisation of Chris tianity, and what waa rejected be cause it was bad, we shall under stand the nature of the work, and be convinced that it was strictly iu accordance w^tb the text of St, Paul. “Prove all things; bold fast that which is good.*' Aud we shall also set the difference between true Protestants or Lutherans of the original type, and Roman Catholics of the Papal type. When we see what waa retaiued and held fast by ability bimer. J. L. Hiffocd. K K. Mbevnlt. and ft. Fisher. Rev. Prof. L A. Bikle was elected President of Conference and W. K. Hubbert, ftotretary The report of the uremher* am tbo “state of religion within tbo bounds of Conference* exhibited a gratifying condition of the church. Tbe preach ing of the word has been fetihfioMy attended to, aod tbe adherence to the Scriptural moans for the proms lion of the raose of Christ has boon signally Messed. As a first ftraits. with Christ can never stop or .cease to flow. Tbe rubbish was taken out and removed, bat the fiow continued. • • • • This gives the Evan geiical Church not only the right to claim its origin in Christ, but estab lishes the right to be the one holy, Apostolic, Christian Church, to the justification by wotk- taith. .Vs God's word d just shall live by faitli our own rightoousiio" rags before God, aud become partakers of th uses of God by faith in < 4. They rejected tin the sacraments can ben without faith, that is iu layman writes: day to see my uin looking like the other Visitor, td whom Ft aa# bdebtrd fur many throe*. He spent the eve niog with us si our hotel, sad * pleasant time w« had. At II P. V. we to*A tire C'harlotte train, aod at 3 I*. V. ire were la the dty of the Erangeiwal Lutheran, aad of efficient Extracts of a /firms# preached oa the last Sahhafh in October, being the Fmttemi of the Bsfarmntian, m SL John's Lmihetmm Church, ty the Par far, Jire. & L Bnrhey. Text; “Prove aU things; hold fast that which is good.** 3 Them v: 2L exclusion of ail who are not in tiia connection. If Luther had been a Mohammed or a Joe Smith, and done a work like they, then indeed it wookl be true that Protestantism is a failure, an abortion, a heresy, ami imposture. But Lather wss the restorer, the successor of the Apostles, and through him and his oosdjotore we have the true Apostolic soooes- sieu, uot tor bishops only, bat for an ordained ministry which Christ appointed and a hich must be per petuated to the end of the world by laying on the bauds at the eldership and brotherhood. 2. Another doctrine held fast by the Reformers was the faith concern in*. God. It was coi rectiy taught that there isoue eternal, individual, divine essence; and yet there are three distinct persous in this divine es sence, equally eternal, God the Fa ther, God the ftou, aod God the Holy Ghost. 3. They also found tbe doctrine correctly taught concerning original sin, as contained in the second arti cle of tbe Augsburg Confection, sad so held it fast. 4. They found the Apostolic sad Niceue creeds held, in w hich Christ is correctly represented as posamtoi of two uatures; or, iu other words, that tbe Son of God assumed human nature, aud thus God aud maa are oue Christ, aud that this Christ suffered aud died for ns to reconcile ue to the Father ; that he rose agsis from the dead, possesses an eternal kiugdoni, justifies and sanctifies all believers, and will come again to judge the world: and this they held fast. 3. The doctrine of baptism found as necessary to salvation; and that iufauts ought to be bap tised who have tbe germ of spirits*! life implanted iu them by the Holy Spirit in this ordinance, and this they held fast. 6. They found the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, a future state of rewards and punishments eternal in duration, a general j«di* meat, tbe resurrection of the <to»d, aud many other doctrines, some at them correctly stated, and others only partially correct. All th*^ ia so far as they bairomns ed witii •V They rqjectt-d tl* Lhrgntoty. That is oV l*urificatiun beyond tiin- is neither heaven nor with this the masse* an< the dead. ■ They rejected tin *od all the eereiLoi,* therewith, aud also auri< or taper. A pleasant day** Irate! brought ns to EH MMOTD. * where the fttate Fair was tn progrena. WV took the train for Arqsta Creek, era! interesting It dould not then £nei ■ quarters.” you are forgettiog with the rharoh fifty two, aod am oral more have already made application. He bimaelf had for many yeara baa the earnest advocate of new msaaurea it been psr\erted, cwutndicted neutralised by aoare abannl with person* returning from the Fair; bat by potting wife In one place, one child In another, aod an materially modified ais views aa that subject. Yet he dom not use the proper means with HIM am formality any more than he did the other. Nor is any oue likely to do so, fire tbe word itself *fra* a power onto salvation.** Others reported oouvereiocie and additions to the church. The mem berahip waa reported to be growing in grace, being edified and built up, aod improved iu doctrioe aud prac tice. Tbe spirit of activity in the Conference is seen in the liberality of the congregations, the Urge num ber of new churches being built, aod the desire for the bearing of the word. There are now five new church edifices in course of erection within its bouud*. Two others will f YI * 0 soon be undertaken. One has re oeutly been dedicated. The Bonn geiical Lutheran wss endorsed and recommended to the congregations without a dissenting vote. Rev. N. Aldrich presented the fol lowing propositions: 1. Our Lord Janos Christ, ns the Bend of tbe Church, bus ordained and Ere. if he had /ppenred to them as Lomier, a (alien angel, they wuukl have ftrd from him. But he waa dtagmmcd and they knew him not. God had uttered an important truth, that behaved aad obeyed, would have yielded bappiucas and every blrostag But the plan of Satan waa to deatniy the truth of County. Keiser, Rev. J. K. £eisei i mouths and 2J Lord added to the s should bk saved” latlng fond of some niaral. Arveral such case* were r#porte«I. Atmat midnight we boarded tbe magnificent STKAMEI that plies her eaqy way between Acquis Crock and* WaMnugtoa.— Touching at Alexandria, w* landed at 3 A. M. in the city of WASHlSOTuft. * When we ware comfortably seated in the train for Baltimore, as were needy informed by the baggage agent that our baggage would cook: on the 8 o'clock train, two hours later. So we saw at ooce that, although our baggage waa checked to Balit more at Columbia, aod we had through tickets, yet on aooount of this abominable MtoABCE of through ticket fawn, harmlde*! at all the depot*, aud in all the papers, aod in all the coaches, y et the bag gage is detained two hours, aod you are delayed twenty four hours, and subjected to dollar* at expense, aad then have to pay for your baggage at the express room. Tbe papers of the Culled States win please copy this item and send bill to the Ka It lux Committee for collection. # When we arrived at th# RELAY H9UOE, l had to undergo the neoeeaity of parting turn my family, they taking the train west for Ccuroey svillc, and 1 tbs eastern train to Baltimore, to await the arrival of my baggage. THE ARRIVAL- vJ gave,my wife tofiffiOfitiphe to Ichicell writes, Noy. 7; M graciously pouring out (n my congregation—or, once a cougrcg.ition, on l, in this (Uqunty—Roan - Jiout twenty have pro ^ in Uhrist, and quite a rs inquiring what they q be Bavedv I hope that » only began- 1 know no iju many wiles ot thin, |ngathering of souls is ed. The people never had winch to worship till a is since. Among the con- inquirers ale several quite his Spirk what v> j: Back Qi|( oke, Va| guilt of our firm parvnu would fol low inevitably and speedily. The temptation of the devil is not imme diately to drag men into crime and vice, but the first thing to be done is to destroy confidence in truth, aod cairns the acceptance at false ideas and doctrines; this nocom W ft dtvldl^ ^ey rojectrel the a W ""btiofl, «nd the seel us *, in libraries and h r ^ f" H *^ °l* on f h* claim tb.i I; Ood anmt not be iu tli V )e Propfe, or have a pn. I x Wstion. 1 k' best- are #ome of tin V ^ e^., Ju ■Mdle aj^, 8nd tha , ■ / l»»ck to the Apw0.fi in rejeetinc ««, purtfcd ami I- 0r 'ft ,| »*l form. • ' • l v ^ C0n #tantiy recogui/t* noimpro.j mde upon that which I aati , tht> Tuning, fully MX hat every depart u | ,° r 8Dla !i» from the oi ffi ; the J.f a w *dM5d; i»wffi i_ ^formation ncedtHl. ;ii ^ 'ement imssible. w c backu f • number inuet di the wor place v where j mote ns desires to Irad him into the deepest sink of iniquity. If he can be made to believe that a particular act, or course of actions, will not involve him ia wretchedness, but rather bring bun pleasure, profit or bottor; or that the Bible i* uareaaouabta, fabnlou^ or only allegorical; or that he will escape dstectiou, and there- furs escape any evil consequence*, he will aatnrally prefer the evil in diligence, just as be relishes his daily food. Hence arises the necessity of insisting upon true doctrine. The troth of God must be maiutained at all b*sards. ‘Take heed what ye hoar,' says the ftavionr. The age of Christianity was to be no better in a more done." which aside historital ijevidenee of * Y* have read the es sent u#, and though, e can notj express, our- ively till have read officer* of Christ’s church, nil tine ministers are bound to confine them* selvae to the means orelaiasd by the Divine Head. 3. The adoption at any other laudmarki a. Th i > »ftnlerotaag. And ht to draw some uiv ^^ewuud emrday.v. ^ ffi smu-ludiH: tiMideucee that fo*d our ohrintia# ** Open Communion.—In the Baptist church, it is said iu tbe Baptist Union, eighteen different minister* have declared themselves, since last January, opeo-wuuuahianiato. . • Swedeqbor