Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1860
THE CAUSE IN MARION, IOWA.
By Editor
THE following we copy from the Marion (Iowa) Herald, at which place Bro. Cornell has just been holding a series of meetings. It will give the brethren something of an idea of the kind of opposition the truth has to meet in that place.
LETTER FROM REV. M. E. CORNELL.
EDITOR MARION HERALD, Sir: I accept the offer of your columns to point out the "errors" referred to in my note in the Register of last week; and hoping to do so in a candid, Christian manner I will proceed to take up the points of the article in order as follows:
1ST. "He denounced the Christian religion."
ANSWER. I most firmly believe the Christian religion as taught by Christ and the Apostles, and have never knowingly taught contrary to them in a single instance. I have said however, that a mere empty profession, or churchianity, would save no one.
2ND. Called us Sabbath breakers, having the mark of the beast."
A. I stated that I did not pretend to say that any one in Marion now had that "mark;" that in order to the reception of the mark in a scripture sense, the people must be enlightened as to what the mark is, and a law be passed enforcing it.
3RD. "He was afraid to meet Mr. McConnell."
A. I contended for an equal chance in the propositions, but have never, either in public or private, manifested any fear to engage in discussion with him.
4TH. That I advertised my books on Sunday, with the words "cheap for cash," is a mistake. But I did say, "we have books on these subjects which can be had after the congregation is dismissed."
I cannot see how it can be an insult to take pay for religious books on Sunday any more than to take subscriptions for religious papers, or collections for other religious purposes. Ministers and members of different orders have frequently purchased books of me on Sunday.
5TH. "Denounced the people of Marion as being supporters and apologists of slavery."
A. I have not once referred to the position of the people of Marion on that subject. I spoke of the number of slaves held in the United States by professors of religion, but declared that I was no politician, and therefore did not plead for men or measures.
6TH. "Said George Washington was the author of the most infamous law ever passed in a civilized government."
A. I said the fugitive slave law, came from the head of government—from Washington, referring only to the city, bearing, unworthily, so illustrious a name. I have ever believed that George Washington was a good man and a Christian.
7TH. "Endeavored to show that Christians of the present day had discarded the 'good old Book' and taken up with a new one. Does he mean to advise us to throw away King James' translation and adopt the old Catholic Bible?"
A. I answer emphatically no! That was not the intent of my parable, but to throw away Catholic traditions, and hold on to pure Bible truth, as we have it in the King's translation. I use no other in preaching.
8TH. "He is a Jesuit in disguise."
A. I have testified against Catholicism, constantly for nine years. In several instances Jesuits have sought to take my life.
9TH. "Mr. Cornell would have the people keep the Sabbath day on Saturday instead of Sunday, yet hesitates not to buy goods on the former, &c."
A. I have not bought goods on what I believe to be the Sabbath in nine years. No such thing can be proved. Let it be understood that I believe each day (Bible time) begins with the setting of the sun.
10TH. "Mr. Cornell says that he can engage in a more profitable business than preaching Christ and him crucified."
A. I was charged with not preaching Christ and the gospel, and I publicly refuted it, by referring to the two sermons I had given on faith and repentance. But I remarked that I did not come to Marion to dwell only on these subjects which they could hear any time from the different pulpits, but upon the prophecies which are generally neglected.
11TH. "The very actions of the man show that the profits are all he is after. It is not the prophets of Daniel—it is the profits of trade in false, corrupt and immoral books."
A. My receipts and expenditures since Jan. 1st, as per Diary, stand thus—Received $17.95. Paid $61.32. Any one wishing to share the "profits" with me, can do so, by sharing equally in the expenses.
12TH. "Dismissed the meeting when a gentleman had the floor, to cut off debate."
A. I never closed a meeting in such a manner, knowingly in my life. If any gentleman arose to speak, as I closed the meeting, on the evening referred to, or any other, I certainly did not see him.
13TH. "Mr. Cornell would teach the youths of our city that they are not bound to observe the Sabbath day, &c."
A. I have taught the opposite, but I submit that Sunday is not "the Sabbath day"—King James' translation being the standard. In behalf of a gentleman who has the means, I will hereby offer $500 for one text of scripture to prove that the first day of the week is the Sabbath of God.
14TH. "Mr. Cornell may preach against the observance of the S-s-s-sabath as he speaks it, until doomsday, &c."
A. I have not preached against, but for the observance of the Sabbath; and those who have heard me know that I pronounce that word as distinctly and properly as people in general, the Herald not excepted.
15TH. "Mr. Cornell teaches us, that if we but observe Saturday and keep it holy, it matters not how the other days, including Sunday, are spent."
A. I have spoken against the sins of the age, both public and private, and no one has less confidence than I have in a mere one day in the week religion.
16TH. "When Mr. Cornell is abroad in the land, preaching rebellion, denouncing the United States government, advocating treason, ridiculing religion, exhorting men and women with his oily tongue to break the Sabbath, &c."
A. No man has heard me say one word against the Declaration of Independence, or the Constitution of the U. S., but I have called some of the late actions of the government Dragon-like, but to advocate treason or to resist the powers that be, I have not, and shall not.
The "low insinuations" of my note in the Register had reference to such as "pitiful upstart," "braying two-eared beast," "too cowardly to either bite or scratch," &c., &c.
I do not propose or wish any controversy with political editors. It is not for my own sake, that I have referred to this matter, but for the cause I advocate. Perhaps I have erred, if so, it is of the head, and not of the heart.
Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for the offer of your columns, I subscribe myself
A friend and well wisher of all,
M. E. CORNELL.
Religious Discussion in Marion
By Editor
RELIGIOUS DISCUSSION IN MARION.—For some evenings past a discussion has been progressing in the Christian church, which has attracted, perhaps the largest audiences that have ever assembled in Marion. The spacious building, including the aisles and every window and corner, has been crowded night after night. The question under discussion has been this:—"Each of the ten commandments given on mount Sinai are194now binding on all men"—Mr. Cornell in the affirmative—Mr. McConnell in the negative. The debate closed last Monday evening, so far as this question is concerned. Both of the gentlemen are able speakers and did justice to the question in dispute.
As it has been charged that we were partial to Mr. McConnel, we are compelled to offer it as our belief, that both of the disputants are in error. We believe that the ten commandments are now binding upon all men, but that the Sabbath day has been rightfully changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. But the Herald is not now, nor will it ever be, a sectarian paper, hence we will not argue our point.
The discussion of another question commenced Tuesday evening.—Marion Herald.
THE HOUR OF PRAYER.
By C. Elliot
My God! is any hour so sweet,
From blush of morn to evening star,
As that which calls me to thy feet,
The hour of prayer?
Blest is that tranquil hour of morn,
And blest that hour of solemn eve,
When on the wings of prayer upborne,
The world I leave.
For then a dayspring shines on me,
Brighter than morn's ethereal glow;
And richer dews descend from Thee
Than earth can know.
Then is my strength by Thee renewed;
Then are my sins by Thee forgiven;
Then dost thou cheer my solitude
With hope of heaven.
No words can tell what sweet relief,
There for my every want I find,
What strength for warfare, balm for grief,
What peace of mind.
Hushed is each doubt—gone every fear—
My spirit seems in heaven to stay;
And o'en the penitential tear
Is wiped away.
Lord! till I reach you blissful shore,
No privilege so dear shall be,
As thus my inmost soul to pour
In prayer to Thee.
[C. Elliot.
Why are we not wholly Saved?
By A. C. MILLER.
ALL desire salvation. No one hopes or expects to be lost. All hope in some way, at some time, for salvation. Many seek it for years perhaps by prayers and tears, and wonder why they, as well as others, may not enjoy the smiles of the Saviour. God seems to them a respecter of persons. They have done what they could and are not saved. Pause a moment. Have you done what you could, or what you would? Which? Remember in this work we are not at liberty to choose our own way. The way has been marked out; any deviation will not do. We are not only to repent, but let go of everything. Our own way must be yielded. I would advise those who feel that they are ready to give up all, to take each darling sin separately. You who love this world, and hold it as your god, are you willing to become poor if need be, for the cause' sake, and that you may be an heir to eternal life? If not, you have no reason to hope; you have not paid the price. Does indignant self rise up and reign? Do you cherish an unforgiving spirit towards those who have injured you? If when we, or our friends are afflicted we indulge in an impatient spirit; if we take delight in dwelling upon the faults of others; all these and many more which I need not name, must not be indulged in. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. If after we have compared our will with God's requirements, we find our will sweetly acquiesce with His, we are not far from salvation; we have paid the price. However high our profession, without this daily death we do not pay the price, we have no reason to hope.
I thank God there is yet a chance to hope. The way is plain and open. The car of salvation is ready and waiting. The princely conductor invites. The tickets are free, and room for all.
A. C. MILLER.
N. Y.
FASHIONABLE PROFESSORS.
ONE of the first developed principles of man is imitation. One of the ruling traits in man's life is imitation. The infant that smiles in the face of its fond mother, does so because it first sees its mother smile. The child that begins to articulate words, does so because it hears others. The boy that marches in military pride, with a feather in his cap, and a wooden sword by his side, does so to imitate the martial man. The girl that wants some pretty flowers to decorate her bonnet, or some jewelry to adorn her head or hands, does so because she sees others wear them.
The young man that wears that fine plaited bosom, adorned with some article of jewelry, does so to be in keeping with his companions; not that there is any value in artificials, in the finely plaited linen or jewelry. But it is simply to gratify the pride of the heart.
Now what lesson is here taught? Simply that Christians should avoid this outward adorning of the body, which genders strife in the world, pride in our own hearts and a worldly mindedness in the church. But rather should we seek for that inward adorning of the mind, even a meek and quiet spirit which is of great price in the sight of the Lord. Jesus taught his disciples saying "Ye are the light of the world. A City that is set on a hill cannot be hid." As much as to say, as ye walk so will your disciples walk. As ye preach Christ, so will they preach him. As ye love one another, so will they be constrained to love each other. As ye strive to imitate your master, so will they strive to imitate him. Like leaders, like followers. One said, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child, I understood as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." So friends let it be with us. When we were children of the wicked one we lived like his children, we acted like his children, we dressed like his children. But now we have been adopted into the family of God, let us put off all semblance to the children of darkness, walking in the light as he is in the light. The daily walk of a Christian, should be a direct illustration of the life of Christ; walking in all his ordinances blameless. His words should be law, his dealings without reproach. His little bark should be guided with full reference to the glory of God and the salvation of his fellow men.195
But how stands the case to-day with a large class of professed Christians? They have a name to live, while they are dead. They live like the world, they buy and sell like the world, they dress like the world. They belong to the church because it is fashionable; they attend church because it is fashionable. They do not suffer reproach for Christ's sake, because they are so unlike him, the adversary has no fears of losing them. "The world will not persecute those who are like them; but hold them the same as their own." Their highest aim seems to be to gain the applause of the world. They will praise the Christian religion, and patronize the kingdom of darkness; they will speak cheeringly of the self-sacrificing principle of the Christian, and yet live in luxurious ease. They profess to be stewards of God's heritage, and yet let the cause of Zion languish for want of means they are daily using to decorate their own persons. They profess to be very liberal, yet they never gladden the hearts of the widows and the fatherless with their substance, except it be to gain the applause of men. They love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and greetings in the markets, and to be called Rabbi, of men. They profess to be very orthodox in their theological opinions, yet, they never have a mind of their own. They belong to the church of the Laodiceans, whom the Lord said he would spue out of his mouth, because they were neither cold nor hot. They are deceivers, and yet being deceived. They profess to be seeking after righteousness, yet, they are never right. They content themselves with imitating some of the outward forms of religion, and yet know nothing of the power of a present salvation.
In conclusion, brethren, what ought we to do with these fashionable professors? There seems to me no class of persons occupying so dangerous ground as unconverted professors. General terms of exhortation will not reach their case. Exhort them in the public congregation earnestly as you will, they will give a hearty response to all that is said; but will take none of it to themselves. Preach as pointed and heart-searching sermons as you can, and they will tell you how nicely you hit such a brother, or sister. The only practical means that I know for reaching these brethren, is to familiarize ourselves with all the depth of their spiritual darkness. Get down deep into their hearts, and probe the tenderest point. Show them the awful danger of trying to deceive ourselves, or our brethren; the folly of chasing the shadow and letting go the substance. Show them that it takes all of the man, physical, moral and mental, to make a Christian.
Deep down in the soul of man,
There lies a point all truthful;
Who'er can reach that sacred spot,
May save a brother from his death.
THE LITTLE FLOCK.
By Phidelia L. Philips
AMONG the many remarkable addresses which Christ delivered to his disciples when upon earth, not the least significant was that in which he spoke to them as a little flock. "Fear not, little flock," said he, "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." How truly were those the words of wisdom, and how evident that He who spake was filled with tenderness. He knew their littleness and weakness. He knew the power and malice of the enemy; but he knew also that their Father was not willing to cast them off, or to suffer them even for a moment to fear that any one could snatch them from the hand of their good Shepherd.
They were a little flock compared with the multitudes who walked not with them; and they were a fearful flock because of the danger to which they were exposed and their consciousness of weakness; but yet they were a beloved flock, precious, even here, in the eyes of the Father whose purpose it was to glorify them in the bestowment of a kingdom, and whose purpose thus avowed made them at once to feel a safe flock; because they knew no one was able to snatch them out of his hand.
"The Father's good pleasure." What a volume of meaning in a single brief expression! Is it the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom to the followers of Christ? It is. Then who can arise successfully to hinder? Who can ensnare and destroy even one of the sheep of that flock? No one, unless the sheep shall first forsake the Shepherd, and no more heed his voice, or follow in his steps. Companionship with Christ ensures acceptance with God, safe from the great destroyer, and heirship in heaven.
Reader, are you a member of the little flock? If not, come thou to the good Shepherd. Forget not that your safety depends upon your relation to Christ, and heeding his voice. Walk only where he leads you, and you will find that your path lies through green pastures and beside still waters, and that your final resting place will be the kingdom of God.
PHIDELIA L. PHILIPS.
Portage, Ohio.
ROBINSON'S ADDRESS TO THE PURITANS.
By Frederick Walter
BRO. SMITH: The subjoined extract from the address of Mr. Robinson to the pilgrims previous to their departure from Leyden to this country in 1620, is found in an old work put into my hands by a sister, as appropriate for the Review.
All things being in readiness for their departure from Leyden, they kept a day of solemn humiliation and prayer. This was in July. In one part of the day, Mr. Robinson preached from Ezra, 8, 21; "Then I proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance." The conclusion of this discourse is truly excellent. It contains an exhortation which breathes a noble spirit of Christian liberty, and gives a just idea of the sentiments of this most excellent man. It exhibits a spirit of charity and genuine liberty, which perhaps has not been surpassed since the days of the apostles. This will appear the more remarkable and lovely, when we consider the general bigotry of the age and the narrow principles of the Brownists from which he had recently escaped.
"Brethren" said he, "we are now quickly to part from one another, and whether I may live to see you face to face on earth any more, the God of heaven only knows; but whether the Lord hath appointed that or not, I charge you before God and his blessed angels, that you follow me no farther, than you have seen me follow the Lord Jesus Christ. If God reveals anything to you by any other instrument, be as ready to receive it, as ever you were to receive any truth by my ministry; for I am verily persuaded, I am very confident, that the Lord has more truth yet to break forth out of his holy word. For my part, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go, at present, no farther than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw. Whatever part of his will our God revealed to Calvin, they will rather die than embrace; and the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. This is a misery much to be lamented; for though they were burning and shining lights in their times, yet they penetrated not into the whole counsel of God; but were they now living, would be as willing to embrace farther light, as that which they first received."
"I beseech you, remember it is an article of your church covenant, 'that you be ready to receive whatever truth shall be made known to you from the written word of God.' Remember that, and every other article of your sacred covenant. But I must herewith exhort you to take heed, what you receive as truth. Examine it, consider it, and compare it with other scriptures of truth, before you receive it; for it is not possible, that the christian world should come so lately out of such thick antichristian darkness, and that perfection of knowledge should break forth at once."
FREDERICK WALTER.
La Salle, Mich.
DO YOU ASK A BLESSING?
READER, if you had been in a certain church, a few Sabbath evenings ago, you would have heard the following truths enunciated in a discourse from the following words:
"This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith," by a very young preacher.
"The fear of man, and an anxious desire to please the world, and to conform to its customs as much as possible, without doing anything positively inconsistent with the precepts of Christianity, are, unitedly or singly, a great obstruction to the spiritual advancement of the young convert. When a Christian is convinced that duty to God demands the performance of a certain act, the remaining evil in his heart, the evil one himself, or both, make suggestions like the following: 'If you do this, how will the world regard you? Will you not hurt your own feelings, or wound the sensibility of your friends? You love peace, I know you do; therefore act as you have acted, for reformation is the mother of agitation.' My dear hearers, the faith which overcometh the world brightens the spiritual vision, and enables the regenerated soul to detect Satan's sophistry, though it be concealed in the plea for impure peace. That faith enables the child of God, in spite of these suggestions, to perform his duty, whatever it may be, and notwithstanding all the trials attendant upon its performance, with a determination, fearlessness, and perseverance approximating the godlike. My hearer, have you this faith? Can you, realizing that the Searcher of hearts is present, think of any duty that you have left unperformed?"
A young disciple of Christ was startled by this solemn inquiry, and led doubtless by the Holy Spirit, to examine himself seriously. Reader, do you likewise.
In the first covenant meeting held after the delivery of the sermon alluded to, the young disciple related the following narrative:
"The question, 'Can you now, realizing that the Searcher of hearts is present, think of any duty that you have left unperformed?' struck me with peculiar force; and, as soon as I comprehended its meaning, my awakened conscience said, 'You have been a professed Christian, and the only one in your family, for almost two years, and yet you have never asked a blessing upon the food provided by God, at your father's table!'
"I have endeavored to drive the thought from my mind; but while I walked home alone, conscience upbraided me for neglect, and urged me to resolve to amend. I reached home and went down stairs intending to speak to my father and mother in reference to my conviction of duty, but found that the family had retired. I then was tempted to let the matter drop till next morning; but as I ascended the stairs leading to my bedroom, conscience again asserted her claims with renewed energy; and I resolved to go and speak with my parents at once.
"My mother said she was glad, and father told me he was happy to learn that I felt as I did. Both expressed their willingness to have me ask a blessing at every meal.
"Father rose and breakfasted very early on the following morning, and I slept late, consequently had no opportunity to carry out my resolution. Satan now tempted me strongly to abandon my purpose: 'for,' said he, 'your father thinks you have repented, or are ashamed, and will not expect you to ask a blessing.'"
The dinner hour arrived, and we all assembled around the table. My father took a piece of bread and began to butter it, helped himself to some meat, and then paused, as if he remembered something. My heart was palpitating loudly. He laid down his knife and fork, and said—"My son, ask a blessing!"
"With a heart full of thankfulness I for the first time at my father's table, implored the Bountiful Giver of all good to bless what he in his mercy had provided. The food tasted sweeter, and I experienced the joys that always attend the performance of duty."
Young Christian, do you witness for Jesus in the family? Are you afraid or ashamed to thank your Maker, in a public manner, for the food he has furnished? If you are, pray for the faith that overcometh the world.
NEW TRIALS OF CHRISTIANITY.
For a time has come when they that stand for Christ must either be a great deal better in their life, or else a great deal worse. All the fiery woes of persecution that, in former ages, burnt in a saintly piety are extinguished. The way to heaven is grown easy and safe under the guarantee of our modern liberties. The world, meanwhile, is in tide of economic progress—the very soil of the world is being scientifically fattened for a more copious production. Wealth is becoming, thus, a hope more nearly universal, and so luxury, show and fashion, are becoming a kind of general ambition. A great and fearful problem is thus raised for the gospel: how to let in riches into piety itself; how to make a solid union between power and humility; how to raise the taste and manners, and keep the simplicity of feeling; how to amplify conditions, without raising puffs and swells in the men; in one word, how to bring in means, and not bring in dissipations, fumings of pride, vapors of conceit, shows of vanity, apings of the great world of ungodliness. Such a fool is man, that, getting power, he loses sobriety; and it is yet to be seen whether even the lowly-minded, self-renouncing religion of Jesus can save a prospering age from this folly. What is specially wanted, therefore, now, is Christian men and churches who maintain the open state with God: living joyfully above the world, when the world's best gifts are theirs; godly, self-renouncing, simple, responsible, using their great means for great beneficence, and finding always, in the riches of Christ, a heaven full of consciously ennobled joy and peace, so as plainly no inferior good can yield.
What we want is Christian men and families who can be saints without being persecuted or poor; men who, having mastered all prosperity, can master also themselves; who, having conquered all the good of time, can conquer it again by being superior to it; doing honor to God's abounding fatherhood in all most generous uses of his gifts, and yet, in such a way, all ascetic practices apart, that not his gifts, but he himself, will ever be the joy and rest and fullness of their heart. The low, legal, anxious piety, now commonly prevalent is far too doubtfully blessed in Christ—a kind of starvation, out of which the soul hies herself eagerly to lay hold of almost any sort of good. It is no argument for unworldliness, but the great temptation to it, rather. Nothing answers now but the fullness of Christ, riches above all riches, glory within above all glory without, to be imparadised in faith, and God to faith revealed.—Dr. Bushnell's Farewell Sermon.
THE DEVIL.
THE existence of the Devil is not a myth, nor a romance, nor a metaphor, as the celebrated Strauss would have it; his existence is a mournful experience, his successes are tragedies in high life and in low life; an apostle was not exempt from his action. "Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift thee as wheat." What avenue he will select to thy heart, what passion he will fan into burning flame in your heart, what besetting sin he will mount and ride to victory in another's heart, God only knows; he will make the experiment, it is his trade, he is drilled and practiced in it; he goeth about a ceaseless traveler, ever seeking whom he may devour; but, blessed thought, he is a coward, he is beaten; resist the Devil and he will flee from you; deny him, and he will prevail; mock him, and he will thank you; pronounce him a myth, and he will cheer you; resist him and he will flee from you; hear sounding from the skies when the assault is hottest and the trial is bitterest, "He that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved."
TEMPTED LIKE UNTO US.
How precious the sympathy of Christ with human infirmity! He knew what hunger and thirst were—He knew what labor and fatigue were—He knew what hunger and sleeplessness were—He knew what pain and suffering were—He knew what spiritual depression and mental darkness were—He knew what the weight, and cause, and sorrow of sin were—He knew what the assaults of the world, the malignity of foes, the fickleness of friends, the mistrust and woundings of brethren were—He knew what it was to be denied by one disciple, to be betrayed by another, and to be forsaken by all! Child of God! what more shall Christ endure, what ruder path shall He tread, what deeper sorrow shall He experience, what bitterer cup shall He drink, what darker cloud shall He penetrate, what infirmities more human, more severe, more humiliating, shall He take, in order to be touched with the feeling of yours? Will not this suffice to wake your heart to love, to win your mind to confidence, to inspire your soul with hope, to replenish your spirit with joy and tune your lips with praise—that Christ's sympathy, so human yet divine, all so tender, all so clinging, all so personal, entwines around your every infirmity—bodily, mental, spiritual—and makes it all his own.
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. iv 14-16.
God Remembers Good Deeds
If men forget your good deeds, God remembers them; he is not unfaithful to forget your work of faith; nor is he unjust to forget your foes and their works against you: ‐I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Despotism
DESPOTISM.—In most of the villages of Virginia the postmasters refuse to deliver the “Pittsburg Christian Advocate” to subscribers. They burn them instead. The following is from a letter in the Pittsburg:
“On last Sabbath a good brother, an efficient steward in the church, said to me, ‘What is to be done? I have lost the next thing to my Bible.’ ‘What is that?’ I enquired. ‘The “Pittsburg Advocate,”’ said he. ‘Renew your subscription.’
‘I would, at once, but if I do I cannot get the paper; the postmaster will not let it go out of the office.’ On further inquiry, I lean that the postmasters at St. Mary’s, Willow Island, and Grape Island—all in Pleasant county—have refused to give out the Advocates.”—N. W. Chris. Adv.