TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Manual for the use of the members of the Second Presbyterian Title page of Manual Dedicatory page of Manual 11-158 vii-viii God's Presence in His Church-Sermon preached at dedi- 11-28 History of the Second Presbyterian Church, in two dis- Rules for the temporal government of the Second Presby- 81-91 Lists of Church Members and Sabbath School Teachers.. Appendix to Manual, containing Practical Directions, &c., II. Pastoral Memento, dedicated to the Members of the Second Appendix I.-Article printed in New York Observer on the Free Church of Scotland, by Thomas Smyth, D. D..... IV. The Voice of God in Calamity; or, Reflections on the loss of Map of City of Charleston, showing part destroyed by fire.. Appendix, containing newspaper account of the fire, VII. The Relation of Christianity to War, and the Portraiture of Sermon delivered at the first commencement of the Citadel Academy, Charleston, 1847, by Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D. 351-377 IX. Oration, delivered on the forty-eighth anniversary of the Orphan House, Charleston, by Rev. Thomas Smyth.. Orphan's Hymn, by Mrs. C. Gilman X. The Successful Merchant, and the Lessons of His Life and XI. A Pattern of Mercy and of Holiness, Exhibited in the Conver- sion and Character of Col. William Yeadon : A discourse, by Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D.... Obituary of Col. William Yeadon, from Charleston Courier. 490-492 XV. A discourse on the twenty-second anniversary of the Ameri- XVI. Our Fathers, a discourse delivered on the occasion of the Jubilee Celebration of the Second Presbyterian Church, PREFACE. This publication, it is hoped, will prove useful to the members of the Second Presbyterian Church and congregation. It will do so, by imparting all that information which is so desirable to those who connect themselves with any society. The origin, history, and progress of the church, is here disclosed; its present condition delineated; its rules and regulations declared; its officers, elders and members published. It will do so, by giving form and character to the church; by attaching to its history and doings, their reasonable importance; and thus making it an object of greater interest and regard. It will do so, by treasuring up, for future generations, the correct history of the present and the past,-ere time has rolled its oblivious wave over the transactions of by-gone days. It will do so, by constituting a bond of union among the members of the church-making them acquainted with each other, and with all that is done in the church; and thus promoting union, harmony, and brotherly love. In olden times, "they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it." The great obstacles to a personal acquaintance, and familiar intercourse among Christians, in a city like this, are, their wide dispersion, the continual change in their places of residence, and the consequent difficulty of ascertaining where they reside, from year to year. The following manual will obviate these difficulties. Every member of the church may be furnished with it; and, it is hoped, will feel the obligation of cultivating that spirit of mutual intercourse, which has, in former years, been so productive of good to this people. "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another." "Hereby know we, that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." "Thereby shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one towards another." And if the directions given in the introductory discourses, and in the conclusion of the volume, are in any good degree followed, will they not very powerfully contribute to the advancement of holy living, and thus prepare for holy dying? Let every member of the church and congregation, put themselves in immediate possession of this little volume. Let them read it at least once a year. Let them endeavour to reduce its rules to practice, and to act upon its suggestions. Let them study the government of the church-become acquainted with its nature and design-co-operate in the prosecution of all its plans-manifest an affectionate interest in all its members, the poor as well as the rich,—and then will she arise and shine, the glory of the Lord being risen upon her; she will lengthen her chords and strengthen her stakes; and the Lord will add to her continually such as shall be saved. N. B. Blank space is left, for filling up, from time to time, so as to render this manual of continued utility. |