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THE ONSTITLTION PUB. CO ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FOR THE WEEK' ENDING TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1878. No. 46, Volume X TERMS Or TOE COysTlTCTIOA OAI1.T roinoic. bj Lu, OM T~r no WEEKLY EDITION, pshitakwl mm Tnasdsyre "OSS-*» l *=•* M so. rsynbi. la l lhassou .bom wham the mmMTlOKfc- ib. paper; th* Mb^rjalfio cxpti«a rare, tb. i racva at loaat one mk la itraca OONaTlTCTION, tw Tab Beecher btuin ening the country. fin JossrH £. Juuaaua apent a da, with Umo. LineMreet recently. The dniEay ol toe Mew York Tri bune aUU keep* the Nation in Peril. Tnitee or tour Biuaian Alabaman aton'd make it lively (or Engliah com Tub day* of carpet banging are not over. Tb* potato bog ia marching down npon tie. The (aitblnl Hagers, tbe private aec- retary and confidential aeeiatant ol toe adminiatration, never even no much aa drink* claret. Job Bb.ulev team* to be a very jnafc judge—, nice man to bave on tbe an- preme bench wben fraud was to be consummated. It ia mid that some of tbe alack-wada among the democrat* are really afraid ol an invutigation. They ought to join Blanton Duncan’* army. Adam bad no John Hntrman in hie cabinet, and consequently hia title waa not disputed. A professional fabulist could no doubt pick a moral out of this historical fact. The Rpiiorfield (Mass.) Republican is the only northern paper that baa had tb* manliness to correct tbe state ment Hat tbe Colombo* Eoquircr-Sui. was in favor of lynch Isw. there waa any danger in these fellows, rpgrj DTgtrrypr.1 A TyTt'O'p'QCi I inured in s firmer compactness and bet- Q , AJAAi hlODUiu iiJ-fUX\IiOO Ur 00DMrv>tioQ ol the fond .mental Inp.rl.Dl Herarsllona as ro the Fit I.* — Tl>. Worn «f III. P„-s — 2*1.. •tm-l'Darrs Urnib-nUp — Ilic Fre* 141.1* Bides t l ie It is now discovered wby Bayard Taylor golped down three hundrea glasses ol lager beer just pravioua to leaving tbia country. He lou-d that be couldn't be elected president o tbe paragrauhers’ association. GaxaasL Toons* assert* in hi* usual fearlesa luabion that Tiia Constitution ia the bsat paper in tbe roalh, because it is tbe most outspoken and independ ent. We have long since .discovered that a little strssk of audacity now and then gives a relish to the discussion ol public man end measures. IWt ALBANY WAlB. Tin opening ol the spring fair of the Southwest Georgia Industrial associa tion, St Albany, on the 21st and 22d o the present month will afford the dti- sens of north Georgia an opportunity to inspect the products of one of the most thrifty, progressive and fertile sections ol Georgia. The indication) are thrt this, the first fair of the asso ciation, will be a conspicuous success, not only as an eablbition of the indus trial and agricultural possibilities of southwest Georgia, bnt as n means of briegiog th* people together and incit ing among them that kindly, but ener getic spirit ol competition which always aocotnp nies real progress. Among the attraoiiona of tbe fair will be a prise drill between military companies for two hundred dollars, and a boat race on the river. tMrvitvi.io run national debt. We bave received a copy ol the speech ol Hon. Hiram P. Ball on the refunding of the national debt and tbe necessity of establishing postal savings banka An abler or a more exbansti ve argument has not been mads in con gress npon the (abject. Mr. Bell shows conclusively that if our national debt could be held by our own people— e hich is one of tbe objects proposed by the bill he ■ wse advocating—and the interest thereon paid within our own borders, it would constitute one ol the elements of nations! wealth. Mr. Bril ia master of his subject, and hia speech will well repav perusal. A SMKMO.X ros LBDAPASDtma. We herewith present sn extract from a letter written by Hon. Willtsm E Smith, who ao faithfully and efficiently represent, the second Georgia district in congress., The letter is iu response to an inquiry from a friend as to whetb er be would become a candidate for re-election, and we give it the promim ence o! editorial position id order that we may more effectually cJnl attention to the manly and patriotic sentiments contained theism. They will be endorsed by every true democrat in the laid. Mr Smith wiitea: I knew ol ao aoe sow, .fleering me per- tensity, mat won C ror.nl my sonuuuc* e* a (1,-mocrsilca.m n*uoc foi.ir.lla th. feet,- alaih consists it tendered me Indeed, li would be gislltyu a id reumiu la o-nsiwe end .Id In ■saluting the gueanmenl loll, norma: ccoCI- Uo:; lo wilnaas c. er, d. p*nmant of ibtacnet goerrnnaenl lu complete ccc'ld with aU other., ,0,1 id .erleet harmony wtlh the cootUiuilor. Pd the Catted Slues. Itiv.ua bach *' i*< ae gbo lotMatrd «nd aid. d Id id. Tvto:m neimr ol MIS, .od «lr« ID*I t'me-measures which ha.e re cst.blutMd the •uprenuCTof Ih. cfvlt over the ralu.ry.u ihortiWs. reuvuDItsbed local ssU goven m ol In Sou lb Carolina mid LmltaUn*. {•monel s >1 u Tor cola. rMORd pewv, lew nod order thnxubout ibe unld, aad ebecked tb* apolls itoe acbemmor tbeboodbobirts is redomin oo.1 leilrioaonr greenhm-k clrralaUon. it n il appear uassod.a ahooui 1 wl*b ro owUeue longer in ibla goal werk and wlutcm ibe *nuid utomoh ltu.1 a.ij await, u*. «i|>. I do ao wsai w, ptreonsl wwhss lo In- tortwo witb, or oppcoe Ik* dortns of m, ooomll- UID. TUey me to bo nprerentad. ond lb*r moult soleor ittclr nptomaim. Tbalr sc ■toe tball bird me Tb* .coder majority oo how hsse.in lh« boom at mproeeniauv*. most not be lo.: m the Beat- TBo n«at oooue oUl be ours, and It wiU be . steer mtsfcrtne* to our country It w* let: retain out pooot Is tbs bonis. To maintain tbe c.oouinuao, to onforo* tbs tswa. to pot tery* lb. rights ol all lb. stale. ar.d oeoplo, tbo democratic party la tally coetmluod To db- cDars. tbaor lee rt.nl truws. wn most monre tn. cseenUw JaUcnluft lyUlrUr* dcpait- meot- ot tb. goweRimauL W. mare base Duty ao dlwawo, oo shrinking Tney were, the moat of them, out work, bat were resdy to give op their * opposition to capital <m the offer of al *„_*f *._°f.***^ £ job of work, just as the man-haler* for- awor# them-elves upon ao cflfer of mar risga. Little attention w a paid to tbeir indecent and absurd ravings, therefore, until tbe remarkably rapid spread of tb* railroad riots last year impreeaed npon tbe public mind the suspicion that there was some powerful organisa tion of workingmen in existence, that could upon the moat trifling occasion paralyze the industry ol the oenutry and throw the republic off its balance Bnt this unnreaaion soon faded, and there waa a derisive laugh all over the onion when Cincinnati booght a Gat ling gun and placed it in position, where It could sweep her principal av enue. It appears n'w that tl e north hse been sleeping over s great danger. The Gatling gnn wsa s wise thought that many another city will find it neces sary to duplicate. The discovery abort time ago in Chicago, that there were eeverml thou sand well-armed communists, drilling certain nights of every week in Urge halls in d.fferent parts of the efty. The number was pnt at 6 UOO This repor led the other large ciiies “to look to themselves,” and it was very soon dis covered that they were all in as bad • fix as was Chicago. In Cincinnati it ass fonnd that folly 9.0W men, armed with the beet of nfles were perfecting themeelves nightly in the manual and in the skirmish drill. These we/e no* volunteer organization and did not ap pear upon any public roster. They were communists, pore and aimjle, armed at private expense and drilling iu secret. The same was true of the other cities. It wss shown that agent* of the French and German commune* were in the conntty in large nombere, aiding with harangues and cash, tht infamous movement. An agent, sent to New York to purchase a large qoan tity of arms, made the following state* raent to the reporter of one of the Nea York papers: Tht discovery, yon aay, has Juat been madt Jst our men m« drilling nizbtiy la Chicago Wby, sir, the truth la. our men have been drill log public!y there for ovar two years. Thorn fa nothin* secret at all about It, and It I were de alroua ot coming on to Now York on my present mission is a secret manner, there waa cothl. ? water in tbo world. The dispatch you refer to 1* full of errors, a*d you can rectify U if you ao •dasrre Ina ead cf & 000 men drilled in varioae purr* of Cb'csfo sifhtly, you may aay over twenty thousand- And you may also add that th*je la not a ringle old pattern rifle in uao to day's tbe organ!! itlous The members ma> pomlhly h ive some, but they are not used in 'h» drill- ooma, for It ia contrary to the rules By aJdea, I am free to admit thalthere ia not a ward the city tint dcei not contain a -vend drilling balls, but wby con flue U to Qblcag'jf Why, In ^au FnncUci, Clodnnstf, Milwaukee, acre, land. Indianapolis and Philadelphia, our organ. isitlOLa are complete, and have txwn for aomt ima. The clergy and thoe- who douot under* stand na laugh at un, call tu fanatic?, idiots and blood thirsty know-nolhinga Wall, let them think what they please and call us what they choose. Our strength is hourly locreaa ing, to-d*y our rolls contain members • I a!mot every creed and nationality. We areof the peo ple and for the people, ard our strength may b« found overwhelming when put to the teat 'ert many years rol! by. Tbo anna and ammuni tion about to be purchased are not intended for any particular dty or branchea of the organ s tic n They an fur dl»tritm*.ioo all over, free the far west to your own dty as well aa all along the Pacific elope, wherever a branch of the body has lately been cotabUtfced. A ex- oentratloool PnlladdpbU and New York, I abk.ut to be effected, and tbe branchea of tin organisation In this dty placed npon a proper beat* F^raomo time past the dergy and moo- opo lati throughout the state of New York havt opposed our progre as la every conceivable way. now we are all right and mean to get to work It la our Intention to district tbiacity.as San Franctico and Chicago are. intodrilUrg hall* or armories,for you see there ia no law prohibit ing such a atepi Wo commit no breach of t ie peace, and as long aa we conform with tbe law* have nothing to fear.** •Bat." interrupted tbe reporter, "what ia lb object of all th a anoint? What do you meai by such systematic drillingf It certainly locks though you contemplated an attack on some body. Mr. Laffor.—“Taere la exactly where the mtf- takela. Instead of attacking any simply pr« paring to repel any atti ck that may be made npon us. In New York, Chicago anc many other c tie*, our meetings, although pub lic and free to every orderly person bave been br ken up bv the police, our member* Illegally Ipciicfrated for days, and some of them dabbed almost to death.or driven from th* *:reet at tbe pr int of the bayonet by your mlllUsa Our arm In* Is purely for defend'# purposes, and aa New York ha? been deemed tbe weakest east- eru dty of the orgacisttioB, whereas it oogh to, properly speaking, be the great stronghold, it has bees determined to place it upon, if I may so express mysdf, a war footlrg. A mra bet of tredesHiuions and soetoMs la the sta e of New York had heretefora ranged ihemselvcs avatnst us. but a racorcUUUon has beau arrived at 'hrough tbe medium cf kindred uoioes and nreudatlona, who approve of our plana, ao tha before many months Naw York state and c ty will take their proper placet f n the organisa tion- Arms and per per drill oflkxrt will com ae here, and neither money nor time will be trend to place tbe eastern section in a position lo be able 10 respond promptly to any call made a poo if. 1 am on my way to M*a*ac v usetts. where the necessary arms will be purchased and shipped to Now York, not in any leeret or dan doatlno manner, but openly and above board and if tbo authorities mo fit to itte fere.tbcugh I cannot ate how tney can, we shall oonteai our rigk*. w The dueger that in contingent upot these de|fbra!e organisetions cannot be fairiv estimated. There is, of course, no danger of their ever getting perma nent pcfesefsion of tbe goveroment, or even of eusteiLirg a prolonged conflict witn the au'horiUet But they can in fl ci in a few hoars incalculable damage npon the property end the intiostrief of oar greet cities. Twenty thousand armed men for instance, rising in Chi cago et e given signed might very easily take possession of the city end hold it for e day, or pcsaibly e week, especieV.y when tbe neighboring citi«s were engaged in putting down insur rections of the same eon within their own limits. The shortest time men' tioned, however, won.d be plenty long enough for them to destroy millions of Dka* Brethren -After the Upee of four eventlul jeers, yon beve per mitted, in the good providence of (aod, to convene rs repesentRtivee of the Methodist E. church, south, in its highest constitutional assembly; in vested witb **fnll powers/* under cer tain specified “limitations and restric lions, to makes rules and regulations,” •nch as in onr godly judgments will best promote its mission in the world. We greet von in tbe name of enr common Lord. We congratulate yon upon tbe diguity which has been con ferred upon yon by your respective annual conferences, in tbe exercise of their electoral rights; by whose choice you have been elevated to positions in the only legislature ar d in the supreme jndic ary or onr church. And we es pecially acknowledge with gratefnl hearts the auspicious circumstances which attend on* quadrennial gsthe-iDg On no previous eccasiona of this kind have we enjoyed richer evidence ot divine favor, or possessed greater ele menta of p wer and prosperity as a church. Since tbe adjournment ot the lan general conference, strange and instruc tive events affecting the forum* and destiny of the Cnnriun religion, have- occurred in the history of the wo? Id. To some of these we may briefly refer ab pertinent to this occasion. They are “signs of the times’* which it is our duty, aa officers of the church, to con aider and improve. The providential government of God is instituted to subserve toe behests of the kingdom of C irist. “He is head overall things to the church.” “AU .udgment is committed to the Sjn.” Sveiy department of evangelical Christendom is an integral portion of tbe commonwealth of Israel; and the prosperity of each is more or lens in* volved in ail those historical stages which sivnaiize the coarse of human affairs. Contemplated on this wider scale, we are-better prepared to real z the relations of our Methodism to the universal church, and to humanity,and to project plans for oilier p aces and other limes than those with which we are more immediately occupied. The connection between these general facte and our prerent responsibilities, ia neither obatnre nor visionary. Tbe ap prehension of it is a part of wiedom It will enlarge the circle of our hons m, aud animate onr zeal for huger con quests. The financial collapse, for example, which commenced four years ago, and which has sirce pervaded, perplexed and paralyzed the commercial world, contains a lesson for the church. As a matter of fact, it has r ere ted with cor responding force npon all those sgenciet of Christianity employing the use of money in their operations, tiach a crisis ought not to retard, much les- arrest those operations. It is a radii a; mistake to snppote that the progreta of Christ's kingdom is dependent upon tbe laws of commerce, or is necessarily a fleeted by the contracuon or expan sion, the scarcity or repletion o' the currency. Its abnuoance, though rarely ever dedicated to God, oght always to be snb aidized and sanctified by its consecra tion to His cause; but the oeficiency ol the one ought never to hinder the ad vancemeni of the other. It is a pretex for avarice and inaction. The resources: i the Christ iau church, not withstand’ Ing the floe*nations in the markets of the world, are equal to its demands; too the combined efforts of its real mem bers, actuated by the co; straint of Christ's love, will compensate tbe defi ciency, and even *rauscena it by the affluence of tbeir contributions. Riper screptoral views ci the conditions ol sue cees, a livelier faith in a reigning ba- viour, a more self-sacrificing response to the ca'ls of duty, and a wiser econo my in the use of money, will correct tbe ordinary calculations of the ledger, and leaves a surplus for the cause of Christ. The question of person; 1 con venience wilt be merged into one ol Corisiisn obligation, and a new phase ol hnance will replenish the revenues ol the church. The startling diffusion of new and imposing forms of unbelief, within the period of which we speak, had placed the entire Ohirctian church in the pres ence of a formidable and aelSconfident antagonism, which hi forcing upon her Ibe v;tf.l questions of her true founds tion, her essential integrity, her legit mate affairs, and her beat inodes of sue cemful defense. All alike ate obliged to accep* this gunge of war. We, too, must adjust ourselves to tnese ext gem principles which distinguished the great Wesleyan movement; and the aggregate retulfii, we bave reason to believe, have counterbalanced the incidental evils of that apparently ca lam i to us event. Nothing has occurred during the past thirty eight years to shake onr conviction of tbe stability of southern Methodism, or lessen onr at tachment to Its Institutions. A more homogeneous ecclesiastical community does not exist on the American conti nent. The quadrennial term now expiring has been characterized by almost uni versal peac* and harmony amongst cur ministry and membership, both in re spect to doctrine and discipline, and in their cordial subordination to the exer cise of legitimate authority. Noth ing has been more decisive throughout our wide and varied domain, than tbeir unanimity in adhering to the peculiar ities of our ecclesiastical system. What, however, is of unspeakably more value, and cause of profounder gratitude, is the blessing of God which has crowned the agencies ot the church, during the past four years, with deci ded success. The gospel, as received by us, has been faithfully and fearlessly preached. Revivals of religion have extensively prevailed. Thousands have been added to the church, and onr borders have been continually extend ing. Houses of worship, in highly im proved styles of architecture, have rapilly multiplied, and offered their comfort and attractions to increasing numbers of worshipers. Parsonages bave been erected with onusual fre quency, and. with better, accommoda tions for the fsmilies of our preachers; aud appeals for contributions to benev olent obj-c a have been met with a generous response. We rejoice to be* deve that the cbnrcb is in a generally healthy condition. Oar statistics will show a gratifying progress in its growth and spirituality. Amidst these cheering evidences of substantial coherence and prosperity, it is not without regret, and even appre hension, that we witnees certain des par! urea from the standards and genius of cur system, and tendencies to others, which compromise its character and impair its efficiency. Chan ges of mere economy adapted to the altered condi tion oi times and places, are sometimes absolutely necessary and eminently sa iutorj; bnt those which aflhet the con stitution and consistency of the system itself, must be guarded with jealous vigilance, lest their mcipiency result in a gradual surrender of its vital forces. We refer to several admonitory sysop* tome wh?ch we take the liberty of urg ing upon your at'eution. We cannot ofhit from this category, the insufficient stress, in cur day, laid upon the doctrine of “entire sanctifica- tion,” as inculcated m the Wesleyan theology, and exemplified in the first age of Methodism. Notwithstand ing its neglect on the one hand and its fanatical distortions on the other, by factious leaders, it is never theless thee ear testimony of the holy rcripturee. Its experience is the un questionable privilege of believers, and its er.joyment the full-blown flower and tbe ripe fruit of the Christian life. The infrequency of its proclamation from the pulpit, and the irregularity of its ■xperimental power in the church, has proven a serious detriment to the ro bustness of our piety, and to the spe cialty of our mission “to spread scrip tarsi holiness over these lands/* Lot us more than e»er re-asaert this great doc'rine. > We re er in this connection also to the decline of an institution, the his tory of which is incorporated into that of Methodises and which more than any other human expedient, contrib uted to its growth. Tne memory of the class meeting is fragrant with bie ing. Its suspension has been a cala school ins* ruction. It is of suffi- ’ of a term common to b/th, but wholly cient importance to justify a ppecialen aerment on the subject by the general conference. The subj ect cf general education, un der the oatronsga of the church, as a meanfr< f success and apowerful agency for good evinces its importance with every advancing year of her history. The diffused intellectual life of our times, the rapid advancement of classi cal and scientific knowledge, and the inexorable demand for scholarly at tainments amongst both sexes, leave no alternative bat to meet the emergency with comprehensive and energetic measures, or surrender the well earned renown of the past and the glowing hopes of the future. While our litera* ry institutions have retained their in tegrity, faithfully discharged their du ties and manfully sustained the repu- tat ; on of the church daring the past four years we grieve to say that no sig nal success has attended them. Tney hive not flourished in proportion to their merits or the hopes of the church. The majority of them have been em barrassed by debt, feebly patronized by the public and have consequently been unable to supply themselves with the needed complement of libraries and apparatus and furnish the desired sup port lor commanding professional tal ent. The principal cause for this de pression has been the general financial stringency of the country, extending it self threugh the entire pest quadren nium. It is a matter of thanksgiving that they have passed the ordeal so safe ly, ready to expand witb the return of more auspicious times. Yet we are not blameless as a people iu this respect. The church, though diminished in re" sources, is not poor. She is rich enough, with proper effort, to set afloat and endow every recognized institution amongst u?. The fault is the want of intelligent interest and well devised plans, and not of ability. The glare of great donations has, perhaps, dazzled as. We do not comprehend the com bined value of smaller ones. It be*< hooves the members of this body to take hold of this question with a firm grasp, and arouse the church to appre ciate the responsibility which it in volves. We think that these institu tions require nothing more to insure their prosperity than a working endow ment and a generous patronage. We cannot afford to let them perpetrate a struggling existence, and to remit the education of our youth to skeptical or uncongenial institutions. The Vanderbilt university, the muni* ficent donation of whose founder was gratefully acknowledged by tbe last general conference, and subsequently increased by him to $1,000,000 h&a since gone into operation with gratify ing prospects. It is fully endo wed, eu* tiiely free from debt, comprising all the departments, academical and pro fessional, of a university proper, and possessing all the facilities of the higher education. We tru9t that with its superior advantages, it will add effi ciency and lustre to our educational enterprises. We regard with deep satisfaction the opportunities which many of our liter ary institutions afford candidates for the ministry in preparing them fer their high vocation. While the church does not require attendance upon them as a sine qua non for admission into the traveling connection, it ia her im perative duty to place such opportune lies within their remc£i, as will better enable them to enlarge the sphere of their usefulness, and occupy any posi tions to which the demands of the age may summon them. The stern logic of eventa is happily meeting with a re sponse. Our colleges and universities by general culture, and our Biblical schools, by special trailing, are ccn- curriug with our estaolisled economy, in supplying tia with laborers suited to every poet of, ministerial duty. The one ought not and cannot truthful!.. ity. Its neglect has not been compen- say to the other, “I have np. j PiVwTTlImffipfr , .... * thee” We have need of all, of every In accordance WLli the second rose- wntHorizad by the late general confer- sated by any proposed substitute. It has not been abolished. It still sur vives by law. Its resuscitation in some effective form would vastly enhance our individual and corporate strength. Methodism always protested, by ex plicit warrant of the word of G<d, against “each diversions as cannot be ustd m the name of the Lord Jesus/’ especially against those which are de signated aa fashionable amusements. The Methodist Episcopal church south, has emphatically reiterated this pro test. It is lamentable to what an ex tent it remains unheaded. Many of our members indulge in these forbid den pleasures, and brirg reproach upon the church. Parents do not restrain their chi!dr n from participating in them, and the evil grows by at least constructive connivance. It shoald be arrested by more decisive action, or it will become unmanageable altoge her. Our ii qmries into the spiritual con dition cf the church constrain us to say that a m jorily of our people are chargeable with a grave dereliction in respect to family worship. The priest hood, tbe altars, and the morning and : .iff 41. A L mi ... a1/1 n.n grade of ability, whether of one talent, j u tion, Rev. Elward H. Myers, Rev. or of five talents, lo xcupy until the Thomas M. Finney, Rev. R. K. Har- Lord comes. grove, Hon. R. B. Vance, and Hon. We heartily approve of the plan of David C'.opton, were appointed a com fit the same time, the elements of evangelical Christendom, whether Iron* external pressure, or from internal itn pulse, or from both, have, in a remark able degree, manifested a tendency to wards unity in the fundamental arti cles of faith, and in spiritual fellowship Tbeir approximation on theee grounds, is a prominent feature of tbe times in which we live, and deserves the deep est attention. It does not appear to in rolve a surrender, or even a compro mise of peculiar tenets, or modes oi polity; bat to seek only tbe affiliation of two Christians, on tbe basis of ac kuowledged essentials. Viewed in this light, t'ie movement enou'd be bailee with joy, as the exponent and vindi cation, under diversified aspects, of the “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Fathei of a'.l,” which, in all ages, and in al< places underlie the true caiholic church of Christ. The preservation of distinct ecclesiastical ojganix uions, and be re tention of doctrinal pecu iarities, are perfectly consistent won r.sca tivaiio.i, ;ind,iu ’fact, necessary to its develop ment. Bj an unexpected and mjsterioue process, in wtuch we devoutly acknowi edge the overruling hand oi God, our country has recency pas ed into a state of marvellous tranquillity, eminently favorable to tbe expansion and energy of Christian enterprise. Tne coutras between it and that oat of which, as a church, we emerged more than twelvt- years ago, and in the midst of which, more or lees, our lot has since been cast, is so astonishing as to justify special thanksgiving to God, and to s imulate onr healthiest activity in His service. In the meantime, a war of terrible proportions ard destructive severity in the east, whatever may be its merit evening sacrifices of the household are tne forgotten or neglected duties of m tny of our Israel. The laxity of do mestic p'ety is entailing its baneful fruits upon the rising generation, and our sons and daughters, unnurtured by its sanctions are falling into the giddj ’•inks that throng the read to ruin Family religion is the imperative ads jnnet to personal piety and the unal terable condition of its* transmission to posterity. Our preachers have, for the mo6t part, been more liberally supported, during the four years, than at any for mer period. In many instances, how ever, there support has been utterly in.'deqoHte, and shamefully irregular. The deficiency in these instances has been unquestionably due in the main, to the waut of competent stewards and rigorous fidelity on the part of the quarterly conference, ana not to the want of additional 1< gialation. Oar fis cal plan is, in our judgmt nt a model of practical skill, elaborated by the beet minds of the caurch, from a long series of experiments and observations. Ail thflt is necessary to its effectiveness, is :he conscientious and systematic exe cution ol its details. Its tcrip!ual an thorny, its principle of general but vol untary aesessmem,it8 boards of finance, its required reports and the regu: review of them by quarterly and annual conferences, render it equally pervasive, uniform and specific in its operations, while it leaves ample max gm for the exercise, of Christian liber ality in providing for the wants of those who “give themselves cantina’ ally to prayer, and to the ministry has, thus far, terminated in the hnmil- dotlars wrorth cf property and stores, . union and curtailment of the greates* and throw the country into bankruptcy ' anti-Christian power upon earth. We A* tremendous as this peril is, it is not ““T reasonably hope, ihst nolwith- . .. ... .. I stsndin* its horrors, it h-a broken, if of th. question that thus, seouudr. a ■ ^ remoTet j | ooe of the fiercest obs a- haa made three visitations to the City ,« ...K. of Mexico in behalf of the mi* oaa. v hMl to h,™ ” ^the Lori Olher doom in foreign lauds are open 3 to us; and the wail ol their perishing . millions resounds in the w^rds of their Having completed the tour of annual ancient representative in ^Macedonia : conferences on the P. cific coast, in com as the fail measure of cheerful labor is I *.-*.*r*i should be comprtmiaeu with. They stand upon a platform of plunder and pillage, and to temporize with them, would be to sacrifice the dignity and destroy the integrity of tbe govern 11 Z2US SOMI MOkM WAX’ Tbe people of the north are just now enjoying u huge seuaatioo that may be come B imethimj more than a sensation. It baa own known for mum that there waa a number of idle rucaia in every dty of that part of the union, who had banded together under the name ot “communist*," and were watt ing for a chance to knock thi' gi even They were supposed to b* in favor of an equal distribution of ail propertv, which waa a d.ucedly comfortable ar rangement, considering that they had nothing nl ail to distribute. They were supporters of a number of papers that were published under something like des to tbe evangelization of the world; and that, together with the temporal disfranchisement of the pepscy, it has opened a new theatre and started a new period for enlightened Christian zeal, tn which a massive and corrupt eccie- ment. They should be dealt witb ae- I nasticiam »d^i be aabstitntrd by the Terely and sternly whenever he first 1 church in ite parity, ana the crescent Sigh Of trouble i* shown. I WMe ° eforc ^ cras8 It ia fortunate that there U o dan- | jn general, the extent to whic^all ger of each sa organisation in th ■ south Our people are more conaervat ve and contented, than those of the north. Our dtiee bave no inch mob like de- the nations oi the earth are now acces sible to tbe gospel, and the manner in which prophecy and Providence are blerdi-^ in the history of the wor!d,en- hsrc t »e vosatii it of the enure church the following motto: “The ballot when convenient—tbe bullet wben aoffident j essence of communism, which —tbe torch wben neosmary.” | to be nothing more nor less than tha |t was not believed, however, that “cobedve power of public plunder." meats aa may be fonnd in *U northern | of Christ, and indicate the relation dtire. And, above all, onr day labor- ! which we. a. a de nominal iomanataui . ! . ' * . . .. f in ib® grind consummation. Thus has ©re tb© dam that fill the ranks of the j ^ Lord been preparing a highway for commerce—are, as a general thing, ne- j bunaelf. and training hia militant hosts gross—who have no disposition toward »; ar the fulfilment of this apostolic rom- revo unon, and who, if they were to ! mission: “Go ye into all the world^nd attempt it. would it stantiv rule every ; P«*ch the gospel to every creature. 7/ • ’ 7T ‘ *T y “ ./ Daring the stirring period to which white mu oat of the ranks. Tne pride „„ amidst all iu changes and of race ia stronger, and will be stronger complication*, tbe Me hodist Episcopal lor years to come iff the south than any j church, south, has not only maintained esprit or comradeship that can be ita ground, but has continued to evince Af-a«r»n ’the w^| los* «s*ef arm eexiftence and thought of—even stronger than vitality cf ita independent orgtniz i- inapproprl.t a to places of domestic des titnuon, will pass away forever. The secretary of our board of foreign mis« sions will lay btfore you a complete and detailed aocount of ita operationTOnce th» last general conference. The disk ict conference has demon strated itn utility in promoting the general interests of the church and de* ve loping its .social elements whenever it has beenjproperly conducted. Being an annual new of its practical opera tions within each presiding elder's dis trict, its efficiency depends npon con fining its inquiries strictly to the schedule assigned it and keeping it aloof from all irrelevant and irrigating discussions;. It shoald not be invested with any other prerogatives than those which it now possesses, nor complicat ed with any duties pertaining to quar terly conferences; and ihebosines3 per-, taining to it shoald be formulated in analogy, andfchurch c inferences. While quarterly conferences shoald retain their iresent schedule, of duties it would ooujribute to the complete- o< theirfunctions to require that their journ&h be submitted to the re view of the annual conferences, in or der to correc* administrative and cleri cal errors, ahd ensure accuracy and uniformity in their records. The church conference, though operative to a limited extent, yet as a connectional institution, has not fully realized the .object of its enactment. It possesses Elements of great utility, and we trudt that onr preachers and people wjll earnestly co-operate to make it **15Jessing to the church. We report with unfeigned pleasure, the success of the measures adopted by the l&st general conference, with the view of establishing fraternal relations between the Me’hodist Episcopal church, ard the Methodist Episcopal church setfth. The proceedings inaug urating these measures need not now be repeated. They are familiar to all present At that session the following resolutions wer© adopted, viz: 1. “Thai the general conference has received with pleasure the fraternal greetings of the Methodist Episcopal church, (bnveyed by their delegates and that bar col'ege of bishops be, and are hereby authorized to appoint a delegation consisting of two ministers and one layman, to bear onr Christian salntationa to their next ensuing gen eral conference/* 2 “That in order to remove all obsta cles to formal fraternity between the two churches, our college of bishops is authorized to appoint a commission consisting of three ministers and two laymen, to meet a similar commission authoriz'd by the Methodist Episcopal church and to adjust all existing diffi culties.” In accordance with the first of. these resolutions, Rev. Lovick Fierce, Rev. Junes A. Duncan, and Dr. Landon C. Garland were appointed fraternal mes sengers. It was a matter of profound regret that the venerable chairman of that delegation was not permitted, on account of bodily infirmity, to partici pate in that memorable transaction. The previous history and the existing voice of the chnrch seemed to demand his presence. Tne band of God denied ns the privilege. Though absent, he placed hia testimony on record in a communication worthy of his mission and his fame. With what fidelity and honor the other members of the dele gation performed their duty needs no commendation from ns. The dignity and the responsibility of the occasion were fully met, end tneir response has been accepted as the utterance of the chnrch. It casts a shadow of darkness over these pleasant recollections, that one of the actors on that occasion, and one of the brightest ornaments of the church, did not long survive his greatest achievement He waa suddenly Stricken down by death while v»C V :' ie meridian of his manhood and district echoois, recommended by the iast general conference. They meet the wan t a of onr people, in many lo calities, for the education of tbeir chil* dren. They are the only antidote to that godless feature in the public fchools, which ignores the holy scrip tures in the training of re.uth. They are especially necessary in perfecting onr educational system, by reaching all classes, and preparing slndents botn for our mile and female colleges. We are happy to say that many have been established since the recommendation wp* made. Oar foreign missionary operations are comparatively limited. They do not represent either our history or capacity with respect to the world’s evangel ration. The separation of tbe two principal bodies of American Metnodism in 1844, has in effect de prived us of the larger part of our mis sionary record. Before that event, Southern Methodism participated pro- port ion ably in missionary work of the Methodist Episcopal church abroad; and cultivated almost exclusively the vast field occupied by th$ colored peo pie in the southern part of the United States. These facta remain in the ab sence of the record. What we have done since is in addition to the unre corded portion of onr labors in that di rection. Our missions in China, in Mexico, and amongst the In dians and Germans of onr own conn- try, are in a highly encouraging condi* tion—jus ify all the expenditures hith erto made in their behalf, and will de mand larger appropriations in the fa* tare. The mission in Brazil is jet in its infancy. It ia jndicioosly located, and is the nucleus of operations in a vast and thickly populated regi n, destitute of the bread of life. It is fall of prom ise, and deserves your fostering care Amongst these missions, those in China and in Mexico are unquestiona bly of tbe greatest prospective impor tance. Both of these are located in the midst of vast populations, perfectly open to cs, with foundations cf aban- d-int success already laid. That iu China has been recently reinforce d. I* has received a powerful impulse, both within itself and st home, to the sea sonable and successful visit of Bishop Marvin, whose official services and whose mature and comprehensive views have placed it before the church iu a. new and commanding attitude. The mission amongst the Mex cans ie scarcely sec-nd to it in its probable re sults. It already astonishes os by the richness of its first forts. Since the preachers, and tarnishing them with comfortable homes, is a sacred and para mount duty, and is essentially ac cessory to our itinerant system. Our Sunday school department hta fully kept pace with the progress of 'he church, in every other direction, if it has not surpassed it in all others. Its indispensable connection with church growth, in the present rge, has been thoroughly demonstrated in the last foar years. It has replenished oar membership with its largest numbers and its best materials; and has assumed proportion prophetic of yet grander results. The last general conference settled, by law, a principle of pnme importance, when it defined the rela tion of Sunday schools to the pastorate, by conferring upon it tbe right of nomi nating taperintendents. Our Sun day school literal are has go or send. The missionary spirit, Hendrix, he embarked for his destinr- though operative to the extent tion, at San Francisco, November 1, indicated, h?s not yet reached that 1876. After a prosperous voyage, he degree of strength and intensity arrived at Shanghai December 14. At of interest amongst ns which would a conference held for the mission in aroute.the whole church to her reapon- Shanghai, December 221, the bishop sibilities with respect to the myriads preriding, four native preachers were who “-it in tbe region and shadow oi elected to deacon's orders, and two of death.” The epirit of missions is the the four were elected to elder’s orders, life of the chnrch. To repress it isolti- On Sunday, 24th ot December, these candidates were ordained by the tion. The original disruption, how och soever it wss deprecated, at the fecticn, ej}utl to the most advanced ne cessities At tbe canse, and ought, with out exception, to be introduced into all our schools. Its new phase, happily inaugupted by Dr. Haygood, has been successfully developed and improved by Dr Cunnyogham, both in matter and f<rm. The adoption of uniform lessons accompanied with our own in terprefltiion. is, at the same time, sn elemest ol Protestant catholicity, and de-nonina’ional strength. The incul cation of our doctrinal views, by the edistant use of our catechisms, re- tifne, by good men on both rides, has mains to complete our e; stem of Sab committed to him and his associate by the college of bishops and the board of foreign missions, under the assumed warrant of the general corference, that they should, on their return, attend the ensuing session of the British Wesley an conference, in the city of Bristol, and represent the M thodist Episcopal church south, in that patriarchal body. They were .present at that session, were duly recognized, and in an able and lucid address, the bishop set forth the claims of southern Methodism to a co ordinate position amongst the Wesley an families, and requested that a depu tation be sent from them to the present general conference. In lien thereof, we are informed that a written com munication has been sent, which in dne time will be transmitted to yon. With emotions too deep for utter ance, it is our solemn duty, officially, to announce to you the death of tne hon ored and beloved colleague whose mis sionary tour we have just reported. He is not t ere, as we hoped, to reconnt his own labors. He has finished his course. He has resigned his commis sion into the hands of his adorable Master. Endowed with exalted abili ties, a true soldier of the cross, a faith ful servant ol the chnrch, he retired, at noon, from the battlefield, by # the command of his Captain, and has gone to join “the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven.” That so bright and Bhining a light should bave been so suddenly quenched, is one of those problems which await solution in the world to come. His death produced a shock throughout the entire church, and she wjll not willingly let his mem ory perish. The interest involved in the publish ing house, the perils through which it has passed since the last general con ference, and its continued embarrass ment , have mpde it an object of gener al solicitude. ; The bishops have shared in that solicitude, and havs exerted their influence to sustain Its reputation. Inasmuch as its vicissitudes are well known, and as a complete statement of its affairs will be presented to you by the agent, we will not anticipate his re port by any detaiik Our remarks will be genera). We bave never ceased to attach great importance to the publishs ing house as the most available agency for utilizing the power of tho press fo the cause of ChnBt; for circulating our unadultergigsLy^re*?.of Scriptural truth, and for sTrengiliening the Pond of con* nectional interest amongst our widely dispersed denomination. We cannot accomplish our mission, as a church, in the present age,without it or its equiv alent. Its loss would be greater than that of property or financial credit. With these views, charged with the oversight of the spiritual and temporal interests of the chnrch, though not specifically authorized to co-operate, we complied with a special request to meet in consultation, with the book committee, in the city of Nashville, December, 1876, npon the pending cri* sis of the publishing house. After pa tient investigation, and by request of thq committee we issued an appeal to the chnrch to raise $60,000 for its im mediate relief. At our regnlar meeting in May last, in the city of Nashville, not quite half that amount had been realized. In the subsequent report of the b jok agent and of the book com mittee, we reindorsed the former ap peal. At the ensuing annual confer ences, we individually repeated our ef forts in the same direction. We regret to say that the response has not yet met the demand and that the embar rassment has not been removed. The condition and affairs of the publishing house will constitute one of the princi pal subjects for your deliberation. We earnestly hope that some measure will be adopted to save to the church that great institution, and to perpetuate the benefits of its publications on a firm ba sis, and a wider scope than ever. We have received from a committee, miseioD, on our part, to meet a similar commission appointed by tbe general conference of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch. These two commissions met by agreement, at Cape May, August, 1876. After a session of several days, characterized by devout supplication for the divine blessing, a due apprecia tion of the pending issue, and the exer cise of a becoming Christian candor, they adopted witb entire unanimity, aa the basis of reconciliation, the true ecclesiastical status of the Methodist Epu copal chnrch, eonth. The essential factor solved the problem of “formal fraternity,” and led to the conclusion which was hailed by the churcn as the settlement of the questions submitted to their arbitration. The terms author* iziog these commissions were fulfilled, and accordingly their action in the premises must be considered final. The transaction of those commissions, as tbe historical and official exponent of the present reciprocal relations of the two great branches of American Meth odism, is invested with peculiar signifi cance. It illustrates also before the world the genius of the gospel; and es- pe ially the filial affection which shoald ever pervade and animate two families descended from the same parent stock. It is one of those inscrutable dispen eations of Divine Providence which c onstantly remind ns of the contrast between the greatness of his design and the frailty of human instruments, and which admonishes us to “rejoice with trembling,” that one who per formed so conspicuous *a part in the formal pacification of northern and southern Methodism, and which em balms bis memory, should, immediate ly after its consummation, have fallen a victim and a martyr to his pastoral fidelity. Dr. Edward H. Myers sleeps in an honored grave. His associates survive to recall his piety and his he roism, and seem to enjoy the approba is indispensable to the vigorous opera tion of onr form of government. 2. That in the formation of new an nual conferences, by the division of older ones, not only the ant hoi ity to divide be granted by the general con ference, but the act of division be, in every instance, consummated by that body during its session, and be not left to the contingent action of annual con* ferences during the interval of the gen eral conference. The evils which arise from local and personal preferences would thus, in a great measure, be pre vented. It would be better to remit proposed divisions,of doubtful proprie ty, to a future general conference, than to commit the result to a lower tribu* nal, and to the hazards of internal agi tation, and an unequal distribution. 3 The facility with which annual conferences create supernumeraries is a growing evil, and ought to be abated. The relation of supernumeraries is un questionably abused, bv constituting it a mere convenience for disposing of otherwise impracticable cases and even patting into it those who have not reached the eldership in their ministry; Borne of whom finally pass without merit, into the legitimate class of the superannuated who have “borne the burden and heat of the day.” We would recommend the adoption of some measures f ur lessening this abuse. *"4 It would, in onr judgment, pro mote the efficiency of the eldership, in the itinerant minis! ry, to adopt a post graduate course of reading, to follow immediately that which now’ends with the graduation of elders,with the view of directing the inquiries of our young preachers, and caluvaiiog their habits of study. It is a lamentable fact that many of them, after having attained the grade of elders, cease to study al together, or do it at random, and fail to realize the promise of their etriier years. This courte could be pre fit* b!y adopted as a useful directory, without tbe exaction of examinations. 5. The law with respect to teceiving members into the chnrch is in many cases too loosely administered. The door is not sufficiently guarded. Inas much as all who are received into the church enter into full status as mem bers, the reasons for the precautionary directions laid down in the discipline are augmented. Many of onr preach ers in charge are inexperienced, and others in the fullness oi their seal, are too anxious to secure the fruits of their labors by inconsiderate and un suitable accessions. By these and other means improper persons are sometimes taken into the chnrch, the results of which are pregnant with evil. 6. In such changes of the discipline as yon may see fit to make, we would respectf ully call your attention to the character of that portion of it which pertains to the organisation of yonr own body. The introduction of lay delegation was a material reconstruc tion of the general conference, and in volving, as it Was believed, constitUH tiocal questions, the whole measure was subjected to constitutional treat ment. After receiving a majority of two-thirds of the general conference of 1868, it was sent round to the annual conterancis, and receiving three- fourths of all the voteg cast, was adopt ed as a complete system. This fact places the structure of the general con ference, by necessary implication.under constitutional protection and restric tion. The relative comi>oeition of the body, and the power of its constituent parti, can hardly be regarded as statu tory. The conditions and limitations with which lay delegation became an org nic law of the church, may not be so easily changed as mere statutory laws are changed. PARIS PENCILLINGS. RECORD OJTA.XRir TO THE GKBA7 JFJttUiCH EXPOSITION OX 1878, Ttie Chaotic Mat© W the Exhibition —A Word about French Workmen— The American Colony and Ita Work —Ihe Exhibition Tickets, etc. LETTER UL Editorial Correspondence of The Constitution. Paata. April S3,1878. The confusion worse confounded of the scenes in and abont the exposition continues and the affair appears to-day no nearer to completion than it did when I first arrived. I felt certain that the extravagant protestations of M. Krautz that all would be ready on the 1st of May would eventuate in his hu miliation. Indeed, there is not to-dav within the vast enclosure of the expo sition a single department, however in significant, that is completed and ready for the opening. I cannot say that I am surprised by the unfinished state of the works, after experiencing for some days the laziness and stubbornness of the French work ingmen, or “camions,” with whom we have to deal. They are, by all odds, the most provoking rascals I have ever encountered. No amount of expostu lation, persuasion, or scolding, can has ten either their hands or feet, and they shed the denar ciations heaped upon their exasperating conduct as easily and unconcernedly* as a duck sheds rain. A QUEER EMPLOYMENT. One of these “camions,” who is a “boss” of his gang, was nnder my direc tion for a short while the other day. He was as full of talk as a ten year old phonograph and seemed to have saved the whole stock especially tor my de lectation. He seized every possible opportunity to inject information into me and finally managed to interest me in the history of his brother, whom h« declared wan in America. He wanted to know if I was acquainted with his brother? 1 was not. Then he informed me that this precious brother was a great inventor and had constructed some wonderful pieces f machinery His latest and greatest invention—the basis of the grand fortune whicl^ he is make some of these days (perhaps) is, as near as I could make ont of the French explanation, “a magnificent steam cow-catcher, which his brother is patting to all the bouses in America 1” The news was very astounding to me, but perhaps our migratory people— notably the Georgia emigrants to Texas -are demanding such prefixes to their movable mansions. If this great in ventor comes around and tries to put a steam cow-catcher to The Constitu tion office, please tell him that his tber in France is “well and lazy ae eyer.” WHY THEY ARE NOT READY promised is explained, but not suffi ciently, by the fact .that the officiate have had to submit to all manner of delays and annoyances from the con tractors, who in their turn, have had trouble with their workingmen. The commissioner general is probably not to blame so much for tbe delay in fin ishing as he is for his de*ay in com mencing. The workingmen, in the exercise of their republican privileges, have boldly declared to the ministers, follows: “Si nous nous depechons, nous n'au- 7. By the blessing of God, besides roQ8 bientol plus dp travail!” (If we attending a large number of district dispatch matters, we will soon have no conferences, we have been enabled to more work 1) hold all the annuil conferences daring Many of the contractors are in des* the last four years. If we should not p tt j r| notably the one who has charge be expected to attend so many of the Q f the American preparations and who district conferences, as heretofore, we gigned a contract to have everything see no reason why, with one aaditional finished at a certain time, or to pay 250 tion which their services deserved. Tne whole church mourns his loss Blessed are the peace-makers, for they ehali be called the children of God.” Tne report of onr commissioners will belaid before you in dne time. The most impressive duty devolved upon the college of bishope by the last general conference, was contained in the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That the bishop who may visit the Pacific conference daring the' next quadnennium, if deemed advisable by the college of bishope, also visit our mission in Qhina, and ordain any native preachers who may be recommended by our missionaries in the field.” ence Of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch,a communication which can not fail to arrest your attention* and awaken yonr interest. That commit tee was instructed to consider the sub -ject of an ecumenical Methodist con erence. They were empowered to speak for and *n the name of the Methodist Episcopal chnrch in the United States; to correspond with the varions Methodist bodies in the world and endeavor to arrange for said con ference, to be held at each time and place as may be judged most advisable, in order to consider topics relating to the position, work and responsibility of Methodism, for the world’s evangel ization. This communication comes to you from the general coni erence, through its committee. It proposes a call for a representative council of eve- 2 Methodist organization throughout e world. It assigns the reasons and sets forth the advantages of such a pan-Methodist convention in forcible terms, and solicits a favorable res* ponse. We confess that we are impressed with the moral grandeur and the pos sible utility of such a movement. There are not less, the document as sures ne, than twenty-four different ecclesiastical organizitions of Method ists, numbering upwards of four mil lion of members, thirty thousand itin erant, and sixty thousand local preach* era, holding the trne Arminian doc trine, and maintaining, more or less the same usages. It would be an inspiring and profitable occasion to meet their representatives on the grand platform of a common Methodism, and consider the relations of these or ganizations each other to tbe universal chnrch, to the conversion of heathen nations and to the times in which we live. It wonld strengthen each others hands, cement the bond of denomina tional brotherhood, and consolidate the methc distic forces for their proper position in the sacramental host of God’s elect. The communication referred to will be transmitted to yon by the prenident of the college of bishops and we invoke a careful consideration of it. We avail ourselves of this occasion to offer yon several suggestions in res pec to your legislative functions. We are much more concerned about tbe recog nition of a great principle ot trne policy than about additional enactments: that bishop, the present number of bishops would not be able to discharge all tbe duties of-the general superintendency during th* next four years. With this statement, we leave the subject to your godly judgment. Allow na to urge npon you the pror K ety of abbreviating your session. t os observe the apostolic maxim: “Not slothful in business, fervent ip spirit, serving the Lord.” There is, as vou are aware, a marked distinction between burry and baste. What yon do, do well. Let os waste no time, but redeem it, because tbe days are evil. Patiently performing your duties, the church will be benefitted. Delay will We bave discharged that duty. Bishop Marvin was selected to fulfill is when the existing form of government is salutary and successful, the less tne legislation the better. Our economy, as a whole, is so thor oughly the result of careful experiment and diligent stndy, and, withal, so ho mogeneous that little ot nothing more is necessary than to give it consistency 'O extend its adaptations and to increase its executive efficiency. It behooves us to guard against that reckless spirit of innovation, so characteristic of our age, which, in conformity with captiva ting tb»oiiee, invades Uven the sanctu ary of God and strives to upset estab lished maxims and cherished convic tions, as though government had no foundation in the authority which created it, and is nothing more than the aggregate opinions of those who r present times in which they live. Above all, does it behoove a chnrch distinguished by each a history as oars, .. MAA.Inm In thn anlirl Robert Paine, George F. Pierce, Hubbard H. Kavanaugh, William Wightman, David ti. Doggett, Holland N. McFyeire, John G. Keener. "BILL A.RP.» We had the pleasure of a call on yes terday from Major Charles H. Smith, late of Rome, but nowol Cartenvllle, whoiafamoui all over tbe union aa tha writer of thoee bt at and spiciest ol all the humorous papers cl the They we printed by the bank of France, and on bank-note paper and each ticket hae the watermark in the center, “1878.” The complimentary ticket, have not yet appeared, and therefore I cannot deetribe their. There is so little that i« in a state warranting description, that a letter written at thi, date must necessarily be meager in details or points of interest. Dr. H. F. Scott, of Atlanta, is the only Georgian registered here since my am. val General Yonng has not yet pnt in an appearance, bnt is daily expected. _ — -»~y &W.8.J TBE a ALLAH! VlBEXCy. ~ Their Annual Dliplny Yeuterdajr— Conteata or Skill—Prises. The annual parade of the Atlanta lira teputm :nt wa? celebrated jester !«j Th© atrof at as earlj boor In the morning prwentej q-lte a lively appearance, while here and tbe e coo’d be seen the boy- In red hnnyinc to tha va- ri -me engine houses of onr department. Pursuant to announcement the depar:ment Membled on Marietta street at 9 o’clock in the morning tbe right of thelm rearing on B oil street. The bright flashing uniforms oT the members of tbe eeverml companies attracted much attention and before tbe precision COMMENCED ITS MARCH Marietta street wss crowded with onr dtlsens who seemed to hue tamed ont cn mas a The ptooeaalon was head:d ty the superb band from McPherson bvrtck*, the music of which was admired by every one. Nfxicsme the MArietta Are company. No. 1, with forty members ia uniform. Mr JH Boston foreman of the comrauy, handled hia men with ease, causing them to win many admirers from the Directly In their wake wu the Hook and Ltd* der company with twenty ooe men, under the command of Mr Frank B Wadsworth, first aa- ilsiant foreman. The truck wss pulled by four magnificent horses, and was driven by Mr A Hart The members presented a hind some ap pearance, and were the favorites wl h the girls, who admired their bmntilnl uniforms. Tha truck was profusely decorated with wreaths aud garlands, nestled among them were two lit tle girls. No. 1 steam fire company came next Their handsome eegine waa pulled by asnperb pair of greys. This c wnpauy showed twenty/jour men —the command ol Mr Jerry L ^ ~foro- The engine looked bj&tUu- -bright. rcmiA-Tv. It WSS de corated with many wreaths and garlands, which went to show that many of the yonng ladies of onr city feit proul of this fine company, andaa evidence of their appreciation for their . fforts as firemen, had seat them many beauti* tn> flowers and evergreens. The next company In the procession, waa steamer No. S with a force of twenty ^en, Mr Henry Gullett, for foreman. Tnis fine steamer, with those peroeding It waa perfectly smoothed with sweet flowers. Taiullah, No. * c»me next with fortnight teu. undsr command of Mr Andrew Boos. This company hvi om the greatest number of tne precision. ■ Tho steamer waa cov ered with wreathes and onr choicest fliwers. The hose carriage of each company sooom- pauied the steamer. Each ©J them were beau* tlfully decorat d with flowers. The hose reel company No 4, with It men came next. Mr Jamea Ful ton in command. Hose reel No 6 followed, with 18 men. under the charge of formnan B C J Jlodltn.' The precision, at tho coaclmlon of the pa rade, formed iu Hue again on Marietta street in front ot the caplloi building. Here they were reviewed by Chief Joyner with his assiatacta, the city council of Atlanta and tha officers of the department. francs per day for every day’s delay over the limit. He now has forty thousand francs dne him, and is six days in default, but ail bis efforts to push matters seam to retard the work rather than to advance it. Happily, a force of marines, 6eamen and carpen ters from the government ships at Havre arrived yesterday, and with their aid we are now sure to be ready for the opening on the 1st ol May, or any day thereafter. ALL THE 8HXP8 ARRIVED. We have just received in office the telegraphic intelligence that the “Con stellation” reached Havre last evening, curtail the benefit, and deprive'yonr and the “Wyoming” this morning. The charges of a portion of your valuable news gives great satisfaction through* time. out the American section. Many oi And now, dear brethren. M we com- the important exhibits are upon these mend you to God, and to the word of shipe, and in a few days they will all his grace.” Great responsibilities rest be in place, as the cases are generally upon you. You have assembled, not ready foi their reception. There are as secular bodies, nor as political parti- behind only three hundred tons of ex- sans, but’ under the solemn sanctions hi bits, and they will be here on the of Christ's kingdom. Not the affaire of “Pereira,” which should arrive on the state, but those of thft church of God, 27th. Some harsh cnticisin has been are in a measure committed to your indulged in by newspapers because of hands. The spiritual welfare of tho the apparent delay in forwarding ex- present and coming generations is the hibits, bnt those journals, I am subject of yonr delibsrations. Heaven, sure, forget that there were eartn, and hell, are spectators of yonr nearly 2 200 tons of exhibits b proceedings. You need an eye single be forwarded and that the law of con* to the glory of God, and a body fall of gress designated government vessels light. You ne d the presence of Christ for the service. When it is remem- and the unitv of the Spirit in the bond b.red that government vessels are not of peace. “’If any of you lack wis- built for freighting principles and that dom, let him ask of God who giveth the largest of them can only ship oOO to all men liberally, and upbraideth tons, the difficulty in properly trans mit, and it Bhall be given him. But let porting tnis large American display him ask in faith, nothing wavering; may possibly be appreciated, for he that wavereth is like a wave of as to the opening . the sea driven with the wind and teased. For let; not that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord.” We are, dear brethren, your servants for Jesus’ sake When the review was conclude 1 the contest* commenced. The first on the programme was the trial of tbe Hook and Ladder compiny, to HO yard*, with truck drawn by horeea take off ladder, place to building; man to as ccud and descend. Ladder to be replaced In bhorteat tlma. Th a trial of rp«ed was snocesafnl y done In 1-5 seconds. The horatu ran beautlfally, bat not with as much speed as last year. Mr. Sun Protleau, one ot the moat acilre members of the company, ascended tbe ladder while it was in tne hands cf the members of the company who were placing it agalctithe drug store of Mr. W. H. Wimberly, which was the building ■ehet dby the company to place the ladder there is a rumor prevailing in the ex position to-day to the effect that the “inauguration, bnt not the “opening,” will take place on the 1st proximo will be before this letter reaches mate pa alysis and death. A new element of success in cur for eign missionary operations, of great promise and peculiarly adapted to x the exigencies of heathen nations, has re cently been developed, by a special providence, amongst onr pious ladies. We mean the “Woman’s Missionary society.” It should by all means, be incorporated into onr present laws on the “support of missions.” Restricting the management of for eign missions exclusively to a general board, remitting the oversight of do mestic missions to annual conference boards, and separating the collections for each were steps in the right direc tion. It was a disentanglement of two very different operations, both in the ory and practice. We deplore, how ever, the encroachment of the claims oi domestic missions npon those of for eign missions. The collections for the former are frequently in advance of those of the latter. The number of the bishop to the respective orders to which th6y had been elected. This solemn event waa a memorable epoch in the history of the mission. It reminds us of apostolic times in its simple grandeur and spiritual power. It wss the seal and benediction of the Holy Ghost upon the far distant chil dren of the mother chnrch, through one of hei general superintendents. Bishop Marvin visited the several mission stations in China. His pres ence and counsels .were of incal culable benefit to the missionaries and to the converts) and the in formation which he has imparted to the church at home concerning the special field of bis visitation, and various there, during his tx ended tour, has enriche' the annuig ( f the chnrch with larger conceptions and a more hallowed appreciation of foreign missionary en terprise. H proved himself fully , . . -- • equal to the ex raoxdinary embassy as- domestic missions is fortunately dimin- signed him, and his name is inscribed «hing by their erection or absorption j upon its imperishable monument, into circuits. And we hope that the It is eminently proper that we shoald to maintain its moorings in the solid stratum of ita well-tried polity, and not to seek anchorage in the uncertain aanda of some tempting hypothesis. The great want of modern Methodism is, not new laws, but *he new life of its original baptism, retained and perpe»* noted. Were its government to reach ideal perfection without this requisition it would be but the ghostly shadoV ot the extinct reality. To subserve this behest, is the great object and end of all ecclesiastical legislation. In strict conformity with this funda mental principle of construction, we commend to yonr consideration the following special suggestions: L That the law restricting the num ber ot charges in a presiding elder’s district to fourteen, be so changed as to admit of a larger number, when in the judgment of the presiding bishop it shall be deemed expedient. In the majority of instances the present limi tation is entirely snfficienL In some eves it could not be judiciously reached at aU. In others it coaid be transcended with advantage to the church without invalidating tne true intent and efficiency of the. presiding “the sox. Azr".FArata. Major Smith is in be tier health th*n we hive •sen him for come yearv. He 1m vow engaged in planting, h vlng bought a fine farm in Bartow county. He u ibe very type of a Georgia gentle- mm farmer, and ia fuller of quaint, (Lliciooa hamor ihan he ever we*. The major baa been devoting modi of his me to literary pursuits of late, and we are glad to be tb e toannom cethat he will lu something leas th»n two weeks deliver for the benefit of the Young Men’s Library, of this city, a lecture prepared in bis delightful ayle. The title of the lecture la, “A COCilN IN BZaUN •• This la a provcklEgJy nneeraln title, and nothing can be said of the lecture farther than that it will be one of the rarest trea a ever given to an Atlanta audience. We expect the date of the lecture wui be announced very aoou. We are pleated to be able to announce that Ms j Smith will write a series rf articles FOB THE ATLANTA CONeimjTION, the first of which will appear very soon. The m«Jor says that he will write npon "Farming,' and we predict that those who read bis articles will find that he has quite sa mash wisdom and ■ease, aa he has humor He aays that be feels that "bp ioat thirty years of hia We bv - * SiH. to farming when he commenced b (which yon,) and thrt then tbe expoeition will be doeed until, the 12th, to complete the work of installation. This an nouncement does not surprise the Americans, whose recent exneriences at Philadelphia have taught them that everything cannot be safely left until “the last day in the morning.” That this announcement shoald be made, strange as it may appear, the French exhibitore are the leaatdUappointed.far they are the tardiest of ail in get ting their exhibits in order. Joat now they are working like beavers, in con sequence of the intimation that all cases not prepared for exhibition on the 1st prox. will be declared forfeited. A SPLENDID eCXHX. tux non u.l cobteit then followed. Th. tpec.fic.Uooaot theco.ttjt wore s» follows: E»eh reel to carry 250 feet of ho«i, (connected ) j be welshed. »nd one m»n allowed lo every n pounda (oo friction! ) all work to be per formed by the number of men allowed to each net. Eicheomptny to ran *00 yarda. Done from carriage 100 feet of horn, attach to hydrant,atuch pipe,and play Waterloo fe,t The hydrant, la a’l cate., tobe lo ord n ry con dition: Tlx-. ctpped and ctamd, and impacted by the Indgea before tuln* No second trial to be allowed, except tn fallare of weter-worka Time lo be taken from ihe drop of tho etartlna rhe company mi kin, the qalckest time to be declared tbe winner Hem reel ot No Z led off and made thedia tar ce in 47J. reconda. No » went thronih tbe same moTemcnta and come cut in 64 arooeda. No 6 then made the race tn 6S.conde. No 1 ran next and mnnd nmoreolsl record*. No 4 made a (ond race, but mimed the neaxto connection, which brew them ont ot the con- teat The JlarietU company then ran. Two mem ber. ol ooe ot om Sre companlea aeal ted them, as they had no on. with them who underatood making connection! with the hydrant Thla company made an excellent run, and would probably have done well, bnt a failure to con nect tho nexale with tho bom threw them far oehlod. A new trial waa had. The run waa made In 61)4 mcooda. THtsraaaaacntTOtNO. 1 then announced. The content waa aa fol- Uniting at earn and playing water 100 feet in quick eat time, bummer to take place on claern, lay out 100 feet ol hore. and play water 1™> teet Time to be taken from flrat appearance ol amoke from auck to drop ol water flag Comoanyma _ Wn, beat lime to be declared winner. Steam Are engine No. 1, took the datern fltat and oomp-eUd the trial handaomily la reran minutes and forty-five reconda. Steamer No 1' followed, and comp'eted the feat beautifully in Are minute, and forty-afx Major Smith • mat pari of yemerday afternoon r'.th tbe member, of Urn preaa ataoUallon, who Lookout Mountain, and go op with th. boja ftcaodoi z. All Dcntridces had their drawbacks, until the salubrious Bark ol the Soap Tree was brought from the Chilian val leys to perfect the fragrant St ZODONT, tbe mcs*. wholesome, reliable and de-< lightlol article for the teeth tha* a brush was ever dipped Into. may 15 wit A Correct View. Valdosta Times. We think Tbe CosernunoN ought Tbe ceremonies determined upon to mark the opening are arranged in a style befitting the grandenr of the ex poeition and the importance of the na tion. The privilege of participating in and witnessing them is conferred by special invitation in the name of the French government. The list ol invi ted guests amconta to tbe eDormons figure of 30,000! This looks as though the jam npon that occasion would be fearlul; bnt, in reality, thirty thousand people will find themselves not at mil crowded in the avenues and gardens ol the Trccadero and the Champ de Mara We have not yei had notice of the official programme, bat will receive it to-morrow, wben I will send you tbe the most interesting features. It will, I am asenred, include very elaborate round cf ceremonies ADMISSION TO THE EXPOSITION. The pri ce cf admission is fixed at one franc (20 cents) lor each person. Those who leave the grounds and desire to re-enter will be required to pay again. Season tickets for the six months can be had for 100 francs ($20) and are per' sonal and are non-traoslerable. The tickets have been on Bale in all the tobacco shops and news stands since the 15th. They are in tbe following form: No. a then polled op to tha detain and went to work. The teat waa made In Are mmols! aud twenty faoonda. The popularity of thla company broufht [Orth loud applause. After hall an hoar spent in clearing away and gelling reedy, the THO iTSAMES COMTEtT MO. 1 waa called with the following regulations: Each steamer, aa soon aa the itcam gauge shows 80 pounds or steam, with closed safety Tilte, will be allowed 10 minute, to play, ai d tha engine throwing water the fonherest dla- rance shall be declared winner. Each steamer bring allowed 20 mlnulce to raise tbe 80 pounds Any company falling to conform tothe rales Win be rnlef oat, end no time recorded them. Steamer' No. 2 pelted ap to ihe etstem Ant A distance of 218 feet end U lnchee, waa reach ed without truu! > No. Z took tbe cistern next, end did the work handsomely, throwing a stream of water 224 feet. 2 Inches. T'.ls distance. It wee thought, wonld not be beaten, but the winner la this in. stance eeemed to be on the alert. The old reliable No, 1 palled up to the cistern end the bore pot themaetvee to work to win. It possible. Tula they did by throwing a Bream ot water 2 9 teet. 2 inches. A tremendous burst at applause rent the air at the result, and rx- dtement reigned In every quarter. The eogl- waa borne on the eutmlders of hie brother flremen nas distance, while hats were toeaed in the tlx. and hands wen grasped on all aidia. The' day's sport waa then at an end, with the exoep'lon cl awarding the priest. The de irunent wit brought Into line and the palaes presented by Captain Henry B Jackaon, wh > did the thing op handiomtly- The prices were as follows: Hook and Ladder, cake ticket IS2 SO Hoee BeeL UUtaapUcner... steamer Coe teat No 1, peach boat. StritAO-Xo 01.032 - ZIPOIITIOI USIVEBSXLLE. Bn Franc * On Franc :"c v i eoniaiiou of idea^ arising from tbyn^o refer, in thifl conqtciiOtt, to A IraM elder’s office, the fail forco ‘of to be wad ^ 'everybody, C A locomotive, leprwenUEg tnduvtry. D Miniature p'emre r f the Troeidero palace. £ A Plow representing agricolluxe. The border is a garland of laarel and oak leaves. All the above ore printed in blae, the series and number in ... 60 oo .. ifi oo Ooaiaai No 8i M»i i a and.... W 00 Mrotivtr Jcnea pat npapecial prize which w»e a very bulaoxse p tchtr, ca tha prsa lot second ten time m the has# reel contsat This prize was curled off by No 1. tbeir reel hariitg made he tec-mi best time tn 'he contest. Tha entire da? paaaedeff mo*t pieaaauUy. Tnere were ni disturbances whatever to mar tha happiness of each an! every one. The bticoolca and window, fronting on Mailetia street were crowded with people the entire time, who looked oo with much p eature and adm'rmtiou at all that ranspireJ. Thejboek and ladder truck had two terge table* covered with auUtantiala during th© entire morning, with plenty of cool beer and lemonade to wash It down. At Tallulah fire company ball there was also a choice table aeivNl, aud lb® Marietta boya in vited to partake. The Marietta boyi ®J that they had a moat enjoyable time. Their entfae company did not in Dine, me senes ana numoer in carry away aay prixe,bqt they made fast friends b} Hi tbe Giber *ude sit ro ud.vub^rm. nun Wp/