Newspaper Page Text
i — - --
. —- ■■ 1
Ufa*
God will forgive the sin,
B tin it u, our lives are swept eo dry,
isocold, so passion-clear,
bet kirn death comes at last—and so good-bye.
AND GEORGIA JOURNAL & MESSE NCfKR.
REID & REESE, Proprietors.
The Family Joubnal.—News—Politics—Literature—Agrioulture—Domestio ;Affairs.
=
established isg6.
GEORGIA TELEGRAPH BUILDING
MACON. FRIDAY, MAY 13, 1870.
YOI. LXIV.-NO. 39
Inconstant.
Inconstant! Oh, my God!
., nt * when a singlo thought of thee
sends all my shivering blood
^ 03 my heart in thrills of ccstacy!
Inconstant! When to sleep
i that thou art near me, is to leam
I* 1 ®* go much of heaven, I weep
j^inse the earth and morning must return.
Inconstant! Ah! too true!
I / r mi the rightful shelter of tby breast.
*“"* ' yiv tired heart flutters through
iteckiti
-cfiil world—a bird without a nest.
Inconstant to the crowd
fk.jc"!) which I pass, as to tho skies abovo,
** Xhe fickle summer cloud,
to thee, Ob, not to tliee, dear love!
I may bo false to all
/y, ank beside, and eveiy tender tie
* Which seems to hold In thrall
feitffS life of mino may be a lie.
lint true as God’s own truth,
tnt heart turns backward evermore,
To that sweet time of yonth
^ golden tide beat such a barcen shore!
Inconstant! Not my own
w>Ur.d which builds the wall between our lives;
v On its cold shadow grown
^perfect shape, the power of love survives.
God knows that! wo uldgive
.-Mher iovs. the sweetest and the best,
*"’ 0 “ ‘ for one short hour to live
(fcjto tby heart, its comfort and its rest.
But life is not all dark;
»»onli"ht gladdens many a hidden slope,
J Rue dove shall find ite ark
« peaceful refuge and of patient hope.
I vet shall be possessed
nftttam * meed-roy small world set ap«rt!
v Home, love, protection, rest,
And chadren'a voices singing through my heart.
By God's help, I will bo
1 faithful mother and a tender wife;
Perhaps even more, for He
3achastened the best glory of my life.
Bnt sacred to his loss
fa ibito sweet chamber of my heart shall bo.
Xo foot shall ever cross
biiieut portal sealed to love and thee.
And sometimes when my lips
toll my iiist bom's clinging, close and long,
" Draining with l>oo-like sips
Hia sweet lily heart, will it be wrong—
If for an instant, wild
Isi precious pain, I put the truth aside
And dream it is thy child
fa:lam fondling with ench tender pride ?
And when another's head
ips on tby heart, if it should ever seem
To be my own instead,
, darling bold it closer for the dream.
The I.oved and Lost.
"Hebred and lost." Why do we call them lost ?
Because we miss them from our outward road;
ioia unseen angel o'er onr pathway crossed,
sold on ns all, and loving them the most,
Stnightway relieved them from life’s weary load.
key are not lost; they are within the door
That shuts out loss and eveiy hurtful thing—
r«han.«'s bright, and loved ones gone before,
i their Redeemer's presence evermore,
And God bimself their Lord, their Judge and
King.
this we call a loss! O selfish sorrow
Of leltbh hearts! O we of little faith!
u look round, some argument to borrow,
hr *e in patience should await the morrow,
Tut surely must succeed this night of death.
ly look upon this dreary, desert path,
The thorns and thistles whereso'er wo turn;
‘ttrails and what tears, what wrongs and wrath!
-tstruggks and strife the journey hath!
they hays escaped from these; and lo! we
mouru.
tie poor sailor, when the wreck is done,
«*wli bis treasure strove the shore to reach,
with tho raging waves he battled on;
wit not joy, where every joy eeemed gone,
Tosco his loved ones landed on the beach ?
ptrvwfsrer. leading by tho hand
lottlr child, had halted by the well,
•n«!i from off her feet the clinging sand,
Uttiltke tired boy of that bright land
"**• >bia long journey past, they longed to
CWcll.
tho Lord, who many mansions bad,
near and looked upon tho suffering twain.
’ Give Mo the little lad;
glorious beauty clad
' come again."
" ami loosed upon un
“Whig, spake, ‘‘Give Me tl
wength renewed and glorious
i-bag him with Me when I <
dike nuke answer, selfishly and wrong?
•'*L but the woes I feel he too must share!”
*“« bunting into grateful song,
lent her way rejoicing, and made strong
ittuggle on, since ho was freed from care.
io likewise. Death hath made no breach
6 and sympathy, in hope and trust;
ard sign or sound our ears can reach,
c’s an inward, spiritual speech
greets us still, though mortal £>ngues be
'•;* M do tlio work that they laid down—
u *ap the song where they broke off tho strain,
feting till we roach the heavenly town,
*■ are laid np our treasures and onr crown,
'a cur lost ones will be found again.
[ Church of England Magazine.
Stonewall Jackson’s Way.
ttack arms, men 1 Pilo on tho rails,
drtp the camp-fire blight!
tatter if the canteen fails—
-‘H mako a roaring night
tSbmandoah Drawls along,
burly Blue Ridge echoes strong,
brigade's rising song,
Aiitoccaail Jsckson’s way.
a now; tho queer, slouched hat
e’er his eye askew;
d, dry smile; the speech so pat,
r to blunt, so true!
old Elder knows them well:
Tint's Banks—he’s fond of sholl;
his soul! We’ll give him”—Well!
tonewall Jackson's way.
■ Ground arms! Kneel all! Caps on!
u round arms: Kneel au t ua;
Blue-light’s going to pray;
> the fool that dares to scoff—
Hon! It’s his way.
from his nativo sod,
•"pauperis, to God—
« Thine arm! Stretch forth Tby rod!
•"—that’s Stone wall’s way.
“the saddle now; Fall in!
the whole Brigade,
tho ford-cut off. We’ll win
2*»y°at, ball and blade.
« Batter if °ur shoes aro wom ?
*2^4* onr feet aro tom ?
j?«ep! We’re with him before mojn
“btonowall Jackson’s way. '
bu! 1 bright laaoM rookth* atyta -•
“Cming; and, by George!
j^wgatrcct straggling in tho lists,
his Yankees!—whipped before,
■Tf ueu aad g^pe!" hear Stonewall roar.
and grape!" hear 8ti
bS^baart! Pay off Aabby’i
“•“new^l Jackson's way |
L and watch, and yoam,
II A®** from Stonewall’s band;
Iwv!* • read, with eyes that burn,
W*f* npon thy hand;
biSV •«» on. pray on, hopo on!
JrJJ^aUnot be all forlorn.
Ivjvjad better ne’er boon born,
** acts in StonowalTs way.
Id la m?' 1 com paratively young at bis death, he was
"• v ays, and in tho affections of his men.
The .Southern Baptist Convention.
Wo condense from bur Louisville exchange,
the Courier-Journal, the proceedings of the An-
nual Convocation of tho Southern Baptists.
Tho Convention mot on tho 5th, in tho Wal.
□nt Street Baptist Church, and Dr. P. H. Mell,
of Georgia, was chosen President by acclama
tion. Dr. W. C. Crane, of Texas, Rev. J. S,
Coleman, D. D., of Kentucky, Dr. J. P. Boyce,
of South Carolina, and Dr. A. Sherwood, of St.
Louis, wero elected Tice Presidents.
Dr. J. B. Jeter, of Virginia, offered a series
of resolutions, providing for tho appointment of
a committeo to confer with a similar committeo
from Northern societies, to seo liow far and in
what way there can be co-operation between
them. Rev. J. Wm. Jones, of Lexington, Va.
moved to lay the resolutions on the table. The
vote being close, a “division” was called for,
during tho taking of which Dr. Jeter asked and
obtained permission to withdraw the resolutions,
intimating that he would renew them at somo
other time.
Rev. Dr. J. B. Taylor, Corresponding Secre
tary, presented the report of the Foreign Mis
sion Board. Tho report shows an increase of
over $5000 in contributions as compared with
last year—shows the decided success of their
missionary paper (the Home Foreign Journal,)
and ably and earnestly sets forth the necessity
of reinforcing its missionary stations. It re
ferred to the convention the question—which
some have raised—as to whether onr work
should be vigorously prosecuted or transferred
to others, and ably set forth the advantage of
former. It gives a detailed, most interesting,
and satisfactory account of the stations in China
and Africa, and refers to the Convention the
question of starting missions in Europe.
Rev. Mr. Stout, of Georgia, moved "to refer
the report to a Committee on the Chinese Mis
sion and one on the African Mission.
Rev. J. B. Hawthorne moved to add a Com
mittee on a European Mission.
Rev. Dr. Williams, of Maryland, moved to
refer also to a Committeo on Co-operation with
Northern Baptists.
Rev. Dr. Jeter seconded the motion and avail
ed himself of the opportunity of explaining his
position on this question. He was not in favor
of a dissolution of the Sonthern Baptist Conven-
ton, bnt he wanted to see if we could not have
some co-operation with Northern Baptists,which
should be mutually advantageous. He wanted
to see if we could not adopt some plan which
should unite all hearts and all hands in onr com
mon and glorions work. He thought that the
question should be fairly and kindly met, and
that in this, as in all else, we should seek after
harmony. He was not simply a Southern Bap
tist, but a Baptist for the whole country, and
for the world.
Rev. W. D. Thomas, of South Carolina, sub
mitted that Dr. Jeter’s speech was on the reso
lutions he had some time before offered, and
not on the real question before the house. The
Foreign Mission Board had snbmitted no ques
tion of co-operation, bnt one as to whether we
should transfer its operations to others. He
did not wish at this timo to disenss the general
merits of the question, bnt simply to raise this
point.
Rev. Dr. Taylor explained this was the ques
tion raised by the Board, that there had been
certain publications on tho subject, and that the
Board had received various letters on the sub
ject. They did not desire the transfer, but
wanted the question settled.
Rev. Dr. Williams modified his resolution and
moved a Committeo on Transfer. He
firmly in favor of standing by our own organi-
they do not come here to ask a cent for them
selves, bnt only for tho students.
Various spioy speeches were made, and $2500
raised for the object. Many others made
pledges to collect money at home for it.
On Friday night the Church was well filled to
hear addresses on domestic missions. After
prayer by Rev. E. W. Warren, of Georgia.
Rev. W. H. Felix, of Kentucky, explained tho
object of the meeting, and introduced Reverend
J. D. Renfroe, of Alabama, who addressed fhe
meeting with telling effect on the objects of the
Domcstio and Indian Mission Board,
Rev. W. H. Felix followed in a short and ap
propriate address.
Rev. Dr. M. T. Sumner, Corresponding Sec
retary of tho D. M. Board, made an earnest ap
peal in behalf of this work. Anumberof other
short pithy speeches wero made, and $2025
raised for the Board,
This brings tho proceedings down lo Friday
night Perhaps a brief Bketoh of the history of
this Convention would not be uninteresting to
onr readers.
UptolbUS the Baptists of tho North and
South worked harmoniously together in the
same general organizations, and no strife was
permitted to enter. But at the meeting for this
year, held in the city of New York, sectional
feeling was engendered, which was still more
manifest three years later at the meeting in
Baltimore, and which grew so bitter at the meet
ing in Philadelphia in 1844 that it was apparent
to all that the day of separation was at hand.
In tho antumn of this year the Foreign Mission
Board, (located at Boston, but' established and
sustained by the contributions of the Baptists
of the whole country,) in response to a direct
question from the Baptist State Convention,
declared that: “If any one shonld offer him
self as a missionary, having slaves, and insist
on retaining them as his property whilst in the
service of the Board, they shonld not appoint
him.” This declaration, of course, rendered
tho withdrawal of the Southern Churches from
the general organization imperative.
Accordingly, thero assembled in Augusta, Ga.,
in May, 1845, a Convention of Southern Bap
tists, distinguished alike for its ability, numbers
and the entiro unanimity with which it resolved
to withdraw from all organized association with
Northern Baptists in the conduct of its misiona-
ry operations. Thus was formed the “Southern
Baptist Convention,” which up to the breaking
ont of tho late war had a degree of prosperity
and success unsurpassed, if it has been equaled,
in the history of such organizations. At this
time tho Convention was sustaining its foreign
mission work with such liberality that the Board
announced that their need was “not money but
more men to carry the gospel to the heathen,”
and in response to thiB appeal young men all
over the South were saying: “Here am I—
send me.” In the domestic and Indian mission
department they had had great success, and
wero enlarging their operations every year.—
They had just raised a liberal endowment and
put into successful operation the “Sonthern
Baptist Theological Seminary 1 ” located at
Greenville, S. C. In a word, they were nobly do
ing their part towards promoting the interest of
that conservative Christianity for which all de
nominations at the South were so earnestly work
ing. The blighting effects of the war were felt by
none more severely than by the enterprise of the
Sonthern Baptist Convention. Cat off during the
war from communication with their missionaries
the Foreign Mission Board found itself with a
heavy debt and an empty treasury, and all of
zatious. But he wanted the question fairly met
and settled.
Rev. Dr. Sumner, of Alabama, was unwilling
even to consider such a question. To him it
was deeply humiliating even to think of the
possibility of transferring to others our own
work.
The question being pnt, the motion was over
whelmingly lost, and this would seem to settle
for the present that, wbilo the Baptists of the
South cherish tho most fraternal feelings to
ward thoir brethren at tho North, they intend to
abide by their own organization and do their
own work.
On Friday morning, after half an hoar’s de
votional exercises, led by Dr. Poindexter, of
Virginia, Dr. Mell resumed the chair, and
complimented, the body on the partial good
order of the day before, and begged that they
would neither walk about the room, talk, nor
gather around the tables. The various com
mittees were appointed daring the day, and the
report of the Sunday School Board was read by
Dr. T. O. Teasdale, Corresponding Secretary.
The report gives a detailed account of the la
bors of its missionaries, shows tho need of its
aid, and earnestly appeals for help to do its
work.
‘As to co-operation with Northern societies
in onr Sunday school work, we would simply re
mark, that if it wore possible to secure such co
operation on terms of perfect equality, and if it
could be done with proper respect to our pao-
plo, and with duo honor to the Master, then we
should say with all our hearts, let it be done.
But we seriously apprehend that any attempt at
organic union for the present woo.d be found
to be not only inopportune and impolitic, but
would seriously retard the work of real union
by exhuming tho seed3 of peaco before the
germs shall have become fairly imbedded in the
soiL The acknowledged want of homogenei
ty between tho people North and Sonth will
render tho work of pacification slow. Mean
while let ns follow the reiterated conviction of
this convention, that wbilo fraternization with
Northorn Baptists is desirable, and will be
sought, separate action in general denomina
tional enterprises is tho policy of true peace
and surest progress.”
By special invitation, E. D. Jones, Esq., of
St. Lonis, was invited to address tho conven
tion on tho subject of Sunday Schools, and did
so. Ho earnestly argued that Snnday school
work is necessary to the promotion of all the
other enterprises of tho Denomination. Ho
urged tho establishment of Snnday school con
ventions which Bhould give to tho people both
enthusiasm and instruction, and closed with an
earnest appeal to make tho children Christians
and then Baptists.
On motion of Dr. Jeter, Dr. J. P. Boyce then
addressed the Convention in a very able and in
teresting manner, on the interests of the South
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, at Greenville,
S. C. While speaking, Dr. Graves roso to a
“point of order," which was that he would bo
ono of fifty to givo two hundred dollars each to
this object
Tho chair ruled the “point” well taken, and
Dr. Boyce said that he would be most happy lo
have many such “points of order.
He closed with an eloquent appeal in behalf
of this great work. Dr. Graves renewed his
pledge, and a number of other responses wero
made.
Dr. Jeter testified to tho self-sacrificing spirit
of the Professors at tho Seminary, and urged a
response to tho appeal for funds to help in sus
taining the students.
President N. K. Davis, of Bethol College,
wished to testify their interest by pledging $200
to this cause.
Dr. Ryland reminded tho Convention that ono
of these Professors had refused $ 10,000 salary,
and another $7,000, and bad nobly remained at
their post on the piltanco they now receivo
Dr. Skinner reminded the Convention that
though these Professors wore thus suffering,
the other boards wero in a like situation. Thus
was the convention has had great obstacles to con
tend with. Yet it has struggled on throngh
these. The churches aro rallying, and the
boards of tho convention will report their work
in a much better condition at present than at
any time since the war.
Immigration.
About two months ago, Duncan Stewart,
Esq., a distinguished citizen of Detroit, Mi
chigan, visited North Carolina, with the view
of fixing his residence here. He has traveled
extensively through the South, and has writ
ten a series of letters, to be published in Scot
land, for the benefit of his countrymen there
who desire to emigrate to this country.
We have been furnished by a correspondent
of Mr. Stewart in this city with the subjoined
extract of his observations in North Carolina.
It is a just and beautiful tribute to our State:
l have briefly sketched some of the advan
tages that North Carolina presents to settlers.
To the people of Scotland it offers greater in
ducements than any other quarter. It is not
subject to long cold winters like panada and
the States of the Northwest. It is free from
the excessive heat of the for South. It is not
subject to the fearful want of rain that proves
so disastrous to the Australian farmer. It is
much nearer the land of their birth and the
kindred left at home than New Zealand, It
is only one day’s more sailing to Norfolk than
New Tork. It is 500 to 1500 miles nearer the
sia than the States of the Northwest, so its
products can reach the markets of tho world
at a much lower rate of freight, so much lower
that the savings in freight alone would pay the
cost of an improved first-class plantation in ten
years. It has a very large population of Scot
tish descent. It is a strongly Presbyterian
State, hence congenial to their religious views.
Its people arc very favorable to the interest of
education, hence high mental culture is at
tainable. . . _ ,. ,
To the banker and capitalist it offers a high
rate of interest that can bo well secured. To
tho cotton manufacturer it offers cheap water
power and abundance of cheap coal; and a
healthy country in tho close vicinity of the
cotton fields. To iron masters it offers induce
ments equal, if not superior, to any other quar
ter of the globe. The future Wilsons of
Dundivon, and Lairds of Gaitshenic, of this
couDrry, will be found in Chatham county,
North Carolina. Where the cotton and iron
trade flourishes, all other incidental industries
will abound. .
To tho Scottish farmer it offers plantations
at from one to two years of his present rent,
per acre, on which a large, industrious family
can earn a fortune in ten years; a mild climate,
a great variety of productions that como to
maturity in convenient rotation, and enables
him to keep at work with vigor all the year
round. . ,,
To the Scottish stock-raiser it is an earthly
paradise. The mountains and vallics of tho
western portion of the State being much richer
than the Lammermoor hills, the Pentland
hills, or the hills around the home of Dandy
Dinmont. Nothing in tho highlands of Scot
land can compare with these grazing moun
tains for richness, and Switzerland.cannot vio
with them in beautiful scenery, while no snow
clad peaks threaten tho valleys with dcstrue-
ive avalanches.
To the laborer, good wages, kindly treat
ment, a fine garden, where abundance of fruits,
flowers, and vegetables that aro easily raised,
will make his life ono of rational enjoyment,
and give his family a chance to climb fortune’s
highest ladder.
With these glorious advantages, the entiro
emigration of Scotland should bo "directed to
this one point for the present. A new Scot
land can be founded, which at somofature
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Radical Reorganisation — Determined to
Carry the Southern States —The Third
Party in the South.
Washington, May 7,1870.
Editors Telegraph and Messenger :
The Radical party is already arranging its
schemes for carrying the next Presidential elec
tion. The party caucus, soon to be held here,
Quadrennial Address of the Bishops
of tho Methodist Episcopal Church,
Mouth.
To the General Conference of the Jf. E. Church,
j J South:
Beloved Bbethben : We would join you in
devoted thanksgiving to God that another
qnadrennial session of your body has occurred.
will be the largest assemblage of the kind on I Representing, as you do, all parts of our wide
record. All the Radical members of Congress
will participate in it. The programme for the
approaching campaign will be agreed , upon,
and the necessary funds—of which thero will be
no laek—provided for. The agents of the dom
inant party are now at work in the South; and
it is openly declared that •‘V/Hisjority of the
Southern States will be secured for the Radical
nominee. The “third party" movement in the
Sonth is a part of the Radical electioneering
scheme. It is simply an attempt to break up
the Democratic party. “Only this and nothing
more.” The Conservative press of tho South
should sound the noto of warning, and bid the
people beware of “third party” agitators, who
would lure them on to their ruin.
Look at Louisiana. The Democratio party
in that State was perfectly organized and thor
oughly harmonious. With this organization in
tact every office in the State is secured to tho
Democracy. A Democratio delegation can bo
elected to Congress, and the vote of the State
for a Democratio President is assured. Yet
here we find the third party movement taking
root, under theauspices of Warmonth, the pres
ent carpet-hag Governor, and with the aid of i
newspaper controlled by a man whose antece
dents by no means commend him to the South
ern people or to the Democratio party. If suo
cessful this “third party" movement will simply
destroy the organization of the Democratio par
ty, and place tho State under the control of a
’ring” composed of carpet-baggers and adven
turers, who will prove quite as corrupt and un
scrupulous as the men foisted upon the people
by Federal bayonets. What is being attempted
in Louisiana will be tried in all the States of
the Sonth, and with the same results, if success
ful.
Every man whose disabilities have been re
moved by the present Congress shonld be view
ed with suspicion; his conduct closely watched,
and his advice cautiously received. There may
be exceptions, but—of the majority—this holds
good. In most instances tho application to a
Radical Congress for clemency has been accom
panied by pledges which no true Southern man
could honorably make; or it has cloaked some
ulterior design for individual benefit. The Hon.
Thomas L. Clingman, of North Carolina, is un
derstood to have allied himself to a certain ex
tent with the Radical ring, in order to secure
the removal of his disabilities; and ho is there
fore no longer to be trusted as a counsellor for
his people. The attempt to cany water on
both shoulders always results in a leaning to
the stronger side. These “third party” men
will sooner or later come into close affiliation
with the Radical party, whoso agents they now
are. Let the Sonthern people bear those facts
in mind, and heed this timely warning. Let
them raise aloft the banner of pure Democracy
and rally around it to a man. If the Radical
party succeeds in 1872 by the aid of the “third
party” allies, there will he nothing left for the
i Democracy to do bnt to sing a requiem over the
downfall of Republican government and ■irel in
stitutions in America,
Of candidates for the next Presidency there
is no lack. Grant’s desire for re-election is
well known; Bontwell is said to have an eye to
the nomination; and Beast Bntler is working
industriously with a view to the same end. Not
withstanding the letters Chief Justice Chase has
written in declination of future political honors
it is well known that he is not averse to a four
years’ residence in tho White House ; and his
friends are now busily engaged in paving the
way for him. Their especial aim at present
seems to be to secure the support of Southern
men. So much for tho Radical candidates.
Among tho Democratio politicians there is less
stir and les3 talk ; but a great many good and
true Democrats havo fixed upon Senator Thur
man, of Ohio, as tho “coming man.” Come
what will there must he no more Democratio
Conventions held in New York city. The party
was “sold ont” there in 18G9, and its bright
prospects for snccess mined, by a nest of trai
tors whose organ was tho New York World;
and neither the World nor the Belmont oliqne
should bo trusted more.
Forney was before tho Senate Judiciary Com
mittee yesterday to give evidence in relation to
the operations of the Bullock lobby. It is well
known that Forney received one check from Bul
lock, for 4500; and ho says this was paid for
printing Morton’s speech (it appeared ns a sup
plement to tho Chronicle) and that all money
paid him by Bullock was for printing pamphlets,
speeches, etc. It is generally understood that
the Chronicle has a “job office, and takes all
kinds of jobs, for all sorts of prices—small fa
vors thankfully received;” large ones in pro
portion. But where does Bullock got the money
:e sponds so lavishly in Washington ? That is
what tho people of Georgia want to know, I
reckon.
The Senate did a good day’s work yestorday,
having disposed of some twenty pages of the
legislative appropriation bill. Neither House is
in session to-day.
L. A. Gobright, Esq., the popular agent of
the New York Associated Press, lectures on
Benj. Franklin, at Masonio Hall, next Friday
evening for tho benefit of the widow of Dr.
i Brock, of tho Richmond Enquirer.
Tho Choral Society gives a concert at Lincoln
Hall to-night in aid of the Richmond sufferers,
and Miss Laura Keono gives an entertainment
at Wail’s Opera House for tho same object.
Dalton.
day may rival tho old in scicnco, literature and
song, where the liberty bo loved by Bruce and
Wallace wifi bo tempered with a lovcof justice
founded on the teachings of Calvin and Knox.
{ Raleigh Standard.
The Anti-Slavery Standard, which for
many years has been advocating the cause of
the colorjd people, as a weekly journal, has
been changed into a monthly magazine, en
titled “Tho Standard; a journal of reform
and literature.” tsnv
Washington Letter Writers.
There’s Ben Perley Poore, who is probably
the most successful, as to his emoluments, and
his employers are satisfied as to other essen
tial?. He is clerk to tho Committeo on Print
ing, which pays $2500 a year, gives him pos-
sc.-sion of tho committee room and the privil
ege of the floor of the Senate. Ho has a Boft
place, has l’erley,- and tho light labor of cor
respondence is the jollicst employment imag
inable, when performed in tho midst of luxu
rious surroundings and to tho musio of $5000
a year. He has tho pay of a momber, with
more advantages. Don Piatt, who does for
Cincinnati folk, is ono of the most popular
and ratty of tho fraternity. The most sympa
thetic and thorough correspondent of a load
ing daily, is Connery, of tho Now York Hor-
ald. IIo was formerly the Albany correspond
ent of that paper, and was transierred to tho
chargo of their bureau at Washington be
cause of his pcouliar fitness for tho place.
Absorbed as he necessarily is, with tho details
of duty, ho has little timo to dovoto to letter
writirfg; but when ho occasionally works up a
gossippy letter, ho writes nothing inferior;
and many of his efforts are full of spicy inci
dent and abound with gems of humor. Mrs.
Mary Ulcmmer Ames is one of tho correspond
ents of tho New York Independent, and is
said to bo tho best paid letter writer writer in
Washington. She is young, bright and pretty,
and has access to tho best circles of Washing
ton uocicty. Her husband is an ex- Congrega
tional minister. Sho is also ono of tho editors
of tho Brooklyn-Union, where sho receives a
liberal salary. “Olivia,” of tho Philadelphia
Press, is Mrs. Briggs, whose husband is print
ing clork of tho IIouso. He was formorly an
Iowa editor, but is more successful in tho per
formance oftholight dutiesofclcrk. “Cimon”
is Mr. Clounsc, tho Washington correspond
ent of tho Now York Times. He. too, is clerk
to a oommittcc, and enjoys its light labor and
liberal compensation. Ho is a good writer,
candid and accurate, but never humorous.
Ho owns stock in the Time s, whioh gives him
a permanent position in Washington.
field of labor, conversant with their conditions
and wants, and invested with authority over the
wholo church, we beg respeotfnlly to remind
you of the importance of prayerful, vigilant,
and impartial attention to the duties of your
delicate and responsible position. We trust
that the subjects whioh may be brought before
you will bo disoussed and decided as ia the im
mediate presence of God, and with direct ref
erence to the welfare of the whole church.
With profound emotion we announce to you
that since yonr last session, onr venerable and
beloved colleague, Joshua Soule, has departed
this life. His death occurred in Nashville,
Tennessee, March G, 1867, in the 87th year of
his life, and the 70th year of his itinerant min
istry. In many respects Bishop Soule was a
remarkable man.. At too time of his death he
was, probably, the oldest traveling preacher in
America, if not in the world; and was thus the
connecting link between the Methodism of Wes
ley and As bury and that of the present day.
Throughout his whole ministerial life he was
eminently devoted to God, and employed exclu
sively in the servico of the Church; often filling
positions of the highest responsibility, and al
ways honorably nnd usefully. His mind was
clear and vigorous, his deportment dignified,
and his whole course was marked by constancy,
purify and unswerving fidelity to principle.
Whether viowed as a man, a Christian ora min
ister, or as filling the highest office in the chnrch
for forty-three years, his character deserves to
bo held in the highest esteem, and his memory
to bo perpetuated in the history of the Church.
We devoutly thank God for such a man, and for
the gifts and graces which rendered his eventful
life so useful, his declining years and closing
day so beautifully serene, so sublimely trium
phant.
The past four years have abounded with trials
to the Church you represent, especially in those
portions of the country which suffered most by
military devastation daring the late war, and by
ecclesiastical interference with our Church
property. But it is a matter of devout grati
tude that poverty and persecution—even unto
stripes and death in some cases—have only test
ed and increased the attachment and fidelity of
our ministers and the general body of our mem
bership to the Church. The itinerant preaoh-
ers, although very meageriy supported, have,
iu general, been faithful to their ordination
vows, and have persevered, as best they could,
in performing their duties. By the blessing of
God this has resulted in the maintenance of our
itinerant system, and the steady increasing
prosperity of all the enterprises of the Church.
Even where we had suffered most we are rapid
ly regaining our former ground, and in many
sections extending our borders and multiplying
onr membership. Seasons of refreshment from
the presence of the Lord have come upon the
people, and thousands have been converted and
added to the church.
We rejoice, also, to report that the greatest
unity and harmony exist throughout the whole
connection. It has been truly said that “Metho
dists, all over the world, are one in dootrine;
so that. hnwAvar wiAaIj- ooRttertti and ttifferittg
in othor respects, they present the peculiarity
of agreeing cordially in the great doctrines of
Christianity. And as the members of our commu
nity are a unit in faith, so also there is scarcely
any disagreement among them as to our Church
polity. Their prevalent desire is that both be
preserved—the former intaot, the latter, if al
tered at all, to bo modified so far only as to
make it more effeotive in accomplishing the
original purposes of Methodism. This ia seen
in the fact that we have quietly passed what is
justly regarded in all forms of government a
great crisis, in the adoption of a new element
into our system. We allude to the introduction
of lay representation into the Annual General
Conferences. This important change in onr
economy was not a peace offering, rendered
necessary for the preservation of the unity and
peace of the church, from the attacks of a dis
satisfied and refractory membership, but was
proposed and effected by the nearly unanimous
voice of the laity, both believing that tho time
had fully come when it would enhance the effec
tiveness of tho Church and the glory of Christ.
In attestation of the approval of the whole
church of this measure, we are gratified to see
in this body so large a number of lay delegates,
representing the intelligence, piety and strength
of the connection. Wo are sure that we express
the feelings of their clerical associates and of
tho entire church in welcoming them to thoir
seats, and we shall gladly share with them tho
labors and responsibilities of this chief council
of tho church.
It may not be amiss in this connection to
suggest that excessivo legislation is too common
in all deliberative bodies. Laws and usages,
generally understood and approved, should not
be changed hastily; or, if changed at all, only
from a conviction of the greater utility of the
change. Nor is it prudent to alter oven a re
cent enactment until it is practically demon
strated to bo necessary to do so. This caution
wo would respectfully apply to tho regulations
under which lay representation has been intro
duced. Would it not bo judicious to loam by
experience what modifications, if any, may be
necossary, rather than risk the success of the
system by hasty attempts to improve it ?
Tho efficiency of the Ghuroh of Christ must
result from His gifts and groee, and the Gen
eral Conference can reasonably expect to do bnt
little to increase it by merely prudential means,
except as these tend to increnso its spiritual
life. It is your first duty, therefore, to ascer
tain the real condition of the church in this re
aped, in ordor to correot what may be wrong,
and Bupply what may be needed for this great
end. Yonr attention is earnestly invited to a
careful examination into its spiritual state, and
of the tneans and measures likely to contribute
to this,Tib bighost, most vital interest.
Without intending a disparaging comparison
between the piety of tho present day and of our
fathers in tho early days of Methodism, we feol
it right to say that we are deficient os to several
matters whioh wore formerly regarded as aids
and tests of Methodistio piety. Wo allude, es
pecially, to tho neglect of class and prayer-
moetings; of fasting nnd nkstincnce; of family
and scoret prayer, and tho indulgence iu world
ly pleasures. In somo, if not all of these things,
wo foor onr people, not to say our preachers,
too, aro all bolow tho pattern sot U3 by tho piety
of our fathers in other days. We do not mean
that this declension is universal, but gladly ad
mit there aro large numbers who exhibit tho
anciunt marks of Methodistio piety in an Intel-
telligentuud ardent devotion to God, and in
firm allaohmont to our doctrines and discipline.
The action of tho laat General Conferenoo modi
fying the rule ou class-mcotings, so thatattond-
iug thorn should not bo a condition of chureh
mi uiborship, has been constrain!, unforlnnato-
]y, by somo as abolishing them. Wo do not so
tho church, and bo essential to tho efficient
working of our economy, that we are very re
luctant to 800 them fall, in any nioasuro, into
disuse. WhiJo Attendance upon those mootings
ia not a condition of membership, yet, wo do
not consldor that pastors havo been released
from the appointment and oversight of leadors,
clas3cs t 'and at toast a quarterly visitation and
report. Wo reootnrnond to tho General Con
ference tho consideration of Uds aubjoct in con
nection with a pastor’s duty.
Wo invito your attention, specially, to the
subject of family religion and the Christian
training of children. Its importanoo oannot bo
over estimated. Regular family worship, morn
ing and night, ncoompaniod with tho oonsoou-
tivo reading of tho scriptures, is so morally fit,
reasonable aud salutary, that to u« it seems
strange that the heads of Christian families can
feel guiltless In neglecting it While vere-
joioe in the greatly increased interest exhibited
in behalf cf tiuudoy-aohoola, we an eurq Ihtt
there can be no substitute for religious training
in the family. The impress whether for good
or evil, by family instraotion and example is
indelible. In the home circle is found a do
mestic and patriarchal church; the training
sohool of tho kingdom of Christ; the pledge
and foretaste of the bliss of the kingdom above.
Indulgence in worldly and fashionable di
versions is another great enemy of earnest piety
whioh is invading the church, and threatening
to estrange our children from us. Dancing, in
particular, whatever plausible exouses may be
pleaded for it, is destructive to the growth, not
to say the very existence of spiritual religion in
Uiose who delight to indulge in it. Generally,
it is a species of “reveling,” condemned and
forbidden by the word of God; and its tendency
isevilonty.
In immediate connection with the spiritual
welft-re of the church, tho great and only effec
tual remedy for most if not all our deficienices
as a Christian people, is an increase of inward,
genuine, scriptural holiness. We fear that the
doctrine of Perfect Love, which casts out fear
and purifies the heart, and is the “measure of
the stature of the fullness of Christ,” as taught
in the Bible and explained and enforced in onr
standards, as a.diatinct and practicable attain
ment, is too much OTerloooked and neglected.
This was a prominent theme in the discourses of
our fathers; and alike in thsir private conver
sation as in their ministrations, they urged reli
gious people to “go on to this perfection” of
sanolifying love. The revivals which followed
their ministry wero not superficial or ephemer
al. Their genuinoness and power were proved
by the holy lives and triumphant death of the
converts. If we would be like them in power
and usefullne8s we must resemble them in holy
consecration. Nothing is so much needed at
the present time throughout all these lands as a
general and powerful revival of scriptural holi
ness.
We regret that we have not been able to
extend our foreign missionary work since our
body assembled last, owing to the want of
funds. Indeed, after all the efforts which have
been made, we have not liquidated in fall the
old debt contracted during the late war. There
is, however, a strong probability that this very
desirable result will be accomplished before
long. Our domestic missions have multiplied,
and with increasing usefulness. Your atten
tion is particularly invited to the great and
effectual door now open in the West. From
the month of the Kansas river to the Golden
Gate, from tho Rio Grande to Paget’s Sound,
there is a field becoming populous more rapidly
than any in which our fathers labored in their
day. No louder call has ever fallen on the ear
of the ministry than that which comes to us
from this vast region. Other forms of religion,
some of them corrupt, are pressing their mis
sions with astonishing vigor. All along the line
of the Union and Pacific railroad they have se
cured real estate, and at many places they al
ready have church edifices on commanding
sites. They lavish money in gaining a foothold
there, where, in the coarse of a few years, as
they foresee, there will be populous and enter
prising communities. Much of the population
will bo from our own country, and in sympathy
with us; yet, up to this moment, we have done
nothing toward the occupancy of the country.
Yonr bishops are receiving repeated and most
urgent calls for men. But in the very nature
of the case we oan send no men, unless the
ohnrchat home will send money to meet the
first expenses incurred. This is all properly
missionary ground at present, including Ore
gon and Souths- In Central Oali-
r«rnia the work is, for tne most p«*,—r/ sns .
taining, ana, indeed, prepared to aid the com
mon enterprises of the church. We feel well
assured that money expended on this great field
will yield as rich a harvest as bas ever been
gathered from suoh sowing.
The subject of education is one of general
interest and prime importance, and no intelli
gent philanthropist, patriot or Christian can
feel indifferent to it. Yiewed either in its in
tellectual, moral or religious aspects, it rises
into grand proportions and is invested with
powerful influence. The impolicy of multiply
ing colleges under the patronago of annual con
ferences must be evident to those who are ac
quainted with the present condition of many of
those already iq existence. In wielding aright
this great agenoy, there must bo more foresight,
and concentration of effort and liberality. Let
those institutiens to which we aro already com
mitted bo encouraged with the increased effort
to endow and sustain them. Lst a higher grade
of scholarship be established in them, and tho
most earnest spirit of religion be cultivated by
officers and students. If there be those which
oannot sustain the rank of collegiate establish
ments, they must be content with a lower posi
tion.
The proper training of young ministers is a
matter of high and acknowledged importance.
How this may be best and soonest accomplished
will claim yonr most thoughtful consideration.
Wo commend the subject to your earnest atten
tion.
Tho inadequate support furnished, in many
parts of tho Connection, to the preacher regu
larly engaged iu the pastoral work, and the con
sequences whioh must follow if this evil be not
remedied, will not fail to be nolioed by you.
We must perpetuate an itinerant ministry, sep
arated to the holy office, and consecrated to tho
caro of souls; with all of timo and thought and
energy devoted to their sole and appropriate
work. But to enable them to do this the church
muct mako provision for a proper supply of
their wants. Whilo it affords us pleasure to say
that in most of our wide field of operations
there has been witnessed a decided improve
ment, yot there is no doubt of tho fact that in
some sections there is still a great amount of
negligenoo in raising tho means of support,
and of consequent privation and suffering
among the preachers. Do not the members of
the chureh need to bo specially instructed and
trained iu this class of religious obligations ?
Our attention has boon oi late years arrested
by tho inadequate supply of young men offer
ing thomsolves to tho work of tho ministry,
either for the homo or the foreign missionary
work. May wo not assume that Christ, the Re
deemer of all men. the Intercessor for all. does
call men to the holy offioe, in numbers sufficient
to the demands of His cause in the world ? The
fault must bo with us. How soon would an in-
croaso of piety nnd zoal in the church supply
the remody for this deficiency ? What can bo
done to arouse our whole communion to united,
fervent prayer to “tho Lord of tho harvest that
He will send forth laborers into His vineyard?”
You will consider, of course, with great care,
tho whole Sunday-8ohool interest, which, we are
happy to say, has assumed a magnitude nnd im
portance never before known in the history of
the Southern Methodist Church. We think yon
may find it practicable to adopt measures that
will secure n uniform schemo of instruction,
suffered greatly from the difficulty of obtaining
even a hymn book and discipline. If, in your
wisdom, any relief can be afforded, a great want
will be supplied. We congratulate you upon
the ability and fidelity of tbose to whom the
journalism of the church has been entrusted
during the past four years; and especially upon
the energy, ability and success of the agent and
of the editor of the Publishing House. They
deserve the highest commendation. The pros
perous condition of the publishing interests un
der control of tho General Conference is matter
of special gratification, and of high import to
the future development of the church.
Soon after tho last session of your body the
bishops proceeded to carry into effect the plan
adopted for tho religious benefit of our colored
members. Tho effort met with the approval
and concurrence of many of them, notwith
standing the prejudices which were attempted
—too successfully in many instances—to be in
stilled into their minds against us. A great
number of them still retain their attachment to
the church and ministry that had in the past
bestowed so much attention and labor upon their
religions instruction, and throngh whose instru
mentality they had been enlightened and con
verted. Still, it is true, that many thus disposed
have been alienated from our communion
political and ecclesiastic In&uuww.
In conformity to the wish of the last General
Conference, we have organized and presided
over Annual Conferences, composed exclusively
of colored members, have formed forty-five
districts, with circuits and stations, in all of
which, with a few exceptions in which white
preachers have volunteered to act as supplies;
our colored brethren are performing the duties
of presiding elders and pastors. The principal
fields of these operations extends through por
tions of Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mis
sissippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, South
Carolina and Florida; and is widening by ap
plications for the organization of new confer
ences. The colored preachers have conducted
themselves, both in their annual conferences
and in the exercise of their pastoral duties, so
as to win the confidence and co-operation 0f
those of their white brethren who have become
best acquainted with their deportment. It is
onr purpose, unless otherwise advised by your
body, to call a General Conference, to be holden
next winter, for the purpose of organizing them
into an entirely separate church, and thus ena
bling them to become their own guides and gov
ernors.
The suggestion of district meetings, origina
ting at the last session of the General Confer
ence, has been practically adopted, under the
sanction of the Annnal Conferences, with signal
bonefit to the cause of religion. At those meet
ings the lay representatives to the Annual Con
ferences have been elected; the leading minds
of the church, lay as well as clerical, have been
brought together, impressed and moved with
new zeal; the bishops, as far as they could find
the opportunity to attend, have had a new and
important field of influence opened to them- and
the results havo been of great value to all the
prominent interests of the church, spiritual as
well as economical.
In conclusion dear brethren, we pray earnest
ly that the plentiful enrichment of the “spirit-
of power and of love and of a sound mind,”
may rest upon you in all the deliberations and
decisions of the present session—the first of th*
kind in the annals of Methodism. Could we
take you up the shining mount of vision, and
show you the vast and grand future before the
Methodist Episcopal Church South; the sublime
possibilities which await development ln_fh»
aces ~«n*_ and wtheir condition,
ask for unswerving fidelity to Christ and the
solemn trust he has plaoed in your hands for
the world, you would need nolof tier inducement
to the patient, resolute, prayerful discharge of
the duties imposed upon you as the representa
tives of the entire church. That tho Divine
counsel may guide you in all things, is eux de
vout and constant prayer.
R. O. Axebew,
R. Paine,
G. F. Pikece,
H. H. KiVANAuaff,
W. H. WlGHTMAN,
E. M. Marvin,
D. S. Doggett,
H. N. MoTtEtSE.
Memphis, Tenn., May 5, 1870.
The Result or a Case of "Texas
Fever.”
We find in a late number of the Hawkinsville-
Dispatch, a letter from Texas, signed by J. O.
Parnell, formerly of Irwin county, which ought
to cure every ease of Texas fever in Georgia
for the next two years. We make some extracts
from it. He writes from Smith county to his
brother.
Tom and I have traveled over nine counties,
and fromwbatwe have seen, and from what
men who have lived in Texas all their lives, and
say they have been in every county in the State,
tell us, I am deoidedly of the opinion that it
wotiid net bo to your interest to leave Georgia
and come to this country. Now, my reasons for
thinking so are these: 1st, in good, (or what
they call good) moral sections, improved lands,
and poor improvements at that, are selling at.
from five to ten dollars per acre. Remember,-,
now, we were told and written to, that we could’
get these improvements at from two to five doR.
lars per acre. Tho figures I have given you are
correct for the timbered lands in Eastern Texas.
Higher up, North and West, improvemsats are
much higher, say from $15 to $25 nor asre.
Under the present system of labor, unimproved
lands in this country I consider worthless.
“Why ?” says somebody. Well, when I see yon
1 will tell yon why. I have not been out to 8.
D. Ander’a yet, aud from what hondaeds of fam
ilies tell me that have moved to that section, or
on what they call prairies, it is useless for a.
man to move there if ho wants, to raise any-
children. They say the pneumonia kills thenq
in piles all over tho prairie country, owing.to,
these heavy and frequent North***. The people-
that tell me all this, have lived; on. the pnupaa.
and moved to this and adjoining. oonnties- I
was told by ono man before I left .Georgia .that,
this was the poorest connty in the Stata, aid
from what I have seen of ame counties .it i&by
one-half the best oonnty in.the lot. Emaagh or*
the land subjeot.
Now, we wero told that we could get thou
sands of com at 37jcts. per bushel^ we paid
$1 00 in gold. We were to get perk at 4 «fct;
we paid 'Jo. in gold. Salt $5 50 a sank; dour,
very common, $10 U0 per barrel in gold, and
other things in proportion. Corn is now worth
$1 75 per bushel, and baoon 20 to 25 cte. per
pound. So yon seo everything we heard was
exaggerated or false. Now then is some lands
with texts furnished at onr publishing bouse’, KStoi SSiU^'St^iJBjht^fS toS
than abovo rates. Tom and I wont, to look ah
together with the enlargement of th« Sunday
school Visitor, and possibly, in addition to that
papor, tho publication of a mouthly journal
them, but the fl—1 himself would not associate
with tho inhabitants of those sections. They
adapted to . ton ®} ier ® iw th ere riio uhl rob * 8le * 1 » nmrder > ooramitaU the depreda-
pupiis. Ills very doairable that there should imaginable for human beings to be guilty
bean improvement both ia the character and ofNmv formark-trieiLitier It o.JbTni
price of the books prepared for tho use of Sun-! of * for fao ' uUo? - - co *“ “
day-school libraries. We recommend tho
$14.00 a bale to sot cotton to New Orleans, turd
r _ ■ I _ . . ay-aohooi m.ranes. ne rooommena uiosp- | ia ’oo a ba le tore.ch as good a markkas
understand it; and wo regard these meetings to polntment of a suitable peraon to bo specially, HawUasville, ex h«ml It yourself 75 miles over
bo so promotivo of the spiritual prosperity of entrusted withlho oversight of these vital in- ^ worst road* you over saw. Big Creek hill
” . ... , . ■« la as smooth as a pavement ta the most of it.
litornturo of tho church will not bo over- to sum up the whole mattev la as few words
looked by you. Wooannot consent to surrorrier M possible, whoa you leave Georgia you wilt
to others th* vast power and influence wielded loIIVO the best country thatlknow anvthhw
by the press; no church cani safelydo so. In nboutv , ud I have seen, some of everySteto
proportion to the potenoy of this toQjionoo Je froitt the ^ oloaj . i0 rivcr to ^ QftU o| 'fo exiw .
the soloma obligation restiug ou us to guard ^Ffrom dS Atlantio to the Pacific, and itl
ahd guide the pro® It meat matotaiu a hlgh ^ Watte; X ahaU retract mv steps,
religious tone neither WgjjWJ aud move hath to Irwin oonntv, OeorgltJ whioh
at eousorviDg tho oonnectipualiflin of tho chureh,
and bo committed to trustworthy nnd compc-.
tent men who lore the whole church too w*U to
W# should
I over saw, taking everything into considera
tion. It is a long ways the beat tango and gum*
Country I over saw.
put In peril her ivtity and peace,
hail with rapture the day that saw n firet-olaM .
religions nnq literary now*P«p«f in eyery Meth-
odiat family, and our stauaani works in every
library.
There is, allow us to edd, pressing fic*d of
greater facilities for procuring oqr aUndord lit
erature 9U tie Faolfio Slope, Oqr chtttoh hto
Uuait Hastings, editor r,f tho New Ywk
Commercial, talks to tho Rev. Tkei*k>ro Til
ton in tho following stylo; “We tnforni the
editor <>f tbo Independent th*j we hats
kicked nothing moan for a long time, ho will
bo wry likoly to bo introduced to out oal(-ekih
the first lime We ohanoq to meet hitn.' ’