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which have been consumed in pre
vious labor.
Mere stimulants supply nothing;
they only goad the brain, force it
to a greater consumption of its sub
stance, until that substance has
been so fully exhausted that there
is not enough left to receive a sup
ply; just as men are sometimes so
near death by thirst or starvation,
that there is not strength enough
left to swallow any thing, and all is
over. The capacity of the brain
for receiving recuperative particles
sometimes come on with the rapidity
of lightning and the man becomes
mad in an instant; in an instant falls
into convulsion; in an instant looses
all sense and he is an idiot. We
repeat that there is renewed force
for the brain only in early and
abundant sleep.
The Methodist Advocate.
Atlanta, Ga., November 8, 1876.
12. Q,. Editor.
Corresponding Editors:
Rzv. J. B.radkn, Tennessee Conference.
Kkv. W. C. Graves, Uolston Conference.
Rev. James Mitchkll, Virginia Conference.
Rev. T. B. F. James, N. Carolina Conference.
Rkv. A. Webster, South Carolina Conference.
Rev. S. B. Darnell, Florida Conference.
Rev. C. 0. Fisher, Georgia Conference.
Rev. Wm. P. Miller, Alabama Conference.
Rev. H. R. Revels, Mississippi Conference.
Savannah Conference.
FIRST DAY.
The Savaunah Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, formed
by action of the General Conference
which met in Baltimore in May last,
assembled in Greene Street Methodist
Episcopal Church, in Augusta, Novem
ber Ist, for its first annual session,
Bishop Scott presiding. The Conference
was called at 9 o’clock, and the usual
devotional services were held, being led
by the Bishop, who read a lesson from
the Scriptures and announced an appro
priate hymn, which the conference
united in singing. Rev. C. 0. Fisher
led in prayer, which was followed by
singing the stanza commencing:
“ Refining fire, go through my soul,”
while all remained kneeling, after which
prayer was offered by S. P. Huskins.
The roll of the Conference was called
and 27 members answered to their
names. C. 0. Fisher was elected Sec
retary, and R. T. Kent assistant. The
hours of meeting and adjournment were
fixed at 9 o’clock, A. M. t and.l2 M.
R. S. Rust, D. I)., of Cincinnati, Sec
retary of the Freedmen’s Aid Society,
addressed the Conference in relation to
the education of the people of color.
Rev. J. B. Ford, of Tennessee, Sunday
school Secretary for the South, repre
sented that work, and Rev. H. ft. Par
menter, of LaGrange, Ga., also spoke
of the Church work in this State.
A matter of touch importance came
before the morning session, viz: the
appointment of a commission to readjust
the boundaries of the Conference. The
commissioners met with those from the
Georgia Conference, and so arranged
the two Conferences as to place all of
the white people belonging to the Meth
odist Episcopal Church in this State in
the Georgia Conference, and all of the
colored in the Savannah Conference.
This was done by the unanimous action
Tjsf the commissioners. The arrange
ment seems to give great satisfaction to
both parties.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion the further calling of the
roll was dispensed with. The following
standing committees were appointed,
viz: On Public Worship, R T Kent,
David McLendon; on Bible Cause,
Paddy Bell, J C Johnson, J M Hol
lingsworth; on Sunday-school and
Tracts, Edward Pinckney, W H Fran
cis, Robert Alexander; on Temperance,
S P Huskins, R T Kent, C O Fisher;
on Post-office, C T Roberts; on Peri
odicals and Rooks, George Washington,
T J Preston, E B Davis; on Education,
Robert Alexander, John Sams, Samuel
Gavey, W C Hunter; on Examinations
—first year, S C Upshay and E Pinck
ney ; secoud year, D McLendon and W
II Francis; third year, A Palmer and
II Alexander; fourth year, C O Fisher
and C W McMahon; Local Deacons,
J Sams and L P Huskins. S C Upshaw,
J C Wagner and H R Parmenter were
appointed Statistical Secretaries.
The tenth question of the General
Minutes was taken up. J. L. Fowler
represented the Rome District as pros
perous. A draft of S3O was ordered on
the charted fund. A committee of one
from each district was appointed to col
lect the benevolent monies. The usual
announcements were made, and at 3:30
the Conference adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
Conference met at 9 o’clock, Bishop
Scott in the Chair. Devotional services
by D. McLendon. The Bishop an
nounced the transfer of L. W. Coates
from the Washington Conference to the
Savannah Conference. The sixth ques
tion of the General Minutes was taken
up and acted upon. E. Pinckney re
ported missionary money, $2; William
Maddox, $6; J. M. Hollingsworth,
$3.50. J. J. Elsby was, at his own re
quest, granted a supernumerary rela
tion. The eighth question was taken
up, and Paddy Bell’s character passed
and his relations changed to effective,
llev. H. J. Thomas, of the A. M. E.
Zion Church, was introdued. The tenth
question was resumed, andC. O. Fisher
represented the Macon District as pro
gressive, and the characters of C. 0.
Fisher, D. McLendon, A. Palmer and
E. Lacey were passed, Revs. Stinson
and Asbury, of the C. M. E. Church of
America, were introduced. S. P. Hus
kins represented the Savannah District,
and his character passed. J. M. Taylor
reported ten dollars missionary money.
Dr. Fuller addressed the Conference in
the interest of the Methodist Advo
cate. His address was very encourag
ing and impressive. 11. T. Kent repre
sented the Augusta District as being in
a very poor condition, and the charac
ters of R. T. Kent, W. C. Hunter and
C. W. McMahon were passed. The
fourth question was taken up, viz:
“Who are admitted into full connec
tion?” This class was called before
the altar and very beautifully addressed
by the Bishop. Kevs. Parks, Evans
and Wooten, of the North Georgia
Conference; and Cofer and Timmons,
of the M. E. Church South, and Rev.
Jackson, of the Baptist Church, were
introduced. Rev. Mr. Evans expressed
on behalf of the ministers of the M. E.
Church South in Augusta sentiments of
fraternal regard for the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and also for the
Bishop personally, which was responded
to by Bishop Scott on behalf of the
Church and Conference. The time of
the session was extended, and a com
mittee of three was appointed to exam
ine candidates for admission on trial.
Rev. A. Middleton presiding elder of
Port Royal District M. E. Church,
South Carolina Conference, was intro
duced.
Qn motion, the Conference adjourned,
with benediction by Rev. Mr. Evans.
At 3 p.m., Sunday-school anniversary
was held, and Rev. J. B. Ford, agent
of the Sunday-school Union, delivered
an instructive and truly interesting ad
dress. He was followed by E. Q, Ful
ler, D.D., and also J. M. Hollingsworth,
after which the doxology was sung and
benediction pronounced by Rev. A.
Middleton.
“Division of Georgia Conference.”
Augusta, Ga., Nov. 1,1876.
A commission to adjust the bounda
ries of the Georgia and Savannah Con
ferences, met in Augusta, Ga., Novem
ber 1,1876, consisting of E. Q. Fuller,
John A. Thurman, L. D. Ellington,
J. L. Fowler, T. A. Pharr, of the
Georgia Conference; and C. O. Fisher,
R. T. Kent, S. P. Huskins, Joseph
Sams, and Robert Alexander, of the
Savannah Conference, all of whom were
present.
C. O. Fisher was appointed chairman,
and E. Q. Fuller secretary.
The following agreement was unan
imously adopted, namely:
Whereas, by the division of the Geor
gia Conference by the last General
Conference, it is found that the confer
ence lines are irregular and inconveni
nent, giving much needless travel to
the ministers in the work; and, whereas,
it is found that a number of charges
now embraced in the Georgia Confer
ence, most of the ministers of which
desire a transfer, together with a ma
jority of the people served by them to
the Savannah Conference; and, whereas,
the transfer of those ministers will
render it difficult to make the appro
priate appointments to charges thus
made vacant; and, whereas, we believe
this re-adjustment will be for the com
mon advantage of both conferences;
Therefore, we, the commissioners ap
pointed by the Georgia and Savannah
Conferences, according to the provis
ions of the Discipline, (paragraph 388,)
for the re-adjustment of the conference
lines and defining the rights and powers
of each conference, submit to the
presiding bishop for his confirmation
this joint agreement, whereby the La-
Grange district (now in the Georgia
Conference) be, and the same hereby is,
transferred from the Georgia to the
Savannah Conference as an integral
part of the latter.
We further agree and determine that
the Savannah Conference shall have
free access to all of the people of color
throughout the State of Georgia with
out regard to geographical lines; and
we further agree that institutions of
learning under the Freedmen’s Aid
Society within our bounds be and are
hereby considered as belonging to the
Savannah Conference in the manner
that such institutions are usually re
lated to annual conferences; neverthe
less, this agreement shall not be un
derstood or construed as prohibiting
other annual conferences from similar
right and recognition in suob institu
tions of learning; and that the Georgia
Conference shall have jurisdiction over
all of the white people of the State of
Georgia who may choose to unite with
the Methodist Episcopal Church; pro
vided, however, that no person, whether
minister or member, desiring to unite
with the Methodist Episcopal Church
in this State according to the Discipline
of the same shall be hindered from
joining either conference, or any Church
within the bounds of either conference,
on account of race, color or previous
condition.
The vote on the adoption of the
above was taken by ayes and nayes, as
follows:
Ayes—E. Q. Fuller, J. A. Thurman,
L. D. Ellington, J. L. Fowler, T. A.
Pharr, of the Georgia Conference, and
C. O. Fisher, R. T. Kent, S. P. Hus
kins, Joseph Sams, Robert Alexander,
of the Savannah Conference —ten.
Noes—none.
[I approve the above action of the
joint commission. L. Scott.]
Notes from Nashville.
The Tennessee Conference met in
this city on Wednesday, October 19th.
0. 0. Knight, in the absence of the
bishop, conducted the exercises, and
presided during the first day’s session.
L. A. Rudisill was re-elected secretary.
The usual committees were appointed,
and the organization completed.—
Bishop Foster arrived in the evening,
having been detained fifteen hours by
delay of trains. The Bishop, made some
very stirring remarks to the preachers
about personal cleanliness, neatness,
and tobacco using. These remarks will
be remembered. There is need for im
provement in these respects in many
places, and the. reform in the use of to
baccoo is needed among the ministry
all over the South. The question of
division, was postponed till next ses
sion, conditioned' upon those favoring
it now doing so then. The periodicals
received a good share of attention,
and the circulation of books was
pressed upon all the preachers. The
Bishop’s address to the class for admis
sion to full connection was practical,
full of suggestion, on the character of
the minister, his duties, and obligations
to himself, his people, and his Master.
It made a fine impression. The anni
versaries of the Education, Missionary
and Temperance societies were held,
and some excellent speeches made.
Bishop Foster made an impressive
speech at the Missionary Anniversary,
where he alluded to the faot that the
conference had seoured nearly 100 dol
lars for every dollar it had paid into the
treasury. Our missionary collection
ranges from 15 cents per member on the
Nashville district, to one and a half
per member on the West Tennessee
district. The conference resolved to
raise ten cents a member next year,
which will be an advance of nearly one
hundred per cent., and also asked the
General Missionary Committee to ap
propriate but five thousand dollars to
the conference next year. This is
moving in the right direction. The
Bishop preached a grand sermon on
Sunday morning in Union Chapel, and
ordained the deacons. In the after
noon Dr. Thurman preached to the
edification of a large congregation in
Clark Chapel, and the elders were or
dained. At night, Bishop Foster
preached in McKendree M. E. Church
South, and he was the only one who
preached in any of their churches. Dr.
Freeman was invited, but declined on
account of his health. This limiting
the invitation to so narrow a circle,
made the conference resolutions, to the
effect that fraternity was established,
smack of the ironical. The conference
reports show an increase in the mem
bership, but a decrease in nearly all
of the collections. We start out on a
new conference year, hopeful for the
success of our Churebi
J. Braden.
Naehville, October 30, 187&
An Important Notice.
The Book Committee, at its session,
February, 1873, passed the following:
Resolved, That in pursuance of the action
of the General Conference (see General
Conference Journal, page 436,) the Agents
be instructed to notify each preacher, ow
ing money to the Book Concern, that no
credit will be extended beyond the meeting
of the Conference to which such preacher
belongs. Hitchcock & Walden,
The Way To Circulate Books.
BT D. B. LAWTON.
In compliance with.your request, I
will give the preachers a little of my
experience as far back as forty years in
circulating religious books and papers.
After, or besides preaching in behalf of
education, religious and literary, I
would take with me in my pastoral work,
a copy of one or more of our principal
Church periodicals and a catalogue of
our hooks, including the Sunday-school
list. Call the attention of the people to
these excellent works and urge them to
select one or more, and order through
me. Soon as I get orders enough for a
package, get them and deliver for cash
down. Be very careful about trusting,
and if you do trust, dun till all is blue,
if you do not get it without. Some
slack souls will pay you to get rid of
you. Many preachers will say, “ I have
no business talent to sell hooks without
loss.” Then cultivate a business talent.
It is as much our duty as it is to preach.
How can we provide for our families
and keep a good reputation without a
good business habit.
The Book Concern allows us till the
session of our Conference to pay up
without interest. So take the first re
ceipts and pay in advance for the second
order, thus making ten per cent, by
getting the cost discount on books, be
sides the usual time discount. Thus
keep taking orders and pay in advance
till conference. Order a copy of such
books as you wish to read and think
would sell. If it sells quick, get more;
if not, then put it in your library. Thus,
besides scattering good books, that will
preach after we are done, we get a vast
amount of reading which we could
never buy. I used to mix the books of
other houses with those of our own, as
they would sell better together than
separate. It is necessary to an intelli
gent ministry to be familiar with the
Wesleyan biography as also of the
American fathers; books of travel,
doctrinal discussions, history of Meth
odist institutions, especially missions;
as also current literature, most es
pecially that obtained through our
Quarterly Review. That periodical
alone, answers for a small library.
In the midst of panic times, or any
other times, and among poor or rich
people, I know no better way to do the
people good, and qualify ourselves to
do successful and honorable work for
the Master, and “make full proof of
our ministry,” than the one I have
pointed out, the one I early learned to
. practice.
If any of the young preachers wish
instruction in regard to points I do not
now think of, I shall be happy at any
time to give such information as I have.
Knoxoiile, Tenn., Oct. 21, 1876.
East Tennessee Wesleyan University.
This school has never been so pros
perous as at the present. A larger
number and a better class of students
than ever in the institution before.
The Faculty now consists of seven
teachers, and thorough training is
guaranteed in every department. The
second half of the present term begins
November 15th. Students desiring to
enter this Fall, will do well to be in
Athens by the middle of November.
All young men desiring to board
themselves will be furnished by the
Trustees with rooms free of rent.
All students preparing for the minis
try are guaranteed free tuition.
A Normal class, for the express pur
pose of training students in the science
of practical teaching, will be opened in
the University the first of December,
under the immediate directiou of Prof.
Beaman.
For particular information, address
J. S. Matthews, Esq., Athens, Tenn.
Programme of literary exercises for
the next session of the Murfrees
boro District Conference, which
convenes at Murfreesboro, De
cember 13th.
Reasonableness {of the action of the
Tennessee Conference at its last ses
sion on the question of division. C.
Pickett.
Lights and Shades of the Preacher’s life
contrasted. B. James.
Africa: its Past, Present and Future —
J. G. Thompson.
Are our Class-meetings what they
should be? James Pickett.
Importance of the study of Biblical
Biography. E. Provine.
Advantages of our system of Probation.
S. J. Harris.
Siinday-sebools; how can they be ren
dered more efficient? M. C. Young.
Best method of conducting public wor
ship. Wm. Leewood.
The financial problem and its bearing
upon the extension of the Redeem
ers kingdom. C. S. Smith.
How to check discord among brethren.
T. Ward.
Religion in the Home circle. W. Lil
lard.
The extent of the atonement. P. Mar
tin.
Office and qualifications of Stewards iD
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
W. Bryant.
Christian Sacraments. O. Green.
Regeneration and Sanctification. Xi. P.
Gregg.
Outline of sermon, I Cor. xiii, 13. H.
Martin.
Lessons from the Life of David. L.
Chapman.
Lessons from the Life of Job. G. Blair.
Causes of a decline of religious zeal.
H. Bowers.
Walking by faith. B. Turner.
Should a Methodist preacher who
habitually uses either whisky or to
bacco be appointed to a charge or
circuit? John Kenscer.
Bearing the cross daily. Wm. Steven
son.
We shall all stand before the Judgment
seat of Christ—outline of sermon.
H. Robertson.
The duty of an exhorter. B. Anderson.
Thorough preparation for the ministry
an imperative demand of the times.
D. W. Hays.
Local preachers and exhorters are
requested to select their own subjects.
The time for the several exercises will
be limited, and would therefore recom
mend that the brethren condense their
ideas into as few words as possible.
C. Pickett.
Change Yonr Advocates.
The ministers who have changed
their post-office address will please no
tify us at once, as it will save us con
siderable trouble and prevent them from
losing The Methodist Advocate.
When ordering the paper changed,
give post-office, county, and State to
which the paper is to be sent, and also
give the post-office, county and State to
which the paper has heretofore been
sent. Hitchcock; & Walden.
Georgia Conference.
THIRD DAY.
Conference opened at 8 o’clock, A. m.,
October 27th, with devotional exercises
conducted by Rev. J L Fowler. Business
commenced at 9 o’clock, Bishop Scott in
the chair. The minutes of the previous
day were read and approved.
R H Waters made some statements in
relation to his work, and remarks were
made by J L Fowler, C W Parker, L D El
lington, S D Brown, and the character of
It H "Waters was passed.
The following communication was read,
the invitations given were accepted, and
the conference ordered the appointments
to be filled:
To the Bishop and Members gur the
Georgia Conference, Methodic Epis
copal Church :
Dear Brethren —The
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
in this city, hereby tender to you the use
of our pulpits during the session of your,
conference.
W P Harrison, First Church.
W F Cook, Trinity.
W A Dodge, St Paul’s.
T H Timmons, Payne’s Chapel.
W C Dunlap, Evans’ Chapel.
Atlanta, Oct. 26,1876.
Prof. Martin, acting President of Clark
University, was introduced to the confer
ence, presented and read the report of that
institution.
The report was referred to the commit
tee on education.
The report of Ellijay Seminary was pre
sented by L D Ellington. Read and re
ferred to the committee on education.
The circular from the Sunday-school
Union and Tract societies was read and
referred to the committee on Sunday
schools and Tracts.
Robert Souders, book agent at Atlanta,
addressed the conference in relation to
books and periodicals.
Dr J M Freeman presented the interests
of the Sunday-school Union to the confer
ence.
The following resolutions were offered,
and after remarks by brother Ford, the
resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That we welcome among us at
this session of our conference our beloved
brethren in the Sunday-school work, Rev
J M Freeman and Rev J B Ford, Sunday
school secretaries.
Resoleed, That the appointment of brother
Ford to this field meets our cordial appro
bation, and that we shall be glad to have
him visit our district conferences and
charges, so far as may be in his power to
do so, and that we will co-operate with
him in his efforts to promote the Sunday
school cause to the utmost of our ability.
The seventh question, “Who have been
elected and ordained elders this year?” was
taken up and the characters of T H Triplett
and R P Lumsden were passed, and they
were continued in the second class of dea
cons. The character of I J Lansing was
passed. The name of Robert Miller was
called and the following resolution was
passed.
Whereas, Robert Miller has repeatedly
failed to remain on his work, and for this
reason is inefficient; therefore,
Resolved, That he be located.
The motion by which D A Sullivan was
discontinued was reconsidered. The char
acter of D W Chase was passed, and he
was continued a deacon of the second class.
Rev Mr Gardner of the African Method
ist Episcopal church, and Rev F Quarles
of the Baptist Church, were introduced to
the conference.
The report of the committee on the Bi
ble cause was read, adopted and placed on
file.
The report of the committee on Sunday
schools and tracts was presented, read and
placed on file.
The following resolutions were read and
adopted:
Resolved, That we join most heartily with
other conferences in the South in asking
the appointment of Rev James Mitchell of
the Virginia conference, missionary secre
tary for the South, believing that his la
bors in that direction would greatly in
crease our missionary collections, stimu
late the activity of the church in every
particular, aid us in the South to become
more rapidly self-supporting, and tend to
the cultivation of Christian fellowship
with other churches.
Resolved, That we approve the action of
the several conferences which have re
quested the appointment of Rev J F
Spence agent for our white schools in the
South, and that we hereby unite in this
request and urge the appointment to be
made.
H R Parmenter was appointed financial
agent of the LaGrange Seminary.
A motion was made to appoint a com
mission to meet with a similar commis
sion, should one be appointed by the Sa
vannah conference, to consider the read
justment of the boundaries of the Georgia
and Savannah conferences.
Remarks were made by H R Parmenter,
G Standing, J L Fowler, F Q Fuller, R T
Kent, C O Fisher, and others.
Communion was ordered.
The benediction was pronounced by C 0
Fisher.
At 3 p. m. a Sunday-school meeting was
held, W C Parker in the chair.
J H Smith conducted the devotional
exercises.
Interesting, practical and rousing
speeches were made by the secretaries,
Rev J M Freeman, D D, and Rev J B
Ford.
Considerable interest was manifested in
the Sunday-school work.
Meeting closed with benediction by Rev
W A Dodge, pastor of St Paul’s church,
M E Church South.
FRIDAY NIGHT.
The most interesting service perhaps of
the session was held at Loyd-street church,
on Friday night, it being the Missionary
anniversary. The principal feature of the
occasion was the address of Rev W P Har
rison, DD, of this city. Sanctified talent
craves no better subject than the one of
the hour; no stronger impetus than the
glow of fraternal love which now burns
upon the Methodist Altars of our land.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity?”
FOURTH DAY.
Devotional exercises were held on Satur
day morning at 8 o’clock, led by Rev J S
Cutler. Conference business was resumed
at 9 o’clock, Bishop Scott in the chair.
The minutes of the session of Friday were
read and approved.
The report of the committee on Educa
tion was presented, read, and after remarks
by Rev E Q Fuller, D. D, was adopted.
The conference requested the transfer of
Rev James Mitchell from the Virginia to
the Georgia conference.
The appointment of the seat of the next
session of the conference was left to the
presiding elders. Rev Ira Woodman was
discontinued at his own request.
The bishop announced the names of the
following brethren as commissioners to
meet with the commissioners of the Sa
vannah conference to re-adjust the bounda
ries, viz.: E Q Fuller, J A Thurman, L D
Ellington, J L Fowler, T A Pharr.
The twenty-first question: “Have any lo
cal preachers been ordained?” was taken
up, and Reuben Hindsman, Allen Clarke
and Champion Mattock were severally
elected to deacon’s orders.
Rev W A Dodge, pastor of St Paul’s M
E Church South, in this city, and Chaplain
Van Wyck were introduced to the confer
ence.
The report of the committee on Church
Extension was read, adopted and placed
on file.
S D Brown, J L Fowler and B M Hipp
were appointed a committee to designate
the times for taking the benevolent col
lections.
The vote on the change of the second
Restrictive rule was taken; twenty-one
voted for the change of the rule, none
againßt.
The vote on the suspension of the third
Restrictive rule was taken; twenty-four
voted to non-concur in the recommenda
tion, none for concurrence.
The transfers of Rev J S Cutler of the
North Ohio conference, and James Mitchell
of the Virginia conference,were announced
and the relations of both brethren were
changed to the effective.
The report of the conference stewards
was read and reconsidered.
The committees of Examination were
announced; and the Conference Board of
Church Extension nominated and con
firmed.
1 ' J F Palmer was passed as a graduated
elder, he having been ordained.
J F Palmer, professor in East Tennessee
Wesleyan University, at Athens, Tenn.,
addressed the conference on the provisions
for the education of candidates for the
ministry in the University and also in
Ellijay Seminary.
Resolutions were adopted thanking the
delegates of the conference to the last
General Conference for the wise and faith
ful discharge of their duties in that body;
also, expressing approbation with and
gratitude for the personal and editorial
labors of Dr E Q Fuller in defense of our
interests.
A collection for the purchase of books
of record for the Savannah conference was
taken.
Session adjourned to meet Monday at
the usual hour.
FIFTH AND CLOSING DAY.
Conference opened at 9 o’clock with
prayer by Rev C W Parker.
Dr Rust, corresponding secretary of the
Freedmen’s Aid Society, was introduced
to the conference.
The report of the conference stewards
was read and adopted.
The report of the committee fixing the
time for taking the benevolent collections
was read and adopted and ordered to be
published, and a copy to be furnished to
each presiding elder.
The report on fraternity was read and
remarks made by E Q Fuller, J Mitchell,
J S Cutler, J A Thurman, J M Freeman,
J B Ford, T A Pharr, L D Ellington, W
E Tarpley, J H Smith, T H Triplett, H R
Parmenter, and Dr Rust, after which it
was unanimously adopted.
Rev J E Evans, presiding elder of the
Atlanta district, M E Church South, was
introduced to the conference and made re
marks on fraternity.
Rev W A Dodge also made remarks.
Rev J H Owens was transferred from the
New England to the Georgia conference,
and his relation was changed from the su
pernumerary to the effective.
The statistical secretaries made their re
port.
Rev J B Ford addressed the conference
in the interest of the East Tennessee Wes
leyan University.
A resolution of thanks to the bishop
was passed by a rising vote.
Also a resolution of thanks to the dif
ferent railroad officers for half-rates to
members of the conference.
The report on memoirs was read. Revs
C W Parker, E Q Fuller and J D Garrison
made remarks in reference to Rev Alfred
Dorman, deceased. Bro. McHenry made
remarks in reference to Rev S S Berry, de
ceased, after which the report was adopted.
The committee on missions made their
report.
The relations of R P Lumsden and H
Shuffield were changed from the effective
to the supernumerary.
An appropriate hymn was sung.
The closing prayer was offered by Rev
J Mitchell.
After some remarks by the bishop, the
appointments were read.
The benediction was pronounced by the
bishop.
Georgia Conference Appointments.
Atlanta District —James Mitchell, P. E.
Atlanta, Marietta-street, John A Thurman.
W B Osborn.
Atlanta circuit, RH Waters.
Douglassville, S D Brown.
Carrollton, D Entrikin.
Whitesburg, P T McWhorter.
Heard, A Golden.
Jonesboro, D Battin.
Griffin, G W Mooney.
Pike and Upson, G A Hill.
E Q Fuller, Editor of The Methodist
Advocate, and member of Marietta-street
quarterly conference.
Dalton District —L D Ellington, PE.
Dalton and Resacca, J H Smith.
Tunnel Hill, B F Powell.
Spring Place, T G Chase.
Lafayette, H Boyd.
McLamore’s Cove —D W Chase.
Jasper, B M Hipp, S P Brokaw.
Ellijay, A F Ellington, E F Dean.
Morganton, W H Sullivan.
Marietta, J J Donahoe, W Westbrooks.
Gainesville District—J L Fowler, P E.
Gainesville, J L Fowler, R H Robb.
Rock Spring and Walton, W E Tarpley.
Simpson, T H Triplett.
Cleveland, to be supplied.
Dawsonville, J W Ballew, J H Dunn.
Hiawassee. D A Sullivan.
Ogeechee District —T A Pharr, P E.
Mt Zion, M S Carlyle.
Burnt Fort, A II Bazemore.
Tatnall, J P Bazemore.
Charlton, T A Pharr.
Ware, to be supplied.
Reports of Georgia Conference.
On Fraternity.
Our Lord Jesus enjoins unity of
spirit and fellowship of love among all
of his followers. John the apostle says
to the Church: This is the message
which ye have received from the begin
ning, that we should love one another.
We rejoice to see the growing inter
est in, and obedience to, these com
mandments among different denomina
tions, and especially in various barnches
of Methodism. This tendency is in
harmony with the Gospel of Christ and
is full of promise to pure morality and
evangelical religion.
1. Resolved , That we approve the
action of the Joint Commission of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the
M. E. Church South, at Cape May,
and that we will endeavor to carry out
fully the provisions agreed upon.
2. That we recognize the M. E.
Church South as an evangelical Church,
reared on Scriptural foundations.
3. That we will gladly co-operate
with the ministers and members of the
M. E. Church South in resisting the
forces of evil, promoting a harmonious
Protestantism, cultivating Christian
peace and love among all people and in
building up the kingdom of the Re
deemer.
4. That it affords us great joy to wel
come brethren of the Southern Church
at our conference session, and to hear
their words of fraternal greeting, and
that we most cordially reciprocate these
expressions of brotherly love, and im
plore the divine blessing upon them—
their labors and their communion.
They have our thanks for the use of
their pulpits on the Sabbath.
5. That, whenever it shall become an
open question with our Southern
brethren, we are prepared to entertain
the idea of the organic union of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and of the
M. E. Church South, with favorable
consideration.
On Education.
We have now three institutions of
learning under our care, each doing a
work which will increase in power as
our students go forth to teach in our
towns, cities and country places. From
these also shall come lawyers, doctors,
merchants and intelligent men in all the
departments of life, who shall exert an
influence for God and his Church until
the last wave of time shall touch the
throne of God.
The Clark University is under the
management of the Freedmen’s Aid
Society, and is intended to be a center
for all our schools in this part of the
South, and we earnestly urge upon all
the pastors and teachers in our work to
send their young men and women here
to complete their course of study. It
is with pleasure we welcome President
J. Martin to this important field of
labor.
We would, at the request of Presi
dent Martin, ask you to appoint as visi
tors for the present conference year
Revs. E. Q. Fuller, H. R. Parmenter
and George Standing.
The Ellijay Seminary is the next in
age, and opens her doors to all in the
section of country where it is located,
and in the first year it has reached
a good position, and demands and
should receive the full support of this
Conference. We would nominate as
visitors Revs. E. Q. Fuller, John A.
Thurman, W. E. Tarpley. We would
also ask this Conference to confirm the
election of R. S. Rust, D. D., B. M.
Hipp, J. C. Allen, and L. D. Ellington,
as trustees.
The LaGrange Seminary is well lo
cated to meet the wants .of all in the
Southwest part of this State and the
West part of Alabama. The great want
here is suitable buildings. A fine lot
of land has been purchased and about
two thousand dollars promised. The City
of LaGrange has also agreed to aid in
building. We would nominate brother
S. Smith, J. S. Cutler, J. Watts as vis
itors for the coming year.
We would not forget the schools in
our charges, and ask each pastor to see
to it that our children are in school.
No child should be permitted to grow
up in ignorance. We commend the
schools in our charges to the care and
aid of the Freedmen’s Society. And
upon each and all we ask the blessing of
our heavenly Father.
On Church Extension.
The committee to whom was referred
the subject of Church Extension, beg
leave to report that this conference is
greatly indebted to the Parent Board at
Philadelphia for the aid already ren
dered —the stimulating effects of which
has been felt all along through our con
ference history; but we will confine
ourselves to the effect during the past
year; for instance, at Dalton we received
S3OO loan, which, with the aid previ
ously rendered that Church, will secure
us a building worth $4,500. Likewise on
the Jasper circuit, by the receipt of
$l5O, we secure a house worth SI,OOO.
On the Macon district by the receipt of
SSO, we have built a church worth
SI,OOO. Likewise on the McDonough
circuit, by the receipt of SSO, we have
erected a house worth SSOO. And still
another on Warm Spring circuit, by
the receipt of SIOO, we will have secured
a church worth S4OO. On the Ogee
chee district we have a church in
process of erection on the Tatnall cir
cuit that will be worth when finished
SBOO. While other Churches have
been aided to smaller amounts with
equally good results; therefore,
1. Resolved, That we will carefully
take the annual collections in aid of
the Church Extension Society, and so
present its claims to our people as to
secure for this noble organization their
active sympathy and support.
2. That we will endeavor to so pre
sent its claims as to secure the amount
asked.
Bible Cause.
A dying man once said, “Bring me
the Book,” an attendant asked, “What
book?” he replied, “There is but one
book.” The Bible is the book of
books; Christ is Lord of Lords. Com
pleted, eighteen hundred years ago,
after more than fifteen hundred years
had been spent in its production, this
book still illuminates the world. We
are not only impressed with the per
petuity of the book, but with the
brevity of time afforded for its circula
tion.
Our best energies should be put
forth to supply those destitute of it.
We should endeavor to find the best
possible methods to awaken and keep
alive the deepest interest in this the
grandest cause that ever interested our
race. Not only have we but a short
time for this work, but we have a
thousand difficulties to encounter. The
powers of darkness are calling new
forces into action against the right of
God.
The Bible’s rays are to be shut out
from minds that are to be cultivated in
the sciences of the day. The common
schools are to have none of the efful
gence of the light of Revelation if
Romanism has her wish. Shall we not
exclaim, “Take heed that the light
that is in thee be not darkness.”
O, God, is there no way by which
thy light may this darkness dispel?
O, heaven, shine away the gross dark
ness, and let thy Word go into every
house!
Notwithstanding the continued ef
forts of the American Bible Society to
acquaint our people with its diversified
plans of operation, your committee are
of the opinion that only a few, even, of
our ministers are acquainted with them,
and nearly all fail to co-operate with
her. We would recommend that all
our ministers acquaint themselves more
fully with the above grand old Society,
by sending to the secretary of the
American Bible Society, Bible House,
Astor Place, N. Y., for an annual report
or any information necessary, and then
endeavor to interest all our people in
this work.
As we are deprived of the cheering
presence and words of our beloved
brother Parks our agent, and learning
that there is only one agent or super
intendent of three States—South Caro
lina, Georgia, and Florida, we feel
it our duty to express our regret; for
we feel confident that the work in
Georgia can not be done as well by one
whose time is so divided. We need at
this and every session of conference,
and so do other ecclesiastical assem
blages, the stimulus given by an active,
live agent, whose interest is always in
tensified by personal services and ob
servation in the field. We recommend
the appointment of one of our best men
as conference agent, and request that
he be employed by the American Bible
Society to assist in some way through
out the bounds of this State.
1. Resolved, That we give expression
of our high regard for the American
Bible Society, rejoicing as we do in the
good work it is accomplishing.
2. That we will endeavor to familiar
ize ourselves with the working of the
American Bible Society, and at once
engage more heartily in co-operation
with it.
3. That we will not fail to take the
collection for this cause.
Oit Temperance.
Whereas, the sad effects of intemper
ance are apparent to every observing
mind; and
Whereas; many of the citizens of this
vast commonwealth have been for time
and eternity ruined by this accursed
habit in strong drink; and
Whereas; we regard this as the
greatest evil of our country; therefore,
Resolved , That we will use all vigi
lance in breaking up every sink of in
temperance, and encourage temperance
work in every possible way.
2. That we will perform our discipli
nary duty in this respect by preaching
on the subject of temperance, and not
only so, but by teaching and by all pos
sible means enjoining the practice of
the virtue of abstinence.
3. That we will organize where prac
ticable the children, youths, and grown
persons into temperance societies, and
seek to have them assist in the suppres
sion of this the greatest of evils.
On Sunday-schools and Tracts.
We regard the Sunday-school as
ranking among the most important in
stitutions of the Church, and while we
rejoice in what has been done in a few
of our charges, we regret that in many
localities this important branch of
Christian work has been too much neg
lected, and that as ministers we will, by
the help of the Lord, endeavor to do
more for this cause than we have done
in the past.
We recommend the adoption of the
following resolutions:
1. That the preachers of this Confer
ence are expected to carry out the in
structions of our Book of Discipline,
page 158,1251.
2. That the presiding elders be in
structed to inquire at the second quar
terly conference of each circuit ana sta
tion whether the instructions of the
Discipline have been carried out.
3. That the presiding elders are re
quested to report at the next session oi
the annual conference (when represent
ing districts) whether the above section
has been carried out. . ,
4. That we will endeavor to introduce
into all of our Sunday-schools the
Berean Lessons Leaves, Sunday-school
Journal, Sunday Advocate, Chatechism,
and all other helps we may be able to
secure. , . •
5. That we welcome among us at tms
session of our Conference our beloved
brethren in the Sunday-school wor ,
Rev. J. M. Freeman, D. D., and Rev. J.
B. Ford, Sunday-school Secretary tor
the South. . , „ ,
6. That the appointment ot brother
Ford to this field meets our cordial ap
probation, and that we shall be glad to
have him visit our district conferences
and charges so far as may be in his
power to do so, and that we will co
operate with him in efforts to promote
the Sunday-school cause to the utmost
of our ability. , ,
7. That we pledge ourselves to
present the tract cause to. our people
and take the annual collection. W e also
pledge ourselves to circulate our tracts
among all our people.
Dr. Freeman has the thanks of the
Chairman of the Committee on Sunday
school Union and Tract cause for spec
imen copies of tracts with which we are
very much pleased.
RESOLUTIONS.
Agent for Southern Schools.
Resolved , That we approve the ac
tion of the several annual conferences
which have requested the appointment
of Rev. J. F. Spence agent for our
white schools in the South, and that
we hereby unite in this request and
urge the appointment to be made.
Missionary Secretary.
Resolved , That we join most heartily
with other conferences in the South in
asking the appointment of Rev. James
Mitchell, of the Virginia Conference,
Missionary Secretary for the South,
believing that his labors in that direc
tion would greatly increase our mission
ary collections, stimulate the activities
of the Church in every particular—aid
us in the South to become more rapidly
self-supporting and tend to the cultiva
tion of Christian fellowship with other
Churches.
Division of Conference.
Resolved, That in the passage of the
character of Isaac J. Lansing by this
conference, we do not approve his arti
cle in Zion's Herald in relation to the
division of the Georgia Conference;
but, on the contrary, we do approve
and indorse the statements ,of E. Q.
Fuller in reply thereto.
Thanks.
Resolved, That the thanks of this
conference are hereby tendered to the
various railroads affording us half fare
rates in attending this session.
2. That we tender to the kind people
of Atlanta our grateful acknowledg
ment for hospitality in entertaining
this conference.
3. That the thanks of this conference
are hereby tendered our delegates to
the last General Conference —Revs.
E. Q. Fuller, D. D., and C. O. Fisher—
for the light they imparted and the aid
afforded the General Conference in se
curing a division of the Georgia Con
ference upon a “salvation line,” one
that meets the long felt want and
wishes of our people.
4. That, whereas Rev. C. O. Fisher,
long our assistant secretary, goes to the
Savannah Conference, that we ever
cherish in our memories a profound
regard for his many services as a mem
ber of our conference, and especially
for those rendered us in the General
Conference.
5. That our thanks are respectfully
due Rev. Dr. Fuller for the bold,
manly, and Christian stand he has
taken in the defense of the rights,
wants, and wishes of our people, both
public, private, and through the excel
lent paper which he edits, and espe
cially for the able defense of these prin
ciples upon this conference floor dur
ing our present session.
''- ♦ ♦
SUNDAY SERVICES.
The Gospel Expounded at the
Methodist Churches.
Large Congregations at each Church,
and Impressed by the Sermons.
The first time in the era of Southern
Methodism, all the pulpits were filled on
Sunday by members of the Northern Meth
odist conference. Every church was filled
with large congregations, and the attention
given to the utterances of the divines im
pressed them very forcibly that fraterni
zation with Southern Methodism means
something more than mere words. It was
carrying theory into full practice. Bishop
Scott yesterday spoke very feelingly con
cerning fraternization.
FIRST METHODIST.
Rev. J. Mitchell preached in the
morning from Exodus, 20th chapter, sth,
6th and 7th verses: “Thou shalt not make
unto thee any graven image of any thing
that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the waters un
der the earth: thou shalt not bow down
thyself to them nor serve them, for I the
Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting
the iniquity of the fathers upon the chil
dren unto the third and fourth generation
of them that hate me; and shewing mercy
unto thousands of them that love me and
keep my commandments.” The leading
thought of the sermon was: The destiny
of nations is fixed by their founders.
Rev. J. B. Ford preached at night from
Matthew, Ist chapter, 21st verse: “And she
shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call
his name Jesus; for he shall save his peo
ple from their sins.” He argued that
Christ does not propose to save men in this
life from trials and tribulations, from
temptation, from errors of intellect or
judgment, or that we can not, but may not
sin. He proposes to grant a full and per
fect pardon of all our past sins, to regen
erate and make us new creatures, to cleanse
us from all sin and make us pure in heart,
to save us triumphantly in death and give
us an abundant entrance into heaven.
TRINITY'.
Rev. J. M. Freeman, D. D., of New
York, preached in the morning from Job,
11th chapter, 7th verse: “Canst thou by
searching, find out God? Canst thou find
out the Almighty unto perfection?” The
leading thought was: llow man may find
God.
Rev. J. Mitchell preached at night
from Matthew, sth chapter, Bth verse:
“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they
shall see God.” Leading thought: The
suffering and death of Christ appeals to
the and sympathy of man.
EVANS’.
Rev. J. A. Thurman preached in the
morning from 2d Peter, Ist chapter, 10th
verse: “Wherefore rather, brethren, give
diligence to make your calling and election
sure, for if ye do these things, ye shall
never fail.” The necessity of diligence to
the safety and development of the Chris
tian graces, is the leading thought.
Rev. J. H. Smith preached at night from
John, 3d chapter, 16th verse: “For God so
loved the world that he gave his only be
gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlast
lasting life.” Leading thought: The love
of God for an unconverted world as dis
played in the provision for universal sal
vation.
PAYNE’S.
Rev. E. Q. Fuller, D. D., editor of The
Methodist Advocate, preached in the morn
ing from Psalms 72d, 19th verse: “And
blessed be his glorious name forever, and
let the whole earth be filled with his
glory. Amen, and amen.” Subject: Di
vine glory on earth through the church.
Rev. J. A. Thurman preached at night
from Revelation, 22d chapter. 17th verse:
“And the spirit and the bride say, come.
And let him that heareth say, come. And
let him that is athirst come. And whoso
ever will, let him take the water of life
freely.” Subject: Instrumentalities em
ployed by the church.
ST. PAUL’S.
Rev. T. 11. Triplett preached at night
from Matthew, lOtli chapter, 26th verse:
“For what is a man profited if he Bhall
gain the whole world and lose his own
►soul? or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?” Subject: The value of the
soul.
SIXTH METHODIST.
Rev. L. D. Ellington preached in the
morning from John, 14th chapter, first to
third verses inclusive: “Let not your
heart be troubled; ye believe in God, be
lieve also in me. In my father’s house
are many mansions: if it wefe not so I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place
for you. And if Igo and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and receive you
unto myself; that where I am there ye
may be also.” Subject: Christ our com
forter.
Rev W. E. Tarpley preached at night
from Phillippians, 3d chapter, 13th and
14th verses: “Brethren, I count not myself
to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are be
hind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, I press forward toward
the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.” Subject: Perse
verance.
STORKS’ SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Rev. G. Standing preached from John,
9th chapter, 35th verse: “Jesus heard that
they had cast him out; and when he had
found him, he said unto him: Dost thou
believe in the Son of God?” Subject:
Faith in Christ.
LOYD-STREET.
Rev. J. M. Freeman, D. D., preached in
the evening from Luke, 17th chapter, 20th
and 21st verses: “And when he was de
manded of the Pharisees, when the king
dom of God should come, he answered
them and said: The kingdom of God com
eth not with observation, neither shall
they say lo here or lo there, for behold the
kingdom of God is within you.” Subject:
Inward Christianity. —Atlanta Daily Con
stitution, October 31, 1876.
Our Southern Conferences.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Rev. W. F. Parker writes from
Welford, S. C., Oct. 13th:
This has been a hard and laborious
year with myself and preachers in the
Spartanburg district. The scarcity of
money, high prices of the necessaries of
life and costs of material have all seri
ously operated to the prejudice of the
Church. Yet, notwithstanding these
embarrassments, we have built several
new churches, repaired others, im
proved our camp-grounds, built up day
schools, and by hard work in the cotton
fields of week days, when at home, with
a little help from the Churches occa
sionally, myself and preachers have
been able, by the help of our blessed
Lord, to keep the ship afloat, and have
the internal evidence that we are
climbing higher and higher.
In spirituality, we may say with
safety that a handsome improvement
has been made in every part of the
district; and here let me say that the
services of our beloved brother, A. C.
Dutton, of Yorkville station, have
been invaluable. Many of those seem
ingly supra extra , physical exercises—
such as religio-gymnasium, or religious,
phantastical, too —such as shouting,
dancing, jumping, etc., all at the same
time, in some places have been some
what abandoned. And this very great re
about by the firmness and apostolic
bravery of our co-laborer, the Rev. A.
C. Dutton.
There has been a decided improve
ment among the traveling and local
preachers and exhorters, stewards, and
leaders. The whole internal machinery
of the Church has improved this year.
The increase in membership and con
versions will greatly exceed last year.
We expect full and complete statistical
reports from every charge at the next
district conference. Our camp-meeting
season was one of the greatest, quietest,
and good behavior, the profoundest and
most thoroughly spiritual ever known in
the district, and most numerously at
tended by both white and colored.
Our white work has handsomely im
proved this year—have attended to it
myself—not being able to form a sup
ply this year, gave me much harder
work. We have a fraternal meeting at
our chapel for the white brethren, some
five or six miles east of Spartanburg
Court-house, including the first Sab
bath in November. Pray for our suc
cess. Could the Georgia Conference or
the Holston Conference be induced to
spread out a wing and hover over our
white work in this up country until it
gets able to stand alone? Could it not
be done by sufferance? Will the fixed
ness of the boundary lines in missionary
operations prohibit it?
My health is rather precarious, but
I have great reason to be thankful.
VIRGINIA.
Rev. A. J. Crumley, Smith ct.:
On the 7th of this month I com
menced a two-days’ meeting at Widner’s
Valley, which lasted eight days and
nights. We had a glorious time, indeed.
The Holy Spirit was poured out upon
the people from time to time. During
our meeting 16 joined the Church; 15
professed religion, and I must say there
were some as bright conversions as I
ever witnessed. Another grand feature
of our meeting was the spirit of union
manifested. Southern Methodists and
Baptists united with us. This is the
way it should be all over the land; this
was a demonstration of fraternity so
much talked about. 0 may the great
Head of the Church roll on the long
prayed for period, when peace and un
ion shall reign in all our Churches and
in our hearts! for this we live, for this
we pray. Brethren, pray for us.
Essays and subjects for discus
sion for the Port Royal district
conference, to be held at Friend
ship Church, Hickory Hill circuit,
November 23, 1876:
Geo L Johnson —Christian Pilgrimage.
A Middleton—The Trinity.
F W Sasportas—Diflerence between
grace and faith.
Lewis ltivers—Probable future of Port
Royal district.
Daniel Minus—Support of ministers.
Julius Harris —Humility in religion.
J B Middleton —Bible description of
heaven.
E J Snetter—Human inperfection.
E McDaniels —Call to the ministry.
C W Lucus —The power of Satan.
Morris Stewart—Christian perfection.
John Mitchell—lmmortality of man.
Z L Duncan—Last judgment.
Abram Harris—Charity.
Subjects for discussion —Ought the
M. E. Churches of America to unite?
Will we know our friends in heaven?
Local preachers and exhorters will
please select their own subjects.