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Smrfjjmt Christian MACON, GA., FEBRUARY 9, 1866. THE MISSIOH OF THE X. E. CHURCH, SOUTH. We hold, that notwithstanding the perils that now environ our church, the way is opened to,it by Providence to enter upon a new mission—one as glorious and of as high utility as any ever heretofore entrusted to Methodism, livery surrounding calls for a reconstruction of Methodism, North and South, purified from the political madness that seized upon one section of it some thir ty years ago, dismembered the church, drove the nation into war, and is now pushing for ward radical measures, with all the influ ence of a powerful organization. This, re construction can never be effected on the basis of the Northern Methodist Church, unless it first destroys the Southern Church, and to that we cannot consent. It may take place on the basis of Southern Methodism, if we wisely seize this opportunity to revise our polity, and to make it so distinct from that of the other communion, that they shall not appear to be rivals, identical in form as they now are; but, contrariwise, may pre sent such differences, that there will be a real and tangible ground for choice between them. Methodism heretofore has been known as a system of aggression in new fields, but has not held its own as the coun try advanced in years. Let it be now put under the form of a church, combining the power of growth and expansion from with in, under a well-adjusted pastorate, with the ability of conquest, that belongs more to the doctrines, than to the polity of Methodism. It seems to us, that Providence now calls our church to this work. 1. We are no longer confined by circum stances to a section of our broad land. The way is open to us, North and South, and it is our duty to make ourselves a church co terminous with our nation. If we satisfy ourselves merely with existing in the South— if we adopt and avow the policy of only en deavoring to hold our sectional position— this fact itself will furnish one of the strong est arguments used against our church. The generations of Methodists coming after us would have enough to do, to maintain our church against the pressure of a powerful rival of similar name,, identical in iorm, na tional in extent, vast as to numbers and of unlimited resources, without, at the same time, having to bear the reproach of main taining their position from political animosity* If there is to be a true union, this feeling must be eradicated—not cultivated; and the church that does not learn this fact will by and by fail. We must cease to be a seo tional church, or else when two or three generations have passed, we shall not exist at all. 2. The way is everywhere open to such expansion, provided we so change our polity as to move forward not in antagonism to any church already occupying the field, but as having embodied the essence of Methodism — her dootrines—in anew form. If this new form be such as to ensure thorough work and •permanent results, this alone will give us a powerful advantage over any church, even though it have the same doctrines, which holds by the old policy of gaining, but not keeping its gains. Let Southern Methodism lay aside the antiquated garb brought over from England a century ago, and work out for itself anew destiny, as a church adapted to anew order of things—in which it shall seek for permanency and growth and en largement through generations, rather than, as heretofore, be content with startling re sults, popular for a time, but as evanescent as they are exciting and wonderful. Let her so remodel her plans, that where once planted she may always flourish, and new prepare for being the church of our child ren’s children to the latest generations, by becoming one which combines with her own peculiar excellence every real excellence of every church, that now attracts them from her fold. Let us giVe her a pastorate will “edify,” and arrange for her a system, that will make every congregation a self developing centre for aggression. For Meth odism under this iorm the world is prepared and the way is open. For years, thousands of Methodists throughout the country have been wishing their church thus to adapt it self to the wants of the times. There are perhaps more of them in the North, than in the South. * * It has long been felt that the absence of the laity from the councils of the church has been disastrous—that but for this, Meth odism would not have been driven to a sep aration j and many of the very best of the laity do not sympathise with their ministry who are responsible—for the projected cru sade against the South. The sympathies of thousands are with us—especially as all who are well informed know that politics carried into Ihe church courts drove us off; and that while their preachers have been propagandists of political opinions', we have been steadily preaching the gospel—and to this day, prefcch only the gospel. If we adhere to the Scripture rule of leaving to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and allow no political tests of church membership, we shall ultimately fiqd multitudes even at the North to bid us welcome. At first, the as perities of the hour may make some our en emies; but when these are eradicate!, as they sooner or later will be in both sections, and we come to be understood, Methodism under this proposed new and enduring form will steadily advance in all the land. Our doctrines , in which reside our power and the excellence of Wesleyanisin—‘free grace, universal redemption, the direct witness of the Spirit, an assurance of pardoned sin, personal holiness; and the fervor and zeal and urgency to instant salvation, that neces sarily grow out of these doctrines, will dis tinguish us from all communions but the M. E. Church; and our polity will distinguish us wholly from that church. There are somp exceptions; but these are in our favor. The Methodist Protestant Church has taken some steps in the direc tion we indicate; but recent signs evince that there would be little or no hindrance to a union with that church. The “Chris* tian Union’’ churches, now numbering scores, if not hundreds, of growing congre gations—most of whom were Methodists, leaving in disgust a church turned into a po litical club—are moving on the satne line, and they seek fraternity with us. Some of the leading Methodist churches in Balti more are now Independent; and a recent writer says that* the time has come in Mary land “when Methodism must cease to be a power for good, or must change her ref lations to tae two great rival Methodist bodies.),’ The same may be said, doubtless, of Methodism in many other places. The people want once more to hear an unmixed gospel—to have the cross, not the flag, of fered from the pulpit—to hear more of Christ and less of the negro. And our style of preaching will suit this appetite. — The way is open and invites us. 3. There has been a most marvellous rev olution in the opinions of Southern Meth odists withiu a very few years upon many points of church polity—that we can but look upon as designed, in the Providence of God, to prepare our communion for such changes as will adapt her for entering a new field of labor, under new and better conditions, ior more .thorough and perma nent work, than heretofore. There have been but few discussions of these proposed amendments—but little interchange of opin ion on these subjects. Our preachers have been very much separated from each other in the different Conferences, and our two or three papers had but a limited circulation.— Four years ago, in the Georgia Conference, only some thirty odd votes could be had for the extension of the pastorate to three years, and until now the subject has not been men tioned in this paper; yet, we believe, the majority of the preachers favor a change in this respect. And So with other changes that have been mooted. Several of the Con- • ferences have specified alterations in our pol ity that they wish made—and in none, we believe, have the propositions to carry these questions of change to the General Confer ' ence been voted down. And all thjs revo lution in sentiment has teen, as ikwere, spontaneous. There have been no dis cussions—but men in every section seem to have reached similar conclusions from their own quiet thinking. As we believe that God presides constantly over ihe inter ests of his church, and seeks to shape its ends to His own glory, we must believe that He has put this spirit upbn His servants to lead them to secure, by a change in our pol ity, anew development of the power and excellence of the doctrines of Methodism. Methodism lives in its doctrines and will continue to live in them, no matter what garb it may put on. The Great Head of the Church now moves those who have preached these doctrines and no others un der an organization adapted chiefly to ag gressive movements, to put the same doc trines into the form of a more permanent and enduring pastoral church, that what has been gained may be conserved; and that hereafter, religion as they embody its teach ings, may, by an outward growth and ex pansion of the church irom the central life of every congregation, reach every sinner dwelling within the shadow of our temples. 4. On account of the aggressive purposes of Northern Methodism, a change in our polity would advance the interests of reli gion. When all the bitterness of the pres ent shall die out, and anew generation shall succeed, two churches so nearly alike, occu pying the same field, will be a waste of SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. * Christian effort —and in the nature of things they can remain distinct communions only for reasons essentially anti-christian. We must absorb a church so similar to our own, or it must absorb .us; or else hoth will be only belligerents, doing nothing for Christ. But which will be soonest absorb ed—the impoverished sectional church, or the ecumenical body, abounding in all the resources of power ? Yet Methodist ‘doctrines, embodied in two distinct churches, wholly differing in polity can live and fraternize, flourish and do good, even in the same sections. The value of the doctrines taught and their influence will not depend upon the church forms —wheth- er they be one or two —and many more sin ners will be reached, when these forms so vary as that all tastes and opinions as to modes of worship and church government have been met. To use a familiar illustration, two churches identical in all but name can not run on the same track. One Qr other must be thrown off. But if we construct a new track of different guage, it can be laid North and iSouth, and there will be no dan ger of collision. Let us make haste and build with a guage so broad that there shall be no such danger. There is work enough in the land for both to do, each in its dif ferent line of policy. Let the Southern church, in this auspicious moment, seize the opportunity of setting out on anew mission, and her future career will be more illustrious than her past. But if she hesi tates —because she cannot rid herself of old ideas, she must count upon a flight for life itself, and we say it sadly, we believe an ultimate extinction. Dr. Whedon, writing in the Methodist Quarterly, of July, 1865, of the probable union of the two churches, and of the im practicability of one General Conference legislating for so immense a church, says: “Will not two or three General Conferences, united by some federal bond, be necessary ?’’ The same idea was advanced by Dr, Elliott, in the General Conference of 1844, while discussing the division of the chureh. We take up the idea, and put it in a different shape. Wesleyan doctrines have been de veloped under the itinerant form—but they have not maintained their position against a more settled pastorate, and where full scope is given to the self-developing power of congregations, as in other communions. Let Wesleyan doctriuoS, under the polity of the past for those who prefer it—and also un der anew and more stable policy for those who would choose that, divide the country, between them, but not by sectional lines— and in harmony and fraternity, each move on in its high mission. Thus there will be two great Methodist Churches. There is room for both—the world demands both systems —- and, we believe, God’s providence indicates that it is the mission now of Southern Methodism to inaugurate the new polity, or else to surrender its commission. We have something yet to say, as to the time and manner of inaugurating this im portant work. ■ ——• ♦♦ SEAT OP THE GENERAL CON FERENCE. We hope that the Bishops will say some thing soon, to settle the minds of the Dele gates on the subject above named. We have no doubt that they have authority to call the Conference where they will; and consequently, if teasons sufficient to justify appear, to change it from the place where they have appointed it to meet, to another. If there are such reasons, it ought to be moved —but not otherwise. The Georgia delegation, so far as we know, are willing to trust the entire question with the Bishops; but hope they will say soon whether or not they receive or decline the propositions to change the placa of meeting. Drs. Smith and Shipp and Rev. W. 11. Fleming have addressed a letter to the Richmond Advo cate on the subject. They think the change absolutely necessary. They deem the com ing session oneof vast importance, and that every conferenje should be fully represent ed; and there should be no disturbing causes to hindar calm and patient delibera tion. A smaller city than New Orleans would offer this advantage. The history of the St. Louis Conference shows the effect the sudden appearance of an epidemic might have; and it s thought that the cholera is more likely t« appear ia New Orleans, as early as April than in higher latitudes, and perhaps it 'will first appear there when it reaches this c rnntry. The interestsrtff the church, they think, require that all risks of a premature a Ijournment from this cause be avoided. Tlisy give another reason, which we hope evfry Methodist will read and weigh well; for it is a powerful argument for a liberal [Contribution, in every congrega tion, of money to pay th£ expenses of the delegates. [They say: “ There is, however, another reason of great Weight with some of us. The desola tiqps of the late war have fallen upon the people east of the Mississippi with, perhaps, vastly greater severity than upon those to the west of it. We are impoverished and so are our people. The question, how are we to get the means to go so far, is a very serious one. Collections in the churches to defray the expenses of the delegates have been ordered, but we know something of the character of our collections in these times. It is seriously to be feared that many of us who have been elected to the General Con ference, cannot get there if the place is not changed. The private resources of many of us have been swept away—the Book-Room cannot defray our expenses—the collections cannot be anticipated with any certainty— and pray, how are we to get there ?” They finally suggest that the Conference be held at some point in Georgia or Ala bama, which might be accessible to all. THE PROGRAMME. “ The Methodist, ’’ in rejoicing over the appropriation of more than $300,000 for missionary work in the South, uses the fol lowing language: “ Methodism is now evidently to take ec clesiastical guardianship of hundreds of thou sands, perhaps we should say of millions, of the ireedmen of the South. But this ecclesiastical oversight will necessarily involve the guardian ship of most, if not all, their rights and wels fare. We confess that this is, to us, one of the most impressive recommendations of the re vised m : ssionary plan. By it, our Church will stand up, throughout all the above “depart ments,” the protector of the negroes against whatever disguised slavery, serfdom, or other wrong the only semi-reclaimed whites may at tempt to impose upon them. Our preachers will be there^; they will be there chiefly, if not solely, for the freedmen; they will be there as our representatives; they will be correspond deats not only of the central authorities of the Missionary Society, but of our public journals; they will be a grand corps of not only local protectors of the colored population, but also of reporters to the North, to the National Gov ernment, and more or less to the whole world, of the treatment of these injured people. If for no other consideration, yet for this should the whole Methodist North Bustain the scheme of the Missionary Society." Has Christianity fallen so low ? Is Jesuit ism revived in a Protestant Church ? What a confession have we here—missionaries to be sentlamong us to play the noble part of spies and informers. How tenderly must the “semi-reclaimed whites’’ feel toward them; how highly must we appreciate the religion they have come to teach, and the church which sends them. What gentle man will accept such a mission; what Chris tian can do it? Who, with any self-respect, can place himself in the social position of a pretended missionary, creeping about to pick up lying gossip and kitchen scandal, and re tailing it with the malignity that one must feel who is “ tabood ” in all decent society, who, if an unmarried miscegenator, is the fa miliar friend of some Dinah and coal-black Rose. But suppose him to have a decent family. To what degradation does his con temptible purpose of espionage and his self assumed negro protectorate reduce them— with only sooty bucks and ebon maids for their friends and companions, and with the pleasant prospect before him and them of being confined to this color in his selection of sons and daughters-in-law. Bah! the subject is offensive—to treat of it is dis gusting—but they who can stoop to do this work of hired piofessional informers, and they who can make a boast of it, have put themselves the pale of respectful treatment! THE NEW MISSION. We have received from a correspondent, the following list of appointments, made recently at Atlanta, by Bishop Clarke on the mission of the M* E. Church (North,) for “Western Georgia and Alabama.” Superintendent —James F. Chalfant. Troup and Harris counties, Georgia, and Alabama—Jno. H. Caldwell; Campbell, Carroll and Cobb countiss—Jno. Murphy; Atlanta, David Rutledge; Clayton, Henry, parts of Spaulding and Fayette counties— R. H. Waters, J. P. Powell assistant; Grif fin, Thomaston and Forsyth—C. W Par ker ; Haralson, Paulding and Polk coun ties—to be supplied; Hall, White and Lump kin counties—Wm. Brewer; Newton, Mor gan and Walton counties—to be supplied ; Palmetto--Jno. O’Donelly; Coweta, Mer riwether and west part of Fayette county —C. M. Caldwell; Huntsville, Ala.—A. S. Lakin. The same writer thinks this people are corresponding with several preachers here and there in our Conference; and that some may for the “ loaves and fishes ’’ be ready to confess their sins of rebellion and embrace the doctrine of suffrage negro equality and all other political dog mas, now urged upon the nation by the leaders of Northern Methodism. It may be so, but we can very well spare any whose principles are in the market—who can be bought for money. Another correspondent asks to know whether our pulpits are to be opened to them. Os course not. They are not at the pains to recognize our church; they came as marauders upon our Conferences, and congregations; they wish to introduce schisms among our people; and they aud all who join them from our ministerial ranks are using all their influence to destroy us; and> while the church, North, holds its present po. sition not even Christian charity requires us to offer them our pulpits, or to fraternize with them in auy way. Their political and so cial doctrines antagonize every instinct of true Southerners —and they deserve no fa vors at our hands. Let them take care of themselves. METHODISM IN THE CITIES. The Rev. S. W. Coggeshall has written a carefully prepared article *in the Methodist to corroborate an assertion lately made by Bishop Simpson, that “ he has ascertained by careful observation, that Methodism does not exert that influence, socially, profession ally and officially, in the cities, that it does in the rural districts of the land.” Mr. C. gives some figures respecting Methodism in certain American cities, em bracing the two decades from 1844 to 1864. From these we quote : In Bangor, Me., in 1844, one strong church, 371 members. In 1864, two weak churches, 456 members —a gain of 85 in 20 years. In Portland 904 members in 1864— a gain of 254 members. The city has doubled its population iu that time. In Portsmouth, N. H., in 1864, there were 332 members — the gain 22 in 20 years. In Boston, where population has largely in creased, during the time, the churches have been added, and the membership is now 2,550 —an increase of 578 only. In New London and Norwich, the losses have been heavy. In New York city in 1844 there were 10,474 members, in 1864, 11,121 —a gain of 647, enough only to make two decent city churches, though the population of the city has trebled. Philadelphia does much better, showing 18,238 in 1864, against 10,498 in 1844 —a gain of 2,743 ; though but about one-half of the ratio of increase in the popu lation. Baltimore, in 1844, shows 12,402 members; in 1864,12,737 —a gain of 335 only, for the twenty years. Albany in 1844 had 1,434 in 1864,1613— a gain of 179 for the twenty years. Buffalo shows 681 iu 1864, against 480 in 1844 —a gain of 201, though the population has about doubled. Even in Cincinnati, the Queen city of the West, Once so famous for its Methodism, though the seat of the Western Book De pository with its immense business, the seat of a Wesleyan Female College, and the resi dence of a bishop, in 1864 shows but 3,658, against 2,855 in 1844 —a gain of but 803, and this gain mostly consists of the three German churches with 681 members. The gain in the English congregations for the twenty years is but little more than nominal. But it is a remarkable fact that, notwithg standing these small showings in the matter of members, in all these cities there has been a great increase in the number of churches. For instance, Cincinnati, not withstanding her small gain of members— but enough for two good metropolitan churches—yet has increased her charges from five to sixteen ! Washington, with three churches and 1,421 members in 1844, in 1864 shows twelve churches and 3,171 members —an increase of 1,752 in the twenty years. The writer estimates the gain of Northern Methodism since 1844 to be about 40 per cent., while the increase of the population, in that time, has been about 70 per cent. He adds: • “|From the General Conference of 1860 to that of 1864, we lost 50,000 members; and this year, as the result of the labors of 10,000 churches, of 15,000 travelling and local preachers, of 100 schools of learning, of our numerous and powerful presses in all parts of our wide country, and of the expen diture of $626,000 of missionary money, our whole work in all parts of the vrorld shows an increase of less than 1,000 souls. Our fathers conducted a much more flourishing work upon far less capital. “ From the immense multitude of proba tioners which we report from year to year, we find that our actual gain amounts to but about one-fifth, or twenty per'cent, of the whole number. Thus, among our converts, apostacy is still the rule and perseverance the exception, as it has ever been in all ages of the Christian Church. We yet show a powerfully aggressive force, but sad ly lack the conservative. Ours is the most awakening ministry on earth, but we sadly fail in the power of culture , by which alone the fruits of our labors can be conserved. Who can show us how to stop this great leak—to prevent this mighty loss, and which still keeps us down ?” General Conference Paper. —The New Orleans Christian Advocate, Metho dist Episcopal Church, South, is going to publish a Daily during the sitting of the General Conference in that city. It will com mence on the first of April next, and con tinue during the sitting of the Conference, which will probably be from four to six weeks. Price, one dollar for the term. Address Rev; J. G. Keener, D. D. It will give a full account of the proceedings, and be very interesting.