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Tte Rev- W. A. McSwain. f We have received a letter from Rev. Jno. R. Little, in which he gives substantially the same account as that given our readers recently, by Rev. S. H. Browne, of the sad accident that resulted in the death of the eminent minister named above. But there are some additional particulars respecting his last days, that will be read with melan choly interest by his many friends. The writer says: “The brethren will remember that he did not attend the last session of the South Carolina Conference, held at Charlotte, not having re covered, as he stated in a communication, from a recent attack of illness. He was reappointed to Laurens Circuit, where he had labored ener getically and faithfullj* during the past year.— Having measurably regained his health, he seemed to enter upon his duties with more than usual zeal. He said—‘The troubles of the coun try being somewhat at an end, I anticipate a larger measure of success in the present year than I realized in the past.’ But, alas ! the purposes of life are often thwarted and its pros pects blighted by the varied events of time. “On the 26th of November, while traveling to church, an ambitious horse behind took fright, and becoming unmanageable, he jumped upon Bro. McSwain’s buggy, causing him to leap out, which resulted in breaking both bones of his left leg, the larger bone protruding. He was at once conveyed to the house of a friend, and his wound dressed by a physician. “The following day he was carried to the par sonage at Laurens C. H. For several days his Buffering was intense, but the physicians had no apprehensions respecting his case. About the tenth day diarrhoea fell on him, which soon re duced him to ptter prostration. He bore his sufferings with Christian fortitude and cheer fulness. In a few days, in spite of medical skill and the unreserved attention of his family and friends, his case became hopeless. Anxiously and prayerfully did his friends watch over .him, hoping that a change for the better might take place; but, alas ! it was found he must die. A few days before his death, he thought his hour of departure had come, and calling the family present around his bed, he said to his elder daughter—‘Tell Doctor (his son, a physician,) I die without seeing him again, but that I die in great peace.’ He revived again; but on 31st December, it became evident that his end was near, and being asked if he felt that he had served God in vain, he answered—‘l do not! I do not!’ When the saint’s rest was mentioned he began praising God, shouting Glory ! Glory! These were about the last words he uttered dis tinctly. He lay seemingly unconscious from this time until a quarter past one on the morn ing of the Ist of January, when, broken and emaciated, surrounded by his friends and a weeping family, he calmly fell asleep. “In his death the church has lost one of her ablest ministers, the country a good friend, and his bereaved family a kind husband and loving father.” HEAR BOTH SIDES. The N. O. Christian Advocate, speaking of the churches and members reported re cently by the Northern Methodists in New Orleans, says: “ All this sounds well and looks as if something had actually been accomplished) hut sifted down, it amounts te about this— that the Church North has in this city pos session of our colored churches and colored members and colored congregations, with the addition of colored Sunday schools. And but for the absolute orders of President Johnson, all of our churches would have figured largely in the report of this famous “ Mississippi Mission Conference.” By the aid of the military the Rev. Bishop Thom son and the Rev. Dr Newman rejoice in the present possession of some 025,000 worth of church property and some 2,000 colored members —“another man’s line of things made ready to hand.’’ It is a study in it self, the almost unconscious simplicity with which this result of the forty-horse prosely ting power of the War Department is parad ed as the legitimate triumph of missionary enterprise —“ boasting of things without their measure, that is of other men’s la» hors.’’ Doubtless before some distant audi ence the report of this “success’’ may prove a very good thing financially.” This has an ugly look ; but if we are to believe the Western Christian Advocate, this effort to use the military authority is only a hit of practical instruction —some- thing like an acted parable of the old prophets It means nothing wrong. That paper assures its “ cotemporary that there is no disposition on the part of the Methodist Episcopal Church to wage an unfriendly warfare with other denominations already organized in the South. Its sole aim is the spread of Scriptural holiness.’’ It proposes to do this, by showing parabolically what an enormity the robbery of congregations of their houses of worship would be, if tolera ted—by making them grateful for being able to retain those houses, and by evincing their own patience and perseverance under seem ing disappointment. This teaching is like that of the father who used to get drunk in order to say to his sons : “ boys, see what a man comes to by drinking whiskey.” -« « ♦ - ■ NOTICE THE CROSS MARK. A cross mark (thus indicates that the the subscription is nearly expired—and a remittance will be necessary, if the paper is desired longer. THE NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. A recent number of that paper says: The Southern Christian Advocate speaks of having received the “Nashville Advo cate. The Christian Advocate is mailed regN ularly to that paper. Perhaps this is the paper he means. ” Os course it is the paper meant, as we suppose every body, except our friend, Dr. McFerrin, knew at once. We can assure him, that every body else knows what per haps his humility will not allow, that he cannot publish any other than a Christian paper. As we have been accustomed recent ly, for the saving of labor and repetition, to drop that word, in quoting from the numer ous Advocate family where they would be known by their place of publication, we did not think it complimentary to him to use it in mentioning his paper, as though there might be some doubt as to its religious character. No offence this, we hope. We must make an exception in the case of the New Orleans Christian Advocate, that it may not be confounded with the northern Methodist sheet that has filched a part of its name—the “New Orleans Advocate,” in order “ to spread scripture holiness.” The Mississippi Conference* We get from the N. O. Christian Advo cate some items of information respecting the Mississippi Conference, we have not seen before. It was proposed to conform the boundary between this and the Mobile Con ferences, to State lines. “Heartfelt thanks” were voted to Dr. C. K. Marshall “for his constant, laborious and efficient services ren dered to our noble soldiers, in the field and hospi al, during the late war, and for the honor he has reflected on the M. E. Church, South.” The Conference renewed its pledge to support its missionary to China—the Rev. J. W. Lambuth. The following resolution was adopted : Resolved, That the delegates from this Conference be requested to use their influ ence in the ensuing General Conference to change the mode of examining the charac ters of the members of the Conference, and if practicable, obtain the passage of a rule requiring the appointment of a “Committee on Character,” which committee shall meet on the first day of the Annual Conference, to receive, consider and report on all com plaints and charges, if any be made, and upon their final report the entire Conference shall be passed. The following were elected delegates to the General Conference : Levi Pearoe, Jno. G. Jones, W. H. Watkins, H. H. Montgom ery, Benj. Jones, W. Harrington, J. Mac lennan, C. K. Marshall. A Layman’s Opinion. —We have before us a letter from a distinguished jurist in another State, who has long held a high po rtion in public life. In the church, which he joined near forty years since, he is a faithful official member, highly esteemed for his piety and wisdom. He says: “ I am looking with much anxiety to the assem bling of our General Conference. Some very radical changes in our Constitution need to be made before our church can oc cupy the position to which she is entitled. I am no advocate of what is ordinarily de nominated ‘progress;’ hut I think the time has fully come when we may take a step or two in that direction, without entirely losing sight of the ‘old blazes.’ ” We agree with our friend and brother. He never gave a wiser opinion from the bench. More Church Papers. —We have re ceived this week two more new church pa pers, «r rather one new one, the other a re vived paper. The New Orleans Christian Advocate is re-established. With quite an array of patronizing conferences, it must soon be independent of all contingencies. Its office and material were unharmed by the war. Dr. Keener and Rev. It. J. Harp manage it. Price, 05.00 per annum. The Arkansas Christian Advocate is published at Little Rock, Ark., by Cobb & Messenger, the Rev. J. E. Cobb, Editor, at 04.00 per annum. We are rejoiced to see the indica tions of returning prosperity in our church, as evinced by the appearance or re-appear ance of so many A church papers) and we wish them all that success they justly de serve. We now have more “ organs,” we believe, than the Northern Methodist Churchi The Arkansas. Christian Advocate speaking of the movement at Louisville to change the seat, of the General Conference, asks : “By the way, is it altogether digni fied, or indicative of much faith in Divine Providence, on the part of Methodist preach ers, to be ‘stampeded’ from an appointed place of assembly to do God’s work, for fear of invasions and epidemics ? Cannot the army of the Lord dare to go and stay, where human armies cheerfully march and camp ? And we would quietly ask, whether the South We* tern Conferences might not get a few crumbs of accommodation once in a while ?” SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. “The Charleston Papers.” —We are requested to ask the “Weekly Record,” of Charleston, to copy the account given of the death of Rev. W. A. McSwain. If that paper never sees the Advocate oftener than we see the Record, the request will be made in vain in these columns. We saw two or three of the first numbers of it in the hands of a friend. This is the only means we have hid of knowing that such a paper was ever published. The Charleston News used to come occasionally to the Mirror, but that has been long stopped. A subscriber sug gests that we publish the Charleston mar kets weekly. This we expect to do, as soon as the mail communications will allow us to get letters and papers from Charleston in reasonable time. Death of Ministirs. —The Rev. Wm. C. Blount, of the Va. Conference, stationed in Portsmouth, while walking in the garden in rear of bis dwelling on the 16 th ult., re ceived a wound from a musket, carelessly handled by a negro boy on an adjoining lot. He was highly esteemed, as a iaithful, and excellent minister.—The Rev. Joseph P. Davidson died in Richmond on 16th Jan. He was once a member of the Va. Con ference, but located, and for a number of years devoted himself to school-teaching. He was more than sixty years of age. He was extensively known, and sustained a good religious character. Texas Advocate. —We are, at a ven ture, sending the Advocate to a paper of this name in Houston, Texas. If it be published there, we should be glad of an exchange. The Rev. George W. Carter, D. D., of Texas, was recently in Richmond. He is now engaged in the legal profession. Btfos from fjjt C{mrc|ts. The Riv. C. H. Hall, who located at the late session of the Virginia Conference, has ac cepted an invitation to become associate pastor of Trinity, (Independent Methodist Church,) in the city of Baltimore. Hs is the co-past tor with the Rev. Mr. Wilson. The Rich mond Advocate says, that there is work enough forbeth of these talented gentlemen, is an encour aging evidence of the prosperity attending the cause in which they are engaged The exper iment of independent churches seems to be de veloping, in Baltimore, anew form of Method ist enterprise that is daily fhcreaiing in influ ence. A Ksiting was recently held in Baitimore to devise means to aid the Presbyterian churoh* es in the Southern States in the support of their ministers. It was stated that there were some seven hundred ministers in the South representing a membership of about thirty-five thousand, hardly one of which could be sup ported by their congregations. A commit tee of ten from each church, to carry out the purpose of taking collections, was then ap pointed. A eolleotion was then taken up, resulting in the realization of a handsome sum. towards the furtherance of the object for which the meeting had besn called. Arkansas.— Desolation. —ln Arkansas the Episcopal Church presents a sad picture; parish es almost everywhere have been broken up by the destroying hand of war. At present, only one clergyman of the Episcopal Church is in the active discharge of his duties in the whole of the State. The Rxy. J. R. Dow, (Presbyterian) re** cently visited his Church on the coast, John’s Island and Wadm&law. The white members have all been driven away from their homes: but the colored members, numbering two years ago upwards of live hundred, very earnestly desired that ho should resume his labors among them. The Rev. llznry Slices, is reported by Rev. J. E. Edwards now on a visit to Balti more, to be growing o’d«gracefully as pastor of the Seamen’s Bethel. He is the same in dependent, outspoken man that he has been for years. He is, *3 ever, uccompromising in his opposition to certain acts and measures of the Northern Methodist Church; but still he holds his connection with the East Baltimore Conference, and takes a peculiar pride in hav ing his name enrolled among the minority of eighteen who have stoed like a wall of brass in opposition to the radical policy of the Northern Methodist Church* There is a report in circulation in Method* ist circles in Washington city, that one of ®ur best circuits north of Washington has cast her lot with the portion of Baltimore Con ference which, at Staunton in 1861, declared itself in dependent of the General Conference of the M. E. Church. Rev. Samuel Register will superintend their interests in Maryland if re ports be true. He owns a farm between Bal timore and Washiagton, which would enable him to reside north of the Potomac, and work for his section, at least, without pecuniary em barrassment. Thb Venkbablb Dr. Nott, for sixty two years President of the Union College Sche nectady, Mass , died recently, at the advanced age of ninety three years. He was a great and good man. Thk Rev. Dr. Sehon preached lately in Cooper Institute, New York city. Dr. Deems was to preach there, the following Labbath, Ildus of tjic Mult- Congressional. Washington, January 30.—The report of the United States Revenue Commissioners on the subject of cotton, recommends that a tax of five cents per pound be levied on all cotton raised in the United States after the Ist day of Janua ry, 1866 ; that a tax on cotton consumed in the country be levied on the manufacturers, the tax on that exported upon the merchant at the place of export, and that no vessel shall be allowed to clear without a certificate that the tax has already been paid. The Commissioners also recommend that so long as there shall be a tax upon American raw cotton, there shall also be a specific duty on all imported fabrics of as many cents per pound as shall be levied on raw cotton. A bill embodying the above, together with other recommendations, is appended to the report. The official correspondence between General Weitzel, the American commander on the Rio Grande, and General Mejia, of the Im perial Army, regarding the Bagdad affair, has been published. Geu. Weitzel states that three hundred men were sent to Bagdad as an act of humanity, and not for the’ purpose of military operations. Gen. Mejia represents that he had instructed the bearer of dispatches at Vera Cruz to report matters officially to the Imperial Gov ernment. He also protests against the invasion of Mexico by American soldiers. General Sheridan, acting under instructions from Wash ington, has issued an order refusing to allow emigrants to leave N. 0. for Mexico. The order places no restrictions on the departure of ves sels. Jan. 31. —The Senate was engaged to-day in discussing the bill to protect all persons in their rights. In the House, Mr. Stevens, from the Recon struction Committee, reported back the Consti tutional Amendment referred to them yesterday, the Committee refusing to amend by striking out the direct taxation clause Mr. Stevens made a speech alluding to the President in most caustic terms. He said he had vetoed the lege of the House by making a command wldj|H the House was engaged in the consideratioflfi| an important question. Such an act, centuMJ ago, would havo cost the British King his hea<v but we are tolerant of usurpation and abuse of power. At the conclusion of his remarks, the vote was taken on the Constitutional Amend ment, which was passed. Washington, Feb. 2. —The Senate to-day discussed the bill for the protection of all per sons in their civil rights, and after a long de bate, passed it by a vote of 33 to 12. Washington, Feb. s. —ln the House to-day, an amendment to the rules was offered and laid on the table, to set apart one day in each week for the consideration of public business, to be called the White Man’s Day. A resolution was offered to instruct the committee on recon struction to enquire into the expedienay of levying a tax on the rebellious States, in order to defray the expense of keeping up a standing army among them to keep th« peace. The House resumed the consideration of the bill ex tending the powers of the Freedmen’s Bureau. An amendment was adopted that its operations be confined to those States where the habeas corpus is suspended. In the Senate , Mr. Fessenden called up the joint resolution of the committee on reconstruc tion, proposing a constitutional amendment basing, representation on population, and ex cluding from representation all persons denied the right of suffrage on account of color. Mr. Sumner Bpoke in opposition, and offered a sub stitute declaring that in civil and political rights, all personsvehall be equal before the law. He occupied the attention of the Senate during the entire day, contending for the perfect political and civil equality of all men. His speech will not be concluded until to-morrow. A circular has been issued from tlie*Treasury Department rescinding former orders in relation to the taxation of manufactured articles in the hands of manufacturers in the Southern States, which have hitherto been exempt from taxation. After the Ist of March, such articles will be subject to the prescribed rates of taxation un der the Excise Law, no matter what may be the date of their manufacture. Georgia Legislature. Jan. 31.—The Senate perfected no business. House—Bills Passed. —For the relief of all persons who were bona Jide soldiers in the late Confederate army, who are charged with crimes duting the existence of the late war, in carrying out orders of superior officers. -To make owners and possessors of mischievous dogs lia ble for damages. To authorize the redemp tion of lands sold for taxes. Feb. I.— Senate. —The homestead bill, after various amendments, was passed. The pro visions of the bill as passed are the same as those contained in the original till of Mr. Strozier, Excepting that the value of the home must not exceed 02500: if worth more, the same to be sold and the debtor to receive $2500 from the proceeds—the balance to go the creditor. If the homestead contained water or steam machinery, it should be exempted, provided the same was not worth more than $2500. The bill does not preclude the payment of Taxes, House. — Bills Passed. —To legalize the marriage of first cousins. Feb. 2.— Seaate.—Bills Passed. —To require non-residents to have their lands registered in the counties in which they lie.—To increase the salary of the Superintendent of the Western and Atlantic Railroad to $5,000. House Bills Passed. —To change the time for drawing jurors of Superior Courts. To authorize and em power Judges of the Superior Courts to hold special terms for the trial of criminals. To incorporate the Georgia and Alabama Railroad Company. Feb. 3.— Senate. — Bills Passed. —For the re lief of securities on criminal bonds, where the persons accused could not, on account of the condition of the country, be brought to trial To amend the charter of the town oi Athens To incorporate the Savannah Navi gation Company- To incorporate the Savan nah Loan Association To incorporate the Augusta Savings Bank House. —Mr* Pottle, of Warren, moved to reconsider so much of the action of the House as relates to the use of duplicates of plats and grants as evidence in courts of this State. The motion prevailed Bills\{Passed. —To prevent persons from induc ing freedmen to abandon their contracts To incorporate the Macon Canal and Water Works. Feb. 6.— Senate. — Bills Passed. —To allow parties to testify in cases where they are them selves interested, the degree of credit to be attached to such testimony to be judged of by ‘ the jury. The bill was amended so as to ap ply only to criminal cases To incorporate the North Georgia, Cherokee, and Kenesaw Mining Companies, and the Home Insurance Company of Atlanta—-To allow cliens to hold lands in the State, on filing an affidavit of their intention to improve them within one year Mr. Owens introduced a resolution, which was adopted, requesting the Governor to ascertain whether bonds of the State will be received in payment of the State’s tax due the United States, and in case they will answer, to issue and pay over the same House. —Quite a number of new bills were introduced, but no business perfected; From Cuba and Mexico. New York, Jan. 30.—The steamer Moro Cas tle from Havana on the 27th, has arrived A royal decree had been received from Spain disapproving the formation of a society for the suppression of the slave trade, and reprimand ing the Captain General for discountenancing it (the slave trade). Private advices from Chili report a rising in the Gulf. Private advices from Yera Cruz state that the French express a desire for war with the United States, and main tain that the Bagdad affair was the work of Federal soldiers. Latest from the Rio Grande. New Orleans, Feb. 2.—Later Matamoras been received. Jr Bagdad was abandoned on the 26th by the Liberals and the U. S. guard that had been placed there. The Imperial troops re-entered the place on the same day. Nearly all the merchants ’of Matamoras, Mexican and foreign, and among the former several prominent and influential Liberals, have published a solemn protest against the course of the United States army and civil officers on the Texas side of the river, charging them with being responsible for the troubles and outrages of that frontier by aiding the partizans of Juarez, who has no more foothold or basis o operations on that frontier than that which is afforded by said officials. The report is very severe, and its truth is certified by the consuls of Spain, France and Great Britain, who were present at Matamoras. i——p— ——■m MARRIED, On Nov. 7ih, by Rov J W. Shores, Rev. Angus Dowling of the Montgomery Confer^ ©r.ce atd Miss Laura L. Boswell, grand daughter of Rev. Jno Boswell, decca.-ed. On Dec. 21 t, by the same, Dr. Jno. E. Danikt.. of coffee co , Ala , and Miss Eliza J. Teague, of Pike co., A'a. On Dec. 24th, by the same, Mr. E. D. At kinson, of Montgomery, Ala., and Miss Re becca L. Butts, of Pike county, Ala. On Jan. 11th, by the same, Mr. M. C. Cooper and Miss J. Texas Parrior, both of Pike co , Ala. On Jan. 18th, by the same, Mr. M. W. Me- Kay and Mrs. Harriet Town&end, both of M ntgomery co., Ala. Near Hamilton, Ga., on the eve ot January 30 h, by the It ;v. A. J Dean, Seaborn N. Jones, Esq , attorney at law, Union Springs, Ala., and Mrs. Mary Francis Houghton. Near Belvue, Talbot co., Ga., 231 January, 1866, by Rov. R. B. Loster, Dr. James H. Bryan and Miss Fannie E. Holmes, all of said county. On 30th Jan., 1836, by the same, Mr. Amo3 C Boynton, of Panola co., Texas, and Mis3 Martha B. Fort, of Talbot co., Ga. On 23d January, by Rev. A. S. Boyden, Mr. Henry C. David, of Harris co., Ga., and Miss Josephine A. Biggers, daughter of L. M. B : ggcrs, Esq., of Muscogee co,, Ga. On 30th January, by the same, Mr. Robert S. Crane, of Columbus, Ga., and Miss Mar gaarbt J. Biggers, daughter of L. M. Rig gers, E.-q., of Muscogee co., Ga. On 23d' Jan, by Rev W W Oslin, Mr John H Grimslky, of Nashville, Tenn., and Miss Anna P Wait, of Bibb county. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, For Subscriptions to S. C- Advocate, from. Jan. 31st to Feb. Ith, 1866. B-H BrowD, |6; W R Branham, 6 and 1 to credit; J H Branham, 3; Misi J Brown, 3; B J Baldwin, 6; M Bellfth, 6 to debit; \V M D Bond, 33 to debit; Mrs J R Banks, 3. C— W F Cook, sl2; J A Cromartie, 1; J T Curry, oto debit; R J Corley, 6; LaF. Campbell, 1; Mrs. F. S. Chaoman, 3. , „ . _ _ D—A J Dean. sl2 to debit; J H Dickey, 6; R De lamar, 3 ; Mrs M H Davis, 8. E— W H Ellison, $6; A E Eubanks,B. F—W R Foote, $3, and 2to credit. G—J M Green, $1; Goulding, 6to credit. H—Miss M Harris, $3; W Hutto, 9; E S Hocker smith, 1. J—A J Jarrell, $3 to debit. ... „ L—R H L ckey, $3, and 3to credit; T B Lanier, 9 to debit; L L Landrum, 1. M—J A Maxwell, *3 to debit; W W McMurray, 1; W P Mouson, 2 and Ito debit; C W Miller, 3. R— J A Reynolds, $6. . S_j b Smith, $lO, and 2 to debit; W A Simmons, 6. T— J W Talley, 3; A M Thigpen, 3; W L Threadgill, 3; W W Tidwell.3; T H Trippe,3; M C Turrentine, 25, and 18 to debit, (Thank you. for your long list. Five dollars pay for 1 year and 8 mo’s.) W—Mrs P E Walton, 3; T & Walsh, 6; E A West, 12; S Woodberry, 6. GOLD PJEiVs" JW, BURKE & CO.,* HAVE THE • Largest and Finest Stock ot GOLD PENS in ifis cuy. No. 1, Small Pine Ladles’ Pen, Nos. 2 and 3, Medium *< u Nos. 4 and 5, Large <« <« Nos. 4 and 5, Small Gent’s << Nos. 6, Medium it it Nos. 7 and 8, Large « it These are all 14 carats fine and warranted for one year Inere are no 1 ens made, of superior quality. Call and see them at Jan. 13—ts. j. w, BURKE & CO'S.