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age (43 per cent.) in the entire church—
showing that in these old Conferences we
were prospering less than in the others.
Again : four cities are adduced.
In Savannah, the oldest, there is an ab
solute loss of 57 per cent. Let that pass.
Perhaps the population fell off as much.
Take the other three. There the figures
show an average increase in 12 years of 53
per cent. —or 4 5-12 per cent, yearly. The
net gain here has been less than five to
every hundred members per year in that
time. Could not the Methodist families
have furnished from their own children
more than enough to make that gain ? Has
this growth kept pace with that of the popu
lation ? Did Methodism of old creep on at
this slow rate ?
Besides, Macon is mentioned among the
cities. It has two churches, aggregating
797 members. Mulberry street was report
ed in 1865 as having 479; First street,
318 members. We heard the pastor of Mul
berry st., the other day, tell his charge at
a church meeting, that he had been diligent
ly seeking his members, and had struck
from the roll 80 names of persons who were
dead, or removed, or who had long counted
themselves out of the church; and that
there were 120 names yet on the list of
which he could get no information, although
he had called them twice in as full a church
meeting as he could obtain, and had made
constant inquiry elsewhere. Here is a re
duction to be made in one of the charges
above named, of 41 per cent, out of the 53
computed increase. This leaves an increase
of one per cent, a year. Now before we can
accept figures so uncertain, in disproof of
our proposition, we would beg the pastors in
the several charges referred to, to say how
many members they can really find in their
churches.
As to the general increase from 1850 to
1860 of 43 per cent., it is less than five net
gain per year to every hundred members.
Where arc the children of the church that it
should he so small? They alone should
have made it greater. If Methodism, from
1780 to 1850, had only added 43 per cent,
a year to her numbers, what might the suc
cess of “ the fathers ’’ be counted at ? In
1780 there were 8,500 Methodists. In
1839 —the latest report we have at hand—
-650,000. Meanwhile, in 1793-6 the
numbers had decreased from 67,000 to
56,000—a loss of 11,COO by the O’Kel
leyite division; and in 1820, the Canada
division had carried off about 38,000 —the
Methodist Protestants and other divisions
thousands more. Some decades the increase
was 600 per cent., or 60 to the 100 mem
bers per year. The average increase of each
decade, to 1840, was at least 130, or 13 in
the 100 annually —or three times the per
centage from 1850 to 1860. These figures
alone prove that where aggression into un
occupied fields of sin is the work in hand,
Methodism is gloriously successful; but
■when that work has planted churches every
where, we must give more heed to the pas
toral functions of the ministry, and the self
developing power of congregations, or we
cannot even hold to our own children,
much less add besides large conquests from
those without our pale.
4. It would afford us great satisfaction to
know that Methodism is growing in every
way in our 44 older sections in piety,
numbers, influence, and wealth. We do not
believe that it is, either North or South. As
to the church North, we refer to an article
in last week’s paper. True, there is an ab
solute numerical increase; but does Metho
dism keep pace with population, or with
other churches? Besides, numbers alone
will not make a strong church. All churches
need converted brains and sanctified purses.
We want them yoked to the car of Christ
for Ilis glory. Will well-informed Metho
dists, in the cities named, assert that their
own churches have more, comparatively, of
that influence which piety combined with
intelligence and wealth give, than they had
twelve years ago ? Let no one sneer at our
speaking of intelligence and wealth in
connection with piety and the power of a
church. Religion claims every human en
dowment as hers —claims that wealth and
intellect be sanctified to God, be made use
ful in Christ’s work, and the church that
does not obtain and wisely use these ele
ments of success can never do a great work.
Christ’s commission sent the gospel to the
rich and learned as well as to the poor; and
who has given our church authority to pass
by the former, and count it of no moment
if Methodist doctrines seldom or never reach
them ? Without their aid the gospel can
not be preached to the poor.
5. General conclusions cannot be drawn
from half truths. It is a truth, that Metho
dism grows in numbers, but when this fact
alone is used to prove that it is prospering,
it is only half the truth necessary for reach
ing a correct conclusion. In the same way
“ A Preacher of the Georgia Conference ”
says many things true in themselves, which
we fully believe, but these are only half
truths, when considered in reference to the
conclusions they are made to teach. Were
we disposed to do so, we could show, respect
ing them, as readily as we have done in the
case of this writer, that they are not conclu
sive against the changes that are proposed.
THE WESLEYAN FEMALE COL
LEGE.
We are glad to be able to say, that this
valuable Institution is growing in numbers.
We are surprised to know, that so little of the
public attention has been turned towards it,
that it is so little appreciated. Its halls
ought to be crowded with pupils. We know
its Faculty, its system of instruction, its pu
pils. From daily intercourse with its offi
cers, we know them to be most diligent,
faithful and accomplished instructors. We
know the course of study to be thorough
and comprehensive. We know the pupils,
now boarding in the Institution, to be as
orderly a collection of yoqng ladies, as, du
ring many years of acquaintance with it, we
have ever Been there. If parents wish to
give their daughters a thorough education,
under circumstances where there wilt be few
or no interruptions from without, and where
their religious character may be developed,
as their minds improve, they may safely en
trust them to the guardianship of the most
excellent gentlemen composing the Faculty
of the Wesleyan Female College in this
city
It deserves well of the South. It has
given to the ranks of its womanhood, many
of its most worthy members, now matrons
transferring to their children, as a blessing
to the world, the priceless instruction they
themselves received from a source which
they yet acknowledge with gratitude.
Wc take the liberty of copying a portion
of a private letter, just received from a for
mer pupil, the daughter of one of the most
prominent of our ministers, herself the wife
of an itinerant in another State, from which
we cannot forbear quoting a paragraph.
Speaking of her residence in the College,
she says:
“Doubtless memory often carries you back
over the dust and through the sunshine and
storms of fourteen years to the same scenes ;
and when the class of ’52 comes before you,
perhaps lam not forgotten. Many have been
the changes these years have brought us. We
have been saddened by sorrow as well as cheer
ed by joy; but amid all these varied experiences,
the instructions received from you and your as
sociates, have been of priceless worth to my
heart. Oh ! that they had been then apprecia
ted as they deserved. I see by the Advocate
that none of my old friends are left at the Col
lege, except Mr. Guttenberger, my kind old
sightless instructor in music. How I should
love to visit that dear old spot once more. Many
delightful memories cluster around it; but some
are very sad. Some of those who were loved
in the days of yore; some of those joyous,
light hearted ones, have passed away from earth.
The rest of us are scattered—widely scattered
over the land ; and though we may never meet
at evening or morning prayers, or in the recita
tion room again, we may meet at the mercy
seat and mingle our prayers for our beloved
Zion, and for the success of all her enterprises,
especially that one through whose medium we
may still receive your instruction.”
“ THE STATE OF THE CHURCH ”
It was understood at the session of the
Georgia Conference, that the report on the
« State of the Church ” then adopted was to
be republished in the Advocate, early in the
spring. It is given this week, on our second
page.
We desire to call the attention of both
ministers and members to the resolution ap
pended to the report. The ministers in
their official body, acting as a unit, tender
Christian greeting to the entire member
ship, and request that every house of wor
ship be opened on the fast day and that
all class-leaders, exhorters, local preachers,
aid these same ministers, then acting indi
vidually, to observe the day, as themselves
have enjoined and requested. There never
was a better opportunity for the laity to find
out whether Conference resolutions passed
by themselves have any weight with the
preachers, and for the preachers to learn
how far the laity respect an urgent request
of the Conference, made solemnly, respect
fully and for most weighty reasons.
Texas Conference Delegates to the
General Conference : —R. Alexander,
J. W. Philips, A. Davidson, Wm. McK.
Lambdin, Thomas Stanford, (from the Ar
kansas Conference,) J. G. John, Josiah
Whipple, W. G. Veal. Reserve —J. E.
Ferguson.
Summerfield, Ala. — A letter from
Bishop Andrew informs us, that he is “again
in the pulpit, though rather feeble.” He
says there are good signs in the church at
Summerfield—a good many are up to be
prayed for, and several profess conversion
nightly.
SOUTHERN. CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
“OLD STICK ” !
There is a very sensible “Old Stick” ap- j
pearing frequently in the columns of the j
Richmond Advocate. We are struck with j
the similarity of his opinions with those we
expressed last week on the “Mission of
Southern Methodism.” He says :
I am a genuine Methodist. It gives me
pleasure to think of my church, pray for my
church, ard col tribute to the full extent of
my ability to her st’e jgth and success. —Hor.cc
I look forward with deep interest to the
session of that assembly, which is to fcffect so
largely the future drstmy of our church. Tho
question I would like every member of tho
General Con serer cs to reflect upon is : lloic
can the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
become the most efficient branch of Methodism
in America? In answer to this question some
begin with the name of the church, and pro
pose all sorts of chat ges. But, sir, it is not
the name but the reality, that I am concerned
about Christen it what you will, you have
not materially ass eted its influence.
“Now I wish to make asuggestion. Changes
in our economy may be such as to enable U3 to
receive the Methodist Protestant Church and
the Independent Congregational Churches all
in our denomination, ard then the appropri
ate title might be the United Methodist
Episcopal Church It is to that point lam
looking with hope. If the General Conference
wishes to take such action as will guarantee
the progress of our church a: and its la T ge suc
cess throughout the whole land, this is the ob
vious direction—the p’ain path to power —
union with the Methodist Protestants and the
Independent Methodists. If the Conference
can find tl e tafe patform for such a union,
the fortunes of our church are made. The wise
ones in the North see this and dread it. They
see that Methodist Protestantism and Inde
pendent are two exponents of dis
sat T sfaction with Northern Methodism, and at
the same time are two centres around which
daily there are concentric circles of steadily
enlarging influence gathering. They dread
le;t our General Conference Bha'.l have wiidom
enough to take the tide at its flood, and adopt
a plan by which Methodist Protastantic-m and
Independent Methodism shall be incorporated
into our church. Let the lay element bfe ad
mitted into the General Conference, and the
Bishops be authorized to make appointments
for Independent Churches as exceptional cases,
and the thing is done. We ►hall have at once
a liberal and powerful organization called the
Exited Methodist Episcopal Church.”
The agreement in our views goes beyond
the proposal of union. We have objections
to every name we have seen offered for our
communion after we rid ourselves of that
word “South” which indicates a sectional
church. To our friends we have already pro
posed (the union contemplated being made)
the name of “United Methodist Church.”
' . t
We prefer it to “Old StickV’ proposed name
for very many reasons. To call ourselves
briefly “United Methodists/’ will beat once
to provide for unquestionable distinctive
ness and a catholicity as broad as the world,
to provide for all Wesleyanism coming to us,
if the happy day ever comes, when all Meth
odists can see eye to eye.
The Baltimore Conference.
This body met at Alexandria, on the 7th
inst. The Rev. Norvel Wilson was elected
President, and Rev. John S. Martin, Secre
tary. Sixty-four members answered to their
names; and five, not present, were entered
on the list at their own request. The fol
lowing resolution was adopted:
Resolved by Baltimore Annual Conference, in
Conference assembled, That Revs. be
appointed a committee to wait upon tho Pres
ident of the United States and assure him of
the Christian co-operation of this body in all
matters coming within its legitimate sphere of
operations, in so far as that may be necessary
to secure and maintain the peace and quiet
ness of the country.
The president appointed J. S. Roszell,
Samuel Register, and E. R. Veitch, the com.
mittee, and, on motion, Rev. N. Wilson was
added, and Dr. Bond was requested to ac
company the committee. This, we presume,
is Dr. Thos. E. Bond, Jr.
A meeting of ministers and laymen was
held in the afternoon to consider the ques
tion of the future relations of this Confer
ence.
On the second day, a resolution from the
Committee on the “State of the Church/’
was offered, amended and adopted. After
giving the names of those members acting
under the jurisdiction of the M. E. Church,
North, and declaring that they had with
drawn from the Conference, it was, there
fore,
Resolved, That the names of these brethren be
omitted from the roll of the Baltimore Annu
al Conference; provided, nevertheless, that
should any of them appear in person, or corns
municate with this Conference during its pres
ent session, or hereafter, their names may, at
the option of the Conference, be reinstated.
The Rev. F. M. Mills, a messenger from
the Christian Union Church of Illinois,
was introduced to the Conference, and ad
dressed it in relation to the introduction
of the abolition element into the M. E.
Church. The measure he had always strong
]y opposed, and because of its introduction
into the East Baltimore Conference he had
withdrawn from that body. He was read
mitted to the Conference.
Rev. Mr. Register offered a series of res.
olutions in favor of severing the union of
tbfs Conference with the Methodist Epis
copal Church and uniting with the Metho
dist Episcopal Church South, and also ex
tending an invitation to Bishop Early to
act as presiding officer Conference ;
which were unanimously adopted.
Rev. Messrs. Register and Roszell were
appointed a committee to wait on Bishop
Early and inform him of the action of the
Conference.
The committee returned, escorting the
Bishop to the chair, who addressed the Con
ference in regard to their recent action, and
welcoming them to the Southcni Church.
The Conference then adjourned.
-
The General Conference.
THE QUESTION DECIDED.
Just in time to slip a paragraph into the
form, we received a letter from Bishop An
drew, giving reasons for not moving the
General Conference from New Orleans.
We will give the letter next week.
Bisiiop Paine informs us, that the
preachers in his work are very generally at
their posts, and that in many places there
are revivals. He thinks that if the country
can be kept from under the despotism of
the exteme radicals, quiet and good order
will return —if not, that Mexico or some
other country will be sought by thousands.
Such, too, is the feeling in this part of the
country. The Bishop was greatly reduced
in circumstances by the war. He had but
five cents —a greenback—when it closed.
We know from him, that his receipts since
have been meager—we could say how much,
(or rather how little;) but as the informa
tion was conveyed privately we do not feel
at liberty to state it. We mention this fact
merely to ask that the church and ministry
will not neglect our bishops. They have no
congregatiens especially interested in their
support, but must look to the “connection”
for their daily bread. Ought they not to
have it ?
How to Send Money.— The question is
frequently asked by the preachers bow
money mav be sent to the Advocate. We
answer, when the mails are very direct, and
the persons sending feel that there is no
more than the ordinary risk of mail car
riage, they may send by mail, at our risk. Ii
they do not consider such transportation
safe from their section, they had better hold
on to it, and convey it, if possible, by some
of the delegates to the General Conference,
or some other private hand. Where the
Express may be reached, that is the surest
mode of conveyance at our expense, though
if only two or three dollars came in that
way at one time, it will cost us, nearly as
much perhaps as ten or twenty dollars.
Therefore, we would prefer that several
subscriptions be collected, before sent in
this way.
ita from % <&|nrr|rs.
The following iteim of news are from tho
Nashville Advocate:
The Rev. Elisha Carr died at Nashville on
the 3d inst., and was buried from McKendree
Church the next day—a very large congrega
tion being present to pay this sad tribute of
respect to a simple-hearted, sincere, honest,
conscientious, faithful Christian man ; a more
zealous, indefatigable, untiring minister of the
Gospel, known to thousands, and only known
by the good to be loved and esteemed for his
many excellent traits of character.
A business letter from Bishop Early, of
23J ult., informs us that he was in good health
at that time.
At our last accounts Bishop Soule was quite
ill—suffering from asthma and severe cold,
! which seemed to prostrate him very much.
We Lave a letter from Brother It Y. Mc-
Raynolds, the preacher on Scottsville Circuit,
Louisville Conference, in which he reports
about 100 conversions recently on the circuit.
The meetings at many of the churches were
protracted for tea or twelve days, and though
Brother Yc Reyn olds is an old, experienced
preacher, be sajs: “These revivals were
marked for deep and powerful convictions, fol
lowed by clear and bright evidences of pardon,
unsurpassed by any thing I liave ever seen.”
At a quarterly meeting recently held in
Wytheville, Va., there were sixty persons
added to the Church, and the interest still
continues at our last advices. At Petty’s
Chapel, near by, twenty were added to the
Church, and the interest still continues at our
last advices.
The Rev. A. L. P. Green, D. D. } has re
cently attended nearly, or quite, all the quar
terly meetings in this presiding elder’s district.
He reports the Church in an excellent and
healthful condition—much better than he ex
pected to find it.
We hear of considerable revivals of religion
in our churches in Kentucky—in nearly all the
churches in Louisville, in Eussolville, Alexan
dria Circuit, Danville, Shelby Circuit, Simp
sonville, etc. The Kentucky side of the St.
Louis Christian Advocate gives us a good ac
count of the Church in that State.
The Itusselvilie Herald says there has bee
and is still in progress, a protracted meeting al
the Methodist Church in that place. Up to
Tuesday of last week, forty-seven persons had
professed religion. The altar was crowded
with seekers nightly. A doop religious feeling
pervades the community, gnd a vast amount of
good has accomplished.
The Bristol News not ees a very interesting
revival of religion in that town Incur Church.
Holston Conference—From a letter, to
the same paper, of Rev. W. G. E (utinyng
ham, we make the following ex raet:
We in Ho’stcn have had, and still have,
“ our trials here below,” but I think wo can
truly say, especially in this part of tho Con
ference, “None of them thugs move us.”
Tho persecutions, reproaches, and afflictions,
through which the Church hr.s passed, have
served but to endear it tho more to the hearts
of our people. “ The boar out cf the wood
hath wasted it, and tho wild beast of the field
hath devoured it,” yet it is beautilul in our
eyes—fairer in its ruins than the garnished
domes and towers of our enemies. The com
mandment has gone forth to restore tho waste
places of our beloved Zion, and all are at work,
“every one over against his own house,” and
though we build in “troublous times,” the
work goes bravely on. “ The be3t of all is,
God is with us.” More than two hundred
souls have been converted in the bounds of the
Abidgdon District, within the last three
months. A gracious revival has been in pro
gress for more than a month at Wytheville;
and I hear to-day that a good work is going on
at Marion, thirty miles east of us. Good tid
ings from other quarters reach us almost daily.
A voice from Western North Carolina comes
to cheer us with the news, that God is reviving
his work in that part of our Conference. A
spirit of awakening is abroad among our
churches. It is the Master saying to his peo
ple : “ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and
the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
“ Tho Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Ja
cob is our refuge.”
fttfos of % Klctli-
Congressional.
Washington, Feb. 7.— The House to-day de
bated the bill setting all the lands in Mississip
pi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Florida, sis home
steads for both whites and blacks. In the
Senate, Mr. Clarke reported a bill providing
punishment for the offense of kidnapping ne
groes. Mr. Fessenden made a speech in favor
of the joint resolution in relation to the repre
sentative basis.
Washington, FeTJ. B.—The Senate to-day dis
cussed the Constitutional amendment resolu
tions. The House passed the bill disposing of
the public lands in Mississippi, Arkansas, Lou
isiana, and Florida on the homestead principle
for whites and blacks. The Naval Appro
priation bill was also discussed. Mr. Rice,
Chairman of the Committee on Naval affairs,
decided that we were prepared to go to war with
France and England.
Washington, February 13.—1n the House Mr.
Bingham, from the. Committee V>n Resolutions,
reported an amendment to the Federal Consti
tution to be submitted to the State Legislatures
for ratification. It declares that Congress shall
have full power to make all laws which shall be
necessary to secure to the citizens of each State
all the privileges and immunities of citizens in
the several States, and to secure to all persons
in the several States equal protection of life,
liberty, and property. The amendment was
recommitted In the Senate, Mr. Wilson from
the Military Committee, reported a bill fixing
the peace establishment of the army, with
amendments. It omits the veteran reserve
corps of eighteen regiments, which were pro
vided for originally The. Senate then re
sumed the discussion on the Constitutional
amendment regarding representation.
" « -» !■ I I
Georgia Legislature.
Feb. s.— Senate.—Bills Passed. —To sell the
Exile Camp To require change bills of the
Western and Atlantic Railroad to be received for
freight and passage on that road To regulate
the administration of estates A message was
received from t he Governor informing the Senate
that the several banks of Augusta had surren
dered their charters. lie appeals to the Legis
lature for clemency towards the officers of these
banks. The communication also included a
final report of the Georgia Relief and Hospital
Association. It also recommends loans by the
State to pay the Federal tax, or to tax the peo
ple for that tax, and exempt them the present
year from State tax. The memorial of the
banks, including the message, was ordered to
be printed. House.—Bills Passed. —To make
it a penal offence to fell trees on another’s land,
and carry off the timber. A resolution was
adopted t bat it is the sense of the House that the
Penitentiary system and the present system of
criminal law should be so modified as to allow
the continuation of the former, and of the exe
cution of the latter in such a manner as will in
the course of a few years test the superiority of
the different modes of punishment.
Feb. 7.— Senate. —The House resolutions re
quiring the Tax Receiver of each county to take
a list of each person in his county, who has lost
a leg or arm in the war, and calling on the Com
missioners appointed by the Convention to in
quire into the financial operations of the State
the past four years, to report to the Legislature
at its present session were adopted.
Feb. B.—No business perfected in the Senate.
House.—Bills Passed. —To extend the time of
granting lands surveyed on head rights till 26th
December, 1868-—To compensate the Commis
sioners for preparing the Freedmen’s Code.
Feb. 9.— Senate —The stay law was passed.
It provides that one-fourth of the debt shall be
paid on the first day of January, 1867, and one
fourth every year thereafter, until paid; and
refers to all contracts made prior to the passage
of the bill Bills Passed. To incorporate
the Atlanta Street Railroad Company To
authorise married women to deposit money in
Savings Banks To define the rights of per
sons owning landings on water-courses
House. —The order of yesterday in regard to
the compensation to Commissioners of Freed
men’s Code, was reconsidered-— Bill to com
pensate Ordinaries and Clerks for administering
tlie amnesty oath, was passed.
Feb. ID--Senate.—Bills Passed —House bill
<o fix the salaries of State Librarian and Clerks
in the State House at SI2OO each -House.—
Fo incorporate the Gate City Gas Cos To
regulate jail charges for diet of prisoners r
io incorporate the North Georgia Petroleum
and Mining Company.