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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.