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of the region that burns with fire arul brim stone. The springs are celebrated for their me dicinal qualities, and visitors are attracted here from all quarters. Formerly patients were let down from the cliffs of the moun tain by ropes into the Baths. Living in them night and day, they required neither fire or blankets to keep them warm. The road leading to the Baths is a very danger ous one. Only a few days since as four English lady travellers were descending the mountains their horses became frightened and dashed over the steep precipice drag ging the unfortunate ladies with them. They were instantly killed or washed over the Falls of Tamania and drowned, the driver escaping. Three of the bodies had been found and buried at Ragatz near the monument of the German philosopher, Schelling. The British chaplain had great difficulty in getting permission to perform the ceremony according to the ritual of the Church of England. The Roman Catholic authorities granted it on condition that the cross should be carried before the corpse. It was said the government would take im mediate measures to remedy the unguarded state of the road, but nothing has been done. You wind around the mountains over deep precipices without the slightest protection. The wonder is that more accidents do not occur. Our driver dashed down the moun tain as though we were in the most secure road. I did not feel at all comfortable un til we had reached the plain. From Ragratz we went by rail to Coise, the terminus of the railways leading into Italy. Coise is an old Roman town of GOOO inhabitants. The Bishop’s palace,and the quarters occupied by the Roman Catholics are walled around and closed by gates, ’tis said to keep out Protestants. In most of the old palaces and cathedrals on the contß nent you are shown portions of the original cross (?) on which our Saviour was cruci fied. I suppose those who have charge of these precious relics have told the story so often that they really believe it. In 1799 a great battle was fought at Coise between the French and the Aus trians. The Austrian army was surprised by the rapid movements of the French and was defeated. Young Napoleon command ed the French : his ambition led him across the Alps into Italy; but there being no roads at that time over which he could pass, he put 30,000 soldiers at work and in a few months was able to take his triumphant army across the Alps into Italy. At Coise we hired a coach drawn by four horses to carry us to the Pass of the Splugen. The verdant valleys abound in fine scenery and are covered with good pastures, orchards, and moderately comfortable farm houses. The high mountains to the right and left look like so many huge banks of snow. In the little village of lleiehenarr our guide pointed out the cottage in which Louis Phillippe (late King of the French) took refuse during the Revolution. He entered the town on foot with a pack on his back in 1793. Royalty at that period was great ly below par. The young Frenchman was employed as a teacher of French history and mathematics. While residing here his mother was banished from France and his father fell under the Jacobin guillotine. On the brow of the green hills are to be seen numerous tenantless castles, relics of glorious old days. I visited a few of them to see the remains of the fallen splendor of the feudal aristocracy who were driven from the castles by the peasants they had so long oppressed. Through this portion of Switzerland you have a mixed population of Germans, Ital ians and French, speaking as many lan guages as there are nations. German is taught in the schools. We arrive at Lu sis where we get dinner and change our jade 1 horses for four mountain ponies, and also change our coach for one suited to crossing the Alps The valley of the Rhine is closed by the mountains, and we now commence our ascent over the Alps through the gorge of Via Mala. Language fails to describe the awful scenery met with on all sides. Just imagine yourself in a narrow road hewn out of the mountain sides—you look upwards at the almost perpendicular rocks aud cliffs hanging over jour head, 3000 feet high, and beneath you into a chasm 1000 feet deep, so narrow on each side as to be spanned by a suspension biidge, which hung from mountain to mountain like a spider’s web, 500 feet high, over the rush ing, roaring Rhine, which is frequently lost sight of in the depth of the chasm beneath. Before reaching the summit we cross four suspension bridges. This road is more se cure than that ot Pleffers. The scenery in descending into Italy is almost as wild and grand as through the Yia Mala. You pass water-falls several hun dred feet high, and through narrow fertile Talleys until you reach Lake Como, which is said to be one of the most charming lakes in Italy. As I travel through this part of the world —old they call it, but all new to me, with my eyes, ears and heart open all the time, looking at its magnificent scenery, its long range of lofty mountains, its old quaint houses, its kingly mansions, its peas ants in their simple costume and princes clothed in rich robes, milch cows driven in carts by Swiss and Italian dames, with a few bushels of oats to be ground into meal io feed the hungry children of their moth er’s numerous household, at the cataracts as they come dashing down the rugged moun tains. the green fertile valleys filled with gentle lakes, flowers, fruits and flocks, at the faithful shepherd dog as he keeps the old widow’s goat (which to her i3 milk and bread) on her plantation of a hundred square feet all these make pictures which are in delibly impressed on my heart—pictures stored away in memory to be called up when I have grown weary, or when misfor tune or cruel war have taken from me the means of travel. Here I have locked up se curely in my bosom a rich album, filled with pictures more beautiful than Raphael’s or Ruben’s, because they are the work of a Master Architect. G. W. W. LETTER FROM GRIFFIN, GA. Gr ftin—Griffin and N. A. Railroad—Griffin Female College—The Chui ches—Reformation Acquies cence in the new Regulations.—Pews—lnstrumental Music—Congregational Singing improved—Organs, versus Reed Instruments—False Rumor corrected— Brotherly Love prevails. Mr. Editor: It has occurred to me, that a letter from this locality, giving an account of “ matters and things in general,” and of some things in particular, might be of inter est to many of your numerous readers. To say that the people in this section suffered greatly during the late war; and especially, as the bloody drama drew to a close, and Sherman swooped down upon the country like an eagle upon his prey, would be only to reiterate a well-known fact. During two years, this was a place of ren dezvous, drill and discipline for Confederate soldiers; and subsequently, it was made a grand hospital depot, where supplies were gathered with an unsparing hand. The people generally, yielded up their substance with cheerfulness, “ taking no thought for to-morrow.” As the invading army press ed down upon Atlanta, this entire city was converted into one vast hospital, and crowd ed to its utmost capacity with sick and wounded and their attendants. In this manner, the place and the adjacent country, were rendered so bare of everything upon which man or beast could subsist, that the Federal General wisely determined to pass around another way, where provisions were not so scant; and thus it appears, that poverty and exhaustion were the means of saving the city the presence and vandalism, of a great, hostile army. When the Southern cause was surrender ed, Griffin was certainly as thoroughly dis mantled, and as perfectly wo be-gone in ap pearance, as any city in the land, excepting only such as had been Shermanized by a baptism of fire. Many of her citizens did not suppose that the place could ever be again in point of population, business, thrift, and educational advantages, what it once was. But they now see, that in the event of a favorable settlement of our national troubles, and the return of a real, settled peace, it is destined to prosper in the future as in the past. It is confidently expected that the “ Griffin, and North Alabama Rail road,” will bo completed as far as Newuan within the next twelve months, and that it will greatly enhance the value of property in this place. Already, the city is considera bly renewed in appearance, and has as large a population as at any previous period. The old business houses are all occupied, and several now, spacious aud elegant stores are in process of erection. Trade, iu dry goods, groceries, and hardware (alas! spir ituous liquors too) was never larger or more prosperous than at present. All claim to be poor, but evidently some are making money. The Griffin Female Coliege has survived all the ill-fortunes of war and poverty, arid still lives to dispense the blessings of sanc tified education. The Institution has long been under the nominal care and patronage of our Church, but at a recent meeting of tdie Board of Trustees and Faculty, it was deemed advisable to dispense with this nom inal Church-connection ; the connection ex isting in name only, not being esteemed beneficial either to the College or the Church. Rev. W. A Rogers and Prof. A B. Niles— well known as experienced, accomplished and pious instructors of youth,—remain in the Institution, in the respective positions that they have so honorably and usefully filled for many years, and will continue to give their valuable services to foster this great public interest. The Institution, at present, has about 100 pupils in attendance. Considering the stringency of the times, it is doing well —but deserves to do better. The leading Churches here—Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist (South) —are moving on harmoniously, and under God, accomplishing a great work. There has been no very remarkable revival of religion during the current year, iu either one of them, but there is a manifest improvement in the moral and spiritual condition of all. Many backsliders have been reclaimed— many lukewarm professors have been re newed in faith and love and zeal, and up ward of 75 souls have beeu added to the Churches. The good work still goes on — earnest, enquirers are fouud in all the con gregations. A reformation is observable in this community. Its first, faint beginnings, date back to the time of our commencing a daily-sunrise prayer meeting, in the Lecture room of the Methodist Church. These meetings were continued without interrup tion for nearly two months, and were most of the time, well attended. Long will they be remembered, as precious seasons, for tru ly “the Spirit of grace and supplication ” was poured out upon God's people. We have been greatly favored, and I may say, blessed, by the ministrations of preach ers from a distance. Bev. L. Q. Mallard, of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Howell of the Baptist Church, Bishop Pierce, Rev. Dr. A. Means, Rev. Dr. L. Pierce, and Rev. George Bright, have all sown the good seed of the Kingdom in our midst, and their la bors have not been in vain. The fruits, already “ seen and gathered,” are but the earnest of the harvest, yet to coiue. Let the Church hold firmly her present van tage-ground, and work with fidelity and un flagging zeal, and great and glorious will be tho results. The “ Monthly Church Meeting,’’ (ought it not to have been called Church Confer ence?) is operating admirably in our Church here, and has already been productive of SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. much good. We commenced holding them some months prior to the meeting of the late General Conference, and were so fully convinced of their utility, that we would have continued to hold them, even in the absence of any enactment specially prescrib ing that they should be included in our regular Church economy. Our people generally in this section, so far as I am informed, cordially acquiesce in the slight changes aud modifications recent ly provided for, and which are now in pro cess of harmonious inauguration. And just here, I will take occasion to say a few words, in regard to Pew-renting and Instrumental music in our Church at this place, and also, correct a false rumor. The official board of this charge is made up of men of the right stamp —men of piety, lov ing God and His Church, and willing to labor and make sacrifices for the lip-build ing of Christ’s Kingdom among men. In the dayß of their prosperity, they mainly supported the Church by their own contri butions, rather than submit to the annoy ance of repeatedly calling upon and urging others to aid in meeting annual expenses. This was bad policy, and was alike injurious to them and the community for whose bene fit the Church was kept open, and the min istry labored The close of the war left all these noble brethren poor, and some of them utterly bankrupt. It then became a serious question— 1 How shall we keep up our Church, and provide for cur pastors and their families?’ The few who had hitherto borne the financial burthens of the Church, could now do so no louger; and it was un der these circumstances that the renting oj pews was agitated. The official board, after ma ure and pray erful consideration, determined—partly as matter of apparent necessity, and partly as an experiment —to rent a portion of the pews for the present year. When they had rented about one half of them, they were greatly surprised to learn, that several good members of the Church were dissatisfied, aud felt themselves aggrieved. They then resolved to rent no more, but assign the re mainder to such persons as would attend regularly. And now, after an experience of*nine months, many of our membership aud congregation, much prefer pew-renting , as the best system for raising money to meet yearly Church Expenses, and the very best plan that can be adopted to secure that de corum and serious attention, which is often so sadly wanting among our young Church going people. A large majority are in favor of families sitting together, and hereafter l think it likely that this Church will have family sittings” and free seats. This would be a compromise acceptable to all, and it would secure many of the advantages claimed for rented pews. Instrumental nfcsic was introduced in cur Church here, the early part of the pres ent year, and it has been the means of pro ducing a decided change for the better, in ‘‘congregational singing ” The singing has vastly improved in quality and quantity. Receutly we have procured from the “ Messrs. O'doll —Organ Builders, New Y >rk” —an elegant organ. It was made ac cording to order. It is 11 feet high, 7 wide and 5 deep, and has 8 stops. The stops are as follows: 1. “Open Diapason.” 2. “ Dulciano.” 3, “Stop Diapason.” 4. Stop known as “ Fifteenth.’’ 5. “Princi pal.”. ff. Flute and Clarionet.” 7. “Basso Pedal and Key Board.’’ One octave and a half, beginning at 0 8. “Bellows Stop.” ft has 340 pipes. Those who are competent judges, pro nounce it complete in every particular. In depth, fullness, richness and sweetness of tone, it is immeasurably superior to any mere reed instrument that we have ever heard On the very first Sabbath that it was used in the public congregation, Heaven, as though fur the purpose of silca-ing objec tions, seemed specially to own and approve our worship ; aud at the evening service, a number of penitents came forward for prayers while organ, choir and congregation—“with the Spirit and the understanding”—swelled aloft one of our thrilling penitential hymns Prof. Shoellev, an accomplished musician, and Christian gentleman, is our organist, and the choir is almost exclusively made up of members of tne Church. But after all, there are still a few good members of this charge, who prefer to have neither instrumental music nor choirs in our Churches, and who would perhaps, never be fully reconciled ,to pew—renting. And now for the correction of the false rumor referred to above. I have heard it from afar, that the Methodist E. Church, South, in Griffin, is disintegrating, and that a serious schism has occurred, or will take place, all growing out of renting pews, and the introduction of instrumental music Not a word of truth in it —no disintegration, no schism. Where brethren could not agree, they have —as Christians always should— agreed to disagree, and still live together “in the unity of the Spirit.’’ One brother, singly and alone, withdrew from the Church, and I am perfectly safe in saying (in all kindness) that his withdrawal ha3 not dam aged our beloved Zion in the least. And I rejoice that it is my privilege to record the fact, that our good people here cling too fondly to our glorious Met hodism, to be moved from their steadfastness by mere differences of opinion and taste, us to matters that are mainly incidental, or even accidental, to Church organization and public worship Brotherly love prevails—may it continue ! Ciias. A. Fulwood. October 24 th, 1860. Eastern Shore, Mobile Conference. Mr. Editor: —I desire to say a word to our young men in the itinerant work. It is for the interest of the Church that I speak. Many of our ministers have married, and with their families, they do not feel that they can go anywhere, or to any of the poor- er circuits or missions to preach, for they cannot be supported; and many of them feel, that they will have to be sent to good stations or circuits, and many will have to teach or do something else besides preach to support their families. The commission is, “ Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel, and 10, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” If we are called to the work of the min istry, let us go, trusting God. But says one, “ I have a family, and must look out for them.” Well then, if we have not faith enough in God, to believe that he will care for our families, we had better not have them. And perhaps we had better take the advise given by Paul, in I. Corinthians, vii. Some of us left our families, aud went into the Confederate army; served as soldiers, leaving our families behind, aud got little or nothing for our servicesaud now, is it true, that we do not feel willing to make the same sacrifice for the gospel, i I went into the army, served through the war, marched through mud, waded creeks, : slept on rails aud rock piles, and even in tho mud. Lived often for months on poor beef und corn-bread, and often on parched corn — aDd glad to get that—and shared a few months of prison-life just as the Confed eracy fell, having been pierced through the bod\ r with a ball at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, on 30th of November, 1804, from which wound I still suffer ; and I am now willing to make the same sacrifice for the Church lam willing to say to the Conference, “ send me to the poorest circuit or mission you have and I will do the best I can, and risk the work for support.” God has not forsaken our Church. Ho may be in the wilderness, but God is with Ler and she will come forth “ leaning on the breast of her beloved.” Let us “ trust Him and do good,” and we “ shall dwell in the •land, and verily” we “shall be fed.’’ Through the influence of Bro. Baker, I was appointed to this work last winter. He died before I reached the work. They had beeu without a preacher five years. I could find but five or six members. They were poor and unable to give me anything. I began by paying fifty dollars per month for board—boarded one month at this, after which houses were thrown open, and I have had no trouble about a home. My Churches all needed repairing. One Church has pur chased an organ and enclosed the Church and grave-yard, which cost near four hun dred dollars. Short’s chapel has new seats and blinds, which cost about one hundred dollars. The three Churches on the river have been repaired. Col. Grice has the lumber, and a workman engaged to build a new Church at his place. My board is paid and a promise of four hundred dollars, most of it paid. I have received over one hundred mem bers into the Church, and shall leave the Churches in a flourishing condition. My old friend. Captain Howard, proposes to give me my board next year, if I will serve them again; and my friends think they can raise me one thousand dollars. So you will see that I have had plenty of bread this year, and butter on one side, aud a promise of bread next year, and butter on both sides. You will recollect that this is all from the poor county of Baldwin, known as the wire grass country. lam persuaded that if we will do our duty, we will never starve. And now as young men, let us go up to Conference having our minds made up to go anywhere tho Bishop may feel willing to scud us. These are times that try the bodies and souls of men. Let us go and build up the cause of Zion. It can be done. Do not stop to ask about money. If we work, the people will see ive do not need money. Let us try to be more holy. Try to be consecrated to God, and then we can preach with more power, and will feel less interest about the things of the world. J. J. Grace. Eastern Shore, Ala., Oct. 20 th, 1866. fjhtos of t|r (uffidi. The Georgia Legislature. This body met oh Ist November, and Gov. Jenkins message was read. It is an able paper. It gives a good account of the finances of the State, and recommends the establishment of a sinking fund to pay out standing bonds. It notices the beneficent operations of the Lunatic Asylum and the School for the Blind. The former needs enlargement to provide for the colored in sane; the latter is commended for its in dustrial school, in which the blind are taught simple manufactures, by which hereafter they may make a support. Gov. Jenkins argues the impolicy of adopting the Constitutional Amendment. He says respecting it : “I ask you to consider, however, why it is that you are called upon to vote upon its adoption, whilst your State had no voice in its preparation ? The Constitution secures to the States the one right as distinctly and as positively as the other. Had your Rep» reseutatives, and those of other States simi larly situated, been present, aiding in giving substance and form to it, possibly it might have come before you a less odious thing The policy seems to have been,yfrs£ to push it, without their participation, beyond the stage of amendment, and then say to them, accept our bantling or take the conse quences. The omission of auy material part of the process of amendment, makes tho amendment itself, unconstitutional, null and void. “Should the States especially to he affect ed by this amendment refuse their assent to it, it cannot be adopted without excluding them from the count and placing its ratifi cation upon the votes of three fourths of the now dominant States. “It is said, however, that unless this concession be made, the new excluded States will be kept out of the halls of Con gress indefinitely. Were the Amendment presented with such ameuace distinctly ex pressed, a higher motive (if possible) than any hitherto suggested would prompt its re jection. “At the termination of hostilities, it was right and proper that tho previously resist ing States should, in the most unequivocal and formal manner, abandon such resistance —should rescind all they had done in an tagonism to, and do whatever was necessary and proper to place themselves in constitu tional relation with that Government All this, we believe, Georgia has done. B«- yond this, in acting upon any proposed change in the fundamental law, even in this critical juncture, my advise is, that her leg islators act with the same intelligent judg ment and the same unflinching firmness, that they would have exercised in the pasb, or would exercise in the future, when in full connection and unambiguous positioa. Any other rule of action may involve sacri fices of interest and of principle which mag nanimity would not exact and self-respect could not make. “To submit to injurious changes in the Constitution, when forced upon a State, ac cording to the forms prescribed for its amendment, would be one thing; to par ticipate in making them, under duress, against her sense of right and justice, would be a very different thing. The difference, in principle, is as broad as that which dis tinguishes martyrdom from suicide. Far better calmly await a returning sense of jus tice, and a consequent reflux of the tide now running strongly against us.’’ He concludes his Message with these wise suggestions : “Whilst our political relations are so **- settled, and so few gleams of hopo come t# us from the future, there are a few things especially incumbent upon us. “Ist. It becomes us to cultivate among ourselves unity of feeling, of opinion, and of action ; unity among the people, unity among the Departments of Government. “2d. Our interest lies in eschewing po litical excitement, studiously avoiding all conflict with authorities unchosen by us, but placed over us, and employing our active energies in rebuilding our own waste places and developing our neglected resources.— Whilst others rage and wrangle over ephe meral issues, let us be busy with the real, abiding concerns of life. Thus shall we emerge from this period of ostracism, wiser, more thriving, and more respected than ever. “3d. It behooves us, above all, to keep ourselves in proper relation with the Su preme Ruler of the Universe. To this end, it is right and proper that, on a day to be appointed, our whole people should simul taneously prostrate themselves before tho Throne of G race, rendering thanks for bleo* sings enjoyed, imploring forgiveness for er rors committed, and seeking light to guido us on our rugged, darkened way. I have refrained from inviting such a proceeding, believing that, in our extremity, it ii more fitting that the movement be made by the immediate representatives of the people. I will cheerfully do your bidding, and heartily co-operate in proclaiming and ob serving a eolemn Christian holocaust for suffering Georgia.’’ Generate Grant and She man. New York, Oct. 31. —Tho Washington cor respondence of the Times says: General Sher man ha3 accepled a military and diplomatic mission to Mexico, and will accompany CoL Campbell, the new Minister, to that country. lie goes to sustain Minister Campbell in all the diplomat ic relations which may be re-established and improved, and is also authorized M bring into use, at his discretion, the.jnilitary power in any emergency which may render this power necessary The very important nature of this work is thus apparent; and the President ii anxious that it not only should be in safe and able hands, but that our representatives should reach the scene of action as soon as possible.— The name of General Grant was at first sug gesied as the proper person for this position of military euvoy, but ars he cannot well be spared from the arduous work consequent upon the re organization of the army, General Sherman was selected, he having declined the tender of the War Department which was made to him by President Johnson. When the change does oc cur in the latter department, it is altogether probable that General Grant will be call to as. same its duties. •*- >-<« « Mr. Davis Removed. Fortress Monroe, Nov. 3.— The parole granted Jefferson Davis some months ago, giv ing him the privilege of the ground of the Fortress during the day, has been, extended, through Executive clemency, in removing all surveillance over him, and the guard from his rooms in Car roll Hall at night. Instructions to this effect have been sent from Washington to General Burton, commandant of the Fort, divesting his imprisonment of every thing like severity and paving the way, it is generally presumed, for final parole and release. All the guards over him, both during day and night, have been re moved and he has been granted untramelled liberty, and every posible means of comtort and pleasure, while held as prisoner in the Fort.— It is said he has expressed great satisfaction at this action of the Government , and already con templates vacating Carroll Hall and taking up bis residence with Mrs. Davis in the Casemonts assigned him shortly after his arrival here. The Election of last Tuesday in the Northern States are not yet so far heard from, that we can state results. New York and Maryland setm to have gone for the conservatives. But further advices may change the figures. See Page 8 for remainder of News, 5