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4 §outl)trit Cjjristiaa MACON, GEORGIA, DECEMBER 14,18G6. THE GEORGIA CONFERENCE. The Editor was called away from the Conference before its close by sickness in his family; but we are able to give this week, by the kindness of Secretary Smith, a full abstract of all the proceedings to the close. The Conference is represented by all to have been one of the most pleasant ! and harmonious, that was ever known even in a body of men always remarkable for fra ternal feeling. The grave question of the division of the Conference was discussed with great earnestness, and as great good feeling. The principal opposition origina ted in the reluctance of the brethren to part with each other. They had been accus tomed to meet in a large body ; they were unwilling to see the Conference they may hereafter attend a small body. But when the division became inevitable they submit ted cheerfully, and addressed themselves to the work involved in it with great harmony and brotherly love —desiring to do justice to all, and to part in peace. The preachers seemed resolved to devote themselves with renewed energy to every department of their work—the Colleges, the Sunday-schools, the Missionary interests and the circulation of the literature of the Church. Church meetings were insisted on, and a District Meeting ordered condi tionally. Emory College was brought prominently forward, and the prospect is, that it will now renew its youth. May it yet give a multitude of sons to the work of the Chureh. The changes proposed by the General Conference were concurred in by a very large majority vote, without discussion, ex cept that Bishop Andrew expressed his desire to see a unanimous vote in favor of lay representation. There was a considerable increase in the white membership, notwithstanding the purgation which had grown out of the law of the last General Conference, that the names of all, who had beeD lost sight of for a year should bo stricken from the records. In some places, where the rolls had been loosely kept, many names came off—yet there was increase. In a time of such, peculiar hardship and poverty any considerable change in the loca tion of preachers and their families could but be attended with some hardship. This mav originate in the demands of the work, or in the want of full information respecting particular cases of difficulty and a proper appreciation of them. It must always be painful to a presiding officer cither unneces sarily or unwittingly to afflict any of those, whose destiny is committed to his keeping, and Methodist preachers recognize this fact, when they receive appointments that bring trouble, and therefore, they submit cheerful ly to what might otherwise be unendurable. There is always some room for this patient enduranse at the close of an Annual Confer ence —and there were doubtless cases of this kind at the Georgia Conference —but its preachers have in them as much of the true metal as any men on the continent, and, so, they went forth cheerfully to their allotted fields of labor. May they all have a moat prosperous year. The Indifference of the Sinner. If tlmre is one fact that strikes the re flective mind more forcibly than another, it is that man is less interested about his future, than are all in Heaven. The Father of all, and the holy angels, sympathise infinitely more with the sinner, respecting his unfor- tunate fallen condition and miserable desti ny, than he is concerned himself about his present or his hereafter. Did man act wise ly and well, he would give precedence and prominence to his eternal interests before all others. Did he fully comprehend his relations, and feel his responsibility to the government of God and the bar ©f his final Judge, the performance of the greatest and the least duties, growing out of those essen tial obligations, would be the chief object and effort of his life. Obedience to God would then be recognized by man as his first duty, and provision against the loss of his soul hereafter, the only really important concern of his present existence. But some how, human beings cannot perceive and feel, m all its fflrce, the momentous nature of their earthly probation, as it connects itself with the solemnities of death and judg ment. The sinner is the most listless and apa thetic creature in the broad universe, on the subject of his future destiny. By his conduct he seems to give a significant mean ing and currency to the curt sentiment, that God has given him existence without his consent, and is bound to care and provide for his present and future without his co- operation. The practical life of the sinner, properly construed, is an irrational and im pious declaration of independence of God, and a blind and stupid defiance of his mani fest power to punish and destroy. Besides this, the impiousness and stupidity of man kind are most conspicuous when they at tempt to implicate their Creator in the sin of making them sinners, and charge him with injustice in punishing them for it here, and with cruelty in adding eternal pains hereafter. All this inconsistency appears, too. in the face of their contemptuous and per sistent rejection of the abundant provision cf mercy and love, the free tender of the means and securities of grace, and the sacri fice of the Son of God on earth, and his mediation in heaven, to secure to every man all things actually necessary to his world-be ing, and the spiritual gifts and blessings re quired to insure his eternal salvation and happiness. Ail these may be had by every one on bis performance of appropriate con ditions and the easiest imaginable terms; and yet the sinner is so blind to the force of truth that he foolishly persists in trying to throw the blame of his depravity, and its manifold evil consequences, on his Creator. What indifference—stupidity-—blasphemy ! The Virginia Conference. Bishops Pierce, Early and Doggett were present at this Conference, held in Norfolk under the presidency of the former, who, however, left before the close of its protrac ted session to fill an appointment he had made in Halifax, N. C. The appointments were made by him, but announced by Bish op Doggett. There was considerable dis cussion over the constitutional questions.— The vote was for change of name, 64 ayes, 47 noes; —for laj representation, 74 ayes, 26 noes. Rev. J. A. Duncan retires from the Richmond Christian Advocate, and is sta tioned at Washington st, Petersburg. Rev. W. W. Rennet takes the chair editorial.— He has been a constant contributor to the paper, and his reputation as a writer and a business man is well established. He will make a popular paper, and we wish him great success. Dr. Sehon was at the Con ference, representing the interests of For eign Missions. Dr. Wm. A. Smith was transferred to the St. Louis Conference. Several appoint ments and preachers were transferred to the Baltimore Conference, among them E. T. Fripp, furmerly of South Carolina. Dr. Sargent was received into the Conference and appointed to Portsmouth. Dr. Lee is in Norfolk, Rev. J. E. Edwardsjn Lynch burg. The number of white members is reported to be 34,843; colored 1,212. — A subscription was taken in the Conference to pay debts of R. C. Advocate, amounting to §1,350. The Mississippi Conference. We find in the Jackson Methodist that this body held its session at Brookhaven, Miss., Bishop Paine presiding. The pro ceedings also of the first few days are given, but they contain only routine business. The vote on the constitutional questions stood, for a change of name, 36 ayes, 52 nays; for lay delegation, 30 ayes, 45 nays. We see that our Georgia Conference brtoher, L. ft. Redding, is stationed at Brookhaven. The Rev. James Sewell, once a mem ber of the South Carolina Conference, and also of the Georgia Conference, died recent ly of a protracted illness at an advanced age. He was in one of the Baltimore Confer ences. Beall, Spears & Cos., Commission Mer chants of Augusta, Ga., renew their adver tisement this week. Our brother, W. H. Potter, continues his connection with that firm, his engagemeut to it being such, as not at all to prevent his discharging his du ty fully, as presiding elder of the Augusta District. Situ ation Wanted, as a seamstress, by a young lady in South Carolina. See adver tisement. Bishop Marvin’s Post Office will here after be O’Fallon, St. Charles co., Missouri. The Address of Itev. R. B. Lester is Talbotton, Ga. The Popular of Anderson and Woods has made a change. Gen. Anderson still continues at its head. See advertise ment. Stockholders Central R. R. will find an important notice in the paper this week. Collins worth Institute, opens again 14th January. See advertisement. Wesleyan Female College, Second Term begins Ist January. Sec announce- I ment elsewhere. SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. Missionary Money. —The Churches in Georgia will be drawn on largely this year for money to support Missions, in ©ur own State. This is one result of the war, and of the short crops of the past year. The appropriations to Missionaries in the North Georgia Conference is §8,150 —in the South Georgia Conference, §4,750. This latter, we presume, does not include what may be needed for the counties late in the Florida Conference; nor what we must pay for Foreign Missions and for the Missionary debt included. — + Proceedings—Georgia Conference. Fifth Day. Monday, Dec. 3. The Conference open with religious ser vices by H. J. Adams, Leave of absence granted to several mem bers —with privilege to leave with the Sec retary their vote on the Constitutional ques tions. J. M. Bonnell, Statistical Secretary, pre sented a plan of statistical returns, which was discussed and adopted. Committee on Expenses of Delegates to General Conference reported the balance in hand, which was turned over to Bishop’s Fund. The Bishop reported the following ordi nations to Deacon’s orders on yesterday— P. A. Heard, W. T. Caldwell, A. N. Uoili field, C. H. Ellis, C. A. Evans, and R. J. Corley of the Conference; Jas. P. Prickett, James N. Myers, Christopher C. Andrews, Wm. W. Chiney, R. P. G. Walters, John C. Webb, John W. Atwater, Jno. Anderson, and Julius Turner, local preachers: and the following were ordained Elders; W. A Dodge, W. C. Dunlap, B. J. Baldwin, J. Taber Payne, and Morgan Calloway of the Conference; Wm. B Merritt, Jas. W. Harris, John I). Clarke, and John W. Cook, local preachers. The following colored brethren were or dained Geo. 11. Neely, Elijah Hampton, Thomas Sweet, Cesar Taylor, Wm. Lewis, Paul Burnett, Isaac Anderson, and Sundy Kendall ; and Edward West, elder. Dr. Thomas, President of Emory College, presented a full report of the condition of that Institution, and addressed the Confer ence at length on the history, interests and prospects of the Institution. His address made a profound impression upon the Con ference, and it will doubtless bear fruit in a general revival of interest in the college, and a large increase of patronage. Our Church in Georgia cannot afford to let that Institu tion languish. Her every interest is in volved in its success ; and we are glad to learn that its prospects are brightening. The Committee on the Southern Chris tian Advocate reported, and their report was unanimously adopted. The Conference reconsidered the vote dividing the body, by a vote of 63 to 56. AFTERNOON SESSION. After discussing the question of a divis ion of the Conference, the vote was taken as follows: For division 65, againstsl. This action was authorized by the last Gen eral Conference, and involves the recession of the Southern counties of Georgia from the Florida Conference to the Southern di vision of the Georgia Conference. Sixth Day. Tuesday, Dec. 4. Conference was opened with religious ser vices by D. D. Cox. E. 11. Myers was appointed Receiver of the money collected for Foreign Missions, and to pay the Missionary debt. A letter from A. Dorman informed the Conference that he had joined the Northern Methodist Church. The Committee on Bishop’s Fund report ed the collection for tfiis fund to be $1653.- 20 The balance in band was ordered to bo paid to the Bishops. The Boundary between the two Confer ences was fixed as follows : The line to run east and west, beginning on the Chattahoochie river at Pine Moun tain to Flint river, thence down said river to the south line of Upson county, thence along the South line of Monroe to Macon, (leaving Macon south) thence along the south lines of Jones, Baldwin, Hancock, Warren and Richmond counties to the Sa vannah River. Vote on the boundary, 78 to 19. It was resolved to name the Conferences, North Georgia Conference and South Geor gia Conference, by a vote of 79 to 28. The report on division as amended w ? £)S then adopted by a vote of 88 to 22. The Secretary was requested to copy from the Journal of the Conference, such matters as may be important to the South Georgia Ccnference—the original record to b||kept by-the North Georgia Conference. A committee was appointed to prepare such business, as the division of the Conference would render necessary to be transacted. The Constitutional questions, submitted by the General Conference were presented by the Bishop, and the vote taken without debate—as follows : For admitting lay-representation, yeas 117 ; nays 12. For change of name, yeas 109 ; nays 3. On motion of W. F. Cook and W. G. Al len, the following resolutions were adopted : Whereas, There is a highly respectable body of Christian Ministers and Members in the State of Georgia, known as the Con gregational Methodist Church, holding the same general form of doctrine with us ; and whereas, that Church originated mainly in dissatisfaction with some part of the Discip line of the M. E. Church, South, and whereas it is beheved that the recenj action of the General Conference of the M. E. Church, South, if laid before that body will go far toward reconciling the differ ence and promoting unity, therefore Resolved , Ist. That this Conference re gards with great interest and favor, the brightening prospect of a reunion of the whole Methodist Family in Georgia. Resolved, 2nd. That a Fraternal messen ger be appointed, to carry to the Annual Conference of the Congregational Methodist Church in the State of Georgia cordial greeting from this Conference, and to laj before them the action of our late General Conference relative to Lay-Representation ; and such other subjects as may be of interest to them, with the assurance that if in their wise discretion it seem good to them to unite with us, we will cordially receive them and heartily co-cperate with them in united labors to cultivate a common field. W. P. Harrison, offered the following which was passed unanimously by a rising vote : Whereas, In view of the destructive drought of the past year, and the peculiar embarrassments created thereby in many sections of this Conference, our brethren of the Kentucky Conference have been pleased to organize themselves into a Rebel Association, for the purpose of aiding the destitute members of this Conference, and enabling them to keep the field during the ensuing year ; therefore Resolved, That the members of this body have a lively sense of the kindness of our Kentucky brethren, and hereby tender to them our hearty thanks for the interest manifested in our welfare. Resolved , That we humbly implore the Divine blessing upon the members of the Kentucky Conference, and the people of their charges, who, mindful of the less-fav ored and suffering minister of Jesus, open their hands to relieve his wants, and those of his wife and little cues. Resolved, That a copy of this preamble and resolutions be forwarded to the South ern, Nashville, and St. Louis Christian Ad vocates, for publication, and that the Agent of the Relief Fund be requested to ac knowledge through those papers, the contri butions received. Treasurer Fund of Special Relief report ed, and the usual collection for the fund was taken up —amounting to §126.10. The Committee on Memoirs reported me moirs of Allen Turner, J. F. Berry and J. J. M. Mapp. Received. Sundry reso lutions were passed, which will he reported elsewhere. Seventh Day- Wednesday, Dec. 5. Conference ouened with religious serviee by J. M.Marshall. The Statistical Secretary reported as fol lows : White members, 51,109; colored members, 21,346; local preachers, white, 526; colored, 18; baptized adult?, white, 3375, infants, 931; adult, colored, 1244, infants, 184 ; Sunday-schools, white, 455, colored, 5; officers and teachers, 3370; pupils, white, 20,653, colored, 2758 ; col lections for Georgia Conferenoe Suuday school Society, $431.25; for Sunday-schools $4282.28. Some of these items were order ed at the last General Conference, and the report is imperfect—this being the first year of reporting these items. The increase in white members is 2193 ; in local preach ers 37 ; decrease in colored members 6229. By resolution, the Bishop was requested to make the appointments with reference to the wants of the entire work —rather than considering the ultimate purposes of the preachers, as to which of the two Confer ences they adhere to. Various committees reported. These re ports will be found elsewhere. John W. Heidt, Alfred W. Williams, B. L. Timmons, Robert R. Johnson, Josiah Lewis Jr., Wm. M. C. Conley and Wm. F. Robison were admitted on trial into the Conference. AFTERNOON SESSION, Dec. 5. Conference opened with religions service by H. H. Parks. The Board of Stewards reported the amount of claims for the superannuated, supernumerary and deficient preachers’ widows and orphans to be $10,440 —the collections to meet said claims $5838 40. Claimants settled with at 50c in the dollar; and balance on hand $46.83 was on motion, paid to G. T. Embry, whose claim had come in after the distribution was made. Francis B. Davies was admitted on trial, and Wesley F. Smith, Robert Stripling, Theodore A. Pharr, and Jamison Scaife, formerly members of Conference, were re admitted. 0. S. Means, E.W. Aiken, and B. W. Williams were located at their own request. 11. P. Pitchford was placed on the su perannuated list. Moses E. Harp, local preacher, was elected to Elder’s orders —R. N. Andrews to Deacon’s orders; and Ad am Bruton, Peter Colquit, and Conner Col quit, colored preachers, to Deacon’s orders. T. T. Christian was elected Trustee of the Cuthbert Female College, vice W. G. Parks, resigned. A donation of $lO0 —Georgia State Bond -/rom Robert Mclntyre was placed in the hands of Treasurer of Preacher’s Aid So ciety. The Committee on Memoirs closed their report with memoir of John Simmons de ceased. The Corporate Conference met, J. W. Glenn in the chair. Treasurer’s report adopted. Receivers of assets of Estate oi J. P. Radford, deceased, appointed. P. Heard and J. B. McGehee elected Trustees of Lagrange Female College. J- W Glenn re-elected President, and H. J Adams, Treasurer of tho legal Conference. EVENING SESSION, Dec. 5. The Conference met at the Methodist Church. Resolutions of thanks were passed, ten dering the thanks of the body lo the pas tors of the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches for the use of their pulpits— to President Wilson and the trustees of theFurlow Female College for the use of the college edifice —to the citizens of Americus for their generous hospitality —to the Rail road companies, who had passed the preachers for half fare, and to the Editor of the Sumter Republi can for acts of courtesy. » The following resolution was also passed : Resolved, That the Rev. J Blakely Smith, having faithfully served this Confer ence, in the laborious office of Secretary for more than fifteen years, deserves the thanks of this body for the unabating diligence, promptitude and accuracy with which his duties have been discharged ; and now that we are about to separate to meet no more as one body of ministers, and as many of us will never again answer to the roll-call of the efficient Secretary of the old Georgia Conference, we cannot forbear uttering our fervent prayer that his name and ours, and the names of all these our kind friends and entertainers, may be found, in the last great day, written in the Book of Eternal Life. It was reported that §6855 15 had been collected for Missions; §47IH 50 for Sunday-school Society ; and §7OO for Bible Society. Atlanta was chosen for seat of next North Georgia Conference; and Savannah lor that of next South Georgia Conference. The Bishop announced the committees of examination. The Secretary was instructed to publish 1000 copies of the Minutes of the Confer ence. After a short, but impressive address from the Bishop, the appointments were read, and the Conference adjourned with the benediction —and thus closed the last session of the Georgia Conference. Appointments—Georgia Conference. Augusta District, W. 11. Potter, P. E. Augusta St. John’s, A Wright. “ St. James, Geo H Pattillo. “ f Asbury, C W Key “ | Harrisburg Mission, IS Hopkins. “ Trinity, to be supplied by Ed West. Richmond circuit and colored charge, Jno A Reynolds; one to be supplied; D W Cal houn, supernumerary. Columbia circuit and colored charge, L Rush, 11 A Conner, supernumerary Warrenton circuit, Jas M Dickey; J T Curtis, supernumerary. Hancock circuit, Josiah Lewis. Sparta station, A J Jarrell. County Liue circuit, J V M Morris. L Pierce, Agent Sunday schools in North Georgia Conference. Athens District, W R Branham, P. E. Athens, II II Parks. Athens colored charge, to be supplied by Jas R McCluskey. Watkinsville and colored charge, A G Wor ley ; one to be supplied. Factory Mission, to be supplied. Madison, Geo Kramer. Morgan and colored charge, W R Foote, J L Pierce, sup’y. Greensboro circuit, J W Talley, A Means, sup’y- . Greene circuit, Thos F Pierce. Lexington and colored charge, C A Mitchell and A N Hollifield. Washington, Morgan Calloway. Broad River circuit, L L Ledbetter. Little River circuit, to be supplied by G G Nonnan. Lincolnton circuit, R J Harwell. Elberton District, D J Myrick, P. E. Elberton circuit, Jno II Grogan. Elbert circuit, E G Murrah. Jefferson circuit, M F Malsby, A W Wil liams. Madison Springs, W T Norman. Homer circuit, C II Ellis. Hartwell circuit, Britton Sanders. Clarksville circuit, F G Hughes. Clayton mission, Henry Cranford. Gainesville circuit, Willis T Caldwell. Dahlonega Dist., W A Simmons, P. E. Dahlonega and Auraria, Goodman Hughes. Lumpkin circuit, Jos Chambers. Cumming, L Q Allen, J H Mashburn,sup’y. Cleveland circuit, to be supplied by Noah H Palmer. , Blairsville and Morganton mission, M Or Hamby. Ellijay circuit, to bo supplied. Canton, J R Parker. Gwinnett, to be supplied by J Bradford. Rome District, A G llaygood, P. E. Rome, A M Thigpen. Cave Spring, John W Heidt. Cedar Town, to be supplied. Manassas, C A Evans. Kingston, W P Rivers. Calhoun, R II Jones. Spring Place, to be supplied by Wia Ileath. LaFayctte, Wiley T Hamilton. Dalton, Jno T Norris. Whilcfield, B J Johnson. Ringgold, Jas L Lupo. Summerville, W A Parks. Etowah, to be supplied by Thos N Pledger. LaGrange District. J B McGehee, P. E. Lagrange, E W Speer. LaGrangc and West Point colored mission, to be supplied by E Harris. Troup circuit and colored charge, T S L Harwell. West Point, Bethel and Long Cane, P M Ryburn. Whitesville circuit and colored charge, W J Cotter. Greenville circuit and colored charge, F A Kimball, J Rush, J W McGehee. Coweta circuit and colored charge, R F Jones.