Newspaper Page Text
94
Jhnjh r Christina lUbatatf.
MACON, GEORGIA, JUNE 11, 1809.
The Episcopal Correspondence.
OPINIONS OF TH* SORTHKRN MiTHOLIST PR*®*-
The first Hrtiele that appeared tn the N.
Y. Methodist we give here. We might
successfully controvert some of its po
sitions; but we only propose to lot our
readers judge (or themselves, how far the
Noith is ready to go for the sake of peace.
That paper says :
The crTcpondenca between our Bish
ops and the Bishops of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, South, will be read with in
tense interest, and, we believe, by all our
'own ministers and members with great sat
isfaction. Whatever may be the result of
the interview, we stand in a position every
wi y honorable to us We have, through
our official representatives, made a friendly
overture to the Southern Bishops, and they
have responded tn a lei ter which we have
no doubt frankly expresses their feelings.
It may not be agreeable to the over-sac
guino to discover that the two bodies are
still very far apart from each other, and
that beneath the courtesies of speech there
still remain irreconcilable differences of
opinion, yet it is something to have the
question of reunion opened and discussed
in good temper.
The letter of our Episcopal Board states
that the cau*e of separation (that is, slav
—aiy) baiftfr there should now be
no obstacle to the restoration of unity, and
that both religion and love of country
ahou’d prompt us to try to effect a reunion
of the two bodies. Bishops Janes and
Simpson, as the representatives of the Epis
copal Board, refer in their letter to the ap
pointment of a commission by the last Gen
eral Conference, and suggest the appoinl
*ment of a similar commission by the Church
South.
The Southern Bishops reply that before
reunion there must be the reestablishment
of fraternal relations bet wee a the two
Churches They say further that the offer
of fraternal relations made by their repre
senta'ive, Dr. Pierce, ia 18-18, having
been rejeoied, nothing more can, on the
part of the Church, South, be done. They
add : “You could not expect us to say less
than this—that the words of our rejected
delegate have been ever since, and are still,
our words.’’
wh" back to 1818 is a return to a past
utterly dead, and the proposal to
orn a R/^ rt * iat P°' nt B hows that the South-
tiave not changed much in
spirit. They will not let the “dead past
bury its dead!’’ Dr. Pierce’s proffer of
fraternal relations was conditioned upon the
observance of the plan of separation of
1811. By this plan we were excluded
from all territory south of a certain line,
and the Southern Church from ail territory
north of the same* line. It is hardly pos
sible that tire Southern Bishops wish this
compact, for years disregarded ou both
"STdes, to be made the condition of fraterni
ty now; yet such is the exact meaning of
their word*.
If the Bishops only mean, that to rees
tablish fraternal re'ations, we must tako the
initiative and send a messenger to their
General Ctnterence, we are of opinion
that th i overture of our Bishops may
be claim and as fully meeting the case. This,
■hfvevir, is a mere question of form and
differences ol opinion as to the
-liy irrcco'icilu-
; r-BTy turn ■ 1 -.very di In t make the
kja Chinch blindt •.-s to the
/ i‘, 1-t rhisc S uilurn
Hr n the -lavi-i out the in
j efic.il mailers e liat-rul to
Hpqu s' in amii no assumption ol
ptwers by the General Con
TOrenoo, divided the Church. Now, it was
all along a dictum of S utbern Methodism
that slavery is a State matter with which
the Church, as such, has nothing to do;
the Bishops would seem to mean that we
divided the Church by meddling with an
extra-ecclesiastical question. If they raise
the question of the rightfulness of all cur
legislation on slavery, wo shall, of course,
stand by it, and any agreement will of ne
cessity be hopeless
But why should theso questions be
raised at all ? Why do the Southern Bish
ops Unger its the past ? The war has made
a great gulf botwecu 1869 and 1814. We
are living under other conditions than those
of the ante-war period. In the great sin
of slavery, both Churches were in their
measure guilty, and both have suffered,
even unto the shedding of blood. God has
interposed, and has wrenched away the
cause of our quarrel. We find that there
remain to us the same doofrines, the same
usages, the same name. We sing the same
hymns, oali the same Church founders our
fathers, and have had to wi.hin a quarter
of a century the same history. If wo are
wise, if we are at ail iike Him whom we
call ‘‘Master,” we will try to come to a
better understanding, and to prepare the
way for that reunion which must ultimate
ly be consummated. And for taking the
initiative as they have, for the proffer of
love and peace which they have made to
the Church, South, we sincerely thank our
Bishops.
If we must now on both sides stand still,
this correspondence will not be without
fruit. Time will diminish the differences
of opinion and soothe the asperities of feel
ing. “Heart divisions’’ will, we may hope,
_bgfore many years, “be cured,” and then
“corporate,’ divisions can be healed.”
Our next article is a long one from the
pen of Dr. Curry, of the N. Y. Christian
Advocate, who wields a wider influence
than any other one man, in the Northern
Methodist Church—the author of that le
gend for his church of “disintegration and
absorption of Southern Methodism.” He
more than any other mau is responsible for
the repudiation measures of 1848 ; and he
holds to his principles and purposes with
all the tenacity of his strong nature. It
is probable that he will defeat the “union”
party ,as he onoe defeated lay-representatin.
Here is his dictum respecting “the Epis
copal correspondence’’:
Last week we inserted in full the recent
ly promulgated correspondence between our
Bishops and those of the Methodist Episco
pal Church, South,taken partly from the St.
Louis Christian Advocate, and partly from
manuscripts not before published. Neither
our time nor the circumstances of our then
forthcoming paper allowed us any oppor
tunity for comments; nor were we in a
hurry to speak out on the subject, for, as
we can only utter words of dissent and
disapproval of the action of our Bishops in
the case, and we are well aware that, right
or wrong, we must have the worst of the
controversy, we were naturally cot in haste
to engage iu what must prove to us a losing
game Seldom has the fable of the two
pots floating on the tide found a fuller ap
plication than in the case here presented;
for, whether the Bishops collide again?t us
or we agaiost them, there cun be but little
doubt as to who will come off “second best.’’
But our position as a denominational jour
nalist will not permit us to remain silent,
while our fidelity to our own convictions
compels us to disapprove of the action of
the “Board ’of Bishops. AA r e desire in
what we write to treat the venerable men
upon whose actions wo must animadvert,
with the reverence that is due to them
both officially and personally; and at the
same time we hope it may be remembered
that an cfficial editor, however far inferior
his position may be, receives his authority
from the same source as that from whioh
even the Bishops derive theirs, and is
equally responsible for the use of it. And
as he is set especially to guard the irter
e-ts of the Church as an advocate, may we
not hope that our seeming temeii’y in this
ca e e will not be mistaken for disrespect ?
We have certain decided convictions re
specting the duties of tie Methodist Epis
copal Church toward the Church, South,
which are not the growth of a day, nor the
rc-uits ut Sny partial or temporary state of
affairs. Our early ministerial life was
passed among some of the people who went
out from us in the “great secession,” and
as we then l r arned to esteem them as Chris
tian brethren, so the events of the subse
quent quarter of a century have not suf
ficed to change our estimate ot their excel
lences- We opposed the division of the
Church as wrong, uncalled for, and unjus
tifiable ; and because we would not be a
party to the wrong, we removed a thousand
miles from our field of a’signed duty in or
der to avoid being legislated out of the
Church of cur choice.
Wo have always considered the famous
“Plan of Separation” a great wrong, per
petrated by the General Conference of
1844 without a shadow of right for so do
ing, directly and flagrantly violating the
vested rights of a great multitude of mem
bers and ministers of our Church in the
Southern States, Personally, we received
some little compensation tor the wrong we
snffeicd by that ill-advised action in aiding
to repudiate it in the General Conference
of 1848. As an ecclesiastical organization
we owe no favor to the Methodist Episco
pal Church, South, though to it* ministers
and members we have always been ready
to extend the hand of Christian recog
nition.
When the events of the late war, and
especially the return of peace, opened the
way for our Church into the territory as
signed by the “Plan” to the Southern
Church, we felt not only that a great field
for Christian enterprise was opened to our
Church, but more than this, that an op
portunity was now given it to partially re
pair a great wrong. The colored Metho
dists of the South, and not a few whites
aiso, who highly cherished their connec
tion with the “old mother Church,” had
been abandoned by our Church authorities,
(necessarily, perhaps.) and turned over to
another arid separate organization. The
lapse of more than twenty years had neith
er remitted the Church’s obligation to un
do that wrong whenever practicable, nor
extinguished the desires of those defraud
ed parties for the Church out of which
they had been thrust. For that cause es
pecially we have all along fa vored the occu
pation of Southern territory by our Church
agenoies, and we see the same causes for
continuing them, and can conceive of no
oontingonuy, other than the rejection ot our
sorvicts by the people, which could justify
our Church in abandoning that work. We
wont there because there were large num
bers of persons there who desired our
ministry, instead of that of their local
“Methodist Episcopal Church, South.”
The number and the importunity of that
class have not diminished to the present
time, and if we have accepted them out of
the M. E. Church, South, by what right do
wo now propose to remand them again iota
its communion ? And let it be understood
that our organic union with that Church
moans all that. The National Government
has found it necessary, for the protection
of the colored race in their freedom, to
withhold the power of self-goveri ment from
the Southern Stales until the rights of the
freedmen should bo fully guaranteed ; the
Church owes them similar protection,
wliiah can be given only by our present ar
rangement.
Wo are therefore wholly opposed, while
things remain as they arc, to the organic
union of the “two Methodism*.” AVe see
no good likely to result from it were it to
be accomplished, while we are fully satisfied
that the agitation of the subject on our
pait is productive of much harm, with but
very little compensating good. AV’e are
glad, not for tho manner or spirit in which
it was done, but lor the fact and its results,
that the passionate violence of the South
ern Bishops and their advisers saved our
(Jhurch from a great calamity by refusing
to respond to our Bishops’ overture. As,
at the outbreak of the rebellion, Southern
arrogmee r< jected what Noithern cringing
was prepared to give of the libeities of tho
people for peace, with the union and slav
ery, so now a like spirit on the pait of the
Southern Bishops has saved our Church
from the malign results that would have
grown out of the ill-advised purposes of
our chief shepherds. God ba praised for
th* safe deliverence!
AVe greatly regret to be compelled to
differ very widely from our revered Bishops
as to their powers and right of action iu
this business. First of all, we are not quite
certain that the General Conference, the
sole source of power in our Church, has
ever incorporated its individual e, isoopates
as a “board.” A “board,” or “ooliege,” cr
“bench’’ of Bishops has powers that are
not possessed by the individuals composing
such an aggregate body. Evidently our
Bishops so understand it, and yet we are at
a loss for the warrant for this corporate au
thority of the “board” of Bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. No evil is
intended, we may readily believe, in the
use of the expression, or in the assumption
and use of corporate powers ; but if it in
volves an unauthorized stretch of authority,
the matter is serious and should bo cor
rected.
But in this case the General Conference
had first drfined our relations to the Church
South, and since has marked out a course
of action in respect to it, if auy such ac
tion should be had.
The General Conference of 1848, by for
mal sctioD, refused to enter into effioial fra
ternal relations with the Southern Church,
or to receive its accredited messenger and
representative in his official character, as
signing as a reason that “there are serious
questions and difficulties existing between
the two bodies.” Now neither has this ac
tion been reversed or modified by any sub
sequent General Conference, nor have the
questions and difficulties enumerated been
taken out of the way. Is it not plain, then,
that any power in the Church, below the
General Conference, is forbidden by that
action to go contrary to its determinations ?
AVe simply propound the case, without the
least disposition to assume the duties of the
General Conference, acting through the !
Committee on Episcopacy, to which au
thority alone the Bishops are amenable.
But further still, the last General Con
ference took a certain action which by a
legitimate construction may ba applied to
the case in hand. Our Bishops ia their
letter to the Southern Bishops call atten
tion to that action in these words :
The General Conference, to promote the
union of Methodistie Churches, appointed
a commission consisting of eight members
of that body and the Bishops of the
Churoh, who were “empowered to treat
with a similar commission from any other
Methodist Church” that may desire a union
with us.
The Church South is confessedly a
‘ Methodist Church,’’ and, therefore, it is
included within the legitimate field of the
work of that “commission,” though we are
persuaded that quite different parties were
contemplated by tre promoters of that ac
tion. ft will be seen that tbe General Con
ference gave this power of treaty to a spe
cial commission raised for that purpose,
eight members of whioh were not Bishops.
Is it not, then, a little odd that the Bish
ops, not as members of that committee, but
by virtue of their ecclesiastical office, with
out a word of consultation with the mem
bers of the commission, as such, and in the
absence of all the non-episcopal ones, should
enter in form upon the business assigned
to the commission, and depute two of their
number to confer with the other party “as
to the propriety, practicability, and methods
of reunion ?” At this we can only express
our very great surprise; for either we entire-
ly fail to understand the case, or else there
has been a strange disregard of the expressed
will of the General Conference, and a lack
of consideration of the official rights of the
other members of the commission. Fortu
nately the two deputed Bishops did not act
up to the fail powers bestowed upon them
by their colleagues, but contented them
selves wiih calling attention to the “com
mission,” and expressing the- opinion that
“should your [their] approaching General
Conference see pro; er to appoint a similar
commission, they wiii be promptly met by
our commission, who, we doubt not, will be
happy to treat with them, and to report the
result to our next General Conference,” all
cf which is very e-ood, though, to our seem
ing, a little out cf place.
The response ot the Southern Bishops is
highly characteristic, and in its style and
tone sounds very like much that used to be
heard in both ecclesiastical and political as
semblies where the elite of the South and
the canaille of the N »rth cane together
The opportunity to twit our Bishops of their
“Church stealing” and other misdemeanors
was too good to be al.owed to pas*, though,
as to that business, the proverb about peo
ple not throwing stones who live in glass
houses would not be out of place. It is
however, rather a sorry affair for a dignified
episcopal correspondence.
We cannot but deem the whole business
as most unfortunate, as certainly it must
tend to s'rifes and bitterness rather than to
peaos. The two Churches are not in a
state to even discuss mutual relations, and
ali agitations of the subject must be of evil
tendency. As was said by our great peace
maker respecting another but kindred tub
ject, “let us have peace and that we may,
let us quietly “follow after charity,’’ and
allow the irritations of the past to heal
themselves under the influence of true re
ligion and with the quieting action of time
We most sincerely regret that the thing
was taken in hand at ail, hut rejoice that
we are so soon at ihe end of the matter, if
not entirely without damage to either side.
“The Methodist,” N. Y., joins issue with
Dr. Curry as follows :
“We are grieved to find that the Chris
tian Advocate arrays 'tself against the
overture made by our pastors to the South
ern Methodist Church, denying both the
expediency cf their proceedings and their
authority to institute such proceedings. No
doubt the editor expresses in his objections
his conscientious convictions; but he will
allow us to say that there are thousands
whose convictions are as profound as his
own, and who believe that the spectacle cf
two churches having the same name, hold
ing the same faith, and observing the same
usages, praciicaiiy at war with each other,
is unseemly, and that the continuance of
such an antagonism, without the making of
an effort to remove it, would be criminal ia
the sight of God.’’
The Methodist then proceeds to argue
the points at issue, giving one instalment
and promising another.
We clear with a few vvords from Dr. li -
vens (of Zion’s Herald, Boston,) the great
advocate for miscegenation—the learned
Doctor who has so lauded negro blood, and
predicted such great things of Afrioo-
America, when Saxon blood shall bo thor
oughly “warmed” up by the African infu
sion, that Dr. Bind was led to suppose he
regretted that his mother was not a tie
gress. His negro-phiiist proclivities are
predominant in the courteous article from
his pen. here reproduced :
The new courtship to which we referred
two weeks ato lias put on new phases. A
correspondence and conference between our
Bishops and those of the Church South
has been held, which will be found on page
245. Advances were made on our pait,
and repelled on theirs. A oareful study ol
the off lire du cwur will show that our
Bishops wisely managed the movement
They did not commit our Church to any
arrangement for reunion, but simply de
clared, that a commission having been ap
pointed for this purpose, it was probable
that such an ariangement could be effected,
if they were willing. They wounded their
pride by deolaring that they and the Wes
ley an s could both come back, as the cause
of their departure had been destroyed. The
Southern Bishops reseat their being joined
with the Wetlejans, but the Wesleyans
would more properly reseat being joined
with them, their secession being founded
in wrong, and the Wesleyan in right, theirs
bring a substantial and mourntui failure,
the others’ a substantiii and joyful success.
They declare th-t they have no jurisdic
tion, and pro iced to lehash old grievances,
and spice them with new ; the old being
our refusal to fellowship with their Church
when a slaveholding body, and the new
being the zeal and success of our ministers
in the Southern territory.
The object of this advance of our Bish
ops was probably to give our ministers in
that section an advantage in prosecuting
their work, showing larger catholicity on
our part than on theirs. It was also prepar
atory for the appointment of a commission
on the part of the Southern General Con
ference next year. As such, it may be
wise. Yet it, would have been better to
organize the commission as the General
Conference created it, and to proceed in
due form in the. work intrusted to it. The
Chairman of that Committee, Rev. Dr.
McCiintock, or the senior Bishop in active
service, Bishop oases, should secure its
early convocation and organization It
should formally arrange with the Zion
Church, and prepare for conference with
Wesleyan Methodists, African Methodists,
and other affiliating bodies. As our Bish
ops have been repulsed from the Southern
Church, let them send a like committee
and invitation to the African M. E Churoh.
They will meet with more cordial treatment
and confer with as fine gentlemen, and much
finer Christians Shall the Church hear
soon ot that action '! She will hail it with
unalloyed delight. When shall it be taken ?
Which is tha Worse?
The Huntsville (Ala ) Advocate says Rev.
Moses Sullivan, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church (North) was mobbed from the
house of Mr. Henry Stephens, four miles
from Vienna, on tire 11th uit, by thirty
five or forty disguised men. He was bru
tally beaten, and threatened with hanging,
if he sheuid return to that section. He
was shot at from ambush, next morning,
three or four • times, as he made his way
homeward via Guntersville Landing.
The following, per contra, is from the
Knoxville Press and Herald of 27th ult.
It will be remembered by our readers, and
indeed the people of the entire country re
member the affair with feelings of horror
and detestation, that about one month ago
Rev. Jacob Smith, while on his way to fill
an appointment in Blount county, was seiz
ed by armed ruffians, oomposini* the leadeis
ot the League of the Radical party of that
county, taken to the woods, stripped to bis
shirt, tied to a tree, and whipped unmerci
fully with withes until hD back and shoul
ders were a mass of blood and quivering
flesh. No reason existed for this barbarous
action. Mr. Smith was unknown ia that
locality until after the close of the war.
During the civii strife he preached to both
armies “Christ and Him crucified.’’ He
believed not in earnal weapons, even while
in the midst of bloody strife. Ho never
carried a pistol or any other weapon. His
preaching was preeminently the Gospel of
Peace. He bears the imprint of the Al
mighty on his calm, serious, guile'ess face,
as “» man unspotted from the world.”
As the time approached when Mr. Smith
had another appointment to fill in that
county, he received evidence and informa
tion, the most trustworthy and reliable, that
the loyalists of the county were laying their
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
plans to prevent his preaching, and many of
them were loudly asserting that “this time
we will make an end of it.” *
2>ot only this, but he also learned that his
friends in the county, the members of the
.Methodist Episcopal Church, South, were
briDg ill-treated and threatened, and that
an attempt by him to preach there would
-e*u!t not. only to his hurt but also to their
injury.
influenced more by the desire not to in
volve auv of the friends of his church in
trouble, and after consultation with hi* co-
Dborers in the ministry ia this city, Mr.
Smith resolved not to attempt to preach the
a spel of Christ to these Pharisaical loya 1 -
is s. How prudent was this resolve may be
learned from tha action of these loyal men
—these simoa pure members of “ihe party
o! great moral ideas,’’ on the holy Sabbath.
Last Sue day morning, the day of Mr.
Smith’s appointment at Logan’s Chapel, in
Blount county, fully two hundred and fifty
of these loyalists, all well armed, and un
der the leadership of the men who had
previously whipped Mr. Smith, assembled
in the viciuiiy of the chapel, and boister
ously disclosed their intention of prevent
ing tbe religious exercises from taking
place. The members of Mr. Smith’s church,
aware of the impending trouble, did not go
to the chapei, and the ruffians after waiting
some time, determined not to allow their in
tentions to be bstfled by the escape of their
prey. Accordingly, they sent squads out
in search of the preacher, which visited
every suspected house for miles around
Mr Smith, however, was quietly attend
ing worship in Knoxville, and towards noon
his persecutors dispersed, elated with the
knowledge that tfcey Lao prevented the
preaching of the word of God.
Tnese men are now plotting to prevent
by armed force the fulfillment of Mr.
Smith’s appointment, next Sabbath, at Lou
isville, in the same county. Os course they
will be successful, as there are no officers in
the county who dare to do right and arrest
these viola’ors of law.
Whei shall these disgraceful affairs
oease ?
“ Trotted Out,”
The Rev. John W. Yarbrough fires off a
few harmless squibs, through “The Metho
dist Advocate,” at “Dr. Myers.” Being
wholly personal and ot no consequence, they
deserve no notice. But when he unkindly
says: “Having beentrotted outofthe Metho
dist Episcopal Church, without voice or vote.
[strong words those, which we italicise,] 1
determined to return of my own free will 1 ”
he suggests an accusation against his for
mer brethren, which demands that we re
fresh his memory with some “facts of his
tory ” He may be able to explain how
much sjfar was applied to him to “trot”
him into so prominent a position in the 20
tion wo arc now about to ‘ trot out” befere
the public. If be can, then we wish him
joy for a consistency, that the record cer
tainly does not exhibit.
Iu 1844, the Rov. John W. Yaibrough
was in charge of the Newnan Circuit, Geor
gia Conference. The 2nd quarterly Con
ference of the circuit met at Newnan on
loth June, 1844—0n a Saturday, just one
week after the General Conference in N. York
had adopted the “plan of separation’’ and
before the news of its adoption could have
reached Newnan by the tardy locomotion of
1844. [There ia no director indirect refer
ence to the Plan in the proceedings we are
now bringing to light.] After an unusual
ly pleasant session and the regular business
was disposed of, the members of the Ooh
fereaee—a large number being present—
“felt it to be their duty, as a portion of
the M E. Church, to speak out openly
th :ir views in relation to the actings and
and lings of tbe nn jority of the General Con
ference, and their course pursued toward
oar beloved Bishop Andrew. For this pur
pose, on motion rj Rev J. W. Yarbrough
the Rev D. P. Jones was called to tbe
chair. The oijact of the meeting being
stated by the chairman, in a very feeling
manner, it was resolved, that the chair ap
point a committee of five to draft a pream
ble and resolutions, etc. After the five
were appointed, on motion oj the Rev J
IF. Yarbrough , the Rev. D. P. Jones, (the
chairman) was added to this committee.
The committee, not having time then to
make their report immediately, met at
Johnson’s store, 20th June, “to carry out
the views of the quarterly conference as its
organ.” A preamble briefly recited the
action in Bishop Andrew’s case, bringing
the history down to the appointment of a
commiitee to answer the Protest of the
minority— i. e, to June 6th. The first
resolution adopted is:
Resolved, Tiiat, as wc cannot live in
peace with our Northern brethren, wc re
commend to the Southern delegation an
immediate separation of the M. E Church ;
and that measures be speedily taken by the
proper authorities of the Church to form
the boundaries of a General Conference,
embracing the views of Southern Metho
dists.’’
This was passed, it seems before it was
known that separation ahd been provided for.
la oilier resolutions they say, “We re
commend this course with deepest regret —
we would have lived in harmony” with
our Northern brethren, ‘ had we not been
forced away, and now the sin of separation
(if any) must lie at their doors, not ours j”
that “we will always feel that our skirts
are clear;” that “we tender our grateful
acknowledgments to the Southern delega
tions of the General Conference for the
able and Christian-like manner, in which
they acted and spoke in defence of our
Church,’’ etc.
There is more of the same sort, but this
is enough.
“Trotted out of the M. E Church” for*
sooth ! “without voice or vote.” Who led
off in this hasty trot out of that Church ?
J. W. Y.
This is one “fact of history.” We write
“with the documents before us,” as a cele>>
brated contemporary sometimes says it does,
though we differ, in that we state the ease,
as they have embalmed it.
Another faot is this. The Georgia Con
ference met next at Eatonton, on the 15th
January, 1845. In accordance with the
provisions ol the “plan of separation,’’ that
body voted unanimously for separation, and
to send delegates to the Louisville Conven
tion. Did not John W. Yarbrough have
“a voice or vote” there ? He was thence
transferred to the Florida Conference, and
appointed to a presiding eldership. That
body mel on the 11th February, 1845. He
was present. Resolutions were adopted by
that body —unanimously again —which say
“That we heartily approve the proposed
plan of separation as adopted by the Gen
eral Conference,’’ —that “we are satisfied
that the peace and success of the Church
in the South demand a separate and distinct
organization;” that “we approve of the
proposed Convention to be held in Louis
ville ;” that “we do not concur In the Reso
lutions of the Holston Conference, propos-
ing the election of Delegates for forming
a plan of compramite.” These resolutions
were signed by nine committee-men, and
tha name of J W. Yarbrough is fourth on
that list.
“No voice or vote’’ indeed ! Did not
J. W. Yarbrough have two voices and two
votes, ia favor of separation and for the
Louisville Convention. He was an enroll
ed member of two annual Conferences
within a month, bpth of which acted on
the subject, was a member of the Commit
tee which reports# for division in the
second Conference, and it may be presumed
that he voted on tht question he acted on ;
and, also, according to Methodist usage, it
may be presumed ' that he voted in the
Georgia Conference, when his name was
called—for the vote was taken by “ayes
and no;s.” If we had the Journals of
both Conferences at hand, we might possi
bly be able to show by the reoord that the
Rev John W. YYrbrough W 33 “trotted cut
of the M. E. Church’’ riding two horses—
both of them bridled and saddled and
spurred by himself. Yet we will not affirm
it, as we do not know it.
And he was still trotting on, when in
February, 1846, the Florida Conference,
he being present, heartily and unanimously
approved “the entire action of the Louis
ville Convention, in declaring the Southern
Conferences erected into a distinct and sep
arate from the
Northern Confert^^s.”
And now, that we have refreshed the
Rev. J. W. Yarbrough’s memory a little,
we have only to say, that we entertain to
ward him only kiod feelings ; and we are
only sorry that in trying to vindicate him
self for making one great blunder, he has
been incautiously led into making a greater.
His policy would.be to “trot’’ on quietly,
thinking niuoh and writing but little. His
thoughts may yet lead him out of error—
his writing only plunges him in all the
deeper. It might have been as well not to
have begun on "Dr. Myers,” as he did
several weeks ago.
Vie hope never to be obliged again to
revert to the blunders of our “old compan
ion in arms,’’ and we therefore dismiss the
case, hoping that this “trot” will not make
him very sore; or, if it doe3, that be will
excuse us, as wg have only been putting
him baok on steed be was so swift to
mount in 1844. May we not hope that he
has trotted nearly around the course, and
will trot soon into his old pasturage ?
The Union Question.
Having given-now the utterances of the
press of both Churches, as far as is needful
to show what the North says, and that the
South is a unit in agreement with the re
ply of its Bishops, we can afford to ieave
the question where it is. Resides the ar
ticles on this [age, we call attenticn to
that from the New Orleans Christian Ad
vocate on the first page.
Nothing can bo done now beyond the
cultivation of Christian feeling—which will
g;ow up spontaneously when wisdom, mod
eration and justice prevail—until the
Northern General Conference of 1872
When that bedy meets, the question of union
may or may before the Southern
Church. It .certainly cannot come prop
erly before ns,'prior to that time; conse
quently, we have no occasion among us,
for discussions cr differences of opinion.
We at the South are all agreed to leave tie
consideration cf the entire question where
our Bishops placed it in their reply, and
to let the Northern Methodists decide what
they will do—we being silent witnesses of
their discussions.
As it may interest cur readers to know
the progress of public opinion in the co or
dinate branch of the Methodist Church, we
may. from time to time, chronicle the move
ments and set forth the opinions of North
ern Methodism—but beyond this we do not
propose to go In the controversy, we
have no lot or part, and mnst leave them
to settle it among themselves.
Tho Banner-School.
A letter the llov. J. H. Harris,
McDonough, Ga., sais •
“Enelo ed find §53 20, raised for Bro.
Young J. Allen, in ’.he China Mission, by
our Sabbath-sca hool—the one school in this
town —numbering about fifty regular stu
dents and teachers. This money is paid
out of their own pockets, and with a cheer
fulness that is truly surprising. Several
among the above mentioned belong to the
Baptist and Presbyterian denominations.
Two dollars only of this sum were contrib
uted by parties not directly connected with
the school. Has this been bearen in tfce
State ? You will remember that this place
is directly in the path trod by Sherman’s
soldiery, and consequently bad not much
of this* world’s goods left at the close of the
war to its unfortunate inhabitants. We
think we have a model Sunday-school from
Superintendent down through the whole
catalogue. The interests of the church in
this circuit are locking up in all her ae
partments.
f
The State./Jc the Peai> ; —By Rev. An
son West, Nashville. Published by A.
H. Bedford, Agent, for the Author.
12 mo. pp. 212.
The author is a member of the Mont
gomery Conference. Dr Summers passed
this book through the press, and conse
quently was able to give it a very thorough
examination, which wc have not had time
to do. We, therefore, copy from Dr. S.,
who says:
We take great sati-faction in commending
it to the favorable notice of our friends.
The author’s studies in Eschatology have
not been in vain, as they have resulted in
the production of this interesting work.
He, of course, occupies the true Arminian
ground in regard to the original and the
fallen state of man—the cause of death —
the immortality of the soul, and allied
points. He has four trenchant chapters on
Purgatory, in which he demolishes that
popish figment; and four on the immediate
state, in which he contends—and we think
the generally received
doctrine, that
The saints who die of Chris-t possessed
Enter into immediate rest
in the bosom of Jesus—though of course,
they will net receive their “perfect con
summation and bliss’’ till they get it “both
in body and soul,” after the resurrection
In the last chapter ho descants upon the
oondition of the righteous and the wicked
at and after the day of judgmont. We are
not quite sure that we agree with him—
and we are not quite sure that we differ
from him—in his observations on the status
of infants in heaven. On this subject we
cherish a sentiment which, like a dew-drop,
shrinks from handling. In consoling par
ents on the death of their ohildren, we
have frequeßtly suggested to them that God
wants variety in paiadise—children as well
as adults—that those who die in obildhood
wiU probably sustain forever a kind of
ohild relation to others, although their
faculties will be forever developing. We
shall not now pursue the thought.
Carres poutsenct,
Letter from Bishop Pierce.
Mr. Edit r ; — During my last trip, my
dutie* were so many, various and pressing,
that I had no lime for the promised corres
pondence. My first appointment was a
District-u ce’ine at Augu-ta, Kentucky. 1
went through without a pause, tili I reached
Cincinnati, where I tanied all night—the
boat having left, fifteen minutes before my
arrival Bro. B. Aston had opened the
meeting, before I got in the next day, and
w&3 progressing pleasantly. Thus I found
things made ready .0 my hand.
Augusta is a nice town on the Ohio river,
and was or.ee famous in the history of Ken
tucky Methodism, as the seat of a College,
representing the church in two or three
Conferences. Here Durbin, Tomlinson and
Bascom once taught. In 1841 the Chinch
with a single exception “adhered” North,
and for 24 years, the Church, South, has
had neither name nor habitation there.
Within the last year, wo have reorganized,
built a beautiful house of worship, gathered
togethfr a respectable membership and
have the promise of prosperity. Our meet
ing was a gracious one. Several persons
joined us, and the general effect was pro
pitious. The reports from the District were
encouraging. Every Church interest passed
in review. The preachers and delegates
were in good spirit? and hopeful of the fu
ture Our Church iu Kentucky is waxing
Stronger in numbers —more spiritual in ex
perience—more active in z.-al and it will
overlive and outgrow ali damage, from de
fection within and opposition from without.
On Monday the 3rd, l returned to Cin
cinnati ana took boat at night for Louis
ville Here I had left my father, aid here
I had promised to meet various brethren
en route to St, Louis. Bishop Andrew was
too feeble to go on, and laid over for the
night. Leaving him to come ou the next,
day with Dr. Bedford, we, with B shops
Paino, McTyeire, Drs. Green, McFerrin
and others, took the cars iu the afternoon
for the great city of the West. With such
goodly company—over good roads—through
a beautiful country, our travel was pleasant.
Arriving too late for the usual breakfast
hour, to save our friends from trouble we
all went to the I'.antor’s House, brushed
and washed and ate, and prepared for dis
persion accoiding to programme. Soon the
pasters of the several Churches wore on
hand, and guided us to our various homes
It fell to my lot to inaugurate the services
of the occasion by preaching that night.
My father and myself were domiciled with
Gov. Polk, with whom we stayed during the
General Conference cf 1850. This house
is one of the many pleasant homes I have
found in my pilgrim wanderings, and that
scripture, “into whatsoever house ye enter,
there abide,’’ is no tax upon my taste or my
affections, my convenience or my comforts
“Peace be to this house’’ and its inmates,
evermore.
Now what shall I say more ? Time would
fail me to tell of the Bishops’ Meeting—
the “welcome of the Churches,” the Mis
sionary services, the dedication, the laying
of the corner stone of the new Centenary
Church, the Sunday-school celebration, the
visit of the Northern Bishops. Besides,
you have published accounts of ail these
things. I need not repeat.
To all that has beeu written I will only
add that our interview with Bishops Janes
and Simpson, was courteous, p ea.-ant and
Christian. On the subject of their mission,
we had no verbal communication. The cor
respondence speaks for itself. The whole
subject is before the Church—North and
South. As the party addres-ed, your Bish
ops Lave answered deliberately, with abso
lute unanimity among themselves, and in
doing bo, feed confident that our people will
approve t'aeir action. It would be iudeco
rous in me to give an opinion uosv, upon
the phases of this subject— past, present,
or to come.
I leave it, as you and others find it
in tbe two communications. There are
proper judiel&tories to discuss and decide
the relationships of North* rn and Southern
Methodism. I hope that no one will agitate
the Chuieh, by premature debate. Let us
“in patience possess our souls” and in due
season, the right issue will come about,
whatever that may be.
After a weet of much labor, wc adjourn
ed and dispersed to meet our several en
gagements I came with my father and
Bro. Johnson to Memphis, spent the Sab
bath there, preaching twice, and left on
Monday to attend the Rome District-meet
ing at Dalton. Having a day to spare, [
went down to Cartersviile to see iny broth
er James and family, and spent some hours
most agreeably with them and other friends,
both old and cow. I returned next day to
Dalton, was present, at the opening sermon,
preached by Bro. Parks, and remained till
Sabbath night, when I took 1 he ears for home.
The meeting was one of the best in all res
peets. Over one hundred delegates were
present and all alive and awake I preached
every day as usual. Some bright conver
sions—soma at the aitar and one in the
oioset at homo. This looked like old timos.
The religious element was strong and active
in our business meetings. On Saturday
afternoon for an hour or two, we were “quite
on the verge of heaven.” The Spirit did
not come as a rushing mighty wind—but
he did distil as a gentle dew—soft and re
freshing. Our hearts warmed, and mel
lowed, and melted. The P. E., who is not
very demonstrative, was transported with
joyous emotion ; the pastor, though no
stranger to the melting mood, rained happy
tears ; the Sunday-school agent “laughed
and cried ;’’ “the old men dreamed dreams
and the young men saw visions.” Verily,
it was a timo of righteousness, and peace,
and joy, in the Holy Ghost. It was a di
vine baptism, rich in present enjoyment
and promising yet better things to come.
It was a blessing which will tell on whole
households, and I trust, on generations to
come The theme of conversation was the
conversion of the young, and the wonder
ful dealings of God’s Spirit with children.
Many facts and incidents illustrating the
general subject were given and all were
made to feel that the “little ones” of the
country offered a field of labor “white unto
the harvest.’’
I am busy, preparing for a long service
in Arkansas; and write in haste. But I
am your debtor in the way of promise, and
I know you to bo an exacting creditor,
where the Advocrte is concerned. So I
send you this scrap hoping to do better
the next time. G. F. Pierce.
Sunshine, May 29/4, 1869.
A Grand S. S. Rally—to come off m
August.
Mr. Editor :—ln no department of the
church has there been so much interest
awakened of late, as in the Sabbath-sohcol.
Everywhere is manifested a desire to excel
in this enterprise. And wc of Burke eo ,
Ga., being moved by a laudable ambition,
have endeavored to devise liberal things in
reference to this all-imp irtaat institution.
Believing that a District gathering would
be impracticable, especially of the charac
ter we design, at this season of the year,
we thought a circuit convention would be
most desirable. But the circuits of Burke
(after looking over them) we discover, have
neither centre nor circumference. After
consultation, Bro. Ousley and myself de
termined to unite our forces and rally them
at a common centre. Our plans were made.
Bro Larsey with the Milieu mission was
invited to join us. Upon consultation with
the brethren, it was also determined to in
vite our Bapii-t friends to unite with us.
They have exhibited a willingness so to do.
Wherefore we widen our sails and make it
a ii Eurke coun'y Sunday school Celebra
tion,’’’ where all the children in the entire
oounty can congiegate and sing and listen,
and learn, and play.
The exeroises will take place at “Old
Church,’’ six miles from Waynesboro’ on j
the 13th day of August next.
We expect our venerable S. S. Agent,
Dr Pierce, with us, as also our P. E , Bro.
Hinton, and some eminent Baptist brother
wluo will address us upon that ooeasion, and
we would e-teem it quite a pleasure to have
you, Mr. Editor, with us, also. Tier' will
be no essays read, or extensive discussions
entered iuto. We desire a few, pointed,
plain rmd instructive addresses, to stimulate
tho < dicers ard teachers, to encourage tbe
child:on, and to deepen tho interest of pa
rents in this glorious institution.
Our Sunday-schools are increasing in
numbers, as well as interest. I have organ
ized three more since cur District-meeting,
and Bro Ousley has done even bettor. We
are anticipating great results from our pro
posed celebration. May God prosper us in
our endeavors. S S Sweet.
Alexander, June, bill , 1869.
Help for China -A Proposition for tho
Ladies.
Mr. Editor: I have just seen in the
last Advocate Bro. Alien s letter to Dr.
Cuimyngham. Don’t you think wc might
raise the amount of §3OO extra of our
Missionary fund, to aid him in the pliu
with his paper ? I know there have been
many societies recently formed, to aid the
China Mission ; and every nerve is being
strained to meet the calls made. But. I
think something more can be done, to help
our noble Bro Allen in his endeavors to
enlighten that benighted nation. I wiii be
one of three hundred ladies, to give $1
each to raise the §3OO i'or Bro. Allen’s
paper. What do you think of the plan '(
t say “ladies,” but of course, if any of the
gentlemen wish to contribute, §1 —or even
more—we will accept their donations most
cheerfully; but surely there are three
hundred ladies in Georgia, who can and
will spare §1 to help the cause. Put, the
ball in motion, Mr Editor, and see it we
caunot help tha glorious cause, and give
Bro. Allen the means of circulating his
paper through that whole empire. Hop
ing it will prove a success, I am
Very respeotfnlly, 0. T.
Parsonage, May 25th, 186!*.
A Physician’s ProposittoL- -Who will
Respond ?
Mr. Editor: The physician must prac
tice his profession on Bunday, as upon oth
er days. He also charges and receives pay
for this Sabbath service, or rather I should
say, that such is my custom, and, I believe,
most if not all others of the fraternity do
likewise. From the proceeds of this Sun
day practice l enclose you ten dollars,
which you will please have applied to sup
port our China Missionary, Bro Allen.
Besides I propose to be one of twenty or
more physicians, who will give one fourth
part of all the practice done on Sunday,
from July Ist, 1869, to tamo date of 1870
—one year—to the support of Bro. Allen
and his eo workers in China
[ would state that I am entirely depen
dent upon my practice for support of my
self and family; but I will cheerfully give
the proposed amount, whether little or
muoh, to aid in this coble, yet, I fear
much neglected cause. B.
Is it Honest ?
Dear Bro. Buike: —Your dun was re
ceived. Enclosed find §5, (all I have,) a
present to me yesterday from a widow lady,
not a member of my charge Please give
me credit for it on my last year’s aocount
tor the Advocate, which was sent to sev
eral members who have never paid me. 1
subieribcd for them on my account early in
the year. They put me off all the year,
and I left the circuit unpaid. I have writ
ten back from this work, but get no answer.
000 ol these members, an ex officio steward,
elaan.deader, eto., 1 have learned recently,
served my predecessor the same way ; and at
the same time pays annually for his tobac
co, pipes, and matches, more than he docs
for his eloihing. He paid nothing last
y ar for the Bishop’s or Conference collto
tioa, Missions or quarterage, ar.d made his
pastor pay for his paper. 0 tempora ! 0
mores! B.
Eejiort of S a. Agent of So. Ga. Con
ference, for the Month of May.
I ended my April report at Macon.
From that, point I took my journey on
Monday, 26th, to St Douis, Miss uri—uieet
i ig my son Bishop Pierce, at Atlanta, on his
way to the meeting of the Bishops in 8t
Louis—taking in his route a Distriot-m; e -
ing at Augusta, Kentucky. We left At
lanta, on the night train for Chattanooga,
aid leaviug there next morning, reached
Nashville in tho afternoon, and spent two
hours at the Publishing House—left on the
ni(*ht train, and reached Louisville on
Wednesday morning at daylight. There I
lay up sick, in the house of the Hon. Janies
S. Lithgow, until the Tuesday following,
when the Bishop, having attended his meet
ing, returned to Louisville, and at 2 p. M.,
we left on the Indianapo it Railroad for
St Louis; leaving it at Seymour, we took
the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad to St.
Louis—arriving there VVedncsday morning
at 9 A. M.
The Bishops met Thursday—and continu
ed the meetings until Wednesday of next
week. Sunday morning T preached in the
Chapel of St. John’s Churoh. This is a
new church ed flee, of great beauty—cost
ing about §IOO,OOO It was dedicated in
the afternoon of that day, by Bishop
Pierce, assisted by all his colleagues. It
was a glorious occasion—as I learned from
others. I was too unwell to be present.
On Monday at 3 p m , the cornor-stone
0 the new Centenary Church was laid
with suitable religious ceremonies—the
Bishops all present. I was unable to bo
there, as the services required standing up
more than I could endure, as I had to
preach that night at First Church. This I
did with much difficulty, being hoarie,
with a bad cold, and the abundance of
lime dust, for which the Btreets of St. Louis
are notoriously famous. I was on the eter
nal counsels of Godhead, in our creation
and redemption. It was well received as I
understand. In my estimation, it was only
moderate. For once, I enjoyed the advant
age of preaohing to an audience that could
not compare mo with myself. But if a
brighter pathway was opened up into the
mind of God —to Him bo all the glory.
Thursday I left St Louis, in company
with many others, on the O. and M. Rail
road, to Odon, where we—my son and my
self—took the Illinois Central Railroad to
Cairo —thence on the steamer to Columbus,
Ky., where we took tho cars again, on the
M. and 0 Railroad to Humbolt—making
close connection with tho Louisville and
Memphis Railroad for Memphis. Sunday,
May 16th, I preached here for the first
time in my life, in the morning, for Dr
Mann, at night for Bro. Petway. I was
sick, but the Lord sustained and comforted
me. Tuesday the 18th, I opened the great
Commercial Convention with prayer—at
night, preached again for Dr Mann. This
I did again on Thursday night Sunday
the 23d, I preached at Central Churoh in
the morning, and at night at Second St
Church again, Dr. Mann’s charge. Here
I had an audience of which a vain mau
might have been proud. But as it was, I
felt humbled. My voice was impaired by
my long standing cold and hard cough
My audience I fear, was not well rewarded
in the matter of good pulpit oratory. 1
gave them however a portion of my enter
tainment upon “tho fellowship of the mys
tery’’—the most interesting of the topics
now engaging the attention of liberal mind
ed ministers. There is in our holy religion
an element of fellowship, which places
every real Christian upon equal footing in
the Lord’s family. But it is not in confir
mation, quote! fr-m Apostolio succession,
nor from any canonized mode of baptism.
It is in ju-'itienion by simple faith in
Christ—bo simple, that it counts everything
else out, in order to oount Christ in. And
"Vol.xxxii. No, Q4z.
whenever it meets with a soul in Christ by
the faith that justifies the ungodly, it owns
the fel’owship of the mvstery —and does not
wait to splice the kindred law of Christ s
family, with meats that cannot make the
comers thereunto perfect.
Monday, 24 h, 1 left, for Georgia—reach
ed Atlanta next day a* 21* M. — was seized
wi’h an irregular chill of some sort —was
very sick —called iu Dr. Bor mg, who soon
broke up the evil oateuat 0 1, so that on
Thursday—ty the Doctor's consent— l left
for the Amenous District meeting, then in
sei-si.in th re. Was sick all the way, and
lay over that night at the College, my loog
loved incidental 1 ome. Friday 1 reached
Americus, too techie to enjoy the delibera
tions of the meeting Saturday however,
I tried to preach ou a little haven leaven
eth the whole lump, aa used by St. Paul.
1 Cor. v. 6—(eking the high ground that
the world do- s us no inju tice when it fixes
the moral statu* ol the Church at the lowest
level of morality allowed in the Church.
1 say allowed in the Church. Individuals
may pass as divine currency, but the Churoh
is reprobate silver.
Sunday morning they had a mellow love
feast, but, poor me ! 1 was too feeble to be
present, as 1 had agreed to preach again at
the morning hour, which I did to a densely
crowded audience, from Rom. xii. 1. 2.
Oh ! what a text, in the hands of an able
budied and divinely inspired minister; but
alas ! tor me, I perhaps might have been at
fault, in the inspiration gift, whilo in bodi
ly weakness I abounded L was sorry for
my large, patient and respectful audienee.
They deserved an abler sermon, but looked
as if they were well satisfied with mine,
as it was not so much the effect of incorn
petency as of a worn-out machine. They
gave me a clever little calko ion, and would
likely have done more, if I had been able
tr do better.
Iq the afternoon we had a Sunday-sohool
celebration, which 4 hope will never be
omitted at a District-meeting. It was a
pleasing success Brothers Johnson and
Cook delivered able and appropriate addres
ses. Then I followed with one of my old
fashioned, odd fashioned talks, which one
very competent brother said he regarded
my best speech—whioh all my friends will
see left me no where, exerpt in my own
company. All my other speeches might
have been so poor, as to leave this at no very
high point. But he was in earnest —and
ns ( was sick, and felt rather distanced any
how, 1 was glad of a littlo of this sort of
champagne.
The Amcrieus Sunday school is an honor
to all its patrons and teachers, and scholarr.
L. Fierce, S. S. Agent.
Americus, Ga , The Rev. J. B. Mo-
Gehee writes, June 4‘h : —Wc are having
services every day at 8 A. M, and 81 P. M
The prayer-meeting is growing in numbers
and interest. Seriousness iB taking hold
of our community. Some are seeking sal
vation ltevs. R. W. Dixon, Turner and
Jordan, arc fully enlisted. We regret that
Bro. Anthony’s condition prevents him
from taking any public part. However, he
wss present this morning, and may yet
lend a helping hand. The work should go
on. If assaults fail we must resort to sapj
ping and mining.
Savannah. Ga.—The liev. G. G. N.
MaoDonell writes, June Ist—We are mov
ing on pleasantly in our work, with some
indications of good result?. Sunday night
I received three promising young mer : nto
the church, and have several other appli
cants who will bo attended to in due time.
The Conference of the Bishops.
A private letter from Bishop Morris to
Bishop Janes was rrad by the latter in the
i torview at St. Louis. The College of
Bjsiups did not feel at liberty to submit it,
as po rt of the official correspondence. We
find it published with the correspondence
in tho New York Christian Advocate, and
though immaterial to tho issue, we lay it
before our readers :
Springfield, Ohio, May 4, 1869.
Rev Bishop E Sr Janes, D D.
Dear Brother : If I remember rightly,
this is the week in which you expeot to
v'sit St. Louis on important business of
the Church. I regard it as complimentary
to myself that I was appointed to accom
pany you on that benevolent and interest
ing mission, and regret that it is not con
venient for me to execute that mission in
person, but trust that my alternate will mote
than supply my lack of service.
For three weeks pa*t our family have all
had enough to fid our heads and hands and
hearts to overflowing; one rosult is, the
health of Mrs Morris is mere feeble and
more precarious than usual. This is the
chief cause of my failure to appear.
Please accept this explanation ar,d excuse
my absence.
The official letter of the Bishops of tho
Methodist Episcopal Churoh to the Rev.
Bishops of tho Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, not only bears my official signature,
but it, has my personal approval. 1 believe
it accords with the action of our last Gen
cril Conference. I als> think it judicious
and opportune, and trust that beneficial re
sults may follow.
If you have any opportunity to address
the Reverend Episcopal Board in St. Louis
in person, please present them collectively
with my fraternal greetings.
Praying that the Lord may direct them
and us in all things to his glory and the
general good of all opnoerned, I am, dear
colleague, respectfully and fratornally yours
ever, T A. Morris.
The same paper also publishes the fol
lowing item, eccuring after the reading of
the communications :
After a few remarks by Bishops Janes
and Simpson, and a brief reply by Bishop
Paine, Bishop Janes proposed prayer. This
was favorably responded to by Bishop
Paine, who invited Bishops Wightman and
Janes to load in such devotions, after which
the interview closed.
It might be added that the two Bishops
left St. L uis the same afternoon, request
ing the reply to be sent to Bishop Morris,
at Springfield, Ohio —a manuscript copy of
which was accordingly sent. — Nashville
Christian Advocate.
From the Christian Neighbor.
Marion District Meeting.
The officials of this seotiou of the South
Carolina Conference met at Darlington,
May 27 ; Bishop Wightman presiding, and
supported by Rev. Dr. Boyd, Presiding
Elder. The opening sermon on the pre
ceding evening was preached by Rev. G.
H Wells.
President Shipp was present, represent
ing the interests of Wofford College, and
Rev. W. Martin, representing Washington
Street Church, and Rev. S. Leaid, Agent
fur tho Sunday school cause, were also
present. B* sides opening the session of
each day witdi worship, a sermon was
preached at 11 a. m , and another at night.
One sermon from Dr. Shipp and two trom
the Bishop completed a good series of dis
courses during the meeting. A good state
of feeling prevailed throughout the meet
ing Two applications for church member
ship wero received, one child baptized.
Rev. S. J. Price was ordained elder The
Sundry-school meeting, Sabbath afternoon,
was large and interesting. A sermon by
the Rov. S. heard closed the services on
Sunday, but the meeting was protracted
into the next day Jas. F Caraway, Rev.
C. D. llowcll, W. W. Mooro and N. S.
Rogers were eleoteu delegatcsDßk the An
nual Conference; alternates were not re
ported. Observer.
Wofford College.—AVe learn, says tho
Chrisuau Neighbor, from President Shipp,
an route from Marion District meeting, that
the favor expressed in that region, in ac
cordance with the Conference plan, toward
Woff 'rd in material aid and in the promise
of enlarged patronage ia the coming fall,