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102
Jbuijjern Christian
MACON, GEORGIA, JUNE 25, 1869.
Our Church m Washington City.
A recommendation from our Bishops is
not a law, and nobody is compelled under
penalties to observe it. But when they do
recommend any thing to the Church it
ought to be considered wise counsel —
prompted by some knowledge of facts, that
may be unknown to others, yet of sufficient
force to impel to the action they recom
mend.
Thus the Bishops, when at St. Louis re
cently, looked into the history and wants of
our Church in Washington City and rec
ommended, that on the 4th day of July,
proximo —a collection should be taken up
in every congregation in our connection, to
help pay for our house of worship of Wash
ington City. Wc ought to have a metro
politan church there. Southern Methodists
in that city are struggling against great odds
to give a church to her people, when called to
visit or reside there. To be unrepresented
there by a church would be discreditable.
The church is built and dedicated. It
is not, therefore an uncertain enterprise,
that may fail of completion. What is now
wanted is money to relieve the purchasers
from the debt they have contracted.
The following account of the dedication
is from the last number of the Baltimore
Episcopal Methodist:
The dedication of Mount Vernon Place
Episcopal Methodist Church in Washing
ton City came off on Sunday last. The
services were interesting and impressive
throughout.
Rev. Samuel Kelper read the Scripture
lesson; Rev. T. B. Sargent read the hymn
selected for the occasion, and Rev. John
Poisal made the opening prayer.
The Rev. Wm. E. Munsey then followed
with a sermon of extraordinary ability, elo
quence and power. The Rev. A. W. Wil
son preached in the afternoon with his ac
customed clearness and unction, a most ap
propriate sermon for the occasion, and the
Rev. R. A. Holland occupied the pulpit at
night, in a discourse which fully sustained
the reputation of this eminent young min
ister. It was a masterly production, and
made a profound impression upon the vast
assemblage. The congregations were large,
crowding every part of the edifice, and
hundreds of people were obliged to leave
lor want of accommodation. The Church
is one of the largest and most elegant pla
oes of worship in the National Capital, and
reflects the highest credit upon Rev. Wm
V. Tudor, the popular and indefatigable
pastor, and the noble poeple of his charge.
We shall give a full account of the Church
and other interesting particulars hereafter.
The collections amounted to several thou
sand dollars—s2,ooo having been contri
buted by four gentlemen alone. Altogeth
er it was a great day in the Metropolis and
a grand investment for the cause of Evan
gelical Methodism throughout the country.
As to Dr. Munsey, that great preacher
was even more unique and eloquent than
usual. Although but thirty-five years of
age, he has the matured worn look of the
patient toiler and the fiery genius that he
is. A pale, thin face and delicate attenua
ted form indioated muoh debility, but his
calm blue eyes, bright and piercing, were
full of energy and intelligence. The pro
found philosophical significance and range
of his effort were beyond the compass of
this article. The ono hour and twenty
minutes of his discourse seemed fraught
with a life of study. There was logic as
severe as the processes of mathematics—
exegesis showing a profound knowledge of
the Scriptures—philosophy bas&d on sci
ence and illuminated by revelation—above
all, these rare qualities united to a creative
imagination so weird and yet so true and
beautiful—so wildly untamable and yet so
eompleteiy under the control of the magical
orator.
The immense audience of the intelli
gence and wisdom of the Capital hung spell
bound and trembling on his lips, and the
burning tones of the orator broke the
charged silence like a voice from heaven.
Everything at first sight seems to be
against Dr. Munsey—his emaciated and
bony form—his careless gait, his neglected
costume, his sharp, clear voice wanting
depth and sweetness—his careless and an
gular gestures, and his patent disregard of
the graces—but all these are forgotten in
gazing upon that noble face, so full of vi»
tality and intelligence—forming a profile
of the purest Grecian antique.
Ilis sermon at the dedication will be an
era in the history of our people at Wash
ington, and starts it with a grand impulse
in the van of the ohurches of that great
city.
The same paper says :
Wo respectfully remind the preachers of
the request of the Bishops to take up col
lections in all our Churches on the first
Sunday in July, to assist the builders of
our new Church at Washington. A few
persons of moderate means, quietly went
to work and built it; not only of the size
necessary for themselves, but large enough
to accommodate many strangers. The cost
of the church has been seventy thousand
dollars; and of this, before asking for as
sistance, our friends in Washington provid
ed forty thousand. They have a right to
expect the rest from the country at large.
Now our fear is that preachers whose ap
pointments can furnish only a few dollars
will not consider it worth while to take up
the collection, but thousands of small sums
are just what the Church wants. A few
dollars from each congregation, which they
would not miss, will pay all claims upon the
Washington Church. Please pay attention
to this matter.
There is force here—“a few dollars from
every congregation’’ will do the work. Now
we shall see two things on “Independence
Day’’—l. How many preachers comply
with a suggestion coming from their “chief
pastors.’’ 2. Whether—when the “under
shepherds’’ make a suggestion to their flocks
—involving the gift of a little money—
the members of the flock comply with that
suggestion. Then we shall have solved an
important question, viz : which pay tfce
most respect to the counsels of those set
over them—the pastors to their “chief
shepherds,” or the people of the flock to
their pastors. Here is good room for the
pastors to apply to themseves that word :
“As ye will, that men should do unto you,
do ye also to them ’’
With that word pressing upon them, as
the pastors look down on their flocks, how
can it be, that they can neglect their duty
to their chief pastors.
What Riches Cannot Buy.
Earthly riches play an insignificant part
in the procurement of the true happiness
either of this or the next world. As has
been justly said they cannot “buy peace of
mind, genius, beauty, learning, wit, or even
love.’’ The mere statement of this truth,
flashes conv’ction on every mind not im
bruted by the lust of wealth. Here are
the principal rewards of a well-aimed life,
but they aie at the command of the poor as
well as of the rich. Nay, while the poor
man may revel in them without purohase,
the rich man cannot buy one of them with
all his fortune. *
Ignorance the Mother of Unbelief.
The same character of unbelief now dis
tinguishes a prejudiced and depraved world,
as that which caused the complaint of our
Saviour against the Nazarites, and the
same results follow it. Unbelief is the ef
fect of wilful spiritual blindness. The
spiritual, not the natural, ignorance of the
Nazarites caused them to reject the good
offices of Christ. Their pride and blind
ness together, operated to prevent all clas
ses of the unfortunate diseased and afflict
ed from receiving benefit from his miracu
lous power.
Nor should it be forgotten that our Sa
viour worked no miracle save as a reward or
confirmation to a faith specially and deoi
dedly crediting his divinity. No Nazarene,
or other person, could demand a cure from
him, who did not confess that he was the
Christ. To prove this necessary truth was
the sole object of his mighty works, and
without this particular faith, expressed or
implied, none of them were performed.
The spiritual ignorance of the Nazarites
was a consequence of their want of knowl
edge of the Scriptures. They had Moses
and the prophets, but were ignorant of
what they taught concerning Christ. This
charge the Saviour made against the Jews
generally and repeatedly; and the same
charge lies against the nominal Christian
world now. Those who were converted to
Christianity, immediately saw that Jesus
fulfilled the prophetic requirements of the
character and mission of the Messiah, and
with zeal and success entered on the de
fence of their faith by elaborately adducing
the testimony of the Scriptures. The un
belief of the scoffer of this day, grows out
of his ignorance of the Bible.
Without so much as examining it, even
cursorily, or reading a single work point
ing out the minutefulfillme.it of the most
wonderful predictions relating to ancient
opulent cities and nations, or one wotk
showing the exact agreement of the par
ticulars of the history of Christ with
prophecies pointing to and preceding his
advent by centuries—ignorant masses arro
gantly pronounce them uninterpretable—
incomprehensible—if not impositions and
fables; when, if they would study them,
with the abundant aids at their command,
they would soon be overwhelmed with the
force of the conviction that the Bible and
its religion are divine. *
Death or an aged Negress. —A cor
respondent tolls us of the death of an old
negro woman in Darlington, S. C., at the
advanced age of 110 years. Her name was
Rose—formerly the property of Jacob
Mims, Esq. He says that she was a faith
ful Methodist, and would give vent to her
feelings under stiring sermons, by shouting
aloud the praise of God, for the last fifty
years, and how much longer the writer dots
not know. She was industrious and ener
getic to the last.
A Pious and Patriotic Legislator.
—A private letter from a friend in Talla
hassee, Fla., says—“ Our Legislature is
holding an extra session. I have just been
to the Assembly Ilall. There was a reso
lution before the House, to adjourn on
next Friday. One negro, in opposing it,
sneered at the anxiety of members to get
home to their wives, and said, that his wife
might stay at home and starvo if necessary
‘l,’ said the sable orator, ‘will stay here and
protect God and the country.’ ’’ This is
the very best summary wo have seen, of
the modern ecclesiastico-political platform.
Leave the suffering at your own door to
die —while you go off “to protect God and
the country.”
Tiie Texas Christian Advocate re
ports progress and prosperity, by expand
ing—a very good sign. The paper is con
siderably enlarged. It occupies a most im
portant field ; and the five Conferences in
Texas ought to be able to give it a hand
some support.
“Every Month.’’— This is published at
New York, containing weekly a sermon of
Dr. Deems—and the subscription price—
sl a year—is expended in its circulation.
See notioo elsewhere of sermons of Dr.
Deems, for sale by T. W. Brown, the Edi
tor.
Athens District-meeting —We ar?
requested to call attention to the fact that
this meeting is to be held early, 14th Ju
ly. It will be well for those interested to
note that the time is not distant.
Camspn&ence.
Philadelphia Correspondence.
The engrossing subject of discussion in
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at present,
is that of lay representation, upon the
adoption or rejection of which, every church
is required to take a vote some time during
the present month. The last General Con
ference (Chicago, ’68,) adopted a series of
resolutions, providing for lay representa
tion, in that body, although no action was
taken looking toward the extension of the
system to the Annual Conferences. By the
proposed plan, the General Conference is
to consist of both clerical and lay delegates,
the former holding the present ratio, aDd the
latter to consist of two laymen from each
Annual Conference, except such as are en
titled to but one ministerial delegate, in
which case the two delegations are to be
equal. The lay delegates are to be chosen
by an electoral conference of laymen, to be
held on the third day of the session of the
Annual Conference, immediately preceding
the assembling of each General Conference.
The electoral conference is to consist of
one layman from each station or circuit in
the Annual Conference, to be selected by
the las; quarterly conference, immediately
preceding the meeting of the electoral con
ference. No layman can be selected as a
delegate to either Conference who is nnder
twenty-five years of age, and has not been
a member ot the church for five consecu
tive years preceding the time of his elec
tion. It is further provided that when the
General Conference thus made up is in ses
sion, two thirds of the whole number of
ministerial and lay delegates shall consti
tute a business quorum. Both are to sit
and deliberate as one body, but when one
third of the delegates of either order shall
demand a separate vote on any question, it
must be taken, and in such case both bran
ches of the Conference must concur to make
the action complete.
Such is the plan for lay representation
upon which the different churches are now
deliberating.
The vote must be taken on some day
other than Sunday, during the current
month, the time being agreed upon by the
pastors of the churches, twenty days notice
being first given. At the election, each
and every member in full connection, not
less than twenty-one years of age, male or
female, is entitled to a vote. Many of the
ladies who have voted, have sent in their
names by proxy.
At the next session of each Annual Con- 1
ference subsequent to these elections, the
Bishop presiding is required to submit an
amendment to the constitution of the
church, providing for the election of two
lay delegates, as above set forth.
It is then provided in the resolutions
adopted by the last General Conference,
that if a majority of all the votes cast by
the people, be in favor of lay representa
tion, and if three-fourths of all the mem
bers of all the Annual Conferences present,
and voting upon the question shall vote in
favor of the proposed change, the next
General Conference, can complete and rati
fy the measure by a two-thirds vote.
The last General Conference was com
posed of 229 members. If lay delegates
had been admitted on tbe basis of the pro
posed plan, they would have numbered 105
or less than one-third of the whole num
ber.
But the privilege of demanding a sepa
rate and concurrent vote will enable the
lay branch of the General Conference to
exercise an equal power with that wielded
by the ministerial delegates; but at the
same time it will enable a bare majority of
the latter delegates to defeat any obnoxious
measure which might receive the support
of the entire lay delegation, as well as that
of a large proportion of the ministerial
delegation by the agency of this separate
vote. Thus you will see the power is very
evenly balanced between the two classes ot
delegates.
The result of the vote thus far has been
remarkably favorable to the success of the
movement, but one church having cast a ma
jority vote against its adoption, while in one
other only was there a tie. The only church
in this city which has voted is “Nazareth,’’
140 in favor to 32 against. So far as heard
from throughout the country, twenty-seven
churches have voted, with a result of 2368
for lay delegation and 266 against.
From this it will be seen that the vote
thus far cast is a very light one, the oppo
nents being especially lukewarm in the
matter. Nazareth Church of this city
which east a total vote of 172 has a mem
bership of 520, only one-third of whom
cared to express their opinion upon the
question. Asa large number of members
have no vote, lacking the requisite qualifi
cation of age, the number entitled to a
vote is much less than 520, but probably at
the least, fully double the number actually
voting. The vote of Grace Church, Wil
mington, (Del.,) was 153, which is consid
erably more than half its full membership,
285.
This is the all absorbing topic in Metho
dist circles, and will continue to be during
the summer months. The new system has
to pass through a fiery ordeal, that of the
Annual Conference, but whatever fate it pre
viously might have had in the Philadelphia
Conference, the disgraceful actions of the
Presiding Elders have rendered its passage
doubly certain and sure. Heaven speed
the right.
The Book trade is growing lively between
the competition of several ioading houses.
Anew firm has sprung into existence in
this city, composed of active, intelligent
and sound business men. Turner Brothers,
publish that magnificent gem of winter
poesy “The Beautiful Snow,” about which
there has been considerable criticism, as to
who was the rightful heir to the praise of
the public. Mr. Watson established his
claim, and this new firm, publish it in very
neat style. An admirer of Edgar Poe’s
Raven, will not wonder why this poem has
reached such a great sale.
The Turner Brothers will run a tilt
against New York houses in producing all
the works of popular authors, and the re
production of such books as “Madame De-
Chamblay,”— ‘Only Temper,” eto., etc.,
works of rare merit, show keen discern
ment upon the part of these publishers
which will soon give them a moro than
national reputation. Chidona.
Philadelphia, June 13.
A Trip to Texas and Back—No. IV.
Mr. Editor : —My last letter left me at
Port Lavaca, incidentally referring to Vic
toria. Having some acquaintames living
some 150 miles in the interior, and being
anxious to see somewhat of this country, I
set out all alone. In making the trip, I
passed through Victoria, Dewitt, Gonzales,
and Hays counties.
These counties are considered particular
ly desirable by the Texans, from the fact
that they are better supplied with water
than many other sections. The San Marcos
river heads at the town by that name, in
Hays co., and running almost due south,
thirty or forty miles, through the same
county, it empties into the Guadeloupe.
The latter river passes through Gonzales,
Dewitt and Victoria counties, emptying it
self into the Gulf some thirty miles below
Lavaca. I was in sight of these streams
almost the whole journey—orossing them
at different points not less than a half doz
en times. Without a doubt, the lands upon
these water courses are splendid The soil
is very black, and when dry, remarkably
friable. When seasonable, it is no uncom
mon thing for the farmer to raise from fifty
to seventy-five bushels of corn, and from a
bale to a bale and a half of cotton per acre.
So far as depth and richness of soil is
concerned, it would be hard to say too
much, and if all else were equal, I know of
no country more desirable than this for
farming purposes. And just here, let me
say, I am afraid many writers do wrong,
and it grows out of the fact mainly that
they write from a prejudiced stand-point.
They see all the advantages and none of the
disadvantages, or all the disadvantages and
none of the advantages. Now, I profess
to be a disinterested party; for although I
went to Texas and returned, my return was
not the result of any dislike to the country,
but was altogether the result of a cause pre
ceding my going I say, then, so far as my
knowledge of Texas extends, there are many
things which when summed up make it a very
desirable country to live in; while at the
same time, there are many things which,
to me are very objectionable. Let us sum
up. In the first piace, we have land, which
for productiveness, is unexcelled on the
continent. In the next place, we have
almost a boundless range for stock, and as
a necessary consequence an unlimited quan
tity of these, together with corresponding
cheapness. (Let the reader take notice,
that I am speaking of Western Texas, and
not the State at large.)
On the other hau % while the land is very
rich, droughts are so prevalent and destruc
tive, in a large portion of this part of the
State, that scarcely any one tries to farm,
and when they do, crops are very uncertain.
It seems too, that cotton is peculiarly sub
ject to disaster. A friend of mine told me
that they did not make here a full crop of
cotton, on an average, more than one year
in every five ; but they say that in that one
year they make more than we do in five—
and it must be confessed that there is some
truth in the remark.
The great scarcity of water in the sum
mer is a very serious objection to the coun
try. Some years there is great suffering
among the stock, for want of water. One
gentleman told me, that he had to drive his
stock, some years ago, a hundred and fifty
miles to get them to water and grass.
Another very serious objection to a man
to farm in this country is, the great scarci
ty of timber. I rode one hundred and fifty
miles without seeing a single tree that a
Georgia farmer would think of cutting
down for rails, house-logs, or, indeed, for
any thing except fire-wood. You say, “how
then do they enclose their lands ?” Well,
they do it in a great many ways. Some of
them make rails out of their little shrub
by post oaks, getting only one out, eight
feet long from a single tree. I saw no
hedging, and was told that it would not do,
owing to the droughts. There is considera
ble cedar growing on the range of moun
tains running through Hays co., and a great
deal of the fencing, for twenty and thirty
miles off, is procured from here—the rails
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
costing from 835 to S4O a thousand. I be
lieve, as a general thing, Western Texas is
healthy. Indeed, I can see no cause for
it to be otherwise.
Os all the country I saw, while in Texas,
I like the San Marcos country the best
The lands in Hays co., are magnificent, and
but for its liability to droughts and the bar
renness of timber, I know of no country
more desirable. San Marcos town—the
county town—is a beautiful place. Loca
ted right at the head of the river by that
name, it has an inexhaustible supply of
water for every practicable purpose Society
is excellent. We have a large, flourishing
church. Indeed, it is a Methodist town;
and the San Marcos circuit, composed of
three churches, is as prominently known
in the West Texas Conference, as any sta
tion in the No. Ga. Conference. There are
a number of Georgia families living in this
community, all of whom, I believe, are
staunch Methodists.
I refer to these brethren specially, be
cause it was peculiarly refreshing, when far
away from all who Jknew me, to meet
with those who, while they knew nothing
of me, could talk about those with whom I
was acquainted. I refer to Bros. Pitts,
Mathews, Davis, and others. Bro. Pitts,
particularly could tell me much of the
early days of Methodism in Georgia. And
now, I have about gone through with what
I have to say about Texas as a desirable
country to emigrate to ; I have this to say
to any who may be thinking about going.
Make up your mind before you start to
submit to all sorts of privations and depri
vations. There are hundreds of little things
which you think of no importance here,'
but which, when you get out there, will
seem to be of the first importance. When
you get there, you will think of all the good
things you left behind, and forget all tbe
bad. It is estimated by those who are
there, that a large proportion of those com
ing from the old States are dissatisfied for
the first year or two, and many of them
return during that time. In my next I
will speak of the morals of the country.
Fraternally, W. C. Dunlai*.
Atlanta , June 6,1869.
“Three Thousand in One Day.”
Mr. Editor : —Strange things happen in
these, our days, among which is the frater
nal offer of the Bishops of the Northern
Church, which they would not, in all pro
bability have made, if they had heard of
the great success attending the efforts of
one presiding elder, Spilman, and his as
sistant Powell, who report about three thou
sand added to the Methodist Episcopal
Churoh, in one day, in Burke oounty, Ga,
“taking up their line of march for
happy land.’’ A goodly number, if true!
The number, however, speaks well for the
M. E. Church, South, as these—many or
few—with rare exceptions belonged to her
communion, in the days of slavery. They
are now called “outcasts,” destitute,’’ etc.
How oame they to be outcasts, do you ask ?
They were made so by evil and designing
men. These negroes were served after the
emancipation, by Bro. Lanier, a worthy,
faithful minister of the gospel, of the So.
Ga. Conference, who was fully able to have
properly instructed them. They were per
suaded, however, to leave our church and
join the Zion Methodist Church. This
act threw them without the pale of our in
fluence ; and, without places of worship,
without intelligent ministers to preach to
them, “one Adam Palmer (col.) was made
presiding elder, who organized them the
best he could, licensing preachers and ex
horters.’’ This organization was kept large
ly together by color and by hate to the
southern whites—tbe hate being constantly
fed by emissaries from the land where thap
manufacture Governors and
the South. From the same communica
tion from which the above is taken, (Meth
odist Advocate, Atlanta,) I learn that about
six months ago, Spilman and Powell came
among these “outcasts and darkly benighted
ones.” The purpose of their coming was
as little understood by these deluded ne
groes, as was the serpent’s coming to Eve
in the Garden of Eden. They come wear
ing the livery of heaven, to serve a selfish
end —as events show. The first thing to be
done by these reverend gentlemen was to
get a foothold. As reliable a man of color
as there is in the county, a strong, leading
radical, and a member of Zion Churoh, re
ports the history thus : It was soon seen
that Adam Palmer needed anew suit of
clothes, and money to buy them is given
him ; that he ought not to work at his
trade any longer, and a proposition is made
to give him $25 a month to relieve him of
this necessity, with additional promise that
next year all the ministers should have
like sum. Such kindness won mightily
upon Palmer’s affections. The result Hhs
as you might have expected. Palmer calls
all his churches together at Waynesboro, to
hold a Conference as the communication
referred to states. He made a speech—a
very telling one as results show—one very
much like those the negroes have been
gulled with, ever since emancipation. He
called the Methodist Episcopal Church,
North, the “Mother Church.” May the
Lord deliver the Southern people from the
Mother Church, which gives birth to such
specimens of humanity as now infest these
southern lands. He also stated, that there
was ooming along shortly a man with a
great book under his arm, and every name
that was in that book, would get a salary,
at which announcement many shouted,
“bless God’’ —arising to their feet, slapping
their hands with great gusto. What sala
ry means, can alone be ascertained by cur
rent reports. I would say that Spilman
and Powell both were present, and did not
attempt to correct the speaker. Salary
may mean, “land and a mule’’—that old
tale now threadbare. I know this much,
in less than one week after this gathering
it was currently reported that on the fourth
Sunday, two Sundays after meeting, Old
Church (one of the churches in my charge,)
doors would be opened and the negroes
should be put in possession of it; in fact
that all the churches and parsonages should
be given to them. These preachers, stew
ards, exhorters and representative men pre
sent, in view of so great benefits, joined
the “Mother Church.” Unfortunately for
these reverend gentlemen, the agreement
between the Mother Church and themselves
leaked out. I suppose they were co part- 1
ners. I have been informed that at the
recent term of our Court at this place, cer
tain parties endeavored to obtain a true bill
against Rev. Powell for swindling. They
alleged that he, Powell, obtained a dollar a
head from our “Mother!” for every mem
ber he proselyted into her communion.
Henoe, the large number reported. Three
thousand in one day—quite a nice sum of
money—three thousand dollars. They failed
to obtain a true bill—being unable to prove
the paying and the receiving of the money.
The Grand Jury did find a true bill against
him, for carrying concealed weapons; ’ so I
am informed. 4
In conclusion, let me ask you what you
think of carrying a decent church into an
organized association with such a churoh as
these missionaries represent ?
I have thought it due the churoh, that a
statement of tbis affair should be made. I
have spared no labor in seeking correct and
reliable statements. I could have given it
more satisfactorily by giving names. I
dare not do it, lest parties should be mobbed,
if not murdered, by these proselytes of
these two deeply interested clergy of “Moth
er Church.’’ N. B. Ousley.
Waynesboro, June 3, 1869.
Well Invested.
Editor Advocate: Please find enclosed
SI.OO, for the China Mission. I give this
mite under the firm conviction that even
the mite loaned unto the Lord, will yield a
quick return of vastly greater interest than
the principal invested in his cause.
Yours respectfully.
M. E.( M.
Letter from California.
Mr. Editor: You are at liberty to pub
lish such extracts from the enclosed letters
as you think will gratify the wishes of your
numerous readers.
It is due to Dr. Thomas, to say, that
these two letters were private familiar
epistles written to me with no purpose to
have them published. On a slip in the
last letter the writer suggests to me, that T
tjk at liberty to make such extracts as I
Jttflge will be of interest to the public, and
“send them to Dr. Myers, with an apology
to him, for not having up to this time furs
nished him as promised, with an article or
articles for the S. C. Advocate,” as he (Dr.
¥.,) has been so pressed for time in the
midst of the many claims on him. He
begs you to accept these extracts in lieu of
the promised articles at least for the present.
Wm. J. Parks.
Oxford, June 11<A, 1869.
_ The first letter is dated at Vacaville,
October 1868, and after saying something
purely personal to his correspondent, Dr.
Thomas, continues :
J am beginning to feel that I am fairly
domiciled in California. It was an arduous
undertaking for a man at my time of life,
and in my infirm health, to emigrate so far,
with a view of beginning life anew, with
nothing but my little of learning, reputa
tion, talents and the promise of a plaoe to
work in, away off among strangers. My
Condition was the more embarrassing, be
"cause it required more than a usual share
ts energy and address to meet the public
xpeotations that were naturally awakened,
by the fact of my being imported across an
entire continent for a special work, and
that work known here, to be one of great
difficulty and delicacy—as there was a con
flict of opinion and feeling respecting my
predecessor, who was ejected from the Col
lege by the majority party. He had warm
friends here who were dissatisfied with his
removal, and who, no doubt, were fully
oommitted in advance to the policy and the
purpose of watching narrowly and of criti
cising severely the movements of the pres
ents incumbent. I was no sooner installed
in my place here, than I discovered that
great caution and watchfulness would be
needed in order to give satisfaction to all
parties.
Besides this—owiog to the defective or
ganization of classes, the number of reci
tations were greatly multiplied, making our
labors very heavy and devolving on the
President extra labor, and on a class of sub
jects, some of which I had not taught for
many years. My correspondence has been
enormously oppressive. My letter writing
has covered no doubt more than five hun
dred pages within the last eight months. I
have been several times called on to make
speeches—and in one instance I went 140
miles—and delivered a written speech near
ly one hundred pages long, as the Annual
Address at an Agricultural Fair.
I cannot pretend to say how well my
work has been done, but somehow or other
I have gone through with it, and have kept
up remarkably well—much better than I
should have anticipated had I foreseen what
was before me, when I left Georgia. My
labors, now, are growing muoh lighter, owing
in part to a better organization of the Col
lege classes and in part to the decrease in
letters of inquiry, and perhaps no little to
my becoming familiar with the duties of
my new position.
The numerical prosperity of the College
has been gradually improving, and the
community and students are now united in
their support of the government of the
College. Our leading students tell U 9 that
the young men were never so loyal to the
Institution as they arc at present. The
Board of Trustees have shoviei me great
kindness. They owned a house and lot,
which they sold to me at S2OOO. The
house was built two years ago. The house
and lot then cost SSOOO. Including the
dining-room and kitchen there are thirteen
rooms, all finished with hard plaster. The
lot contains two acres with fruit trees and
vineyard in bearing. A friend has added
two acres adjoining it, as a present —a most
beautiful building lot, if I choose to im
prove it separately. It is broadside the one
I live on, and fronting on a prominent
street, which makes the whole lot large and
very convenient. With a good home for
my family, paid for, my mind will be more
at rest than it was a year ago.
Better than all, the health of my family
was never so good. Mrs. Thomas enjoys
perfect health, and is well satisfied with our
now home. My own health has not been
so vigorous all the time as I could have de
sired. My system, as I expected it would,
has felt somewhat the shock produced by
so great a change, at my time of life. I
thought it would likely require one year to
adopt my system to a California climate.
Dr. Frank Thomas has felt the change
even more than I have. During a portion
of the time he has been quite feeble, and
so has Mary, his daughter. He has given
up his Professorship to Bro. Shaw, and is
practicing medicine.
Mike, [Dr. Thomas’s son,] has been at
work on a ranch, most of the summer, get
ting his board and S7O per month Hands
generally get from S4O to SSO per month.
M. has been doing an extra kind of work. A
good Methodist brother for whom he work
ed proposed to a partnership on his ranch
for the next year. The proprietor puts in
the land, stock, machinery, tools, seed, and
feeds everything. Mike simply furnishes
the labor and superintends the operation.
At the end of the year, they divide the gross
proceeds equally between tbem. The propri
etor pays every item of expense, but tbat for
labor out of his half of the crops. Mike
pays for the labor alone out of his half.
The ranch is very productive. It generally
yields from 30 to 50 bushels per acre.
There is a great deal of material in this
country which ought to belong to the
Southern Church, and it could be brought
in, if we had a few more first class men
here to take charge of our Districts and best
Stations. Any good preacher would be
supported even on our circuits. We need
faithful pastors, men who can not only
preach well, but who will visit families and
pray with them, and instruct the children.
In Sacramento, we have a neat church
and an interesting charge. On last Sab
bath two weeks ago, I spent the day in the
city and preached twice. Some of the
members of our church there, are very
wealthy—mostly Kentuckians, Missourians
and Texians.
One of the most interesting portions of
the State that I have seen is around Chico,
the place where I made the Agricultural
speech. There is in that region a large
area of rich farming land, and a dense pop
ulation of rich farmers. I spent a part of
my time there with Mr. Bidwell, the former
member to Congress from this State. He
is a ‘Rad,” but one of the cleverest of the
tribe. He was very polite and took espe
cial pains to make me feel at home. He is
a man of marvellous wealth and lives in a
magnificent stone palaoe, with every luxu
ry about him. At the end of the Railroad
25 miles from Chico, I met a fine outfit sent
down to meet me and take me to Chico.
When I was about to start back a gentle
man slipped into my hand five gold eagles,
giving me to understand that they did not
mean for me to work for nothing and
feed myself on the route. The articles on
exhibition were very fine. Particularly
the stock, fruit and farming tools and ma
chinery.
I also visited Napa oity in Napa valley,
an extensive and rich farming country.
But the most beautiful region that I
have been in is in Looonoma valley in Lake
county—nearly North of Vacaville, about
50 miles. The White Sulphur Springs are
in this valley. Their waters possess most
remarkable medicinal properties. They
are “a dead-shot” on rheumatism. Men
have gone there who had to be carried by
the hands of friends, from their carriage
into the house, and in three weeks they
have been running in the chase as active as
any man in the crowd. The water is so
hot, that it is as much as a man can do to
stand it at first. Indeed I was compelled
to get out of the bath twice before I could
so equalise the temperature of my body as
to bear it, and even then I suffered great
torture for a few minutes. I went up, more
on Dr. Frank’s account, than my own.
We remained there only ten days. He
gained t£h pounds and I gained six in that
short time.
We were as ravenous as grizly bears
while we were there. I never had properly
understood the word “sweat’’ until I went
into the hot water-bath at “Harbin Springs.’’
While there they told us some marvellous
stories about the virtue of the mineral
waters. As for instance a man, who had
rheumatism and could not walk a step, was
put in the bath, where he lay for several
hours. The third night after this, he went
to a ball and danced all night. In another
instance a man’s blood was so badly diseas
ed that his whole body was covered with a
shield of putrescence. This man drank
and bathed for a few weeks and was res
tored to perfect soundness.
I saw one man of whom it was told, that
he had been very dissipated, but having
used this water was renewed by it, although
a mere wreok when he went there. He was
hauling saw logs, some of them six feet
diameter when I saw him, and he was to
my eye, a perfect specimen of manly sym
metry and vigor.
These springs are in the neighborhood of
volcanic action. Close by them is an area
on the top of a mountain, embracing about
one hundred acres, on every part of whioh,
the warm vapor is issuing from apertures
and crevices in the ground—neither frost
nor snow were ever found on that moun
tain anywhere near that area. In the dead
of winter a man may lie down there and
sweat all night long.
Since the writing of my letters for the
Advocate, my mind has undergone some
changes upon certain points developed in
those letters. In the first place, there is
more sickness in some localities than I had
supposed from report. Excepting in the
valleys along waters, there is but little
fever of any kind. But in the Sacramento
Valley there is more of malarious fever than
I had supposed, and anywhore almost in
the State, there is a great prevalence of
epidemic diseases, as well as catarrhal af
fections, and a good deal of rheumatism, neu
ralgia, and other chronic diseases. Those
who have had torpid liver before coming
to this country, are apt to be dyspeptic af
ter coming over here, if they stop on the flat
lands, or visit them much after settling here.
Also those suffering with constitutional
pulmonary weakness are not apt to live
long in some localities. The mountain re
gions are however healthful for all classes
and temperaments. On the whole, there is
plenty of work here, for the medical pro
fession.
Moreover, the profits of farming are
rather more precarious than I supposed at
the time when I wrote my letters tor the
Advocate. It is only in certain localities
and on a certain description of land where
large profit can be relied on with certainty
If a man own a ranch of rich land, he may
be sure of ample profit. Sometimes on
rented land, if it boos tho best quality
men may realise good returns—but if the
season bo unpropitious, or grain oommand
only a moderate price, renters do not get
much income.
Farming altogether with hired labor and
on rented land is very perilous, provided it
be carried on extensively. Renters can
hardly expect to pay toll —pay for labor and
other expenses, with less than 20 bushels
per acre. I mean to say that it will require
20 bushels of wheat, per aore, to pay all
expenses from the seed to the sack, laid
down at warehouse or place of sale, if at
the same, the farmer have to pay one-fourth
rent—yet on the whole I consider this one
of tho best farming countries I ever saw,
and there arc thousands of men who grow
up from poverty to wealth in a few years,
on the profits of agriculture.
Young men who have been delicately
raised, and who are not able to do hard
work, ought not to emigrate to California
unless they have some capital or are quali
fied to teach school, or to practice one of the
learned professions. Young clergymen of
marked ability will do well hero. There
is no place where the people will bear a
heavier tax to be paid to splendid speaking
abilities. Men of the world, even deists,
will go in crowds to hear an eloquent man
preach, and take it on themselves to take
up collections in order to pay him. This
is more particularly true in the rural dis
tricts and in the mountains among the
miners.
The recent earthquake vibrations have
produced considerable excitement among
our coast population. Much damage was
done to property in San Francisco and ad
jacent towns. We felt it very sensibly
here, but no damage done in this vicinity.
The centre of vibration was about 40 miles
from Vacaville. In that vicinity the earth
cracked and vapor and steam issued from
the crevices with a strong sulphurous odor.
The same indications in that neighborhood
have attended all the previous “shakes’’
upon this coast. The locality spoken
of is South of Vacaville, and the level of
tbe country much lower than ours. Some
day there will be in that region a volcanic
upheaval This makes us feel pretty safe
in our neighborhood as there will not likely
be two craters so near to each other.
I have only made one visit to San Fran
cisco since I left there last winter There
is an immense amount of business done
there, and many men there who count their
wealth by millions I presented the claims
of our College to a few men ; most of them
responded. I raised in cash six hundred
dollars, and in promises several hundred
more. Most of the contributions were
from members of the Episcopal Church,
emigrants from Kentucky and South Caro
lina. I spent only a few days there. If I
could have remained there a few weeks, I
could have realised several thousand dol
lars, I think; I must repeat my visit at
some future time. J, R. Thomas.
[VVe will give extracts from the second
letter next week —Editor.]
Letter from China.
Mr. Editor : —I am glad to see there is
an increasing interest in our China mis
sion. A young minister in Virginia is, I
learn, preparing for this foreign mission
field. Should not every State send a mis
sionary and sustain him, as we feel that we
will sustain Bro. Allen from Georgia ?
But let us not forget this is the trial
year. What if we fail? Which will be
the Banner Conference ? What District,
Station, Circuit ? Ah ! you have already
published the Banner Sunday sohool.
And allow me to say, this is, I believe,
the best way to raise this mission fund!
Bro. Key’s Sunday-school has given us
the key note, and if every Sunday school in
the South Ga. Conference will just sing
through up to that key, wo will all strike
the grand chorus at our Conference anni
versary, of $2,000 or more for China.
Who shall sing, if not the children—of
the conversion of the heathen—of the vic
tories of the cross; yea, shout the glad ti
dings of salvation, while their noble stand
ard bearer shall eoho it in heathen China ?
The Brunswick District Juvenile Mis
sionary Society, is constantly on the re
cruit. I send you $25, as an earnest of
her forthcoming assessment, by the Con
ference anniversary.
I givo eaoh child on joining, a tract or
mission card, as certificate of membership,
asking them “to pray for Young J. Allen,
Missionary to China’’—hoping by this
means to engraft into their hearts the mis
sion oause, and imprint on their heads a
love for Georgia’s first, noble, zealous, Mis
sionary to China from our churoh, and
above all to keep him in their prayers, that
bis health may oontinue to be preserved,
and that the “word of God may have free
course and be glorified’’ among the heathen.
I send you some extracts from a letter
I have just received from Bro. Allen.
J. W. Simmons.
I begin to realize the fact that we are
being brought nigh unto you or you are
drawing nearer to us in China. Just think
of being absent far away here in this solita
ry, friendless, godless, heathen land for a
period of five or six years without even so
much as a single line duriDg all that time
from one of my old classmates—college
friends [and former most intimate Christian
oompanions. It was rather more than I
bargained for, and has proved a little the
most trying part of my Missionary experi
i enoe. You must not blame me therefore,
if I quite concluded that my Conference
had forgotten me and with me all knowl
edge of the existence of such a thing as the
China Mission.
Better times have now come—for which
I am abundantly thankful—l no longer
feel cast off, forgotten, abandoned, alone,
but as a member of a living body, revived,
and full of vigor and hope for the future.
There is now some prospect of the China
Mission becoming an efficient reality—and
taking its deserved rank among others la
boring for the conversion of these innume
rable and miserable heathen of the east.
We greatly need more laborers and I do
earnestly pray that the noble example of
the two Georgia Conferences may have the
effect of provoking abundantly the love and
good works of the other Conferences. Our
church is capable of taking and occupying
a fore frput position in China. She is
eminently adapted by her economy and or
ganization, to do a vast amount of the pio
neering that is still necessary to the com
plete occupation of the country. Practi
oally every mission here is Methodist in its
operations. The system works well, but
requires laborers. Other churches or mis
sions are receiving constant reinforcements.
Last evening we had six new arrivals at
our house to dinner. Three for the A. B
C. F. M. and three for the Presbyterian
Mission; and the cry is still they come,
both from England and America. Pity
you cannot renew your youth if that would
set your face toward China.
It seems to me if the two Ga. Confer
ences succeed in raising the amounts of
their assessments for this mission the pres
ent year, that they might amply provide a
support for a oolleague to join mo from
Georgia—why not ?
God bless you and dear Bro. Haygood and
others for the interest you have manifested
in me personally and for the energy you
have awakened in the Conferences Influ
ence of your example will not stop in Geor
gia, but have it effects in the remotest parts
of our church connection, and not a few
will emulate the example of your own
Conferences.
I am a little overtaxed with labor just
now and fear it is beginning to tako effect
upon me. I have no provision before me
for a single holyday or rest from this till
Christmas—l am perfectly exhausted when
Saturday night comes, yet I cannot claim
Sabbath, lor that too is one ot my busic-t
days. It is like working and sleeping in
harness. But thanks to a gracious Provi
dence I enjoy good health all the while—
always have, and feel happy, yes delighted
that my hands have found something of
such a hopeful character to do. I am
gathering around me numbers of the ablest
teaohers and most promising young men in
China. They read my China newspapers
and write for them too, and it is through
that agency that I hope soon to bring many
of them to a saving knowledge of Christian
truth. Some of my constant visitors and
Christian inquirers are of the first clashes
of society, graduates, and above the merce
nary principles that not unfrequently prompt
the lower classes to seek admission to the
church. It may seem all very nice to be a
Missionary in a foreign land, but to one
who appreciates tho duties and obligations
of his high calling it is of most momentous
concern and all the romance of such a life
departs immediately on touching heathen
soil. No ono should ever think of becom
ing a Missionary to China who is not
thoroughly identified with Christ. Such
Christian experience as we were wont to
enjoy at dear old Oxford, is ncoessary to
rightly imbue the soul with the savor of
Christ’s life and fill it with the spirit of
self-denial, and there is no place better
suited to test the material of which the
Missionary is made than China.
I had proposed to write regularly for
the S. C. Advocate, but cannot find time •
I am very sorry too, for I know many will
expect me to write oftener now than ever
—as they have determined to support me
I have not lost any of my interest in all
that pertains to the welfare and suooesi of
our churoh and her enterprises at home
and I am still willing so far as able to con
tribute my mite toward promoting any and
all of her interests. May God abundantly
bless you and all the brethren of your
Conference and make this year one of un
paralleled prosperity to you all.
Youno J. Allen.
Yonah and the Surroundings-
Mr. Editor: This Mount Yonah from
which I greet you, has an Indian name,
the word meaning bear, or as the denizens
around say, “barand tradition has it that
many a grand old bruin has been ‘ ab
sorbed” in this vicinity by tho “red meD
of the forest.” The mountain seems to be
a stray member of the Blue Ridgo family,
that, either from a domestic feud or desir
ing elbow room, settled about fifteen miles
from its high headed parents. It bears
every feature of its aristocratic ancestors,
and like the Puritans, will always remain
true to paternity. As I stand upon its
lofty peak, slightly to the east opens up the
beautiful Naooooheo v alley, to the south
Walker’s mountains interpose thoir bulky
forms; while to the North, rises tho Blue
Ridge, stretching its huge “dorsum’’ in a
quadrant cast and west four hundred miles
while around and below us are towering
forest, tangled underwood, deep ravines,
and wedge-shaped slopes, covered with
mountain ivy, and every variety of the
honey-suckle, running down to drink of the
crystal streams that rush around its base,
hurriedly, noisily, foamingly.
As I “thus enchanted gaze,” I oonolude
that bruin was romantic in his tastes, and
loved fine scenery, as well as a plaoe of
safety. I might give you a few “bar’’ sto
ries gathered hereabouts ; but the incredu
lous will say:.“They are like the illustra
tions of the ‘anecdotical’ preacher ex
tempore.”
The farming interest here is much in ad
vance of the counties west along the Ridge.
The long and vigorous winter has retard
ed other crops, but the wheat is better than
for ten years past. This —White—oounty is
rich in minerals. The “precious ore” is
being unearthed in tempting quantities,
and capital is all that is wanted to develope
from these hills and mountains fabulous
wealth. The water power is controlable
and abundant, and the climate healthy
enough to give doctors the blues. The
Methodist Church, South, is by far the
strongest and most intelligent eburoh in
the land; but is affeoted with a sad dis
ease, and feels tbe pressure of some evils,
that press hor sorely. With 475 and embers,
she paid her preacher last year slls, and
the elder $21 —beiDg about 28 cent* per
head, and as the preacher perhaps preached
monthly, ten rounds would give two cents
from each member per sermon. ’Tis said a
certain Bishop was preaching once about a
“free gospel,” to be had “without money
and without prioe,’’ when old brother
Tight-skin shouted out, “glory to God, it
has only cost me twenty-five oents in 40
years,” whioh drew from the Bishop a
solemn “Lord have mercy on your stingy
soul.” Os oourse, all tho people “round
this oirouit” looked for a revival in 1868,
and did not see it; for the Lord has or-
Vol.xxxii. No. 26.
dained that tho preacher shall live ( not
breathe ) by the gospel, and the Lord loveth
only a cheerful giver.
These same people doubtless gave moro
to the late “attractive circus” at Cleve
land, than they gave to the preacher the
whole year —to say nothing of other churoh
enterprises (hat begged them on “bended
knees.” And the local preachers, to the
“amount’’ of three or four, led this host of
liberal Methodists into the “delectable
scenes” and “hollered and guffawed’’ along
with tho vagabonds of the pit, and carried
in their virtuous wives and lovely daugh
ters to sit alongside, “cheek by cheek’’ with
abandoned wenches. These are the Meth
odists, too, for whom a Glenn—of precious
memory—and a Bright—a Hamilton—a
Parks and a Mann, have preached and la
bored—yes sir, these are the subjects of a
Methodism forty years old. “Another pret
ty bad case,” say you, that must be doc
tored with “plain preaching” so that they
“may learn by degrees’’ and after awhile
“get religion.” Hold, sir—they can, at a
campmeeting, beat the “rebels” shouting
as blue coats fled and victory came. There
are undoubtedly a “better sort” up here,
and such ate tbe anchors of the churob,
and “plain preaching’’—prayers and pasto
ral work goes on strongly to increase their
numbers ; but it must be plain, that “sweet
oil” in quantity and abundant “patience”
are needed, and if you will permit, l will
order —through you —a case of the “oil”
to the preacher at Cleveland —hoping that
he may get the “patience” by prayer.
Yours truly. Tommy Hawk.
Mount Yonah, June 6th, 1869.
ro-Miip of your cases, Bro. Tommy Hawk,
need oil of vitrol. Where has the Discip
line been buried, and how long ?— Editor.
Methodism in Hawkinsvillo, Georgia.
Mr. Editor : It may be gratifying to
the readers of the Advocate to hear some
thing of our progress. To state that Metho
dism has a mere existence here, is saying
too little; yet until recently this was as
much or mere than I was willing to admit.
Such was the lack of unswerving fidelity
and a want of interest—such the inconstan
cy of feeling and action, and other deplora
ble things ! But judging from close ob
servation for more than fifteen months, I
must say that we have an existence. But
we are still in the rudiments, I may say in
the alphabet, of Methodism. Tbe doctrine
of our holy religion has been as a tender
plant, in a sterile soil, and an unpropitious
climate, yet the seed -own has partially
germinated, and is promising fruitful re
sults. In February Bishop Pierce visited
us. He came to us as Barnabas of other
days weni to Antiooh “full of tbe Holy
Ghost and of faith,” and exhorted us “all
with full purpose of heart to cleave unto
the Lord.” I had hoped and prayed that
such a result would attend the Bishop's
visit, as followed that of Barnabas. That
it did not, was not the Bishop’s fault, for
he preached with great earnestness; “not
with tho excellency of speech nor with en
ticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the
demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.”
While nothing yery demonstrative was
seen, daring five consecutive sermons
preached by the Bishop, yet a deep seri
ousness pervaded the entiro congregation,
and good was accomplished. Before the
impression of this occasion had passed
away, our second quarterly meeting came
on, embracing the third Sunday in May.
The meeting commencing the Thursday
night before, was protracted with good in
terest a full week, day and night. Friday
evening the Presiding Elder, Rev. 0. It.
Jewett, arrived, in fine health and preach
ing trim, and conducted the meeting. He
preached with decided zeal and ability.
To his assistance Rev. J. Blakely Smith
came with all the zeal and pathos of a good
man and rendered valuable service. The
meeting closed with the addition of six
members, several of them professing con
version. A good state of feeling still ex
ists, and in all the departments of the
churoh a moderate degree of interest is ex
hibited. Whatever success i3 now realized
or promised to the ohurch, may be mainly
attributed to these men of God who visited
us, and preached so faithfully. The intro
duction of preaching every Sunday has been
attended with favorable results. This was
done at the suggestion of the Bishop when
here. It wits our former custom to occupy
only two Sabbaths in the month. The
change works well, as by this means out
school and congregation are kept intaot,
and Methodism is being planted upon a
much broader and safer basis than ever
before.
There are several interesting features
oonnected with the present and future of
the church, to which I could allude with
pleasure to myself and credit to the people;
but I shall notice only one, vis : the Sunday
sohool, it being not least in importance.
To obviate that miserable practioe of go
ing into winter quarters, against which
John Tryon’s protestation is so solemnly
and eloquently urged, we procured two
elegant stoves and had them neatly ar
ranged ; by which the churoh was made
perfectly comfortable and the interest of
the sohool was preserved all through tho
past winter.
This was quite an acquisition, as the
practioe already mentioned had been strict
ly observed and its deleterious consequences
sorely felt. Now, henceforth, and forever
I hope, there will be no necessity nor even
apology for hibernating; and its baneful ef
fects need never be felt again. Since win
ter tbe school has increased in influence,
interest, and numerical strength—now num
bering in teachers and pupils one hundred
and upwards. We diffuse a reasonable sup
ply of good literature in the school. AmoDg
the rest we take forty copies of the Visitor,
which furnishes one paper to eaoh repre
sented family in the school. This is the
btst juvenile paper I ever saw—unless
’tis Burke’s Weekly 1 regard our school
as decidedly promising. It is well officered,
classed, and arranged. In my opinion the
best hope of the church and its future weal
depend mainly upon the progress of this
institution —so essential to tbe prosperity
of the church. Oh 1 that our people could
be aroused to a zeal commensurate with tho
magnitude of this interest.
June. 10/A, 1869. W. F. Robison.
Oekmulgee ot, S. Ga. Conference.
Mr. Editor : Doublless you arc aware of
the fact, that this is my first year’s expe
rience in the itinerant field. I attended
my first appointment, went one round, and
left for home to return with my wife and
effects, was met at No. 8, A. & G. R. R.,
by Mr. L , rodo 35 miles in a two
wbcel vehicle over tho roughest way I ever
traveled, and reached my destination on the
second day after leaving No. 8. Mr.
L , is not a professor of religion, but is
kind and noble-hearted, his honse being al
ways open to Methodist preachers. Every
attention was paid my wife and self, and I
spent three weeks very pleasantly under his
hospitable roof. Having imposed on good
nature long enough, I sought another plaoe
of abode. This was at a brother Baptist’s,
where also I met a warm reception, and
soon became as one of the family. His
house has always been a preacher’s home,
and many has been the traveler, who has
sought repose for wearied limbs, under the
roof of this Christian man’s domicils.
At first I labored under many serious
difficulties. I had no horse, and no means
of purchasing one, and had to make my
way around my work as best I could. I
practiced pedostrianism for nearly three
months, which went quite against the grain;
still I persevered, and have at last been
able to purohase a horse and buggy. Du
ring this time, I never flinched, though it
did appear to me, that the oldest veteran
in tho oauso would have had grounds to
murmur. I have eight appointments, em
bracing a oirouit of 86 miles. Two or three
of my ohurohes arc in a dilapidated con
dition, but will do to preaoh in.