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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.