Newspaper Page Text
94
GLjjristian
MACON, GEORGIA, JUNE 14, 1871.
('rime and its Cure.
Tlic National Prison Association, whoso
haul quarters aro in New Nork city, is en
gineered by many well-known citizens of
highest respectability —all of them, we be
lieve, laymen. It is incorporated by the
Htate; but its objects are national. These
are—
1. The amelioration of tho laws in rela
tion to public offences and offenders, and
the modes of procedure by which such laws
are enforced.
2. The improvement of the penal, correc
lioiiul and reformatory institutions through
out the country, and the government, man
agement, and discipline thereof, including
tho appointment of boards of control, and
of other officers.
;5. The care of, and providing suitable and
remunerative employment for, discharged
prisoners, aud especially such as may _or
shall have given evidence of a reformation
of life.
And tho means to be used for the contem
plated purposes are extensive. Tho prepara
tory work is indicated in the following par
ticulars :
1. Securing tho recognition and co-opera
tion of the National Government. 2. So
curing co-operation from tho Legislatures of
the several Ktates of the Union, in the way
of sending commissioners to the Congress.
;j. Securing the interest of the Foreign Min
isters resident at Washington in tho project
sufficiently to induce them to recommend to
their respective governments participation
therein. 4. Tho forming of National Com
mittees of Correspondence in the several
countries invited to take part in tho Con
gress. 5. Visiting the varions countries of
Europe, conferring witli governments, peni
tentiaries, reformatories, and prison socie
ties, and inducing them, as far as practica
ble, to send representatives to the meeting.
0. Framing, on extended conference and
correspondence, a programme of proceed
ings for tho Congress, including a list of
topics to bo considered, and securing com
petent specialists to prepare papers upon
the same. 7. Preparing and sending out,
as may bo necessary, circular letters to gov
ernments, institutions, socioties, national
committees, and individuals. 8. Tho con
ducting of all needful correspondence grow
ing out of the prosecution of this work.
Good progress too, has already been made
in these several departments of tho general
work, as far as they have been undertaken.
A National Prison Association lias been
formed, which has formally ratified and
adopted tho action of the Cincinnati Con
gress in relation to an International Peni
tentiary Congress, and resolved to push tho
project, with all practicable vigor, to its full
realization. Tho Congress of the United
Ktates has passed a joint resolution, authori
zing tho Presidenttoappointacommissioner
to tho proposed International Congress; and
tho I’rosidont has commissioned tho gentle
men selected by tho Congress at Cincinnati.
It being understood that his mission was
not to be restricted to moro attendance upon
tho conference, but was to include as well
the Work of preliminary organization, tho
Hocretary of Stato has furnished him with a
circular letter, addressed to all American
Ministers and Consuls abroad, requesting
them to give him all needed aid in the prose
cution of his mission, Nearly all the For
eign Ministers in Washington have been
seen, and, as far as seen, they have, without
exception, expressed cordial approval of the
project, and their sense of its timeliness and
importance. They have engaged to address
their respective governments on the subject,
recommending a participation in the Con
gress. They further kindly promised to
furnish the commissioner with letters of in
troduction to tho proper ministers at homo.
The Legislatnros of a few States have been
visited, and have taken action in favor of
sending commissioners to tho International
Congress; but this part of tho work was, to a
great extent, from necessity, postponed till
next winter.
Now, wo have hero an amount of labor
rondored necessary by the prevalence of
crime, that is, indeed, formidable. Wo
havo naught to say against it. The condi
tion of tho country—of all countries—for
the movement seems to be ecumenical —
seems to demand it. Put we state tho facts,
not so much as an advocate of the scheme,
but to use them as suggesting a comparison
of the cost of tho prevention and of the cure
of crimo.
For there is nothing so costly to the coun
try as crime. Almost all tho apparatus of
government is made necessary by it. Were
the simple rules of Bible morality univer
sally prevalent, how much could be dispensed
with that is now necessary for the protection
of individuals and tho wellfaro of society.
Standiug armies, a formidable corps of po
licemen and detectives, protracted legisla
tive sessions, cumbrous laws, innumerable
judges with tho other officers of tho law, a
vast array of executive officers of every grade,
juries, jails, and gibbets, reformatories, peni
tentiaries, and poor-houses, and last, though
perhaps not least in importance, a National
Frison Association, could bo dispensed with.
All expense of this vast machinery has to be
mot from the public purse.
But tho catalogue given does not exhaust
tho cost of crime. Frivato lossos to others
by criminal carelessness, frauds, thefts, bur
glaries, arsons; tho loss to the criminal and
to society by unemployed time, misdirectod
energies, waste, dissipation and all tho etcet
eras of pecuniary damages, the resultant of
a life squandered in evil-doing, must be
counted in, while estimating the sum total
of tho cost of crime. And the moral loss—
which here we do not take into account—to
himself, to his family and to society will
swell the aggregate to an immeasurable
quantity.
Now, if all the monetary cost of crime fell
on tho criminals themselves, their neighbors
and fellow citizens might—apart from social
and Christian fluty—bo indifferent to the
result. But tho burden does not fall on
them. The virtuous, tlio law-abiding, the
industrious—these, cliiefly, havo to meet the
loss and expense of crime and of its punish
ment. They, generally, are the sufferers by
the depredations of tho criminal; and if
not, at least, they have to pay for the inflict
ion on him of the penalty that social order
requires should bo inflicted. Tho tax asses
sor’s books toll ns what crime costs the
country, for all other public disbursements
are insignificant when compared with the
vast sums paid to maintain that part of tho
machinery of government, made necessary
by enmo.
And now wo roach tho point toward which
wo have been tending.
The diffusion of the gospel, the accept
ance of its principles, tho adoption of its
code, is tho abolition of crime. To bring
in the kingdom of Christ is to restore the
reign of personal righteousness is to subject
the universal raco to that self-control which
insures the displacement by divine law of all
lower legislation. To pay for the gospel—
to send it—give it—preach it—enforce it—is
to abrogate the multifarious legislation
which society has enacted—not by remand
ing the world to anarchy, but by introducing
an order which the other could never secure.
And here is the lesson to those who com
piain that the support of the gospel burdens
them beyond the power of patient endur
ance. Let it be so. Yet crime costs them
more than the gospel costs. Taxes surpass
their church assessments. The cost may
not always be paid by them in the form of a
direct tax. Insurance, tariffs, the enhanced
cost of living, the direct and indirect dam
age resulting to them through the crimi
nality of those aronnd them, may make it,
that the cost escapes their observation; but
nevertheless, it burdens the country—and
the individual—far more, to meet the pecu
niary damage resulting from crime, than it
does to pay all the expenses to which the
gospel puts the church.
And the question comes, shall we pay our
money in endeavoring to prevent crime, or
shall we pay for its punishment ? Shall we
support missions, ministers, tract and biblo
societies, Sunday-schools, which we may do
or omit, as wo will; or shall we maintain all
tho expensive apparatus of justice, rendered
necessary by crime, where pay wo must, un
der the demand of law, whether we would
or not ?
The subject may deserve the attention of
penurious, grudging, ill-conditioned pro
fessors of religion, who have a pretty large
property stnke in the country—mucli to lose
if crime is rampant—much to pay to sup
press or to punish it. For one, wo think
that missionary socioties will do more than
the National Prison Association, and we
hope that tho succss of the former will soon
render the labors of the latter wholly unnec
essary.
The Methodist Book Concern, in New
York, is like to prove another example of
tho curse of riches. Northern Methodists
are fond of talking of “retribution,” and
see a great deal of it iu the sufferings of the
south, believing northern armies the ap
pointed ministers of divine justice. Does
it occur to any that thero may possibly be
“retribution”—if their theory of the divine
government be true—in these Book Concern
troubles for tho manner iu which they dealt
with the South respecting that property.
The latest development is that Dr. Lauahan
has appealed to tho Superior Court of New
York city to issue a writ of mandamus to
compel Dr. Carlton to allow him equal
authority and control of the books, papers,
etc., of tho Concern with himself. lie
claims that the charter makes him a co-
Ageut., and not an Assistant,, aud wants a
judicial decision to this effect. Tho Book
Committee, learning of these extraordinary
proceedings, met in New York last Thurs
day, and have suspended him from oilice,
and appointed the 15th of June for an inves
tigation of his ease. Dr. Carlton lees pre
sented charges against him.
Corrtsuonbcncc.
Savannah District Conference.
This body convened in Sandersville, May
25th, Rev. Jas. W. Hinton, Presiding Elder,
in tho chair.
About forty-five ministers aud laymen
were present duriug the session. Geo. G.
N. MacDonell was appointed Secretary, and
R. B. Bryan assistant. Iu adopting an or
der of business, it was resolved to abandon
tho old stereotyped method of standing
committees, and to hear reports from the
varions pastoral charges, making inquiries
about every department of our itinerant
work, and thus developing the true condition
of tho Church iu the District. Tho plan
worked pleasantly and successfully. For
tho first time since tho establishment of
District meetings, the entiro District was
represented l>y tho preachers, and tho re
ports were highly gratifying and encourag
ing from almost every charge.
The spiritual condition of the Church has
greatly improved since our meeting of last
year. In some instances revivals were re
ported, and in nearly all there have been
some accessions to the Church. The preach
ers very generally reported an improvement
in tho administration of discipline—in at
tention to family religion—in attendance
upon tho ordinances of tho Church, and in
the moral tone aud sentiment of society
within tho respective charges. An inter
esting interchange of opinions concerning
the methods adopted of receiving members
into tho church, showed that the preachers
were careful and judicious iu tho perform
mice of this duty. Olio new house of wor
ship was reported as in course of erection,
others projected, and others are being re
paired. Ono parsonage in tho Davisboro’
circuit, reported ns having been purchased,
and a committeo was ordered to devise
ways and means for procuring a District
parsonage.
The Sunday-school interest throughout
the District is in a growing and prosperous
condition. Tho uniform lesson series, got
ten up by Dr. llaygood, has not been gen
erally adoptod in the country, but from tho
warm commendations bestowed upon them,
by those who havo tried them, the preachers
generally, will try to introduce them into
their Sunday-schools. Resolutions endors
ing and urging their introduction into our
schools were adopted; and also, the organi
zation of Sunday-school Missionary So
cieties.
Brother Culpepper, from the Washington
circuit, lias adopted au original plan for
raising funds for Sunday school books in
ono of bis schools. Ho has a Missionary
Eytj Society, in which each Sunday-school
scholar brings an egg to the school every
Sunday; they aro collected and sold, and
the proceeds constitute a fund for Sunday
school hooks. Wo commend his plan to
churches and Sunday-schools where money
is scarce, and eggs, chickens, etc., abun
dant, as au available method of raising
funds for missionary and other benevolent
enterprizes.
Tho financial report of the District
showed quite an improvement as compared
with several years past. The Church seems
to be waking up to the importance of sup
porting its ministry, and if no disaster
should befall tho crops this year, the proba
bilities are strong that the pecuniary obli
gations of tho Church throughout the Dis
trict will he fully met. Some readjustment
of circuits was recommended, and referred
to the Quarterly Conferences of the sev
eral charges interested in tho proposed
changes.
The subject of education and the claims
of our colleges were brought to the notice
of the Conference and enforcod by the adop
tion of appropriate resolutions.
The Southern Christian Advocate, that
faithful exponent of Methodist principle ß
and spiritual Christianity, has not ;is largo a
circulation as it should have, owing in part
to the want of mail facilities which prevents
many of our brethren in the country from
getting it. Its claims were presented and
urged.
The following are the delegates elected to
the ensuing session of the South Georgia
Conference: Bov. 11. W. Lovett, Genl. Geo.
P. Harrison, Hon. Jno. J. Jones, and Joseph
H. Hines, Esq.
Alternates: J. W. Cheatham, Dr. C. Gib
son, G. A. Ward, and M. A. Evans.
The session was a most delightful and
harmonious one; preachers and laymen
seemed to havo but one aim—the glory of
God; to be imbued with but one spirit—
the spirit of tho Master; and they will
doubtless return to their respective charges
with enlarged views of duty and obligation,
and with a holy server and quenchless zeal,
renew their labors in tho vineyard of the
Lord. We would have been gratified at tho
presence and labors of one of our honored
bishops, but our most worthy Presiding
Elder was fully equal to the occasion, and
showed how deeply his mind and heart were
interested in the great work committed to
his charge.
Tho religious exercises of the meeting
were of more than ordinary interest. Tho
introductoiy sermon was preached by Bev.
9. O. Branch of Macon, and was a clear and
eloquent exposition of that glorious truth,
that the redemption of the human race had
its origin in the love of God. Bevs. S. S.
Sweet, J. E. Godfrey and S. Anthony, from
abroad, were also with ns, and by their pres
ence and pulpit ministrations contributed
largely to the interest of the meeting.
The preaching of the word was “in demon
stration of tho spirit and of power.” Sin
ners were awakened, penitents were con
verted, the Church was baptized with the
Holy Ghost, and many rejoiced in hope of
heaven, quite a number made application
for membership. Tho hallowed season of
refreshing from the presence of the Lord en
joyed by many will not soon be forgotten.
On Sabbath Brother Anthony presented the
claims of the “Orphans’ Home,” and raised
a subscription, the amount of which I have
not learned.
The hospitality of the citizens of San
dersville was warm-hearted, generous, ex
uberent; may heaven repay them largely
with temporal and spiritual blessings. Bro.
Himmons, the preaclior in charge, has au
interesting and growing Sunday-school, who
charmed us with some of the beautiful songs
iu the “Amaranth,” our new Sunday-school
l>ook.
The Savannah District Conference was a
decided success. May there he one like it
iu every District of our Conference.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Wh ureas, family religion lies at tho foun
dation of true and virtuous character and
of usefulness as citizens and Christians, aud
is the conservator of the Church and Stato,
therefore,
/•.Vs \Ured, That the attention of our min
inters and people be called to the importance
of this subject, in all its parts, involving as it
does systematic religions instruction at
home, proper family discipline, subjecting
eaily and fully the will of the child to pa
rental control, and nlso regular family prayer
both night aud morning.
ON EDUCATION.
Resolved, That we commend Emory Col
lege and the Wesleyan Female College to
our Church and people,' and to the country
at large, as every way worthy of their confi
dence and patronage. We know of no iu
iust.itutions of learning which for all the
purposes of moral and intellectual culture
surpass them, if, indeed, there lie any that
are their equals iu these respects.
ON SUNDAY-SCHOOL MATTERS.
Resolved, That we heartily approve and
endorse the system of uniform lessons pre
pared by our Sunday-school Secretary; and
believing that they aro well adapted to our
wants and to promote the groat end of Sun
day-school instruction, that of leading our
children to Christ, would recommend their
adoption in every Sunday-school in the
District whenever practicable.
Resolved, That we recommend the Sunday
school Magazine, Visitor, and Little People,
to the Sunday-schools as every way worthy
of their support, anil well calculated to pro
mote our Sunday school work.
Resolved, That we recommend tho organi
zation of Missionary Societies in our Sun
day-schools £is offeotivo instrumentalities for
raising funds for onr Missionary work, and
for inculcating systematic benevolence iu
the minds hearts of the young.
ON SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
Resolved, That we reaffirm our attachment
to the Southern Christian Advocate, the time
honored organ of our Conference, and nrgo
its more general circulation among tho
members of our Church, aud as preachers
anil laymen will use our best efforts to place
it iu every family connected with our re
spective charges.
Geo. G. N. MacDonei.l, Sec.
Savannah, May 30 ill, 1871.
better from Florida.
Mr Editor : Our people are seeing tho
hardest time they have ever realized. The
truth is, this Stato is about bankrupt. The
crops aro promising, though needing rain;
and tho people aro learning lessons of econo
my; so there is some hope for the future.
But, oh! shall we ever get rid of this negro
aud carpet-hag rule? Unless we do, onr
doom is sealed. May God smile upon us.
I havo never known, such an universal
spiritual dearth. Tho spirit of revival seems
to have been grieved, and ceases to strive
with our people. And everywhere through
out the State, tho people of God seem dis
couraged and despondent, and the question
of the Saviour often forces itself into my
mind, “nevertheless, when tho Son of man
comoth shall ho find faith in tho earth?”
And oh! how many are the evidences in
all our Ailrocntes, oven in tho communica
tions and sermons of many leading men in
tho Church, that we are rapidly drifting to
where a dead formalism or mero reformation,
will bo substituted for “faith which worketh
by love,” and anew creation.
But I thank God and take courage, that
wo have at least one man in high position,
who has independence and religion enough,
to rise up before that great congregation
gathered at Nashville, from all over the
land, and ignore the rules of modern sermon
izing and resist tho temptation to play the
orator, and speak not with “excellency of
speech and of man’s wisdom,” and “open his
mouth and boldly declare the mystery of
Christ” in vital godliness and spiritual re
generation—“having the fruit unto holi
ness and the end everlasting life." Long
live that “man of God;” may his natural
force not abate, nor his spiritual power do
crease, until tho desire of his heart shall be
realized, and his natural eye undimmed,
shall behold the tide of ungodliness turned
back, and scriptural holiness spreading once
moro over these lands; God bless Bishop
Pierce and give us more like unto him.
Indeed, all our Bishops are men of God.
All, mighty men —“full of faith aud of the
Holy Ghost. ” G oil bless them all—preserve
them all—and crown their labors with suc
cess. I don’t pin my faith to man, nor
men; but, when I survey the situation, it
does my very soul good to think on tho
character and devotion of our Bishops.
I wish I could have the privilege of read
ing Bishop Marvin’s sermon. It, too, seems
to have had “tho ring of the true metal.”
We are delighted to have Bishop Wightman
again. For wo begin to think he’s “not a
whit behind the chiefest.” Hoping soon to
give you a more cheering account of this
part of the vineyard, I am, yours truly,
Bobert L. Wiggins.
Quincy, May 25th.
ClmrcH Property.
Me. Editor: The views of President Ar
bogast on “Church Property” are, to my
mind, broad, consistent, and Christian; and
I agree with you, that he “states
ple that ought to govern both parties.”
Would that both parties would get back to
principle if both have strayed and stick to
it! How much better it would be for the
Church, and for tho world too. Instead of
being induced to say, “see how these Chris
tians love,” the world has opportunity for
saying, see how they hate; so that the
Church, instead of coming out of the wil
derness, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun,
and terrible as an army with banners,” she
comes out and is moving along under a cloud,
and is maimed, and crippled, and lame, and
but imperfectly performs the high and holy
mission for which sho was constituted.
Now, Mr. Editor, the fault lies some
where, and let ns as Southern Methodists
see to it, that the fault is not with us as a
Church.
And while it is not for us to throw away
our arms and cease to fight while the battle
is raging, let us pray, while we fight, that
tho Lord may cause this war to end
soon, and give peace to tho Church, once
more. How much better it would be if both
parties would consent to have peace. “The
truth is,” says Dr. Arbogast, “Protestants
must try to see what is right and do it.”
How much of truth, and good sense there
is in that sentence! And how much of bit-
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
temees must be given np, and of forgiveness
be practiced, before the parties shall reach
this standard.
I like the way that man writes. I see that
he is capable of throwing light upon other
points of interest to the Church, barely
hinted at in his letter, and hope ho will not
be slow in doing so. Hope ho will “spenk
out,” boldly.” P.
LaOrange District.
Mr. Editor: —lt is matter of sincere grati
fication that I can report to the Bishop who
presided at our last Conference, pretty gen
eral improvement iti the affairs of this dis
trict., since my former report. Attendance
upon quarterly meetings, with two excep
tions, better: opening of the closed Sunday
schools; more attention to tho discipline of
the church; some improvement in class and
prayer nieetiugs, and some awakenings and
conversions. Besides this, onr new and
handsome brick church edifice at Palmetto,
is rapidly coming to completion; tho La-
Grange church is being thoroughly repaired,
and will look as well as when it was first built;
the church at Greenville is being repaired
and re-furnished, in hearty preparation
for the oncoming District Conference; new
church buildings are to be erected at Mount
ville, and Lutherville; and Bro. Bigham is
working w ith grent industry aud earnestness
at Nowuan to build up the spiritual house,
anil to secure the building of sncli a church
there, as the growth of the town aud onr
congregation renders a necessity. At Ho
gansville, now the head of a prosjierous
circuit, one of the most flourishing railroad
towns iu this section, wo Inivo no church
building I blush to say it. Brethren are
congregating there from surrounding coun
try to engage iu trade ami to educate their
children, anil it is hoped this reproach will
be wiped away before tho end of tho year.
Our kind Presbyterian brethren permit Bro.
Lowe, preacher in charge, to use their com.
billable church once a month.
The brethren have taken up, or are now
engaged in taking up cash and subscription
collections for Missions and onr Bishops.
Some have sent these amounts forward, and
others will soon do so.
Union Sunday schools greatly interfere
with the introduction of our new system of
Uniform lessons. What a pity it is that any
of our children are so circumstanced that
they cannot enjoy tho advantages of this
admirable mode of instruction! Had we
not better have a small school, taught by
well furnished teachers, with the best help
that can he given; taught the, truth as we be
lieve it, than to combine with others for tho
seenremeut of a larger school at the expense
of the loss of these, advantages?
What is now needed is all outpouring of
the Holy Spirit upon preachers and people.
This will be given if thero be reconsecration
of heart and soul and substance to God.
Some of the preachers have been poorly
paid—one, it is almost incredible, has re
ceived lmt $lO 50 since he took charge of
the circuit! Money is, and has been scarce,
nevertheless, tho stewards at most points,
have done about as well as though it were
abundaut. Faithful men, these!
Praying tho protection and blessing of the
Great Head of tho church upon you, in your
multiplied labors und exposures—and hoping 1
to have the benefit of your presence and
counsels at our district meeting, dear Bishop,
I am, very truly yours, 11. J. Adams.
Answer to **A Lady's Appeal.”
Mr. Editor: With ull my heart do I respoiftl
to the sentiments contained iu your lust
Number under tho head “A lady’s appeal to
her sisters. ” If ever there was a reformation
needed, it is now. It has been an enigma'
to my mind, howiu tho midst of such dosot
latioii, poverty ami distreafi, fanliion coultp
wield such a sceptre. There is a oausd
somewhere. Let us reason upon the case.
During our late awful war, how did tho wo
men demean themselves? Is there a man
whoso heart does not heat with pride when
he reflects on tho self-denial, bravo devotion,
and labors of love, displayed throughout the
land? Can any country produce more obe
dient wives and daughters? I will do my
sex tho justice to answer, no; emphatically
no! How did it come about—the great
change, I mean from tho neat homespun
dress, that rnado our women tho subject of
eulogistic song, to the fashiou-mouger that
wo see parading tho cities, towns, and vill
ages? Who can answer? Fathers, and
husbands, what do you say? Havo you iu
love and kindness requested wife, or daugh
ter, not to wear those ridiculous bundles of
bark on their heads, and not to deform
themselves with that hideous hump on the
back, called a pannier? Again I will answer,
and fearlessly say, no. “Give to Cesar the
things that are Cesar’s.” Lot ns ask in all
humility, where must tho reformation be
gin? Tell ns, ye fathers, who aro tho heads
of your families; and ye husbands, whose
every wish is a pleasure. A Sister.
Atlanta, May 29th, 1871, -
u The Canon Spiked.'”
Mr. Editor: Under this caption you ut
tered some very pertinent aud correct words
in the last Advocate. I much regret, how
ever, that you are mistaken in regard to
existing canons in our Church. The last
General Convention repealed tho one to
which you refer—ll. Title], —and enacted
the following in its stead:
“ No minister iu charge of any congrega
tion of this Church, or, in case of vacancy
or absence, no Church-wardens, vestrymen
or trustees of the congregation, shall permit
any person to officiate therein, without suffi
cient evidence of his being duly licensed or
ordained to minister iu this Church.”
There are some of the clergy and many of
the laity, who regret the existence of this
restrictive canon, and hope to see its early
repeal. To this end they hope your hon
ored and worthy townsman, who is a dele
gate to the General Convention, will labor.
Viewing all Evangelical ministers of Christ
as “brethren beloved,” some of us desire
not only to reeiproeato their Christian cour
tesies, but nlso to co-operate with them in
the great work of extending the Bedeemer’s
Kingdom. I can well understand how an
Episcopal minister, opposed to the restric
tive canon, could, with propriety, receive
aud accept an invitation to occupy the' pul
pit of a minister of another denomination;
but were I to attempt to invalidate the min
istry and sacraments of a “dissenting sect,”
I think I should decline the proffer of its
pulpit, were the minister so kind as to make
it. An Episcopalian.
June 7, 1871.
Thomaston Sunday-school.
Mr. Editor: My attention has been called
to a communication from brother F. M.
Bichardson, iu the Southern Christian Advo
cate of 3d May, on the subject of Union Sab
bath-schools. While I fully endorse his
position against union schools, ho is mis
taken iu placing ours in that category. The
original organization, composed of Metho
dists and Baptists, was a Union School, but
more recently the Baptists have organized
a school of their own, and ours is now a
Methodist School, using our own Methodist
publications and conducted on a Methodist
programme throughout. The Superintend
ent, Assistant Superintendent, and, I be
lieve, every officer connected with the school,
are members of the Methodist Church. How
can you make a Union School where all the
material are Methodists? We are using
brother Haygood’s Magazines, questions,
etc., and find both teachers and pupils like
them much better than the old system. I
deem this mnch necessary, in reply to
brother R’s letter, that onr school may be
placed in a true light both abroad nnd at
home. Methodist.
Thomaston, May 27/A, 1871.
McDonough fct., North Georgia
Con sere nee.
Mr. Editor: God is still with us in the
ifcDonough circuit. The revival tire kindled
last summer has burned brightly all through
the winter, nnd tho whole Church seems to
bo under tho gracious influence of the Iloly
Ghost. Wo have class and prayer meetings,
get happy and shout in hope of heaven. We
have only fivo appointments, yet report six
Sunday-schools ull doiug well'—with several
union schools. Take it ull in all, I may
safely say thut I never saw a work in better
condition. To God be all the glory.
J. 11. Harris.
From the Christian Neighbor.
Marion District Conference.
Dear Bro. Browne: Our District Confer
ence is past. Bishop Wightman arrived
Wednesday evening. Bro. Elwell, of the
Lynch’B Creek Cirenit, preached the opening
sermon that night to a good congregation.
At. 9 o’clock Thursday a. m., the Bishop
opened the session. Quito an encouraging
ninnlter of members, both lay and cleric,
(some from the most distant points—George
town, Waceamaw aud Marlboro,) were to
the hour. Bro. W. O. Power was our Sec
retary, aided liy Maj. Tenhet. The Bishop
preached at 11 o’clock, the first day. We
appointed only four committees, und dis
ehiirged ode of them. Some of us object
toßommittees and long reports. In all. we
were four hours i u session tho first day. Bro.
ipreaohedjit night to a large eon;,TC-
Friday, tho attendance was quite large.
We went fully and closely into pastoral re
ports of the condition of the work. Inquiry
was searching, and much was elicited to
think and pray over for days to come. We
had no sermon on tho second day—Friday;
agood talk from Uncle Talley, from Colum
bia, and several stirring speeches from our
attentive and ready Bishop, gave variety
aail intensity to the interest of sessions
through six hours, forenoon and afternoon.
At night, Bro. Capers preached to a crowded
house. Quite a number of delegates, as
well as visitors, came in that night aud on
Saturday morning.
At an early hour Saturday a. m., the re
view of the state of tho church was finished.
At 11 o’clock, our Bishop preached again;
aud Uncle Talley talked, after sermon, of
other (lays, and Columbia’s want of a church,
and wont right into the hearts aud pockets
of the people. Wo met again at 3 o’clock,
p. m., and received and debated and adopted
reports and resolutions, elected delegates to
Annual Conference, selected the place of
our next Conference and adjourned sine die.
At night, Uncle llamby preached one of
his good sermons—half an hour long—and
.Wesley Pogues exhorted just right.
„ On Sunday, Uncle Betts conducted a good
love feast; at t L, the Bishop preached, and
Bro. Porter conducted tho communion ser
vice. At 4 o’clock, after the baptism of
children, wo had sweet songs and good
speeches till after (! o’clock. At night, a
good sermon by Bro. Thomas to a full house.
Delegates to the Annual Conference:
James Dnsenlmry, Jas. F. Carraway, Philip
M. Hamer and John L. Smith, and as many
alternates. Good old Georgetown was se
lected as the place for the next session.
J. W. K.
Marian C. 11., S. C„ May 29,1871.
Abstract of the Fifty-Fifth Annual
Report of the American liihlc
Society.
During the year two Vice-Presidents have
been removed by death—Gen. William Wil
liams and John Tappau, Esq. Richard T.
Haines, Esq., long a member of tho Board
of Managers, lias nlso died.
The Rev. T. Ralston Smith, D.D., Cor
responding Secretary, has resigned, to return
to the pastorate, anil the Rev. Edward W.
Gilman has been elected his successor.
Life Directors constituted, 01; Life Mem
bers, 1,880; New Auxiliaries enrolled, 105.
Agents superintending tho Society’s work
in this country, 33; with 23 assistants.
County Agents employed by Auxiliaries,
221; Biblo Visitors who have worked gratui
tously, 23,138.
Agents iu Foreign lands, three, with forty
Colporteurs.
The receipts for the year were $729,404 70;
including $408,888 72 for Bibles anil Testa
ments. $39,416 34 from the Building Fund,
$101,078 82 from legacies, $109,659 83 from
donations, aud $10,420 99 from sundry
items.
Tho payments havo been $051,135 31;
The sum necessary to meet the outstand
ing engagements of the Society is estimated
at $70,000.
New Electrotype Plates made, three sets,
besides plates for tho Arabic Scriptures in
progress at Beirut.
New Publications at the Bible House,
seven, all in foreign languages, besides others
printed or authorized abroad.
Volumes printed at tho Bible House,
1,031,800. Printed and purchased abroad,
101,997. Total, 1,190,797 volumes.
Volumes issued, 1,107,727, including93B,-
518 from the Bible House, and 109:179
abroad; tho latter representing some fifty
eight different languages and dialects.
Entire number of volumes issued during
fifty-fivo years, twenty-seven millions, six
hundred and eighty thousand, and ninety
eight.
Biblo Society Record—Copies circulated
during tho year. 430,050.
The gratuitous work for the year amount
ed in value to $234,352 28. Os this sum
$00,440 93 were expended for the foreign
field.
The distribution of tho Scriptures iu the
United States during the year, so far as re
ported, is shown by the following figures:
Number of families visited 014,476
Number of families found destitute
of the Bible , 72)306
Destitute families supplied 38,558
Destitute individuals supplied in ad
dition 28)607
Soldiers, Sailors, etc., supplied.... 44(576
Freed me n supplied (asfaras report
ed separately) 5,000
Sabbath and other schools supplied. 1,921
The summary of work done during the past
five years, since the re supply was begun, is
as follows:
Number of families visited 2,990,119
Number of families found destitute
of tho Bible 283,180
Destitute families supplied 228,807
Destitute individuals also supplied 91,811
Soldiers, Sailors, etc., supplied.... 121,497,
Sabbath and other schools supplied 5,537
Tho disproportion between the number of
destitute families and the number supplied,
is duo largely to tho fact that Romanists so
generally refuse the Scriptures.
To the distribution effected directly by
the Society and its auxiliaries must be added
the thousands of volumes circulated through
other benevolent institutions to which grants
of books have been made.
Kev. Wm. Mabtin, of the South Carolina
Conference, o&l stationed at Columbia,says
the St. Louis Advocate of 31st May, is in
the city on the errand of soliciting assistance
to rebuild the church edifice, which was de
stroyed in the conflagration of that city in
1865. The particulars of that fearful van
dalism, laying waste one of the most beau
tiful cities of the South and impoverishing
its citizens utterly, is well known to our
readers. Throughout the South a prompt
and generous sympathy has been felt for
them. Our brethren there were once pros
perous and they were munificent in their
bounty. They are now in poverty and need
and deserve aid. We hope earnest heed will
be given to Bro. Martin’s appeal here and
everywhere.
BniTian and Fokeion Bible Society.—
Tho annual meeting was held in Exeter
Hall, London, May 3. Tho President, the
Earl of Shaftesbury, occupied the chair.
The report showed an increase in the in
come of £2,312 over that of the previous
year, the receipts for all purposes being
£180,314 19s. 2d., of which amount £83,671
was from the sale of Bibles and Testaments.
Tho expenditure had been £189,059 19s. 2d.
Tho Society was under engagements to the
extent of £107,281 11s. 2d. The issues of
the Society for the year were as follows:
From the depot at home, 2,144,601; from
depots abroad, 1,758,466; total, 3,903,067
copies. The total issues of the Society now
amount to 63,299,733 copies. We shall
hereafter furnish our readers with a fuller
account of the Society’s great work.
General Minutes for 1870.
After manjr vexatious delays and difficul
ties in procuring the Minntes of the Annual
Conferences, Dr. Summers says, we have al
length stereotyped this work for 1870. Some
of the Conferences have excellent Secreta
ries, and some have not. Wo havo begged
tho Conferences to be more careful when
they elect those officers, uud that tho Bishops
GENERAL RECAPITULATION.
confehkncbs Trav’l'g Snp’ted Local White Colored Indian Tot’lM’re Infants Adults Sunday- 8.8. 8.8. Collcct’nfor Collect n for
Pr’ch’rs Pr’cU’rs Pr’ch’rs Mc’bcra Me’hers Me’bers and M’bs. Baptiz'd Baptiz'd schools. Te’ch’rs Schol’rs Con.Cl in ts Missions.
P Baltimore 103 5 ' 104 21,016 133 22 021 1380 1071 350 2858 17,085 $2406.38 $5858 20
2 Virginia 153 " 11 150 50,425 937 40’616 1050 1757 589 5823 28,443 3812 67 4208 91
8 Western Virginia.. 45 3 85 10,860 23 ll’oiS 198 535 146 1130 6,(M0 ‘220 51 872 93
4 Hols toil 116 7 231 29,473 190 83 30,089 1147 1840 388 2646 18,014 857 25 1 853 30
5 North Carolina 134 6 221 46,051 1205 .... 47.617 1398' 1866 597 3708 24,848 2138 88 3111 05
6 South Carolina.... 124 9 131 32,210 1536 .... 344H0 1511 1670 386 2502 15,837 3791 85 2909 68
7 North Georgia 138 12 395 42,121 551 .... 43,517 1186 2610 452 3378 22,795 4924 38 7137 33
8 Senth Georgia 109 18 216 23,147 053 .... 34 143 843 1606 298 1916 12 843 4880 27 7740 24
,n ?!T da i® 1 78 7,002 54 .... 7,244 848 408 88 488 2,814 654 01 050 58
1? lot 1 « S's 2?, 753 •••• 24,661 1021 002 262 1821 12,123 5156 00 4008 55
11 North Alabama.... 101 6 250 32,460 45s .... 23,014 550 16:10 261 1386 0,052 1154 05 2010 36
\Z Louisiana. tU 5 O*J 9,044 5»43 .... 11555 720 720 q'oor ‘>27o 00 HWW 25
13 Mississippi.. 104 7 146 15,385 520 .... 10*102 892 1004 149 «»>*> Vo4° 2802 80 1110 00
n Memnh“ iPl>i - 88 •••• W» 1491 200 “ B#3 Wf 35 1400 05
16 Tennessee 155 - •••• *,578 621 1661 244 1786 11 981 1285 80 2402 50
17 Kentucky 7 Via .V,'4 ' " JW 8 ® <£} 2408 320 2039 15,381 2108 05 5509 16
ISlnnisvlUc n'n s J .“Sa 17 > 7 J® :m ISO 917 6,216 1876 05 4983 23
IQ #t lni 1,0 n IS? sS’oju ow •••• 25,957 655 1826 175 1135 9,449 1852 90 4074 75
"0 Missouri 97 5 119 20’098 "" g0’930 806 1343 173 1313 10 451 2820 00 0513 00
I? westeT.24 \ T? m '?! T. 11! ‘aSS 7“
23 Indian Mission.... 17 .... 54 139 437 3833 4 480 473 651 ill I, ‘ i
33 Arkansas 48 1 86 7,853 35 .... 8 033 241 389 71 417 o'lw ‘ Vnf.'Af. Inon 05
24 White River 43 .... 90 8,349 163 .... 8 545 338 | 483 m In! o'mS ora 65 1 )T1 87
35 Little Rock 70 4 138 I#s 44V *867 ,59 % ,2£ $ 3543 95
27 East 35 100 *7 4% 1770 "" 13 -!** 7 I* 88 TS bli 878 4|()65 1133 00 1000 00
~7 Last lexas oj 1 100 7,496 7,b33 847 486 49 186 1 055 784 70 5‘“S 65
38 Texas 55 0 77 4,95 i 39 .... 5,184 813 291 38 298 l’oil 885 00 "441 06
29 North-west Texas.. 48 2 159 8,474 8,683 372 664 50 285 3VI 528 00 1818 1,3
80 West Texa5....;... 80 2 41 8,193 172 .... 3,438 206 261 48 227 1*621 465 (HI 785 50
31 Los Angeles 11 .... 10 475 ’496 19 29 3 16 120 6 75 85 0
32 Pacific... 47 2 46 3,139 3,234 247 218 49 828 2,109 575 90 6°o 00
S3 Columbia IS .... 16 1,073 1.107 50 80 9 40 sir, IH<* mi
34 Illinois 49 48 4,920 .... j .... 5,017 103 456 83 (114 8,790 "Vuur, 208 74
total in 1870 2725 , 187 1 4714 . 561,577i 18,203 1 3952 , 586,418 , 21,002 1 34,408 I 0173! 42,50571183,467 $54,875”Wl - *387675 61
Total in 1869 2040 J 187 | 4753 | 640,820| 19,686 | 3149 | 571,241 j 19,776 134,539 I 6951 | 41,830| 278,149 53,181 77 77,746 87
Increase I 79 I I I 20,7571 I 803 I 15,177 1 1,226 I I 323 I 6751 4,818 $1,694 19 *
Decrease I I I 39 I I 6423 I l_ j I 131 111 ' m
f flie transferred preachers are reckoned with those of the Conferences to which they now belong. The ten Bishops arc not counted: their addition would
make the number of traveling preachers, including those on the superannuated list, 2,922. The preachers who located this year (71) are not counted ;on the
other hand, the preachers who were admitted on trial (207), and those who were re-admitted (48), are counted among the traveling preachers, though funny
of them arc also reckoned with the local preachers. There are some members in China who are not counted, not being officially reported. There are defects
in the Minutes of some of the Conferences, which the editor vainly endeavored to supply. The returns of baptisms arc specially Imperfect. The preachers
and members of the separate Colored Connection, which the Bishops have organized, are not counted here, ns they have their own Minutes.)
Sunday-School Convention.
CONCLUDED.
cities, ami whoso entiro membership iu
whole States is not counted by hundreds.
Comparatively few of our families have libra
ries; few of them are supplied with any facil
ities for the study and understanding of the
Bible. It is humiliating to admit this; it is
mournful to know that it is true. A system
of uniform lessons, that is connected with a
wcll-eonducted teachers’ journal, must lie
of great service to teachers who lack both
tho training and appliances of tho student.
A teacher whoso mind is disciplined, and
whose shelves are loaded with books that aid
him in tho study of tho Scriptures, will
hardly appreciate the advantages of a teach
ers’ journal, that, besides the discussion of
all the practical questions that belong to Sun
day-school work, contains expository notes
and illustrative reading for the butter under
standing of the lesson of the day. But to
the great majority of our teachers and Bi
ble-stndents, a teachers’ journal—embracing
tho features alluded to—judiciously and con
scientiously edited, must be of no mean ad
vantage. But such aids to tho untraiuodand
unfurnished teacher, cannot be afforded ex
cept in connection with the uniform system.
3. In considering “the uses and practica
bility of uniform lessons iu tho schools of
our Church,” ono other fact is mentioned,
the poverty of the majority of our schools. Dis
guise it as wo may, tho fact remains; onr
people are poor. Partial legislation on the
one hand and extravagant tastes on the
other, are likely to keep them poor for years
to come. Very few of onr schools can sup
ply themselves with a costly outfit. Now, it
is very easy to show that if tho uniform sys
tem be adopted, our schools can supply
themselves with rei/uisites for study and in
struction at a cost less than on any other plan.
Wo mention, iu conclusion, two other
considerations that aro believed to bo im
portant:
1. Wo have in our Church a great many
families living romoto from Church and
Sunday-school privileges. They are too far
from the church to attend tho regular Sun
day-school ; they are too widely scattered to
come together in a neighborhood school
The monthly appointment of tho circnit
preacher constitutes the whole of their priv
ileges of public worship and instruction.
Wo believe that the uniform lesson system
is peculiarly adapted to tho wants of such
families. Parents and children are engaged
upon the same subject, and it is easy to or
ganize a school “in tho Church that is in
the house.” Says tho Rev. It. A. Noblott,
of the North Mississippi Conference, in tho
Western Methodist, of tho uniform lesson
system: “It is adapted to tho three classes
in every Sunday-school and family. Since
Conference I havo organized about seventy
five families into ‘Family Sunday-schools.’
By introducing this system into each family
we can carry out our pastoral instruction to
tho children as well as adults.” He adds
to the general remark we have made about
the adaptedness of the system to families
deprived of Sunday-school privileges, this
important observation: “If any persons shall
fail to Sunday-school, they may go to get
the lesson for each Sunday anil be profited
thereby.” Thus if a rainy day shall keep
the whole family at homo, they may help
each other in tho lesson, appointing the most
competent teacher for tho day.
2. We. mention, in the last place, what wo
beg to commend to the serious considera
tion of this Convention, and of all who love
the doctrines of the Church, and aro careful
to bring up onr cbildrcn in tho faith once
delivered to tho saints. Tho experience of
many years has demonstrated that if we
abide by tho independent system, our
schools will employ almost any variety of
Sunday-school text-books that may be
printed.
We remember now what was developed
some years ago whon we assisted in the re
organization of one of our largest city
schools that had always pursued tho inde
pendent system. There were six different
sorts of Question-books, and nearly as many
different Catechisms. Somo of them were
prepared upon the principles of eliminating
every thing that was peculiar in the doctrines
of any of the Churches, that publishers
might bid for the patronago of all, so that
the instructions were as negative and barren
as was possible. Others were far from agree
ment with what we hold to be the truth.
Somo of them administered homeopathic
doses of Calvinism, others squinted at bap
tismal regeneration. Perhaps it is not in
evitable to the independent plan that wo
should buy and use all sorts of books, but it
is certainly true that it has been for a long
time tho habit of our teachers to regard one
book as about as good as another, and to
buy indiscriminately. See shelves of our
Sunday-school libraries. These tilings ought
not so to be. Let us teach our children
the gospel as we believe it, as wo have found
it, the power of God unto salvation. If the
general adoption by onr schools of the uni
form lesson system shall, in some measure,
protect 11s from anonymous editors and ir
responsible publishers of Sunday-school
books, this will be no small advantage.
The late General Conference, by almost
unanimous vote, recommended the uniform
lesson system to the schools of our Church.
The Annual Conferences havo joined heartily
in this recommendation. We beg to an
nounce to this Convention that about one
third of the Sunday-school children of our
Church aro now engaged upon a system of
uniform lessons, and we have reason to be
lieve that the experiment has been neither
unsatisfactory nor unprofitable.
After the reading of the address, the fol
lowing resolutions were offered and referred
to a committee composed of Prof. Carlisle,
Judge Foster and Dr. Abpey, to report on
the same to the Convention:
Whereas, The General Conference did, at
its late session, order the publication of a
Sunday-school Teachers’ Magazine, together
with a sytem of Uniform Lessons; also, a
weekly edition of the Sunday-school Visi
tor, with the Rev. A. G. Haygood, D. D., as
editor; therefore
Itesolwl, l. That in the opiniop of this
Convention, tho experience of tho past year
has proved the wisdom of this action.
2. The above Sunday-school periodicals,
togethor with Our Little People, contribute
largely to tho success of our Sunday-school
work.
3. That that the Rev. A. G.
the right man in the right place.
4. Wo earnestly recommend to every
Sunday-school Superintendent in our Con
nection, the adoption in their schools of the
Uniform Lessons, and that they place in the
hands of every teacher a copy of the Sun
day-school Teachers’ Magazine, and in the
hands of every pupil a copy of his Sunday
school Visitor and Our Little People.
J. WICKEKSHAM,
Thos. E. Thomtson.
will see that full answers to all the Discipli
nary questions are forwarded to the Editor
without* delay. The Connection has cause
for gratitude, in a net increase of 15,177
ministers and members—after deducting a
decrease of G,423 colored members, who, it
is presumed, arc, for the most part, reckoned
in the Colored Conferences, which tho Bish
ops havo organized according to the provis
ions of tho General Conference. Besides
At night the children of the McKondree
Sunday-school met in tho church for sing
ing. Tho Convention was present, and also
a largo andionce. The children sang admi
rably, and their songs were interspersed by
short, pungent speeches from Prof. Carlisle
and Drs. Hall and Huston. Tho especial at
traction of the evening was tho solo, “Ho
leadeth me,” by Master Willis Sawrie, the
whole school joining in tho chorus; and tho
duet, by Misses Sawrie and Morgan, was
pronounced by Mr. Magruder equal, if not
better than anything in that lino that Balti
more could do. Tho congregation retired,
feeling well repaid for going.
The Convention adjourned to Monuay, at
9 o’clock a. m., with the doxology and bene
diction.
FOURTH DAY, MAY 15. —MORNING SESSION.
Tho Convention met at!) o’clock, R. M.
Tydiugs iu tho chair. Religious services
were conducted by Dr. Pierce. The Min
ntes of the lust meeting were read and ap
proved.
A communication from A. H. Rod lord,
Agent, inviting tho Convention to visit the
Publishing House, was road and accepted.
Tho following resolutions wore offered by
Dr. Lewis, boing amended by substituting
teachers for stewards and trustees.
1. That this Convention indorses tho
views presented in tho address of Bishop
McTyeire before this body on the subject
of tho “Relation of the Pastor to the Sun
day-school,” setting forth tho scriptural idea
that the pastor is, iu virtue of his pastorate,
Principal of tho Babbath-school connected
with his charge.
2. That tlio Committee on Resolutions
appointed by this Convention, bo hereby
directed to prepare a memorial to the next
General Conference, praying that the Su
perintendents of the Sabbath-schools, who
aro now ex officio members of tho Quarterly
Conference, bo elected by the teachers and
confirmed by the Quarterly Conference.
3. That our Sunday-schools bo requested
to conform their election of Superintendents
to tho above resolution until the next session
of the General Conference.
Dr. Yonng expressed himself in favor of
tho resolutions. Ho had seen superintend
ents olectcd by a mass meeting of Sunday
school scholars totally incompetent to elect
a proper person for so responsible a position.
Mr. McCoy thought tho teachers tho
proper porsons to ('loot the superintendents
as they had to work with him and under
him. Ho know of two cases in which the
removal of the superintendents would break
up the school, and those superintendents
were in tho Convention at presont.
Mr. Magruder agreed with Mr. McCoy,
and moved to ameud by striking out “ trus
tees and stewards,” in the original resolu
tion of Dr. Lewis, and substituting “teach
ers,” the election to be confirmed by the
Quarterly Conference. Tho amendment
was accepted. Dr. Madden thought tho
church-meeting the proper placo for this
election to bo held, as they were bettor ac
quainted with facts and circumstances than
any other responsible parties.
Dr. Peterson said that the subject had
been thoroughly discussed iu tho Committee
on Itevisal at tho last General Conference,
and his views had materially changed on
this point. He was opposed to placing tho
election in tho hands of auy party who was
in so many instances so utterly incompetent
to judge of tho proper person for the office
as pastors and those meinlierH of the church
who take no interest in Sunday-school ope
rations.
Dr. Lewis did not think pastors wero in
competent to nominate a superintendent.
He thought they hud tho cause ns much at
heart as teachers, scholars and superintend
ents themselves, aud he thought they would
do nothing bnt what, after duo consultation,
they knew to bo right. Teachers were not
responsible parties—pastors aro. If tho
teachers aro to elect tho superintendent and
the superintendent appoint the teachers, 110
thought it,would be ruthor a one-sided af
fair; but a pastor is abovo the appointment
of the people, and hence rnoro independent,
and hence, more competent to act. The
pastor lias all tho information the superin
tendent can get, and is tho proper person
to nominate a person for tho office to the
Quarterly Conference.
Dr. JhpscomV) said that tho Sunday-school
was already under the jurisdiction of the
Quarterly (Conference and they could not
make it any more so by tbo adoption of tho
measures contemplated in the resolution.
Mr. McCoy thought that upon tho teach
ers depended to a great extent the efficiency
of the Sunday-school, and ho thought they
should be consulted. The adoption of the
measures proposed 110 thought would crip
ple the Sunday-school interest.
Dr. Hall offered the following substitute:
Resolved , That tho General Conference be
memorialized to so alter the Discipline as
will placo tho election of superintendents of
our Sunday-schools in harmony with tho
solemn obligation of the pastor to the chil
dren of tliechnrch; and at the same time
not disregarding the necessities of the school
and to a proper extent the wishes of the
teachers of the school.
On motion of W. H. Morrow, tho whole
subject was laid on the tablo.
Dr. Huston then addressed the convention
upon tho “ Work of graco in the hearts of
children.” After a few remarks of greeting
tho Doctor proceeded to elaborate his sub
ject. He took the ground that a child had,
so to speak, an, antenatal character im
pressed upon it by the blood of tho mother
and the father winch flowed in its veins. If
that father and that mother were holy per
sons, then that child would have an advan
tage over the child that was born of brutish,
unhojy parents. He pictured a woman in
tho first ecstacy of a mother’s love as she
hung in rapture over her newborn babe,
and imprints upon it the first kiss of love.
He looked in upon that mother as she sat,
four months after iu tho room adjoining
that of her babe, sowing with short, irregu
lar stitches, for her mind and her heart were
in tho cradle of that babe, while her eyos
continually turned to the door which stood
half open, ipjd her caps wore ready to catch
the faintest rustle qf tj»o cover that rested
upon her sleeping babe. A ljttlo noise is
heard, and in an instant sho is by the cratlle
of her child, .and finds, to her inedible joy
and delight, that baby has, with its legs,
kicked the coverlet off, and with its littlo
eyes upturned is crowing at tho ceiling. She
snatches it up and smothers it with kisses,
and her child looks up into her face and
smiles. That first look of love was the bo
ginning of that child’s religious education.
The antenatal education of the child is
not an end but a means. Tho manner in
which that mother turns over tho leavos of
that child’s life is not an end but a means.
Its doctrinal education is not on end but a
means. The one grand end is the regener
ation of its heart; and all things must work
VOL. XXXIY. NO. 24.
the collections for Missions reported in the
Minutes of the Annual Conferences, some
contributions were remitted to the Treasurer
of the Board of Missions, wlicli are not re
ported in the Minntes, hut will be found in
the Annual Report of tho Treasurer. At
the last session of the St. lands Conference,
that Conference was divided—so that there
aro now thirty five Annual Conferences iu
the Connection. The following is tho
up to this. It would ho a sad loss of time
to discuss tho question, “ When does re
sponsibility begin?” Cousiu, or Sir William
Hamilton, with all his logic, cannot tell 11s
when the jmeumn— the rnach— begins to
dawn. Tho kingdom of heaven is flexiblo
enough to suit tho wants and the condition
of a child. In time of man’s extremity there
was God’s opportunity, and lie called fisher
men to labor in his cause, and endowed
them with power from on high; but God is
not going to do for us wliat wo can do for
oursolvcs, and this religious education of
our youth .is now tho basis of . tho future
structure we are to build. If you wait till
your child can articulate the name of mother
aud of father, you have waited too long. Let
your first look bo u look of love. Lot your
very voice be a gospel to your child. God
never instituted a system of grace that is
not flexiblo enough to take iu every child,
and in that innumerable company 011 high
the treble voices of the children shall join
with tho grand bass of sages and seers to
swell tho glad hallelujahs of heaven.
Dr. A. L. P. Green discussed the subject
of “ Tho host mode ol' interesting tin' par
outs of Sunday-school scholars in the reli
gious education of their children.”
The following reportof tho Committee oll
Memorials was submitted by Dr. Hamilton,
Chairman.
lit /solved, That this Convention memori
alize the next General Conference, to meet
in Louisville, Ivy., May, 1874, to insert in
tho Discipline, chap, iv., see. 2, us answer,
the following:
2. Lot him inform tho parents, or guar
dians of tho children, that by their baptism
their children were made momhers of tho
visible Church of Christ, that. their names
aro recorded in tho Baptismal Register as
such, and charge them to bring them up in
tho nurture aud admonition of the Lord.
After a spirited discussion, Dr. Peterson
moved to lay it on the table, as the Conven
tion had 110 right to consider it.
Convention adjourned with the benedic
tion at one o’clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Convention met at 3 o’clock, Daniel Dun
can in the chair. Religious exercises by
Prof. Carlisle. Minutes of tho morning read
and approved.
The following resolutions, by i T. Wicker
sham, wore adopted:
llesolved, That A. G. Ilaygood bo, aud he
is horoby, authorized to furnish Dr. Red ford
for publication a copy of his Address on f lic
Uniform Lesson System.
Resolved, That Dr. Redford is hereby re
quested to publish said Address iu the Sun
day-school Magazine, and that fivo thousand
additional copies of said Magazino be printed
and the same bo forwarded to tho addresses
of the delegates of this Convention.
Tho following resolution was offered by
Dr. Nelson, and adopted:
Resolved, That this Convention recom
mend that our Sunday-school Secretary pre
pare and publish as early as possiblo, for the
use of our Sunday-schools, a Sunday-school
scholar’s certificate of admission; a Sunday
school scholar’s certificate of dismission;’ a
Sunday-school teacher's certificate of dis
mission; a Sunday-school admission record
book; a Sunday-school minuto record book;
a teacher'sjolims book; proper blanks for
Sunday-school statistics for reports to Quar
terly and Annual Conferences.
The following resolutions wero offered by
Dr. Hamilton, and adopted:
Resolved, That tlio nso of Uniform Les
sons is not inconsistent with, nor docs it
supersede tlio necessity of tho free use of
tho Commentaries on tho Bible, or of Ques
tion-hooks to somo extent.
Resolved, That the learned, able and judi
cious Commentaries on tlio Gospels, by Dr.
Thos. O. Summers, are highly appreciated
by tlio momliers of this Convention, and
their use is earnestly recommended to all
our Sunday-schools ns well as to the Church
generally. •
Resolution by Dr. Abbey:
Resolved, That we urge upon onr pastors
and people to abido faithfully by the direc
tion of tho Discipline concerning Sunday
schools,’namely: “Let Sunday-schools lie
formed iu all onr congregations where ten
children cun bo collected for that purpose.”
The following wits adopted as a substitute
for the Report of Coiruiittoo on Memorials:
Resolved, That the subject of the relation
of baptized children to tho Church is ono
which does not come properly within the
design of tho call for this Convention, and
therefore it is inexpedient for us to give an
expression of opinion concerning it.
The Convention adjourned to meet at 8
o’clock, p. M.
NIGHT SESSION,
Convention met at 8 i\ m., Bishop Kava
naugh iu the chair. Minutes of tho after
noon session read and approved.
Tho following resolutions wero adopted:
Resolved, That this Convention lias heard
with gratification that Bishop Fierce intends,
iu accordance with the request of the Balti
more Conference, to prepare, at an early
day, a biography of our lute Senior Bishop,
Rev. James O. Andrew, for our Sunday
school libraries.
Resolved, That iu tho opinion of this Con
vention that in the publication of biograph
ies, suitable for onr Sunday-school libraries,
setting forth tho faith aud deeds of the grent
men and women of the Christian Church,
would be a timely and valuable contribution
to our Sunday-school literature.
Tho following, presented by Samuel Cup
pies, was adopted:
Realizing as we do tho great importance
of our Sunday-school cause, and feeling
assured that a Sunday-school Convention of
our pastors and lay members, held during
the session of each of our Annual Copfejr
ences, when it can be dona without nuy
additional expense, would boos great benefit
to our whole Church, we would respectfully
ask our Bishops to take these matters under
consideration, and if it meet with their
approval to set apart one evening of the
Couforence-week to bo devoted to the dis
cussion of Sunday-school questions, and
that the Committee on Sunday-schools be
charged with the duly of submitting to thp
Convention such questions as they may think
profitable for dischssion.
The following resolutions were offered by
W. H. Foster, and adopted:
Whereas, Wo deem it of the utmost im
portance to the prosperity and highest devel
opment of pur Sunday-school work, that we
furnish to our schools a regular, full, and
completo coijrso of stndy; therefore, be jt,
Resolved, That tho Sunday-school Secreta
ry be requested, in all tho publications of
text-books for the schools, to haxo in view
tho idea of a regular systematic oourse of
study.
Resolved, That tho Secretary be requested,
at the earliest period practicable, to have
prepared and published, including the Uni
form Series, a full and complete courso of
Sunday-school text-books, embracing