Newspaper Page Text
102
Southern Christian
MACON, GEORGIA. JUNE 27, 187 G.
NORTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE. -
CHANGE OF TIME.
Having been induced to change the time
of the North Mississippi Conference —I now
announce that the North Georgia Conference
is changed from the 29th of November, to
the 6th of December. G. FI Pierce.
WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE.
The enviable celebrity which this institu
tion has achieved through a long term of
years for brilliant Commencements, has been
abundantly sustained by the exercises of
1576. Notwithstanding the money troubles
o'" the year, the College has been eminent
ly prosperous throughout the past term,
which closed with as great eclat as any in
the “ flush times ” of former years. The
influx of visitors from abroad may not have
been quite so great as on some previous oc
casions of the kind, but the capacious chapel
was daily crowded, while several times its
capacity was exceeded by the number of
those who desired to attend.
The exercises of Commencement Week
were handsomely inaugurated on Thursday
night by the Adelphean Society, whose mem
bers delighted a vast audience with an enter
tainment of rare excellence and beauty. The
programme of the evening was ingeniously
conceived and most admirably carried out.
The elect of the Sophomore Class were “ the
observed of all observers ” on Friday night,
and rendered their selections and recitations
in a manner which reflected the highest
credit upon themselves and the training they
had received.
The Sabbath was anticipated with eager
interest. Everybody looked forward to
Bishop Pierce’s sermon in confident expect
ation of a rich intellectual Ireat; while those
whose main motive in attending church is to
be profited, felt assured of’an edifying spir
itual feast. None of the " immense throng
compacted into Mulberry Street Church
were sent empty away. For an hour and a
quarter, a fragrance, richer and more health
ful than that which regaled the company at
Simon’s house, filled the place as the preach
er distilled from the broken “alabaster box
of very precious ointment” the very essence
of the gospel, and diffused it throughout, his
audience in fervent utterance of most felici
tous diction. It was a model “ Commence
ment Sermon.” The pulpit was occupied at
night by Rev. R. .1. Corley who addressed a
large and deeply interested congregation
upon the security of the Church in the midst
of all the hostile influences that encompass it.
On Monday morning, those.members of
the Junior Class whose merits had secured
them •* places ” read original compositions
which gave assurance that the graduates of
1877 would prove the peers of any preced
ing class that had won the diploma of the
institution. The members of the graduating
class were divided into three sections, and
charmed the audiences which assembled on
Monday night, and on the mornings of Tues
day and Wednesday, with the faultless read
ing of their well-written compositions. All
were excellent; the themes were well chosen
and were treated with great vigor of thought
and beauty of expression. The allusions to
the venerable I)r. Pierce, in the salutatory
and valedictory addresses, were singularly
beautiful and touching. It was matter of
universal regret that he was not present to
hear them. He participated in most of the
meetings of the Hoard of Trustees, and was
on the stage Monday and Tuesday; but un
fortunately, was detained in his room Ly
sickness on Wednesday.
Atthe close of the readings on Tuesday,
tlie.Annual Address was delivered by Mr.
RicliaVd S. Jeffries of Atlanta, Ga. The
subject was Literature and Literary Cull lire,
and in its discussion, the fervid orator, who
is comparatively a young man, disclosed a
familiarity with the whole field of letters,
which vindicated his judgment in selecting
so broad a theme. If, in the dry light of
criticism the address was chargeable with
redundant ornamentation, this defect, was
more than matched by the surpassing beauty
of some of its passage-'. The highest tribute
to the speaker’s success was furnished in the
unfaltering attention of his vast audience.
He certainly has gifts of a very high order,
which, chastened by time, are destined to
secure him a conspicuous place among the
orators of the .State.
The Concert on Tuesday Jiight was ex
ceedingly entertaining, and, as well as the
musical performances throughout the entire
exercises, attested the faithfulness and skill
of the instructors in this department.
After the young ladies had read their com
positions on Wednesday, President Bass
delivered their deplomas to the graduating
class —thirty >■>' in number. Upon live of
these, the additional distinction of a gold
tnedal was then conferred—one for superi
ority in composition, and four for superior
attainments in music.
The President’s Baccalaureate—which fol
lowed the announcement that the degree of
A. M. hud been conferred upon members of
the class ol 1806 —was in all respects an ad
mirable production, and rounded off the
week’s entertainment most handsomely.
We rejoice to know that the Trustees sue
ceeded in overruling Or. Buss' purpose to
resign the Presidency of the institution, and
that in deference to their earnest solicita
tion he has consented to continue in the po
sition which he has filled with such distin
guished success.
CHURCH DEDICATION.
The Rock (S. C.) Grange , says:
“ Last Sunday being the day appointed for
the dedication of the Methodist church, and
those of the other denominations bring closed,
at an early hour the seats of the capacious
building commenced to be filled, and long
before the hour appointed for service, the
entire building was filled, many forced
to stand. The dedication sermon was preach
ed by the Rev. Dr. Meynardie, from the text,
‘ Worship God.’ To attempt to do justice to
hrs able effort -would be useless. For over
an hour, as he rapidly traced the history of
idolatry from the earliest ages down to the
present, and in all its various disguises, and
finally showed that there was but one only
true worship of the living God, his audience
sat entranced. It was eloquence and truth
that they were listening to, such eloquence
as is seldom thundered from the pulpit.
After the sermon, the impressive ceremony of
delivering the church to the trustees was
performed. The church is large, commo
dious and beautifully finished ; the chancel,
aisle, and pulpit, being handsomely carpeted-
Great credit is due to the Methodists, for
they have had great obstacles to overcome,
and have succeeded in erecting a house of
worship that does honor to any community.”
Dr. Meynardie, the Presiding Elder, writes
of the subsequent services :
“ The services in connection with the ded
ication of the church continued from Sunday
to Wednesday night. Rev. Dr. Lee, of
Pineville, North Caroliua Conference,
preached Sunday afternoon, and Rev. L. A.
Johnson, of York, at night. The contmun
ion was administered after the regular ser
vice of the latter hour. The congregations
were very large, very serious, and attentive.
With few exceptions, all the people of the
town attended church. The various denom
inations, including Episcopialians, whose
rector, Rev. Mr. Johnson, is a pious and lib
eral cP-rgyman, closed their churches on
Sunday in deference to onr special meeting,
manifested the greatest interest, and united
largely in partaking of the Lord’s Supper..
In regard to ray friend, Rev. Mr. Cooper,
of the Presbyterian Church, and his flock,
I have only to repeat the words of Rev. C.
E. Chichester, another Presbyterian brother,
of Winnsboro, S. C.. addressed to me last
night: ‘ Our people (Presbyterians and
Methodists) mingle so intimately, that they
are scareely distinguishable.’ e .
“It is gforiousiy the case with all the
Churches, both at Rock Hill and Winnsboro.
Brother Cooper’s fine intellectual cultore is
only surpassed by his simple-hearted piety
and unstudied liberality. When his intimate
friend, and the great friend of Methodism at
Rock Hill, Mr. Ferguson Barber, joined the
Church Monday night, he wept npon his
bssom, with bis arm around his neck ; and
just there a pause came near being supplied
with a good old-fashioned Methodist shout !
Seven, in all, joined during tne meeting.
The Holy Spirit has honored the Chtneh
with a gracious consecration baplism from
"above I”
MEETING OF THE JOINT COMMISSION.
The Commissioners appointed by the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and those ap
pointed by the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, “ to adjust all existing difficulties,”
“ in order to remove all obstacles to formal
fraternity” between said Churches, will con
vene in joint session at Cape May, New Jer
sey, on August IG. 1876
Previous to such meeting, any parties who
desire to submit to the Joint Com mission
any conflicting claims relating to Church
property, should prepare accurate statements
of the facts, and of the questions involved,
including such evidence as either party may
wish to submit, an t t a ward the same to
Rev. M. D’C. Crawford, D.D., 822 West
Fifty-second-street, New York City, or to
Rev/ E. H. Myers, D.D-, 58 Barnard street,
Savannah, Ga. M. D’C. Crawford,
Chairman Committee, M. E. Church.
E. H. Myers,
Chairman Com., M. E. Church, South.
Church papers, M. E Cuitrch. South,
please copy. E. H. M.
June G, 187 C.
A Round Mti.i.ion. —We see by the press
telegrams that Mr. Vanderbilt lias added
§BOO.OOO to his previous munificent gilts to
Vanderbilt University, thus sw< ■tl ing the ag
gregate of his contributions to $1,000,000.
May Heaven richly reward the author of this
princely benefaction to the stricken South ;
and endue tlie administrators of this high
trust with the wisdom needful to secure
through it all the distinguished benefits it is
designed to confer.
Rome District Conference. —We are
requested by the Presiding Elder to state,
that, for good reasons the time for holding
this Conference has been changed from An
gust 17-20, as hitherto published, to July
27-30. Let all concerned note the change
and govern themselves accordingly.
Americas District Conference. — We
are authorized by the Presiding Elder, to
state that the introductory sermon will he
preached by Rev. W. C. Bass, D. D., on
Thursday June 29tli.
RECENT PUBLIC VTIONS.
Barnes' Centenary History—One Hun
iirei) Years of American Independence.
A. S. Barnes & Cos., New York, Chieago
and New Orleans.
We return thanks to Mr. Del.ea, agent for
this beautiful history, for his courtesy in sup
plying ns with a copy. It is a large, volume
of 65:7 pages, printed on tl.o te-.afc tabled pa
per, superbly illustrated, and, as far as we
have been able to judge, after a necessarily
cursory and hurried examination, it seems
to be written as fairly and impartially as we
can expect at this early period after the “ re
cent unpleasantness.”
Part 1. gives an account, in a deeply in
teresting style, of the “ Ea ly History of
America,” Prehistoric Peoples, Mound
Builders, The North American Indians, Dis
eovery of America, etc., etc.
Part 11. embraces the Revolutionary War,
and properly begins the work. Here is
found a narrative of those years of war and
self-sacrifice during which the English yoke
was thrown off. Ihe battles are described
with great fullness ; anecdotes and incidents
are freely interspersed.
Part 111. covers the Constitutional History
of the country, and brings the story down
to 1860.
Part IV. treats of the Civil War, which, to
use the language of the book, “ resulted in
the abolition of slavery and the centraliza
tion of the governing power.”
Part V. narrates the leading events of the
past decade.
Price ot the history varies from $6 to $lO,
according to hinding. We would recommend
our readers desiring a full history to corres
pond with Mr. R. L. DeLea, No. 26 Alabama
street, Atlanta, the general agent for the
school book publications of Messrs. Barnes
& Cos., who is also the general agent for the
Centenary History. Parties wishing to en
gage as agents for the sale of the work (by
subscription only), we take pleasure in re
commending to write as above.
Orn Chii.dren. By Atticus G. Haygood,
D. D.\ New York: Nelson & Phillips,
805 Broadway. Macon: J. W. Burke &
Cos., 60 Second street. Price, $1.50.
We have received a copy of this anxiously
looked-for book, just before we go to press.
It is very handsomely gotten up, and is a
real treat to the eye. soon as we shall
have read it. we purpose to give it an exten
ded notice in these columns, and only men
tion it now, that our readers may know that
the annoying delay is over, and that the book
may be had. Messrs. Burke & Cos. have re
ceived a consignment, and are prepared to
till orders. See their advertisement.
OUR JULY MONTHLIES.
The Eclectic —Lord Macauly; Some Fes
tivities in Natal; Bonivard, ‘The Prisoner of
Cbillon;’ Powers of the Air; A Rhyme of
One; Her Dearest Foe; Ordeals and Oaths;
Spelling; Mrs. Thrale: The Friend of Dr.
Johnson; Society; Gipsies, aud their Friends;
.Verses in Old French Forms; Studies of
Matter and Life; Great Guns and Armor-
Plating; Sainte Periue, of the City of the
Gentle; Glamour; The usual Editorial De
partment; and two elegant steel engravings.
The Galaxy. —July 4th, 1876; Washing
ton’s Headquarters at Newburgh; Madcap
Violet: Sunset vs. Sunrise; Life among the
Bedouins; What makes tne Poet; Father
Tolo’s Umbrella; On Cyclopaedias; Organ
Music at Twilight; A Word with Max Mul
ler; Souvenirs of a Man of Letters; Battling
with the Sioux on the Yellow itone; Miss
Falconer’s Experience; Cabby and Cocher;
Archer and Prince; and the usual Editorial
Departments.
The Atlantic. —From Jaffa to Jerusalem;
The Night-Wind; The American; July; Old
Woman’s Gossip; How the Old Horse Won
the Bet; Campaign and Battle of Gettysburg:
The King’s Memento Mori; The State and
the Railroads- Characteristics of the Inter
national Fair; Before the Prime; A Sennight
ofthe Centennial; Contrast; and the Editor's
Department.
Scribner’s. —Superbly illustrated. —The
Story of the Signing; A Little Centennial
Lady; Gabriel Conroy; To Dora; Reminis
cences of Audubon; Nightfall; Harvard Uni
versity Centennial Bells; Wagner at Bay
reuth; The Stuart Portraits of Washington;
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
A Providence; The River Mosel and its Old
Roman Poet; The Bride of the Rhine; His
Messenger ; Phillip Nolan’s Friends; or,
“Show your Passports;” Daniel Webster
and the Compromise -Measures of 1850: Oli
ver Madox Brown; The Summons; with the
usual admirably conducted Editorial Depart
ments.
St. Nicholas. —Fron'ispiece; the Mother’s
Stra'egem; Jingle; One Hundred Y’ears of
American History; The Cat and the Countess;
Boston Boys: Windsor Castle: Jemimaßrown;
How the Storks Came and W’ent; Fourth of
July; Our Flag; The Boy Emigrants; Tne
Mouse’s Mistake; Turret Ships and Torpe
does; How Old Marlin and Washington Came
to be Friends; The Vikings in America; Lit
tle Housekeeper's Page; For Very Little
Folks; Jack-in-the-Pulpit; The*Youtig Con
tributors’ Department; The Letter Box; The
Riddle Box.
Ware's Valley Monthly. —The May num
ber contains : Thrilling Adventures with In
dians; President Lincoln and the National
Monument; Rambles and Ramblers Abroad:
The Lord’s Day in the Family; Western Cav
aliers; The Young Artist of Florence; Just
Twenty Years; Freedom and Una: Our Next
Door Neighbor; Progress of the Republic;
Clara, the Queen; From Wakarussa to Ap
pomattox; Editorial Department.
Southern Historical Society Papers.—
May contents : Ke nr licences of the Confed
erate Navy; Captain Ritter’s Account of the
Death of Sergeant Langley; General Wilcox
on Seven Pines: Review of Bates’ Getfys
burg; Diary of Capt. R. E. Park, of 12th Ala.
Regiment; Correction of Incident in Refer
ence to Genera! Picket: Address of Gene
ral D. H. Hill, befoM- tb- Mecklenburg, N. C.
Historical Society; Editorial Department.
Littell's Living Age. —Numbers 1668
and 1669, I.earing, date May 27th and June
Gd, respectively, contain Sunday-school and
Lending Library literature; Recent Scotch
Novels; Lady Candidate; T'other Side of the
Water, by One who Knows this Side; Life
and Letters of Lord Macauley; Justin Vita
li’s Client; Mrs. Thrale, the Friend of Dr.
Johnson; National Antipathies of Individ
uals; The Conditions of Business Success;
Furnishing; Soul-Traps; A Frenchman on
French Women; Incidents of African Travel;
Instalments of “What, She Came Through,”
a charming serial by Sarah Tytler; and the
ustwil select poetry and miscellany.
“PURELY COURTEOUS.
One of the accomplished editors of the
Richmond Christian Advocate, misses the
point, in commenting on Dr. Pierce’s note
in this paper concerning his fraternal ad
dress.
The Doctor says : “ I took the precaution
early in January and Febuary to write out
what I intended as my address, but my col
leagues judged it best to withhold all but,
the purely courteous part. The body and
pith of my address was on American Meth
odism as an ecclesiastical polity approach
ing more nearly in my opinion the Divine
Gospel commission and Apostolical economy
than any other in use. It is not to be sup
posed that my noble colleagues withheld
this part of my address because they dissent
ed from my views of Methodism,’.’
Our Richmond brother comments: “We
hope there is nothing in the address but what
is ‘purely courteous,’ and that there will be
no serious dissension among the ‘noble col
leagues.’ ”
The second sentence in the above extract
from Dr. Pierce’s note shows what, he meant
by the “purely courteous part/’—his kind
words and fraternal greetings, the “body
and pith” being left out. We know —know
ing Dr. Pierce —that “there is nothing in
the address but what is purely courteous.”
Discourtesy he could not Dave put in it. In
this our Richmond friend agrees with us.
Among these “noble colleagues” “dissen
sion” is impossible. 11.
Oxford.
SUNDAY IN JAPAN.
The Prince Minister ofJapan has recently
issued a proclamation that hereafter Sunday
shall lie observed as a day of rest in all the
goverment offices throughout the empire.
This, but for the imprudence of a Romish
priest-missionary, would have been done in
1872, for the Mikado had determined, in
ab dishing the lunar and adopting the solar
calender, to introduce the Sunday as a mat
ter of pure convenience. The priest shouted
too soon —before he was nut of the woods—
and the conservatives, alarmed and provokr
ed, set back, for a time, the whole work of
reform.
We must not attach undue importance to
the recent proclamation. It does not indi
cate that Japan is about to have a Christian
Sunday ; it is not a proof of any great ofii.
cer's conversion. Having adopted, for con
venience, our Christian Cluonology in all
communications with foreign Christian pow
ers, it was easy and natural to adopt our di
visions of time. And thus, simply for con
venience, they have introduced the Sunday.
In other words, they need one day in seven.
This division of time meets their wants bet
ter than their own. When a nation finds out
wliat the Sabbath is, it sees that it needs the
day.
The French-in their decade of madness—
tried to get along with one day out of ten,
but this did not meet their wants. One day
in seven is the Divine proportion of rest and
labor days.
The Japanese have proclaimed the Sab
bath there not as a religious but only as a
rest day. But it is a long step in advance.
It is truly a token for good. Our civilization
and our Christianity are not quite identieal,
but they are inseparable. Let the Church
give to the Japanese, Christian worship for
their Sunday. H.
Oxford.
A GLIMPSE OF THE WORK OF OUR
HIBIjK SOCIETY.
We write, most gratefully, “ Our Society”
for such it is. It is not local or sectarian.
There is nothing narrow and meagre about
it. It is the child and the ally of all that is
truly great and good in American Christian
ity. The American Bible Society has de
served well, not only of the country, but of
the human race.
We have just received, thanks to the effi
eient superintendent in Georgia, the Rev
W. A. Parks—a little pamphlet giving “Spe
cimen verses from versions in different lan
guages and dialects in which the Holy Scrip
tures have been printed and circulated by the
American Bible Society and the British and
Foreign Bible Society.”
Here are specimen verses from 164 ver
sions, from Accra—a dialect of West Africa
—to Zulu —a dialect of South Africa.. We
have here versions for all the European na
tions. Here is Greek ancient and Greek
modern—far more alike than our English
and Chaucer’s. They have the genuine,
original Irish, and a version in Manx,for the
little Isle of Man. Creolese (West Indies),
Albanian, Bohemian, Bulgarian, Russian,
S lavoriic, Servian, Croatian, Hungarian,
Turkish, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic,
Persian, Sanskrit, a dozen Hindostanee dia'
lects, Japanese, Chinese, Siamese, Tibetan,
Javanese, Malagasy, versions in twenty dia
leet9 for the islanders of the Pacific, twenty
for different nations in Africa, nearly as
many for North American Indians and Cen
tral South American mongrel tribes—these,
and many more, are all represented in this
little pamphlet.
Specimens of the work of these two great
Bible Societies are on exhibition in Phila
delphia. If tiiere were nothing else to bhow,
this Bible-work is worth the Centennial ex
pense and gathering of the people. And
there will be nothing at the Cen'ennial so
significant of the progress of the world dur
ing the last century, or so grandly prophetic
of progress during the Centuries to comet-
And these Societies belong to the century of
which so many beasts are made. Tbe day
the Brit sh and Foreign Bible Society
oiganiz and should be counted by Englishmen
as the greatest day in their last hundred
y.-ars. The American Bible Society was
ganized in New York, May, 1816 —sixty
years ago. That was a grancer day, by isrf
than the 4th ot July, or any other day in our
history.
Take it all in all, the work of the Atnerp
can Bible Society represents the greatest
work for man's good and God’s glory ever
done in America. One is almost bewilder
ed in trying to take in the sums total which
the reports of these Bible Societies present.
The British Society from 1804 till the close
of 1875 “had put into circulation nearly 74,,
000,000 copies of the Bible, in above tw6
hundred languages, and had expeuded nearly
£8,000,000 iu translating, printing, and dis
seminating the Scriptures.” At the close
of its sixtieth year, in the month of May, the
American Bible Society reports that its “to
tal issue of Bibles, Testaments, and integral
portions of the Scriptures are 33,125,766,
and its expenditures iu this work as having
exceeded $17,000,000.”
Christians and philanthropists must rejoicq
in such work for God and man. And they
will help it forward, as they have opportunity
tv. IL.'J
Oxford.
Correspondence.
LETTER FROM MRS. BRANCH,
Dear Doctor: We would not go to the
Geysers, would we? We would not grope
around in fearfully hot places, which smell
of b imstone, and are hideous with hissing
sounds—unless we were obliged to. It majf
do for some persons to wander about to*
hours without so much ;>s once dating to sit?
down upon a rock to rest, for fear of having
holes eaten in th. ir clothing; but tee will not.
try the experiment. It is romantic to have
one's picture taken in company with a Bish
op, standing over so fearful a place as the
“ Witches’ Cauldron,” but how much clearer
the faces o! that G yser group would have*
looked if they had stood out upon the sunlit
hill wheie our Sab oath-school May pic-nic'
was held. T
Let tne tell you about this pic-nic ami|
what I saw on that day that was fairer to be
hold than all the weird scenes of beauty
around tbe Geysers. Saturday, the 7th, was
the day appointed for the occasion, and a
more lovely one never dawned. With a
crowd of happy children scampering about
me, I started out —sorry for those who call
picnics a nuisance. Who can call the mo
ments wasted, in which a wise one turns
from his congenial employments to enter"
into tbe joys of a child? Is it a silly oectw
pation to imprint pictures pf beauty upoiP
the fair tablet of a fresh young heart, which
may linger there through all the years of a
life time, and be to sosne weary-hearted man
or woman like a green oasis in the desert of
life?
I was as happy as the children in the an
ticipated joys of the day. Our bright hopes
were somewhat dampened when we found
upon reaching the church, onr place of ren
dezvous, that neither onr Superintendent
nor his Assistant would be of the party.
The streets of Santa. Rosa, might
grown fearfully dusty before the' (lay was
over, without, the aid of that enormous
sprinkler which rolls around under the
guidance of one of these dignitari s—and
some important law case was doubtless in
the way of our other dignitary’s going ; —so
we excused them, and took heart on finding
out we were still in good care. Will he ex
cuse my calling him marshall of the day. who
worked so nobly in the cause of making
others happy? I know him to be a modest
young man, and perhaps he would not like
to have his name in print.
In omnibuses and vehicles of many
drawn by fast teams, provided by those kind
officers of the school who could not, go, we
were soon packed, and a merry crowd rolled
along towards Flirtation Hill, distant about,
a mile and a half from Santa Rosa. Per
haps I had better tell you what, they call
“teams” in this country. The word has
alway called up to my mind visions of poking
ox-carts, moving at the rate of a mile an
hour. I was enlightened in this way: A
lady of about fifty years, buxotn and agreeat,
w, was making me a visit. She remarked
that she- and her little daughter of seven
years, would take the “team” and go to the
“ranch” next day, and would return the
day following. I knew the ranch was over
forty miles off. Now, with a “team ” such
as I had seen, it was preposterous to think
of her making the trip in less than four days.
I relieved my mind by asking, “ What is a
team ?” She smiled to think of my ignor
ance and replied, “ Why the wagon and
horses.” I was still quite in the dark as to"
wliat a team really meant; for our ideas of
“wagon and horses” come farshortof wliat
a California “ turn-out,” like that is. I am
very familiar with them now. as they are the
turn-out most in use here —so I will picture
one for you. Imagine a spring-wagon, high
swung, painted bright red, without any cov
er, with two cushioned seats, with high
backs., drawn by two, or sometimes four,
mettlesome horses, and you have the kind of
vehicle in which this very omanly woman
drove herself and little girl about ninety
miles in two days. She told me they were
driving the horses then to take some of the
metal out of them. *
Several of these “teams” were in our
procession, and the horses’ hoofs made ring
ing music as we trotted along the beautiful
hard streets of Santa Rosa. 1 had all around
me in an omnibus, my crowd of earnest
eyed scholars. How proud they looked 1 I
imagine that Bonaparte, at the head of his
army, felt scarcely prouder than some of
these little fellows, who rode m a “bus”
brought out expressly for them. A few
minutes’ trotting of California teams brought
us to the foot of our sentimentally named
hill. How fast the little ones clambertd
oull and how soon the vehicles were de
serted! It was amazing how rapidly ti e
children accomplished the ascent, which so
took our breath away. But I never could
go up these mountains like any one else. I
found so many pretexts for sitting down to
look back over the view. Mrs. S’s
baby wanted restiug, or Maggie’s shoe
string came untied—so more than one of us
sat down. I looked out across the valley
which I have before tried to describe to you
—lt was lovelier than ever, in its spring
robes. Such varied hues of rich green upon
meadow and field I never imagined. Then
there were my mountains, the sight of which
so fills my soul with unutterable thoughts.
Who is it that keeps snubbing them by call
ing them “ foot-hills ”? Please let me have
them mountains —I love them so—for they
are a “joy forever” to me, greeting my
eyes first in the morning day-beams, and
lingering last upon tny gaze, as in the twi
light I watch the purpling shadows, nestle
lovingly among them. I love to think of a
life where all these thoughts we find so un
speakable now, will flow from soul to soul
1 in forms of wondrous beauty.
But my little throng came back to call me,
and led by their loving hands, I toiled on,
laughing wiih them, until we were at the top
of the hill among the leafy trees. What a
pretty scene was there ! Little girls cradled
upon the wile spread limbs of the great old
oaks, boys higher up among the boughs,
some already playing games, and others
resting upon the grass— all gay as birds. AM
the birds, how they sang their songs above
us, umnindtul of the unusual sounds inva
ding their forest homes ! I i’stened >o tbe
trilling of the lark, an 1 oth. r bird notes, but
must I own to a seer t gladness, 'hat no
moeking-bi'd’s song was there ? No bird
could sing so sweet a song tor me, none other
could call up sucb dear me.nior : yet this
happy, favored land,must not have all charms
—stay in our sunny South, sweet mocking
bird 1
But here we are just at the “picnic
ground,” and I have written as much, per
haps, as you can print at once ; so you can
let me complete the story next week.
C. B.
A FLORIDA SUNDAY-SCHOOL PICNIC.
Mr. Editor: As your readers seldom hear
anything concerning this pretty and healthy
little town, it. occurred to me, white enjoying
the fine air on the upper deck of the steamer,
that was carrying a happy band of Sunday
school children to the place selected for their
Picnic, that I would send you an account of
that pleasant occasion.
You know, but some of your readers may
not, that Fernandina is made an island by
► the confluent waters of Amelia river and the
Atlantic Ocean. A shell road, straight and
smooth, extends from river to sea. Now, I
might say some fine things about the “ deep
resounding shore,” and the breakers and
billows with music in their roar ; and I might
delight you, and make this letter longer, by
quoting Byron’s apostrope to the ocean. But
this does not properly belong to my subject,
nor have Ia copy of Childe Harold at hand.
The Picnic party was composed of the
Methodist and Presbyterian Sunday-schools,
with the members of the two Churches, and
their friends. Our number, counting heads
and feet, considerably exceeded the limita
tion put on the living freight the law allows
our brave steamer to carry. But if weight
were justly taken into the account, the law
was maintained in all its integrity, for there
were several sucklings present, and not a few
who had but recently come out of that inters
esting class, and the bairns largely outnum
bered the growu-up people.
Through the thoughtfulness of our super
intendent, Bro. A. O. MacDonell, the offi
cers and scholars of our school were distin
guished by badges of white and blue ribbed
ribbon, with the name of the school in letters
of gold; and through the generosity of that
same worthy gentleman, an elegant silk ban
ner, decorated with appropriate symbol and
motto, floated at tbe head of the little band.
We claim to be tbe Banner Sunday-school
of the Florida Conference, and we are.
Safe on board our staunch craft, and all
seated as comfortably as all can be on back
less benches, we are soon speeding across
the smooth bosom of Amelia river. The
[scene presented to the eye, as it, rests upon
the sunny faces of the little people, is lovely
and inspiring. Big and little, preacher and
people, are arrayed in all the glory of their
best manners and their faces are adorned
with their finest expressions. Everybody
looks good, and sweet, and amiable, except
one or two babies that seem to be put out
about something.
Our steamer makes a sharp turn round
a point of marsh, and we are on Belle River.
While we are pursuing the windings of that.
jSBI' i Y n we get some views qf our island
city, which, but for the calamitous fire that
consumed the unsightly wooden buildings
that occupied the streets, running parallel
with the river, we could, not have enjoyed.
There, too, six miles distant to the right,
thA yellow bluffs of St. Mary’s lift, themselves
high above the stream whose name it bears.
It is too far to descry the houses, nor have we
.ever been there, but we have no idea it is as
pretty a place as Fernandina.
As we steam along, through the meander
ings of the river, points of land that possess
rioeal interest come into view. The day is
-lovely; the balmy breeze comes over the sea,
and so tempers the air, and refreshes the
spirits, that the very sunlight is grateful. But
1 cannot describe anything, gimply becacse
there is nothing to describe. Nothing is to
,be seen on either side, but a vast expanse of
monotonous marsh, fringed by the silvery
foam of the rising tide. Can anybody make
marsh appear picturesque with a pen ? Can
anybody describe a pine tree, so as to invest
it with artistic interest,? 0 r make the Sword
Palmetto a thing of beauty ?
Well, we are at the place of destination.
It is called by the euphonious name of Cone’s
Bluff. It gets its first name from the genial
gentleman whe resides near the landing; it
is indebted for the surname to a poetic li
cence. With its noble oaks, its carpet of
grass, its background of luxuriant corn, its
little community of open-heat ted house-hol
ders, and its silent mill, with its still saws,
that are content to shpw their teeth, until
the rightful owner gives them something to
Out, it is as charming a spot as any one could
reasonably desire for the enjoyment of those
pleasures peculiar to a Sunday-school pic
nic.
On disembarking, the party soon scattered
in different directions, while the more grave
and of the older lu-ads, went to work to
prepare the second floor of the commodious
building for the picnic feast. A table was
soon constructed of the planks lying in liti
gation. The contents of the baskets were
scarcely on the boards, when, all unsum
moned, moved by one impulse, the scattered
groups united in the breezy hall. What oc-
J'upied the attention during the succeeding
nour, you know as well as if you had been
there.
This unknown spot, with its modest name,
possesses great natural beauty, the soil is
fruitful, and the air pure and sweet. The
fields of waving corn, would delight the eye
even of a Georgia farmer. I enquired con
cerning its health, and was told by a stout
man, who looked like he hand’nt taken a
lose of physic since his last attack of colic,
in the period of babyhood, that the only case
of sickness that had occurred there, was that
of a man who had unwittingly come in con
tact with the teeth of the mill saw.
On backing from the wharf, our steamer
tell foul of a couple of spikes. The mishap,
however, only evoked a few suppressed
ncreams, and turned the ruddy glow on some
cheeks to a ghostly white. In a few minutes
we were traversing once more the long
stretches of the meandering river. The
lay’s diversions produced a subduing eff -ct
upon the whole party, save a couple of in
"fents, who got put out, (not out of the craft)
and made the balmy air of evening melodi
ous with their full voiced cries aud screams.
It is incomprehensible how such little crea
tures can pour forth such a mighty volume of
pound, and that their frail systems can stand
the great outpouring so long. They seem to
;mind it far less than those who only have to
listen.
We reached the wharf on this side just, as
the sun was sinking behind the trees, with
hearts thankful for the happy day, and with
bodies prepared to enjoy the repose of the
hight. B.
Fernandina, Fla., June 7, 1876.
ri O , ’ ■ -
Broad Street, Columbus, Georgia.—A
private note from Rev, J. V. M. Morris,
dated June 19th, says: Our rtieeting closed
last night, with a crowded church and twen
ty-five or thirty at the altar. We have ad
ded t enty-eight to the membership—four
of them by letter. A fine state of feeling ex
ists, and I think great good has been done.
MARION CIRCUIT. SOUTH CAROLINA
CONFERENCE.
Mr. Editor: in 1846, I was tbe junior
preacher on the Marion circuit. Dr. Colin
Murchison, now of the Illinois Conference,
was in charge. The circuit then embraced
all that part of Marion county lying east of
the Great. Pee Dee, together with a part of
Marlboro. W e had twenty-one appointments,
and twenty two local preachers. In no cir
cuit that I ever travelled, have I found so
many men who professed to lie called of God
to the work ot the ministry, and so few who
gave evidence of their fitness for the work.
There were a few, however, who had “gifts,
grace, and usefulness,” and they were ( ttici
ent co-workers with their itinerant, brethren.
Thirty years have passed away since then
thirty years of patient, laborious, and self
denying toil, on the part of our itinerants,
and their faithful co-laborers—and what have
been the results? We now count our mem
bers by thousands instead of hundreds, and
where we had but one pastoral charge," we
now have fire, viz., Buck Swamp circuit,
Little Rock circuit, South Marlboro circuit,
Marion circuit, and Marion station.
The Buck S vamp circuit is now in charge
of Rev. J. C. S., one of the many efficient
preachers that Charleston Methodism has
given to the Church. The reports of preach
er and stewards, presented at their last Quar
terly Conference, furnish gratifying evidence
of their fidelity to the interests of their re
spective trusts. On Sunday morning of our
quarterly meeting, a cash collection of fifty
dollars for foreign missions was taken up;
and at night, eight or ten persons applied
tor membership in the Church, and many
penitents were at the altar for prayer. The
Church at home will prosper in proportion
as she exerts herself to send the gospel
abroad, and a missionary meeting, properly
conducted is one of the most efficient agen
cies in promoting a rerival.
Little Roch circuit takes in the northeast
ern portion of tiie county. Little Rock, alter
which the citcuit is nanu and, is a pleasant vil
lage, about half a mile from what used to lip
known as llurleesville. The name of the
church at this place has been changed. It is
no longer Liberty Chapel, but St. Paul's.
At this I can but feel some regret. And
here, Mr. Editor, 1 must enter a protest
against that love of novelty, and that desire
tor change, that will not spare even the
names of the churches of our fathers. In
this instance, I cannot see that anything has
been gained. True, the old name is not
saintly as tbe new, but, then, it is just as
suitable for a church, the sittings of which
are free , and where all are at liberty to come
and worship God. R, v. F. A. is in charge
of this circuit. He is not as large a man as
his predecessor, and does not weigh as much
by at least fifty pounds, lint he fills his place
on the circuit admirably well There being
no parsonage here, brother A. has labored
with commendable zeal and energy to secure
one, and his efforts have not been in vain.
The laymen of the circuit have approved bis
course, and by tlieir liberality and coopera
tion, have made his labors a success. Much
of the material for the building has already
been purchased, and before the year closes,
anew and well furnished parsonage will be
ready for the pastor of the church on the
Little Rock circuit. This was all that was
wanting to make this one of the very best
circuits in our Conference. I commend the
zeal of this brother, and the liberality of his
people, to those preachers and people, who
are connected with circuits, in which there
are no preachers’ homes. At Little Rock,
where the parsonage will be located, there is
a flourishing High School, in charge of Mr.
L. D. Hamer, a graduate of onr own Wofford,
who bids fair to become one of the most suc
cessful educators of youth in this conntiy.
W. 11. F.
LETTER FROM MONTANA.
Mr. Editor: For the last time I write to
you from Montana. On the 13th of June we
start for home , if nothing prevents. We will
travel six hundred miles in a wagon, to
reach the railroad. We have a tent and ex
pect to camp out—it will take us nearly
three weeks. The joy of going home takes
away much of the disagreeable part of the
trip. We dread the flies and mosquitoes for
the horses.
Montana is rather dull at present. Farm
ers are very much disheartened. Grasshop
pers cover nearly the whole Territory. East
ern Montana is overrrun. What the peo
ple are to do I cannot see. This is the fourth
year, and probably will be worse than any of
theothefs. There will be suffering. Every
thing looks green and lovely now, but soon
there will scarcely be a blade of grass. They
even eat the foliage of the pine tree, and the
onion.
Of onr Church, there is nothing encour
aging to write. Our house at Corvallis
has passed into the hands of the carpenter.
The lumber has been sold by the owner.
We lost the church for the want of money.
A minister finds much here to grieve him.
A few Sundays ago as we were on our way
to church, we met a Church member, wife
and children, on their way to town to trade.
Again, last Sunday after preaching, a stew
ard (who only lives six miles from the
church) went into a store and bought his
wife a dress. And yet these are called good
people. They are kind, social, honest.
What is the preacher to do with them ? He
cannot get the members to report them.
Why ? because they are afraid of each other.
These things make us very sad ; and I fear
God has sent the grasshopper upon them as
He did the plagues upon Israel, for their
great wickedness.
I visited last week the family of Mr. Bass,
who is trying experiments in fruit culture.
I saw apple and plumb trees in full bloom.
- The apples are a species of the crab. For
small fruits (berries) this country cannot be
excelled. Mr. Bass had received a letter
with two grains of corn, from a gentleman in
Georgia. Only one grain came up. It is a
foot high. This is not a corn country. You
would laugh to see the corn here. The ears
as a general thing come out at. the root, and
look as if they were growing out of the
ground. I have seen some that grew high,
but the ears were small. Small grain does
well here.
Parties contemplating moving to this
country nearly always ask about the society
and schools. The first is grpatly mixed, as
any one might expect, in anew country.
In this, Western Montana, some of the
wealthiest men are married to Indian squaws.
Asa matter of course your children go to
school with half-breeds. You are at times
forced into their society. In Eastern Mon
tana this is not the case ; but even there, so
ciety might be better.
Again has my Advocate brought sad
news. Two more friends of early years
gone to glory. Mrs Dr. Eve, and Mrs.
Doughty. The first the wife of our dear old
family physician ; with whom J sympathize
most tenderly—for well and gratefully do I
remember his sympathy in time of trouble.
God bless him in this sad bereavement; and
his children, too, who were my childhood
friends. How many more will be gone
when I return ?
God has been good to us amid our trials
and privations. We leave the Territory out
of debt. Our last bill, one hundred and
thirty four dollars, to a physician for two
visits—our first doctor’s bill to a Southern
man, and a member of our Church —Dr.
Curtiss, a practicing physician at the time.
I want our brethren at home to pray for
us. There are dangers ahead of us on the
road. The rivers are high and bridges are
giving out. There are Indians to meet in
lonely places. I want the Sunday-schools
in Augusta to pray lor us, while we are in
our tent spending the Sabbath. When I was
a scholar, and afterwards a teacher, among
them, I djd not dream of passing through
the scenes of the pa3t four aud a half years.
And J. C. P., whose sympathy was very
sweet, must pray for us. To the itinerant
far away from home a little sympathy is very
dear. We are but human and love to be
encouraged. I shed tears over the letter of
J. C. P., which brought to mind a familiar
fireside and its sweet associations.
Lou Belle Curtiss.
WESLEYAN FEMALE COLLEGE.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VISITORS.
The Board of Visitors appointed by the
North and South Georgia Conferences to at
tend the commencement exercises of Wes
leyan Female College, beg leave to submit
the following report:
We are gratified at the indications of in
creased prosperity that have attended the
institution during the past collegiate year.
Under the able administration of Presi
dent Bass, assisted by an ample and compe
tent corps of teachers, the College has main
tained the prestige of its influence, and des
pite the general financial prostration of the
country, more than two hundred pupils have
been in attendance, ai.d the College, this
year, sends forth a class of thirty-six young
ladies to adorn society and to reflect honor
upon their alma mater.
The written examination of the classes
was thorough and impartial, and entirely
satisfactory to the Board of Visitors. We
are impressed with the conviction thaf
the methods of instruction adopted by the
faculty are wise and judicious, and admirably
adapted to discipline the minds of the pu
pils.
Numerous and elegant paintings attest the
skill of the pupils in this department of art.
The musical department is well organized
and well patronized, and the young ladies
exhibit, marked proficiency both in vocal and
in instrumental music.
The College buildings are commodious in
their accommodations and convenient in their
appointments. The boarding department,
under the control of an experienced matron,
is admirably conducted. The most rigid care
is exercised in guarding the health of the
pupils, and we are gratified to report that no
case of serious sickness has occurre! among
the young ladies during the entire collegiate
year. The grounds are extensive, and adorn
ed with trees and shrubbery and rare and
beautiful flowers, affording a constant source
of recreation to the inmates of the college.
We deem it inexpedient to enter into a
minute detail of the varied and entertaining
exercises of commencement, week. Every
thing wa3 conducted with marked ability, re
flecting credit upon the young ladies and
upon the entire faculty. The exhibition of
the Adelphean Society, the selections read
by members ol the Sophomore class, and
the original compositions read by the Junior
and Senior classes, all were admirably execu
ted, evincing literary taste and a high grade
of scho -arship.
The commencement sermon by Bishop
Pierce was instinct with living thought and
glowing with spiritual power.
The literary address by Mr. R. S. Jeffries,
of Atlanta, was chaste, unique, and admira
bly adapted to the’ occasion.
In conclusion, we heartily commend the
College to the" support of the Conferences
and the patronage of the people. Its officers
are gentlemen of great literary excellence
and moral worth. Its curriculum is main
tained at a high standard of scholarship, while
the moral and religious, the social and liter
ary advantages of those who are educated
here, are equal to those furnished by any
similar institution in the country.
11. H. Parks.
G. H. Pattili.o.
W. P. Rivers.
R. J. Powell.
Walker Lewis.
J. M. Mobley.
R. J. Corley.
THE NEW CHURCH AT CAMDEN, S. C.
Dear Advocate: Since last report, March
23, the following 'Contributions have been
received : —R. B Reppard, Savannah, Ga.,
$10; Cash, $11.50; Mrs. Crosby, $10;
Rev. J. W. K., $3; Rev. J. W. Humbert,
$2; Rev. M. L. Banks, Rev. Daniel DuPre,
Rev. C. I). Rowell, Rev. T. G. Herbert,
Rev. C. W. Felder, Rev. A, H. Lester, Rev.
A. R. Danner, Rev. William Hutto, Rev.
Dove Tiller, Rev. D. J. Simmons, Rev. W.
P. Mouzon, Rev. J. Walter Dixson, Rev.
Jos. Galluchat, Rev. Joel W. Townsend,
and Messrs. E. R. Richbotirg, H. Coggswell,
J. G. Etheredge, J. W. N. Beard, William
T. Jeter, W. B. Stanley, W. T. Barrett,
Hon. S. Bobo, Maj. J. A. Lee, Maj. A. H.
Kirby, Capt. J. H. Blassingame, and “ A
Methodist,” each sl. Total $62.60.
The corner-stone of our church will be
laid during the session of the Sumter Dis
trict Conference, which will convene some
time in August next. We are still looking
to our brethren for help. We are convinced
if the Methodists of South Carolina only
knew the circumstances of the Church at
Camden, they would make every effort to
aid in the erection of a Church edifice.
One dollar each from J of the membership
in South Carolina would build the church—
for this we have been pleading, and the
above report will show results. J)ear breth
ren, regard our appeal, awl send us one
dollar. Yours very truly,
H. F. Chrietzberg.
Camden, S. C.. June 13, 1876.
LOUISVILLE, SOUTH GEORGIA CON
n; tit: me.
Dear Advocate: I have not time to give
to your readers an extended account of the
great things which the Lord is doing for us
in Louisville—nor Is it necessary.
Our District Conference convened hereon
Thursday, June Ist, and, as slated to you by
our Secretary, we continued the meeting.
Bro. Branch, of Waynesboro, remained three
days. Bro. Tucker, of Scarboro, still abides.
This is the twentieth day, and on we go.
Th Spirit of the Lord pervades the whole
town, and religion is now the principal topic
of conversation on the streets, in the stores,
shops and dwellings. All are approachable
and few pretend to set up any defense against
the claims of the gospel.
Up to date about twenty-seven have pro
fessed saving faith in Christ, the conversion
of nearly all of them being clear and satis
factory to both themselves and us.
Twenty-one have applied for Church mem
bership. Eight or ten will join other Church
es.
The membership of the three Churches
here—Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian
—have been revived, and a blighter and bet
ter day has dawned upon us.
To ministerial helpers we return thanks ;
to God we give all the glory. Pray for us.
E. J. Burch.
Appling Circuit, South Georgia Con
ference.—Rev. B. F. Fariss writes, June
4: “I think we are advancing religiously ,
on this circuit. We had an excellent meet
ing at Harlem —fiifteen accessions—the
VOLUME XXXIX., NO. 26.
Church much blessed.. We also bad a good
meeting at Sawdust—membership greatly
revived —five joined the Church. The Spirit
of God was present in great power, on both
occasions. Bro. Conner, a superanuatc-d
member of the Conference, and the brethren
of the local ranks, worked very effectively
in these meetings. There are tokens of good
at other points on the work. We are erect
ing two churches on the circuit—one at Har
lem, the other six miles from Appling. We
hope to get them finished this year. They
will be nice buildings when completed.
SEND IN THE INFORMATION.
Mr. Editor: The Board of Education
appointed me to collect facts concerning the
children of our deceased preachers. I
would write to each of the sisters, but do not
know the postoffice of more than two of
them, nor can I with any degree of certainty
learn them from others who are immediately
accessible to me. I will, therefore, avail
myself of the Advocate in seeking the infor
mation desired; and as some of the willows of
our deceased preachers live outside of Flor
ida, I would be obliged to preachers, in
whose charge they reside, to call their atten
tion to this communication.
We desire to know —1. The names of the
children; 2. Their age; 3. Their education
al advantages and degree,-„of advancement ;
4. The character of educational institutions
in their immediate vicinity ; 5. If any are
preparing, or feel called, to preach the gospel;
6. The postoffice of each sister.
The above information is desired by the
15lh of July, ami correspondents are reques
ted to address me at Monticello, Florida.
I take this occasion to remind the breth
ren of the Conference that the Board meets
August Ist, in Lake City, and we hope that
every brother will take his collection by then
and forward the amount to Bro. H E. Part
ridge, Sec’y of the Board, Lake City, so that
the Board may be able to shape its action
with certainty. Jas. P. DePass.
Monticello, June 1 C>th, 1876.
MORE HELP.
A South Georgia preacher—a Presiding
Elder—writes a kind and encouraging letter.
He gives the names and post-offices of three
persons to whom he thinks it will do good to
send catalogues of the College. There is a
son in each ca>e who should be in college.
The Presiding Elder has been directing their
attention this way. Another South Georgia
Presiding Elder has done us a similar favor.
This helps. The catalogues go to-day.
Arnetts. G. Haygood.
Oxford, June 21.
Utissionarg.
TO THE FRIENDS OF MISSIONS IN
THE METHODIST EFIM'ORAL t lit tit It. ISOTTIt.
Dear Brethren: —We have printed our
Annual Report, and have it now ready for
gratuitous distribution. We have also print
ed a sheet of select’ missionary information
of the most attractive and valuable charac
ter. We design to send both of these to
every itinerant preacher in our Church,
whose pOst-office address we can obtain.
We request of every preacher aud friend ot
Missions to send us names and post-offices
of such members and friends of our Church
ns they may deem it advisable to furnish
with these publications. We are determin
ed to get the information before the Church,
and only ask your help that, we may do it iu
the most judicious way. Yours, in the love
ofChrist. J. B. McFbrrin,
D. O. Kelley,
Secretaries.
PROGRESS.
Much has been said and written pn the
subject of missions within the last half cen
tury. It is, indeed, in some respects, the
question of the Church ofthe nineteenth cen
tury. It is pleasant to mark the progress
of the work, and. to consider the triumphs
of Christianity in heathen lands as well as in
home fields.
Asa branch of the great family of Protes
tant Christians, we look with anxiety to the
movements of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. Since 1860 we have made
some advance, not only in our domestic and
foreign work, but in contributions. Several
things have conspired to increase the mis
sionary spirit in the Church. The board has
worked industriously ; the Bishops and the
General Conference in its committees and by
the adoption of plans and measures well ma
tured ; the press with energy ; the publica
tion of tracts and essays ; the pulpit with its
appeals ; the Quarter.y, District and Annual
Conferences in their deliberations have all
united to enlarge and strengthen the work of
evangelizing the world.
To see what progress we have made, let
us turn our attention to a few facts:
In 1866 we had a total of while members
of 419,404. At the General Conference,
April, 1806, two boards of missions were
organized—one foreigu and the other do
mestic. The Foreign Board was located at
Baltimore. A portion of the time it was
served as secretary by the Rev. E. W. Sehon,
D. D., a part of the time by Dr. \V. E. Mun
sey, and again, another portion, it was with
out any secretary ; hence the work lell be
hind. In the four years there was collected
for foreign missions, old debt, etc., $79,233.-
40. „
The Domestic Board was located af Nash
ville ; secretary, J. B. McFerrin. Collected
in four years, $149,875.80.
In 1870 the boards were again united,
J. B. McFerrin, secretary. We had then :
White members, 561,577 ; raised for mis
sions, $88,675.61; per member, nearly 16
cents.
1871 —White members, 600,909 raised for
missions, $78,813; per member, a little over
13 cents.
1872 White members, 037,526 raised for
missions, $94,139.95; permember, near
ly 15 cents.
1873 White members, 659,677; raised for
missions, $96,044.31 ; per member, nearly
15 cents.
1874 — White members, 696.704; raised
for missions, $101,933,46 ; per member,
nearly 15 cents.
1875 The minutes for this year have not
as yet been published. There has, however,
no doubt, been an increase in the number of
members. There was a handsome increase
in the collections. The amount reached
$120,862.51, which we think will exceed 16
cents per member.
From the foregoing it will be seen that our
increase in the number of members from
1870 to 1874 was 135,187. The increase in
the amount of collections by the Confer
ences was from $88,675.61 to $101,933.46 —
$13,257.85.
The reader, by a little figuring, will see
how far the increase in the contributions
have fallen short of the increase of mem
bers.
It will be borne in mind that these figures
do not include individual contributions, be
quests, legacies, etc , which did not come
through Annual Conference treasurers, but
what has been raised by the Annual Confer
ences in the regular collections. The entire
amount from June, 1875 to June, in
cluding bequests, etc., will amount to about
$140,000.
Let each preacher and member consider
well this matter, and ask himself if he has
done his duty.
While we have reasons to thank God and
take courage, we have no cause for boastiug,