Newspaper Page Text
146
Southern CJjriston
MACON.GEORGIA,SEPTEMBER 12,1876
THE SETTLEMENT.
The subject of uppermost interest just
now to the Methodists of every section of the
country, is the action of the Joint Commis
sioners, providing for the establishment of
fraternal relations between the two Church
es. We cannot therefore make more accep
table use of the editorial space at our com
mand this week, than by employing it to
give our readers extracts from the comments
of the Northern Methodist press upon this
action, so far as they have reached us.
The New York Christian Advocate pre
ce les the publication of the Address with
these double-leaded utterances:
The address which we print below is in all
respects a gratifying one. The Commis
sioners were clothed with full power to ad
just. all difficulties and to remove all obsta
cles to formal fraternity between the great
Churches which they represented. This
they have accomplished, and, as we think,
wisely and well. The work to which they
applied themselves, under the appointment
and instruction of the highest authorities of
their respective Churches, and in the name
of the Great Master, can not be over-estima
ted as to its importance and its far-reaching
influence upon Protestant Christendom.
The unanimity with which the Commis
sioners reached their conclusions is remark
able. We have been permitted to look over
the journal of their proceedings, (which we
understand is to be printed and given to the
public in a few days,) and find that every
vote in the Joint Board was unanimous.—
Each Commission embraced three ministers
and two laymen, and they were selected not
only because of their recognized ability,
prudence, and piety, but also as represent
ing the various classes of opinion with re
gard to the questions at issue. That these
ten Commissioners, reflecting in their daily
conferences the views of every department
of their great Churches, should reach the
most perfect unanimity on every point con
sidered in their discussion, is a fact to the
highest degree suggestive and gratifying. Its
value can not be told in words.
The address furnishes its own explanatio' ,
and presents its object with an argument,
and eloquence which will carry conviction
to all lovers of our common Methodism. The
two Churches in particular, and the whole
Church in general, will rejoice in the good
wok accomplished, and will unite with the
distinguished Commissioners in their closing
Doxology : ‘Now unto Him that is able to
keep us from falling, and to present us fault
less before the presence of his glory with ex
ceeding joy; to the only wise God, our Sa
vior, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.’
The St. Louis Central Advocate says :
It is an important document and will be
read with care and gratification throughout
the Nation ; all the more so, perhaps, be
cause it announces a satisfactory settlement
of all matters that have prevented good feel
ing between the Churches. We are highly
delighted with the result,, but not, greatly
surprised. For the differences of feeling
that stood in the way of fraternity, and which
have been really greatly magnified on both
sides, grew mostly out of a misapprehen
sion of the real state of sentiment in the
Churches toward each other. Local con
tentions, chiefly in regrard to Church prop
erty, over which the Churches at, large had
no control, and partisan exposition of legi
timate and well intentioned Church legisla
tion, furnished ground for suspicion and non
fraternity. In most cases where ministers
and members of the two Churches became
personally acquainted and discussed their
differences from a Christian rather than ec
clesiastical point of view, local fraternity has
grown rapidly, anticipating the result official
ly arrived at by the Commissioners.
We expect the happiest results from the
labors and advice of the Commissioners.
Ephraim shall no longer envy Judah, nor
shall Judah vex Ephraim. We are breth
ren and of one family. We may dwell in
peace and join hands in labor and rejoicing
even while we acknowledge separate eccles
iastical jurisdiction. There will be no diffi
culty so long as we place Christ first, and
the Church organization second. The in
tention and advice of the Commissioners
will not, in all cases, prevail at once, possi
bly, in some instances, not at all, for there
is no compulsion in the matter, but it is
founded on Christian principles and will car
ry great weight. There is no reason that
every cause of difference should not be com
pletely adjusted before the Commissioners
report to the bodies that appointed them,
and we trust they may be able to append
such a note to their final report.
The secular press has generally spoken in
highly complimentary terms of the work of
the Commissioners, and look upon it as the
crowning event of the Centennial year. They
perceive the bearings that so important a
matter must have upon our national life, and
rejoice in it. Indeed they go farther, and
assert that it foreshadows the union of the
two Churches again in one eccleiastical or
ganization. These prophecies are of no val
ue except as showing the drift of public
opinion outside of ecclesiastical circles.
Methodist fraternity, not organic union, was
the subject before the Commissioners ; the
first is a Christian duty, the latter a question
of Church polity. To admit fraternity does
not commit one even indirectly to any
scheme of organic union ; and the questions
should not be confounded. We are content
to do our duty and to trust to the develop
ments of Providence, hoping that we shall
have grace to follow its leadings.
From the Cincinnati Western Advocate
we clip:
It would be impossible for any commis
sion, however intelligent and wise and pru
dent, to make a settlement in a case like
this, that would be satisfactory to every in
dividual person or society concerned. There
has been too much feeling on both sides,
and the interests involved are too complicat
ed and are attended by too many embarrass
ing circumstances, to allow such a result to
be anticipated. In this case there will be,
with some parties concerned, great disap
probation and great disappointment, and,
on the part of some there may be even an
absolute refusal to comply with the rules
and the recommendations of the Commiss
ion. Should dissatisfaction in any cases
proceed to this extent, the final adjustment
must in such cases, we presume, be left to
the courts —since, so far as we can see, neith •
er the Church nor the Commission has power
to enforce the decision made by the Commis
sion.
We hope there will be no extreme cases of
this kind. But, on the contrary, that all con
cerned will see it not only practicable, but
wise and best, to acquiesce fully and heartily
in the arrangements of the Commissioners,
and to do their utmost to give the Church
peace throughout all her borders. We are
sure that our brethren in the South will cheer
fully do whatever their judgment shall decide
to be for the best interest of the Church and
the glory of God.
What the effect of this plan of adjustment
will have opon our work in the South we do
not now propose to consider. We need to
be put more fully in possession of the facts
in order to arrive at any just conclusions.
We wait with some solicitude to hear from
our brethren in the South on this point. We
shall hail with joy any arrangements for the
settlement of the long-pending and vexed
difficulties which honored and trusted breth
ren, residing in the South and acquainted
with all the facts involved, shall accept as
equitable and just. We know that our Com
missioners have exercised their best judg
ment and kept the glory of God and the
highest welfare of the Church steadily in
view; and if the result of their labors shall
be to give the Church rest and peace in all
her borders, they will be called ‘blessed of the
Lord.’ So may it be.”
Dr Arthur Edwards, of the Chicago North
western, whose pet qualificative for South
ern people and especially Southern Method
ism is “yonder,” comments on the address
under the caption “A Fraternity Plank,”
and says:
The secular papers are premature, and a
wee bit absurd in announcing as the result
of the labors of the joint commission, that
“the Methodist Churches of the North and
South are again a single body”! 1 It will be
remembered by even the most casual reader,
that disputed church titles in border States
have been among the chief obstacles to fra
ternity between the Churches. The address
given below will go very far to remove that
apple of discord. We rejoice in this basis
of concord, since however just the struggle
may seem to the immediate respective con
testants in certain places, the quarrels have
been unseemly, and occasions for offense
aud stumbling to those outside the circles
most directly concerned. We hope soon to
hear that the last case has gone contentedly
out of court.
The Editor of the Syracuse Northern
Christian Advocate is sadly set back by the
definition the Commhsioner- give of the stat
us of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
and says that the Northern Commissioners in
executing their authority— to “remove obsta
cles to formal fraternity”—acted very much
like the Irishman who when instructed to
“hoe the garden clean,” obeyed the order
so literally that he left neither weed nor
choice plant. Upon this feature of the ac
tion he makes the following criticisms :
1. It was entirely unnecessary to “formal
fraternity.” If the Southern Commissioners
demanded it, the demand was unnecessary,
and if persisted in only gave occasion to the
Northern Commissioners to bow themselves
graciou-ly out of the presence of their South
ern brethren and to return without the loss of
honor to their constituents. It was not
.requisite in order to the peace of the two
Churches, that the Commissioners sit in
judgment on the acts of the previous gener
ation, and come to an agreement as to the
character of those acts. The conditions of
Christian fellowship only required that they
should “agree to disagree” respecting the
historical controversy.
2. It transcended the power of the Com
missioners. They we r e not appointed the
arbiters of the historical controversy. They
were empowered “to remove obstacles to
formal fraternity,” which very appointment
assumed the existence of two parties, and
their worthiness of fraternal recognition.
They were not asked to decide whether the
parties had a right to be. —whether the
birth of either was legitimate or illegitimate;
they were placed beyond this question in the
act of their appointment. It was not sup
posed that by their decision they could “re
move” historical facts, or the opinion of
people respecting them. These were not
among the “obstacles” with which they had
to deal. And the Methodist Episcopal
Church will make no very grateful acknowl
edgment of their service in their gratuitous
decision on a question which it had placed
beyond their province.
3. It is a falsification of history, and is
not representative of the views of the North
ern section of Methodism. There has never
prevailed in our Church any method of justi
fying her existence and place in the family
of Churches, which is equally applicable to
the M. E. Church, South, as a distinct eccle
siastical and Methodist body. The share of
honor and vindication which it has in the
providential origin and scriptural character
of Episcopal Methodism has nothing what
ever to do with the secession in 1844. In
that secession, or division —call it which you
will—the M. E. Church South had its origin
as a distinct organization. That secession
rested on no scriptural basis, nor was it jus
tified by any clearly indicated providential
demand. It rested on slavery, the sectional
interest which by this “sum of all villainies”
was sustained, and the desperate sophistries
by which it. was defended. Nor is there, as
Dr. Fuller has abundantly shown in his “Ap
peal to the Records,” any room to ascribe
to the origin of the M. E. Church South as a
distinct origin anything like legitimacy.—
That origin was illegitimate. If justified at
all it must be justified as a revolution. It
was in harmony with no law, no constitu
tional provi ;ion, no act or concession of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Such certain
ly is the well settled conviction of the M. E.
Church as expressed by her ablest, historians.
And it was all the more incumbent on the
Northern Commissioners to respect this view,
since it is persistently opposed by an error
which has become current in the South.
The Southern brethren talk to us about a
“ Plan of Separation,” and “equitable ar
rangements,” all of which fictions lie at the
basis of the idea of legitimacy. We owe it
to the South to correct these false impres
sions by putting the facts of history in the
clearest light. We are sorry for the cloud
which the Report creates.
We had clipped extracts from the New
York Methodist, Zion's Herald, Pittsburgh
Advocate, and Atlauta Methodist Advocate,
but the pressure upon our columns compels
us to lay them over for next week, when we
will give them, with others that may come
to hand.
TRIBUTES OF RESPECT.
We have received for publication a pre
amble and resolutions passed by a Sunday
school with reference to the death of one of
its members. If we knew where to write,
we would return it, giving the reasons why
it does not appear; but, unfortunately, no
postoffiee is given, and we cannot do so.
The occasion is opportune, and we embrace
it to republish a brief article which appear
ed in the Advocate several years ago —the
substance of which has been several times
repeated here, and in almost numberless
letters:
We are in weekly receipt of Preambles
and Resolutions, with the request to publish.
We are compelled to decline all, except
such as are passed by Annual or Quarterly
Conferences. To publish all the Tributes of
Respect which are sent to us from Masonic
and Odd Fellows’ Lodges, Temperance
Societies, Sunday schools, Granges, etc.,
would leave us but little space for anything
else, or at least would give an undue propor
tion of space to that class of contributions.
It is impossible to discriminate, and therefore
we are forced to exclude all, with the excep
tions above mentioned. Our friends will
please take notice, and spare us the unpleas
antness, to which the necessity of denying
their requests always subjects us.
General A. H. Colquitt. —A correspon
dent of the Christian Index (Baptist) writ
ing of a visit to the Kirkwood Sunday-school
says:
“What impressed us most forcibly in this
Kirkwood school, was the fact that the su
perintendent is the Christian patriot, soldier,
and statesman, Gen. Colquitt. Without
previous intimation of the fact, none would
have supposed that it was Georgia’s nomi
nee for gubernatorial honors and responsi
bilities, who stood there with such unassum
ing humility among friends and neighbors,
and read the closing chapter of Ecclesiastes,
commenting with peculiarly deep and sol
emn earnestness on the last verse: “God
shall bring every work into judgment with
every secret thought, whether it be good or
whether it be evil.” And then prostrating
himself on his knees amid the group, prayed
so fervently for the Divine blessing on the
assembled school, and the whole community
represented and embraced in it. “Not many
wise men, not many mighty, not many noble
are called,” to be ornaments to the Church
on earth and heirs of glory and immortality;
but here and there we find one, illustrating
the fact that the power of Divine grace is
unlimited in its sphere of operation. God
bless him, and enable him to keep his gar
ments pure and unspotted from the world in
his political career. If he keeeps before his
own mind the realities of a coming judgment
day as he tried so eloquently yet simply to
impress them upon us, it must certainly, we
think, rescue him from the vices of base,
intriguing, unscrupulous demogoguism, so
prevalent in our times.”
Yellow Fever in Savannah. —The letter
of Jour beloved brother, Rev. A. M. Wynn,
will be read with profound and painful in
terest. Our deepest sympathies are stirred
for the stricken city, and we feel very sure
that the request for prayer on its behalf will
meet a very earnest response. Let devout
supplication be made throughout the Church,
that God would be pleased to stay the pesti
lence, and speedily restore to this lovely
city its wonted healthfulness. Especially,
let our devoted brethren who, true to duty,
remain to minister to the sick and dying, be
constantly remembered before the throne;
and in our churches, at our home altars, and
in our closets, let us plead with God that
they and their families may find secure re
fuge under the shadow of His wings until
these calamities be overpast. No call is
made as yet for pecuniary help, but the des
titution among certain classes, of which
brother Wynn speaks, renders it certain
that such aid could be helpfully used. We
therefore, take the liberty of saying that
any who feel disposed to place in the hands
of our preachers the means of relieving
1 cases of destitution among the sick, can send
direct to Rev. A. M. Wynn,;or Dr. E. H.
SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
Myers, Savannah ; or, if they chose to re
mit to ns, the amounts shall be promptly
and safely forwarded to them.
Rev. Alexander Clark, D. D. —We are
gratified to see that our esteemed friend, the
Editor of the Methodist Recorder, has re
turned safely from his trans-Atlantic journey
ings, and is once more in his office. Dr.
Clark’s health, we are sorry to learn, has
not been so much benefitted by travel as he
and his friends had hoped it would be. Our
Irish correspondent, in a recent letter, made
allusions to Dr. Clark, which were calcula
ted to place him in a very different attitude
before the public from any he had beeu ac
customed to occupy, and hence we regretted
the publication when it fell under our eye.
From the following note it will be seen that
“Penholder” must have written under a
total misapprehension of the nature of Dr.
Clark’s address:
A LOOSE “PEN-HOLDER.”
Mr. Editor : Your correspondent “Pen
holder” writes at random, and while he may
sometimes convey trustworthy information,
he certainly Hies wide of the mark now and
then. As for instance : in his letter pub
lished in your paper of August 29, in which
he purports to give news touching the Irish
Conference, he says, referring to my fratern
nal letter, that “it dwelt glowingly on the
scenery of those parts of Ireland through
which the Doctor had passed,” etc. Now,
I am amused more than annoyed at this and
other depreciatory expressions, for the fact
is, when I wrote the letter to which “Pen
holder’’ refers, I had never been in Ireland
in my life! Nor was there any attempt at
description of scenery. The letter Bpeaks
for itself, as it has been published.
Truly, Alexander Clark.
A Sad Blow. —We have received with un.
affected sorrow the intelligence conveyed in
the following note. For many years this ex
cellent Christian matron, whose death is an
nounced, has been the devoted wife and effi
cient help-meet of the now aged and revered
Rev. David Derrick. The experience of
our venerable father in Israel is sadly dark
ened on its earthward side by this sore be
reavement, but heaven is brightened to the
vision of his faith by the contrast. The
separation will not be long. Such consola
tion will be his, as the prayers of many faith
ful hearts can bring to the lonely hours of his
emaining earthly sojourn. Rev. J. W.
Dickson, of Columbia, S. C., writes, Sept. 4 :
Dear Doctor: This will inform you that
Aunt Derrick died suddenly yesterday morn
ing, at six o’clock, in this city. Please ask
the prayers of the Church for brother Der
rick in his sore bereavemeut.
Jones Chapel. —Rev. W. M. D. Bond, the
pastor of this church, which is located with
in the suburbs of Macon, has been conduct
ing a meeting for some weeks, which is still
in progress, and gives promise of being con
tinued with profit for some time to come.
The congregations are large—the house be
ing crowded every night—and are pervaded
with profound seriousness. The results thus
far have not been commensurate with the
earnest labors dispensed, but all the indica
tions are favorable, and the pastor and his
co-laborers are hopeful. Up to the night of
the 6th inst., there had been fifteen acces
sions to the Church —ten by profession of
faith, and five by certificate. There are pen
itents at every service.
Cokesbury Conference School. —We
are gratifiel to see that the Rectorship of
this time-honored institution, about which
linger some of our pleasantest memories,
has been committed to our old preceptor
and long time friend Prof. F. A. Connor.
The Trustees are peculiarly fortunate in se
curing his services, and we predict for the
School under his skillful administration,
aud accomplished scholarship, anew lease o*
life and greatly increased prosperity. The
card of the institution apjltears on our third
page.
Missionary Supplement. —We mail with
this issue of the Advocate, a Missionary
Supplement furnished us from the Mission
Rooms at Nashville, which we commend to
the careful perusal of all our readers. It is
packed with interesting matter touching the
subject of missions, and we trust will greatly
quicken the missionary spirit throughout the
Church. Read the supplement.
Columbia District Conference. —The Se
cretary supplies au omission from his ac
count of the late session of the Conference,
with the following list of delegates elected to
the approaching Conference, viz :
Delegates— J. H. Ivinsler, J. A. Elkins,
J. R. Shuler, and W. T. D. Cousar.
Alternates —R. H. JenniDgs, and E. S.
Lupo.
Martha Washington College. —Especial
attention is directed to the notice of Presi
dent DuPre, who announces that he will
leave Atlanta September 19th, in charge of
any young ladies who may be committed to
his care. See the notice.
Changes —The preachers of the Florence,
and Cokesbury Districts, South Carolina
Conference, will take notice of Changes
made by their respective Presiding Elders —
as published on third page of this paper.
HERE AND THERE.
A DOUBLE MEETING.
The Columbus District Conference, em
bracing the third Sunday in August, was held
at Central Camp-ground, thirty miles from
Columbus, Ga., in Talbot county, in connec
tion with the camp-meeting, the Presiding
Elder, Rev. John B. McGehee in the chair.
There were many delegates and great crowds
of people. The preaching was very earnest
and direct. There was prayer and unction,
yet no great visible results. But “the day
will declare it.” There was no more inter
esting feature than the presence and preach
ing of dear Dr. Pierce. He wished to preach
Saturday morning at 8 o’clock, thinking to
have a little knot of people gathered close
around him that they might hear. But it got
out that Dr. Pierce was going to preach, and
nearly everybody on the encampment flocked
to the stand. How they did pack about the
pulpit! And how still they were! And near
ly all did hear him for one hour and ten
minutes. How wisely, how tenderly he plead
with sinners to repent, with disciples to grow
in gracel It was a soul-blessiDg just to see
this good and honored old minister stand
there to some reverent souls that perhaps
heard not a word. YY r hat a rebuke to lazy,
inert preachers, this grand example! How
the old Doctor does love to preach! So did
Paul, YVesley, Whitfield, and the best and
the holiest men. And the Great Preacher
found holy joy in preaching. What an in
grate is he, who, called to preach the blessed
Gospel, prates about “sacrifice” —giving up
law, medicine, farming, and such like!
Shame upon him.
As to the double meeting we do not have
much to say. Somebody might reply and
use us up. But it may be that a camp-meet
ing District Conference is a tolerably heavy
combination. Maybe one is enough at a
time. They may get in each others’ way.
But we do not affirm —not being over-confi
dent in our own judgment. But this much
we know—the Presiding Elder ran the dou
ble track as well as another might. We
doubt if many could do nearly as well.
CAMP MEETINGS.
There are perhaps as many as fifty camp
msetings in Georgia—last year, as we were
told, there were sixteen in one Presiding
Elder’s District. Some thought that the
camp-meeting had served its day and would
presently pass away. But it has not served
its day; it is here in force and power; and it
is needed. Great crowds attend and there
is much earnest, powerful preaching, and
gospel work. Many hear the gospel at camp
meeting who hear it nowhere else. Many
are converted —many reclaimed —many edi
fied. Preachers unb’nd, manuscripts become
a burden, pulpit fire-works are voted a nui
sance —there is freedom, liberty, power,
unction. We rejoice in the camp meeting;
it is “good to be there.” We feel cheated
if we do not get to camp-meetings every sum
mer. This year we have feasted and rejoiced
at three.
THE SUNDAY CROWDS.
Some people say the camp-meeting should
have no Sunday in it. No doubt rowdies
find their way into the great Sunday crowds,
and sometimes act in their proper character.
But there are often rowdies who behave bad
ly in city, and town, and village, during the
hours of worship. But nobody thinks of
shutting up town churches on their account.
At the Upson camp meeting a few young men
began to smoke about the stand; the witty
Presiding Elder extinguished their cigars
with a word. A few made a show of their
fine horses —the drivers suffering in com
parison with the horses. But the meeting
moved right on. Our notion is, those who
object most to camp-meeting Sunday are peo
ple who grow nervous wheu close to crowds.
There are many persons who cannot endure
a large crowd long at any time. They are n< t
to blame in this. But their nervousness is
not a good reason for ruling out the Sunday
and the crowd it brings. Let the crowds
come. Get them under the gospel guns and
fire straight into them—whole broad -sides of
truth, that wounds to heal.
CESAR IN THE PREACHERS’ TENT.
At the Warm Springs camp-meeting, Meri
wether county, (embracing the first Sunday
in September) three “lewd fellows of the
baser sort” over-did the rowdy business.
The case involved a jug of whisky, brandy,
or something that made them foolish. There
was cursing and swearing—the show of a
pistol, and such like. But the splendid camp
ground police brought them to in short order.
Retiring to the preachers' tent juit afier the
eleven o’clock sermon we found anew sett in
possession. Cesar had come in—with sword
and sceptre. Three prisone rs—doleful look
ing creatures —with their guards were there
and the magistrates. It was well and quickly
done. The evidence was point blank. The
sentence was: “To give bond to answer at
the next term of the Superior Court or go to
jail.” The Grand Jury will take them in
hand next. We rejoiced in this Sunday
Court in the preachers’ tent. We shook
hands with Cesar and rejoiced in his pres
ence. One of the poor miserables said he
“wished he had never been born.” Truly
“the way of the transgressor is hard.”
VACATION OVER.
To day, September 5, our vacation is over.
We thank God for health and peace, and all
the good meetings we have attended and en
joyed. H.
Oxford.
The International Exhibition Guide for
the Southern States. By a Southern Edi
tor. Raleigh, N.C.: R. F. Fulghum. Price,
25 cents.
The author of this very satisfactory Guide,
has had ample facilities for the preparation
of such a work, and has made admirable use
of them. With free access to all sources ol
information, he has gotten up at great ex
pense to himself, a guide with special refe
rence to the wants of Southern visitors to the
Exposition, and we sincerely hope that, in
addition to the advantages conveyed by the
indispensable directions and information con
tained in the book, the sale will be sufficient
to indemnify the author for his outlay and
reward him for his enterprise. We regret
that it comes to us so late, and after most of
the visitors from this region have made their
trip. Such as are yet to go, will do well to
provide themselves with this valuable auxil
iary to an intelligent and satisfactory explo
ration of Philadelphia and the grand show.
The Guide has the endorsement of promi
nent members of Congress, and the cordial
approval of the President of the Centennial
Commission. It may be had of J. W. Burke
& Cos., Macon, Ga.
Comsprakntc.
THE YELLOW FEVER IN SAVANNAH.
Dear Brother Kennedy : The hand of
God is upon our city, After eighteen years
of comparative exemption, that dreadful
scourge, yellow fever, has again become an
epidemic. Knowing the intense anxiety of
friends in every part of the country, and es
pecially our absent citizens, I write to give
as nearly as possible, a truthful account of
its presence and status in the city up to date.
It is now the sixteenth day since the first
clearly marked case was known, Aug. 21. For
one week, other cases appeared in the same
part of the city—the northeastern—a few
proving fatal. They were however, supposed
to be only sporadic cases, such as occur oc
casionally. But, the citizens generally knew
little or nothing of them. Monday, the 28th
of August, it began to be considerably talked
about, with great apprehensions. That night
all the physicians met to report and confer,
and some of them thought it epidemic. Tues
day our citizens generally became greatly
alarmed, and during Wednesday and Thurs
day there was a dreadful panic, and such an
utter demoralization an 1 stampeding as I
rarely saw during the war. Thousands fled
in every direction, and by every kind of con
veyance. Many left prematurely and with
out reasonable forecast, and, I fear, will
suffer and regret it. For the last four or five
days, there has been unusual calmness and
deliberation. Those remaining have made
up their minds to stand in their lot, anil try
to do their duty—at least those who c iuld
get away ; those who remain from necessity,
are trying to endure. There is a good show
of business in some lines. A good deal of
cotton is coming in—more than up to this
time last year. Our city is doing everything
possible to avert, modify, alleviate, and re
lieve. The “ Howard Association,” com
posed of our best citizens, is doing a noble
work. The city is divided into fifteen dis
tricts, and committees assigned to each, who
go in person to every house in that district
every day, and aid and relieve, as far as possi
ble, every sick and needy family and individ
ual. Our doctors are indefatigable as a class,
though one or two have been disabled and
have left the city—some were already away,
and death has thinned their ranks of late.
Most of the pastors are at their posts, and
nobly doing their duty. Dr. Myers heard of
our calamity and hastened home to his
charge, reaching here last Sabbath. Rev.
Mr. McFarland, pastor of the First Presby
terian church, also came back a few days
ago. But, after all that can be done by
every one, there is great distress and suffer
ing among us. I have been able to go con
stantly from the first, and I have seen cases
and witnessed scenes, that were indescriba
bly sad and heart rending. I will not un
dertake to detail any of them. The fearful
scourge came upon us so suddenly and un
expectedly that our people and city were un
prepared. Then, it was barely possible for
many of our people to live before. Their
poverty, hard living, and depression, all in
vite disease, and render resistance feeble
with many. Still, the per cent, of fatality is
not great. .
According to the official reports—and they
■Approximate accuracy—there have been, up
to date, Wednesday night September 6th,
465 cases of yellow fever, of which 86 have
died. There is a great deal of other kinds
of fever and sickness, and an unusually
large mortality—especially considering the
population left.
There are many conjectures and opinions
as to the cause or introduction of the fever
this season. lam satisfied it is quite dif
ferent from what doctors and sanitary com
mittees will give. God has a controversy
with us. His hand is outstretched. But, I
will take another time to press this view.
Let me beseech Christians every where to pray
for us, that God may stay this dreadful pesti
lence.
Dr. Myers’ wife and sister-in-law are with
him. The others of his family have left.
My wife and oldest daughter are with me.
Trusting in God, with a sweet peace in our
hearts, and wholly consecrated to Him, and to
this, His work, we expect to try and do our
whole duty. We ask an humble iuterest in
the prayers of our brethren and the whole
Church. Your brother in Christ,
A. M. Wynne.
Savannah, Sept. 6, 1876.
LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
Mr. Editor: Santa Rosa is a beautiful
city of five thousand inhabitants, situated
Ji/ty miles north of San Francisco, on
the North Pacific Railroad. It is *h>■
capital of Sonoma county, the seat of the
Pacific Methodist College—and in the center
of an excellent farming region.
~The establishment and maintenance of
the college is due in a large measure to the
earnest labors of Dr. 0. P. Fitzgerald, who
came out from our Georgia Conference to
this coast over twenty years ago. As Presi
dent, and Trustee, and Agent, he has given
much efficient service and support, similar
to the efforts of Bishop Pierce in behalf of
our beloved Emory. His accomplished broth
er, A. L. Fitzgerald,is the popular president,
and with a good faculty is rendering efficient,
service to the Church and the cause of edu
cation.
Rev. James O. Branch was transferred last
winter from the South Georgia to the Pacific
Conference —and is the pastor of this station.
It is in some respects the most hopeful charge
on this coast. The membership numbers
about three hundred —and brother Branch’s
fine talents in the pulpit and faithful labors
in the pastorate are adding continually to our
ranks and respectability. lam indebted to
him and his elect lady for many courtesies
and efforts to make my visit to this sec ion
interesting and pleasant. Their many friends
in Georgia and Florida, will be glad to know
that they and their interesting children are
in excellent health, and delighted with their
adopted home. Already they have a host of
friendß, who appreciate their efficient and
charming influence in society and upon the
Church.
This is also the home of Rev. J. C. Sim
mons, who left our Conference twenty-five
years ago to aid in establishing the Church
jt this newly opened country. He is Presid
ing Elder of this district, and was reported
sixty five miles away holding a camp meet
ing, near Ukiah in Mendocino county. De
sirous of seeing him and also my venerable
friend Dr. James R. Thomas, who lives n
the neighborhood, and also wishing to attend
a California camp-meeting, in company with
brother Branch, I set out upon the trip—over
thirty miles of the travel was by stage. There
has been no ruin here for four months and
you cannot imagine how much dust was ex
cited by our lumbering stage and four splen
did horses. A gentle breeze blowing in the
syme direction with us, kept the stage full,
aud also our eyes, and noses, and ears,
hair, and beard, and hats, and cloth
es, and shoes. But there were some
compensations, at least to one of our
party. A lively old pioneer, who traveled
with us, said the dust was healthy—said he
had driven hogs over this dry county for
thirty years and now rather liked to breathe
ii Not having served such an apprenticeship
we could not enter into his enjoyments. But
we did enjoy the grand scenery of chasm and
precipice, and bluffs, and peaks, which met
our eyes in wild confusion at every step. No
two of these grand objects or views were
alike, but all together they presented a chang
ing panorama of mountain and landscape,
which delighted the eye in the midst of the
dust.
For special reasons, brother Simmons was
glad to see brother Branch, and as a Geor
gian fresh from the land he loved, he gave
me a hearty California welcome. I was glad
to see his fine, manly form still erect, and his
spirits as fresh and bounding as when he left
the Georgia Conference a quarter century
ago. His name is a tower of strength in all
this country, and as he told me of his travels
by bridle paths, and Indian trails, over these
mountains in the service of the Church, I
could not but be proud of the noble contri
bution from Georgia to God, and Methodism
upon the Pacific slope.
The unique encampment was located in a
beautiful grove, and as there is no danger of
rain in summer, no roofing is necessary ex
cept to exclude the sun. The tents are all
arranged in the form of a hollow square, en
closing the preaching stand. This wall of
tents all around breaks the force of strong
winds and excludes the floating disorderly
crowd, such as often seriously interrupt wor
ship at our Georgia camp-meetings. The
proximity of the tents gives a pleasant social
feature to the occasion, and the people have
but to step out of their doors, and take their
seats for worship. We found the meeting
progressing with great interest —several had
been converted—and mourners still at the
altar. The services were hearty and refresh
ing, prayers fervent, and the songs, though
without restraint or rule, were delightful.
They have one new feature, which it would
be well for our Georgia Methodists to adopt.
Instead of a sermon, they hold an experience
meeting at the early morning service, in
which men, women, and children participate.
These meetings are spiritual and give tone
to all the services of the day. I was struck
with one incident. A good sister narrated
the 6tory of her conversion and her struggles
with temptation, in which she had ever found
the Lord faithful —spoke of her sons for
whom her heart was yearning. Said “they
are not Christians, but they will be.” I was
impressed by the confidence and emphasis
with which she said “they will be.” And
sure enough at the next hour’s service they
were penitents, and just as the audience were
kneeling for prayer, one of them cried out
in characteristic language, “I am all right
now” and rushed into her arms. In this
incident there was a beautiful illustration of
faith as “the substance of things hoped for
the evidence of things not seen.”
I was delighted to meet my old friend Dr.
Thomas, his three manly sons, and his grace
ful daughter —all of them in profound sym
pathy with the occasion, and some of them
very happy. His friends will be glad to
know he is in vigorous health for a man of
his age—and his business prospects encour
aging. But for making my letter too long, I
could mention many things which interested
me much. I was alike surprised at the won
derful resources of the country, and at the
strength of Southern Methodism. I never
saw such beautiful and fertile farms, many
of which are owned by our people, who
count their sheep and bags of grain by the
thousand. Notwithstanding the dry weather
the climate at this season is perfectly delight
ful, The sun shines as bright as in Georgia,
yet there is no use for fans or umbrellas.
But I cannot go into details. Altogether,the
trip was a delightful episode in my visit to
California —and the impressions made on eye
and heart will linger with me forever.
Very respectfully yours,
L. D. Palmer.
Santa Rosa, Cal., August 21, 1876.
MILLEHGEVILLE, GEORGIA.
Dear Bro. Kennedy: Permit me to con
gratulate you upon the possibility of a Cen
tennial and Niagara Falls trip, the enjoy
ment and benefit realised, your safe return
home, and, to thank you for giving the thou
sands of us who are tethered to our stakes
by poverty or other providential hindrance,
the advantage of somewhat of your sights
and sensations.
Our Commis-doners se m lo have had a
lore feast with the Commissioners of the
Church North: “Behold, how good and
how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell to
gether in unity!” Ho v refreshing and cheer
ing such a result of ’heir deli ate and diffi
cult work, an I mi w! at *.-iking contrast is
the spirit of their address to he Church,
with the bitter, “bloody shirt” fulminations
of unscrupulous political orators and writers
so common, alas, now-adays! God grant
that the action of the Comm : S3ioners may
inaugurate what, in time, will result in a
true fraternity. A hearty fraternity, after
long estrsigement, cannot spring up like
Jonah’s g urd, but, neither can it wither as
soon. By the way, the secular press seem
incapable, in la r ge measure, of comprehend
ing this movement— non-Me'hodists and even
some sensitive, nervous Methodists, are mis
led by telegraphic headings, and items found
in the daily newspapers, to believe that the
two Churches were actually united by the
Commissioners at Cape May Is fraternity
marriage, in common life ? One would think
so from the confusion of terms and ideas to
be found in leading dailies. Please inform
your brethren of the quill that fraternity is a
thing every way becoming, pleasant and
proper, between sister Churches, whilst union
—marriage—may not be proper, pleasant, or
becoming in Churches any more than with
natural sisters ; th it there may exist as strong
reasons for fraternity and against ma-riage
in the one case as in the other. But, I leave
this matter, with the sincere wish that the
parties to whom many of the disputes be
tween the two Churches were of necessity
remi ted, may be as wise and as religious as
the Commissioners appear to have been.
There has been some religious activity in
this scattered community all the year, and
this was greatly quickened by the blessing
that accompanied our District Conference.
Extra services have been held at the Factory
chapel and at the Home Mission chapel, near
the Lunatic Asylum—used chiefly for the
convenience of the employes of the Asylum
and their families. The services of the lat
ter chapel extended through three weeks,
and were interesting and beneficial. A large
number of the nurses, attendants, and labor
ers, were converted last year and added to the
different Churches. Some had grown cold
—some were weary in well doing—others
had run well; it is believed that the services
blessed many of them and resulted in the
conversion of some of their neighbors. The
Young Men’s Christian Association was re
presented in these meetings by some of its
most active, successful workers, who con
tributed largely toward what of good re
sulted. We have had about forty accessions
to our Church, from a'l sources, since Con
ference, and hope for yet larger blessings in
time to come. Last, year nearly one hundred
united —some sixty-six upon profession of
faith. The Milledgeville Methodist Church
is not a perfect organization—not a perfect
body in which every member acts its part —
nevertheless, it is composed of a number of
active workers, and many consistent Chris
tians —a very interesting part of whom are
young men and young women. This Church
compares favorably with many others, and
bids fair to equal any other in activity and
devotion to the ciiuse of God.
Our colored friends have had interesting
meetings for the past two months with many
accessions—-and they yet go on. The pastor
of the colored M. E. Church proposes to fur
nish your readers, ere long, with some inte
resting facts connected with the work of
grace among his people.
Your brother, H. J. Adams.
August 31s£, 1876.
LIMESTONE SPRINGS, SOUTH CARO
LINA CONFERENCE.
Dear Brother Kennedy: The work of
the Lord has been graciously revived at all
the churches of this circuit, with one excep
tion. Many have been awakened and con
verted, and the membership abundantly bless
ed. Several new family altars have been
erected ; and in houses and by people un
used to prayer, the morning and evening
sacrifice is offered up to God. I have never
witnessed greater outpourings of the Spirit
than at my meetings. Thus far thirty-four
have been added to the churches, and we
are expecting others to unite with us very
soon.
The District Conference of the Colored M.
E. Church was held within the bounds
my work, Bishop Beebe presiding. It was
my pleasure to atteud and assist in the reli
gious exercises. The Bishop is well up to
his work ; does it well, and in the spit it of
his Master. He expressed great satisfaction
as to the success of his Church, so far —it
having accomplished more than was antici
pated. He reported it as now having four
teen Annual Conferences ; twelve hundred
traveling Preachers, of whom eight hundred
are ordained, and a membership of eighty
thousand. He ulso said that every promise
made them by the M. E. Church, South, has
been fulfilled to the letter. On Monday quite
a number of the whites turned out to hear
the Bishop preach. His subject was, “ Ex
perimental Religion.” His style was simple
and unassuming, his arguments apt and for
cible, and his sermon throughout was very
good. “ Honor to whom honor is due.” We
all felt that a man of God was speaking to
us, and that it was good to be there.
Bishop Beebe is laboring very hard to
bring about a better state of feeling between
the whites aud colored, and the impression
is that he has done good in more ways than
one by his visit to our neighborhood. He
leaves with the kind feelings and good wishes
of both whites and colored.
August 3, 1876. It sac J. Newbery.
Morven, South Georgia Conference.—
Rev. S. F. Cary writes, Angast22d: We
thank God that it was put in'o the minds of
our much loved Bishops to appoint the
“week of prayer’ for this year. We opened
the services of the week at Bethlehem, near
the parsonage, on Friday mo. ning with an
interesting aud edifying sermon by Bro.
John YVatts, from Ist Timothy ii. 1-4. Ser
vices were held day and night throughout
the week with a fair attendance. Prayer
meeting was conducted on Monday morn
ing before preaching, and daily to the close
of the meeting. It seemed to be a special
means of grace from its inception. It was
good on Monday, better on Tuesday, and
better still on YY’ednesday. Thursday was
the crowning day of the feast. The woods
resounded with the shouts of happy souls.
Some whose feet had well nigh slipped, were
reinstated aud God’s love shed abroad in
their hearts anew. The Church was greatly
revived, and two made application for mem
bership. I feel under many obligations to
my local brethren. Watts, Brown, and Red
dick, for their abundant and efficient labors.
DECATUR CIRCUIT, SOUTH GEORGIA
CONFERENCE.
Mr. Editor: Last night I closed my fifth
protracted meeting. Ministerial help in this
circuit is scarce —only one local preacher,
and he too aged and feeble to render assist
ance. Brother Townsend from BainbriJge,
gave us several effective sermons. Brother
Hoyt, the Presbyterian pastor at Attapulgm
and Climax, rendered valuable service at
Attapulgus. He is a good man and a capital
preacher. With the above exceptions, I had
to do all the preaching myself. The visible
fruits of our meetings have fallen short ol
our expectations. But few have united with
the Church, and but few have been convert
ed. Many members have been blessed and
strengthened. We have faithfully endeavor
ed to cast the bread upon the waters, trust
ing in Him who has said, that it shall be
found after many days, and that His word
shall not return unto him void, but accom
plish that lor which He hath sent it. In all
my meetings I give the children their por
tion —preach especially to them. “Feed my
lambs,” is an important injunction. Remem
ber now thy Creator, etc., should ever be
impressed on their tender minds. Our Sab'
bath-schools are going forward —but rather
a drag in a few places. We have the most
flourishing Sunday school at Greenshud ,
(Fowlstown), I have ever seen in the coun
try. During all my travels I have never seen
more devoted, consecrated Christians, than
some in this circuit. I could give their
names, but it is enough that they are record
ed in the Lamb's Book of Life. One great
desideratum in this country is, more laborers
in the vineyard; I don’t mean preachers pro
per,but laymen. The pastors need the hearty,
united cooperation, of all the members.
Thousands in all these lands in the Church,
wait for the preachers to do all the work.
Oh that all such would heed the command of
Jesus: “Son, go work to-day in my vine
yard!” Another great desideratum in this
circuit as in many others, is a financial sys
tem. The cause suffers dreadfully for the
want of it. The duty of supporting the
Church ought to be taught the children and
people as much and as often as the duty of
prayer! Brother McGehee, Presiding Elder,
is at his post and working faithfully.
Yours in Jesus, W. Lane.
Attapulgus, Ga., August 25, 1876.
REV. J. W. McROV.
Brother Mcltoy writes from Branchville,
S. C., Sept. Ist: “I have attempted to preach
but once in a month, and then it was with
difficulty that I got through. Under the
labors and intense heat of July my nervous
system gave way, and I have been unfit lor
any kind of work since. My work, however,
has been regularly carried on by Rev. E. J.
Price, a young man of great energy and deep
piety, whose services, with the consent of my
Presiding Elder, 1 was fortunate in securing.
Under the blessing of God, and the skill and
kindness of Dr. O. H. Ott, I am much better
than I have been. My Presiding Elder, the
Doctor, and many of my friends advise me
to keep quiet and refrain from labor until
the weather gets cooler. Besides my per
sonal afilictions, for two or three months
some of my faintly have been sick. We feel
grateful that our afflictions me no greater
while we have been sick others have died.
Mr. Hamilton of our village has buried two
interesting children in less than a week. He
has our sympathies and our prayers. Please
allow me in this way to express my gratitude
to my Presiding Elder, Rev. Win. Martin,
Dr. Ott, sisters Rislier, Sliider, Phillips,
Fairey, Annie Griffith, and her brother Ban,
with others, for kindness shown in our afflic
tions. May the blessing of the Lord which
raaketh rich and addetb no sorrow with it
be their’s forever.”
TWO REVIVALS.
At a meeting held at Key’s church, on Oc
mulgee circuit, in Butts county, on the fourth
Sabbath in July, the power of God was man
ifest. No protracted services had been held
here for more than twelve years. This year
the house has been repaired, a good Sabbath
school organized, which is well officered,
aud supplied with our own literature. All
these means of grace God has abundantly
blessed. Our meeting continued from Sat
urday at 11 o’clock, until Thursday night.
Bro. Martin McKizic, who lives in the bounds
of the Jackson circuit, came down full of zeal
and the love of God, and, though young in
the service, he wielded the sword with power.
At the close of our Sabbath-school on Sun
day morning, a good address was delivered
by brother Owens. Then there was a short
prayer-meeting, and then preaching. The
house was filled to its utmost capacity. The
congregation was serious and attentive; many
penitents came to the altar, and some were
converted. On Monday, we had love-feast,
and despite the rain, the congregation was
good. The revival influence extended for
miles around. Two young men who were at
home sick, and whom I visited, were blessed.
Almost every person with whom I met, had
something to say about Jesus. There were
forty-one accessions, and more than that
number of conversions. On Thursday night
thirty-seven were received into full connec
tion. After bapiizing and receiving them;
penitents were invited, and the altar was
filled, and many knelt in the aisles.
On Friday brother M. went with me thirty
miles to Hillsboro’. There we found a nice
bush-arbor and all preparations made for
the meeting. Services from then until Mon
day night. On Sunday we first had Sabbath
school. The people were attentive—peni
tents at the altar. Some conversions. At
this church we had no official members —no
one to pray, and only a few to sing. On
Sunday night Satan brought forward his
strongest forces. Our bro. M. was called
home, while your humble servant and a little
laud of faithful Christians wept, and prayed,
and trusted in God. Monday morning, love
feast at, ten. Only two spoke, but the power
of God was with us—penitents came asking
for mercy, and souls were converted. At
11 o'clock services four joined the Church;
and at night seven were received into full
connection —eight accessions in all. During
the two meetings there were forty-nine ac
cessions and fifty-three conversioes.
I. G. Parks.
Columbus, Ga. —Rev. R. J. Corley writes:
On the fourth Sunday night in August we
began a series of out-door meetings in this
city that have run on to issues beyond our
foresight. All are agreed that in the history
of the place there was never seen such large,
serious congregations, assembled for reli"
gious worship. On last Sunday night be
tween three and four thousand were gathered
together, and the order was remarkably
good; the people solemn and impressed.
Immense congregations attend every service.
Hundteds have been cut to the heart; and
every night, the altar is thronged with weep
ing penitents, and the sweet songs of Zion,
mingle with the shouts of happy, new-born
souls. The Methodist, Presbyterian, and
Baptist Churches cooperate cordially, and
the pastors all work in harmony. Brothers
Key, Nall, and Morris are zealous and effi
cient. Indications warrant the hope that the
good work will go on with increasing inter
est and increasing power until it will issue in
the most gracious revival that has visited this
city for many years. Pray for us.
Lowndes and Echols Mission, South
Georgia Conference. —Rev. N. B. Ousley
writes, September Ist:
“ For five weeks I have been busily at
work. For days together alone, preaching
VOLUME XXXIX., NO. 37.
twive a day and doing all other work inci
dent to a revival. The Lord strengthened
me, and blessed the Word to the conviction
and conversion of many souls, and the re
viving of the Church. Thirty-seven made
application for Church membership. Many
others professed religion. I trust the glean
ings will exceed the number that joined. I
am indebted for well timedfaud faithful ser
vices to bros. John W. Talley (“ whose bow
yet abides in strength”), Pelo*e, and Dr.
Hunt. My third Quarterly Conference em
braced the two last days. Bro. McGehee
was at his post, and did faithful seivice.”
A NOTE FROM CHESTERFIELD, S. C.
Mr. Editor: This county embraces a large
scope of country, which is penetrated by no
railroad, and barely entered by one, the
Clieraw and Darlington Railroad. The Ad
vocate, however, can be found in many
families who have to go or send from five to
six miles, once a week, to get it from the
ollice. lam satisfied that there are many
more in this section, who even under these
disadvantages, would become subscribers to
your paper could they have the matter brought
properly to their notice. The farming pop
ulation here, as a general thing, are able to
take the papers, and have time to read them.
In this absorbing and engrossing age. “news
papers” have become the great educators of
the people, and it is often surprising to the
preachers to see the great improvement
wrought in those families who have sub
scribed to the Advocate a year. Like other
places, money in this section is an article
seldom to be met with, except in very small
quantities, scarce sufficient in any one man's
purse to pay for the paper twelve months;
but, notwithstanding the present scarcity,
the crops of cotton and corn are particularly
fine, and promise a yield that will not only
guarantee a support but place in the homes
of those so disposed, one or more good pa
pers. From my experience, I venture to
say that no person who has taken and read
the Advocate six months would ever cou
sent to be without it, especially when the
proceeds of a bushel or two of grain, a mut
ton from the field, or a pig from the pen,
will place it in his house twelve mouths. I
hope you will have many subscribers from
this section later in the fall. D. C. Ervin.
Grantville Circuit, North Georgia
Conference. —Rev. YV. J. Cotter writes,
August 27 : A fine state of religious feeling
has prevailed at each of the four Churches
on this Circuit for several weeks. One
marked feature of the meetings has been the
quickening and building up of the member
ship. Up to this time about, forty have been
added by certificate and by profession of
faith. At Prospect they are going forward
rapidly with anew church, which has been
reatly needed for some time. It is seldom
the case that a Church and community take
hold of an euterprize as unitedly, and then
push it forward as vigorously as is now be
ing done. The pastor at LaGrange, Rev.
G. G. Smith, rendered valuable service at
Grantville. The congregation was very
much pleased with his preaching, which was
in demonstration of the Spirit and of pow
er. It afforded us too, a great deal of pleas
ure to have him as our guest, as he was
once almost as a member of my household;
for his first year in the Conference he was
my junior preacher. At Luthersville Rev.
YV. A. Simmons helped us much, preaching
with great acceptability and witli success.
This too, was a rare treat to me At Mouut
/, on and Grantville the Young Men's Chris
tian Association has done a good work. Let
us thank God and tnV B courage.
Waukeenah Circuit, Florida Confer
ence. —Rev. R. 11. Ilowren writes August 23:
We have been holding a glorious meeting at
this place for several days; to-night four
joined, twenty-five or thirty mourners at the
altar. And yet we suspend, compelled from
bodily fatigue. Will begin again next Sunday
night. Seventeen have joined, some will
join other Churches. Our Presiding Elder,
brother YVoodhery, was with us part of the
time and labored efficiently. Brother De-
Pass, of the Montieello station, was with us
nearly all the time, laboring abundantly and
with great success. He is a host in a revival.
A few weeks ago we held an excellent meet
ing at Union Church; several joined, and the
membership was greatly stirred. The good
work seems to be extending all over the cir
cuit, and we hope and pray that ere the year
closes the whole work will be in a blaze of
revival power. Revs. Thompson and High
tower, local preachers, rendered good service
at these meetings. God bless them, they
work hard at home, and when they can they
go out and work hard for God and his bless
ed cause. Allow me in conclusion to men
tion that our venerable brother, the Rev. A.
Wyrick is with us to-night—cheering us with
his preseuce, his prayers, and hearty amens.
He is eighty-five years old, and has been
about sixty years proclaiming the unsearch
able riches of Christ.
Alexander Circuit, South Geokoia Con
ference. —Rev. N. D. Morehouse writes:
Our meeting began at Bethany on Saturday
preceding the first Sabbath in July, and con
tinued eleven days with increasing interest.
When I spoke of protracting, the brethren
questioned the practicabil ty of the suggest
ion in view of the busy season and stringent
times; but I determined to make the tffort,
and it was God’s set time to favor Zion, as
signs following conclusively demonstrated.
Contrary to their expectations they had time
to attend church regularly, and had a suffi
ciency on which to subsist. I have witnessed
many revivals, but this surpassed any 1 have
ever seen. Thirty-eight were added to the
Church, and there were thirty conversions, a
number reclaimed, and the membership
powerfully revived. lam confident we have
not seen the end, and that the good work
will continue. YY r e have eight prayer-meet
ings connected with this Church. My heart
has been very sad in consequence of our con
dition morally, but I can to-day thank God
and take courage. We are greatly indebted
to brothers, Mauldin, Bryan, and Tucker, for
timely and efficient aid.
Darlington, South Carolina Confer
ence.—Rfv. Jno. (I. YVillsou writes August
21: During the appointed YY’eek of Prayer,
we held prayer-meetings at 5 p. m., aud had
preaching at 81 p. m. Interest was shown,
and the two daily services were continued
until the 18th. Four have applied for mem
bership, and three professed conversion.
Three of the applicants were a husband,wife
and their son —all the earthly family. We
are grateful for the results we see, and pray
that we may yet reap more abundantly.
Brother YV. H. Strickland, of the Darling
ton Baptist Church, and brothers R. L. Har
per and S. Martin of our Conference,
rendered valuable aid.
Kkywkst, Florida Conference. —Rev.
C. A. Fulwood writes, August 29th : “The
two Churches here, First Charge and Sparks’
Chapel, united in the observance of the YY'eek
of Prayer, alternating the service between
the Churches. God granted such signal
manifestations of renewing grace, as to in
duce a protraction of the meeting. It is
still in progress, and we are hopeful of a
more exteusive religious awakening. Up to
the present, seventeen have been added to
the First Charge, eight of whom are Cubans,
and two to Sparks’ Chapel. Pray for us.
Allow me to say, for the benefit of personal
friends, that the city is perfectly healthy.
No apprehension is felt in regard to yellow
fever.”