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154 jSonttem Christian Jbfotak M ACON, GEORGIA,SEPTEM BER 25,1877 UNBROTHERLY SNEERS. [We had clipped the tollowing paragraph from Zion's Ihrald with the purpose of making it the text for an editorial on the line pursued by our Editorial Correspon dent. His article coming to hand in time tor this issue, and meeting the case so fully, supersedes the necessity for ours, and we therefore very cheerfully substitute it for our own. — Editor.] This is Dr. Peirce’s “unbrotherly sneer”: “Bishop Marvin, of the Church South, in his late epeech before the British Confer ence, gave an appreciative and glowing ac count of Southern Methodism, especially of its mission work. He spoke hopefaily and beautifully of the efforts of his Church for the salvation of the heathen found among the Indians, the Mexicans, the Germans, the Brazilians, and the Chinese. But in a speech otherwise so excellent, there is one notable omisiion. While telling of a zeal urging them to the world’s end to rescue the souls of barbarians, he made no mention of their missions among the five millions of colored men in the South itself, of whom even General Toombs made such eloquent men tion in the Georgia Constitutional Conven tion. How happened the Bishop to forget this important section of the work? Was it because he had been bo long out of the country? or did he not happen to have the statistics at hand? We would humbly sug gest that someone of the Southern editors iirnish the statistics of this interesting part of their mission field for publication in con nection with the Bishop’s speech. Every body should be glad to see that side, of the picture filled out.” At the close of 1860 there were 207,766 negroes in the communion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They were served by hundreds of our best men, and at an ex pense, to the white people, of thousands upon thousands of dollars. We take 1860 as our starting-point, because there were no complete Minutes of our Church during the war. The point to make on these facts is this: While the Church, South, had oppor tunity to furnish the negroes of the South with the Gospel, she did it. Moreover, we venture to say, with no small opportunity for reaching a conclusion, the negroes had a purer Gospel at the hands of these Southern Methodist preachers than they have ever had since. During the past few weeks there has been, in certain quarters, anew out break of sneers and criticism directed at the Church, South, in the matter of its relation to the evangelization of the Southern negroes. Even the gentlemanly, and generally just Editor of Zion's Herald, the Rev. Dr. Peirce, forgets his manners and his charity in a recent issue. Commenting on Bishop Marvin’s address to the British Conference, Dr. Peirce twits the Bishop and the Church he represents, in expressing mock regrets that the Bishop, while detailing to the Con ference the Foreign Mission work of South ern Methodism, omitted to tell our Wesleyan brethren of the great work we are doing for the negroes at our doors. We wish to say to Dr. Peirce that this is not simply bad manners, but bad morals. It is slander, in that it suppresses the truth of past history, aud fails to even intimate the truth as to current aud recent events. If the world de pended on the utterances of the Herald ed itor for information on the subject in hand, the glorious and blessed work of our Church for the salvation of the negroes would be unknown. And Dr. Peirce is not so ignor ant of the Church, South, as to be unin formed on this subject. If he shall excuse himself by saying his irony is directed only at the present state of things, we have to answer, that common justice and honor required him either to keep silence, or else to tell his readers why the SouthernAMethodist Church is nots, at this time, engaged directly/in the work of home missions among ihtr 1 knows the fwts he Iras, nrver so fftr as we have seen, thought fit to state them. If he does not know them he should confine his editorials to subjects that he understands. The Independent, which has a remarkable gift for pronouneiug oracularly on subjects it has not investigated, has quite recently set itself up as a critic of the Chuich, South. Commenting on Dr. Hargrove’s late article in the New York Methodist, reviewing the last Annual Report of the Freedmen’s Aid Society, the Independent says: The Church, South, was therefore doing a good work among the colored people before the war. But what are they doing for them now ? Five or six years ago those of the 200.000 colored members who still remained in the Church, South, were pushed off with a separate organization; and if anything is being done for them, or for the millions of negroes who are living in ignorance and deg radation, it has escaped our notice. We quote such utterances not with the hope of opening the eyes of the wilfully blind. There i3 perhaps no hope. Such papers as the Independent are past hope. They never miss a chance to send an arrow at the South. And the Methodist Church, South, receives their special attention when anything unmannerly is to be said. And it has grown into a habit with them. Light only intensifies the blindness of prejudice. But our people should know what these people think, and what these people say. It is not in the interests of true peace and fra ternity to sit silent forever under their mis representations. Silence under slander may help to patch up a peace; it does not foster genuine fraternity. We, for our part, are truly and earnestly in favor of fraternity with our Northern brethren, but we love them too well to keep silent when the knowl edge of the truth might do them good. If it is not knowledge that such papers and people need, it is grace. And if we cannot instruct, we can at least exhort them. The Independent says, “ pushed off into another organization.” This is the Inde pendent's account of the organization of “ The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America”—an account, utterly and abso lutely false. Possibly the Independent knows no better. The ignorance of the Independ ent and of the papers of its class is mar vellous and past finding out. But there is another point upon which the Herald, the Independent, and other such oracles, need inform ,tiou. For we must believe—charity compelling us —they do not know. Why did the surrender of the Southern armies and the collapse of the Confederate cause estop, to a large extent, the work of the Church, South, among the negroes? We answer— with a full understanding of the matter —for our residence and ministerial work was in the very midst of these reviled and slandered people—the Church, South, was pushed aside and pushed out of its work among the negroes by carpet-bag politicians and North ern Methodist missionaries. How was it done? By appealing to the prejudice, the ignorance, and the fears of the newly-eman cipated negroes. The Church, South, was denounced to these negroes as a pro slavery Church. The negroes were told that the Church, South, would attempt to re enslave them. We are not guessing in these state ments. Thousands in the Southern States can confirm every word we have said. If it were not impolite—in these days of ‘‘formal fraternity”—we could give names—many names —of white men in the pay and employ ment of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, who said, time and again, all these and worse things to the negroes. We affirm most positively that these white men, working with the Republican party and many of them n the employment of the Mission Board of the M. E. Church, made every possible appeal to the ignorance and prejudice of the negroes ; incited every pas sion of hate or revenge calculated to alien ate them from their old masters, to get them out of the Church, South, and to keep them from the Democrats. Moreover, we affirm that hundreds of churches built and paid for by white South ern Methodists ere used, whenever they were wanted, for several years after the war for Union League Meetings, in which hatred of the whites was kindled into a blaze that, but for the conservative power of the pure Gospel the Southern Churches gave them before the war, would have flamed into a conflagration. In this state of things the Church, South, was powerless—a state of things those pa pers that employ themselves in ill timed sneers would do well to study. We conclude this article with an incident that may “point a moral,” if it does not “adorn a tale.” We tell it for the especial en lightenment of Zion's Herald , Dr. Fowler, Dr. Rust, and the Board of Missions of the M. E. Church: Last November, when it was believed that Mr. Tilden was elected President of the United States, there was very natural rejoicing among the Democrats. There was, we must confess, some pleasure manifested by the Democrats in the little College town where we live. Our old col ored nurse, noticing the gladness of the Democrats, said to one of our family, that she believed if Mr. Tilden was elected the negroes would be “ put back into slavery.” What was the origin of this fear ? The per sistent declarations that followed! the war, and that have not, to this day, altogether ceased. The special point iu this connection we invite the parties above named to con sider is, that in the Church in this village occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church built by the Freedmen’s Aid Society of that Church —served by a preacher appoint ed and sustained by that Church, there was held a political night-meeting, harangued by a county politician—a white Republican— who appealed to the prejudices and fears of the negroes, just as the same class of men did the first year after the war. Now we ask, does Dr. Rust’s society col lect money to build churches that may be used for political harangues, religious meet ings, and day schools, with equal facility ? Does the M. E. Church contribute missiona ry money with these mixed and miscellane ous ends in view? It may be said, this in cident and these questions are irrelevant. They are relevant, because the incident illus trates the method and influences that es topped the Church, South, from her work among the negroes. The questions—possi bly impertinent—are both relevant and im portant, for they suggest an inquiry the M. E. Church must, by-and by, consider and answer—Whether, after all the noise that is made about it, she is using quite judiciously her missionary money that is being expend ed here in the South —where there are more communicants, in proportion to the popula tion, than in any other section of the United States ? To be sure it is their missionary money—unless it be the Lord's —but we could wish it were better used. H. SUPER-SENSITIVE. A correspondent of one of our Northern Methodist exchanges is moved with indigna tion, or some stronger emotion, because Bish op Marvin in his address to the British Confer ence, for the evident purpose of easily discrim inating to his hearers the two great branches of American Episcopal Methodism, suffixed “North” to M. E. Church. Surely this irate brother must be as morbidly sensitive as he is meanly suspicious in construing the use of a word whose motive waß so patent, into an in tentional sluror wanton insult. Had the Bish op indulged any disparaging sentiment with regard to the M. E. Church, there would be some color of reason for such *u out-gush of pioiiPresentment. But as his address shows no such blemish, we can oily pity the poor brother’s impotent rage, as we conclude that it must have been born of a galling dissatis faction that Southern Methodism, for once, through a representitive officer, had the ear of the Wesleyan Conference. Bishop Mar vin is too cultivated and Christian to indulge a covert insult, as he is too manly and sensi ble to defer to a puerile affectation when his aim is to be intelligible. It may be just as well to say in this connection that Southern Methodists often find it convenient to use “North” just as Bishop Marvin used it when addressing the British Conference, and while there is no purpose of either insult or irrita tion to our brethren of that section, we ex pect to continue consulting in this way our convenience and the claims of unambiguous speech. FERNANDIXA. Most of our readers, doubtless, have learned from the sscular press of the pres ence of Yellow Fever in this beautiful island city. For a time it was hoped—especially as this place has hitherto escaped this scourge and there was no Yellow Fever in places usually visited by it —that the prevailing sickness was some other and less dreaded disease. Later developments, however, have confirmed the fears of the people, and dem onstrated the fact that veritable Yellow Fe ver is there, and that it is epidemic. There have been quite a number of deaths from the disease, and a large part of the population are prostrated with it. The following note from the Rev. U. S. Bird, our pastor there, dated September 18, conveys the latest pri vate intelligence we have received. We sincerely hope that our brother may escape, and that the scourge may be of short dura tion : The sickness prevails in every part of town, but the doctors think it is putting on a milder type. It shows a tendency to assume the paroxysmal form. Among those whose condition is critical are Dr. Palmer, Mr Denham, and brother Brounson. There were four death yesterday by yellow fever. Money and provisions coming in. We have three doctors from Savannah and six skilled nurses. I keep going. Mortuary. —The Western Methodist an nounces tha death, on the 28th of August, of Rev. H. H. Burns, of the Memphis Confer ence, who has long been in feeble health, and for several years has sustained the rela tion to the Conference of a superannuate. ‘‘ln the days of his strength he was a most effective and useful traveling preacher, and to the last wielded a commanding influence among men. A man of noble spirit, of deep piety, and gifted as a preacher, after life’s labors and sufferings, he now enjoys a rich and glorious inheritance.” The same paper informs us of the death at Camden, Arkansas, on the same date, of Rev. Robert B. Allston, of the Little Rock Con ference. This intelligence will be received with deep sorrow by very many in South Carolina, where Bro. Allston was born, where he labored zealously and efficiently for several years, and where he left a fragrant memory when, hoping to recover his failing health, he transferred to a western Confer ence. A devout Christian, a faithful and fearless ambassador of his Lord, ‘‘passing away in great peace” he has doubtless en tered upon a rich reward. Complimentary. —We are under obliga tions to the Phi Gamma Society of Emory College for an invitation to attend the anni versary exercises of the Society, held on the 22nd instant. The address was to be deliv ered by Mr. Walter J. Harris, of Griffin, whom we would have enjoyed hearing had it been practicable. SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE. MORE LIGHT WANTED. Bro Kennedy: In the Advocate of Sep tember 11th, I notice a “question” in ref erence to reception of members by local preachers “ without the knowledge consent, or cooperation of the preacher in charge.” Your “opinion” is that the local preacher has no right to rece've them “except as au thorized by the preacher in charge.” I wish to ask a few questions, which, please answer through the Advocate for the special benefit of local preachers. I suppose that all preach ers in out Church, properly authorized, have the same commission from on high, and from the Church. The object of preaching is the conversion of sinners, and the “recep tion of them into the Church.” If the local has the same Divine call of the preacher in charge and “Power from on high” attends his ministry, and sinners are converted, and wish to become members of the Church, then and there,what pr w,>rin theCburch can forbid it, afterhaving given him such credentials, as he has, and told him in the Discipline of the Church he shall “receive members into the Church when expedient,'' send report to preach er in charge to be placed under his pastoral care? Has not the local preacher the right to have appointments, and if he be moved by the Good Spirit, to continue the services for a week or more when the people desire it. and if the preacher in charge cannot attend the meeting, or refuses to do so, is it not “expedient" and ••legal” for the local preacher to receive the members, and report to him according to Discipline? When members have been thus recieved, are they not bona fide members of the Church, with out further reception by the preacher in charge ? Wno is to judge as to whether it is “ ex pedient” for a local preacher to receive the persons converted at his meeting, if the preacher iu charge cannot, or will not, be there ? Is it not presumable that local preachers have intelligence and religion enough, with the help of the membership of the Church, to decide in reference to the worthiness of candidates for reception ? If the line of procedure indicated by the above questions can be restrained without conflict with the credentials of the local preacher, and the operations of the Holy Spirit, tell me how, and oblige Yours truly, John D. Clark. Cuthbert, Ga., Sept. 15, 1877. Our “opinion,” referred to in the above communication, covered pretty fully what we understand to be the law of the Church on the point inquired of, and we do not know that we can meet the demand of our respected correspondent for “more light.” Whatever difficulties, actual or hypothetical, may beset a strict adherence to the law as laid down in the Discipline, would enter very pertinently into a discussion of what the law should he ; but they have no place in deciding what the existing law is. The opinion of the Advo cate, bo our correspondent will remember, was invoked and given, upon the law as it now stands in the Book of Discipline. It may be, as brother Clark thinks, that the local preachers ought to have the right “to receive members into the Church, at a regular appointment of the preacher in charge, without his knowledge, consent, or co-operation,” when in their judgment it is “expedient” to do so. This is not the question upon which we gave an opin ion, nor do we propose to discuss it. But unless we totally misapprehend the mean ing of words, the law of the Church, so far from investing the local ministry with the right to receive members into the Church, distinctly denies that this is a function of their office, by specifying the conditions upon which authority to do so, may be delegated to them by the preacher in charge. The ar rangement—a wise one we think—is in the interest of Church order, and implies no im peachment of either the intelligence or piety of local preachers. The preacher in charge has the same “commission from on high and from the Church” that a Bishop has, but there are certain prerogatives entrusted to the latter which are withheld from the for mer, without disparagement to his Christian or ministerial standing; and it would be just as seemly for preachars-in-charge to pfeiyorm offices reserved id, the Bishops, as local preacher--\jve into the Church “ knowledge, con sent, or co-operation of the preacher-in charge.” There aie occasions, when the anx iety of individuals would be gratified, and perhaps the interests of the Church immedi diately involved would be promoted by a preacher in charge performing the office of ordination; but it has been deemed wisest an I best in our economy to restrict this work to the Bishops, and any temporary or local advantages resulting from overriding this provision of the Discipline would poorly compensate for the general disorder and damage to which it would be likely to lead. Whatever room for debate there may be as to who is intended by the law to decide upon the “expediency ” of a local preacher’s re ceiving members into the Church in congre gations he has built up outside of any pasto toral charge; there is, there can be, none, it seems to us, as to “ a regular appointment of the preacher in-charge.” If he is indo lently or contumaciously derelict in duty, and the cause suffers from his course, there is a court to which he is amenable and before which he should be arraigned; but no short comings or faults of the preacher-in-charge can justify—however worthy the motive— the usurpation by others of functions not conferred by the Discipline. But the Advo cate has no authority to settle these ques tions. Wherever there is a difference of opinion upon these points ripening into a conflict of jurisdiction, if there be such any where, the Quarterly Conference, with the law officer of the Church presiding, is access ible for an authoritative adjudication of the controversy, and to such tribunal we respect fully suggest its reference, as the shortest, and only satisfactory method of settlement. Columbia Female College. —We are in receipt of the Catalogue of this institution, for the session which closed with June 1877, from which we infer that it is once more on the high road to its pristine prosperity. Dur ing the past session t here have been 99 pupils in the Literary and Kindergarten Depart ments, and 23 in the department of Physical Culture who are not otherwise connected with the College, making a total of 122 pupils in attendance upon the institution. President Jones, who has the cooperation of a full Faculty, has introduced, and is conducting successfully, several new features, not hith erto prosecuted in Southern Female Colleges. The Columbia Female College is admirably located, well officered, and presents to South Carolina Methodists the very best advantages for their daughters. Its spacious and ele gant building ought to be crowded with pu pils. We commend it to our people, and hope to hear that the Fall Session, beginning on the 27th of September, has opened with a large increase. Dr. Hargrove’s Article. —We publish on our first page this article, copied from the New York Methodist, which is both instruc tive and interesting. It is proper to state in connection with the note which precedes the article, that after the outside of this paper had been printed, the New York Ad vocate, the leading official Journal of the M. E. Church, came to hand with the long-de layed article. We are glad that it goes be fore that Church, through its main official channel, and do not apprehend that its force will be seriously impaired either by the tar diness of its appearance, or the editorial comment of Dr. Fowler. Personal. —We are gratified to learn that our young friend Mr. James C. Hinton, son of Rev. J. W. Hinton, has been ehosen as prin cipal of the high school at Camilla, Ga., and has entered upon the duties of the position. Mr. H. graduated with marked distinction at the University of Georgia during Rhe sum mer just past, and is fortunate thus promptly so eligible a sessed as he is of intellectual, dncational, and religiouß endowments, of 1 -, very high order, we predict for him distinguuheu-uc cess as a teacher and trainer of youthmd breathe our very best wishes upon his Ifcnch on the sea of life. \ Bereavement. —A note from i*v. I E. L. Timmons, of Cave Spring, JBHftted Sept. 19th bears to us the that his venerated father, Rev mons, die! at 2 a. m., of instant. Brother Timmons was dpi* nearly seventy-nine years, and for forty yiffe had been a faithful local preacher, away in holy triumph,” and resting om his labors now reaps the reward of Is well spent life. May the sorrowing S' vivors, when called away, be ready to joi him in the better home on high. We are romised a suitable obituary for the ADVOCiE in due time. “Wild Lands.” —Special attentiiP- direct ed to the advertisement of Rev. EL -lAdams, Treasurer of the North Georgia C*kference, which appears in the column oqChurch notices for that Conference. The-uroceeds of sale of these lands would be vfy helpful just now; and all interested woultfio well to consult the parties named in the mtice as agents for selling them. OUR OCTOBER MONTHS IS. The Atlantic Monthly, Boston H. O. Houghton & Cos. $4 per year. The Qaeeu of Sheba, Procession of Flowers Iu .CM : Memoriam; A Night in St. Pewu 1 ; Crude and Curious Inventions at the Cerjfunial Ex position, VI. ; Ten Years In Ea| English; Some Rambling Notes of An Me Excur sion, I; A Willow Tree ; A Coun|rfeit Pre sentment; Old-Fashioned Ghoe Stories; Crickets; Echoes from an old Isrsonage ; My Love ; Song ; The Contributes Club ; Recent Literature. Lippincott's Magazine. Phila-glphta: J. B. Lippincott & Cos. $4 a yea. Chester and the Dee; For AnotHf- Among the Kabyles; “For Percival," I—11; Abbeys and Castles; Little Lizay; The l*ss of the Potomac; The Chysalis of a Boaworm; A Law Unto Herself, X-XIII; Alfrd De Mus set; The Bee; “Our Jook;” Comnunism In The United States; Our Monthy Gossip; Literature Of The Day. The Galaxy for October is a lumber of unusual interest, and contains seeral note worthy articles, among which men tioned “ The Tariff and the Hard Times,” by Horace White ; “Forrest, frot. an Ac tor’s Point of View,” by Lawrencjnrrett; a chapter on “ President Lincol#Krd min istration, giving Mr. Lincoln’s of col onization as an accompaniment to emanci patiou,” by Hon. Gideon Welles,*6te Secre tary of the Navy ; “The Planet jars,” by Captain Raymond of the Unitfd States Corps of Engineers, who was oie of the transit of Venus expedition ; an Article by Captain E. Simpson, United Stttes navy, “On Modern Naval Warfare;” A striking story by Tourgeneff. The abovi articles, with the departments, make up a very bril liant number. HORSE RACING AT THE (EORGIA FAIlt. The Georgia Agricultural Socioi* holds its Annual Fair in Atlanta, in Octo%r next. It should be a grand occasion. GSorgia is a great State with large and diversified re sources. The products of her fields, and manufacturers, should be bpught to gether for the encouragement andJAspection of the whole people. The manalment has offered attractive premiums to(B courage exhibitors. But if we Jre to judge the Atlanta Constitution Land manipulators of the Fair do nr®frn t it in Georgia productions for the chief merest of the exhibition, but in imported raA horses. We have been told by the Consttution— speaking, doubtless, for the man%ement — thot without the races the Fair would be a failure —“or words to that effect.” We have been assured that a citizen’s purse of $2,500” would bring the “turf and stable men,” and thereby insure the huge success of the occasion. The necessity of raising this “citizen’s purse,” ias been urged upon the citizens of Atlan_a, for at least a month. The President of thp-Asso ciation, has been represented as lenling the whole weight of his name and intuence to the Constitutions exhortations. We are now informed —with much felicitation of all concerned —that the “ citizen’s purse of $2,500,” has been raised. We are not sur prised at this result. We are, however, rather disappointed that the work itas been so difficult. Really, we had suppoied that there were enough public spirited gamblers and bar-keepers in Atlanta to hate raised this small amount of $2,500 in twenty-four hours. We do not understand thl delay. Ptrhaps the gamblers, knowing tlijir own business best, did not regard this rocing at the Fair as a good thing for them. We do not venture an opinion aB the subject is out of our range. The present status is about this, the suc cess of the October Fair is assured, , because there will be racing. What do the managers mean by success. A big crowd? If this constitutes success, they have managed badly. If they had de voted all their premiums to horse-racing and had prepared a decent track instead of the little circular drive in Oglethorpe Park, then they might bring such a crowd of turf men, stable men, sporting men, gamblers, pick pockets, et id omne, as Atlanta never saw gathered in one place. As to miners, farm ers, manufacturers, and other useful tttizens, we suppose that for the most part th|y would have “ no part or lot in this matter!’ They call this kind ofthing “ entewiijse !” When Georgia is just beginning A'f'try to make corn enough for home consumption ; when Georgia does not even try to iriake her own bacon ; when Georgia still keeps her corn cribs and smoke-houses in thet West ; we must have horse-racing to insure a sue cessful fair 1 No doubt horse-racing is en tertaining and “ draws.” But is the gather ing of a crowd the chief end sought' by the Georgia Agricultural Association ? Then let them change their name. They shet'fd call themselves “ The Georgia Crowd Collec tors,” “The Georgia Blood Horse Associa tion,” or something of that sort. What has horse-racing, what have race horses to do with agriculture, manufacturing, the real development of Georgia ? But we will not argue such a question. No aoubt, it ie easy to say to us : “It is none of your business.” But it is our business and the business of every citizen of Georgia who is really ,j“ j cerned for the best interests of our grand Empire State. Some may say, “ The people who raised this purse for the racers, have a right to their opinion.” Certainly. And as we also have a right to our opinion, we the liberty to say that we think the management of the Georgia Agricultural Association have made a very great and harmful mistake in introducing horse-racing as a feature of their Annual Exhibition. Moreover, we Relieve that this horse-racing at the fair will do Georgia more harm than the whole fyir will do good. We regret, in common with hundreds of its true friends, that the new administration has thought it necessary to inaugurate * itself in this way. j H. Oxford. I Corrtsptee. WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF OUR PUBLISHING HOUSE! agent's exhibit and book committee’s STATEMENT. Mr. Editor : The writer belieyes that the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, should own a Publishing House, and that it should be located within its territorial limits—by which he means south of Mason and Dixon’s line—if it be possible to conduct a publish ing house profitably or even safely at the South. That problem has been, or is about to be, solved so far as Nashville is concerned. The matter of interest to us is, can a denom inational, a Methodist publishing house, live at the South through prosperous and adverse times through panics and through hard times? That is a settled question, a solved problem, so far as the North is concerned. The Northern Methodist Book Concern is a living, an established institution. The writer has awaited with great interest the publication of these exhibits of the con dition of the Publishing House. They are to be found in the Kashville Advocate of the Bth inst. The Agent's Exhibit i3 more full than usual—yet, it is cause for regret that it is not ten-fjld more so. The whole Church is ap pealed to to give money, thousands of dol lars, to the Agent to assist him in the con duct of the business of the Publishing House, and ten columns of figures—news paper columns are meant —would have been much more satisfactory than the three fourths of a column of figures presented by him. people cannot go to Nashville, and with the Agent and the Book Cootmittee, go through cash-book, day-book, and ledger; through bills receivable and bills payable; through bond account, and discount, and interest accounts; nor can they see with them the condition of th presses, types, fixtures, stereotype plates, nor the condition and qual ity of the stock in trade; but much could be learned that should be known, by greater explicitness and a full, fiir, pluin, unvar nished statement of the facts. For instance, of the “Assets” the Agent’s Exhibit says: “ Merchandise, $40,408.78,” without a word of explanation as to whether this is the invoiced value of the goods when bought, and the estimated value of the goods when manufactured ; or whether old stock has been counted at old stock value, and un saleable and injured stock has been charged to profit and loss. Nor does the more elab orate "Statement” of the Book Committee throw any light upon this important item. They repeat the Agent’s figures without change or redaction so far as this item is concerned. Again: The Agent then adds to this item, “Stereotyped plate account, $76,650.20." That is, this heavy sum is stereotype-plate account, i, e., what the plates cost to make them. What we wish to know is, what is their present value. The Committee give us no light here, except, that they “ are regu larly used ” [all of them?] and are valued below what if, would cost to reproduce them. So an old press may be regularly used, and may be valued below what it would cost to buy anew one —but all that is very indefi nite. Seventy-six thousand dollars is a large item to leave as assets, with no certain value. The total assets is said by the Agent to be $591,820.07. These assets are reduced by the Committeee to $402,753.26, or nearly $l9O 000.00. One of these reduced items is the New Orleans Expository, valued in the Agent’s Exhibit $85,300.49, and by the Committee at $40,000.00. This may be all right. The New Orleans Depository may not be worth more than $40,000. It may not be worth that much. But is the Nash ville ‘House worth the Committee’s mate ? T.ot boo , l Exhibit of Assets $591,8#J OT Less Real Estate 8233,550 12 “ New Orl’nf Depository 85,300 49 “ Nashville Lota 1,600 00 " Cash Account 3,226 57—8323,142 89 Which leaves as Agent’s rated value of the Publishing House proper, $268,142.89. By which is meant Agent's estimate of the value of merchandise, accounts due, engine, presses, stereotype-plates,types, paper, wood cute, etc., etc. Now, what reduction is made by the Committee upon these items? Agent’s Exhibit. Com. Est. Merchandise £40,408 78 $40,408 78 Book account 72,546 17 55,305 18 Stereotype plates 76,650 20 76,650 00 “ Foundry 6,400 20 6,400 00 Type accouat and fixtures 11,390 48 11,390 48 Engines, presses and fixtures.. 45,432 72 30,000 00 Paper, sheet-stock, ink, etc.... 3,973 50 3,895 85 Mailing, folding machines, etc 1,425 00 1,000 00 Wood cuts, electrotypes, etc... 4,609 40 4,609 40 N. 0. Depository D. [debt?].... 3,164 44 Furniture in office and safe.... 775 00 500 00 Copyrights 1,367 00 1.367 00 8268,142 89 $231,526 69 A reduction of $36,616.20 from a total original costof, or face value of, $268,142 89. New Orleans Depository, $85,300.49. Es timate, $40,000, or areduction of $45,300.49. That is a reduction of fifty two per cent, of the rated value of the New Orleans De pository, and of but thirteen and one-half per cent, of the rated value of the book-store, book-store accounts, and the printing and book-making outfit of the Publishing House. Is it probable, is it possible, that the Com mittee’s estimate can be relied upon by the Church, and by the next General Confer ence? Now let us view their estimate in the light of the value they put upon the other items of the exhibit’s assets : Agent’s Exhibit. Com. Est. Real Estate $233,,550 12 $130,000 00 Nashville Lots 1,600 00 50jl 00 Cash account 3,226 5, 726 5; $238,376 69 $131,226 57 Here we have a deduction of 44 percent.; in the New Orleans Depository item of 52 per cent.; but in the Publishing House pro per, of only 13J per cent, in value. Of the whole reduction made by the Committee for “shrinkage ,” amounting to $189,066.84. $104,650 12 is in real estate, and $45,300.49 in New Orleans Depository ; $2,500.00 in cash account: or $152,450.61, leaving $36,- 616.20 only for the Publishing and Book store departments. How much better for all parties to put the knife to this tree and prune it, leaving only what bas life in it; or —to drop figure—is it not best at the time to give the real valae of the Publishing House, and all our interests there, even if to do so it is necessary to use experts in the various departments ? It would cost a few hundreds of dollars, but would it not be well expen ded? In the next, the writer will review the ex hibit of profits, and the comparison of the condition of the Publishing House now, with its condition when the Agent took charge oi it. A North Georgian. Pee Dee Circuit, South Carolina Con ference. —Rev. I. J. Newberry writes Sept. 15: For the last eight weeks I have been in revival meetings. At eight of my churches, great success has attended the preaching of the word. At each of these meetings souls have been converted and many added to the Church. Up to this time 155 have been re ceived into the Church, a very large propor tion of whom have professed raligion. We have three new churches now building which will be large and comfortable when comple ted. lam laying plans to have two other new churches built, and if I can succeed in this, we will then have comfortable houses of worship at each appointment. I do not see the reason why this circuit will not yet be a very inviting field of labor; it is cer tainly one of the healthiest parts of the State I have ever lived in. We have been won derfully blessed at the parsonage —none of us have been sick. I never enjoyed better health in my life —though weeks for height past I have been working night and day, j not averaging one rest day in a week. I start in a few hours to Zoar for a week’s campaign. Brother L. Wood was with me at two of my meetings, and preached and worked like a hero. God blessed his labors and his soul. LETTER FROM SOUTH CAROLINA. Mr. Editor: I have attended two caotp meetings lately, one in Lancaster, at Bro. Chrietzberg’s request, the other in Marlboro, at the request of Bro. Mitchell and other friends. At Salem, Hanging Rock circuit, I met Bros. Kirton, Murray, Rogers, Stokes, W. H. Ariail, and Bro. Munnerlyn, irom this District—a former pastor there. There were 12 or 14 tents occupied, sever al families represented in some of them. You are remembered by many of the good folks in that section. There is a fire church building and a large new arbor well built. The tents are not new or large, I ut I think there will be an improvement next year. Congregations were good, and, in most res pects, well disposed. Tne Suipber Spring, near by, was the occasion of more disorder than any other one cause. That might be regulated and the young folks not hurt. A word to the wise is sufficient. The preach ing all through seemed to me to be singular ly effective, and lam sure much good was done. Christian experience was deepened, and widened and made brighter, and there were some clear, sound, happy conversions. I left the place with a strong conviction that it was our duty to establish and maintain camp meetings in all our borders. I was unexpectedly induced to revisit our mutual friends in good old Marlboro. Bro. Porter and I urged the people there to begin a camp meeting iu 1871, and there was no! a spontaneous movement as to the locality— Pine Grove —nor as to the uulicy of return ing to camp meetings. We ye. succeeded in getting about a dozen touts, and by 1873 we had a respectable arbor, and several very successful meetings have been held. I went by Charlotte and Laurinburg North Carolina, and reached the camp ground in time for the second service, mid was there four days. The veteran presiding elder of our Conference was on hand and still knows how to order the battle. With him were L. Scarboro, J. M. Carlisle, Thos. Mitchell, G.fcT. Harmon, J. L. Stokes. ,T. C. Davis and Thos. Gilbert, itinerants, and Sweet, the two Breedens, and Bro. Smith of the local ranks. Two or three tents were un occupied ; though several were very full. Con gregationa were large, and attention, for the greater part of the time, very good. Water was scarce—only two wells —and too much watering of stock ; though a mill-pond, on a running stream, was only a quarter of a mile away. This, it is to be hoped, will be cor rected and regulated in the near future. The preaching was in a great measure “in de monstration of the Spirit and in power.” We also had some good exhorting, and not a little of good singing. There was much Christian enjoyment, and many penitents, and some unmistakable conversions. There had been a gracious revival at, a place not far from the camp ground, and the good in fluences were seen in the spirit of the ser vices from the begining. There was much enjoyment among the preachers in their very comfortable quarters, and day and night the peaches and mellons failed not. O, sir, Marlboro is a goodly land for earthly things. One of the great benefits of camp meeting is to be found in ministerial fellowship. We hear each other preach, and, mind and heart alike become magnetized, and we are friends, like David and Jonathan, forever thereafter ; and so with the people, they get acquainted, they sit together, walk and talk together at their leisure, and do this under tk- ——- — l- ! - : ;Bnninßtanc6B, and thus from the whole circuit and surrounGing re giona, tho Ajellog is aroused) intensified, and moved to enterprize, and confidence, and hope. And sir, there is scarcely any more danger to the stuff at home than there was before the war. If we will make sacrifices for the cause of God, we can not lose by it unless all the promises fail. Centenary, and Buck Swamp, in Marion, and The Gully, in Darlington, and Mt. Beth el, in Laurens, all are in proof of what I say. There should be three or four in every Dis trict; let them be well located, let them be well regulated, incorporated, and keep the people from trying to entertain everybody at their tents, and require of all comers and goers uniform observance of several simple, but necessary rules of politeness and self denial, and there is no reason why these feasts of tabernacles might not regain all their old time power, as the right arm of Methodistic Evangelical prowess and ag gression on the unnutilized material in the land—as well as for the improvement in the spirit and style of our preaching, and har mouizing, and improving our customs and habits, as a denomination of Christians — camp grounds need to be changed or moved just as we need to move and rebuild our church houses. lam sure these two meet ings have largely benefitted the writer. Yours trnly, J. W. K. MARION DISTRICT, SOUTH CAROLINA CONFLUENCE. Mr. Editor: What reason there is for thankfulness throughout our bounds that God has in His providence favored us with a full summer harvest, and a fair autumn gath ering already on hand. In view of this state of things, I wish to address some words to my brethren and friends, which I can not utter from pulpit or floor opportunely, and therefore seek to reach all through the press. 1. “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Prov. iii. 9, 10.) Dr. Clarke says: “This u minchah, or gratitude offering to God, commanded under the law [of Moses], is of endless obligation.”—“With thy substance” with all your investments, in farming or otherwise, and with all their results, “honor the Lord.” In bestowments, honor Him “with th e first fruits of all their increase” — selected, first and best. 2. ‘‘So shall thy barns be filled,” etc.— Prosperity shall be yours. Did you ever know a man who put God on the trial of His truth on the condition which He here lays down? Will you be bold to try the case libe rally for a series of years?—honoring God in this very action of trust. Or, if you prefer New Testament teaching, attend: “Upon the first day of the week (Sunday) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”—“First day of the week”—a religious duty: statedly— weekly, monthly, quarterly; the more fre quently, the more easily done, as a general rule at least. “As Godhath prospered him” here is the rule; referred to his own honor, his own sense of justice and mercy as a Chris tian. See, again:— l make known unto you “the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of af fliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves* praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift,” etc. (2 Cor. viii. 1, 4) —Here, their rule, voluntarily adopted, was their ability, and they went even beyond this to meet an emergency. Who now attains, or even as pires to such kindness, charity, effort ? The apostle continues (v. 7): “Therefore, as ye [Corinthians] abound in all things, in faith, and utterance, tetc.,) see that ye abound in this grace also.” And he enforces the whole by the example of our good and loving Ex" emplar (v. 9): “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might, be rich!” And, now, brethren and friends, in view of all God's goodness to you in your mate rial concerns, and in your spiritual interests, (for in this latter respect in many places, if not in all, great has been the goodness of our Lord,) 1 beseech you, I implore yon, by every earthly and heavenly consideration, meet tbe claims on you in your Church rela tions, as men, women, and children f-aring G id, honoring Him in your whole being and doing, trusting in H:s grace and prorideuce, and preparing to “stand before His presence with exceeding joy” at last. To ail of you, “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” H. A. C. Walker. LETTER FROM FLORIDA. REV. OLIVER EAIIY. Dear Bro. Kennedy: You have learned before this of the death of our Presiding Elder, Brother O. Eady. I simply write at this time to give some account of his last public service rendered the Church on earth. Ours was his last quarterly meeting on his third round, and was held at St,. John’s Church, on the 25t,h and 26th of August. He was promptly at his place on Saturday morn ing and preached from the text: “ That men ought always to pray, and not to faint,.—Luke 18:1. He seemad to be in excellent spirits and preached, I thought,, with more than ordinary eas-. His enjoyment, ot religion was evidently great, as he, with others, had received a fresh baptism of the Holy Ghost upon Sunday night of our District Confer ence. In our Quarterly Conference, we had somewhat of a “stormy” time, but he, in the spirit of his Master, tried to control and direct everything by the power of love. At night be preached upon the state of the righteous dead when this tabernacle be die solved. His remarks were founded upon a few verses of 6t,h chapter 2d Corinthians. But his last sermon on earth was upon Sun day morning from the text: “ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.”—Rom. 9 : 28. Nat ural science seemed to he his fort, and he presented, with peculiar force, the design of God in nature. How all things here worked together for good, and as in His works which are seen, so in His providencee He makes all things work together for good to them that love him. The only question we had to settle, was our love to Him ; that being set tled, all things else were destined for our good. On Monday, when I asked him if certain things should fall out to him could he know the doctrine to be true? He re plied “ Certainly : the word is true.” The seed he sowed that day produced fruit before the close of the week, for during the protracted seryices following, several souls sought to know Godin an experience oflove. We parted on Monday ; he would reach his home, near Adamsville, on Tuesday ; on Wednesday he was taken sick, and died on the following Wednesday, September sth. I have no doubt his constant labor upon his district hastened his death. He was travel ing most of his time, and being much ex posed to the excessively hot sun we have had this summer, brought on common malarial fever of this climate, from which he had been suffering for some weeks, and this de veloped into brain fever. I have not heard a word of how he died, but I do know some thing of his life. A purer and more exem plary man, I have never been associated with, He was devoted to his work, and was ..succeeding tmely the interests Af --- uistrict to wmenne was assigned last Conference. / He has done his work ; will never answ<*' to “roll call” at anothor Conference on earth. He has answered to the call in heaven. He rests from his “ loved employ.” Peace to his ashes ; heaven’s richest bless ings upon his stricken family. A. A. P. Neel. Ocala, Fla,, Sept. 14, 1877. LEXINGTON FORK CIRCUIT, SOUTH CAROLINA CONFERENCE. Dear Brother Kennedy : The revival at Shady Grove will soon be forgotten by your readers, but it will never drop out of the memory of those who were soundly con vested during its progress, nor of thetwe ve who during that time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord claimed their place in the Church of God. Fifty years to come some of these may be in a love feast which like the one which characterized the Shady Grove revival, shall be exceedingly precious, and from that may point back to this meeting as the time when God for Christ’s sake con verted their "ouls. A solemn scene was the altar when mourners were kneeling around it; a joyous scene was the same altar when some of the mourners were converted and were giving praises to God. And through out that congregation there were lively dis plays of divine power as men mighty in prayer were prevailing with God and shout ings like the noise of many waters were roll ing up to the throne of God. We closed the meeting by administering the sacrament to more than 100 communicants. It had lasted eight days and seven nights. In the midst of it we had the co operation of Brothers Hawkins and Scheely, who both preached effective sermons. The meeting never flagged in in terest for a single hour. J. E. Watson. Sept. 12, 1877. SPRING HILL CIRCUIT, SOUTH GEOR GIA CONFERENCE. Dear Advocate: Good news from the churches is always profitable in the way of encouragement to those who are laboring for the advancement of the Redeemer’s kingdom. I send an item relative to the work of grace in the Spring Hill Circuit— Rev. L. C. Peek, preacher in charge. At Bsthpage, in that circuit, a very gracious revival of religion hasbeen recently enjoyed. The meeting was inaugurated by the Third Quarterly Conference occasion. The pre siding elder, brother McGehee, being present with the pastor, working as he always does with great zeal and efficiency. On Tuesday I left this place and went down to render such help as I could, found the meeting under full headway, congregations good, the Church deeply interested and at work, and many seeking religion. The Holy Spirit was manifestly present, and the labor of preaching, singing, and praying, was easy and fruitful. It was a busy time with the farmers—the cotton opening very rapidly— but they had time to attend to the Lord’s business and God honored the sacrifice and blessed them abundantly. It was a time of refreshing, such as they have not enjoyed in many years. There were fifteen accessions, among them several of the most prominent and influential men in the community. Bro. Peek is greatly beloved by his people, and “the pleasure of the Lord is prospering in his hands” —of course he is happy. Fraternally, J- 0. A. Cook. Thomasville, Ga., Sept. 17, 1877. Cedar Spring Mission, South Georgia Conference. —Rev. E. J. Holmes writes September 13: Your correspondent is on double duty this year—teaching five days in the week, and serving the Mission on Satur day and Sabbath. The Mission lies in the county of Early, consists of six appointments, VOLUME XL., NO. 89; with a membership, numbering at the be ginning of the year 117. I spent my six weeks’ vacation in holding six meetings. Results, Chureh much revived, several con versions, and thirty-four accessions. At one of the “waste places” a Church of nineteen members has been constituted, aud we ex pect to build a house of worship. Others will unite with us at. this point. Many thanks to the following brethren who labored with me in the Gospel : brother J F. MeKimie who assisted me twenty days; brothers Vv. J. Morris, S. R. Weaver, J. W. Weston, B. B. Thomas, and our beloved presiding el der, brother E. H. McGehee. Brethren pray for us. THEFLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Mr. Editor : Through your paper, Bishop Pierce has given notiee that the Florida An nual Conference will commence its session, Wednesday, 14th November, (changed to Thursday, 15th.— Ed.) next. For the in formation of those wishing to attend the Conference, I desire to say that I have as surances front Captain James McKay, owner of the mail steamer Cochran, which carries the mail between Cedar Keys, Manatee, and Tampa, that ministers and lay members of the Conference will be conveyed from Cedar Keys to Tampa for half fare, both ways. The steamer leaves Cedar Keys in the af ternoon on Mondays and Fridays, and reaches Tampa on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in the af ternoon. As the boat sometimes leaves Cedar Keys before the cars arrive, the captain thinks it would be well tor someone ot the ministers to ask the conductor to dispatch to the Keys, notice of their coming. He says, then the boat will be sursto wait. Presiding Elders will please give notice to Brother J. J. Seally, at Tampa, of the names of the local preachers and lay members from their several districts who will be present, that thpy nviv be the more conveniently pro vided for. It would bo well also, for notice to be given ol who will come by public and who by private conveyance. A. A. Robinson. Manatee, Fla., Sept. 7th, 1877. THE DUBLIN DISTRICT CONFERENCE. Mr. Editor: The Dublin District Con ference convened at Eastman, Ga., August 2‘2nd, 1877. The introductory sermon was preached by Rev. C. A. Moore of the Swains boro circuit. In addition to the usual num ber of delegates, many visitors from the sur rounding country filled the Conference room from day to day. The Conference was favor ed with the presence of Bishop Pierce, Dr. Lovick Pierce, Rev. J. V. M. Morris, Rev. L. B. Payne, and Dr. C. W. Smith. The pastors of the Swainsboro and Dublin charges reported glorious revivals in their works. Others reported an increase in the circula tion of Church periodicals, and more inter est manifested in family religion than for merly. The financial outlook was not en couraging, but all are hoping for better times. The preaching was pointed, practical and edifying, having reference more to “a revival of religion than a religious revival.” The report of Bro. Jones represented the Dis trict school at Spring Hill as in a flourishing condition. Swainsboro was selected as the place for convening the next District Con ference. The following are tbe names of Delegates elected to the annual Conference: Rev. W. D. Bussey, Dr. P. W. Douglas, J E. Hicks, and James Bishop. Alternates Rev. L. B. Bouchelle, J. H. Hicks, J. S. Lanier, and J. W. Myers. C. C. Hines, Sec'y. [A model report.—Ed.] ORPHANS’ HOME NORTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE. j An appeal to the friends of the Orphanf r*n.AiLi.\uB ; A fie experimem ussT>£BZ|j made aad the piacrfcamilty Of COnductijuJ and sustaining Orphans’ Homes by Church, has be.4n d/monstrated. In 1870, Georgia Conference inaugurated the enterprise, sometime after which the South Georgia Conference, the South Caro lina Conference, and the Baptist Church of Georgia, did likewise. These “ Homes,” under varying and trying circumstances, have continued to this day, and, in so far as I can learn, will remain for all time to comw They have already done a noble work, one, the fruits of which eternity only can fully illustrate. Many homedesg, uninstructed and uncared for orphans have been fed and clothed, educated and brought to God through these institutions. When this work began many doubted of its practicability. All wished it well and many believed it would succeed, but many doubted. It was new and untried. But, as above stated, the trial has been made aud success assured The fact is put beyond doubt that an Orphans’ Home wisely founded and prudently conducted, is one of the greatest and noblest blessings to both the Church and the world. The object of these statements is to BBk the pious and the humane of all classes, to help us in paying for the Orphans’ Home proper ty of the North Georgia Conference. We were obliged to purchase a home aud lands on time, and yet we have sustained all the while, from twenty-five to forty orph ins ; fed, clothed, and educated them, and al though we could care well for that number were we entirely free from debt, we cannot do so and pay besides the purchase money for the Home. Besides, it is exceedingly de sirable to enlarge the capacities of the insti tution. Hundreds of nncared for orphan children are being ruined every year, in this country, for the want of this very provision. It has been my business all the ypar to travel throughont the Conference territory, plead ing for these helpless poor. I have worked hard and constantly, but I cannot go every where, nor can I see every person. The year is rapidly closing and the Home is un paid for. Will not the people help? Shall this purest, best of charities, go down for lack of a little timely aid? Surely our people, Geor gians will not stand by and permit such a calamity I I propose, besides my personal efforts, from this until Conference, that as many as can will pledge one or more bales of cotton, to be delivered a* the nearest rail road depot, for the exclusive purpose of pay ing for the Home, and that those who do not cultivate cotton and can pay money, will send me their names and the sums which they will pay at the coming Conference to be held in Gainesville. The cotton and money thus contributed, will be applied exclusively to the discharge of the debt due for the Home. Come dear friends, do help. A lit tle effort will relieve this best of institutions. Address me at Gainesville, Georgia Jesse Boring. Thompson, North Georgia Conference. —Rev. W. C. Dunlap writes, Sept. 17 : “The Lord is with us in Thompson in mighty pow er. Our meeting has been going on ten days, and I can see no end as yet. We are beg ging God to give us every man, woman, and child, in Thompson. Thirty have joined up to last night, and there have been over for ty conversion. There were at least seventy five men and women in the altar last night. Pray for us. Camilla and Newton Circuit, South Georgia Conference. — Rev. E. J. Rentz writes, Sept. 17 : “I am nearly worn out — have had no rest since the third Sunday in July. The Lord has blessed us wonderfully. The good work still goes on. Six were re ceived last night at Pelham. My next meet ing is at Newton.