The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1819-01-04
METHODISTS.

eldDS nave more encCtQaiy contributed 10
correct the morals and improve the state
of society by introducing those habits of
seriousness and reflection which are evil
IDENTITY increasing at the present time in
the United States, than the missionaries
ofthe methodists. These humble chris
tians do not make so great parade on
paper as some others the essence of
their profession does not consist princi-
pally in collecting large funds and exhi-
biting them before the world as the eff
fects of their labors. Contented with a
bare livelihood, those missionaries go a.
bout doing good, not seeking the patron
age of the wealthy and the great, who
think they need not physician, but vi
sitting the abDdes ofthe poor and the dcs-
titute, administering the bread oflife and
imparting comforts to the contrite in spi-
rit greater than all the goods of this world
can bestow. In this course, 1t is believ-
ed, they follow the example ofthe meek
and lowly Jesus, who did not go about
asking and collecting funds to erect fine
buildings and extend his influence-who
seems to have had no idea in building up
his kingdom by the mammon of this
world, any more than by extending 1t by
the sword. Although we hear but little
said of their abors in the religious pub
locations ofthe day-it is believed to be
fact that these missionaries have made
more converts to the Christian faith with
IN the last twenty years, than many others
who made more show theirs, in fact,
has been the greatest practical effect on
the morals and conduct OF the lower
classes of society-theirs has been the i'm
provement of the humble, to the shame
OF the proud, the tower ing and the haugh-
ty, The doctrine inculcated by these
missionaries, discarding that Turkish ia
tally which has of late become so fash
ionable with a portion of our clergy, and
which is calculated to confirm the vicious
IN his vicious habits, and to make even
christian professors no better than the
pharisees of old their doctrines are cal
culated, instead of making men more
loud i'll professions of goodness, to make
men really better in their lives In our
quarter of the country it has been the
practice of certain clergy to treat the Me-
thodists, in their missionary and other
publications, as little better than infdels !;
they have been described as disturbers of
the public peace, disorderly, sc. and
their arduous labors have been either &C
counted as nothing, or treated with proud
contumely and vaunting reproach.
The Methodist connection in this State,
we are happy to lealn, have established
seminary of education at New-Mark ct,
which, considering their limited means
is in 20 rishing condition. This institu-
ton is N ended to prepare candidates for
tt gos Ell ministry, as well as to prepare
youth for other pursuits of life. In its
present infancy, the scholars are nume-
rous, and the prospect is, that the institu-
ton will nearly support itself without
much aid from funds. The rev. MAR
TIN RUTER, whose able correspondent,
with the champion of orthodoxy, the rev
Francis Brown, is already before the
public, is principal of the New Market
Academy. Connected with this institu
ton, we understand a religious work to
be entitled "'The England Mission
aIy Iutelliee and General Repository
for the promotion of useful knowledge
and evangelical doctrine" is TO be issued
This publication, we do not doubt.
will richly deserve the patronage of libo
raj christians of whatever donation
--.-- Nh PA.
BY the minutes taken at the annua!
conferences for the year 1918, it appears
that the number Of members of the Me
thodist Church, belonging to the several
Conferences in the u. States, are as fol-
Louie LHIiea HnIo-.J