The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-05-23

monetary embarrassment Of the country. The
treasury Of the Missionary Society il less in
debt than it was four years ago. The number
OF missionaries and keepers in our foreign work
has increased from 81 to 100. The number Of
contracts from 2,l26 to 1866. Our mission
property has been more than proportionately ly
augmented. But what Is much more impor-
tant and encouraging than the showing of these
figures, is the moral position we have attained
in Africa, in China, in India, in Bulgaria, and
in Northern Europe. In all these missions Il or
preparations and facilities for prosecuting thei
spiritual aims, have been greatly advanced
Our missionaries have acquired the language
of the people in their respective fields Of labor
In some OF them native converts have become
sufficiently educated in Christian doctrine, and
sufficiently nurtured in Christian character to
be useful associates in missionary activities.
The true character of our missionaries, and
the real object they aim at, are understood and
appreciated, and in most OF these important
missions churches have been built and schools
established. Thus the way Of the Lord and
his servants has been prepared. The church
has now sufficient warrant to expect rapid pro-
gress and rich fruits in these fields.
Our domestic mission work to populations
other than those speaking the English language
has lost none Of its interest and none OF its mo
mentum. The statistics furnished them from
the mission room, New York, are as follows:
| Four years ago in these missions there were
232 ministers and 1871 probatroners and
members; and at this time % O33 probationers
and members and 3O5 ministers. We regret
that we cannot represent that our Indian mis-
sons as being prosperous and useful to a high
or degree. Our missionaries amongst them
hour generallp labored faith ully and with some
success. Indian converts have exelnpliied the
purity of religion in their lives and the power
of it in their deaths. The great hindrance in
civilizing and saving the aboriginees ofthe coun
try arises from the destructive influence of the
vicious white men, who introduce amongst them
intoxicating liquors and loathsome Diseases
We trust the church will CONTINUE and ever in.
crease her efforts to overcome this antagonism
and gather into the fold Of Christ the periled
and perishing men of the forest, and continue
"to lift up her prayer for the remnant that are
left"
PASTORAL WORK.
The regular pastoral work among US inclu-
ding tina. IN the domestic missions in the En-
glish language, has received manifest tokens Of
the Divine favor. There has been no uncom-
mon mortality in the rank of our itinerant
brethren, and no unusual ickness among them.
Their lives and strength have been devoted to
an earnest prosecution oftheir ministry. Gen
orally they have endured the inconyeniences
and discomforts of our itinerant economy with
cheer funess, and devoted themselves to the
studies, and cares and labors of the Christian
pastorate with gladness. And so generally has
God given the increase, that we believe the
body of Christian pastors you represent, can,
with propriety and thankfulness, say 1--WE have
not run in vain; neither labored in vain," 1t
gives us great pleasure to bear this testimony
to the spirituality and devotedness Of our be-
loved brethren in the ministry. We shall ever
cherish them in our affections, and intercede for
them in our prayers. The following statement
will show how abundantly God has made
known the savor of his name by our ministry
and other agencies and instrumentalities:
The number ofprobationers and members in
the church. in 1855 was 766, 431; and the num-
ber Of itinerant ministers 5,409. In 1859,
974, 3t5 members and probationers, and 6,S77
ministers; showing an increase Of 174,914
members and probationers, and l. 469 itinerant
ministers in tour years.
The last General Conference gave direction
that, in taking the statistics OF the church by
erty should be made. This instruction could,
not be acted upon until 1857. In that year the
returns were as follows:-Numbcr Of fchurchesf f
1885; p, obable value, $l5,7S1,3 $40; number OF
personages, 2,l74; probable valne, $2,126, ,974;
estimated aggregate value of church property,
$17 7,9O8.l84. In 1859 the returns show the
lumber OF churches to be 6,2o5; probable value
SIS, ,622, $40; number of parsonage, 2,540; pro-
babe value, S2,427 1853; estimated aggregate
value, S21 ,249, ,308; being an increase in two
years, OF $40 churches. The address then
speeks Of the do,trinal unity Of the church, al
though aluson is made to an error that had
limited influence in respect to the doctrine Of
Christian projection; also to some slight aqpre-
hension Of error on the subject OF infant regen-
Grafton.
The remainder Of the address is devoted to
the discussion Of the principal topics Of inter-
est upon which the Conference is excepted 10
take decisive action, and we therefore quote it
in full
APPOINTMENTS OF PREACHERS.
We are satified that the members Of the
church never more higher appreciated our econ
omy, and were never more loyal to our disc-
pline. Individuals influenced by local con-
siderations, by sentiments imbbed before be-
coming Methodists, and by honest convictions
disadvantage to be secured, have discussed, and
In some instances with earneslness, modi6ca.
tons in our policy. If some ofthese alteration
are made, portions OF the church will be pleas
ed. If they are not made. we appretend no
extensive dissatisfaction. In strtioning preach
ers we bave bcen embarrassed in few Confer
ences, where there are larg cities, by practice
| which has obtained to limited extent, oi
churches and preacher negotiating their appoint
ment, both in and out Of our conferences, and
doing this without any consultation with the
appointing authorities, and without due regard