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

pected that you viii hare entire unanimity oil
sentiment upon sll the questions that may come
before you. The interests Of one locality in
the church may seem to conflict with those oi
another, but In this body Of itineant ministers
we feel assured there are no local representa-
tives. We trust each member Of this General
Conference is Sufficiently comprehensive in his
views, and magnanimous in bis spirit, to regard
with equal concern every psft of the work.
Though acting as the immediate representatives
OF forty seven annual conferences, embracing a
territory of vast extent and population of va
ried characteristics, we believe e plpfbus ununs'
was never more truthiully applied as a descrip-
ton, or more heartily adopted as motto, than
] bv this 18th delegated General Conference OF
the Methodist Episcopal church." Allusion
was then made to the demise Of Rev. Bishop
Waugh, who died on the 9th OF February, 1858
who was characterized as man Of stern integ.
rity, corteous and digniied in demesnor, dis
eliminating and sagacious in judgment. "In
Christian excellence, in ministerial fidelity and
in Episcopal usefulness he was eminent To
his colleague, who long shared his intimate
friendship and godly eounssls, as we'll as the
fellowship of his official cares and labors, the
bereavement is most painful" Since the ad-
journment Of the General Conference in 1856
eleven of the members of that body had ''died
in the Lord" -
| The bishops had been able to I'll all their ap-
pointments, paying an annual visit to the Pa
cifc coast, and regularly experimenting the
two very prosperous conferences there.
Bishop Simpson and DR.. McClintock had Wis.
tied the Wesleyan Conference in Great Britain
and the Bishop extended his tour to Germany
France and Switzerland, besides their mission
to Scandinavia and Ccnstantnople.
The last General Conference having granted
permission to alter the discipline so as to ap-
point missionary bishop Rev. Francis Burns
(colored) was duly elected superintendent o
the Liberia mission, with the understanding
that his jurisdiction is expressly limited to Al.
rica.
| EDUCATION.
The address. in speaking Of the educationa
interests of the Church, says that the endow-
ment possessed by the various institutions o
learning was in most cases inadequate to give
them the highest degree Of efficiency. "We
deem it very desirable" say the Bishops, "that
the General Conference should, il practicable, by
constituting a General Educational Board, OIL
otherwise, restrain our people and Annual Con.
ferences from multiplying colleges and universi
fes beyond the real demand for them, and above
their ability to give them character and effec
tiveness. We regard it very important, for thu
sake Of pastoral influence, that at least one min
sitter should belong to the Faculty of each liter
ary institution of high grade. But we doubt
when faculties are composed wholly or mainly
of men protesting to be moved by the Holy
Ghost to preach the Gospel whether the mem
bers Of such faculties are fulfilling their sacred
calling in the most efficient manner. To US it
seems inharmonious with the itinerant charac-
ter OF our ministry, and incompatible with the
designs of our Conference associations, for men
who never intend to enter the pastoral work
but to make teaching profession for life, to be
admitted to membership in the conferences. In
onr opinion large proportion of laymen might
be advantageously employed in the useful and
honorable work of education, and consequently
an equal number OF educated and gifted minis
ters be spared to WELD the more potent infu.
ences Of preachers and pastors.
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
| In the Sunday school department Of educa.
ton our progress has been very satisfactory. In
the minutes Of 1855 there were reported 10, 46S
Sunday schools, 113, 159 officers and teachers
and $40, 1875 scholars. In the minutes of 1855
we have reported II, ,755 schools, 139, ,299 off
GERS and teachers and 1872 692 scholars. These
statistics exhibit great prosperity, and present
this cause in grand and etfecting aspect. 1885,.
299 Sunday school laborers. uniting every Sun.
day with 1872 692 children and youths in pray
er and praise and religious conversation, and by
their department, their spirit and instructions
impressing divine things upon SO many suscep-
tble minds, is power for good which human
IS incompetent to estimate, and work of love
which none but God can fully appreciate OF
properly reward. This previous interest of the
Church should be cherished with the tenderesi
solictude, and fostered with the greatest possi-
BILE care. ..r. ...
| .. PUBLISHING INTERESTS.
The details Of our publishing establishment
will doubtless be presented to you by the book
agents. As the press is one of the powers by
which the progress and destiny of the Church
and the world are to be influenced, it may no,
be inappropriate for us to call attention to it:
connection with our history and progress as o
people. The publication and circulation Of good
books were means of usefuln6 IS and earnestl,
employed by Mr.. Wesley; and as early as 1889
the book concern of our church was establish.
cd. Its small capital Of six hundred dollars
was all borrowed. Since that patd it has paid
large sums in dividends, to the annual confer
ences, and for other purposes, ordered by the
/ General Conference from time to time. 1t has
once divided its capital with the M. E. Church
South. Tho net capital of the New York and
Western book concerns, as reported by the
agents, is $762933. ass .sa..g ..r l.
The attention Of the Conference was then
called to theimporiance Of deyising measures to
secure the distribution of tracts and cheap pub
| H.. lam