The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-21

make it necessary to transcend the
provisions of even the most whole
! some human regulations. From this
experience, however, the General
| Conference may find suggestions that
are valuable to guide it in providing
1 as far as far as practicable for contin.
| gencies In the future.
1t would have been gratifying to us
If we had been able to bear the ex-
pense Of more expensive travel
through the work; but in the impoy-
crushed state of the church, and espe-
clally IN the absence of any provision
Tor more than bare support of the
Bishops, this was impossible. This
TACT, we hope, will be suggestive to
your body
In August last, we deemed it pru-
dent to Asslle Pastoral Address to
the Preachers and Members of the
Church" reminding them of their
duty as Christian citizens, and giving
such advice as seemed to us appro.
pirate to the peculiar circumstances
OF the times. AS that address has
been extensively published, we deem
It's formal transmission to you with
this communication unnecessary, and
Will only ask your attention to such
parts OF it as we may find it proper to
recapltulato Oh particular points at
this time.
The publishing interests of the
church suffered greatly in consequence
OF the war. The book concern will
require your careful consideration
and some important changes in your
plan OF operations may be needful for
Its fature efficiency; of this, however.
you Will be better prepared to Judge
when you have heard the report of
the agent. With pleasure we have
welcomed the revival of onr cbnr,.h
papers, and, while we regard them as
in high degree creditable to the
church, we would respectfully submit
whether it would not be best to unite
conferences in the publication of
fewer number, in order that they may
be better supported and still further
improved.
Our missionary work, once the glory
CT our church, has been well NIGH
TNnci.. The China mission still lives
ana needs your fostering care. AL
though tho financial condition of the
country at present forbids the expec-
tatlon OF large collections, vet we may
make prospective ARRANGEMENTS for
doing great work i'm that extensive
field.
The interest of the colored popula-
non should engage your serious at
tentlon. Heretofore, the colored
people within our bounds have de-
served and received q large share of
our labors. We have expended onr
means and strength, literally and pa
tlently, for many years, for their SAL
vatlon and improvements; and if in
anyw1se our conduct has not been an
preclated by some on earth. never
theless our Witness is on high. and
our reward is in Heaven. It is crate
ful to our own feelings to know that
II the colored people do not remain
under our pastoral care, their depart
nre reflects no discredit upon our
labors in their behalf. and is nccess;-
tated by no indifference on our part
tor their welfare. Many of them will
probably unite with the African
Methodist Episcopal Church; some
OF them with the Northern Methodist
Church; While others, withstandinp
extraneous influences and unkind
misrepresentation of our church will
remain WITH U.S.
Let us be content to leave to Proyi-
dence to vindicate in due time our
scrlptural relation to the interest of
the colored people. For those who
remain with us. the church should
provide generously everything I'M
portant to their religious culture.
Convinced that your body takes the
deepest interest in this subject, and
will give it your special attention. we
deem 1t only needful to speak of it in
this general and suggestive form, and
especially us the Bishops, in their
pastoral address, last August, brought
the subject prominently to the notice
OF our people.
In resp to the separate and dis
tinct organization of our church. no
reasons hare appeared to alter our
views, as expressed in August last
NO proposal Of fraternal relations has
come to us from others; neither do
we regard ourselves as in anywise re-
sponsible for hostility cvinced to-
wards us. While the attempt to take
forclbIe Possession of our property
and to disintegrate Our church. de-
clare the mind that would destroy us,
~ IL