American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-04-14

the provisions OF even the most whole
some human regulations. From this ex
petienee, however. tbsA General Confer
euces may find suggestions tha. lare, val
uable to guide il il providing as far .
practicable sfor contingencies in che n
ture. V y
!. would have been gratifying to us
We had been ,able, to bear the expense o
more extensive travel through the work
but in the impoverished state of tn
church. and especially in the absence o
any provision for more than bare sup
port of the Bishops. this was impossible
This fact. we hope. will be suggestive I,
your body.
In August last. we deemed it prudeu
to issue a pastoral Address TO til,
Preachers and Members Of the Church,
reminding them Of their duty as Christian
citizens, and giving such advice as seem
ed to us appropriate to the peculiar cir.
cumstances of the times. As that ad.
dress has been extensively published. we
deem its formal transmission to you with
this communication unnecessary and will
only ask your attention to such parts Of il
as we may find it proper to recapitulate
on 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 consid GRAFTON. and some import.
ant changes in your careful consideration.
and some important changes in your plan
Of operations may be needful for its fu.
ture 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 re
vival of our church papers, and while we
regard them as in a high degree credita-
BILE to the church, we would respectfully
submit whether it would not be best to
unite conferences in the publication of a
fewer number in order that they may be
better supported and still further i'm.
proved.
Our missionary work, once the glory
Of our church, has been well nigh ruined.
The China mission still lives, and needs
your fostering care. Although the finan.
cial condition of the country at present
forbids the expectation oflarge collections,
yet we may make prospective arrange
ments for doing great work in that
extensive field.
The interest of the colored population
should engage our serious attention.
Heretofore the colored people within our
bounds have deserved and received
large share of our labors. We have ex.
pended our means and strength liber.
ally and patiently for many years. for
heir salvation and improvement, and il
IN any wise our conduct has not been ap.
preciated by some on earth. neverlhe.
ess. our witness is on high and our re,
ward is 10 heaven. 1t is great.
jul 10 our own feelings TO know that
{ the colored people do not remain under
'ur pastoral care. their departure reflects
10 discredit upon our labors in their be-
lalf and is necessitated by no Indifference
IN our part to their welfare. Many of
hem will probably unite with the African
n. E. Church, some Of them with the
Northern Methodist Church, while others,
outstanding extraneous influences and
lnkind misrepresentation Of our church,
will remain with US. O.
Let us becontent TO leave 10 Providence
o vindicate in due time our spiritual re.
alton to the interest Of the colored people.
FOR those who remain with US the church
hould provide generously everything i'm
'ortant to their religious culture. Con-
inced that your body takes the deepest
interest in this subject and will give il
our special attention, we deem itneedful
0 speak of it in this general and sugges,
i've form and especially as the Bishops
q their pastoral address last August
rought the subject prominently to the
office Of our people.
In respect to the separate and distinct
rganization Of our church. no reasons
ave appeared to alter our views, as ex.
ressed in August last. No proposal Of
-aternal relations has come to US from
tiers. neither do regard ourselves as
j anywise responsible for hostility evinced-
owards us. While the attempt to take
'rcible posse ssion Of our property and to
isintegrate our church, declare the mind |
bat would destroy US. let 1t be ours to
how the mind that was In Christ. 10 our
ouscious integrity we should cal mly await
be inevitable hour when, 10 the providence
{ God. an enlightened public opinion will
indicate our claims as a church Of God
nd true tyne OF Methndism. Let us NOT