The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-05-02

however, the General Conference may find
suggestions that are valuable to guide it in
providing, as far as practicable, for contingent
cies in the future.
1t would have been gratifying to us if we
had been able to bear the expense Of more eX-
tensive travel through the work but in the
impoverished state of the Church, and espe-
cially in the absence of any provision for more
than bare support of the Bishops, this was
impossible This fact, we hope, will be sug-
gestive to your body.
In August last, VIC deemed it prudent to
issue pastoral Address TO the Preachers
and Members Of the Church, reminding them
of their duties as Christian citizens, and CIV
ing such advice as seemed to US appropriate
to the peculiar circumstances Of the times.
As that address has been extensively publish
ed, We deem its formal transmission to you
with this communication unnecessary and
will only ask your attention to such parts OF
itas we may find it proper to recapituiate on
particular points at this time
The publishing interests Of the church suf-
fered greatly in consequence of the war. The
book concern will require your careful consid
Grafton; and sotat important changes in your
plan Of operations may be needGul for its fu.
tufTe 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 revivals of our church
papers; and while we regard them as in high
degree credtable 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 improved.
Our missionary work, once the glory ofour
Church, has been we'll nigh ruined. The China
mission still lives, and needs your fostering
care Although the financial condition Of the
country at present forbids the expectation OF
large collections, yet we may make prospec-
tive arrangements for doing q great work in
that extensive field.
The interests of the colored population
should engage your serious attention. Here
totore the colored people within our bounds
have deserved and received large share Of
our labors. We have expended our means
and strength, liberaly and patiently, for many
years for their salvation and improvement,
and if in any wise our conduct has not been
appreciated by some on earth, nevertheless,
cur witness is on high and our reward is in
heaven. 1t is grateful to our own feelings to
know that if the colored people do not remain
under our pastoral care, their departure re-
fleets no discrediS upon our labors> in their be-
half and is neceesitated by no Indifference on
our part to their welfare Many of them>will
probably unite with the African N. T. Church,
some of them with the Northern Methodist
Church, while others withStandlng extrancous
influences and unkind Misrepresentation Of
our church, Will remain with US. =..s..-~.
- Let us be content to leave to Providence
to yindicate in due time our scriptural reIa-
ton to the interests of the colored people,
For those who remain with US the church
should provide generously everything impor-
tant to their religious culture. Convinced
that your body takes the deepest interest in
this subjec: and will give it your special at
tcntior, we deem it only needful to speak OF
it in; this general and suggestive form; and
especially as the Bishops i'll their PASTORAL ad-
dress last August brought the subject proml-
nently, to the notice Of our people. -.
In respect to the separate and distinct or
ganization Of our Church, no reasons have ap-
peared to alter our views, as expressed in Au-
gust last. Noproposal of fraternal relations
has come to US from others, neither do we re-
gard ourselves in any wise responsible for
hostility evinced towards US. While the at
tempt to take forciblc possession of our prop
erty and to o]dis;ntegrate our Church, declare
the mind that would destroy US, let it be. ours
to show the mind that was in Christ. In our
conscious integrity VIC should calmly await
the inevitable hour, when, in the Providence
Of God, an enlightened public opinion. will
1indicate cur claims as a Church Of God and
true type Of Method5srn. Let suot be i'm
patient for our vindica tien before the world
The great future is Uefore-us, and the great
Head of the Church smiles upon as. Our f.
deity to God will most perfectly reply to the
voice of defamation. =, -. =
In this connection, it is with pleasure that
we refer to the fact that many Christians in
the North, and especially in the Northwest,
sincerely Sympathise with US, and this sympa-
thy;.we-have reason to believe, is daily ,assu-
ming a more tangible and Impressive form.
Thatsthere haye,at the same time, been some
defectionS in the Church We care not to dis
guisc Avery few ofsthe whites have gone
from US. This was perhaps to have been eX-
pected Our regret Is rather for them than
for ourselves. But while we speak of small
defectionS, VIC may refer also to most graft
fying accessions. The Baltimore Annual Con-
ference is now represented by delegation in
this body. In February last Bishop Early
formally received into our ecclesiastical con-
connection this Conference, consisting Of one
hundred and four ministers, and member
ship Of twelve thousand.
1t is grateful duty to welcome these breth.
ren among US, and to commend them to tie
confidence and affection Of our people. TniS
is large accession to our members and terri
tory. It is also . testimony in our favor that
is nobly born by men whose former position
and long dehberation upon the subject, as well
as their known intelligence, will entit(e it to
special respect. In our hearts we welcome
them, and cordially extend to them the-right
hand of fellowship. - -. y - g,
As o fact Of interest to us and of promise
to our future influence, We may state that in
the City of Baltimore there have been organ:
lied several Rourisbing Churches upon an in
dependent. basis, composed of Methodists
whose warm sympathies arewith Us andwhose
liberal kindness has already contributed large
.ly to aid US in our time of need, laying US un=
der obligations BY theirloVe and good works.
- Our educational, interests have been greatly
damaged. blythe. war, and nearly all of our
malo institutions have been closed. Providen-
o,,, c,roo1n institutions have