The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-10-23

building Churches and Parsonages, they
have been faithful efficient workers and
have largely contributed to the growth
and prosperity of our Zion. Mrs.
Eleanor Mitchell who has resided here
since 1905, could doubtless tell of many
| lights and shades, trials and reioicings,
through which the Church has passed
from then till now. 1t has often delight
ed our very souls, and inspired US to
nobler thoughts and higher purposes,
when we have heard Mrs. Barsheba
Brown speak of her fifty years of contin-
uous membership in the Church. Such
| examples are priceless, and speak more
eloquently than any poor words of ours.
Mrs Margaret Ferree, who still cheers us
with her presence. deserves more than a
passing notice, and all that we can say in
this brief connection, will be but faint
tribute to her praise. There are few
such women. Her life has been heroic
We have known few women so ardently
attached to the Church, or so anxious for
its welfare and progress. Her liberality
in contributions is proverbial; and dur
ing hard times when money was needed,
whether she happened to be residing in
jackson or not, she always had some
thing to give to the Church, and always
had word of encouragement to inspire
others to greater efforts for the Church
she loved so well. These are but the
types of many of our mothers in Israel
We believe that God has them in his
keeping, and will bring them to the
promised land
And now as we are about to conclude
our labors. we are impelled to ask,
Watch man, what of the night?'' Tell
US what its signs of promise are" What
is the status and condition of Our Church
in the United States to-day2 From the
most reliable statistics, we find that we
have in round numbers, / 100000 persons
in full membership, an indefinite number
on probation, 1900 regular travelling
preachers, 13 Bishops, $4,000 Churches,
5000 Parsonages, large number of Col
leges, Universities and Semnaries of
learning, 20 papers and periodicals. $4,000
Sunday Schools, 100000 officers and
Teachers, 100000 Sunday School Schol-
ars,-Church property valued at $65, ,0Q0,-
000, and our benevolent contributions
are $lS,O00.000 per annum.
Thus in few years has our single
branch of Methodism surpassed every
other religious denomination in this
country. and we trust and believe that in
vital piety, she is not whit behind the
best Of them. We see no signs of decay,
but many and abundant signs of prog
ress, strength and stability While our
economy is peculiarly and admirably
fitted for the frontier and the wilder
ness, it seems equally well adapted to the
town and the city. to the most refined
and intelligent society," and to the high
est state of civilization. Methodism
fourishes equally in the cabin and in the
palace, in the backwoods and in the Me
tropolis. In our judgment it seems dies
tined to have a glorious future Already
it has girt the globe. reached the islands
of the sea, and extended to the uttermost t
parts of the earth. Fifteen millions of
its members speak the English language,
and other millions of its members in far
off heather lands, are praising God in
other tongues than ours. We do not
boast, but we are thankful Truly has
Methodism been called christianity in
Earnest" Well may we exclaim, BE
hold what great work God hath
wrought"
Our task is now finished. Would that
it were more worthily done. With feel
ings of gratitude to Divine Providence
for his wonderful works, and with in
creased admiration, loyalty and affection
for our beloved Zion we remain faithful
ly your humble servants, hoping that
others who follow US in recording the
future history of the Church, may be able
to record still greater achievements for
the Master, and leave footprints that
shall serve to lead many unto Christ
5,5s I: ( \ \ 7;s;:;;: f. #:';:::: S:::: Committee.
Sept. 81, 1873.