The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-05-28
The Atlanta Conference,
ATLANTA. Ga. May I'D, 1878.

ATLANTA, GA, May 22d, 1873.
Mr.. EpIroR / presume | ought to
mention the General Conference in sess-
ion. here. it will close It's labors, this
week. 1t is an extremely conservative
body, making very few changes in its
poity and discipline and, so far, has de-
clined to eject any additional bishops, al
though the bishops recommended that
one be elected. On the subject of the
presiding elders, all the change made, IS
allowing twenty appointments in dis
trict instead of limiting them to four
teen, as heretofore. The Publishing
House, at Nashville, is the great absorb
Ing interest Of the session. Its opera
tions have been of such q character that
it has required patient investigation to
understand them fully. 1t is now pref
ty certain that the House is between tif-
ty and sixty thousand dollars worse Oft
than nothing and whether, under the
pressure, the Book Committee can con-
tnuo the business, is question that only
time can answer.
Take it as whole, the present gene
raj conference is body of very able
: men, containing some of the best materi-
al the church affords. The speeches of
the tatcrnal delegates of the M. f..
church, the Protestant Methodist church,
and the Methodist church of Canada
have probably never been surpassed in
elouuence and beauty, as we'll as power.
by any previous delegations, and the
Methodist church has evidently caught
, the spirit of the age that tends so strong
~ to christian unity, and an occasional
conference of Methodists is now, | think,
q fixed fact, at no distant day.
A few words about Atlanta. 1t is call
ed the Gate City, because, it is said, you
can 90 nowhere in Georgia, without pas
sing through Atlanta. The town is built
on a ridge, that divides the waters that
, run into the Gulf Of Mexico from those
that flow into the Atlantic. Some of the
streets are ON the summit Of the ridge,
, and the water running from one side Of
) the street goes to the Atlantic, while
ground on which the town is built, is
= rolling and broken, but the streets have
r been much improved, at great expense
, There are great many beautiful forest
I trees scattered through the city, which
e the inhabitants have had the good taste
f to preserve. The soil seems peculiarly
adapted to the growth ofsmal fruits anc
:. flowers which are seen here in the great
), est perfection. Grapes are considered al
almost certain crop, and Strawberries are
+ very fine and abundant Even greens
c seem to grow almost spontaneous y, any
:. seeing tho number Of "box' hedges
i large and dwarf, one might suppose tina
g it was q government regulation that al
= ornamental hedges must be made OF tina
n plant. The magnolia and olive tree!
f grow freely, and there are, also few al
Y mond trees, but they are said not to per
" feet their fruit The market, here, is sup
70 piled with vegetables Of all descriptions
as well as fruits in abundance. | see 10
sale fine large cabbage solid heads, Irisl
potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, peas, or
anges, lemons, pine apples, cocoanuts
etc. Atlanta is said to have popula
, ton of thirty-tive thousand, and, as
tt business place, it shows no evidence o
Is hard times there is, on the contrary, al
re ai.7fi .s7ti, y--s.r'a prosperity about j
!, that is in marked contrast with man.
other places that / have seen. The cit.
- may be called a city Of churches. Their
4 are more and finer church cdfices to tn
K number Of tho population than any othe
n place with which | am acquainted. Tn
y leading denomination is the Methods
!. and this plucky little city has, within 81
~ weeks, entertained the lnternationt
g. Sunday School Convention, and, also, tn
General Conference Of the NJ. Il. churc
South with a princcly hospitality.
lie Considering that the place has bee
,e mainly built up within the last seve
!; years, the number Of fine palatial res
dences, with very beautifully arrange
III grounds surrounding them, is matte
of surprise, and improvements are goin
R on as if such thing as hard times wa
n unknown here.
ct, must say word about the countr,
ii That portion which simproved, is ge
rs of beauty it is garden Of flowers,
nv the richest and most dazzling colors,
or masses and single, with hedges of 30
tn and Arbor Vitae. There are many tast
to full and costly monuments, one erected
to the memory of the Confederate dead
nd is imposing in its plain simplicity, and
IL almost fifty feet in height.
will bring this rambling letter to
close by stating that | have been agre
n. ably surprised by this city and its su
- roundings, and from present indication
~ it promises to be the leading, as well {
Sc the Gate City, of the State of Georgia
II, CHAs +. HARVEY.
to - - -
in Eg- Every licensed liquor-seller in A