Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-09
SOUTHERN METHODISM.
General Conference M. Z. Church,
SOuth-Op Opening gServices-The EpIs-
eOPal Address-GrOwthO OF tho De-
nomination Hts Mission W Ork-
Standing and Special Committees
Resignation of Bishop Paine.

cOPal Address-GrOwthO of thc De-
nomination Hts Mission W Ork--
Standing and Special COmmItUees-
Resignation of Bishop Paine.
NASHVILLE, May 5.-This congress of the NJ.
E. Church South is now in session. We are
pleased to note the marked attention it re-
ceives from the hospitable citizens of this
cultured community. Representing, asft does,
about $4,000 members, composed of delegates
from thirty-nine conferences, and clothed with
powers so vast and varied, millions look to it
with great anxiety and breathless expectation.
That is true Of our own sunny South--home Of
the brave. il not land of the free.
Bevond are other millions watching its de
liverances on fraternity. organic union, ana,
as an eminent divine pnts 1t. our orotner 10
black. If ] am not mistaken tne Cass vi .ne
convention is highly conservative. Whlie noun,
ing will be done through strife, many honied
prophecies will come to grief NO s oackWaru
step will be taken. No proposition derogaVory
to Southern manhood, to our antecedenUS or
surroundings will receive the nonaSS VI d
transient notice. ,ss A.,
Promptly at nine O'Clock g. m, May 50, the
House was called to order by the senior BlSnop
Robert Paine, OF mississippi blsnop ~ 90 ~ so1,
nough then read the hymn, Draw near. y son
of God, draw nearl' and after slne1ng, onereu
a brief but appropriate prayer. BisnoP EleIcS
read the sixty second chapter OF 1salan anu
Bishop Keener the third chapter OF Epheslans,;;
The next hymn. 81 love thy Kingdom, Lord,
was reaed by Bishop McTyeire, whose Deep
toned voice and decided dignity impaired u,-
usual emphasis to the beautiful verse. rms
was followed by a PRAYER from DR.. Evans, or
Georgia. DIR. T. o. Summers was electeu cecTe-
tary by acclamation. Bishop Pierce TOOK the
chair and the House proceeded to business.
EPISCOPAL ADDRESS.
The reading of this paper, like that OF mes.
sage of a President, is always an occasion OF
interest While clergvmen, unlike politicians.
are not on the outlook for the strongest slde,
they always paE Difference to the views OF the
Bishops, and now and then one or them is the
subject of a sudden surprising conversion
This reading was prefaced with little merrl-
ment after this fashion; An Eastern u. ID: IN
sisted. pro fornld, that the Bishops should be
notified that we were readv to receive any
communication. To this Western d1gnltary
opposed the argument Of redtapeism. In
regular legislative assembly the East
would have triumphed This being
an ecclesiastical convocatiou brought victory
to the banner of the West. Under this floating
in the air Bishop McTyeire, the author OF the
address. stood. and with commanding presence
and q clear voice poured its well pollsned pc
riods into the ear of all the house. As it can
not be embodied in this letter and the secular
press cannot spare space for document SO
lengthy, will furnish few OF the facts ana
figures to throw light on the recent
past, as well as the present status OF Southern
Methodism The figures will bespeak the vi
tality of the church, silence some croaklng,
dismiss all fears of speedy dissolution, and
convince opnosers that the Methodist Episco-
pal Church South can carry the suf11x South
and still expand East, West North and South
careful reading, coupled with close renee
ton, ought to prevent the feeblest wish to
hurry back to any union that inscribes on all
her banners, Privilege to dominate is the price
Of peace"
coxMUNIoANTs.
During the last quadrennum the member
ship has increased from 79S, S62 to S60,6 Thir
lowing table calls for thanksgiving and re-
newed condolences:
White members, 1874. A...................329.0 329.057
White members, 1854 .42S.511
Wnlto members, 1867 ................ oOU,ooI
The amount of church property and accom-
mediation for congregations has increased in
proportion. Our itinerant system is effective.
The people receive them heartily, and are
making more liberal provision for their sup
port.
The amount raised for Foreign Missions from
May, 1874, to June, 1878. was $S52 9S9; from
June, 1878. to April 1882. S344, ,378-an increase
Of Sill ,43S in the last four years.
During the quadrennium the domestic mis-
sion fund realized an increase Of 1924. The
German work is making progress. The In
dian Mission has steadily grown. The Mexi-
can Border and Central Mexican Missions are
sionarieS have recently reinforced the latter,
two have gone to Brazil, and more are needed.
In China the outlook was never so encour-
aging. There Is immediate need for six addi-
tional missionaries to teach and preach in that
field. Should the General Conference accept
the suggestions OF the Bishops provision will
be made for organizing a Shanghai Annual
Conference. Steps will also be taken for a
Central Mexican Conference. as they now have
], 1,159 members, 80 native preachers and % day
schools, besides Sunday schools.
In this connection we would say no depart
mant Of church work is on better basis, or
promises more to the church than the Women's
Missionary Society. The money collected bY
them, $i4,9l is so much clear gain Brazil
is blessed with one missionary, China with two
Mexican border two. Their Advocate has paid
expenses and turned a thousand dollars into
their treasury. All honor to the noble women !
Would it not be well for impecunious husbands |
to turn over the next income to their wivesI Il |
might make two houses-the Lords and their |
own-br1ghter and better. But we adjourn
this address.
COMMITTEES.
These are standing and special. The former |
consists OF one delegate from each conference. |
| give names and assignment Of gentlemen |
from Georgia.
Episcopacy-J. W Hinton, w H. Potter.
Itinerancy-J. B. McGehee, Jesse Boring.
Revival-T. T. Christian, ]. E. Evans
MisSions-J. s. Key, A. G. Havgood. |
Boundaries-W. l. Green, w. II. Sessions.
Education-G R. Glenn. W. F. Cook
Publishing Interest-E. NJ. Butt H. H Parks |
Church Extension-J. s. Key, II. J. Adams
These will receive memorials, petitions and |
resolutions and report business for the body |
Special committees have been raised on Bible |
Cause, on Temperance, on Fraternal Core |
spondence.
So far, the close of the second day, the Con- |
ference is but little beyond organization. The |
Bishops are anxious for a brief session; the |
speakers and voters manifest a disposition not |
10 be hurried.
BISHOPS.
Since the last session the bench has lost in |
Drs. Doggett and Wightman. two good and /
Grand men. The present college consists of |
Paine Pierce, K8vanaugh, Keener and Nc |
1yeire. Bishop Paine is in age and feebleness /
extreme. All hearts were moved as he stood |
before the house and requested release from
all active work. Bishop Pierce's reply was
very affecting, especially his allusion to the |
providence which had so ordered that Bishop |
Paine should surrender bis charge where it
was first assumed. Sixty-fVe years ago this
vas his circuit He has been Bishop twenty
Conference since 1924. How many new ones
Will be elected is now the question.
One Of the four, called effective, is over
seVenty-one. Many circum-
stances call for considerable increase Con-
lectures run from two to eight-I venture to
Iay not less than four. OF the probable men
nay speak in future letter
Through the courtesy of the committee am |
iomiciled at the Commercial. Drs. Hinton |
Vincil and McFur are with me. Dr. Kew is at |
he Maxwell. Captain Isaac Hardeman the
st. Cloud. Our colleagues share the hospi-
ality of elegant private residences