The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-03
STARTLING FIGURES.

NIAKILlNG FlGUhEG. Il
THE RAPID GROWTH OF CRIME I'M
THE UNITED STATES.
A Methodist Conference Calls for Thous-.
ands Of Sermons ON tho Text "Thou Shalt
Not Kill"
ATLANTA, Ga, Jan. N.-The Meth
odist Episcopal conference, which has
been in session at the Lloyd street COLI
ored church, before adiourning took
action on very interesting subject.
The delegates discussed the great quss:,
tion OF the increase of the crime Of
murder in this country, and, while
the causes for the increase were NOT
developed in their action, the reSoln-
tion adopted makes good reading, and
will attract the attention OF the pen cf
the country. During the final session
of the conference Rev. DR.. Mason inss
troduced a resolution which Wpss
unanimously adopted, upon waking
up the country to the importance Of
the murder question.
It required the Episcopacy, as III
body, to instruct Methodist Episcopal
ministers throughout this country
there are 20, 900 pulpits-to prerch one:
sermon year on the 9th command
ment, Thou shalt not kill, as as
means of producing q correct public
opinion as to the value Of human Life
and as warning of the great danger
of national judgment for unrequired
blood. But here are the resolutiOn6s
in full: q
Whereas, the crime of murder is'
increasing in the land and becoming;
the most popular of crimes because 0f
the venial character of our criminals
courts, by whom many mnrderers are
allowed to escape, while many suffer
no penalty at an-showing q greater
number Of murders and homicid66 t0E
the million of inhabitants than any
European nation which keeps q record
of the matter. when measured by thiss
rule the United States leads the list s
being the most loodthirsty nation In
matters OF private war. g
"The following figures show the;
growth of the crime. In 1885 the
numbers for the first time exceeded
1000:
I'm 1887 it was about 1885. I sgs.
"In 1883 it was about 1854.
I'm 1889 it was about 2, 2,569.
"In 1890 it was about A, 800. IS &
SIN 1891 it was about 8, 906. &.
"In 1892 it was about 6, ,791.
I'm 1898 il was about 6, ,615. sai'
In 1894 it was about 8, 800.
t'fn 1895 il was about 1929.
t'The report for last year has not
been made up, but we have abundant
evidence that the blood stained record
grows and will no doubt exceed the;
previous years OF crime.
"And whereas, we know from the
Word of God, that q blood, stained
land, which in its courts and by ifas'
practice boldly tramples under foofs
the sixth commandment, Thou shAit
not kill, must thereby attract to H.
self the judgments of Almighty God
impending events which should SbeE
avoided BY repentance and reforn1A
ton: ~, al'.; 4s 'ss; + l1sss q,
"And whereas, the Gospel and d.
vine Law are the only 4instrumentsS
which will create just public opin
ion on this subject, q thing much
needed north and south; therefore, e'
Il. Resolved. That we earnestly
and respectfully request our Episc0pAI
board at its meeting in the fall, to In
struct all Methodist pastors under III
supervision, to preach one sermon "a:
the year on the sixth commandment
Thou shalt not kill, so as to streng
en- the hands of just magistrates and q
courts. and to recover this root laNS
of the amenities and peaceful meas
ures of life, whether domestic Of irl-
ternational from disrespecf neglect
and oblivion. "a
's2. Resolved, That whilst anxious
to correct q great evil at home we ar0
not insensible of the evils and dem0r.
alizing influences of foreign war-and
as ministers of the Prince OF Peacewo n
tender our support to all meas1res
looking to the arbitration of inter1a
tional strife e-and thus from our hum
BILE place amongst men we freely con
graduate the government at Washing
ton on the happy issue OF threatened
trouble with England, and as citizens
we recommend the adoption OF the
pending treaty of arbitration.s +,
''3. Resolved, That we reSpec3a1ly
ask our sister conferences to Unite
with us in this petition, and to that
end that copy of this action be sent
by our secretary to each conferences
in our American ork-conscious g
we are that the deliverances OF fifteen
thousand or more pulpis in one year
on this momentous subject, will be- q
volume and measure OF moral power
of such magnitude as will cause be
courts and juries to reflect
and reformAwhilst this practice 1t
continued annually will in time intro
troduce the golden age OF peace.
AFamily Poisoned. Is
JEEFEasoNvILLE, Ind, Jan. ,26.-A
terrible tragedy took place last night
at the home of George Madison, near
this city. Yesterday Mrs. Madison
had been out working. When she
returned she brought apples for the
children. The family ate supper, the
children eating the fruit with the peal
iHgs on, while the parents peeled those
they ate. Immediately after Arhe
AL A@H