Year: 1866

as possible, the male institutions under the
patronage of our Church.


In this connection we specially bring to
YOU attention the Importance of an institute
for the proper training Of young preachers.
That we should make some proper arrange
ments for the more thorough training OF our
young men before they arc received into the
Conference and scat forth to minister IN the
Church of Christ, appears to US to be SO ooVl-
Gus as to need no argument to provelt. 1T be-
hooves US to take this matter into serious and
immediate consideration, and secure to the
Church the Invaluable advantages the provis-
ion we suggest can only supply.


The instruction of the children under our
care, and the interests Of our Sabbath School
system, cannot be too highly appreciated by
you. Your body will, We hope, show your
love for these little ones of Christ and lambs
of his flock by the practical value of your ac-
ton in their behalf. We think it unnecessary
to enlarge on point of such obvious and Vi
tai concern to the Church. Let US remember
that it is only by taking care of the children
that We can take care Of the future prosperity
Of the Church.


five are to judge from the tone Of the rcli-
gious press and the action ofmany OF our Con-
ferences, great concern is felt in respect to
certain changes in our economy. 1t is obVl-
ouslg unbecoming in US as Bishops to occupy
any other than an impartial relation to those
matters But we take this occasion to urge
upon you the Importance of giving these sub
jccts your sober and prayerful consideration.
From our extensive observation of the state
and wants Of the Church, we hesitate not to
say that some improvement of our economy
may be wisely undertaken at this time. Well
for us if We can happily avoid extremes and do
neither too little nor too much. Let US re-
member that while innovations are not ncces-
sarily improvements, wisdom may demand in
the department Of ecclesiastical expediency
new applications and Developments of tunda-
mental principles. The efficiency cf Method
ism finds its tirst condition in the prevalence
Of deep spiritual life and alterations in our
economy are valuable as they coincide with
this condtion-calamitou when they ignore
it.


On onlytNse Of the points suggested do we
regard it becoming in our position to speak
directly, and that is in respect to the increase
OF the number of Bishops. For such an in
crease as will give the Church more efficient
eDiScopacy, we think there is an urgent neces-
sity. The infrmities Of age press heavily up
some fon US, and diminish our ability to answer
to the demands of the work for general cpisco-
pal visitation The great and increasing extent
of our territory should be considered. We
should by all means have Bishop, for obvious
reasons, residing on the Pacific coast. And
while we do not recommend Bishop for every
State or Conference, we are fully persuaded
that the number of Bishops should be so in
creased as to enable them to be pastors OF the
people as we'll as chairmen of conferences and
pastors Of the preachers. five would carry
out the valuable plan of our itincrant super
intendency, We must have an addition OF
number Of vigorous, active and pious men to
your present College of Bishops.
And now, dear brethren, in conclusion, al
low US atfectionately to remind you of The
solemn responsibility that rests upon you as
delegates representing the sffairi of our be-
loved Zcn. We have only suggested in out
! lines some Of the work before you. 1t your
province to 60 fully and thoroughly into the
particular consideration ofthc subjects within
your jurisdiction, avoidingal partisan feeling,
dlscharging from our minds all prcjudces that
would cloud our, Judgments rising above all
private and selfish impulses, humbly invoking
that wisdom that is from above, which is pure
and peaccable, and gentle in honor prcferring
one another in brotherly kindness and charl
+ tY, and with an eye single to the glory OF God
let rs endeavor to do our duty here as minis
tcts of the Lord Jesus Christ, praying God
thatwe may have grace TO edify the Church,
that we may rejoice that we hare not labored
in vain in the Lord.