Southern Christian Advocate

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Dear Advocate:—If the incidents of a journey by rail and steamer from Macon to New Orleans ever did afford interesting matter for a newspaper article, it certainly was not last week, while I was passing over the route. So I shall not write an itinerary. Via Columbus, via Montgomery, via Pollard, via Mobile, tells the story. The days and nights were balmy and beautiful, and the company of the best. Delegates were added all along the road until we reached Mobile, nearly twenty in number. There we passed a pleasant Sabbath. I worshipped at St. Francis St. Church, where Dr. Neely is pastor. Here there is an excellent choir with parlor organ, and the congregation join heartily in the singing. To lead the congregation is my idea of the worth of a choir and organ. This Church is represented as growing.

A considerable company of preachers with Bishop Andrew reached New Orleans on Tuesday morning, 3d inst. Quite a number were already in the city. Bishops Early and Kavanaugh were in place, the other Bishops not yet present. Rev. J. E. Evans and myself were assigned to the house of a lady who was to take two of the Delegates, but on reaching it we found that some of her servants had left her recently, and to her great disappointment, she could not accommodate us. We were then assigned to the St. Charles Hotel, where we are in very pleasant quarters. Several other Delegates are quartered there. We certainly shall live well for one month, however it may be when we get away from here.

The Conference met in Carondelet St. Church, on Wednesday morning, Bishops Andrew and Early conducting the devotional exercises. The former then briefly addressed the Conference. He adverted to the fact that for nearly eight years the preachers had been separated from each other. The following is the report of his address as found in the Daily Advocate, in which the Conference proceedings are published:

"What gratitude do we not owe to God for His gracious preservation of us, when we find ourselves here under circumstances of so much mercy, having overcome so safely all the difficulties of the journey from our various homes. This is the most important ecclesiastical body in our Church, and this the most important General Conference which has ever assembled since our organization as a Church. Grave questions will have to be discussed and settled. Shall the Church be better for your action? Shall your legislation tend to the advancement of Christ's Kingdom upon earth? More important results depend upon the action of this Conference than perhaps many yet realize. How earnestly should we invoke divine aid in all our deliberations. Much will depend upon the temper and spirit of the members. Judging from the signs of the times, an honest effort will be made to make several changes in our Discipline. Brethren, be careful. These are not the best times to effect great changes. Maintain a spirit of prayer and possess your souls in peace. You will, doubtless, hear many things to excite you; but remember that the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. If troubles and difficulties arise restrain your tempers, and seek to do that only which will best advance the interests of the Church and the glory of the Gospel of Jesus. Be firm, however. There is nothing gained by temporizing.—Don't shrink from duty. Brethren, be earnest for the salvation of the people of this city. If we have a great revival here in New Orleans at this time, we will then be more likely to have wise legislation. Talk to the families with whom you associate—to the children. Oh that we may be the means of converting a thousand souls during our stay in this city! May the Holy Spirit come upon us and bless us with a great outpouring! You are aware, brethren, of our position with respect to a certain other Church. We maintain we are not political preachers. Let there be no politics in your preaching. Let us show that what we profess that we exemplify.—Be careful in this matter—not only here, but when you return to your homes. You will have enough to do to preach Jesus.—Let us increase in love to Christ—and then shall we be truly a light in the land."

The further proceedings of the Conference will be found in the published proceedings which I forward with this letter. We are not far enough advanced yet to say what will be done on any of the grave questions before this body.

E. H. M.