The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

FROM THE AURORA.
The following extracts taken from the
minutes of the annual conferences of
the Methodist Episcopal Church will clear-
ly discover the state of religion, both
under the federal and present administra-
tions in the Methodist Church.
From the minutes for A. D. 1791.
Question-- " What numbers are in so-
ciety?
Answer--"Total-76,153."
From the minutes for A. D. 1801.
Question--" What numbers are in
Society?
Answer--"Total-72,874."
Hence, it is evident, that in ten years,
under the federal administration, the
church had experienced a declension of
3,279 members.
But let us take a view of it under Mr.
Jefferson and the present administration.
From the minutes for A. D. 1802.
Question--" What numbers are in
Society?
Answer--"Total-86,734."
Increase this year 13,860.
From the minutes for A. D. 1803.
Question--" What numbers are in
Society?
Answer--"Total-104,070."
Increase this year 17,336.
By which it appears that in two years,
under the present administration, the
Methodist Church hath experienced an
increase of 31,196 members-and I have
no doubt from the information that I
have received, was it in my power to as-
certain the whole increase from the com-
mencement of Mr. Jefferson's administra-
tion to the present period, it would
amount to 40,000 members.
Likewise, that there has been admit-
ted during the space of two years 110
preachers, and who are now travelling-
That 22 had declined " thro' bodily
weakness and family concerns," and 4
had died, which gives an increase of 84
preachers in the travelling Connection,
and nine more than it has experienced
during the space of ten years under the
federal administration.
As many of my Christian brethren in
the Methodist Church have been blind-
ed by the slime of federal slander, false-
hood, ignorance and hypocrisy, I have
selected these facts for their serious con-
sideration, and remain their affectionate
fellow citizen,
JOHN FFIRTH.