night previous to communion. The discourse was instructive and impressive, and the occasion altogether to be remembered long and pleasantly. The entire session was characterized by perfect harmony of feeling and action. Brother Gober makes an excellent presiding officer, and by his firmness, tact, and uniform courtesy commanded the esteem and respect of all. Resolutions were passed expressive of the regret of the Conference that Bishop Kavanaugh could not be present, and the hope that he will remain with us until the next Session. The whole number of members, including probationers, is 937. Whole number of preachers, 35; churches, 24; parsonages, 7; local preachers, 16. [From same paper, April 10.] The name of B. T. Crouch was omitted by our correspondent, in the appointments of this Conference, given last week. We learn from the California Christian Advocate (M. E. Church) that he is stationed in San Francisco. From the same paper we gather a few more items. There are under the supervision of our church 20 S. schools, 88 teachers, 575 scholars, 3136 vols., and $508.50 has been collected for S. school purposes. There are 729 members, 190 probationers-total, 919, and an increase of 80 during the year, or nearly one tenth, a larger proportionate increase, we presume, than most of the Conferences can show. There are 16 local preachers, 17 churches, and 7 parsonages. Collected for missions, $219.55; and $251 for Bible Society. The claims upon Conference fund was $7862, of which $6831 was paid, leaving the deficiency $1031. There are fifteen preachers on trial, six of whom were received at the late Conference. Thus is God raising up men in that country to preach the Gospel. Thirty-five preachers received appointments, and three places are to be supplied." All these facts are encouraging; and we hope that they will induce our friends to continue, as far as may be necessary, their aid to this Conference until it shall be fully supplied with men and means for aggression upon the strongholds of sin. Such success multiplies itself in geometrical ratio, and it can not be long before this Conference is selfsustaining, and one of our most promising fields of labor. In this connection we call attention to the "Appeal" from Brother Fitzgerald in behalf of the Pacific Methodist-a title, by the way, that may be taken as an augury for peace with other churches. No weekly paper perhaps is intrinsically worth $5 per annum in this country; yet we solicit subscribers for this, not so much for the value received, as for the aid thus given to a much needed instrument of success in that country. Brother F. is himself a practical printer, and the more likely to succeed if proper aid be extended to him; and how many are there, among the hearty friends of Methodism, who for a few years could give annually $5 for a paper as they would make a missionary contribution -and this would be one-for the good the gift would secure. We offer our services to all liberal friends, who may wish to give their aid to this enterprise. We will receive their money and forward their names. We perhaps should not omit to remind them, as a reason for the high price set upon the paper, that every thing for an outfit is to be procured at a high cost; and that what we would call very high prices here, would be considered moderate in that land of gold. III. WESTERN VIRGINIA. BISHOP EARLY.-SEPT. 4-9. [From the Richmond Christian Advocate.] The annual session of this body was held in Guyandotte, Virginia. It commenced on Thursday the 4th instant; and closed on Tuesday evening the ninth. Bishop Early presided. The Bishop is "diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord"—both in a vigilant and faithful supervision of the interests of the Church, and in laborious efforts for the spiritual improvement and welfare of ministers and people. His practice of Conference prayer-meetings-opening each session with a preliminary half-hour devoted to exhortation, singing, and prayer— was here as elsewhere, attended with very happy results. Besides its influence upon the religious feelings of the ministry, and in diffusing a pervasive spirituality through their business proceedings, it had a good effect upon the laity who were present in large numbers; and enjoyed them as seasons of grace and refreshing to their souls. Several persons came forward for prayers and instruction in the way of salvation; and the savor of these meetings spread themselves through the congregations attending on the more public services of the church. Many were quickened, and some, we believe, graciously converted during the Conference. Altogether the religious services of the session were of an impressive and hallowed character. The Western Va. Conference is a growing body. It is growing in the number and strength of its ministers, growing in the number, zeal, and devotion of its laity, growing in the number of its appointments, in its hold upon the people. Its territory is expanding; and there is a regularly increasing demand for a larger supply of ministers. Young men, strong in spiritual power, ardent in zeal to spread Scripture holiness, endowed with gifts, and diligent in their cultivation and employment, will find an inviting and promising field of usefulness in this Conference. It will be seen from the appointments for the current year that several places are left "to be supplied" among the circuits, and one district is without a Presiding Elder at its head. The Rev. Drs. Hamilton and Sehon of Nashville, representatives of the Tract and Missionary Societies, were in attendance; and contributed materially, by their sermons and addresses, to the interest of the occasion. Spirited anniversaries of each of these Societies were held; and liberal collections were raised in aid of their important objects. The Conference for 1857 will be held in Charleston, Kanawha county. Below the appointments for the current year are given in a letter from the Secretary of the Conference: Clarksburg District.-W. BICKERS, P. E. Clarksburg and Monongahala, S. Buchanan, S. H. Mullan. Lewis, J. A. West. Mouth of Sandy, S. Black.. Parkersburg District.-E. C. THORNTON, P. E. Parkersburg station, S. Kelly. 2 Point Pleasant, J. F. Medly, H. S. Mason mission, (to be supplied.) Greenbrier District.-G. B. POAGE, P. E. Charleston and Malden, W. B. Logan, R. E. Graves. McFarland. Summerville, W. Dowtain. Fayette, G. L. Warner, sup. Raleigh circuit, C. F. Crooks. Kanawha, S. Hargiss. Falls of Guyandotte, W. S. May. Monroe, (to be supplied.) Guyandotte District.-C. M. SULLIVAN, P. E. Guyandotte and Marshall Academy, Barboursville, W. H. Fonerden. Catlettsburg and Ashland, W. Greenupsburg station, S. Field. caster. North-Liberty, J. Farmer. IV. KENTUCKY CONFERENCE. BISHOP EARLY.-SEPT. 17-23. [From the Nashville Christian Advocate.] Opened on the 17th September, in Winchester, Ky. Bishop Early presiding. Rev. D. Stevenson, Secretary. Most of the preachers were present; two had fallen asleep-Father Burke and Brother Dungan; they both died in full hope of heaven. Brother Stamper preached an excellent funeral sermon in memory of these departed brethren; the Conference and spectators listened with deep attention, and witnessed their feelings by tears of sorrow mingled with joy. The year has been one of prosperity in Kentucky. We learn with pleasure that the support of the preachers was more liberal than any preceding year. The missionary and other collections are equal to the past, and in some instances exceeding the contributions of last year. The Anniversaries of the Tract, Missionary, and Sunday-School Societies, were very interesting. Drs. Hamilton, Sehon, and Huston were all present, and each performed his labors with much ability, and all uniting in the common cause of our cherished institutions. Dr. Linn also took part in the public exercises of the Sunday-School Anniversary, and made an excellent address. The collections were all good. The preachers generally displayed a liberality in giving peculiar to Methodist preachers everywhere; some gave all they had, and borrowed funds to defray their expenses home. The preaching of the word was attended by large congregations, and some were added to the Church. Altogether it was a delightful Conference, and the brethren went to their fields of labor for another year with new zeal. We hope for a prosperous season in Kentucky the present fall and winter. May thousands be brought to Christ! Connected with the body are many young men, and men in the vigor of life, who can do much; and they will now step forward and do the work of their fathers with a zeal and an ability which marked the pioneers of Methodism in Kentucky. Appointments. Lexington District.-JOHN G. BRUCE, P. E. Lexington, John H. Linn. Vienna, (to be supplied.) Winchester and Mount Zion, Henry Paris and North-Middletown, John Mt. Sterling, Joseph Rand. Harrodsburg District.-JESSE BIRD, P. E. Harrodsburg. Edmund P. Buck ner. Danville, Lewis G. Hicks. Madison, Milton Mann and Oliver Crab Orchard, John L. Gragg. Perryville, David Walk, John San- Somerset, (to be supplied.) dusky, supernumerary. Lancaster, Thos. J. Godby. Richmond, Daniel W. Axline. Salvisa, John M. Johnson. Maxville, Lemuel D. Parker; Anselm Minor, supernumerary. Shelbyville District.—Wм. M'D. ABBETT, P. E. Shelbyville, John W. Cunningham. Lagrange and Westport, George W. Newcastle and Bedford, Jeremiah Lockport, Peter E. Kavanaugh. James E. Nix, referred to the P. E. Covington District.-THOS. N. RALSTON, P. E. Covington, Scott St., John S. Bay- Falmouth, Caleb T. Hill. Millersburgh, Thos. P. C. Shellman. Cynthiana, Joseph B. Smith. Crittenden, Wm. E. Willmott. Lorenzo B. Huston, Editor of Home Circle and Sunday-School Visitor. |