THE DUTIES OF STEWARDS. 131 CHAPTER VIII. 1850-1852. Illness of Bishops Hedding and Hamline-Extraordinary Labors— The Missionary Cause. IT.. T does not appear from the General Minutes that the Bishop had any Conferences assigned him in the spring of 1850. An official letter from the stewards of St. George's Church, Philadelphia, complaining that they were unequally burdened for the support of their presiding elder, drew from him the following opinion, March 25, 1850: You will please bear in mind that all the rules and regulations of the Church must be general. It would be unreasonable to suppose that rules adopted for the government of so numerous and extended a connection as the Methodist Episcopal Church should operate to entire satisfaction under all the varieties of circumstances that might arise. This would require an exemption from that imperfection which appertains to every thing human. The Discipline requires stewards to be men of solid piety, who both know and love the Methodist doctrine and discipline, and of good natural and acquired abilities to transact the temporal business. The district stewards are to be appointed by the Quarterly Conferences from among these men of solid piety, etc. Now it is reasonable to expect such Christian and intelligent brethren to act religiously, candidly, and honorably. It is true, the position of a district stew ard is not without temptation, but we do not perceive any very strong temptation. The business of a district stewards' meeting requires modesty and prudence in the representatives of the weaker charges, and good judgment and magnanimity in the representatives of the stronger charges. We think these qualifications are generally found in our stewards. Still we admit there may be cases in which the district stewards misjudge, and where their apportionments are unequal and unjust. Possibly such has been the fact in your case. If the district stewards, as you represent, have based their apportionment on "numbers only," they certainly have erred. The Discipline makes "ability" the basis of the apportionment. Early in the season he located his family in West Jersey, on "Succasunny Plains," not far from the point where they spent the preceding summer. Meanwhile he had purchased a farm in the neighborhood, hereafter known as "Mount Wesley," which became for twenty years the country home. References to this spot, which was the center of so many thoughts and pleasures to the great wanderer over the earth, begin to crop out in the correspondence of this season. It became a green hill to which, when far away over land and sea, his heart wishfully turned and found imaginary rest. Bishop Janes, true to his early traditions and to the instincts of all pure natures, was a sincere lover of the country. He found an inexhaustible pleasure in communion with the varied forms of animate and inanimate nature, and I think, so far as personal ambition goes, could cheerfully have laid down his high office at any time, to take up and pursue the WESTWARD AGAIN. 133 homely duties of the farm, and to wrest a livelihood from the stern soil. One clause no doubt he would have inserted in his release-the privilege of preaching the Gospel to his neighbors, and, especially, to the poor, wherever within his reach. The Bishop's first Conference for the summer and autumn was the Western Virginia, at Parkersburgh, Virginia. To Mrs. Janes, from Wheeling, Virginia, June 3, 1850: I reached this city in safety about eight o'clock on Saturday evening. . . . My stage ride from Cumberland, Maryland, was rather uncomfortable, as I was crowded between two large and aged men. The night in the mountains was quite cold. We could judge of our altitude on the mountain by the state of the leaves of the trees. No accident of note all the way. Though I traveled thus constantly, day and night, in comparison with the labors of the two preceding months it was rest. I really found myself rested when I arrived here. My attention had been diverted, my sympathies had been relaxed, the burden of official responsibility had been temporarily removed, and my body and mind had found rest. Yesterday I preached once, with a good degree of liberty, and, I hope, to some good purpose. To-day I have been hard at work trying to bring up my correspondence. To-night, at nine o'clock, I expect to take a steamboat for Parkersburgh. I have never felt more afflicted on leaving home than I have this time. The feeble state of your health is the greatest cause of my anxiety. I know full well from experience, that when our health is poor and our nervous system deranged, care is a burden, and kind offices from those we love are very grateful. I wish I could be with you to relieve you of all care, and to soothe all your sufferings. A divine providence has ordered it otherwise, and I submit. Though absent from you in body I am with you in spirit. My heart will stay at home. Wife and children are before my mind very frequently through the day and very often in the dreams of the night. The little winged messengers flew very fast after the receding father and husband. Here's a dainty one from Charlotte, which refreshed him on his arrival at Canton, Ohio: SUCCASUNNY, June 11, 1850. I was happy to learn in your letter to mamma that you were in good health, and was rested by your journey. I hope your conferences will be short and easy, and will not fatigue you much. Last Friday morning Lewis took Lizzie and me over to the farm, and we brought home four pounds of butter, and a bunch of peonies, May roses, and snowballs. This morning Lewis and grandpapa went to the farm and brought back three pounds of butter, some asparagus, two dozen eggs, radishes, the first we have had of our own, and a little branch of currants, which mamma said were not yet fit for use, but would be by next week, and a pair of fowls, which Lizzie and I picked this afternoon. I wish you were here to enjoy with us our numerous little pleasures, each one of which would be heightened by the presence of рара. I am sorry that dear mamma's health has not improved as we hoped it would. I trust she will soon be better. Matilda is well and happy, and is learning to talk very fast. She often runs out on the sand-hill and plays. Lizzie wishes me to tell you for her that she is well and sends her love. Mrs. Janes adds: I am not able to write much this morning. Accept the renewed assurance of my undying love and gratitude. I feel indebted to my dear husband for innumerable comforts and blessings which, under God, flow to me through him. I daily appreciate and enjoy both him and them. Father continues He is unceasing in his efforts to make us happy.* well. Again Mrs. Janes writes, June 19: Indeed, I am now enjoying that quiet retirement for which I have so long sighed. We find the house pleasant and airymy room very agreeable. . . . And O what brilliant sunsets I daily behold sitting by my window! The birds sing all day long, and the flowers are blooming beautifully. I am literally surrounded with bouquets of flowers in my room. And dear little Lizzie invariably presents me with a nosegay of pinks and roses when I come down to my meals. The moonlight evenings this week are most tempting. I sat up till a late hour last night viewing the moon just in front of my window. My thoughts were sweetly soothing and solemn. While alone with God I was engaged in meditation and prayer. I feel that I am indeed encompassed with innumerable blessings, for which I never felt so much thankfulness nor appreciated so fully as at present. But it has always been my experience that "Thy gifts alone cannot suffice And I am glad that it is so. Our blessed Lord, in much mercy, bestows upon me the richer gifts of his love, manifests his presence, and gives the transforming power of his grace. My heart is going out "in strong desire The perfect bliss to prove." We think of you, dear husband, and speak of you every day. If we were disposed to forget you, father would not allow it, for he delights to talk of Edmund, and loves to fix in his mind just where you are and what you are doing. May wisdom and might be yours! * The father of Bishop Janes, who was now making his home with the Bishop's family. |