blessed moral enterprise; but needs the influence of the Church to give it a final triumph. I trust cold, stormy March, as it recedes, like the retiring storm cloud, will be in your sight gilded with the bow of promise, the emblem of hope. As for me, I am determined to hope on, hope ever. Despair, or even despondency, has but one dwelling-place he can properly call his own, and that is perdition. Whenever he visits any one out of hell he is an intruder. No person should despond who is where universal love reigns. Any person who is within sight of mercy's scepter may hope-hope joyfully, hope triumphantly, hope always, hope savingly. From Salem, Massachusetts, to his three daughters, April 4: The circumstance of the sisters and brother all being. at home next summer will be a very happy one. Mother and her children will make a beautiful circle of domestic love and intercourse. I wish I could be permitted to be with them. But duty-duty to the Church, duty to God, will require me to deny myself this great pleasure. Well, duty before pleasure, always and in all circumstances; yes, and at all costs, and every sacrifice. But stop-perhaps I am mistaken; duty before pleasure? To a well-regulated mind and a Christian heart duty is pleasure. Such characters are happy when discharging duty, however painful the circumstances, however severe the sacrifices. Hence the martyrs were happy in the flameshence modern missionaries, leaving friends and country and home comforts, are happy in going to the degraded and perishing heathen. Duty and pleasure were married in Eden, and God has never divorced them, and never will. This relation will exist both in time and during eternity. Neither in this world nor the next shall we be happy only in the sphere of duty. Another General Conference was now at hand, and Bishop Janes is found at Cincinnati, at a meet LETTERS FROM CINCINNATI. 195 ing of the Bishops preparing for the session. While engaged with his colleagues he must step aside to advocate the claims of Irish Methodism upon the benefactions of American Methodism. From the advent of the Rev. Messrs. Arthur and Scott, delegates from the Irish Conference, then in this country, they had received his warmest sympathy and aid. He thus alludes to the Cincinnati meeting, April 28: Yesterday was a day of some anxiety. The meeting of the Churches in behalf of Ireland was felt to be an important one. To me was assigned the task of the concluding speech and asking for the collection. I was very reluctant to undertake it, but could not well avoid it. The audience was respectable, though not so large as was anticipated. The Irish brothers made good addresses. I spoke only about ten minutes and asked for the collection. We raised about two thousand dollars. More was anticipated. The meeting was not enthusiastic. I do not blame myself, for I did as well as I could under the circumstances. From Cincinnati, April 30: I have had no time to look for nature's fresh attractions here. It has been work, work, write, write, all the time. We start now in a few minutes for Indianapolis. I shall probably be so engrossed for the first few days of the General Conference as to be unable to write to you, so I take this opportunity to manifest my mindfulness and regard for my cherished wife and beloved children. So I go from one scene of excitement to another. Well, it is burning out. But I had rather be a candle in the Church than any thing else. I wish my light was stronger and clearer. It is a great privilege to throw even a few rays athwart the reigning darkness of this sinful world. My health is as good as usual. I expect my ride through the country to Indianapolis this afternoon will do me good. I may see some flowers. I shall doubtless feel the fresh breeze. The twelfth delegated General Conference assembled at the State House in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 1, 1856. All the Bishops were present. The Episcopal Address was read by Bishop Janes. The Church was again much excited on the slavery question. The advanced antislavery sentiment demanded such a change in the General Rule on Slavery as to forbid slave-holding in the Church. Resolutions proposing this change had originated with several of the Annual Conferences, but each failed of a majority of three fourths of the ministers. In view of which, the address says, "We think it to be our duty to express our strong doubts whether, in view of the restricted powers of a delegated General Conference, any measure equivalent to a change in the General Rules can be constitutionally adopted without the concurrence of the Annual Conferences. As to the propriety of any modifications not of such a character as to conflict with the constitutional economy of the Church, while opinions and views may be various, we can fully confide in the wisdom of this General Conference as the supreme council of the Church." It cannot be doubted but that this deliverance did much to moderate the spirit and restrain the action of the General Conference, so that at this GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1856. 197 session no change was made either in the General Rule or in the Chapter on Slavery. The question, however, was the pivot about which the most animated debates revolved and the choice of officers took place. Here and there Bishop Janes's solicitude on the subject crops out in his home correspondence. Indianapolis, May 3, to Mrs. Janes: ... The General Conference is proceeding about as usual. The great questions of general interest have not yet been acted on. I have some fear as to the results. Still I have hope in God. The Lord loves the Church. I believe he loves the Methodist Episcopal Church. With all its imperfections I believe the Church is still useful. I hope and pray and labor for the peace of Israel. I believe this world will be converted yet, but I fear not so soon as I desire and have been accustomed to hope. May 5, to Mrs. Janes: On Saturday your husband read the Quadrennial Episcopal Address. It has, perhaps, been acceptable to the majority, but has been very severely criticised by the ultra party and strongly denounced. Still it will do good. We have the prospect of a stormy session. The result I cannot foresee. My hope for the Church is in God. May 16, to Mrs. Janes: I have been, to some extent, casting off my anxieties for the issues of General Conference doings. I have been trying to feel that the Church is not mine, but belongs to God, and that his love and wisdom and power are all engaged to perpetuate and prosper it. Still I cannot but feel that a great responsibility rests upon me and upon the General Conference. There is much uncertainty yet as to the results of the session. The prospect is not encouraging as to the unity or peace of the Church. What may be the position of the Church, or my position when the Conference adjourns, I cannot tell. I must wait the action of the Conference, and then govern my action as wisely and religiously as I can. I am hoping for the best. My hope is in God, and to him I lift my eyes and address my prayers. To the same, May 19: The General Conference is approaching its great and exciting questions. I fear, but still hope. The prospect is not cheering. If I did not believe God loved the Methodist Church I should be discouraged. But I believe the Methodist Church was planted by the power of God, has been superintended by the special providence of God, and is still beloved as the purchase of Christ's blood. The Church has defects, many deficiencies, but is still the most efficient branch of the Christian Church. Great will be the loss to our poor, sinful humanity when her force is broken, her efficiency lessened. I hope the Church will come out of these struggles unharmed. If so, I shall greatly rejoice and give thanks. The Conference is now discussing the presiding elder question. It is understood the report on slavery will come up to-morrow. It will be my turn to preside. I expect an excited time. There seems to be a good religious interest in the Conference and in the meetings. The preaching has generally been excellent. I judge the General impression on the public mind. are what create my anxieties. and hope of my heart. To the same, May 26: Conference is making a good I have been hoping that by this time I might be able to anticipate the period of adjournment, but I am not able. We are yet a troubled, perplexed body, and no definite conclusions on |