VISITS EUK PF 217 CHAPTER XIV. 1561-1803. Visits Europe-The Christian Commission-Perplexities timore Conference-Spring and Autun.n Conterence Visit to the Pacific Coast. LE General Conference instructed the Bishops THE to visit the missions in Western Europe during this quadrennial term, and Bishop Janes was designated to discharge the duty; he accordingly sailed for Liverpool, England, June 5, where he arrived on the 16th of the month. He proceed a ↑ once to Bremer Germany, the seat of the German Mission Conference, and opened its sessior on the 20th, fourteen days from New York. The Rev. I S. jacoby had established the first Methodist mission in Germany, at Bremen, in 1849, and his had now grown to the proportions of an Annual Conference, extending as for south as Zurich, Switzerland, comprising 2,181 members and probationers, and 22 ministers, with a flourishing publishing hous, and a Biblical Institute for the training of you, ministers, located at Bremen. From Bremen to Mrs. Janes, June 25: as Mission Conference opened on the 20th inst. number of meraber, is small in comparison with some of r Lage Corfern es in ue Stites, but the breturen team pc sessed of a good spirit, and some of them are men of high VISITS EUROPE. 247 CHAPTER XIV. 1861-1863. Visits Europe-The Christian Commission-Perplexities at the Baltimore Conference-Spring and Autumn Conferences-Second Visit to the Pacific Coast. HE General Conference instructed the Bishops THE to visit the missions in Western Europe during this quadrennial term, and Bishop Janes was designated to discharge the duty; he accordingly sailed for Liverpool, England, June 5, where he arrived on the 16th of the month. He proceeded at once to Bremen, Germany, the seat of the German Mission Conference, and opened its session on the 20th, fourteen days from New York. The Rev. L. S. Jacoby had established the first Methodist mission in Germany, at Bremen, in 1849, and this had now grown to the proportions of an Annual Conference, extending as far south as Zurich, Switzerland, comprising 2,181 members and probationers, and 22 ministers, with a flourishing publishing house, and a Biblical Institute for the training of young minişters, located at Bremen. From Bremen to Mrs. Janes, June 25: This Mission Conference opened on the 20th inst. The number of members is small in comparison with some of our large Conferences in the States, but the brethren seem possessed of a good spirit, and some of them are men of high attainments. Our devotional services have had a special zest. Sometimes they have been performed in English and sometimes in the German language. About half of the brethren can understand the English language. From the reports I receive I am satisfied that this mission work in Northern Europe is a very important part of our Church enterprise. It was a needed and is a repaying work. God's approbation is upon it. Brother and Sister Warren are much pleased, and very happy. He is a very good and truly great man.* 'The Life of Hester Ann Rogers," which you paid to have translated into the German language, is being circulated in this land, and, of course, with good effect. I very much wish to hear from home, and from my poor distracted country. It is wonderful what interest is felt in Europe on the subject of our war. It is in every paper, and the general topic of conversation every-where. It is a great question. It involves the destinies of millions yet unborn, as well as millions now living. I pray God the right may prevail. From the same point, two days later, I meet his first allusion to the civil war, which followed so soon upon the inauguration of President Lincoln. In that stern and bloody conflict no man in civil. life stood more firmly for the maintenance of the Union, for the vindication of the laws, or more thoroughly supported, in his legitimate sphere, the efforts of the national government for the suppression of the Rebellion. This he did not so much by fierce denunciation of those in rebellion, as by earnest, wise words, and noble, self-sacrificing deeds. Writing to Tillie, he says: I expect you have heard the drum very often lately. I am sorry men will be so wicked as to make it necessary to fight. Our beloved country is passing through great trials. I believe * Rev. W. F. Warren, D.D., now President of Boston University. VISITS EUROPE. 249 I ex Providence will take care of our noble, free institutions. pect the world will sing, "Hail! Columbia!" many generations hence. The Bishop met the Scandinavian missionaries at Copenhagen, and returning through Berlin went as far south as Zurich, Switzerland, visiting the German and Swiss missions. From Zurich he crossed to Paris. He was a close observer of all that he saw, though indulging but little in minute descriptions. Among the objects on the Continent which especially impressed him, was the mausoleum which the late king, Frederick William IV., and brother of the present king, William, built to his parents at Potsdam, near Berlin. It is built in the depths of an ornamental forest. As you approach it through the densely shaded avenue, the solitude inspires you with a pleasing solemnity. The mausoleum is built of the most solid and elegant masonry. The main room is circular, the ceiling oval. It receives light from the top, which falls through stained glass so arranged as to create the most delicate blending of shadows and mellowed radiance I ever beheld. The room itself is perfectly plain. The walls have a few costly pictures. Near the center, over the graves of their majesties, is a marble tomb, elevated about three feet, on which are full-sized marble figures, representing the king and queen lying in state. The marble is of the purest and whitest kind that can be found, and the workmanship is most exquisite. In Paris Bishop Janes stopped only for a few days, where, in addition to all the sights and sounds of that wondrous city, he was refreshed by the companionship of his early and genial friend, the |