was not a time of doubt and darkness, but one of peace and hope, and even of joy and love. I desire to live and labor and die with holy charity as the controlling power of my being.

Such was the atmosphere of "holy charity" which his spirit and words diffused throughout all the intercourse and services of this memorable meeting. Thus the social and devotional feelings were gradually and surely dissolving party differences, and men were being brought to see, in the light of the religious affections, their truer and better natures as superior to the ecclesiastical variations which separated them. There is a realm where, with us all, charity reigns; and when we emerge into its holy light we instantly recognize the unity which, while it may exist even with differences, is yet stronger and better than them all.

The charity which ruled in the Bishop's heart shows itself on this occasion in the hopefulness with which it led him to regard the Church. He rejoiced in the belief that Methodism was not retrograding but progressing; that in the present it was essentially the same as in the past. In one of his addresses he says:

It is now thirty-five years since I began to travel extensively through the connection. It is my clear, honest conviction that we have not retrograded during those thirty-five years. I believe that our preaching is just as spiritual and practical as it was thirty-five years ago. I believe our conference sessions are seasons of as much spiritual enjoyment, of as much devo

VIEWS OF CHURCH PROGRESS.

371 tional pleasure and profit, and that our conference work is done as much in the immediate presence of God, as it was when I first began to visit the Conferences. I think our love-feasts and prayer-meetings are not only as spiritual, but they are as spirited, as they were in former times, and our revivals are as numerous and as gracious as they have been in any period of my ministry in the Church; and I think there is as much hungering and thirsting after God, that there is as much coveting the rich gifts of divine grace, as there ever has been. I think the only reason why this has been questioned by observers whose views have been limited, and whose examination has not been careful and thorough, grows out of these circumstances: first, that our membership has greatly increased, and it would be wonderful if in this increase of members there should not be an increase of those who are worldly, and who are partially devoted, and who do not exemplify very fully the spirit and power of the Gospel. They do not consider the increased number of spiritual and holy members; they only look at the increased number of those who are less consistent. Another reason is, we have been building another class of church edifices, and a large number of men have the idea that simplicity and spirituality can only dwell in very plain and simple houses of worship. To some extent, perhaps, these convictions are just. But I must declare here, that when I go into these better edifices, in most cases-I cannot say in all-I find the same fervent preaching and the same fervent prayers for the cause and kingdom of Christ that I do in any other. The truth is, that spirituality and simplicity and devotion can dwell any where with the humble and the high, with the poor and with the rich--and God can manifest himself to his people under any circumstances.

Then, referring to his own personal religious experience, he thus expresses himself:

I want to say that I am saved from sin through Jesus Christ; that I have an increasing nearness to God and a more intimate

fellowship with him, a greater sense of his gracious presence with me continually, by day and by night; if I have a title to any thing, it is to heaven; if I have a hold upon any thing, it is on heaven. I know my probation is drawing to its close. I have had great opportunities to serve my Lord and Master, and to do good service for him. I have a very solemn account to render. I appreciate it more and more, and yet through God's great mercy in Jesus Christ I meet it without fear, for I believe that all my imperfections of service and devotion are forgiven for Christ's sake, and that he is the Lord my righteousness, and that through his mercy I shall give up my account with joy, and enter into the presence and beatitude of God. Blessed be his name!

The Bishop, it will be seen by one of the above extracts, refers to a severe sickness in 1874. During the months of August and September of that year he was extremely low. While ill he received very constant attention from the Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Eddy. The Bishop had scarcely recovered when Dr. Eddy himself was stricken with the disease of which he died on the fourth day of October. I well remember the sorrow of the Bishop at the loss of this able and devoted servant of God. I and my family were his guests at the time. Only that very Sunday morning the same hospitable doors from which we had gone forth to wander over sea and land to distant parts, opened again to receive us. And there the joy of our "welcome" was saddened by the death of one of his favorite sons in the Gospel.

Only a month before, while the Bishop was ill,

REGRETS At Death of Dr. Eddy. 373

the venerable Bishop Morris passed to his reward, full of years, honor, and usefulness. Bishop Janes's attachment to this truly wise and good man was very sincere and ardent. For long years they had counseled, prayed, wept, and rejoiced together.

Bishop Scott to Bishop Janes, from the "Lodge," (near Middletown, Del.,) October 9, 1874:

I am grieved and shocked at the death of Dr. Eddy. At the Central Illinois Conference he preached a noble sermon. The Church loses a very efficient laborer in Dr. Eddy. The circle still contracts. Bishop Morris, Dr. Eddy; who next? You say nothing about your own health. I assume that you are better. I have been much disturbed with accounts of your illness. My prayer is that you may be restored, and that you may be continued with us yet many years.

One of the most pleasing offices which Bishop Janes performed after his recovery is referred to in the following letter from the Rev. Alexander M'Lean, of Hudson, N. Y., September 26:

The erection of the East River Bridge may necessitate the removal of the Sands-street Methodist Episcopal Church, under the altar of which the remains of Revs. William and John Summerfield have lain for these forty-nine years. Mrs. Blackstock,* of Portchester, has thought best to see personally to their re-interment, and a plot at Woodlawn has been selected In a letter received from her she says: "It is my ardent desire that our venerable and beloved Bishop Janes, if this be possible, should honor us on this occasion with his presence. It is thought the time would be opportune as to the demands of approaching Conferences upon him. I can think of no one to substitute in place of Bishop Janes."

* Mrs. Blackstock is a sister of Rev. John Summerfield.

CHAPTER XX.

1875, 1876.

Illness of Mrs. Janes-General Conference of 1876-Episcopal Address-Fraternization with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South-Last Conference-Death of Mrs. Janes-The last sermon -Final illness, death, and funeral.

IN

N the spring of 1875 the Bishop was assigned but two Conferences-the Wilmington and the Delaware.

To Mrs. Janes, from Wilmington, Del., March 22:

I had a pleasant Sabbath yesterday. I did not preach. Conference is proceeding pleasantly. Dr. Curry is here; preached yesterday. Mr. Phillips, of the Book Room, is here: also Dr. Rust and Dr. M'Cauley, President of Dickinson College. Dr. Dashiell has been here. Bishop Scott is still here, and Bishop Haven is expected to-day. So you see wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together. This day is pretty much given up to speech-making; some excellent speaking.

The great men here named might be the eagles, but who or what was the carcass?

In the month of April Bishop Janes participated in two exercises, both highly interesting, but also with what different emotions! The one was on the occasion of the Centennial Sermon, by Father Boehm, on the 2d, in Jersey City, and the other the