OUR PRESENT NUMBER.

THE Fourth Volume of the REVIEW leads off with an article on "Polemics"-a counterpart of that on "Irenics" in our October number-it is thought that it suits the times. "Sir Walter Scott" is a grand figure anywhere he looks well in this QUARTERLY, where he is placed by a lady's hand. Dr. Allen's communication on "Our China Mission" will be pronounced a most valuable contribution-timely too, as the Doctor takes the Superintendency of the Mission: no one reading this article aright can doubt his capacity for the great undertaking-we hope the Doctor will follow it with another of the same sort. One of our gifted Northern friends furnishes an excellent and timely paper on the "Inspiration of the Scriptures"-our trumpet must give no uncertain sound on this subject in these Broad-church, Rationalizing days. "Methodistic Philosophy," from a Georgia source, will be read with interest by Methodists, and others as well. The article on "Forms of Prayer" was elicited, as is intimated, by sundry correspondents-a portion of it should have appeared a good while ago. Dr. Kelley furnishes a communication-"FraternityAnother View" that is, a view different from that which appeared in our October number-audi alteram partem: no blood will be shed in this friendly rencounter. A brief notice of " McClintock & Strong's Cyclopædia" was elicited by the appearance of the last regular volume of that magnum opus. The monograph of "John B. Wardlaw, jr., A.M.," by a Georgia hand, will be read with intense satisfaction by many who admired that gifted young man, and who deplore his early death. A brief critique of "Blair's Grave "—the illustrated edition, alluded to in a previous number of the QUARTERLY-will not perhaps be unwelcome to some of our readers. Our friends generally take special interest in the “Literary Notices" and "Notes and Queries "-these departments have not been neglected in the present issue. Our venerable contemporary in New York enters a caveat in regard to colloquial articles of the sort; but our exchanges generally speak of them as the most interesting part of the REVIEW-they answer somewhat as magazine material, for which we have no other suitable medium. Our learned friend too suggests that the main articles are too brief. Upon comparison, they will be found about the same length as articles in other Reviews. Where one complains of brevity, a dozen complain of prolixity. We are thankful for suggestions, and shall en

deavor to preserve the juste milieu for our meridian and latitude. We ought perhaps to say that the Editor furnished some articles to take the place reserved for contributions promised on the Ecumenical Conference and other topics, which were not received in time. We have others on hand-good enough to keep-but we wanted variety of matter-which we hope will be satisfactory to our contributors and readers. The Publisher wants this new volume to be in all respects-matter, style, subscriptionwhat such a work should be.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH, AT THE ECUMENICAL CONFERENCE.

THE volume containing the record of the proceedings of the Ecumenical Conference is in the binder's hands, and in ten days is promised to the public, when more accurate information will be available. In the meantime, the printed reports of the addresses delivered at the Conference, and the speeches made thereon, are accessible, and from them we learn facts which cannot but tell favorably for the intelligence and energy of a large proportion of the members representing Southern Methodism. Before the close of the first day's proceedings at City-road Chapel, some members of the London Committee had purposely paraded the aisles of the chapel to take a survey of the delegates. As each was labeled in large writing with the name of the particular section of Methodism represented by the occupants, it was soon observed that there was special power manifested amongst the Southern Methodists, and some indicated their superiority over their English brethren, if not over the whole Conference. There were some men whose official position gave them opportunities for frequently addressing the Conference; but apart from such speakers those from the Church, South, were amongst the more frequent and most pointed and acceptable speakers. Of the entire numoer of those who presented prepared addresses, during the twelve days of the Conference, seven were read by Southern delegates. They were as follows: Rev. Alpheus W. Wilson, D.D., “Influence of Methodism;" Rev. J. B. McFerrin, D.D., "The Itinerant Ministry;" Rev. F. A. Mood, D.D., "Higher Education;" Rev. Charles G. Andrews, D.D., "Schools for the Church;" Rev. Charles K. Marshall, D.D., "Church Newspapers;" Rev. Weyman H. Potter, D.D., "Training Colleges;" Rev. Charles W. Miller, D.D., “Resources of Methodism." This is a large proportion of speakers of the first class, and their papers not only met with much commendation, but will bear careful study, and they will have consideration all over the Methodist world, and will bear the varied criticism to which they will be subject.

The brethren who delivered those addresses will have nothing to fear by comparison with other brethren of other sections of Methodism. The five-minute speeches delivered after the reading of the addresses were largely from the Church, South. Nearly fifty of these are on the printed record, although full twenty of the whole number did not get even one

hearing. Amongst those most promptly on their feet were six or eight of the delegates from the South; the foremost of these was the venerable Patriarch of Nashville, Dr. John B. McFerrin. This Nestor of the delegation was believed to be the oldest minister present, although not the oldest in years. Amongst those appointed as delegates was the Rev. John Farrar, of the English Conference; he has been sixty years in the ministry, and was born three years before Dr. McFerrin; but he was so prostrated by age and infirmity that he was not able to take his place in the Conference; therefore the precedence in ministerial standing must be given to Dr. McFerrin, who began his itinerant course in 1825; the Rev. Samuel Hulme, New Connection, began his itinerancy in 1827, the Rev. Dr. William Cooke began in 1828, and the Rev. Dr. George Osborn in 1829. The Nashville Patriarch has the precedence of two years as an itinerant over Mr. Hulme, three years over that of Dr. W. Cooke, and four years over that of Dr. George Osborn. If he could but have caught the eye of the Chairman as frequently as he rose to address the Conference, Dr. McFerrin would have been the most frequent speaker. The actual record of the highest number of printed speeches to addresses, above 4, is the following: Bishop Peck, 10; William Arthur, 10; Dr. J. M. Reid (New York), 9; Dr. J. B. McFerrin, 8; Ebenezer E. Jenkins, 8; Bishop Simpson, 7; Dr. James H. Rigg, 7; Dr. J. M. Buckley (New York), 7; Dr. C. K. Marshall, 7; Bishop McTyeire, 5; Samuel D. Waddy, 5.

There was noticed, and spoken of with some admiration, the spirit of manly independence and outspoken honesty and freedom on the part of American delegates, especially those belonging to the Church, South, and that impression it is believed was created in the minds of most observant persons attending the Conference, more particularly by those seated in the gallery, who had only to watch the proceedings and take notes for their own information and edification. The conversation carried on outside the chapel, between the morning and afternoon sessions, was frequently directed to this point of special force and intelligence manifested by the Church, South, and some of the English families who attended the gallery daily were heard to say they preferred to sit in the South Gallery, that they might see all the Southern American speakers, "for they are so able and impressive." One incident, which took place at the first regular session of the Conference, helped to direct attention to the part of the chapel where the delegates from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, were seated. One of the earliest speakers was the Rev. J. C. Price, of the Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the blackest of the colored race, whose able speeches always commanded a silent hearing. He had no sooner resumed his seat than Dr. C. K. Marshall gained the floor, and calling Brother Price to his feet, publicly shook his hand, declaring that in Methodism, and in City-road Chapel, the color-line was lost-black and white, the sons of Ham and the sons of Japheth, were all one without distinction, and equal as brethren in Christ. The incident, though accom

panied with some little dramatic effect, had a very happy tendency on the whole assembly. This was due to your Church. The frequent allusions made to slavery, the negro, and other kindred topics, provoked no animosity amongst the Southern delegates, who patiently, and without resentment, heard many unpleasant things said, and quietly endured themalthough Dr. Marshall corrected a misstatement made by an English preacher respecting Mr. Wesley's letter against slavery.

Hitherto, Methodism in America, so far as known in England, has been mainly considered as the Methodist Church, with head-quarters in New York. The Church, South, has been but very little known and understood in England. From this time forward it has a name and fame in this country it never had before, and which now will never die. The Ecumenical Conference has brought it into a prominence it can never lose, and which it has long been toiling to deserve. Should the second Ecumenical Conference be held amongst the Southern Methodist people, its highest point of honor as a leading branch of the Methodist family will be attained.

One memorable episode of the late Conference has been somewhat silently passed over, but should not be forgotten. The Rev. Dr. G. Osborn, as President of the English Conference, was Chairman the first day, and commenced the proceedings by a lengthy reading of the Church of England Prayers. To fully half the delegates those prayers were very unwelcome, and some of them have expressed their aversion in their letters printed in the Advocates. The worst part was, neither in the Liturgical Service, nor in his free prayer before the sermon, did Dr. Osborn pray for the suffering President Garfield. The effect on the American delegation was of no pleasant character, and something like resentment was the immediate outcome. It would not do to print the utterances which were freely made in the chapel-yard. Immediately after the morning service an extemporized meeting of Americans resulted in the following petition being drawn up, which was signed by sixty-three delegates in fifteen minutes: We of the American delegation respectfully request that in future, in the public prayer of this Conference, the President of the United States may be specially remembered." On the first page are the signatures of the following Southern brethren: Bishop McTyeire, Dr. McFerrin, Dr. A. R. Winfield, Dr. I. G. John, Dr. A. W. Wilson, Dr. W. W. Bennett, Dr. J. W. Lewis, Dr. E. E. Wiley, David Morton, and J. G. Stitt. Others had gone to dinner. General Fisk placed the petition in my hands, and as the Rev. E. E. Jenkins had to lead the afternoon devotions, I had a brief conversation with him before the opening, which resulted in an exquisitely beautiful prayer for the afflicted President and the sorrowing American nation, which was responded to by a thousand earnest voices-such an appealing "Amen" as was perhaps never before heard even in City-road Chapel. Dr. Osborn was thus publicly admonished, and the American sympathy fully satisfied, and fraternity restored, never again to be disturbed. I still retain that memorable petition. G. J. STEVENSON.

Paternoster Row, London, Oct. 14, 1881.

SOUTHERN METHODIST STATISTICS.

WE are frequently asked what was the numerical status of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at the time of the separation. The present editor did not edit the General Minutes till they were published in Nashville. It cannot be said that they were edited at all. There is no "Recapitulation" in the Minutes of 1845-except this: at the end of the Minutes of 1846 we have a "Recapitulation" which sums up thus: This year, 327,284 whites-last year, 330,710; colored, 124,961-last year, 124,811; Indians, 2,972-last year, 2,978; total, 455,217-last year, 458,499; traveling preachers, 1,433-last year, 1,384; superannuated preachers, 86-last year, 90; local preachers, 2,833-last year, no report. At the beginning of the war, the figures stand thus in the General Minutes for the year 1860: Traveling preachers, 2,615; superannuated preachers, 169; local preachers, 5,353; white members, 454,203, and probationers, 82,933-total whites, 537,136; colored members, 171,857, and 35,909 probationers—total, 207,766 colored; Indian members, 3,395, and probationers, 771-total, 4,166 Indians-grand total of ministers and members, 757,205. The General Minutes for 1880 report: Traveling preachers, 3,676; superannuated preachers, 328; local preachers, 5,868; white members, 831,769; colored members, 1,081; Indians, 4,981; grand total ministers and members, 847,703. The colored members have mostly joined the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America and other colored Connections.

"IS A DEARTH OF MINISTERS COMING?"

THE New York Observer asks, “Is a dearth of ministers coming?" and gives in effect an affirmative answer. The Rev. Dr. Poor, Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Education, says:

At the last accounts, received in December, 1880, the number of undergraduates in Union Theological Seminary has fallen from 130 last year to 120-a decrease of 10. And among the 120, 13 belong to other denominations, and cannot be counted upon. At Princeton there has been a slight increase, from 103 of last year to 111. But this increase is due to the accession of 15 from the Southern Presbyterian Church, owing to the temporary suspension of the Theological Seminary at Columbia, South Carolina; so that here also there is a virtual decrease, the number standing otherwise at 96. In the Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, the number as a whole has dropped from 87 to 86, 8 of whom belong to alien denominations, while the junior class enrolls but 23 this year, instead of 44 last year. At the North-western Theological Seminary, in Chicago, the case is worse. The fall is from 30 to 18. And at Danville the number stands at 6. Thus it will be seen in these five seminaries there has been altogether a falling off from last year of 31. And this decrease is not counterbalanced by the increase of 9 at Auburn and 6 at Lane-in all 15. Still farther, when we compare the aggregate of those joining the junior classes this year with the aggregate last year, we find a decrease of 29, and that too without making any allowance for the temporary accessions from the South. With all this it must be remembered that there is but one theological seminary connected with the Southern Presbyterian Church now in active operation, which reported last year but 51 students preparing for the ministry in that large body; and