444 History of Methodism 



In these two establishments, we have no doubt but the Methodist 

 Church will realize her fondest hopes. And here the Board cannot 

 forbear expressing their highest approbation of the conduct of 

 our worthy brother, the Kev. William Capers, who has acted as 

 our Conference Missionary. But, brethren, whilst we are viewing 

 with anxious concern the aborigines of our country, let us not for- 

 get the thousands of colored people who live among us and are 

 without the means of religious instruction. To this class of people 

 we should look with the tenderest sympathies, and not pass them by 

 on account of their peculiar situation. 



Here the Board will take leave of those remarks which go to re- 

 mind us of our duty, and proceed to give a brief statement of their 

 proceedings. 



In May last, they met in the city of Charleston, and adopted such 

 by-laws as were deemed necessary for their government ; which by- 

 laws, with the constitution, were published, and are now before 

 the public. Our Corresponding Secretary, at an early period, gave 

 information to the parent society, at New York, of the formation of 

 this society as one of her auxiliaries, and from its second annual 

 report we perceive ourselves acknowledged as such. 



On the 19th instant, the Board held its second meeting in 

 A ugusta, when the Treasurer made his annual report, to which we 

 refer you. They then proceeded to examine the condition of the 

 society, and are persuaded that some amendments are expedient, 

 which were proposed and adopted. The Board, in recommending 

 these alterations, have had a view to that of moving in unison with 

 the system originally organized by the General Conference. And 

 we are also persuaded that the good intended will thereby be as 

 effectually promoted. We likewise suggest to all the branch socie- 

 ties the importance of conforming their constitutions to the plan 

 laid down by the parent institution. We can but hail with emo- 

 tions of joy and gratitude the establishment of the parent society. 

 This was an hour of mercy perhaps to thousands of the benighted 

 inhabitants of this Western World. A ray of hope now beams 

 upon the regions of want and misery, where no gospel was heard, 

 and where men were sunk in ignorance and carried away by the 

 extremes of moral degradation. Happy are we to unite with our 

 fathers in missionary exertions; exertions on which Heaven smiles 

 with pleasure and delight. Among the distinguished friends of the 

 missionary cause, we gratefully remember the venerable Asbury, 

 whose ardent and pious zeal in the missionary cause should endear 



