The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-08-21 00:00:00

ot regular attendance at the S.rainent of the Lord's
Supper. It was thought that this was already done,
and that therefore the proposal was unnecessary. The
motion was negatived.
Rev. Dr. Rigg, that the resolution of the Conference
of 1861 in reference to the election of lay represents.
tives to the preparatory committees be printed in the
Minutes of Conference. (Agreed).
Rev. Dr. Rigg, that the rule declaring it illegal for a
minister to spend more than six years consecatively in
any town or city, in circuit work, be rescinded. The
late Mr. Thornton had brought this proposal before the
Conference more than once. He (Dr. Rigg) had a new
fact to communicate to the discussion of the matter.
The rule in question was entirely traditionary. It
could not be found in any " Minutes," nor on the
Journals of the Conference. The rule was passed
sixty years ago, and no doubt for some very good
reason. But those who lived in London were con-
vinced that it takes a man three years to get anything
like insight into the special phenomena of London life
and modes of work suited to the special needs of that
city, and that a man when he had been five or six years
there had secured a knowledge and influence which
rendered it highly desirable that he should then stay.
However, he would not attempt to push the matter to
a vote that year, but would withdraw his motion,
giving notice of a repetition of it next year. (Motion
withdrawn.)
Rev. \V. Arthur, that all ministers of ten years'
standing, shall be able to vote in every case in which
now only ministers of fourteen years' standing are
entitled. (Agreed.)
Some other motions, of little public interest, were
withdrawn. The Secretary of the Conference and his
aesistants then proceeded to read the Conference
Journal. Votes were then passed giving the force of
law to all the acts of the Irish and the Canadian Con-
ferences. Then, on the motion of the recretary,
seconded by Dr. James, the proceedings were con-
firmed by the vote of the legal hundred; and then, the
members of Conference all standing, the President and
secretary signed the JournaL
The President then addressed the Conference. They
were about to separate to go to their several stations
and work for God. There was no likelihood that the
500 ministers who had been present would all meet
again. He rejoiced in the affectionate brotherhood of
the Methodist ministers. They had had a happy Con-
ference. The dying saying of their founder was still
true, "The best of all is, God is with us." It was a
comfort to him to think that eighty young ministers
of character and promise had been ordained.
He wail thankful, too, for the determination
of the Conference not to depart from their pri-
mary rrinciples. But the future wan before them.
Their trust was not in their founder, not in their
system, not in compact organisation or multiplied
agencies ; but in the Lord of Hosts. He believed they
would have a good year. They nested influencies
from on high. The valley stretihed wide before them
full of death. Let their prayer be "Come from the
hair winds, 0 breath, and breathe upon these slain,
that they may live."
Thanks were then cordially voted to the friends who
had entertained the Conference, and to the Hull minis-
ters who had carried out the arrangements, which have
been exceedingly handsome and complete. The Con-
ference concluded at eight o'clock with prayer, offered
by the Rev. W. Arthur, ALA.