Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-11-25
LFrom the Norfolk Beacon.
Proceedings Of Tie Virginia Annual Conference
of the M. Il. Church, South.

PROCEEDINGS Of Tie Virginia Annual Conference
of the NJ T.. Church, South.
TUESDAY, Nov 18Th.
Conference met pursuant 10 adjournment al
Q o'clock A. NJ Bishop Andrew presiding
| After the reading of the Scriptures and PRAYER
| Conference proceeded 10 its unfinished business;
! Having disposed ofthe case which had occupied
for The last Two DAYS its most unremilted and al
Aic,ed attention, by the e1cisou Of The member
IMPLICATED from its body and from membership
in Inc Church-it again opened its doors for the
admission OF visitors and friends. The frst bust
ness pre- scented its consideration, were the claims
| and nresent prosp porous condition OF its own loved
Institution, Randolph Macon College. These
claims were enforced in strain of iervid elo-
quence and able argument by Professor Hardy,
and the Rev Messrs. Rowzie and Early. The
next subject called up for its action and disposal
were the claims Of the Bible cause Of Virginia.
After The presentation of the report OF the COM
mittee on the subject, by the Rev. Thomas Crow
der, Chairman, the Rev. M. c. Shipman, the
general agent for The Bible Cause, Virginia, de-
livered a most impressive, argumentative and
eloquent address,-in which he exhibited the des-
titulion of many portions OF the State as appall-
ing and as demanding The early and immediate
action OF the Conference. His remarks were re.
ceived with The most evident indications Of
interest and appreciation BY The Conference and
the visitors present.
The Rev. w. A. Smith, D. D., then submitted
the following preamble and resolution, which he
pretaced with speech of great power and force,
and in which, for the space of some thirty mi
nules, he completely enchanted the attention OF
the Conference and its visers. Were we to al
tempt an epitome of his remarks, We feel that we
should perpetrate an ACT of injustice 10 this mas
terly effort. The points elucidated with SO much
force Of argument, and enforced with such resist
less eloquence, were, Isl. That the present legis
lalion OF our State on the subject was ample and
altogether sufficient; %. That the legislation
contemplated and sought would so operate as 10
endow the ministry, and therefore render il inde-
pendent of The lberality OF The membership; Sd.
That ii would contravene the doctrines OF the BIZ
bic, which recognized no other method or place,
than The one which looked TO the lberali;y OF the
membership for support; and 4lh That il was
in short, direct and palpabe violation Of the
doctrines Of the Apostles and The usage OF the pri-
milive Churches on the subject. These several
points were prescribed with marked clearness
and ability. After the reading OF the preamble
and resolution, which were seconded by the Rev.
j. Early in few appropriate approbalory re-
marks they were severally unanimously adopted
Preamble-Whereas, The existing laws OF
Virginia, securing TO us the right OF property in
and 10 our houses OF worship, in Towns and cities
TO the extent of TWO acres oil land and in the coun
ties TO the extent of thirty acres, for the uses OF
our respective chulches-and amply sufficient for
all wise and useful purposes whereas, any
further legislation especially in an act Of ncor-
poration, empowering them to hold any greater
or larger amount of real property, would, in our
best judgments, exert dangerous tendency
TO the State as we'll as a perncious ten
dency TO the Church itself, by making The mi
nislry independent of the membership, BY reason
OF The endorsement of salary which such lesisla-
lion most inevitably produce
"Be il Resoired, That The Virginia Annual
Conference do not concur in the effort now being
made in this State TO secure an act OF incorpora-
ton for the several churches therein"
After the disposal Of some minor matters, the
Conference adjourned to meet this morning al
O'Clock A. Nj.