The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-26
PROM the LouisyilIe Courier.

PROCEEDINGS OF A CONVENTION OF THE SOUTH
AND SOUTHWESTERN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH, CONVENED AT LOUISVILLE
FOURTEENTH DAY.
Friday May 16, lS45. Convention met Bishop
Soule in the chair.
The president inquired if any of the committees
were in readiness to report. None presented. Me-
MORALS and petitions then called for, but none
were presented.
The convention resolved itself into committee of
the WHOLE and resumed the consideration of the re-
port on missions
Rev. Mr.. Green, of Tennessee, spoke to the ques-
ton of location and gave his for preferrng
Nashville to Petersburg, Va, and stated facts in
relation the soundness of the banks and merchants
Of Nashville, which he represented on as solid a
and hospitabe; and more than all, they char
ac,erstically liberal. He instanced the fact that
some of his brethren had invited Bishop Soule to
make il his place of residence-and that the people
had made contribution of over three thousand dol
lars, as fund for the erection of house for the
bishop. Rev. Mr. Green urged many considera-
tons which induced him to prefer Nashville.
Rev. DIR. Longstreet said il was not of much inn
portance what point selected, as, after the estab
lshment of the book concern, the chief mission sta
ton would take its place alongside of it.
Rev. Mr.. Mcmahon obtained the floor, and ad-
dressed the committee in a strain of quaint humor
that was productive of quaint merriment. He pre-
ferred Memphis above all other parts named 1t
was unquestionably the finest point in the world
for starting from. From thence, said he, you may
set out at all seasons of the year for any point Of the
universe. Mr.. Mcmahon spoke of the liberality of
the citizens Of Memphis. He instanced the fact that
when call had been made on the friends Of missions
for subscriptions, one noble mind of Memphis
promptly responded-though not a wealthy man;
he put his hand in his pocket, and took out $500
for that object: He did not hesitate to name this
good man, (for he did not believe the reporters
would notice it.) 1t was brother Banks who had
acted thus nobly.
The nominator of New Orleans withdrew his
nomination.
The Rev. Mr.. Bergman (not member Of the
convention,) missionary, was invited to make a
statement in relation to payments to missionaries.
These payments are made quarterly, by drafts.
These were generally sold to merchants in the vi
cinity of their stations Il is of little moment where
you locate your missionary treasury, SO that it is
convenient to get them cashed by the merchants
who buy them and go east 10 make their purchases.
1t is not always the case that those who purchase
our drafts are Methodisis.
Rev. Mr.. Monroe said, from the representation
just made, he would withdraw St. Louis.
4 Rev. Mr.. Early said he desired to make few
remarks, in perfect good nature. In reply TO what
had been advanced by Mr.. Green in relation to the
raised in Nashville for the venerable Bishop
Soule, $500 dollars) Mr.. Early said if the Bishop
would come to Virginia, that conference would
raise him 5000 dollars and that fair offset. In
reference to Nashville, Mr.. Early sail the argu-
ments of Mr.. Green were conclusive why that city
should not be selected He had il from The cashier
Of Louisville bank, that Kentucky money was
better in Nashville than Tennessee money, (when
out Of bank) Mr.. Early said he was perfectly sat
sfed that Nashville was not favorable point of To-
cation.
Bishop Soule, in rising to address the committee,
said he was not confident of the propriety Of his
saying anything upon the subject. Ii was not his
intention TO speak of localities; that matter of
minor consideration with him. The object was one
altogether Of financial character, and he should
treat il as such. As financial object, it should be
discussed and viewed in all its bearings of advan-
tage and disadvantage the church and its financial
operations. Weshould not give it location any
other principle, or from any other motive 1t will
be admitted by all that we cannot use bullion for a
currency: we must use paper, either in the form Of
bank notes, post notes, or bills Of exchange. All
great financial operations are adjusted with this spe
cies of currency.
Our great missionary operations must all be car
ried on by all Of these methods. Were |,
said Bishop Soule in the Indian country, Arkansas,
Florida, or Texas to make draft on the treasurer
in New York for twelve thousand dollars, and hand
it over for disbursement, it would he worthless if
the agent could get it cashed He does by sell
ing it lat perhaps premium) to merchant going
to that city. 1t is taken on, deposited in bank, the
treasurer is notified, and he payst. As a body of
Methodist preachers, we are not merchants; and he
had often thought that body thus constituted were
not very well qualified for carrying on large financial
operations. Not that the ministers of the Methodist
church were in any respect wanting in all those
high and lofty qualities which distinguish moral
ard religious cass-but from their peculiar position
and separation from secular employments. They
are distinguished for high moral principle.
The plain question for your decision is, where
can the location be made to the greatest advantage
Merchants and those most conversant with the
course Of trade, tell us that New York, Philadel-
49, T..
appears TO me, then, that in fixing your location,
due regard should be had to the point south and
west which will most naturally combine advantages
in connection with this fact The establishment Of
your treasury should be made with reference to
these supposed advantages. II you establish it at
be sent thither for payment. Under the case sup
poseL ofmy draft being given in the west, and then
cashed by merchant going to New York, it will
have to be transmitted for collection and subjected
to discount. There is another consideration !:
wherever you establish your book concern there, IL
appears to me, should be your treasury. 1t may
happen that the treasury will be obliged to draw on
the book concern, the funds of which are applicable
to the necessities as 1t is the property of the church.
Rev. Mr. McFerrin gave the committee notice
that, should Louisville be selected, he would move
for dissolution of the Southern Christian Advo-
cate concern and establish it at Louisville. II could
not be sustained if separated from the mission sta
ton.
Rev. Mr.. Mcmahon said he would, in view Of
what had been said, withdraw Memphis.
Rev. Mr. Harrell said he had long abored in the
missionary field. His disbursements had amounted
to $40, 600 and he had never lost dollar in ex-
change. The negotiation had been principally at
New Orleans.
DIR. Smith begged to call the attention Of the COM
mittee to an aspect of this subject Of startling inter-
est, and that might one day produce disastrous
sequences. l allude (said hey to the disposition so
unceremoniously displaying itself-a disposition to
move everything west Of the mountains--book con-
Germ, missionary society, and all. He was no ora
Gle, but would take occasion to warn the committee
against acting on this principle, giving occasion
awaken the fear that the principle Of mere maor
ties should control everything. This (sad he) was
the principle which had already cloven down the
liberties Of the church, and caused the genius Of
union to stand at northern affairs as suppant for
indulgence As he did on another occasion, in gen.
eral conference in 1882, warn the majority Of that
body, so he would now warn them.
This calamity in the southern church was now in