Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-12
GENERAL SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
OF THE Nj. Z. CHURCH.
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SrVryTu D,y- Ep,nIy NJ

SEVENTH D.Y-FRlDAY, May STm.
Bishop Andrew presiding-Bishop Soule pre-
sent
Mr. s. Patton conducted The morning exer.
eises.
The proceedings of the previous day were read
Reports OF standing Committees were called
for None.
Petitions Memorials &C., were called for.
DR.. Capers presented report Of Committee
of Evangelizing The people OF color" which was,
on his motion, referred 10 the Committee on Mis-
sions. The report recommends several changes
in The presen. system Of teaching, &c.
Mr.. Early moved that Bishop Soule be request
ed 10 deliver a sermon on Thursday next on The
occasion OF the ordination OF the new Bishops.
Carried.
Mr.. Dbre offered the following resolution:
Resolred, That The Committee on Rev.als be,
and are hereby, instructed 10 inquire into the e1-
pediency OF Inserting clause in our discipline,
authorizing the Bishops of the Methodist Epsco-
pal Church, South, TO appoint a Chaplain 10 the
University Of Virginia, when requested 10 do SO
by The Virginia Conference.
Mr. d. read communication explaining the
rule of selecting Chaplains by the University,
Zone each year from the principal denominations
Of The Stale, viz: Presbyterian, Methodist, Bap-
list and Episcopalian.)
Bishop Soule remarked that he wished 10 say
few words, not particularly on the resolution
before the Conference; he was in favor Of sending
Chaplains 10 every place where they were want
ed, but he was opposed 10 The Book of Discipline
being altered every four years, and he desired
that some other plan would be suggested, by
which our ends would be attained than the one
now before il.
After some conversation, and the suggestion oil
several amendments, the following resolution Of
lered by DR.. Smith, was adopled-the mover Of
The original resolution having Withdrawn his pro-
position:
Resoired, Tha, The Bishops shall be authorized
to appoint Chaplain 10 The University OF Virgil
mia, whenever authorized SO 10 do by The Virgil
MIA Annual Conference.
Mr.. Brush moved The following resolution,
which was carried:
Resolred. That The Committee on Revsals I've
aud are hereby instructed 10 inquire into the pos
sibilily Of reporting such changes in The arrange
n,er.i of the chapters sections and paragraphs OF
the Book OF Discipline, as in their Judgment will
relieve il from the ambiguity Of The present ar
rangemen,, yet, so as mol thereby 10 produce any
change in The meaning, only SO far as 10 conform
the discipline to The Southern organization.
Mr.. Whiteford Smith called up The resolution
offered lew days since in relation TO appointing
Book Mr.. S. gave his reasons for adopting the
resolutions. The copyright of The present book
was vested in the book agent Al New York, and
il the M E. Church, South, would print The same
book. there would be probability OF a law suit.
Besides, the concern in Mulberry street having the
stereotype plates, could printit much lower than
We could.
Mr.. Bryant was in favor Of the Hymn Book
as it was.
Mr.. Drake did not think the present book was
all that brothers thought il 10 be. He saw no
Improperly in This body's appointing commit
tee on the subject. The General Conference Of
the NJ l.. Church had appointed committee OF
one-Dr. Banes-who had brought forth the
Supplement. He had no doubt but that 200 600
copies OF the work would he sold in hi. connec-
lion.
Mr. Thomas o. Summers gave history of
the present book, in which he showed familiar
acquaintance with its contents. He said that
number OF the best hymns were disjoned, in
stanclng cases. among others those hymns COM
mencing Sinners, turn why will We die I" and
"The God of Abraham" &C., which were d.
vided into parts and scattered in different por-
lions Of the book. A converted Jew had recently
filled his pulpit, and he was DESTROYS 10 find
hymn suitable TO the occasion. He had Them in
his memory. Mr.. Wesley had prepared some
hymns on that subject, but il would not do for
him TO give them out 10 The congregation, and he
had 10 use hymn ola general character. There
was some doggrel in the present collection and
ne wished rigid instructions 10 be given 10 the
committee 10 make selections from The celestial
muse, from The hymns of Welsey, Cooper. Mont.
gomery, and others. When he went into Pres
bylefian pulpit, he found The hymns all philoso-
phically arranged; the Baptists had maenih-
cent book, with 1900 hymns in it, (he believed !
and II was source oil modification to him Thai
when he went into his own pulpit he could not
hnd suitable hymn, on some occasions, unless
he knew them BY heart.
Mr. Bryant made some remarks in reply. bur
spoke loo low to be heard on our side of the house
The debate was continued BY several gentle
men, and after numerous amendments were pre.
senied and Withdrawn, The question was taken on
The resolution, which reads as follows, and
adopted
Whereas, it is highly desirable lha, variou.
changes and Improvements should be made in
new edition OF The Methodist Hymn Book, 10 be
published under The authority of this General
Conference. Therefore,
Resotred, That Committee OF Five be an
pointed TO prepare such work for publication as
soon as possbe-giving, in every case, the name
OF Inc author of the hymn increasing The num-
Der OF The Common, Long, and Short Metres. by
selecting from the authorized Wesleyan Hymn
Book and other approved sources, and excluding
some OF The particular Metres which are insult
able for the ordinary congregational singing