Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-12
GENERAL SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
OF THE NJ. L. CHURCH.

FuS; Session.
SIXTH DAY, THURSDAY, 9Th MAY, 1916.
Conference met according TO adjournment
Bishop SoIe in the Chair.
After appropriate religious exercises by The
Rev. Mr.. Browning, the proceedings OF Yesterday
were read and approved.
Reports fr0m Standing Committees.
Dr. Winans presented the first report from the
Committee on Episcopacy, recommending thai
two additional Bishops be created.
Mr. Drake moved that the repor! be accepted
and adopted and that the Conference proceed i'm.
tnediately 10 the election.
DR.. Smith was opposed 10 the election OF two
Bishops, and, in making known his opposition, he
had nu,hIng 10 say against the prcseni venerable
Bishops; they were ta6oitng men, men IN all re-
specis after his own heart. But he objected 10
the election mainly because Of the in'NcHncU 0!
our present plan of operations, which he did not
conceive would be improved. save in increased
facilities for ordination, b. any addition 10 the
present number. The whole time ot our Bisf-
ops is consumed in visiting the several annual
conferences, presiding over them, and making
out The appointments ni the minister's which lat
Ter duly is in fact performed more BY The Pre-
siding Elders han by the Bishops. Tire Bishops
canno, possibly become acquainted with the mi.
nistcrs, or The demands OF The circuits and sta
lions, nor can they do il with The assistance OF
two others lie wanted an Episcoracy similar
70 that which existed in the times OF Asbury
and Mckcndrce; an Episcopacy exeltng health
lu saluary and official influence over every
portion OF the jurisdiction OF the Church, South.
He drew comparison between our system and
lha, OF the Protestant Episcopal Church, ini-
mating TIA. The lat,er exeried 4 happier Influence
over the ministry and membership than ours
could, unless made much stronger than ii was, or
would be by the addition ot only two No sys-
lem ought 10 exert more healthy influence man
ours; and none could do il more etfecually, II
ours wcIe placed in circumstances 10 exert its ap-
plopriale influence.
Mir. McMahan wished 10 ask single question.
Did Or. Saith desire 10 10 away with Epscora-
cy in The NJ. Z. Church, Soulful He (Mr Mem. J
had been ordained by Bishop AsbuIy, had ira
YELLED with Bishop Mcksndree hundreds OF miles
through the "wiljerness and the city full )" ne
had also travelled extensively with he present
worthy and venerable incunbents and he was
Of the opinion that they did as much work as
their predecessors. II conh! rot be expected
that the present Bishops could preach as often,
because OF their very extensive travel having
sometimes 10 go eight thousand miles in stretch.
Nil. B. iicFerrin did not intend 10 make a
srcec,. lie did not believe that DR.. Smith de-
sired TO cast any reflection upon our Bishops. but
such was certainly The tendency OF his remarks.
He insisted that DR.. Smith was wrong in sup
posing that the Bishops did not know the
preachers and the people, and their wants, and
also in saying, that the Presiding Elders in e.
iecl made The appointments. This was not so
with his people Dr.. Smith would be asronished.
il lh- Bishops were calechized, to hear them
speak with SO much accuracy as TO the talents,
yea and varied capacities OF the several mi
nisiers in line annual conferences. The Pre-
siding Elders do not station the ministers but on
Is advise with the Bishops when necessary. Sup
pose We had ST. or eight Bishops, would they
learn as much by travelling through the confer
ences, as in three nights counsel with The Presid-
ing Elders7 No. The Bishops would call those
ministers together, and, after short conversation,
send them home. The next morning, 10 the per.
feet asonishment Of The ministers line appoint
r,er,. would he read out. Some would be disap.
pointed 10 be sure Some expecting 10 be maze
Presiding Elders woald be pu, upon Circuits, bu,
il would in The end work we'll. Again, things
would hcdifielen, nov. The four Bishops will BE
at the South, ., home in the midst OIL their fields
Of labor. and they can circulate among the peo-
pie motc freely and extensively. By This means
the Bishop, whose bodily inhrlnity is greatest,
will be able 10 vi.i, three CT four Conferences an