Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-11
Prom the Petersburg Republican
General Conference of the Methodist
Il. Church, south.
THURSDAY, 9Th May, ls46.

| IN the chair.
Aler appropriate religious exercises by the Rev. Mr.
Browning the proceedings ofyesterday read and up
proved.
R,ports from Standing Committees.
DR.. winans presented the first report from the Com
mi,,ee Epsecpaey, recommending that two additions
Bshopcs be created.
Mr. Drake moved that the report accepted aud adop
ed and that the conference proceed Immediately the
election.
DIR. Smith opposed tho election OF two Bisho ps
and in making known his opposition, he had nothing
against the venerable Bishops they labor
in: men. men IN all respects alter his heart But he
objected to the election mainly because OF the iHeeeney
OF present plan OF operations which he did
celvc would be improved, in increased facilities for
ordinaon by any addition to the present number. The
whole time OF Bishops is consumed in visiting the
sera annual conferences presiding them. and making
out the appointments Of Minister'S which latter duty
IN fact performed more by the Presiding Elders than by the
Bishops. The Bishops possibly become acquainted
with the minister's the demands OF the and
TONS they do IL with the assistance OF Others
Tie wanted Episcopacy similar TO that which existed in
the times OF Asbury and Mcketdree; an Epscopacy
erting heshfu sautary and official influence every
portion OF the jurisdiction OF the Church. South. lie drew
eomparson between system and that Of the Protest
ant Episcopal Church. inimans that the latter excried
happier influence the ministry and membe
ours could. unless made much stronger than il was,
would be by the addition of only No system ought
10 exert more healthy influence than ours none could
do 1t more eiiectualy, If placed in
| to exert its appropriate influence.
i
Dr. Smith desire to do away with Episcopacy the NJ E.
Church, Southi He (Mr. MeM.) had been ordained by
Bishop Asbury, had travelled with Bishop Mckcudree hun
dreds OF miles through the evidences and the city ul
he had also travelled extensively with the preset worthy
aud venerable incunbents, and he Of the opinion
hey did much work their predecessors. IL could
expected that the Bishops could preach often
because OF their very extensive travel having sometimes
i go 5000 miles in stretch.
Mr. ]. D. McFeuin did not intend to make n speech. lie
did not believe that Dr. Smith desired any reflection
upon Bishops but such certainly the tendency OF
his remarks. lie insisted that DR.. =. wrong in the
superstition that the Bishops did know the preachers
and the people, and their wants. aud also IN saying that the
Presiding Elders IN effect made the appointments. This
with his people DIR. s. would be astonished n
the Bishops caeehised, to hear them speak with
much accuracy talents zeal aud varied capacities
OF The several ministers the annual conferences The
Presiding Elders do station the ministers, but only
wise with the Bishops when necessary. Suppose had
six eight Bishops would they learn much by travel
ling through the conferences, in three nights counsel
with the Presiding Eldersi No The Bishops would call
those ministers together, and after short conversation,
send them home. The morning, the perfect
constituent OF the ministers the appointments would be
read out. Some would be disappointed to be sure Some
expecting to be made Presiding Elders would be put upon
Circuits but It would 10 the end work well. Again things
would be dierent now. The four Bishops will be the
South home, in the midst OF their fields Of labor and
they circulate among the people freely aud
Iensyely. BY this the Bishop. whose bodily info
nifty greatest will be able visit three fOu. Confer.
ences annually leaving TO each OF the others only about
four In our country, Methodist Bishops regarded
church. He hoped the time would never come when our
Bishops could say abors and sufferngs
than either OF YOU Give them work enough do the
| name of God.
Mr. Longseet wished always 10 bear in mind the great
cardinal principles Wesleyan Method s and consider
ed II safe to adhere to those principles lie thought
additional Bishop would be all sufficient least till
the meeting OF tie General Conference. lie there
fore moved TO stke out the word toO and insert in Its
| place the word one.
Dr.. Smith would rather see one elected than two, and
was therefore glad to hear Mr. Longstreers motion.
He regretted to be misunderstood by brethren. He
believed in Methodist EpiscoPacy, if sueh declaration
was necessary at that time from him. But under the cir
eumstances which surround the EpScopacy he could
good be derived from increasing their number.
Ii you could put them in circumstances in which they
could exert all their influence and talents, he would
object their increase but would rather rejoice at it,
He referred TO difficulties which had occurred in Virginia.
simply on account OF the absence Of Bishop. The lapse
OF 20 would not remove those influences produced
by the necency OF this plan He could be brought
to make Methodist gor.fcaton speech; il MehOdsm
could not glOry herse she should speak through
his trumpet. He wished 20 place the Epscopacy in such
situation render 1t efficient every where, that its
influence might be felt in every circuit and station
Mr.. McFerrin said he did not attempt to make speech
TO gloiy the EpiscOpacy; he did wish gorify him
SELF or the Bishops lie merely desired to defend the
EpscoPacy from assaults He thought brother Smith had
assumed position the efficiency OF the system which
he could sugtoin. He Mr.. McF thought the Bish-
ops exercised ssuinry influence ALL Talk about an
Inefficient, system when, with it, had been the nsru
ments OF converting people than all the world besde
ABOUT lnetnclent comparison with robes
and fat diocesses! He wasn't born in Bishop Asbuy's
days but II Bishop A. did (he begged pardon he
didn't want gorfy tho EpscopacyO than Is done by the
ncumbents, he did than human could
bear.
Mr.. McMAHAS did believe tLat the whole scope OF Dr.
Smiths remarks TO supersede the Bishops. lie did
not wish 10 glonfy Methodism Bishops. lie wanted not
| TO know what soy; let him what they did
Dr. WIyASs, in answer TO sesuon as to the unanimi-
y Of the Committee in their Recommendation stated that
there three opinions. Three members voted for
fhe nf
election Of three and tho remainder, large majority, for
| fUo.
Mr. Longsueors motion to strike was lost.
| The report then received and adopted.
After Intellectual effort postpone the election ill
/ morrow, u was, on the motion OF Mr.. Drake,
RssOtDsd That the Conference engage in solemn prayer
to Almighty God previously to entering upon the election
| Of Bishops
Bishop sOus then gave cut the following verses Of I57h
| Hymn
Father, II Justly stl VIC claim
| Tous and ours the promise made,
| To Us be grsciously the same,
| And crown with living fire our head
Our elsm admit, and from above,
| OF holiness the Spirit shower,
OF wise disoernment, humble love,
| And zeal, and unity, aud power
After which, Bishop soule followed By DR.. l.. Pierce Of
| Georgia, engaged in prayer.
The Conference decided that tho vote should be taken
as follows: The roll shall be Called and the Of
each member IL announced he shall walk up the Seere
| lhff y tibe and depOeiie ms vote
WhereUpon, after bslotiing the Rev. DR.. William ca
pefs u the South Carolina Conference and the Rev Dr..
Robert Psine Of tho Tennessee Conference, duly
| elected.
on BRAsCOM ofKy., received very large vote. not.
withdrawing general impression prevailed among the
members that he would u elected, and that he
could not be spared from the TpntYvsnia University, the
Presidency of which he fs with such Distinction. The
Episcopal Office could confer on Dr. Bacon no hoaOrs
higher Than those he most desevedly wears,
der dear 70 southern hearts which history will
| claim for ~ brightest psgeJ
| On motion Of Mr.. l.. N. Lee, twas
RssoiUed, That tho Committee Missions be insiruc.
Ted enquire into the expectancy Of esiablshuga mis-.
sion MISSIONS the Jews In Tie towns within the urs
| dicuon Of he Methodist T.. Church. South.
Dr. Basoom from the Committee appointed 10 draught
resolution responsive 10 the declaration n adherence Of
Bishop soule, made the following report which adop
ed
The Committee appointed 10 draft response TO the
nunieptou from Bishop Soulo, report tho following for
| sdoption by tho Conference: