Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-03-12
TEE BALTIMORE CONFERENCE


Commenced lis session, in this place, on We'd
ncsclay last, Bishop MoRE1s, presiding, and not
withstanding the inclencney Of The weather,
which has been une3anIled, fer the past two
weeks, some 100 or 1870 Ministers Of the Gospel
are iii atteEdancc--inany are aiscnt, who could
not make their way hitler. 1t is a NEST rcspec-
table body of men, embracing much learning
and talent, as is evidenced b. tho powerful dis
COURSES that have already been delivered, to
crowded audiences in the different Churches of
he town. The bounds of this Conference en-
brace a large portion of Virginia West of the
Blue Ridgc--a small portion East-neafly the
" hole Of he Western shore OF Maryland, and
that pant of Pennsylvania lying East OF the Al
leghany Mountains and West of the suseuchall-
nah river.
The system Of itiaerancy adopted by the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, though oppressive and
burtensome TO the itsneran, has been an effect
i've means Of spreading the Gospel. The world
owes sauch to This Chutch-nlay it owe more
On the first day of the session of Conference,
at the organization OF the body, Rev. s1EpHrN A.
RoszEL1, was elected Secretary, and Rev. A. A.
REGcE, assistant Secretary. The usual commit
tees were then appointed and the examination
OF Elders commenced.
Second Ddy.-Examination Of candidates for
Deacons and Elders ordels-Reporls OF Commit
tees of examination on Theological studies. We
understand the policy Of the Methodist Church
IS to require no Preparatory coulsa CT ! heologl-
cal training of the candidate i'll advance Of his adj
mission into the travelling connection, other than
merely to indicate his adaptation to the career
he has marked out for himself The 1heologi-
cal training commences upon his admission as
probaioner in the Confcreace--a definite course
of studies IS thea pointed cut to him, ard a COM
mi!tee Of examination, composed usually, OF an
examiner for each Of the textbooks named in
hecoUse Of study appointed, This committee is
appointeda year in advance, and both parties
have an opportunity of coming up at the time
specified prepared for the examination. Attic
end Of the second year, the Reports of the COM
mittees being favorable, he is elected to Dea
cons orders, and admitted fully as a member O
Conference and permitted to participate in its
delibegations-F From his admission to Deacon's
ORDERS and fun connection in the Conference, hi:
preparatory course is ompleted-Rerorts the1
being favorable, he is admitted to Elders orders
The course Of study embraces Literary scien
tfic, Theological Historical, Chronological ano
Ecclesiastical branches, and is sufficiently thor
oueh to prepare the candidate for usefulness and
responsibility as q Minister of Jesus Christ.
Third Day-Eyamination of Elders resumed
Fourth Day-Cccupied i'll the examination o
candidates of the local Preachers for orders il
the Church.
On Sunday the pulpiis in the different Church
es were occupied by several oflhe various Min
isters who delivered 1iiscoursest to crowded anc
attentive audiences. In the Methodist Church
at the afternoon service the rite of ordination t.
| EldeIship was performed by the Bishop, and a
bout twenty Preachers taken into full connection
his was an interesting ceremony.
It is hardly necessary for US to add that the
houses Of our citizens are thrown open to the
Ministers i'll attendance, and that they are shar
ing the hospitality OF cur people, which is ex
tended to them, we know, with a 'Virginia wei
conc"