Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-31
MINUTES OF ALABAMA CONFERENCE.
(RYR REQUEST.

IA published
Conference. Besides the usual matter contained In
the Minutes of the Annual Conferences, IL emoooIes
various resolutions adopted by the Alabama Cohier
its late session, Visiting Commitlees, Coulse
of Study constitutions and officers OF the various DO
ceties of body and the report OF the treasurer OF
the Missionary Society.
The total increase in the membership OF me Alaoa-
ma Conference, during the past is reported at -
1896 For the publication of Sunday School oooks'
ETC., 1897 were raised. For Missions $25,s3l,6
Among the resolutions adopted by the Conference
| al its late session, find the following =
Resolved, That in the judgment of this Conference
the attendance upon the theare circus, balls and dances
of every description by our Ministers and members
is palpabe violation of our General Rules when
forbid the taking such diversions as cannot be USED
in the name of the Lord Jesus ;-and that the lis
cipline be rigidly enforced in all such cases.
Whereas suppers, fairs, and concerts are becoming
yery common in order raise money for various be-
nevoent objects, and people go to such places
and Justify themselves because the objects are said TO
be benevolent: Therefore >.
HesoEped That this Conference dsapprove unquall-
edly the practice, and will not countenance the at
tendance of our people upon them.
We copy the foregoing resolutions, which clearly
define the position and express the sense of the Ala
hama conference on the subjects embraced in them,
for the purpose of setting the troubles OF some
of our contemporaries and their correspondents.
great deal of wondermen and some hardly restrained
ind gnaton has found escape In the columns OF
the religious press here and there of which the &C
ton of the Conference in the case OF the Rev. W. ii.
Milburn has been the occasion. 1t seems never 10
have occurred the parties mus
character of the Conference that the report OF MI
Milburn's speech, furnished by of the secular
newspapers of Mobile might be lmPertect-mlght
convey only a partial, and OF course wrong, view
of what was actually said by that able and accom-
plished gentleman on the occasion; and that much
higher probability existed that the Conference should
act understandingly and in full keeping with the
Christian and Methcdlsc proPrlees involved In the
case than that reporter for the secular press should
do Justice either to Mr. Milburn or the Conference.
The simple truth is that the speech in question ex-
tended beyond hour in delivery-the report OF 1t
may be read in five minutes. Moreover: Mr.. MIL
burns address of the most elaborate, aTgu-
mentalive, and wel-Susalned speeches ever made In
an Annual Conference its casustry the incest con-
conceivable definitions and distinctions the most re-
condte its sweep of remark the ampest;- exhibit
ed copiousness of reading, power of abstraction
and analysis, and opulence of thought altogether
remarkable. Does the meager report aforementioned
give the reader the remotest idea of such speech
! 1t was listened TO with solemn attention by the
Conference. They satisfied with the explana-
tons made by Mr.. Miburn in regard to his personal
connection with the Strikers bal, "a sort of pam
tonime celebrated at New Years by Mobile club,
the professions of which it were looked at by
every body in the streets, and on the whole thing
very different from what is usually understood by
ball or dancing party. They allowed his avowed
tntention and the motives by which he governed
to have weight with them. In his particular case,
they passed his character without censure, in view
of those motives; but lest it might be supposed tina!
as body of Methodist ministers they were disposed
lower the standard of morals in reference to popu
lar amusement, relax jot title OF the whole
some strictness which has always characterized the
Methodist communion in such matters, they adopted
by unanimous vote the foregoing Resolutions, which
subsequent developments have shown to be timely
procedure.
The statement made BY Mr.. Milburn of his theo-
logical opinions satisfied the Conference that there
was no just ground for the rumors which charged
him with heretical faint on points of fundamental
importance in Christianity. For the rest, the liberty
of private judgment was allowed him, so far as scho-
H. LII.
tleties, concerned. His view that the preach
ing suitable to the present time is that which insists
on the divine lite in the soul rather than syste-
matte arrangements of doctrine theological dis
cussions ''amed with the points and thorns of logic
That with such convictions he should have main
tanned that the sermons Of Wesley were inappropri-
ate to the time, indeed surprising. With John
w esley. circumcision was nothing, uncircumclson
nothing-the " new creature formed in the heart by
the Holy Ghost, was every thing. The distinguish
ing pecuarites of that great preacher of Christian
experience the simplicity with which the doctrine
of sinners justification before God, is set forth
the freeness of its offer to all who feel their danger
sinners and believe in the only begotten Son and
the comfortable assurance Of Gods love- by the wit
ness of the Holy Spirit, followed by the witness of
our own consciousness of renewed heart, affected
at the moment of our Justification though from its
! nature distinct and the gracious obedience of holy
tempers and consistent lives. This surely is the
substance and eptome of the "Eaith once delivered
the saints" In word, Wesley's sermons the
preaching Of salvation; salvation purchased for us
by Christ, and wrought in US by the Holy Spirit.
And if this does not constitute the life of God in the
soul of man, at a loss to conjecture where
look for it.
But while we dissent from some of the opinions
avowed by Mr.. Milburn, probably did most if not
all the Conference, and particularly the venerable and
clear-sighted Bishop who in the chair and who
expressed at the time his dissent yet nevertheless,
we repeat, the explanations which Mr.. NJ gave with
such affuence of thought and eloquence of express
sioD deemed satisfactory by the Conference. And
we presume to say that what satisfactory that
body Of able and hearted ministers, ought in all
reason TO be considered satisfactory by those dis
lance TO whom ;he report Of this whole affair has
through the medium of brief and very imperfect
newspaper statement. Sou. Christian .4dv0cafe.
SERENADING YOUNG LADY. In my young days,
says the editor Of exchange paper, was extravaganza
y fond of attending parties, and somewhat cele-
brated for playing the flute; hence it generally
expected, when invitation extended, that my
flute would accompany me. [ visited splendid par
y evening, and called upon favor the com
pany with the flute. ], Of course, immedI-
atelY complied with the request. The company ap-
peared to be delighted bu. more particularly so,
young lady who raised her hands and exclaimed
that it beautiful, delightful, &c. l, of course,
was highly fattered, and Immediately formed reso-
luton TO serenade the young lady the following
night. Previous to leaving the party, made enquiry
respecting her residence. started the night in
company with several young friends and arrived at
the lady's residence, but made glorious mistake in
getting under the window of old Quaker. s. Now
boys said l, g behold the sentmentaity of this
young lady, the moment strike up the Last Rose