Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-12
vIRGINIA MFrHolp1s,r co,NFERENcE {

Inc virginia conferences fthe MethodISt Epsco-
pal Church is still in session in Petersburg Va
Bishop Andrew presiding. Bishop Early was intro
duced on Thursday to the Conference He had ar
rived the previous evening from Marion S. c.. where
he had been holding the South Carolina Conference.
We recognize many familiar names among the Min
listers John E. Edwards Joseph H. Davis, and 9TH
ers, among the active, and Lewis Skidmore, w. II.
Starr, and Others among the superannuated. The
Petersburg papers are furnishing copious accounts
of the proceedings, which quite interesting
There is evidently great amount of talent and
ergy in the members of the Conference
Some excitement has been occasioned by the pre-
ferring of charges by DIR. Deems, of North
Carolina, against DR.. VIM. A. Smith, of Randolph
Macon College. The Petersburg Express of Friday
says:
The Bishop then called the name of Rev. VIM.
A. Smith, when Rev. E. Wilson, the presiding
elder, announced that charges had been placed in
his hands by Rev. Chas +. Deems, Of the n. c.,
Conference.
DIR. Deems then arose and read list of charges,
which were objected to by DR.. Smith, as unlike in
some respects to those placed in the bands Of Mr..
Wilson, and Of which he had been notified.
The Bishop decided that DIR. VIM. A. Smith
should be tried the charges handed to Dr. Will
son. Here DIR. Deems raised question of law,
which to be submitted in writing. The charges
were then read and submitted follows:
First Charqe-FALsEnooD.-Dr S. denied both
the charge and specification.
The second charge also, falsehood, which was
ruled out by the Bishop alien to the original
charge
Third Charge.-FALsEHooD, which was denied as
to the charge and as much of the specification as
stated (he) Dr. 5. made any statement before the
students of Randolph Macon College
Fourth arge.-lMMORALITY.-The charge and
specification both denied.
Fttth RhGrge.-lMMoRALITr.
!SirM ELECTROMAGNETIC out by the
Bishop as not one of the charges originally preferred
against DR.. s.
Scce.h Cha2ye.-FALsEuOoD.-Dr. Smith admits
the specification but denies the charge.
fitth Charge.-SLANDER.--Thc charge was de
med maintaining that the statement by him DR. d.
referred TO in the charge, true, and Justified by
circumstances.
The testimony was then proceeded WITH the wit
nesses for the prosecution being called for cxaInna
ton.
On notion the Conference Adjourned till three
o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE IEsTER-
DAY.-Thc Conference met again in the afternoon,
at half past three O'Clock, to proceed with the trial
of Dr. Smith. Bishop Andrews opened the meeting
with prayer.
The cxamintion of testimony in the before
toned case was continued. The Rev. Mr. Frost was
ss-cxamined by Dr. c. f. Deems, after which
the Rev. Mcssrs n F. Reid and James Reid of the
North Carolina Conference were examined.
The dispositions of the Rev. b. L. Blake, of the
n. c. Conference, and Rev. W. {. Doub, OF the
same body, presented as proof upon the first
charge The testimony of the accuser upon the
ond chage was then closed, upon which the second
charge was assumed. DR.. Deems then offered in evil
dence the deposition of the Rev. James II. Brent,
of n. G.; Il copy of the finding OF the committee
who were appointed to settle the difficulty existing
between Drs. Smith and Deems at the annual ses-
sion of the n. c. Conference held at Pttisboro' in
1854 and examined, also, Revs ID. B. Nicholson
and K. I. IIefin, of the \. c. Conference
Before the conclusion of the examination of the
latter witness, the Conference adjourned
4 large assembly of the CO Immunity were present"