Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-14
METHODIST EPISCOPAL GENERAL CON
FERENCE SOUTu

NASHVILLE, Tenn, May 5.-The General Confer
| ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, as
sembled in the Representative Hall of the Stat,
House on Saturday, the 1at inst There are one hun
dred and fifty one delegates, representing four thou
sand travelling preachers, and nearly half a million
of church members The field in which this army O.
ministers operates embraces the whole of the South
ern States and portion OF the Indian Territory in
habited by the Cherokees Chocktaws and other
tribes.
The opening services of the conference were con
Quoted by the venerable Bishop Snule. This noble
specimen of a Christian bishop is now in the SOtf
year of his age and although he has passed ten
beyond the common limit of human life, his form /;
erect, his voice remarkably strong and clear while
his mind seems to have lost of its original vgor
He has been travelling preacher nearly GO years anG
bishop II. He resides on comfortable estate abou
five miles from the city, and his declining years are
soohed by the attention OF an accomplished daughter
The colleagues of Bishop Soule are Bishops Andrew
who has been twenty.six years in the Episcopscy
Paine, who has been in the Office twelve years. having
been elected with the lamentsd Capers, at the frs
general conference of the Southern Church, in 1S4G
Pierce, Early and kavanaugh who were elected al
the general conference in May, 1854.
1t is supposed that this will be one of the most i'm
portant sessions ever held. Many questions, o
vital INTEREST will come up for consideration and &C
tion vast number of memorials, petitions and re-
solutions have already been presented and referred tc
their appropriate committees.
For representation. modification of the class meet
ing system, the abolition Of the plan of receiving
persons on six months trial. re.arrangement of the
publishing house, and many other subjects equally
important, will be- acted upon with all the care
prudence and wisdom of this high legislature of the
Church.
The proceedings of Wednesday, May 5th, possess
but little interest. The Conference seems to drag
rather slowly. Bishop Pierce was in the chair Wed
nesdsy at the opening. LoviCh Pierce opened the
session by reading portion of Gods Word and Civ.
ing out hymn. Bishop Early then took the chair
and the Conference proceeded to business.
Rev. j. &. Jones presented a complaint made
against Bishop Early by James McClennsn of Mis-
sissppi. The complaint did not involve the Chris
tsn or ministerial! character of the Bishop but sci
forth certain grievances in his administration, con
nected with the location of said McCennan by the
Mississippi Conference without his consent.
1t was proposed to refer the paper to the Commit
tee on Episcopacy
A considerable discussion ensued as to whether or
not the charge and complaint should be read In
this discussion. Rev Messrs Brush, l. Campbell, G w
Langhorne, l. p Green, K Boyle, g w Carter
James K Evans, 5 Richardson, G Jones, X Mar
shall and others participated The complaint was
finally read and then, motion, referred the Com
mtee on the Episcopacy. The Standing Commit
tees have been announced. j. NJ Lss ia Chairman OF
the Committee on Itnerancy; and j + Edwards il
third on the Committee on Tracts. Among the un
adjusted claims upon the Publishing House, ia one
from Mrs Eliza Y Bascom.
II Linn announced that Lexington, KY. would
be in nomination for the seat OF the next General
(,oufay