The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-12-01
Virginia Methodist Conference.
FIFTH DAY.

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE RICHMOND DAILY DISPATCH
poRTsAoUrB, Va, Nov. 20.
Conference assembled at . O'Clock. Religious
exercises, conducted by J. w. Howard.
The Bishop announced the illness OF Jacob
Slough. and requested the prayers of the Confer
ence in his behalf.
The following extract from the last will and
testament Of " lillian Land was presented to the
Conference:
81 also desire the sum of FIVE hundred dollars,
to be raised out of the proceeds of my perishable
property, or from bonds which may be In my pos
session at the time of my decease, which sum shall
be paid by my executor to the Treasurer of the
Missionary Society of the NJ. L. Church, South, to
be applied by him under the direction of the board
Of managers, to the support of the domestic mis-
sons under the control of said NJ. r. Church,
South"
On motion, the donation was ack no wledged with
the thanks of the Conference, and the Missionary
Treasurer directed TO receive and receipt for the
same.
On motion, the Conference took up the order OF
the day, viz; the constitution for a Virginia Cons
ference Depository, submitted last Friday.
long discussion eusued. participated in by X.
Abbey and j. b. McFerrn, of Nashville; Leo Ros.
ser, d. p. Wills, II. b. Cowles, Jas. A. Riddick, j.
Z. Edwards, W. A. Smith, Geo. W. Langhorne, j.
d. Cculliug @. w Carter, JOS. Lear, +. Stanley, J.
f.. Joyner, Jos. II. Davis, W. w. Bennett, W. II.
Christian, and others.
The following paper was submitted to the Com
ference by W. w. Bennett and G. ". Carter:
- Whereas, it is deemed highly important that
this Conference should take closer oversight
than it has done hitherto of all the leading inte>
rests of the Church within its bounds, both with
the view Of devisinS the best plans for their adj
vancement, and ofbringing our people more fully
up to their support by spreading among them
accurate and valuable information; and
Whereas, it is believed that the method hore-
tofore adopted in the appointment of the Commit
tees, whose duty il is to consider and report upon
these great interests OF the Church, is not the
best, therefore
Resolved, That in future the following plan be
adopted 10 the constitution aud appointment OF
the leading committees of the Conference
l. There shall be a standing committee of thir.
teen members, composed Of seven preachers and
six laymen, elected annually by the Conference for
each of the folio wing departments, viz: Missions,
Bible Cause, Education, Sunday Schools, Books,
Tracts and Periodicals, Temperance, and Church
Property.
2 1t Shall be the duty of the chairman of each
committee 10 correspond during the year with the
members of the committee, and draw from them,
as we'll as from all other available sources infor-
NATION and suggestions in reference to his special
department, which he shall embody in u report
showing the operations of our own church, and il
be deemed necessary, those of other churches in
said department.
g. The chairman of each committee shall call a
meeting of bis committee at the place of the Con
ference session, the day before its opening, as
soon thereafter as possible, and lay before them
his report, which they shall consider, aud, il need
be. revise and prepare for the action of the Con-
ference.
f. In constituting these committees, the Con-
ference, with the view of bringing as many Of its
members as possible into the work, Bhall avoid
as far as may be, the placing of tho same person
on two or more committees and shall select the
clerical members, as far as may be practicable
from the different districts, and the lay members
from the different sections of the Conference.
On motion, the above paper was laid on the ia,
bic for the present.
The hour of adjournment having arrived, the
Conference dismissed with the benedction by the
presiding officer. PERCUSSION