Smyrna times., 1859-03-31

i"se' oHCcsi NJ OF the concern, had been ln-
spected by committee, and found to be III the
best order the repositories at Boston, Pitts
turgh and Buffalo, are in thriving coalition.
The "Chrlstian Advocate" had now an in-
creased circulation of LOO more than in Feb
ruary last; the Quarterly Review" has in
| creased some 200, and the " Sunday School Ad-
vocate" 1890. The exhibit was highly satis-
factory.
A highly interesting circular from the Sun
day School Union, was next read, from which
1t appeared that the increase for the year is:
Schools, Cos
Officers and teachers, l0,923
Scholars, 56l82
Volumes in Library, 92OlI
Bible classes, 9l5
Infant scholars, 1872
Expenses of schools (decrease), 7,773
Conversions, l7,646
The number of conversions was double that
Of any previous year. The Philadelphia CON.
ference has given to the URon, IS, ,934 more
than it has taken out of it.
A communication was received from mem.
berS of the Iowa mission asking for IL transfer
| of the widow and three children of the Rev.
George Dixon Bowen, lately deceased, to the
list of claimants of the Philadelphia confer
ence. Bishop Scott (the question OF law hav.
ing been referred to him( decided reluctantly
that the conference had no right TO grant this
request.
On motion, committee of three was ap-
pointed TO receive charitable Contributions in
behalf of the widow and falherless.
The conference now took up the question
" Who are the Supernumerarles
William Quinn was objected to BY Rev. Mr.
| Cunningham, account of being a holder OF
slaves, contrary to the Discipline of the church
While making his remarks, Bishop Simpson
(who had assumed the chair for Bishop ScolD
interrupted him, with the request that he would
prefer the charge in the proper manner, which
Mr. Cunningham accordingly did.
The Rev. J. Muchell's case came up for con.
S'deratlon, and on vote, the Rev. gentleman
was superannuated.
Next came that of Vaughan Smith. Here.
upon sharp and prolonged discussion ensued
some OF the membership believing, that Bro
ther Smith should be retained on the supernu-
merary list, and others being convinced that it
was only justice that he should be placed IN the
" effective " ranks.
6 Long time in even SCALE the battle hung"
TIL Father Wiltshire rose and settled the mat
ter by an animated speech, in which the vene.
rable gentleman said, that, although alone in
the world and in his 73;h year, he believed he
could earn his bread, and advised that his bro.
ther should again take hold of the plow.
Bishop Scott suggested to the old gentleman
that " what he most needed was rood, kind
WIFE, at which the congregation were greatly
amused.
The vote was Immediately called for. and
Kew. '. Smith unanimously replaced in the eff.
tectYe ranks.
Fifth Days Proceedings.
Ihe question, "Who are the supernumera-
rls = was again taken up, and out of the last
years list, J. Ii. Alday was returned as efiec
tive, while f. Turner asked to be located
within the boundaries of the conference.
Oid Father Walshlre's case was settled by
himself IN pithy aud telling speech. which
showed that soul of fire was still IN his aUcd
and decrepd frame.
Z. Walters was returned supsrnumerary.
The effective Elders were then called by.
shop Scott, and, on motion, were not required
to retire. The North Philadelphia district was
represented by the presiding elder. Pennel
C1ombe, who gave highly gratifying account
OF the lLbors IN his field. AT Lumberville and
ApP'eyllle there have been reviyals; at the
tormer place over 100 having been converted.
Ine taIlow ground, IN and about Richmond cir
cut, on this side Of the Blue Mountains. had
also been broken up.
Ihe Bishop now repeated the names of the
ministers IN This district, pausng after each to
allow suggestion with reference 10 any brother
a long personal statement was made by Rev
). Townsend port R.chmoHd) in response TO
an Ihtination Of the Rev. p. Coombe that he
mad united the medical with the ministerial
profession. He said that he did not put up the
sign of an Nj. ID. until he found, beyond a
doubt, that the people Of his charge were un-
able TO support hun and his family. The prac.
tIce OF medicine had always been made second
ary 10 MS pastoral duties, which he had on no
occasion neglected. The medical profession
was not dsEonorable. The example of One
who healed the sick and cast out devils. was
cited. DIR. Townsend defined the genius OF
Methodlsm 10 be selfsustaining" and went
on to statement OF his own pecunlary resour-
ces and expenditures, and from their extreme
dIsproportIon, he argued that he was perfectly
justified IN practicIng medicine.
Mr.. Coombe replied that DIR. Townsend occu-
pied position which was set:sought. The min.
lsters of the church should keep their hands
clear OF all secular pursuits. The question for
the conference to decide is whether a man in
the regular and effective list can enter into n
secular business
Rev. L. Sumption couldn't see the difference
between administering pill or bleeding a man. |
and getting pay for that service, and the re- |
ceIPt OF money for delivering lectures on tenn
perance and other subjects. Practising medi-
cine Is not SO Dad as trading IN stocks. Sem
sation.1
Rev. DR.. Cooper said an impression is gain
ing ground among the people that the ministry
Is becoming "secular and covetous." lie
hoped that the conference would express its
dlsaPprobatOn with the effective minister's en-.
trunce 10 a secular profession.
Rev. G. Ssty said that the ministers are paid
tor their services, and ought to be satisfied with
pecuniary piuchIng they may meet.
Rev. e. Quigley had never found seven days
a week enough to accomplish the work which
he saw ought to be done in his charge.
Rev. L. Sumption wished secular business"
lehned. Many of the ministers of the confer.
shce nave written aud are writing books, with
! view 10 their financial ndvancenent