Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-26

IT,.
Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church,
and the fraternal ssenger from that Conference,
then addressed the Assembly.
He had been appointed. he said, by the Virginia
Annual Conference Of the Methodist Protestant
Church. to bear TO this Conference their fraternal
and christian regards. He thanked the Conference
for the courtesy which had been extended to him
yesterday, aud said that the visit of DR.. Dogget
to his Conference had given delight mixed only
by regrets that circumstances had permitted him
tarry with them for so short time. Laboring In
the same fields, pursuing the same methods the
two Conferences Were linked together by strong
ties, but the signs Of the times showed indications
of a closer relation and pointed to Z time when
the barriers that divided the churches should be
broken down, and the two churches become one
in that common fellowship, which the Redeemer
had PRAYED should be given all his disciples His
Conference had given him no official authority to
speak for them on the subject but he felt certain
he but expressed their sentiments. They felt
glad that this system Of an interchange Of frater
nal sentiments had been adopted, and trusted that
it would lead to results which all now wished
for; Union basis ali Ike satisfactory and hon
orable to both. In conclusion, in the name Of his
Conference, he babe the ministers present God
speed in the work Of their common Lord and
master. His address was delivered in a most
impressive manner and produced marked effect.
Rev. D.. Doggeu replied In eloquent and fitting
terms, deprecating the dissensions which had
divided the church II was TO him, he said,
sacred moment full Of gracious influence. Meth
Odsm should be one, North, South East and
West, and all the indications marked the tend
ency towards point at which the streams having
a common source, would again flow on together
In a common tide.
Bishop Payne said that he felt impelled to speak.
did not envy that man who did not feel touch he'd
at such manifestations as had been made here.
Fraternal love was the distinctive mark of Chris
tians, and he hoped that elimination and oppo-
sition would soon cease among them, or be left
TO individuals and not suffer to faint the general
body. The Methodist Church South occupied a
position of Christian courtesy and dignity reyer-
encing all true Christians In the right to select
their own methods, cliRging to its own way and
not seeking to prosslytize others He reciprocated
in the most cordial manner the fraternal senti-
ments expressed on the occasion
Rev. DIR. Smith, in a fervent address, urged the
importance Of a United Methodism in the world,
but at least In the South. His remarks excited
much attention, and were warmly received
The Conference then took up the resolutions
tabled Yesterday, In regard to the erection Of
Southern Methodist Church at Washington.
Rev. Mt. Proctor explained, 1t was not intended
to require the taking up Of collection, but only
to require the ministers TO report to the Conference
what amount they did collect for the purpose.
The first resolution was adopted, and the second
amsnded so as to make the aid in the sale of the
books and engravings merely recommendatorv
DR. Wheelright had always been opposed to
this movement. He did not like the course Of
movement on the border. He thought that the
policy that had been pursued there had been ag-
| gressive, and tended to encourage faction He
illustrated his position by reference some facts
which had fallen under his observation on the
| border. This policy had borne Its fruits now,
when, bit for it, Of utilization on the part
Of the Baltimore Conference might now be going
| on His loyalty to Southern Methodsm had been
questioned. True, his blood flowed from Puritan
| fountains, and had been poured out for liberty;
but he was Virginian, born on a spot overlook
| ing the birthplace Of Washington, educated by
| the Commonwealth, and fed by her bounty, and
| cared for in sickness by her kindness He had
sworn allegiance to her, and as she had taught
him the Of other arms than those he held aloft
he was ready to use them when she demanded
81 hoN
ingtOn was needless; 1t was in his opinion rather
| carnal pride engaged in the matter than true
Christian spirit. He objected not only to the OBJ
/ ject, but to the manner Of its accomplishment,
1 and concluded with warm appeal against the
/ resolutions.
| Rev. A. Duncan responded, declaring tina,
| the border policy with which he had been con.
| nested for eight years was Just and proper, and
had only been responsive to the call Of the people
He illustrated this by reference his own labor,
| in Alexandria and w Washington. He said thai
the church at Washington had not grown out o.
| faction, but because christian Virginians desired
! to have preacher of their own.
Rev. MIR. Wheelright explained that he had
| made no specific charge of faction, but had mere
" said the border policy tended to encourage
| faction
Rev. Mr.. Rosser said that no one In the Confer
| enCe knew more than he Of border affairs. Blu
| the strife was over. DIR. Bond and himself stoOC
| on the same platform. The battery at Richmond
had been silenced, the guns at Baltimore hushed
III in former strifes he had done them njust &C
he begged their pardon. lie saw signs of uniOl
in the skies. IL a portion Of the Baltimore Con
ference should still adhere to the North, he be
lievod the greater portion would be true TO Meth
odisrn, to their interests, and to the State 1t wa
a conclusive answer to Dr. Wheelright to say tia
the church proposed to be erected in w ashingto
mig ht soon be occupied by preacher Of the Bal
| timore Conference.
Rev. DIR. Lee thought that II was the duty Of th
Conference TO sustain this enterprise, because
had been nurtured by the Conference, and IL wa
| under the implied obligation to support 1t. II
advocated the enterprise with great power, el'
| Quence and humor
Pending the consideration Of the resolution
he Conference adj ourned.