Smyrna times., 1860-03-29
Philadelphia. annual Conference.

presiding. Rev. Robert II. Pattison was cleo.
ted Secretary, and Coonbe, Lybrand and Hig.
gins assistant Secretaries. Considerable time
was occupied in adopting the usual prelimina
ries for conducting the business of the body. ap-
pointing committees. &c., net interesting to
the general reader.
Rev. Jas. Cunningham moved the appoint
ment Of a special committee of six on Slavery.
Rev. Mr.. Quiglsy moved to lay the motiop on
the table. which prevailed by a decidedly large
nsjorisy: so Mr.. Cunninghsm's effort to spsing
thisquesion upon the conference at it's very CON-
meacement, was wisely and promptly tabled.
The second question Of the minutes-' Who
remain on trial was now taken up,
Rev. w. Kennoy, chairman of the commit
tee to examine the candidates on trial, reported
that there were four grades, namely, good, very
good, satisfactory and passable, and those who
continued en- trial were classed in the above
grades. The following were continued: s.
E. Stephens, John Brandeth, VIM. J. Stephen
son, Jas. F. Reynolds, Jos. Welsh. w. II. For
mosa, Alfred Fisher, VIM. Trickett, John F.
Crouch, Thos. NJ. Griffith, Chas. H, McDer-
mond, Matthias B. Dnrell, Chas. F. Sheppard,
Sylvester N. Chew, Jas. T. Van Burkalow. Jno
E. Elliot, Thos. E. Skinner, Sylvanos Town
send, Thos. Z. Bell, Sias B. Best, Jacob Silch-
ter. John B. Biiley, VIM. O'Neil, Samuel T.
Kemble, John NJ. Pnrner, james H. McLaugh.
lin. e
Joshua B. Stewart was, at his own request,
discontinued, on account of i'll health.
The case of Jos. II. Mulford was laid ON the
table. Adjourned.
SECOND DAY--.THURsDAy.
The committee appointed at the last confer.
ence reported on the expediency of division.
The committee were unanimous in the opin-
ion that division of the conference is a Deces-
sity, arising from increased members, making
it necessary to hold the sessions where the ac-
commodatione are greatesl-thus depriving
their communities Of the advantages arising
from the presence aud deliberations OF the bod ".
The committee presented two plihs from which
to choose in the event Of determining upon
division. Respecting the first plan, providing
tor a division by State lines, the committee
stood five for and four against. In regard to
the second, they took no formal vote. but un-
animousy agreed to present it along with the
first. A division according to the first plan.
presented the following state of facts as to the
number of members in the conference respec-
lively.
The Wilmington conference-membcrs 49,
617, preachers SO.
The Philadelphia conference-members &c.
l24, preac achers l43.
Excess of members in the northern part 6 l47
ofpreachers 54.
| division running through Market street, in
Philadelphia, and extending along the central
Railroad to Columbia on the Susquehanna riv.
er. and leaving all the appointments immedia.
tely on the line Of the said road in south Phila
delphia conference, would make the following
division of the membership and ministry:
The south, Philadelphia conference mem.
bers, 2S.S7l; preachers, 1870. The north Phi
ladelpha conference-5members 1924; preach
ers, 90. Excess of members south, Il,647
preachers, 30 1t is thought that that the ex-
cess of numbers in the southern division would
be balanced by the greater quantity of territory
/ which in the northern section must, in the ma.
ture of things, be occupied by Methods
churches.
They submitted two resolutions for the mem
bers TO decide upon--ons fixing the boundary
at the state line, and the other making Marke
street, Phils., the division line. The repor
was made the order of the day for Saturds,
morning. The Annual report of Dickinsol
college was submitted. The number of STUDENT
10 college l24; grammar school Al; total l65
The finances of the institution seem to be en-
barrassed.
The 4th question of the minutes: "Who ar
the deacons i"--was then taken pp, and th
following were passed Andrew Gather, r.
Carson, Wesley G. Best, George Culnmins, w
f.. Talbot, z. w. Humphres, e. G.. Irwin,
Z. Bryan, Fl. A. Cleveland, Il. s. Williams, w
III. Fries Alex. M. Wiggins, T. L. Poulsor
w. B. Gregg, and Jos. +. Smith.
THIRD DAY-FRIDAY.
After a solemn address from Bishop Scot
the following were admitted into full member
ship:
/, II. s. Thompson, s. l.. Gracey, ]. E. Keslel
Thomas Kirkpatrick, WIN. w. Redlnan,
George and A. p. Scott.
Thomas w. Martin was continued on trit
/, at his own request.
George ID. Miles was discontinued at his ow
request.
Ed. Egan, of this class, sent in his resigns
tion.
Rev. Dr. Hodgson was quite severe on ii
course of the latter gentleman; he considers
it an insultto the conference, after they hs
taken him from the /" dirt /" and made him VIII
: he was. The Revs. Castle, McCoombs, Coop,
! and Kenney, defended the young man, al
. thcuuhf ha oiaght 10 ha nIIowad "a laava Al
] church for doctrinal difference. Dr.. Durb
! laid down the rule on the subject. He thong
: the resignation ought not to be accepted, but
!. sught to be allowed peaceably to withdraw.
: The secretary was directed to enter Mr.. Egal
name on the minutes as |" withdrawn"
7 The order Of the day was thea "a ken up, b
. ing the resolutions Of the East Geneses confs
IL ence, nrging upon the General conference d
r. subject Of Lay Representation.