The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-18
[Reported for the Daily Exchanged
PROCEEDINGS or B4LTINORE CON
FERENCE, At STAUNTON, VA.
THIRD DAY

STAuNToN, March Is, 1861.
Opening exercises by Rev. J. Gibson. Reading
of minutes. The report of the Committee on the
Preachers Aid Society was presented and referred.
committee OF three was appointed to prepare the
Annual Register. The committee are Revs. T. II.
w. Monroe, W. Ii. Chapman, and John S. Martin
The Conference received an invitation from the
Blind Asylum to a concert, at o'clock, which was
accepted. The Stewards made their call, which
consumed the remainder of the morning hour. A
communication from the Baltimore Female College
referred to the Committee on Seminaries by a
vote of A to 30.
The exhibit of the tN Book Concerns at Cincin-
natl and New York went to file without reading.
The order of the day-the consideration of me-
morials-was taken up at l19 o'clock.
Question by Rev. j. W. Bull :-"Does not the
action of the late General Conference, as contain.
ed in the new chapter relate to slavery in the NJ.
E. church,"
Answer: :-'sI am not sure that understand the
question. ~fhe action OF the late General Con fer
ference relates, suppose, to slavery popularity
understood to exist in the N. L. Church. But the
new chapter that slavery defined in tha t
chapter does not exist at all in the NJ E. Church" "
Il. Scott.
Question 2. by Rev. A. W. Wison:-"Has the
Presiding Bishop authority to ordain any local or
travelling preacher, who says he cannot subscribe
to all the doctrines of the Church? ?''
Answer:-"The Presiding Bishop must ordain
all who are duly elected, and who take upon them
selves the ordination VOWS of the ordination SER
vice."-L. Scott
Rev. E. P. Phelps resumed his remarks. Embar-
RAISING as was his position, God bad given him the
nerve to meet the responsibility resting upon him.
He did not feel that his church relations were in
conflict with those of his beloved Virginia Hence
he would stand by his position. He did not believe
that his obligations to the church required him to
circulate any of its anti-slavery opinions. The
failure of the Book Concern to declare dividend,
arose from the fact that the price of books had
been approximating the cost of publication. H.
did not believe of honor would sell himself
to the highest bidder. The amount of his salary
before and after separation could affect his vote
II he believed his position right he would stand by
that position at any sacrifice This argument of
appealing to clerical cupidity is dishonorable to
the Conference. He was for acting only on the
merits of the case. If it is right to go, let us go
if not, let us stay ''though the heavens fall.'
Rev. A. Griffith remarked that he would read
the new chapter and consider its merits. He would
recall no word or no imputation yesterday made.
Lest he should be misunderstood he desired to give
his calm and deliberate opinion formed his knees
before God. He did not believe the new cha pter to
have the force spirit of law If this is its form
1t is unconstitutional and dead. He believed it
wrong before God, if it can be avoided, to divide
the Church of Christ 1t will react with disastrous
power upon those who consummate it. Consider
well the step you take and take it in the fear OF
God.
Rev. Mr.. Gilbert has the floor for tomorrow.