Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-19


Answer.-No.
By j n Davis.-Are the Interpretations o.
tie uoctriue Ut the church by the Bishops an.
thOrtrIive2
= sAns.-O Certainly not. i am not aware Of hav
ing given any Interpretation of church doctrine
By what constitutional power was the new
chapter introduced into the Discipline bv the
general confereDce2
Ans.-By the same power by which any othe,
matter is introduced which is not contrary IL
the restrictive rules
By Isaac Gibson.-Doesn't the NEW CHAPTER
determine the moral position of the church, anl
make it contrary to the law of God, etc., to bolt
slaves?
Ans.-It does so determine in regard to hold
ing slaves as cAattels, whatever that MEANS
E. P Phelps was opposed to separation frou
the NJ. E. church. He saw no sufficient reason
for it. The .snew chapter" as | view it, is NO
sufficient. | say its not law. AS interpret it
| it does not interfere with slaveholding in mem
bership or preachers. If it made test, should
be ready to 90. stand to defend our member
in the South. | regard aboltionism as til.
greatest evil which could come on our country
To call us methodist church, nortb," 18th.
companions of thieves" and such names, is
common way OF talking that has been refuted
thousand times. [ can better combat abolition
ism, with my face to the foe, IN the old Metho
dist church, than out of it. The Digest of the
Old School Presbyterian Church says harder
things about slavery than our Discipline. Yet no
body suspects the members of that Church in the
South. 1t increases. honor that church il
the South. The South repudiates holding slaves
as chattels. DR.. Smith and Professor Bledsoe
repudiate the Northern meaning of s'chattel," as
applied to slaves. So do |. | can hold them as
human beings. am not to be driven, by the
thunders of Yankeeism, out of the old III. E.
Church.
Without concluding, he gave way to adjourn
The subject was postponed until tomorrow al
10 o'clock. g e
THIRD DAY.
STANTON, March Is.
Religious exercises were conducted by Rev
Isaac Gibson. The report of the committee on
Preachers Aid Society was presented and refer.
red. 7. Fl. W. Monroe, W. FL. Chapman and ]
s. Martin were appointed to prepare the Annual
Register. An invitation was received from the
Faculty of the Blind Asylum for the conference
to attend concert by the pupils, at 8 p H., OF
to-day. 1t was accepted. The Stewards made
their call, which c. nsumed the morning hour.
The report of the Trustees of the Baltimore
Female college was presented and referred to the
committee on Summaries. Like wise one from
the Female college at Annapolis.
Exhibit of the Methodist Book Concern was
sent to file without reading.
The order OF the day-the memorials on subject
OF church-were taken up.
The following questions were propounded to
Bishop Scott:
By J. W. Bull.-Does not the action of the
late general conference as embodied ia the new
chapter, relate to slavery as found in the NJ. E..
churc2 ~
Answer.--I am not sure that understand the
question. The action of the late General confer.
eoce relates, | suppose, to slavery as popularity
understood to exist in the NJ. E. church. Buy
the new chap.er assumes that slavery, as defined
in that chapter, does not exist at all in the NJ. E..
church.
By A Wlson.-Has a Presiding Bishop any
authority to ordain any preacher, local or trav-
cling, who sd, 8 he caunot subscribe to all the
doctrines of the NJ. E. Church?
Ans.-He has a light to ordan all who are
elected duly, aud who take upon themselves the
VOWS of the ordination service
Il 2 Phelps said 1t IS difficult in the present
excited state OF The country to prevent being
misunderstood on this subject, unless | speak al
great length. My church and State relations
are not in conflict. l am ready to stand by
Virginia, and her Constitution and her laws
Que reason that the Book Concern has made NO
dividend tor some time, has been on account OF
The payments made to the church South We
are not an abo ition medium tor the circulation
OF Literature. l, and my conference, are against
abolitonsm in practice and Judgment. | have
heard it said, that If we go elsewhere we will
get better salaries. | can't be bought. Let the
question be decided on its own merits. Nothing
can brighten me into action.
A. Griffith said; | told you that took excep-
ton to the form and manner of the passage of
the New Chapter. 1t, however, has not the
force or spirit of law. The first restrictive rule
forbids The change Of our doctrines. The Bish-
ops have decided it to be not law. The decision
has been made almost twenty times this Confer
ence. What then have we to fear2 Shall we
have schism2 The Baltimore, Philadelphia and
Old Virginia Conferences built and gave lustre
to the church. | would say, then to fanatcism
oars IS the Church. you shall not haze 1T. If they
refuse US full redress, We will demand q iull
share OF the common property, and then go. 1t
looks too much like two boys in fracus, to go
now, in such haste. Two boys fight, and after
it is over, Bill says, tom struck me first" The
Baltimore Conference is the ''motler of Confer
ences." Gle gave detailed historical account
u
of row, and spread ruin in our societies | shall
then deplore it in tears. If it be not irreveren.
| ask God to take me home to himself that l
may not see it.
Many Were in tears when Father Griffith con-
cluded.
]. L. Gilbert obtained the floor and the sub
ject was postponed until tomorrow at 10 A. NJ.
FOURTH DAY.
p STAUNToN, March IT,
After the proceedings of yesterday had been
read and approved, the Bishop called up the
Second Years Glass, composed Of the following
young preachers, who stood their examinations
preparatory to ordination Lorenzo E. johnson,
Shannon F. Butt, Moses May, G.. @. M. r.
Cramer, Leopold LEM, O.. G. Calvert J. w. Cam
tor, VIM. Hedges, j. Leaf, Thos. Brily, j. A. II.
Moore and J. II. Swoope
On motion, the order of the day was suspended
that the ordination of Deacons and Elders might
be attended to.
The applications for the license of colored per.
sons were rejected, because contrary to the laws
of Virginia.
The order of the day being called up, the
character of the "new chapter and the propri-
ETY. OF secession" were discussed By Messrs.
Gilbert, Lumsden and Tebbs. The conference
adjourned TO meet on Monday morning at 9 o.
clock. 81 ~
FIFTH DAY.
STAUNToN, March 49,
Religious service conducted by Rev. Thomas
Myers. paper was presented by the Bishop
show ing an increase in the number of students