Smyrna times., 1862-03-27
Fifty Ninth Annual Session Of the
Philadelphia Conference of the n.
z. Church.

Fifty Ninth Annual Session OF the
Philadelphia Conference of the III.
z. Church.
FIRST DAY.
The members Of II is body numbering over
| two hundred ministers, assembled Wednesday
| morning, in the Union Church.
| BY 8 o'clock, the spacious galleries Of the
church and so much of the main floor not oc-
cupied by the body, were filled to repletion
| with spectators, eager to catch a glimpse Of
some familiar face, or to give a smile of well
come.
The proceedings began a, OF o'clock, with
religious services, which were conducted by
the Rev. Bishop Morris.
The roll Of members was called by the Sec
| retary of the former session, Rev. r. H. Patti
son, who was elected to that Office for the
present session. The Revs G. w. Lybrand,
A. NJ. Wiggns and l.. Gracy, were appoint
ed assistants. The Conference is 10 meet
ut 81 o'clock each morning, and djeurn at IL
NJ.
The rules for the government of the last sss.
sion were called for and read They were
adopted for the government of the present ses.
sion. The usual standing Committees were
ordered TO be appointed by the Chair, except
the Committee on Statistics, which was ap.
pointed on nomination, of the p. E. of each
district, and consists of Rev's T. B. Miller, K
c. Carson, c. Walters, T. Montgomery, w.
Warner, and G. F. Shepherd.
The Board of Stewards was appointed and
consists Of Revs. J. B. Mccullough, WIN, Coop.
: er, c. Karsner. C. Hill, w. E. England, and
A. Massey. These act in conjunction with Q
similar number of laymen, in the distribution o.
: the funds raised for the worn out Preachers
Widows, &c. The laymen are w. Rhodes, T.
4 IOa
Z WIN. Cannon.
= = The names of those who are superRnuat tee
!. in the ministry were called, and continued il
y that position.
e At this point the Rev. WIN. Bishop rose
and moved that the Presiding Elders be request
+ ed in representing the ministers of their res
} pective districts TO state the position Of sucl
> ministers in reference to his loyalty to the Gov
III ernment. lie stated that there were SOM
u upon this floor who were doubted-and NOR
than doubted in this particular. He wante
y the matter carefully enquired after.
O. Rev. w. l.. Gray doubted the necessity
u the course proposed, if any were suspected le
% them be inquired after.
10 Rev. J. l.. Taft and Rev. J. A. Massey too
As the same view OF the motion, and were oppose
We to it's introduction.
@' Rev. VIM. Bishop eoqSenty urged his me
d tion. He thought these were times when ever
man and every christian minieter should
d wgling to show his hand and let the whol
world know where they stand. He paid a beat
tiful tribute to the Union, the Country and tn
Government. The loyalty of Methodi
Preacher should be like Caesar's wife, abov
= suspicion. He did not vote for Mr. LncolI
~ He would here confess his sin, he voted {,
John c. Breckinridge, not knowing that he WI
ry voting for traitor who was contemplate
| L L., 81.
lc- nation. lie prayed God that his life might
he spared to repent of his sin and do better in Il
0d future.
Loyal men now are the light Of the world,
oc city set upon a hill, and their path grove
cir brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
oy, Our armies are marching southwark, al
out soon our Uaion will be restored in all its glo
on and perpetuty. While thousands are sufferir
my for their country, shall we be afraid TO suffe
rit We need not be afraid Let US have the te
but proposed by this or similar resolution.
on A5The motion was opposed by the SecretaI
i've who urged that the whole matter be referred
the a committee, and when they reported, each bl
ley ther will have chance TO show his hand
ion raise his voice.
rst Rev. DIR. Hodgsen opposed the whole matt
it as q political movement. He was opposed
hat The appointment of committee on the state
the the country, as we were not here 10 transs
on. such business or attend TO such questions.
one Rev. James Neill, thought that if we shot
,ral ever become fathers, our children would
me ashamed Of us if we refused to act now in ia,
hen of the country, decidedly and boldly. in Il
site hour of our country's peril. He hoped that
committee would be appointed.
Ose Rev. Mr.. bishop was willing to withdraw
motion in view Of motion offered by Mr.. M
,ac that a committee of five be appointed on
bet. state of the country.
Rev. DR.. Quigly was opposed to any acIi
mo- Rev. J. Cunningham offered some remar
you in which he conteaded that if we had no o
ked cedent, we should proceed to make one. I
hey article in our religion upon the subject does
,sed reach this case. If action sa the subject Y
ting raise suspicion against certain members
ast. the Conferences, no action will excite gre
and er suspicion. We are told this action wo
ting do us harm. He was wiling TO take the c
sequences.
this During the delivery of this speech inte
o in excitement prevailed in the large audience.
Rev. P. Coombe supposed that if wa W
mon. disposed to dodge this question we could
and but he was not disposed to dodge this or