Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-11-30
The Virginia Methodist Episcopal Con-
ference.

The Virginia Methodist Episcopal Con-
ference.
Fifh Ddy.-On Monday Conference met at
a. m, according to adjournment Bishop Early
in the chair -s
DIR. Sehon was introduced by the Bishop. He
rejoiced to be permitted to meet his brethren in
by the war. As church we were loyal; and
he did not believe there was purer set Of men
in the world than the Methodists Of the South.
He further referred briefly TO the condition Of
the missionary cause, stating that, at the close
of the war, we had two hundred thousand
negroes in our denomination, four thousand
dred and forty trained youths preparing for
the ministry-that we have one foreign mis-
sion that beams as a lone star on the darkness
OF surrounding night.
Samuel 8. Register, Presiding Elder of the
Roanoke district Of the Baltimore Conference
was introduced to the body. He remarked tha
pleasure he enjoyed in meeting this Conference
as the fraternal messenger for his Conference,
which numbered ninety ministers, with a
membership of ten thousand. He thanked God
that, under the auspices of peace, he was here,
and hoped that the strife between the two Con-
ferences was at close. They had sent twelve
chaplains to the army, who came back there
from with unsullied character; and now the
Conference hoped that, should the Bishops life
be spared, they would receive appointments
at his hands
Cowles, moved as follows, which was adopted
by rising vote:
ResOlred, That this Conference reciprocates
the sentiments expressed by our brother, Sam
more Conference; that we tender to our breth-
rem of that Conference our most cordial Chris
tian affection, and that we affectionately invite
them to embrace an early opportunity to con-
meet themselves with the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, with which they are identified
in sentiments, in sympathy and in affection.
pointed q Eraternal Messenger 10 attend the
p,roaching session of the Baltimore Confer
ence to be held in Alexandria, Va, in March
next.
Resolred, That the Secretary be, and is here
by, instructed to transmit to the Baltimore Con-
ference copy of the above resolutions.
Drs. Doggett, Smith and Langhorne recipro-
Gated, in appropriate remarks, the cordiality of
the meeting. J. f. Edwards stated that this
movement, in his appreciation, has breadth
that is not to stop this side of the Potomac
There are very strong indications that, in less
than three months, a large movement iu East
ern Maryland, large numbers in the East Bal
timore Conference, and others, in sympathy
with us, intend to be IdeInified with us in
church relation.
Dr. S ]. Baird, of the Presbyterian Church
agent of the American Bible Society, was in
uoduced to the Conference, who, as stated by
Messrs. Duncan and Doggett, occupies the po-
sition of agent for the Virginia Bible Society
N. Head, chairman Of the committee on the
state Of the church, submitted the following
report, in part:
/. That the plan of our itinerant general su-
perintendency ought to be preserved, and we
recommend to the General Conference so to
strengthen the Episcopacy as to enable the
Bishop to travel through the connection al large
in order TO preach and oversee the spiritual and
temporal affairs Of the Church.
2. That this Conference do recommend to the
General Conference to alter the law fixing the
limit of the pastoral term so as to make said
limit three or four years. as it mayprefer.
3. That the offiee of Presiding Elder is indis-
pensable to the harmonious and eff ieient work
ing OF our itinerant system.
4. That, in our Judgment, the time has fully
come when the General Conference should in
augurate prompt measures for the introduc-
ton of laymen into the legislative and execu-
tive councils OF the church in such form and
under such regulations and limitations as may
be deemed Judicious and not in conflict with
the genius Of Methodism.
The first three resolutions were adopted.
+. A. Peterson regretted that he could not
concur with the committee in the fourth reso-
luton, and offered this amendment:
" "Pr0rided h0IUerer, That the action of the
General Conference on this subject shall not
become law until concurred in by three
fourIhs of all the annual conferences"
He pressed his amendment, regarding, as he
did, the change proposed 10 be organic. We
are moving too far from old points. The cry
for change, spread over the country, has spread
like a contaglon 10 the church. The cry is, the
church is diseased. Doctors have been assem-
bled to make diagnosis; every one has re-
ported different disease and prescribed di-
verse and new remedies. We have gone far
enough in this session already.
DIR. Rosser said that he arose with feelings of
self,distrust, but in confidence in the integrity
of the ministry. There are inherent rights In
the ministry, such as preaching the Gospel
and administering the sacraments; il il can be
shown that the laity have a right to these, then
he will vote, but not until then, afirmatiyely
The ministry lay aside ambition, worldly and
social happiness, in a great degree, for them
and are entitled TO the government of the
church. The question resolves itself into this
as to whether the church shall retain its entire
organism, or subject II to the decision of the
General Conference: 1 am willing to admit
the laity into the temporal interests Of the
church; and, as an amendment he moved that
after the word ''limitation," insert the words,
las shall restrict them to the MANAGEMENT of
her temporal concerns"
The amendment was adopted, but afterward
the vote was reconsidered.
The Rev. Mr.. Norman was introduced and
then the Conference adjourned.