Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-11-27
virginia M.,hodis, church conferese..

Virginia Methods Church Cenferesee.
This body met in the Presbyterian Church,
Danyille, Va, on Wednesday morning. Bishop
Early presided and addressed the Con nferpn =.
The examination of elders for the Richmond,
Charlottesville, Lynchburg, DanviIle and
Farmville districts occupied several hours
A set of resolutions declaring that the plan
OF itinerant general superintendency should be
preserved; recommending 70 the General Con-
ference that preacher be allowed 20 serve the
same pastoral ch arge three years consecutively;
and that neither the voice Of the lalty nor the
wants OF the Church demand the introduction
councils was introduced and referred to the
commluee on the state OF the church. A deter
mined opposition is expected when the resolu-
bons come up Tor discussion.
SecoNd Ddy.-Bishop Early called the con-
ference 10 order and read a passage OF Scrip-
ture. Prayer by MI Head.
DIR. Smith feelingly addressed the conference.
He said this was the forty first consecutiye
conference he had attended. he spoke of the
prayer meetings Of the conference being of
the greatest importance to the preachers. These
meetings had always benefited him in a great
degree. In the nature Of things men must
disagree in their views, and TO prevent burn
ings and sinful feelings one against the other,
they ought 10 pray especially that none OF these
should be allowed to enter theirfhearts. Love,
charity and forbearance should be cultivated by
the brethren. DIR. Smith then led in prayer.
Bishop Early addressed the conference. He
said It was proper for the conference 70 pray
for national blessings well for personal
blessings, and asked Mr.. Bennett TO offer up q
suitable prayer, which he did ably and elo-
Bishop Early introduced Rev. Mr. Wilson.
of the Baltimore Conference. He was received
by the members rising.
Mr.. CRANBERRY presented a memorial from
the official members of Market-street Church,
Petersburg, expressive Of their fixed conyic-
ten that the office of presiding elder is an un-
wise outlay both Of money and ministerisl
talent. They find no fault with their presiding
eIder, Rev. n. B. Cowles. Do not object to the
IN I'M han afG hrnfN 20, os-<4l.@A
Mr.. j. l.. Shipley presented a memorial from
High street Church, Petersburg, endorsing the
Market-street memorial.
A memorial was received from the Washing
ton-street Church, recommending TO the Con-
ference: /. The extension Of the pastoral term.
,. To increase the number of bishops, so that
they may have time TO visit the different fields
of their charge, besides presiding over confer
ences. 3. To abolish the office of presiding ell
der, or so modify it as to make it's incumbeHts
more useful. 4. That lay delegations be ad-
mitted to conference.
After lengthy discussion upon the infor-
mallty OF the memorial from the Washington
street Church, Petersburg, all three papers
were referred to the committee on the state of
| the church.
Mr.. Bennett presented the following paper,
which was referred after much discussion 70
| the committee on the state of the church
ReSOlred That the committee on the state Of
the church be instructed TO inquire into the
expediency of memorializing the General Con-
ference so to alter the economy of our Church
as to secure the following changes:
]. The extension Of the term OF the pastorate
TO three years consecutively, or more, as the
General Conference may decide.
2. The abrogation Of the Office OF presiding
elder as such, and the substitution OF the plan
of chairman of districts
3. The admission OF lay representation into
the Legislative and executive councils Of the
Church.
4. The abolition of all regulations in reference
| TO the salary of preachers.
S. The removal of the class-meeting test as a
condition OF membership in the Church.
6. The abrogation of ihe probationary sys-
TEN, and the substitution Of some plan for the
reception Of members that shall efectually
guard the doors OF the Church against un-
worthy applicants.
:. The Increase Of the Epseopacy, so as 70
secure a more thorough and complete pastoral
oversight of the Church by it's chief pastors.
s. The propriety of establishing a depart
ment Of biblical instruction in our colleges,
| for the benefit OF young men who feel called 20
| the work OF the ministry.
| W. W. BENNETT,
J. q. CRANBERRY.
| The reference of the last paper TO the Com
mittee on the State OF the Church by a large
| majority vote was regarded by the more earnest
and leading advocates of reform indicating q
decided preponderance in favor Of the reforma-
| tive measures proposed. Not simply because
the paper was referred, but because, under the