Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-04-24
General Conference of the III. E. Church
Snuth

RVuolls
The following correspondence will speak for
itself, and will be regarded by all the subjects
of Christ's kingdom, as gratifying exhibition
of that charity which ''rejoiceth in the truth :"
By telegraph from Brooklyn, New York, to
the Secretary of the General Conference, M. E.
Church South.
[ respectfully forward the following as adopt
ed by this Conference:
Whereas, the General Conference of the NJ.
E. Church South is now in session in the city
Of New Orleans; therefore,
ResotUed, That we, the New York East An
nual Conference Of the M. T.. Church, hereby
present to that venerable representative Body
our Christian salutation, and cordially invite
them together with us to make next Sabbath,
April Sth, 1866, day of spiritual prayer, both
in private and in public congregations, for the
peace and unity Of heart of our common coun-
try, and for the restoration of Christian sympa-
thy and love between the Churches, especially
between the different branches of Methodists,
within this nation, and upon reception of an
acceptable affirmative reply, the concert of
prayer will be considered by the Conference as
adopted
Reso1ced, That the Secretary of this Confer
ence be requested to forthwith transmit, by tel
egraph, copy Of this resolution to the Secre-
dist Episcopal Church South, at New Orleans.
(Signed) GEO A. WOODRUFF,
Sec'y, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Rev. DR.. Wightman, of the Mobile Confer
ence, offered the following preamble and reso-
lutiOns:
WHEREAS, a telegram has been received from
the secretary Of the New York East Annual
Conference, now in session at BROOKLYN, New
York, addressed to the secretary of this Gener-
al Conference, respectfully inviting this body to
unite with the Conference aforesaid, on to-mor-
row, Sunday, April the Sth, in prayer to God
for the restoration Of Christian sympathy and
love between the churches, and especially be-
tween the different branches of Methodists in
this country, therefore,
l. Resolved That the General Conference of
the M. r. Church South, is always ready to en-
tertain with Christian courtesy any proposals
looking to the cultivation of kind and brotherlv
relations with other branches of the common
Methodism OF the country, do hereby cordially
agree to unite on tomorrow, with the n Y
East Annual Conference in special and solemn
prayer in private and IN the public congrega-
ton, for the very desirable object specified in
the faternal message of that Conference.
ResotUed, secondly, that the foregoing reso-
luton be forthwith telegraphed by the secretary
of the General Conference to the secretary of
It was moved and seconded that the resolu-
tions be adopted by a standing vote
Rev. DIR. Lee, Of Virginia: [ object to ta-
king that vote by rising. hardly know what
to say, but l cannot coincide with that resolu-
ton. l beg, if the brethren propose to adopt
it, that they will do so in the usual form, and
not subject any of us to the seeming necessity
Of voting against it. Why, sir, it is one of the
most delicate positions in which you can place
Christian or Christian minister, by any act,
to make him seem to be opposed to a PROPOSE
ton to pray; he ought always to be ready for
that; but then that proposition may come in
such a gulse, under such circumstances, and
have such ideas and associations connected with
it, that it is an expression Of the spirit of nature
to revolt at the proposition Of praying. And
yet, unless he would seem to be opposed to
praying, he must do it or stand charged with
refusing to unite with somebody in praying
My position may be singular-I feel that it is.
1t may be the soundest policy that we could
adopt to unite with that body in praying. 1t
may be the keenest policy that they could have
adopted to make such proposition to u.s.
There may be policy in it. do not know how
to receive it as simple, pure, unsophisticated
honesty. [ am not opposed to praying on any
subject, at any time; and anywhere.
Rev. Mr.. Jones, of Mississippi: AS the
mover of the adoption of those resolutions, de-
sire to be permitted to say a few words know
some of the members of that East New York
Conference. have reason to believe that res
olution was offered by my father-in-law. L
know him, sir [ know his christian virtues =
| mean the Rev. Heman Bangs. A better,
purer christian man cannot be found. l sup
pose that resolution was introduced by him !;
that body endorses it; and if it does, it is all
right, sir.
Rev. Dr. Marshall, of mississippi Conference:
I believe it is pretty well understood in New
York and in various other places in the North
where [ have been within the last twelve
months, that as Methodist preacher perhaps
occupy position as ultra in my feeling as any
man that treads on Southern soil. | believed