The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-05-30
rrom the Richmond Christian Advocate.
Acts Of the General Conference Of the
Methodist Z. Church, 6ouths at It's
late Session In New Orleans


The action OF the General Conference
nav be summed up in the following items
/. The name Of the Church il was re-
solved to change to Episcopal Methodist
Church. provided that three fourths OF all
the members OF the several Annual Comic
rences shall concur therein.
.. Law represen.alion--four laymen, one
of whom. may be a local preacher, Ito be
elected by the District Stewards or In such
way as the Annual Conference may di.
rect.l TO each Presiding Elders District in
the Annual Conferences an equal number
Of laymen and ciergymen as representa-
,atiyes 10 the General Conference, ex-
cep,ing the numhsr be odd. then the adj
vantage of the edd number 70 be given to
the clerical portion--the lay members OF
the Annual Conference to cleo. the lay
representatives to the Geaeral Conference.
aud me clerical members to elect the Gle
ricsl representatives. Upon the request Of
one.6lth OF the General Conference, the
iaymen and the clergymen can form two
Distinct houses, when acOncurreat MAORI
" will be necessary to pass any law. TINS
action, however, is subject to the same con-
hrmation aud approval OF three tourths Of
all the preachers in the several Aanaai
Conferences.
4. The limit Of the Pastorate has been
extended from two TO four years.
4. A system of Church meetlags was
adop,ed. TO be held once month II prac-
tical, otherwise once quarter-to be pre-
sided over by the preacher IN charge. The
object Of it il to put the membership more
thoroughly in connection with the various
enterprises Of the Church.
S. The probationary system has been
abrogated-members are 70 be received
formally By the preacher in charge, ac-
cordins ~, the form. of the baptlsmal SER
vice, or same other form in an appendix 70
the Discipline.
6. Class. meeting is placed upon the same
footing With praYer-meeting. and Is no Ion
ger q test Of membership.
7. The missionary society IS divided
into Domestic and Foreign Missionary
Society, with distinct Boards, Secretaries
and Treasurers-the former located a
Nashville, and the latter at Baltimore.
s. Everything in the Discipline 10 re
gard TO the men aud woman sitting apar
IN the church, has been taken out.
9. The whole matter Of the quarterag
has been merged into real support.
10. Everything advisory 10 regard Z
dress is taken out and 50 TOO all that par
which requires preachers 70 consult IN
presiding elder upon The delicate sublec
of matrim0ny.
IL. No travelling preacher can be pro
posed to an Annual Conference for ordina
lion, except he shall. have passed an exam
inatioh before the Conference Conmltte
to their satisfaction in the prescribe
course Of study.
10. Its recommended that. for the pres
ent, a..BlblicaI Char be established 10 con
nection with each of our Colleges, for IN
theological education Of young preachers.
IS. Several important changes ~ n
boundaries OF the Conferences were made
for which we refer To the report OF the Con
mittee on Boundaries.
IA. The vote on licensing preachers an
recommending persons for ordination,
TO be taken by ballot ia the Quarterly Coz
feTences.
Is. The c0loryd members of The Churc
are 10 be formed into their osn Qaartefl
and Annual Conferences, the latter at 4
discretion Of the Bishops, with view
their ultimately Turning their own Cen
raj Conference. Meanwhile the BishoI
Of our church are asthorized to conf
with the Bishops Of the African ".
Church, with view 10 a union betwe'
our COlored Churches aud that Church.
is also recommended that day ssho"ls a.
Sabbath schools be formed among the colo
ed people whenever practicable.