The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-13
Methodist Episcopal General Confer

S cnCcs
AS had been duly announced, the Metho-
dist Episcopal General Conference assem-
bled yesterday, at the McGehee Church.
on Carondelet street.
The assembly was caiied TO order at a.
m., by the Rev. Bishop J. o. Andrews, for
temporary organization.
The assembly then proceeded tosa per-
manent organization, when the Rev. Bishop
Early was chosen President, and the Rev.
DR.. Summers was elected Secretary.
Ihe delegates present numbered some
two hundred, and about forty more were
expected to arrive immediately.
The rules of the last General Confer
ence were adopted as those under which
the present Conference should be con-
ducted
The President laid before the Conference
very interesting communication from the
Rev. Bishop Soule, the senior Methodist
Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and the oldest minister of that
church in the United States, and probably
in the world, who, at a very advanced age,
still lives near Nashville. 1t was address
cd to the Rev. DR.. McFerrin, and reduced
by him to writing and approved as correct.
The Bishop felt that it was impossible for
hlm to be present with them, though he
earnestly desired 80 to be. He was calmly
awaiting, with steadfast hope, the great
change. He gave them much earnest and
useful advice, dwelling particularly on the
necessity OF the preservation of the itine-
rant system, which he thought vital to the
church and to religion.
Speaking OF the proposed change in the
name Of the church, he greatly favored, il
any change was made, that of the stWes-
ieyan Methodist Episcopal Church" )" as the
church was essentially Wesleyan in its dis
t1nctive character.
:. As to the increase Of Bishops, he thought
1t should never reach the having ono for
each Conference; evidently because it mi
htated somewhat against the theory and
system of the itinerancy
The Bishop also referred them to his
views on the principal subject. in preface
to the work OF Rev. Mr.. Beauchamp. which
had been published by the Methodist Epis-
copal Book Concern.
b'shop Sonic also expressed u Willingness
to see the laity represented in conference,
but In such way as not to interfere with the
Ministerial functions, and not to draw upon
the treasury, as now provided for, to pay
the cost Of their attendance.
Other suggestions were made of great
value.
resolution was adopted, expressing the
greatest respect for the venerable and We
nerated Bishop, and 1iial regard for the
lessons OF his wisdom and experience.
After some routine and unimpOrtant
proceedings, the conference adjourned
until this morning, at 9 o'clock
tNe'c Orleans Crescent, 5U.
The conference, i'll accordance with the
hrst OF the rules adopted on Wednesday,
assembied at O'Clock, yesterday morning,
but did not get to business for an hour
after that
:. Ihe business first entered upon was en-
tirely OF routine character, of no interest
to the general reader.
The Rev. DIR. +. w. Sehon OF the Louis
vile Conference, the Missionary Secretary
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
presented and read a lengthy report Of the
proceedings, i'll reference to the various
MISSIONS, and of their present condition.
The report covered the whole period since
1861, during which the state Of affairs pre-
vented the holding of any conference, or
the presentation Of any report. 1t stated
that the missions to the coloreL population
and to the Indians had been, OF necessity,
suspended, although they are now being
revived. The missions to China had, how
ever, been sustained, and had progressed
satisfactorily. Figures were given illustra-
tive OF the number of members of the
church of various classes and ages. and
the array was considered very satisfacto-
ry III view OF the state of society which had
1nhappily prevailed. Tho report was re-
1erred to the Committee on Missions, wi TIL
out discussion.
report and memorial from the Mont
gomery Conference, on the general condi-
tion or the church and proposed changes,
winch was subsequently presented, excited
quite lengthy and warm discussion. in
which the subjects of episcopacy, itine-
rancy, finance and rcvisal were scverally
and collectively treated. The object OF
the documents appeared to be to induce
cnanges IN the general economy of the
church, and the various speakers address,
ed themselves first to one and then to an
other OF these points, and finally to the
whole OF them in gross. On the one hand,
some members thought all change unne-
cessary and calculated to produce evil. On
the other hand, some considered the con-
dltlon OF the church so precarions that
unless something was done promptly and
declslvely to sustain her for the present
and to carry her through imminent trials,
her safety must be greatly imperilled.
The question OF dispcsing of the docu-
ments was argued with even more warmth
than the merits Of the subjects they sue-
gested and discussed. A motion to refer
them to the Committee on Revisals was
to REFER them to special committee, to be
called the Committee OF Changes on Eco
nomy, and to consist Of one member from
each delegation. This amendment was
OBJECTED to, as leading to too large an in
fuslon OF the popular element in the
ahalrs OF church government. Several
members objected to the reference Of the
documents to any single committee, because
they doalt with variety Of subjects,
which, 1t was urged, might be referred
separately to the different committees. and
out OF respect to them ought to be SO
referred. One motion was made to this
effect
During the early part Of the discussion
on this matter, noon, the hour Of adjourn
ment fixed by the first standing rnle, had
arrived; but, on motion ii was agreed tb an