Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-16
Maryland Annual Conference Of the VI. p,
Church.

Church.
SECOND DAY-Thursday, @. III. Iittleton
made application for the appointment OF A
preacher TO a new district 70 be known as AS
bury Circuit
The examination of Official character WAS
again taken up, and the following were passed:
Il. ". Bates, Jesse Shreeve, j. r. WhitesIde,
X 5. Norris, II. o. Gushing, e. T. Cochel, G.
w. Simpson, =. A. Hoblitzel. X Wilma y r.
sutherland, A. ID. Dick, @. :. Battersby, J. W.
Gray, J. l.. q. Ewell, Or. ID. +. Eweli, James
thompson, w. 3 Hammond, ]. L. MaIoy, q.
W. Burris, Oliver Cox, J. B. Jones, W. w.
reese w. ID: Litsinser w. q Holmes, J. Clay,
II. J. Day, A. T. Melvin, +. NJ. Hawkins h
J. ID. kinser, :. T. Graham. u. ID. Edmondson
J. r: Eyerist, NJ. Z. HysOre, J. M. Dennis, t.
ID. Valiant.
The President stated that he had a commu-
nIcatlon IN relation TO the Rev. b. p Benson,
which would be referred 10 a special CON-
mIttee.
Rev s. b. Sutherland presented the follow
ing paper, which was adopted unanimously.
Whereas, In the agitations and excitement
through which the nation has recently passed,
some OF the churches have been either rent in
pieces, or else shaken TO the centre, and all Of
them subjected TO sore trial: and whereas. a
TIME OF rest having now come which affords all
the ecclesiastical organizations OF the land a
favorable opportunity OF calmly surveying
their past career, both before and during the
civil strife, and in the light of that retrospect
TO ntelligently indicate future action: and
whereas, there have been within our pale oc-
casional utterances suggesting. m certain con-
ungeneies, the expedIency ofmerging The Meth
Ii
astical body; and whereas, originating with
these suggestions, there are coniectures aud
rnmors afoat which are calculated 70 render
our position and purposes doubtful or amblg-
nous with the community, and thereby 10
hinder our progress; therefore,
l. BE a resoired By the HGrglsna Annual Con-
ference 81 Ministers dHd Lay Delegates Of the Kctk-
odiSt Protestant Church, IN conference assembled
That we hereby sincerely express our profound
gratitude TO God, that, throughout the past,
Notwithstanding the pressure upon us IN CON-
mon with that upon other churches. our min
istry have been enabled TO keep on their way
IN their deyotedness 10 the one great and exclu-
sIye work which the Lord Jesus Christ has
committed TO his aInbassadors-that of recon-
CLING men to God.
2 That we hereby also render tribute OF un-
feigned thanksgiving for the manifest tekens OF
His appreciation upon the iIne Of duty which
we have thus cOnscientiously and undeyi-
atlngly pursued; and that. in humble depen-
dence upon His continued support, Il is our
purpose, whatever may come, 10 go forward in
the same path and TO abide by the same calling
3 That our past experience fully establishes
IN our MINDS both the piety aud the wisdom OF
tive principles OF our Constitution and Disci-
plne, as based upon Revelation ana human
rights, and as eminently adapted 70 promote
the happiness and usefulness Of all Christian
people
4. That, with these convictions deep in our
hearts, we can, in candor, ayow rs our pur-
pose nothing short of continuing 10 hold fast
and MAINTAIN intact the Doctrines, the GOuers-
p.en', and the Name OF the Methodist Protestant
Church.
The President announced the following com.
mIttees:
On the case of Rev. y. +. Benson-Dr. +. Wa
ters, l.. w. Bates ana 7. ID. Valiant.
On the case OF Rev. George StevensOn-S. Il.
Sutherland, w. NJ. Strayer and J. T. VI array
On Starr Church-w. II. Massey, J. b,
Mathews and T. A. Newman.
Rev.T- Is. Balch, of the PRESBYTERIAN Church,
author OF a series OF papers published IN the
Methodist Protestant, entitled the " DecS.ie,o
was introduced 10 the Conference, and was
inv aA 80
ference College upon Clerical Habits and
Manners"
The official characters OF p. L. Wilson ana
W. L. Dunn were passed.
The committee TO whom Were referred GER
tain papers presented by Dr. Thomas sim, OF
Liberty Circuit, in the case of Rev. ID. A Sher-
mer, submitted report, which was adopted.
10 the effect that Conference has no larisdic-
uon in the matter, and that the conduct OF Rev
ID. A. Shermer has been regular and legal
Mr.. Shermer's character was then passed.
The President announced the following as
the committee on the Presidents annual COM
munication :-Revs. II. =. Jordan and D. Bow
ers, and John b. Nichols, Of Anne Arundel
comfy.
Fraiernal communications were read from
the Virginia and West Virginia Conferences
Rev. ID. W. Bates, from the committee IN the
case of Rev. w. II. Hopkins, reported thai he
deserved the seyerest censure for the Irregular
manner in which he left the Conference. and
the charge to which he was assigned. and that
his name be erased from the Conference roE
A letter was read from Mr.. Hopkins, eI-
pressing regret tor the manner in which he had
acted, and stating that he had acted in lgnor-
ance of the requirements Of the Discipline Of
the Church.
Rev. ID. L. Reese thought il best 20 act mer-
cliully, while protecting the interests OF the
Church.
Rev. 8. Il. Southerland did not think the re-
port OF the committee was sufficiently strong in
It's expressions. II was an Outrageous case, and
deserved the seyerest condemn ratIon.
Rev. W. NJ. Srayer explained a few OF the
extravagances of Mr.. Hopkins While in charge
of Starr Church.
After other remarks, the report OF the COM
mittee was unanimously adopted, and the
Conference adlourned.-Bclt. American,
nrrpNfN A uUanaan Uhnsa