The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-26


.,S ~ sneaker" to be known now on
~as.h hereafter In Heaven, on land or on
s"a al home or abroad, as member OF the
Msihodist Episcopal Church South" Inc
name has become historical. Call us any
thing you may, we shall always 90 known
As Southrm Methodists. You may print IN
the discipline Episcopal Methodist, but You
can't ret rid of South or Southern, and for
one he was not disposed to cast 1t of.
Some refuse to recognize us because our
name smacks of sectionalism. Those who
thus stay of have not religion enough to
associate with the church, call 1t by what
ever name You may. Change 1t now, and
you will, sooner or later, be called on to
change 1t again. The line Of demarkation
between us and those over the border who
have somewhat similar name to ours is as
broad as from the North to the South, and
as deep as from the stars in the heavens
above us to the earth on which we stand
He did not believe that there was so much
in name after all. The one under which
we now live and preach was good enough
for him.
DR.. Rosser said that in 1874 the whole
land was thrilled with apprehension be-
cause of the split in the Methodist Church
They did divide, and the line was drawn
geographically to preserve limitation be-
tween the two bodies. "The same cause
which made the division necessary will re,
main until the Bible is repealed and time
shall be no more; and to that cause will
cling, and though may go down in vindi.
cation of its principles, shall fall in exul.
tation." The legal form Of slavery may
be wrong, but the moral principle of the
institution was right. As Church, we are
not ashamed Of our history; we are loya
to the Government, whether civil or mill
tary. Slavery he considered an institution
of Divine Providence, but, however,
Rev. Mr.. Fitzpatrick rose to point OF
order. in that the remarks of the gentle.
man were irrelevant to the question.
The point of order was not sustained
and DR.. Rosser proceeded in explanation
of the position which he took, that as
slavery was at the bottom of the separa.
tion, it was necessary to his argument fol
him to speak of it.
Rev. Mr.. Head rose to point of order
stating that the arguments of DIR. Rossel
were not germane to the subject before the
Conference.
The Bishop sustained the point.
DIR. Rosser resumed: "Southern Me-
thodism, of all forms of Methodism, was
the result of opposition to slavery by the
North. Had we all agreed on this subject
there would never have been division
The dominant northern majority would not
give in, and we determined to maintain
the faith of our fathers that slavery was not
morally ,orong."
The Bishop here called the speaker to
order, and caused him to speak to the
question. >,
DR.. Rosser resumed: That word South
proves our orthodoxy and our faith. Slavery
was the cause of the appellation "South
having been given to our Church.
DR.. Lee, interrupting, said "that he
wished to correct the brother on the histo-
rical fact. South was not affixed because
of slavery, but as it expressed our position
geographically.
The Bishop remarked to DIR. Rosser that
he must " confine himself to the question:
DR.. Rosser.-" God in his providence put
us in the South, and 60 where we will, die
when and where we may, we will 60 down
under the full conviction that we have
never violated the laws of God or man
He was proud of the word South, because
it proved that we were true to God and
true to the country. Let il stand !; it is
aguarantee of our true character and faith
The change of name seemed to him to
mean concession, and he would have none
of it. He felt that all the patriot and all
the Christian was expressed in that word
South.
DR.. Lee got the floor, and as the hour
for closing had arrived, moved an adjourn
ment, which was carried, and after bene-
diction the members dispersed.
From some intercourse among the men,
bers of Conference, and by comparing the
views of those with whom l have CON
versed, think that the selections for our
Richmond churches will be from among
the following clergymen, viz: Rev. y. r.
Edwards, Rev. Mr.. Sledd, Rev. 6. w
Langhorne, Rev. W. II. Christian, Rev. E.
M. Peterson, and Rev. w. w. Bennett
These appointments, however, are not yet
certainly fixed, and the members of the
different churches will have to guess as to
whom they will get for few days longer
In looking over the body of the minis
tiers, we note the appearance OF some VINO
are known and honored throughout the
entire domain of Southern Methodism fol-
their talents, piety, and long years of un-
firing devotion to the cause of Christ.
Their names are familiar in every house
hold, and their praise is upon every lip
Occupying the chair, and presiding with
his accustomed dignity over the delibera-
tons of the body, is the loved and respect,
ed Bishop Pierce, Of Georgia. His fine
personnel, Immediately arresting the eye Of
all who are brought into the circle, of his
ACQUAINTANCE, is fair index to his genial
disposition and splendid talents. In the CO.
terie Of friends he is easy and affable; as
pulpit orator, at home and abroad he enjoys
a reputation equalled by but few, while the
dispatch with which he transacts the bust
ness which comes up in the Conference
Justly entities him to the claim Of more
than an ordinrry share Of executive ability
Occasionally the venerable Bishop Early is
seen by the side Of the presiding officer
Though suffering in a measure from the
injuries sustained by the serious accident
which occurred a few months since on the
Richmond and Danyille railroad, yet he re.
tains in q remarkable degree the yiyacity
and strength of other years. The activity
of his frame and the vigor of his intel
lect stand in striking contrast to the mark:
Of age written upon his brow and the sill
very locks which fall "like o snow-drift
upon his shoulders. The church to which
he devoted the energies of his early man
hood will not soon forget his vigilance, hi.
zeal, his almost superhuman efforts in the