The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-16
From the Petersburg Index.
Summary Of the Acts Of the General
Conference Of the Methodist EpiscO.
paI Church south.

The following abstract of the proceed
ings Of the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, which
reccntly convened in New Orleans, sirom
the pen of the Rev. c. Cranberry, pastor
of the Markct-strcet Methodist Episcopal
Church of this city, and cannot fail to
prove interesting both to members of that
denomination and the general reader:
| propose TO report from memory the
chief measures adopted at the recent SEES
sion of the General Conference. Two of
these received two-thirds vote, and will
not become law until three fourthS of the
members of the Annual Conferences shall
have concurrcd. The first is the change Of
the name of the church. An effort was
made at two previous sessions to Change
the name because il is awkward and seems
to confine us to Il particular section. We
have, for instance, a fiourishing Conference
on the Pacific coast. Our brethren there
are sincerely and strongly attached to us,
and proved their devotion and constancy
during the years of war; but they do not
live in the south, and il does not appear
10 them wise or favorable to the spread OF
our church that the word South should DC
tackled to her title. There are Methodlsts
in northern States who cannot approve the
meddling of the Methodist Episcopal
Church North in politics and their iahati-
cism. They say that they admire our
principles because we refuse 10 interfere
with these secular questions, ana that they
wish to unite with us. But they do not
belong to the south geographically, and
that word is in the way OF our progress.
Episcopal Methodist was chosen as our
style and title because it distinguished us
sufficiently in name from the Northern
Church, and il is scientifically proper, we
belonging to the family of Methodists, and
being Episcopal in our form of government.
The second measure which requires the
concurrent vote of the Annual Confer
ences is the plan of lay representation.
Each presiding elders district is entitled
to four lay delegates in the Annual Con-
ference, one of whom may be local
preacher. They will be elected by the
district stewards, and vote on all ques-
tions except those that relate to ministe-
rial character and relations. The General
Conference will consist of an equal num-
Der of lay and clerical delegates, the Gle
rical to be elected by the ministers of the
Annual Conference, and the lay by the
laymen. They will have equal rights and
powers on all subjects. II one-fitth Of the
house demand, there shall be a separate
vote of ministers and laymen OH any
measure, and then there must be ma
iority Of both classes in its favor ere it can
become law.
The probationary system was abolished.
Those deemed worthy of membership will
be received at once into full connection,
instead OF being on trial six months. Class
meetings viii be preserved as A valuable
means OF grace, but no one can be tried for
failure TO attend them. This is only nurp-
ing the discipline Of a statute which has
been dead letter for years. We instituted
q new feature, called the church meeting.
to be held monthly, if possible otherwise,
quarterly; all the members-maie and fe
male--are expected to attend. The pastor
will report his visits the superintendent
Of the Sabbath school its condition and
wants the stewards the state Of the
finances. The attendance Of the weekly
meetings, the question whether additional
prayer meetings should be established, and
all the interests of the church will be con-
sidered. 1t is designed to promote Chris
tian fellowship and make the private
members feel their interest and response
bilify In the state Of the chnrch: that this
is their concern as well as that of the pas
tor and official members.
AT first, o majority Of thirteen rescinded
the rule which does not allow bishop to
send preacher to circuit or station more
than two years in succession, and left the
term indefinite. II was argued that what.
ever limit might be fixed, every preacher
would expect to remain up to that limit |;
and that 1t was wisest to trust the discre-
ton Of the bishop to make the appoint
ments annually, without any restriction on