The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-09
LOCAL MINISTER'S CONVENTION.

! LOCAL MINISTER'S CON ENiAON.
The Convention re re-assembied in the City Of
] Raleigh at IL o'clock, December the Sth, at
the call of the Committee. On motion of Prof.
Pool, DR. r. Hooker was called to the chair aud
l. Branson appointed secretary. L Branson be-
ing called upon to explain the objects of the
Convention stated briefly of the previous ses-
sion of the Convention, held in August of 1864,
also of the circular letter sent out in March of
the present year, and of the general interest
manifested by the Local Body so far as intelli-
gence has reached them-that it was desired
now to organize the Convention into a regular
/ Association so as to elevate and render more
| effective this class Of workingmen, thereby pre-
venting those epithets too often circulated about
these unassuming and comparatively unknown
| laborers in the Ministry.
Rev. Solomon Pool, then made brief but
valuable speech, showing himself alive to the
great work of the Ministry, and very highly ap-
proving every proper means for eevating and
proving the local Ministry of our church.
On motion, W H Cuningsim, Solomon
Pool, i Branson, W W Crowder, and Turner
NJ Jones, were appointed committee, to pre-
pare appropriate business for the Convention.
On motion of G W Heptinstall the former COM
mittee relieved. The Convention adjourn
ed to meet at o'clock.
GOeH"y OeSStO".
The Convention re-assembley at the hour ap-
pointed, and Rev. Turner Nj. Jones of Louis
burg Female College was called to the chair.
The committee on business reported as fol-
lows:
l. We recommend that this body be resolved
| into Local Ministers Association to meet an
nually atsome appropriate place.
2. That the Association appoint President,
|
Presiding Elders District.
8. That the Annual Association be held in
| the month of August, each year
4. That committee be appointed to address
circular letter to the local ministry through
out the State.
5. We recommend shat the following resolu-
tions be passed, and that they be incorporated
| 10 the circular letter.
l. Resotued, That we recommend local min
listers, far as practicable, to preach ou
| each Sabbath, and at such churches as do not
usually have Sabbath preaching by regular pas
| tors.
g. Thst it is desirable we should give special
| attention everywhere to our Sabbath School in-
terests. ..5
a 3. That we recommend, always, cordial CO.
| operation with the itinerant ministry
| 4. That We desire the next General Confer
I
ministers to pass examination, on some specified
course of study, before receiving ordination.
| 5. That do protest against locating men
with full powers as local ministers, who a. the
time, are liable to impeachment, or, whose char
acter has not been passed.
Respectfully,
" ii CUNINGGIM,) -
| SOLOMON POOL,
L RRANSON, Com
w j W CROWDER,
TURNER NJ JONES,
The report of the committee was received
and the Convention proceeded to take up the
articles scridtim.
On motion of W. H. Cuninggim, the COM
mittee was continued aud requested to prepare
circular to be sent to all the local ministers of
the State, showing more fully the objects to be
accomplished 6y the Convention, and desiring
them to assemble in ooe united Convention at
some specified time and place.
On motion, an assessment of one dollar on
each member present, was made to defray the
expenses of printing.
The Convention then instructed the commit
tee to especially incorporate the following points
in the circular letter
l. The duty of regular Sabbath preaching so
far as practicable.
2. A cordial cooperation with Intinerant
Ministers in good standing.
8. The Importance of big her ministerial at
tainments both moral and Intellectual
4. The necessity of strictly guarding against
admitting improper persons into the Ministry
from the laity.
5. The improperly of receiving men from
any source, or retaining men in the Local Min.
istry, who are detrimental to the cause.
6. The great advantages to be gained by uni
ted sympathy and more frequent associations
among ourselves.
The Convention was then entertained for a
length of time, by an able address from the
Rev. N. f. ReiG, of the North Carolina Confer
ence, approving the objects of the Convention,
and showing the absolute necessity of diligence
aud devotion in order for ministers of any class
to obtain eminence in the calling
! unanimous vote of thanks was returned Nh
Reid by the Convention, for bis profound re.
marks and paternal advice.
On motion the Convention adjourned, subject
to the call of the committee.
TURNER NJ JONES, Pres.
l.. BRANsoN, Sec.
Raleigh, Dec 8, 1865.
Theres1ives man in the town of Marion, Wis.
cousin, who is sixty years old, and who never
went to bar of any kind and drank drink Of
ardent spirits, never attended a theatre or show
of any description, never took drink of spirits
never took chew of tobacco Or smoked pipe
L.n