The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-04-18
Interesting Debate i'm the General Conference
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

We have already reported the sum of the
proceedings Of the General Conference on the
fourth day. The debate on the message from
a New York Conference is n very readable one.
Rev Dr. i. NJ. Lee, Of Virginia, opposed
the adoption by rising vote of a resolution in
answer to those from the New York tonfe-
renee.
Rev Mr.. Jones, of Mississippi AS the
mover Of the adoption of those resolutions, |
desire TO be permitted 10 say Il few words. l
know some of the members of that East New
York Conference. | have reason TO believe
that resolution was offered by my father-ln-
law. know him, sir. | know his Christian
virtues. l mean the Rev. Heman Bangs. a
better purer Christian man cannot be found.
| suppose that resolution was introduced oE
him that body endorses ii. ana II II does, III
is all right, sir
Rev Dr.. Marshall, also of Mississippi.-l
never, with all my preIudces against those
who have so deeply wronged the South ana
the Southern Church, will refuse 10 unite with
all true Christians who believe In extending
the Christian religion over this ana other
lands throughout the globe When that mes.
sage in so simple beautiful, ana touching
terms as those which have been conveyed over
the mysterious wire, comes, aS II with the
inspiration and burning voice of light, may
truly say, with all my heart, let us forget the
past-let us pray. lAmen.l
Rev. w. A. Smith, of the Virginia Conie-
l shall see a unanimous rising vote on the
question | differ with Dr. Lee with III"
greatest reluctance. | had rather differ with
almost any other man, but am prompted TO
speak with the hope that even DR.. Lee VIII
unite with us in Il rising vote on the subject.
| know that l have been ultra enough ana,
probably, am still ultra enough on this sub
lect, but | shall consider 1t as part or my
record, and | am willing that il should be 50
considered. | should regret, if il were other
wise, that | took part in IN affirmative rising
vote on this resolution And l again repeat
that | hope that we shall not be without o.
ther Lees vote, because | think he overlookS
Il very slight distinction that he should have
before his mind. / will state it. If this pro
position came to us from the body of the
Northern Church, which occupies such nos
tile position TO us, would pause. l would do
more than pause; L would say may.
would say purge yourselves of the iniqulty OF
occupying our territory and infringing upon
law, justice, sympathy, and everything else.
Purge Yourself first OF the iniquity OF SHINING
against right in taking our property and hold-
ing it, and seeking to subordinate the military
authority of the United States TO carry oul
your plans. Purge yourselves OF that inquiry,
wash Yourselves of that sin, and when you
have done that, come and ask us TO pray, ana
we will unite with you i'll prayer. We are
praying all the time, but do not, ana VIII not
unite in praying with you. Now, suppose
that is the real animus of DR.. Lee on the sub
iect But that is not the proposition. 1t rs
proposition from the East New York COME
renee that commits itself by that act TO declare
sympathy with us Methodists South. Shall
we say 10 them ''nay p No, Sir. hearllly
and cordially unite with the brethren III say
ing, with uplifed hands, " LET rs pr"y Jap
plause and responses Of Amen.l
Rev DR.. Deems, of North Carolina Comic
nce-Whateyer we do on this subject must
he done promptly. l do not feel Al liberty 10
detain the Conference one unnecessary mo
ment. / am for the passage OF theSe TeSolu-
tions unanimously, and unite with Dr. Smth,
of Virginia, in hoping that every man VIII Note
for them. | have lately spent several months
in the North and have received the most
cordial attention from the brethren there
Whenever an invitation was extended 10 me 10
preach that could accept consistently WIN
nv relation 10 the Church, | accepted II; ana
more invitations were extended than could
possibly accept.
Rev. Or Lee, of Virginia Conference.-l am
unfortunately ii seems, in q most dlsagreeable
position. i must say something. 40 no,
wish to be misunderstood in the matter, but
seem TO be the only " obStreperouS one III lne
collection here, and l am compelled 10 JOIN
with all the rest in praying. nope that
shall never be abjured on subject OF that klhd.
I have TO saw, in the first place, that L never
had any religion TO boast or III my ne.
ILaughter.1 IN the second place, am sure
that | never prayed rs much as ought 10 have
done might have prayed more frequently.
| wish had a purer record III my own con-
science and above on that subject. Not very
long since while smoking, rs my frlends kho"
| can do occasionally, two ministers came III,
and one began 10 talk and the other began 10
cry As I was smoking and one was crying,
the other one said we ought to pray. ltseeineu
very untimely and very unseemly, but iild
the pipe down and prayed, ana prayed ioi ihy
friend tSensation of merriment.l
The resolution was adopted Dy Il rlsihs No'e'