The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-15
Methodist Episcopal Conference at Alexandria
Reported for the Baltimore Sun.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, February Is, lS6


ALEXANDRIA, VA, February Is, 1866
The Methodist Conference, in session here,
was engaged in secret session nearly the whole
of this morning. 1t is understood that the
matter occupying their attention is the case
of the Rev. Mr.. Bennett, who was expelled
last year on some charge of immortality. An
appeal is now made upon the ground that IL
new trial is granted, additional evidence i'm
portant to the case can be presented.
A very large number of ladies, invited out
by the delightful weather, were much dlsap-
pointed at finding the doors OF the conference
shut. Towards the close OF the morning, now
ever, the secret session was adjourned 10 re-
ceiye the report of the special committee ap-
pointed to wait on President Johnson relative
to the seizure of church property by the Co.
vernment or military. As has already Deen
stated, this committee consisted of the Reys
Noryal Wilson, Samuel Register, f. X. Neltch,
$ S. RosZell and DIR. Bond, and the Rev. John
Poisal, of Baltimore. They We're also accom-
panied by Hon. John Hogan, of Missouri, VINO
afterwards received the thanks of Conference
for the service he had rendered.
The first-named clergyman, as chairman OF
the committee, made a verbal report of the
interview, stating that they had represented
to the President that there were one hundred
churches, with twelve thousand members,
under the ministry of the Conference, ana
twice twelve thousand hearers. They assured
the Executive of the disposition of Conference
to co operate cordially with him in tranqullll-
zing the country, especially within the sec
called attention to the troubled state OF affairs,
and alluded to the agitation among the people
in consequence of their being eJected from the
churches by the military authorities, stating
that he and other ministers had been ALREADY
disposSessed, and that more were likely 10
share the same fate, if nothing was done TO
arrest the matter. The military had informed
the people that the orders for ejectment had
come from the President These orders had
gone into operation about the lst of September
last, but none of the delegation had ever seen
them, or copies of the same.
Dr. Bond, Rev. Messrs. Register and Poisal,
were reported rs having made some statements
to the President on the matter under discus
sion.
The President inquired about the order OF
aiectment and the connection which the mill
tary had had with it. Mr.. Hogan replied to
him that the only order he had heard OF was
ago, relative to a church in the Valley OF Eir-
ginia, at Winchester perhaps, which case had
been referred to General Hancock TO lnvestl-
gate and report. Not having heard anything
about the case since, Mr.. Hogan supposed IL
had ENTHUSIASTICALLY settled.
To the statements thus made, the President,
after referring TO the delicate nature of church
difficulties generally, said he thought the
Government should interfere as little as posi-
BILE in such matters. sort OF general CONVEX
sation then ensued, during which 1T was sug-
gested by one of the committee that written
statement of the eiectment cases be collected
sident assented, adding that he had presumed
the matter would be fully investigated, and
that they would be relieved from military
interference.
The committee told the President that
where majority of the congregations were
opposed to them, they preferred TO wi thdraw
peaceably, but not to give way 10 minority,
and MIR. Register stated that in his district the
opposition church party was composed exclu-
sively of negroes. The President then said
that there should be an investigation of the
arbitrarily with which the committee
expressed themselves satisfied, and retired.
Throughout the interview the Presidents
manner was remarkably kind and courteous.
No action upon the report OF the committee
was taken by the Conference, though 1t is
understood that the grievance will be duly
laid before the Executive in writing. The
Conference adjourned till tomorrow, when 1t
is possible that all the remaining business
will be finished up, and the session brought TO
a close, with an announcement of the appoint
meats for the coming year.
The missionary meeting Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, took place on Mon
day evening. Addresses were delivered by
more ; DIR. Doggett, and other ministers. The
amount of money contributed exceeded five
hundred dollars. Life members Were consti-
tuted as follows Andrew johnson, Presi-
dent Of the United States Rev. Messrs. Sc
hon, Doggett, Langhorne and wife; Bishop
Early, John Poisal, G.. G. Brooks, 4. Ware,
Norval Wilson, w. G.. .Eggleston, Samuel
Kepier, J. Bull, Nelson Head, James Gregg,
Mrs. Robert Jameson Rev. w. s. Baird, DIR.
Bond, General r. L. Lee, and General NJ ID.
Corse. IlBER.