The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-18
VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From our Special Reporter.
FOURTH DAY.


FOURTH DAY.
PETERSBURG, November l6, 1867.
The Conference assembled at o'clock,
Blshop Doggett in the chair.
Religious services were conducted by Rev.
DR.. Lee, who also addressed the Conference
briefly. He said, in subs lance: would glad.
| ly speak 4 word 10 benefit my brethren, and
| probably cannot do so better than by referring
| to my own experience. | am known to all
present, and love you all. Nearly every one
| present has entered the ministry since did.
There Is but one here VINO entered before. l
have never felt mere identified with the
| Church, nor & stronger devotion TO itsinter
ests, nor q more sincere and fixed purpose 10
make " full proof of my ministry" than l do
| now. The motto of my heart is: g count
not my life dear unto nae, so that may finish
my course with Joy and the ministry which !
have received of the Lord Jesus" have
| been happier in the Ave years of my pastoral
life lately than all my life before, and If car
ry q regret TO my death bed, it will be that l
ever consented that the Church should assign
me any other work. Ilove everything belong
ing TO the pastoral work. 1strive TO perform All
its duties 10 the utmost Of my physical ability.
| never feel anXioup 70 get any one 10 40 my
pulpit work. l love to preach the gospel OF
| Christ AS age comes on-for i am getting
old now, brethren-I feel nothing dry nor
! harsh in my heart. I cannot help getting OH
| in my body, but within all is young ana 1resh,
| The thought of Heaven grows richer ana
| sweeter TO me every day. 1t brings tears 20
my eyes when Il comes up in my study or
| when AIN walking on the streets. 1t fillsmy
heart with abiding pleasure to look forward
| TO it rs the terminus of LIES tolls. MY young
brethren in the ministry, deTote yourselves
en- tirely to your work. Preach Jesus Christ,
and Him crrcified. Preach Him always and
everywhere. Sow the seed beside all waters;
| stock the highway burrows, and sooner or later
you will gather the fruits Of your labors COG
bless you, brethren. So / constantly pray. l
am one of the fathers of the Conference. Bro,
Their Motley alone, of all present now, is ahead
of me. Three others-JeSse X. Powers, John
w. White, and Samuel II. Moorman-entered
the Conference with me. l know and love
you all. God bless You in your labors.
Rev. J. ii. Davis offered prayer, after which
the Conference entered upon its regular bust
ness.
The minutes of the preceding session were
read and approved.
A communication was received from E. W.
Sehon, ID. D., on the subject of Foreign Mis-
sons. There is an urgent demand Tor 1unds
The treasury is empty, and but little has been
received for Foreign Missions. There IS an
unpaid debt of several Thousand dollars
special COMMITTEES consisting of James jamie
son, X. III. Linsey, and j. w. Howard was
raised, to which this communication was re-
ferred.
A communication was also received from the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion church, en-
pressive of their kindly feelings towards the
Conference anu asking 10 cultivate friendly
| relations. II was referred TO the Committee
on Church Property.
"A communication was received from Rev
George NJ. Balm, of Portsmouth, relative TO
church property held by the colored people of
that city, which was referred to the same
committee. ID. =. Wills moved that all SINH
| lar COMMUNICATIONS be referred 10 the Com
tnittee on Church Property.
The names Of the preachers of the fourth
year were called. F. NJ. Edwards, 7. M.
Beckham, T. Z. Wise, and B. 7. Amcs passed
an examination of character.
The name of Adam q. Bledsoe was called
| under this question.
| Men. Pnni Whitehead said MIR. BleGlsoe had
net attended the sessions of the Conference
| for four years.
Rec. &. W. L,nghorne moved his location for
inattention to duty in this respect, and. be-
cause he could not go anywhere the Bishop
might appoint him.
| Req. l.. S. Reed opposed the motion Mr..
BledSoe is a fine preacher-an educated man.
He teaches school i'll Albemarie, and breaches
| regularly in that county.
Rec. J. H.. DaviS also opposed Mr.. Lang
BY fm ny Il tiblaftq6n 81 TIE INV 'e9 81
the Church. He is u conscientious Christian
and jealous minister. He is gifted, elo
quent, and successful. Force of cireum-
stances compelled him to engage in secular
| pursuits. If he has done wrong, it was
through inadvertence, and therefore excusa-
| BILE
Bishop Early: Bishop Doggett. can you tell
me where you will place such men viii you
send them 10 take charge Of Il school? What
| excuse has that brother that could not be
| raised by any man on this floor2 He is of de-
cided ability, and therefore would not want
for an appointment. If you want him TO 60
to an appointment, will he go?
| Bishop DoggeH:: That's very important
question, and his presiding elder has become
! responsible for its answer.
| Bishop Etriy: Just tell them in plain terms,
| I" My dear fellow, you have neglected TO carry
out your vows; just please stand out of the
way, sir" The people are contually saying:
''Send us men that have no work to do but to
| save souls" l pray you, my dear sir, send
every man, and especially men of fine abili-
ties to circuits, and let the Conference take
the responsibility if they do not 20.
Rer. Mr.. Laa,0horne: If hewere an obscure
and unimportant man we might excuse him !;
but he has superior abilities, and this fact
ought TO prompt him to discharge his duties.
| If he wishes 10 turn those abilities to the sup
| port of his family simply, let him do SO but
not at our expense. He must be sent TO Scots
| vile, and will 20 nowhere else He ought not
to he allowed to continue in. his present re-
lation.
REQ H. S. Reed: Men who have received the
greatest accommodations themselves, l have
noticed, are often the first to be the most
stringent with others.
Req. Mr.. Ldnghorne: cannot for a moment
suppose that my beloved Brother Reed can
refer that remark TO me. But ask him, in
all Candor and kindness, does he have any per-
Sonal reference to me?
REQ. Mr.. Reed /: made general remark, and
brethren may make their own application.
Rec. Mr.. LdnGtOrue with much emotion)
joined the Virginia Conference in 1880. From
that time can say, in the sight of God,
have devoted my whole energies 10 the
Church. l defy any Bishop that lives on
earth or shines in Heaven TO say that l ever
asked for any particular appointment. If
j have had any accommodations they We're
| only such us brethren thought should be ac-
| corded 10 my merits. l have attended every
| session Of the Conference since l joined but
TWO. l have served the Church under physi-
| cal disabilities when Others would have asked
4 Supernumerary relation. ! have ever stood
! in my place, and intend 10 stand there until l
drop the clod and grasp the crown. l confess
| that am astonished beyond measure at the
| remarks just made, and especially 1T their
coming from Lemuel s. Reed, one whom I
| have much loved
| Rec. M. Reed: I simply said " Let him that
| is without sin cast the first stone," and bro
Their Langhore applied it to himself.
Mr.. LnghOrne; l am without sin in this mat
ter, and therefore did cast the stone.
Mr.. Reed: You chose 10 apply it TO yourself.
have often heard these long speeches about
loyalty TO the Church, But they don't amount
to much. look at & mans life. Brother
Langhorne has made this personal matter.
l will now say that to my certain recollection
he has done what no other man on this floor
appointment was announced, heard him say
to the Bishop, :" won't so to mywork."
Mr. Lunghogne: ! am perfectly astounded At
what has been said told Bishop Pierce 1T
Richmoud that / could not go to q mission
that was originated in Richmond; was mega
tived by the committee, and also negatived
nv The Conference, Without nv kno,lpdpa