Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-05-04
FROM CHICAGO.
Proceedings OF the General Confer.
ence of the MethOdIst Episcopal
Chnrch 80

" INC USneFAI Confer
ence of the MethOdIst Episcopal
Church.
CHICAGO, May 2.-The Conference assem-
bled at nine o'clock this forenoon, Bisbop
Simpson in the chair, and was opened with
singing and prayer by Rev. T. M. Hudson.
of Pittsburg. The journal of Yesterdays
session was read. The committee on Epis-
copacy announced their organization by
the election OF Rev. DR.. Trimble as Chair
man, and Rev. DIR. j. w. Lindsey as Secre-
tary. The committee on Itinerancy also
reported the election of Rev. j. T. Peck as
Chairman; Rev. DR.. Nesbit as Secretary:
Rev. j. G. Reed as clerk.
Rev. DIR. Eddy asked reconsideration OF
the vote of yesterday, by which the colo
niZatlon cause was referred to the COM
mittee on Freedmen, and the appointment
OF special committee. This motion elicit
ed considerable discussion, in which Drs.
Wise, Hunter, Crane and others partici-
pated, and which developed decided op-
position to the coloniZ alton society's OH
jects and methods. The motion was tabled
The Conference took up the regular or
der of business, being the presentation of
memorials, petitions and appeals. The
Secretary called the roll of the Conference,
and various petitions were presented
mostly in favor oflay delegation, the boun-
daries of annual conferences and the pre-
shining eldership. -
Rev. DR.. Reddy moved that the Secreta-
ry be ordered to insert the Washington and
Delaware Conferences in the District OF
Conferences. AS these Conferences are
composed wholly of colOred ministers and
people. the motion produced some sensa-
ton. The Secretary, Rev. Dr. Harris, ex-
planned the omission, stating that the con-
terences were considered Mission Confer
ences, and as such were not entitled to rep
resentation by delegates in this body.
Rev. j. T. Peck. of Troy. New York
suggested that the names of these two
Conferences be entered on the roll, with
out determining their status tor the pres
ent.
DIR. w. II. Ferris, of New York, moved
the reference of the motion of DIR. Reddy
to the committee on the Credentials of the
Representatives of Mission Conferences.
DIR. Reddy resisted this disposition of his
motion In an earnest speech, claiming thai
the General Conference was fully competent
to admit these Mission Conferences to al
the privileges of the church, and do this al
once. -
Rev. DIR. Pershing, of Pittsburg, thought
it impossible legally to admit these bodies
at present, though he favored their coming
in as soon as 1t could be done in accordance
with the discipline.
Rev. DR.. Foster rose to point of order
He stated his point to be, that on his mo-
tion yesterday the whole subject of the re.
lation of Mission Conferences was referred
to a special committee, and therefore thi.
| whole discussion was out of order.
Rev. DR.. Hauen, of Michigan Universe
| ty, urged the propriety and Importance o.
the Immediate insertion of these two Con
| ferences on the roll without reference tt
the admission of their delegates. He warm
ly opposed referring so simple matter t,
La committee, where it would probably
sleep for long time.
Rev. DR.. Cary, of st. Louis, offered
resolution instructiug the committee Oh
| Episcopacy to consider and report on tn,
expediency OF forming episcopal distric1
and fixing the residences OF Bishops.-
Adopted. DR.. Cary also offered resolu
tion in favor of the organization of distric
conferences. Referred to the Committee
on Itinerancy. Rev. DIR. Foster, chairman
of the special committee to whom was re
fered the Mission Conferences, reported
progress, and said that some of the com
| mittee were very wide apart, and some il
the middle, and they hoped to come to
gether.
Rev. DIR. Scarris stated what had beel
the invariable practice heretofore i'm TT
gard to the disposition of matters pertain
| ing to those who are unrepresented in gen
eral conference, showing that any membe
could bring before the body such matters
| DR.. Porter, of New York. spoke in faSo
of the motion to refer. Rev. DIR. Durbir
moved that the whole matter be laid Oh
the table until the bishops make their re
port as to what they have done in the mat
ter OF organizing these Mission Conferen
ces. The motion of DR.. Durbin prevailed
and the bishops were requested to max
their reports as early as possible. 1t wa
ordered that the guadrennial address O
the bishops be presented on Tuesday morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
The committee on Boundaries announc
ed their organization Rev. H. c. Benson
Chairman, and Rev. r. G. Brown, Secreta
ry. Rev. DR.. Nesbit, of Pittsburgh, offere
a resolution in favor of the better organi
cation of the local ministry, with a view t
more regular employment. The resolution
was referred to special committee.