The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-06
Methodist Episcopal Conf,reno8.
Fourth Days Proceedings.
BISHOP SIMPSONS ADDRESS.

Clark. Religious services were con-
dueted by Rev Dr. Ferris, Of New
York.
The report of the Central Cente-
nary Committee shows that while the
General Conference of 1864 felt au-
thorized, asked for but two mil
lions dollars. The aggregate amount
received is found to be 1897, ,662 Is,
Of which the Cincinnati Conference
contributed S40.008, AT, the Central
Ohio 81 AIS, 800, the Ohio S258.-
472 62, the North Ohio S269,000
At ten o'clock Bishop Simpson pro-
ceeded to read the Episcopal Address
The Address opens with an invOca
ton of the Divine blessing upon the
representatives Of the Church IN the
General Conference assembled, and a
brief allusiOu to the interesting pc
riod of their assembling at the begin
ming Of the second century OF the
Church in America, and at the close
of the great civil war. provoked by
slavery. which, itself, had perished in
the conflict
The address referred to the death
Of Bishop Hamlin, who had died since
the last General Conference paying a
beautiful tribute to the genius, learn
ing and eloquence of the departed.
The address regretted the impaired
state of the health Of Bishop Baker,
aud referred to the visit of Bishop
James, of England, as the delegate of
this body to the Mission Church
in England; 10 reference to the
organization OF Mission Confer
euces iu the recent slave States
Tne address contained full ia
formation, and recommended the
admission of their delegates TO
membership D. the Church in the
South there is now $50 ministers and
III, 900 members. The increase Of
the membership Of the Church at
large was found 30 be greater during
the last four years than IN any former
quadrenniai period The total num-
Der Of churches at present Is II III.
aud their value S3j, ,885, ,439; and the
number of COMMITMENTS over 1000
600
The address reviewed the educ4-
tional interests Of the denomination.
representing them as IN highly
hOufishing condition, especially those
devoted to the theological training o.
candidates tor the ministry The
DuDlLEUluG tuLCE E-t5 VI kbC ~ L4t
had been greatly prospered during
the last four years, the increase Of
sales having been far greater than 10
any former period. The contributions
TO the missionary cause during the
last qpadrenlial period amount to
nearly S3,000000 and yet such are
the increasing demands of the great
work that the treasury Is now IN
debt. The mission fields were all in
a highly satisfactory condition, and 10
most of them encouraging pro ress
was being made, especially IN India,
China and Germany.
The address referred to the Orga nj
zation of the Church Extension Soci-
ETY. since the last General Conference
and represented it as being IN 2 very
promising condition.
The Bishops were deeply impressed
with the importance of thorough re-
vision Of the boundary lines of Con-
ferences, conforming them more gen
orally to State lines.
On the subject of lay represe ntatiOn,
the address was exceedingly brief,
merely suggesting that the subject
would come before the Conference
through petitions and memorials,
and expressing the opinion that its
importance demanded careful consd-
Grafton The reading Of the address
occupied forty FIVE minutes, and was
listened to with very marked atten-
ton by the conference and a very
large audience. The conference or
dered that 5000 copies of the address
be printed and the various portions
of 1t were referred to apprO-
pirate committees. After the reading
Of the address. the order Of business
was taken up, being the reception of
petitions, memorials, &c. A very
great number were presented for lay
delegation, aud many against II, and
others on 4 great variety of den5mI-
national subjects.
Prof. Williams, of Delaware, Ohio,
offered q resolution requesting the
Bishops to communicate TO the Con-
ference their suggestions In regard TO
re-arranging the boundaries Of the
Conferences. Referred
Dr. Walden, of Cincinnati, offered
communication requesting the book
agents to furnish a copy of all our
periodicals to the readisg rooms and
public libraries, on certain conditions.
Referred
The Chair announced the following
/ special communications. previously
ordered Pa storal Address, @. Peck,
/ p Castle, Halliday, Lanahan, Mast
/ Lowry and Thayer. State of the
/ country, Messrs Hibbard, Paddock
II W Reed, Harrison, Allen, Cor
ruthers. Bland, StalIes and w. g.
/ Williams. Scandinavian Work.
/ Iessrs- Slicer, Hunter, Baker, Ar