The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-30
Exported for the Dispatch.
Eastern Virginia Christian Confer.
SUFFOLK. VA. October %, Is

SUFFOLK, VA, October %, 1868.
This body assembled this day in annual
session at Bethlehem, two and half miles
from this place, and was called to order by
Thomas ]. Kilby, the President of the last
session. The following clerical and lay
delegates answered to their names:
Ministers.-Robert Rowls, W. B. Wellons,
Thomas W. Joyner, R. Fl. Costen, P. S. P.
Corbin, NJ. B. Barrett, and R. II. Holland.
Lay Delegates Colonel NJ. H. Watkins,
NJ. L. Watkins, Ro. ]. Eley, E. s. Barrett,
Colonel Alexander Savage, Jas. A. Phelps,
Richard Copeland, Joseph King, Thomas
Parker, Major J. R. Saunders, Walter H.
Eley, J. B. Riddick, John B. Lassiter, d.
vid Small, Jethro Rayford, VIM. W. Rawls,
Uriah Rowls, B. B. Harris, Thos. J. Kilby,
II. Whitley, and Isaac A. Kitchen.
The President announced the first bust
ness in order, the election Of President for
the present session. When, on motion,
Thomas J. Kilby, who has served the Con-
ference in that capacity for nearly twenty
years, was unanimously reelected. Mr..
Kilby is quiet, retiring man in his man
ners, but is man of much hard sense, and
is one Of the best men in this part Of the
State. He is about fifty-fve years of age,
and has represented his county in the Le-
gislature for many years.
On motion, Professor Joseph King was
chosen permanent secretary.
The reading of the letters from the
churches next claimed attention, and ex-
cited much interest. Many precious revi-
walls had been experienced, and many had
been added to the churches.
A new church called Johngon's Grove, in
Southampton county, organized nnder the
labors of Rev. Thomas w. Joyner, was re-
ceived into. the Conference, and the right
hand of fellowship was extended by the
venerable. President to the delegate of the
church, Mr.. Butler. -a. .s.
Rev. W. B. Wellons, Richard Copeland,
and Professor Joseph King, were appointed
Committee on Religious Exercises.
The Introductory sermon to-day was de-
livered by Rev. DR.. Corbin from Corrin-
thians, xiii, 81. 1t was written-was well
delivered, and there were many eloquent
passages in it.
Perhaps many Of your readers may not
be aware Of the orig and character of this
religious denomination. For the informa-
ton of such would state that the organi-
zation was originally formed of seceders
from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the
year 1892, Rev. James O'Kelly being the
leading spirit in the movement.
In doctrine, the Christian Church ia sub
stantially the same with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, differing from that
Church, however, in form Of government
the Methodist Church being episcopal, and
the Christian Church republican or congre-
gational. AS an organization, the Chris
tians acknowledge 10 head but Christ, no
name but Christian" no creed or oonfes-
sion of faith but the Bible, no test of fell
lowship aud Of church membership but
vital piety; and they allow every indivi-
dual member to interpret the Scriptures for
himself, provided he does not reject those
great fundamental doctrines, without which
they could lay no claim to Christ as their
head, and his name as their only appella-
ton. For instance, o man who denies the
divinity Of Christ could find no fellowship
among them, because if He be rejected as
the head of the Church, the great founds-
ton stone Of the Christian religion is re-
moved, and the whole fabric crumbles into
ruins. 49,
=. Their mode Of baptism is always deter