Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-18
M. z. CONFERENCE.
Reports Of eOmmittees--The Theological
School Question.

Bishop Doggett, OF Virginia, presided
yesterday.
The select committee on the revision of
the Ritual presented its Report No. l on
Rebaptism. The question was submit
mitted by a memorial, considered by the
| Committee, whether adults having been
baptized in infancy should be rebaptized,
and whether persons having been bap-
tized by other churches should be rebap-
Church. The Committee state that no
action on these inquiries is necessary.
Adopted.
The Committee on Finance submitted
a report No. / in reference TO the support
of the ministry and the administration OF
church finances. Changes in the present
modes of collections and payments were
defined, and the whole system was pro-
posed TO be reformed.
Judge Milton Brown, of the Com
mittee, submitted a minority report
suggesting adhesion TO the present
policy and rules. These reports lie over.
A special committee on church music
stated that there was no collection of
hymns that could be approved, and that
many OF the best songs were forgotten, or
O0lE uSbu IN ctIld1u lOCdiAbACN- CAO HbnEo
were out of print, and that a book should
/ be published to meet the requirements of
the church. A committee OF five is pro-
/ posed to b. appointed to prepare and pub
hsh A prOper collection, which shall con-
tain no original hymn unless approved by
each of the committee. The general book
agent is To publish it as soon as practi-
cable. Report lies over.
HORRORS OF WAR.
DR.. Ship spoke of resolutions of SYM
pathy passed by the last General Confer
enee, affecting the church at Columbia,
5. G.; Of its suferings at the hands
of war of its former prosperity /;
its boundless liberality Of the gem
erosity of its members. He said
that of all sufferers in Columbia, the
Methodist Church bore the most %grievOus
calamities. The church building was re-
| duced to ashes, the homes OF its members
were burned, and all their property swept
away. The congregation is too poor TO
rebuild their house of worship, and have
only a little chapel Inadequate to the
wants of the congregation.
DIR. Sehon moved the adoption OF a res
olution providing for a concession OF ali
that is asked by the petition.
DIR. Smith, of South Carolina, said that
the church spoken OF had suffered as none
/ others. Its people we're poorer than those
OIL dnN EUuTtn Vi tlhN III inc EC01AS 0AA
that South Carolina was in the worst con-
ditiou of any in the South. The difference
in the social and industrial condition of
the two states, South Carolina and GeOr-
gia. was most strongly marked and pal
pabIe. In Carolina the people we're still
trodden under foot by the harshest
t-ask-masters, who held ohce
with not the remotest idea OF
promoting ends of public good. They
only sought to Cypress and rob the people
and gather wealth for themselves. Tn
ownership of real estate in Columbia be-
gets poverty. A house hat is rented for
six hundred dollars is axe five hundred
and seventy-tve dollars. Columbia,
once famed for the intelligence, public
and private morals of its people, and for
the genius, elOquencs and learning of in
dividual citizens, whose lofty character
and many virtues rave tone to society, is
reduced TO the utmost straits of poverty,
and subjected to every process designed
to degrade and destroy. The tasteful
scholarship of Legare, the matchless
moral and intellectual grandeur Of Cal
houn, the splendid oratory of Preston and
McDufie. once made Columbia the abid-
mo place of all that made life delightful.
The condition of the ruined city to-day
presented a mournful contrast with its
pristine glory and splendor. 1t is sad n
sickeuiug to contemplate the present and
dream of the past. OF wealth there is
none and poverty in its rags n gaber-
dine has invaded alike the palaces OF the
rich and novels of the poor. INDECENT as
are these people, they are generous TO the
last degree. They share with 4 another
the little that is left them, and widows
and orphans are not forgotten by those
who have more than the absolute wants
of life demand. The little chapel they
occupy as a place OF worship, will not
contain the congregation that often gath
ers about its doorway, and they often Sc
cured the use Of buildings Of other de-
nominations, especially OF the Baptists,
who had been very kind. Bishops Capers,
DunwoOdy and other great thinkers and
orators Of Methodism, sleep in the
churchyard hard by. Their monuments
had been overthrOwn or destroyed
bv bloody, r~ed-handed, war and desecra-
ton and horrible outrage and insutfera-
BILE caIamities marked every feature of
the church's fortunes. Will not those
more blest in abundance help those so
utterly Impoverished? The sympathies
of this ho1rishing city would be touched
if it NAV listen to a simple re'ital of woes
which have befallen the church at Column
bia.
Bishop Andrews approved the utter
ances Of DR.. Smith. He had dedicated
the church at Columbia, years ago, TO the
MOST AlEhs NdDtEH NuEAbs anu many
of the purest and best and most learned
men. The character of the congregation,
its virtues and Christian worth, had not
been too highly colored, and there can be
no worthisr object of our beneficence- 1t
was first in all Christian virtues. Many
OF it's strongest members have fallen be-
meath the weight of terrible ~calaInities. and
t~hesurvivors are hardly able to live. There
was Once no limit to their generosity and
deedSof Christian charity. Help them;
they Ail 800 be able to help themselves,
and a hurch edihce worthy of the people
will soOn rise from the ashes of that which
was destroyed.
DR.. McAnnally spoke with fearful eyes
when he said hat each member OF the
Conference should forward a sum for the
purpose Of rebuilding the Columbia
church and erecting a memorial worthy
Of the fame and virtues Of DR.. Capers.
1t was proposed to amend the pending
proposition by inserting the words, " all
other churches in like condition" 1t was
stated that at least fifty Methodist
churches had shared the same fortunes
with hat of Columbia.
DR.. Marshall suggested the adoption Of
a general system, ike the Wesleyan, for
church building.
The matter will be taken up again.
The Committee on Revisals submitted
a report affecting many questions of
church government, discipline, ceremo-
mails, etc. Lies over.
BOOK PUBLISHING HOUSE.
DR.. Lithgow, of Louisville, presented a
resolution Withdrawing the application
of Louisville for the transfer of the Pub
fishing House from Nashville to that city.
DR.. Sehon said that the entire Louis
vile delegation %concurred in the resolu-
ton of Mr.. LithgOW. We do not love
Caesar LOUISVILLE less, but Rome (the
cause of the church, more. We would
escape heart ~burnings and exciting dis
cussiOns that may be generated by the
question of removal, and therefore this
action of the Louisville delegation. The
action of Louisville leaves Baltimore and
st. Louis free to act as they choose.
DIR. Bond SAID be WIS skillful enough in
reading riddles, but this one bothered
him. If we discuss the condition of our
Publishing House great evils must en-
sue. Such is the assertion of gentlemen.
He wishedt TO know all about the condi-
tion and workings of the Publishing
House. Discussion can do 40 harm. Its
managers want its affairs and successes
ventilated.
DIR. Green said it was in a most pros
porous condition, and that its property
was worth $4,000 more than stated in
the report ofthe managers.
DR.. McAnnally withdrew the papers
presented by st. Louis soliciting the
transfer of the " concern" to that city.
He was, with his delegation, animated by
the same feeling and purposes that i'm
PEELED DR.. Sehon TO withdraw the request
of Louisville.
DIR. Redford said he would be glad to
purchase the property at a price greater
than the sum designated as the value of
the property by its managers. The
stereotype plates alone are worth SIS, coo
more than their estimated value, and this
Publishing House presents the only in
stance in Europe or America of a like es-
tablishmeDt, utterly bankrupt, recover
ing credit and wealth. IL was urged that