Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-17
THE M. E. CHURCH.
Teath Days PrOcssdlnes--DiscussiO Of
Education and the itineraHcy.

nOuuc6u bHas me SOAAcAOACS N0 ORCA ANA
A present of one hundred fans from
Messrs. Menken Bros.
This announcement elected a pun from
the Rev. DIR. Marshall, who "hoped that
the firm did not think the MethOdists a
fan-sticsl people,"
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.
DR.. Edwards, of the Committee on
Itineraney, made q fourth report as fol-
lows, which laid over under the rules:
REPORT OF COMMITTEES ON ITINERANoY.
The Committee have considered the
memorial from the Louisiana Conference,
petitioning the General Conference !" to
expunge from the Discipline " all that
relates to the preacher or preachers who
may be stationed in the city of New Or
leans, as forming an exception 70 the
limit of four years, during which a
preacher NAV be returned to the same ap-
Sointment, and recommend concurrence
on the part of the General Conference.
The paper. also, from Meridian District,
Mobile Conference, asking that the licens-
ing OF local preachers be transferred from
the quarterly to the District Conferences
has been considered, and the Committee
report, that the action already had by the
General Conference touching the same
subject, renders any expression of the
sense of the Committee unnecessary.
JNO. E. EDWARDS, Chm.
Memphis, May Is, 1870.
%. A Fisher. of the Committee on Sun
day schools, reported recommending the
adoption into the book of Sunday school
instruction the Nicene creed, the Lcrd's
prayer Watts versionl and the ten COM
mandments, to make the same cardinal
points of Sunday school teachings. h
committee, in making the report, asked
IN ha discharged,
A member of the committee said that
he hadInever seen that report and knew
nothing about it.
The Secretary remarked that he sup
posed that the committee meant the
AnoSIeS' creed instead ofthe NtceHe creed.
After some little explanation this was
agreed to, and the word "APOStteS was
substituted for NiceHe, and the resolution
was adopted.
DR.. Garland, of the Committee on Edu-
cation, presented an exhaustive and ably
written report on the education OF the
ministry, which we would like TO present
in full, but which we cannot do on ae-
count of its great length
II sets out with the assertion that as TO
the relation between learning and the
PRONUNCIATION of the gospel there is but
little division of opinion among Metho-
dists. who hold almost universally that a
man cannot be made 3 true minister OF
the gospel of Christ by mere human
agency. He must be called by the great
head OF the church, and whatever OF
learning he may ave or attain, Will avail
him nothing without the aid OF the Holy
Ghost. The report further declares the
tendency of educating men for the minis
try to be to mix up the vain speculations
of man with the clear revelations OF the
Scriptures: to render sermons abstract
and dull. or direct them simply to the
literary tastes of the hearers, instead OF
their spiritual welfare. 1t Is therefore De
uounced as being a mere scattold erected
over the cross of Christ, from which the
minister can show his parts, and there
fore odious and profane. The report then
explains the present system of education
4of those called to the ministry, and de-
tends il as being the only true and wise
one. but contends that it is not sufficient.
The great question is, q" how the church
NAV educate its ministers more fully with
out disturbing the plan to which the
church is so fully committed rms
NAV partly be done by exacttng better
Dranaratio1. and by a more rigorous ex-
animation of candidates for holy orders.
The great end may be better attained,
however. by the establishment OF a theo-
logical seminary, where an opportunity
is Furnished by the church to those called
of the Lord to the ministry, of which they
can avail themselves or not, as they please,
to obtain an education. Int report Toes
not enter upon the details OF the arrange
ment. etc. of such an institute, but pro-
Doses that the course be divided into two
separate and distinct parts-the one en-
bracing only a thorough English eduea-
ton. the other for such as wish TO learn
tn study and read the scriptures in the
original tongues, embracing a thorough
classical course. For this purpose the
majority recommend the following reso-
luticns;
ResOlUed. 1. That our Bishops be re-
ouested and authorized to locate and plan
a Biblical institute for the proper training
of Young preachers, and to solicit, IN the
manner which to them may seem most
effectual, contributions from all parts OF
the church for the establishment and en-
dowment of the same.
2. That to secure the identity of this In
~stitution with the church, and its opera
tons in complete sympathy and harmony
with its Organization and policy. the Bish-
OBS of the church shall be its trustees and
directors. They shall prescribe its course
Of studies, appoint its officers, assign 70
them their respective duties, snd see that
thew are rightly and faithfully discharged,
a majority of whom shall have full au-
thority to act.
8. Graduation at the institute shall not
De MADE Imperative "
Conference upon trial.
4 The graduates of the institute shall
acquire no specific rights over the candi-
dates for admission having only the GER
tifcates of Quarterly Conferences. They
enter the Conferences by the same mode
and upon the same terms.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
L. c. GARLAND, Chairman.
Memphis, May Is, 1870.
nh. 1,s,lrff- ShrOnnh nr 1fFAUpF made
a report, also too lengthy to insert here.
Ii however argues that in the opinion of
the minority 1.-THE committee being very
nearly equally divided), it is ineXpedient
to take any steps to establish a theology
cal institute, at least at present, The
whole church is very far from being unan-
imous in opinion, whether such an lnsti-
tuition agreed with Methodism or the
teachings of the gospel, n the minority
therefore believe any effort in that direc-
ton unwise at present. The report goes
on to show the vast expense which such
an establishment would cost-the Confer
ence already grooming under the bur-
thens of expenses almost too heavy to
bear-and finally winds up with recon-
mendlng the following resolutions:
RESOLVED. That we indorse the action of
the last General Conference in reference
to Biblical chairs in connection with
existing colleges, as the best available
means for training young preachers.
Respectfully submitted, W. Craven, A.
II. Colduit. E. W. Sehon, Charles Taylor,
J.. r. John, E. L. Miller, L. ". Smith, X,
Smithson, J. r. Rogers, H. G.. Hall
DR.. Jefferson Hamilton moved that the
whole subject lie over until Friday, when
il shall be made the order of the day.
The resolution caused considerable dis
cussion.
DR.. Evans moved in lieu that the Con-
ference make it the order for evening
at 8 pm. the same day, which
was adopted after a hard fight against it.
This matter being thus postponed, the
Rev. DR.. Edwards moved That the call be
suspended, and the Conference take up
the
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Friday, which were the majority and
minority reports of the Committee on
which was the order of the
day on Friday, and pending the discus
sion Of which the Conference adjourned.
The motion being put to the house was
DR.. Garland. one of the two to whom a
half hour was granted on Friday, by spe-
cial vote took the hoor and reopened the
debate IN favor of the minority report.
The doctor said that he was in feeble
health and would not be able to do the
justice. He found himself, too,
in a novel and trying position, having
signed the resolution with the under
standing that he was not to make a speech
1t, but was to sit on It as a Juror, rather
than urge it as an advocate, into which
position he found that he lad been forced
BY the current Of debate.
He then proceeded with his arguments
most of which mad been used by other
sDaakars on the same side. He stated
anon other things that be had been
thrown a great deal into tbs society of
Presbyterians, and took the occasion TO
pay q glowing tribute to the domestic
and family religion of that denomi-
He said that family worship was