The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-09
THE METHODISTS.
General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South.

The General Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, Assem- blcd at Mem
phis. Tenn, on Thursday last. The attendance
was very large. Among those present were
Bishop Andrews, the presiding officer. Kaya-
naugh, Pierce. Paine, Marvin, Doggett and
wiglltman, and Drs. Keencr, Secchcn, Nun
sey, and many other distinguished divincs.
The conference was called to order by Bishop
PAYNE, of Mississippi. After prayer by Bishop
Kavanaugh, the roll was called by Dr. Somers,
secretary, when the following conferences re-
North Carolina, South Carolina, South Georgia,
North Georgia, Florida Montgomery, Mobile,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Memphis, Tennessee,
Holston, kentucky, Paincsville, ST. Louis, Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, Little Rock, Indian Mission,
Texas, East Texas, Trinity. Southwestern
Texas Western Texas, Columbia, Pacific, ILL
nois-thc whole number OF delegates being
two hundred and forty-siX, of whom one
hundred and sixty-seven were present. Dr.
Somers, of Nashville, was reelected sec
rotary, and DR.. John 8. Martin and Messrs
Wishersham, of Arkansas, and Lester, OF
Georgia, assistant secretaries. After the usual
religious exercises, Bishop Pierce. OF Georgia,
took tho chair, when the roll was called. All
the bishops were present except Bishop Early,
of Virginia, who Is sick. The standing conf
mittcc then announced that n message had
been received from Bishop Early, stating that
he hoped to be with the conference before its
adjournment. Special committees were then
appointed on orphans home, revised hymn
book and finance. The address Oh Tie Dishops
was then read by Bishop Wightman. The ad-
dress after counselling moderation in the de-
libcrations OF The conference. pays al eloquent
tribute TO the memory OF Bishop Soule, de-
ceased, and says despite poverty and persecll-
tIon, even to stripes and death In some pof-
tions of the country, the minister's nave been
faithful TO their vows, and the chirch mas steadl
IN advanced. refers to the introduction OF lay
men in the conference, and TO the baneiul elect
OF fashionable worldly pleasures. II contrasts
the conduct of the present generation Win
the Iast, AMI urges The ministers To urge upon
their charges the necessity OF family worship.
The address also sets forth that the number OF
young men now offering for the ministry Is
wholly inadequate to the demand OF the
church, and urges that steps be taken 10 rem
edy tlls, and also TO improve the literary pub
lications OF the church, and that the efforts to
improve the religious condition oil the colored
people and dissipatc the lreacheroMs teachings
Of those who had sought TO array them against
lis had steadily succeeded, and arc now pro-
crossing, especially in the Caroliuas, Georgia
and Florida. The address was responded to
By the venerable DR.. Pierce Tile bishops ad-
dress was then referred TO al appropriate COM
mitcc. A special committee OF i've clerical
and five laymen, together with the bishops,
WAS appointed to prepare pastoral letter on
the subject Of the spiritual interests o! tho
church. Various reports were submitted and
appropriately referred. The conference then
adjourned in order to give committees time TO
organize. .,,,,,, ,,,o
board of diocesan missions, made an elaborate
report. showing that despite the effect OF the
nt', 10
territory, and the calls for aid, the work stead
ily progresses, q balance OF $1,000 remaining In
the treasury. : communication was read from
the churches OF Louisville. asking The removal
of the Book Concern from Nashville to that
city, guaranteeing $4,000 to deiray the eX-
peilscs of the removal. Referred to the Com
inittre on Books and Periodicals, with In
strlctions to report rs soon rs practicable.
DR.. Sehon presented q paper from The col
orcd conferences of the South. settling forth
the condition of the church, It's dependence on
the churches of the South, expressing the hope
that the same kindly feeling heretofore existing
should continue, asking for the establishment
of a cOlored general conference, under the
control of the General Conference, setting
forth that their interests are identically the
same, and they must work together. me-
mortal was presented from Texas, asking the
extension of Mcthodsm among the Germans
In that State; asking for a bishop for that
State, and proposing to furnish him nome.
Also from the Ladies' Memorial Association,
asking the attendance OF the aclesates eC lhe
decoration oil the graves in Elmwood Gene
terry tomorrow. This last provoked discussion.
Several members protested against taking
action as body that should have any political
colorlnr whatever. Dr. Marshall thought it an
insult to the good sense OF the people Of the
North to suppose they would attach any polti-
cal Significance to our weeping over our dead.
He was willing to weep with them over their
dead that lay around Vicksburs, and believed
lhey would do the same with lis. Finally the
motion to adjourn at II o'clock Tomorrow 10
allow the members TO attend the decoration
prevailed. memorial was presented from
ihe board OF domestic missions, urging the con-
ference to take steps to purchase lots for
church purposes in the towns sprinSlng up
along the Union and Central Pacific Railroads,
10 counteract the work Of other churches III
that quarter. After other unimportant meas
urcs The conference adjourned.