The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-17
General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South.

MEMPHIS, May 14.-ln the Methodist
Episcopal General Conference South
Bishop Wightman presided. A very large
number of reports OF committees, petitions,
resolutions. DC, were received and adopted,
mainly relating to slight notifications and
changes in the Discipline; also one provi-
ding for an orphans home in each Con-
ference. to be in charge of a board Of trus-
tees. Memorials from the cOlored members
Of Gcoryi; to the Tennessee Conference
were received, expressing their devotion to
the Church South, ana hoping for con-
tinuance of the same kindly relations here
tutorc existing. The committee on the
removal Of the book concern to Louisville
reported in favor of two houses, one to he
located at Baltimore, and the other at st.
Louis. 1t was referred to the committee
Oh books and periodicals. A memorial WAS
presented for the establishment of q mission
in the empire Of Brazil.
The committee to whom were referred
the paIers relating to the proposal made by
the Methodist Episcopal Church recon-
mcnded the adoption Of resolutions as fol-
lows: ....
.'Resolred, First. That we gratefully re-
cogniZe the Providence which has guided
US, multiplied us, strengthened our homes,
and preserved our integrity as a Church of
Jesus Christ under the trying conditions of
both war and peace. We earnestly desire
TO cultivate true Christian fellowship with
every other branch of the Church, and es-
pecially our brethren Of the several branches
of the Methodist Episcopal Church OF this
country and Of Europe.
"Second. That the action Of our bishops
at the last annual meeting at St. Louis, in
response to the message from the bishops OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, has the
fun endorsement OF this General Confer
cnce, and accurately defines our posltlon IN
reference to any oYertures which may pro-
coed from that Church having i'll them the
official recognition Of this body, and the
distinguished commission now present OF
the General Conference which met in Chi
rago May. 1863, appointed by it for the
specific purpose expressed In the following
re>olutions-to wit: .
80. Resoiped, That the commission or
dered by the General Conference to confer
with j like commission of the African Me-
thodist Episcopal Zion Church to arrange
Il union of that body with our own be en-
powered to treat with o commission from
any Other Methodist Episcopal Church that
may desire a like union, cannot, IN our
Judgment, without q great violence in con-
strung the language OF said resolution, be
regarded as having been constitutedsby the,
General Conference commission to make
proposals Of union to the General Con.
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. -. ". II ;.t,lu
~. Reso.oea, moreover, IF this distinguish.
ed commission were fully clothed with au.
thority to treat with Us for union, 1t Is the
Judgment of this Conference that the true
interest Of the Church Of Christ requires and
demands the maintenance Of "a separate and
distinct organization.
80. Resolred, That We tender the Rev.
Bishop, Z. S. James, Rev. w. l.. Harris,
members Of the commission present, our
regards as brethen beloved i'll the Lord, and
express our sincere desire that the day may
soon come when proper Christian sentl-
ments and fraternal relations Of the two
great branches of the northern andsouthern
Methodist Episcopal Church shall be per-
manently established" .
The resolutions were adopted.
A large amount of unimportant business
was transacted. Adjourned. r.