The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-24
irgfnia Conference Methodist Church
North.
from the Norfolk Journal, February 22.J

Virginia conference Methodist Church
North.
From the Norfolk Journal, February e..
A SPICY DEBATE.
Rev. Charles King offered the following
resolution
Reso'ued, That the anniversary; of the Con-
ference Educational Society be held this
friday evening at Z O'Clock.
This resolution, simple as it appeared, pro-
vokcd an extended debate, in the course of
which some OF The members exhibited con-
siderable feeling. The ball was opened by
the Rev. T.. p. Phelps. presiding cider of
the Richmond district, who protested against
wasting the time of the Conference on OUT
side matters. At all previous Conferences
their time at night had been thus taken up
He wanted more religious exercises. There
had not been n sermon preached in that
house since the Conference hogan. AS for
bis part, he would vote for no such meeting
as that proposed. What good, in the name
Of common sense, would the meeting dof
He was not opposed to education, but the
cause was in the hands Of 4 competent COM
mittee, aud there let it stay.
Mr. Miller said he was profoundly sur
prised to hear such a speech in this assem-
blaSc. A year ago, at the last Conference, it
was settled that an educational anniversary
should be held on the first night Of the Con-
ference. This kind of flank movement would
not do.
Mr.. Phelps: DO you accuse me of flank
ing, sir?
Mr.. Miller (arter a pause): 1t looks very
much like it. Were we in Virginia to 20
without the advantages Of education ? How
were the young lei and women, who were
to supply their missions, to be educated?
Dir Phelps said he took no part at the last
Conference in the movement for such a
meeting.
Mr.. Mitchell said he favored religion,
meetings, but he was also in favor of educa-
tioIl. One man did not constitute this Con-
ference, and ono mans voice should not con-
troll it.
Mr. Phelps: There's no use talking that
way. No one believes any one is trying to
rule the Conference.
Dir. Mitchell ~(resuIning): Virginia was
not so orcrburdencd with intellect that she
could afford to neglect the education of her
people. AT a time when Rome was putting
forth her best efforts to crush free thought.
it would not do to talk about neclcctine
education. At a time when the people de-
mandcd the devotion Of the public lands to
the cause Of popular education, it would not
do to throw obstacles in the way. If all
could know, as he knew, the dense masS of
ignorance III this State there would he no
opposition to education. Addressing
the Bishop the speaker alluded TO the
fact that lie Qhe Bishop had spent his
early years in Virginia as an educator.
Mr.. Phelps made a sharp reply to Mr..
Mitchell. lie said he was forced to reply to
the personal alluSion made to him. He did
not intend to be put in q false position. He
bad nominated Mr.. Manly for chairman of
the Educational Committee because he be-
lieyed lie (Mr. Manly knew more about the
subject than all the rest of the Con-
ltlcnce put together. He was tired Of
hearing SO much talk about the igno.
rance of the people OF Virginia; he had
enough of that talk. He would give
tomorrow (to-day) in open conference to
the cause of education, but he was not will.
ing TO take from the people one might Of re-
liSious worship. His plan was the best, il
he did say so. He was 4 Vireinian-he de-
served no credit for that. He had adhered
TO the old Churcil-he deserved no credit
for that. In the old Baltimore Conference
he held kindly relations with all the men,
bers, no matter where they came from.
These controversies had originated at every
Conference. The speaker was here inter-
ruptcd by Dir. Hemcnway, who raised the
point Of order that he was going into per-
Son1liticS.
The Bishop sustained Mr.. Phelps, who
proceeded to say he did not wish TO control
the Conference, and he appealed to the
Youngest members here if he ever tried to
control them. lie had come here with the
kiudIiest feelings for all. He had travelled
as far rs the most Of them to get here. Being
again Interrupted, he said he would close.
The members knew who be was, and that
was enough.
Mr.. Hcmcnwly said he would that those
who talked so much of religious meetings
would come here in the morning and hold
prayer-mcc!ings. lie heartily favored the
passage Of the resolution.
Mr.. Adams, who announced himself rs a
Tirginian, said he favored educational meet
ing>. lie knew many Of his people were
ignorant. They didn't mind talking about
it among themselves, but they didn't like to
hear others say so much about it.
The discussion was continued by Messrs.
Rcycr, Miller, and MiIhurn after which
the resolution was put to q vote and adopted.
On motion of Dir. Hing, Messrs. Miller,
Manly, Hemcnway, and Carol, of the Bal
timore Conference, were requested to speak
ut the educational anniversary meeting, and
the Bishop to preside.
PRESIDING ELDERS REPORTS.
The Bishop said that after they had COM
plcted the examination of the list Of effective
elders it had been suggested to him that they
would perhaps desire to say something. He
would, therefore, be glad to hear from them
in relation to their districts.
R1cnMoNp DIsrRIcr.-E P. Phelps, Pre-
siding Elder, reported the prospects Of the
Church in his district rs being cheering.
The charge ut Fortress Monroe was called
Chesapeake City. 1t wasn't strong, but had
succeeded well. They had erected a parsonage
and church, on which they still owed some
debt. He thought the church there would
sOon become scif:su>laiuinS. lie regarded it
as the most desirable station in The Confer
clce. The Charge in Norfolk was small, but
The people did as well as they could. In
Portsmouth there had been NJ. improvement.
For reasons unnecessary to repeat, the con-
~gregation had fallen of. lie hoped
it would in time become a louri>hinS
charge. The Richmond charge had not
many members, but the. people were
very kind. The congregation had TO
worship in the United States courtroom,
and this was pr9ma facie against them. Lie
admitted that. He hoped they would soon
| have a church to worship in. There was in
| Richmond, rs in all other southern commu-
mites, some prejudice remaining against
them. Lcesburg, said he, is Il great deal
better mcthodistically than it was a year
ago. They wouldn't have the kuklux after
them if they held IL conference there now.
At Berryville. in Clarke county, he had
held q camp-meeting last summcr in a
few tents. 1t was given out that they must
get collins if they wanted to hold ii camp
meeting. They were not deferred by these
threats, but held their meeting and were not
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