Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-18

Baltimore Conference NJ E. Church South.
On Monday of last week, in the Baltimore
Conference of the M. E Church South, Rev.
James E. Clark was found guilty. by his own
confession, of the charges of immortality pre-
ferred against him, and was expelled from the
Conference.
A memorial from the Virginia Conference of
the M. E. Church relative to the property
question between that Church and the South
ern Church was read. It proposes that the M.
| Il Church South withdraw all claims against
the church property claimed by the Nj. E..
Church, and surrender the same to trustees,
appointed according to the law of Virginia to
be held for the NJ. Il. Church that the Church
South be permitted to use the churches in
question one-half the time on payment of a
proportional share Of necessary repairs that
| ell the parsonages be now surrendered to the
M. II. Church that wherever two churches
are In the same town each shall confue them
| selves to their own building that these resolu-
| tons are only to apply TO property not now in
possession of the M. E. Church that copy
| of the above be submitted to the Baltimore
Conference of the NJ. E. Church South at its
next session.
The reading of this paper was received with
laughter, but was, on motion, referred to a
committee of four laymen and three preachers.
Said committee is as follows: W. P. Conway,
L. W. S. Hough, Moses Walton Joel McPher-
son, laymen; r r. S. Hough, W. G. Ham
mond and J. G. Fitzpatrick. ministers.
On Tuesday, the papers in the case of W. E.
Munsey, ID. d., charged with immortality, were
referred to a committee of three, consisting of
+. G. Tebbs. W. G. Coe and A. A. P Neale.
The Bishop stated that he had received COM
munication from the parties preferriDg the
charges against DR.. Munsey, in which they
| vii hdrew their names from their charges.
On motion, it was resolved to appoint COM
mittee of FIVE, three ministers and two laymen,
to act 10 the matter of the claims of the Preach.
ers Aid Society of the M. E. Church against
the Wesleyan Female Institute. at S,aunton,
and the following were appointed: Revs w.
FL. Wilson, j. B. Fitzpatrick and A. Boude,
and Messrs. Moses Walton and VIM Mills. Jr
The committee to whom was referred the
memorial of the Virginia Conference of the M.
E. Church reported that it is desirable that all
contention shall cease, yet they see nothing in
! the plan proposed to secure said end, and it is
| their deliberate opinion that all property uues-
tons should be settled by joint committee Of
the respective General Conferences; they also
state that they are not aware that they are in
the occupancy of any church property to which
they are not justly entitled.
The committee on education reported 10 ia
vor of an assessment of So 900 upon the vari-
Gus charges for Randolph Macon College, We.
|! A number Of othsr educational institutions
were recommended and DR.. Duncan spoke 10
favor of the college. Two new buildings had
been erected and we're filled and more room
| was needed. There are at present 233 matrc-
ulates.
Rev, Drs. Bledsoe and Mcleod whose or,
ders were recognized by the Conference, were
called before the altar and responded to the
usual disciplinary questions JAS. I. Folin
and VIM. j. Breedon were ordained deacons.
The character Of Daboey Ball was passed; J.
P. Hall and I. NJ. Mills were made supernu-
merarles.
On Wednesday, the committee 10 the case Of
W. E. Munsey, u. D., reported that after the
most careful enquiry and examination Of all
| the papers in the case, they see no reason
whatever to question the propristy Of the ac-
tion OF the investigating committee, which
unanimously and hoDorably acquitted him, aud
therefore recommend that his character pass
Dr. Munsey was then granted location at bis
own request, i'll health demanding suspension
of all ministerial labor on his part.
The committee to investigate the claim Of
the Preachers Aid Society of the NJ e.
reported that inasmuch as there was an
equitable right resting 10 this Conference In the
funds of said Preachers Aid Society. and mas
much as but very small part of the funds OF
said society, amounting to only S. 900, were
invested 10 the bounds Of this Conference; and
inasmuch as said society, through their counsel,
we're pressing for payment aud threatening to
foreclose the mortgage held by them, therefore
resolved
/. The trustees of the Wesleyan Female In
stitutc are hereby requested not to pay over
| al A. Ill Il A.
preachers Of this Conference be admitted.
2. That the presiding elder of Rockingham
district and Messrs. VI. Walton and VIM.
| Mines, Jr,, are directed to settle this matt er
on Christian principles.
g. That if the pressure in this matter be per-
sisted 10. the said committee are directed to
employ Moses Walton, Esq. and such other
counsel as may be necessary to defend the case
and protect the interest of this Conference.
The statistical report. which was submitted,
shows total membership of %, 45l, net in
crease of 356. The actual increase is much
greater, but much closer scrutiny of the reoork
resulted in dropping many names therefrom.
Ia seven years this Conference has increased
| IA 900 members.
| % Thursday this city-Staunton-was unan-
imously selected as the place Of holding the
next session of the Conference.
The committee TO whom was referred the
claim Of the Nashville Publishing House against
the government of the United States for occu-
| pancy of their premises in lS64-5, and use of
machinery, &C., whereby great damage ensued,
| reported that paper officially signed be pre-
sented to Congress from this Conference, urg-
ing a prompt adjudication and settlement of
this claim the business of which must be &C.
knowledged.
On motion it was resolved that the Confer
| ence pledge themselves to unite in the concert
| of prayer for the schools and colleges of the
| land on the last Thursday in February 10 each
| year. Rev. A. w. Wilson urged the impor-
lance of religious. concurrenty with secular ed
uoatiou, and the importance of daily prayer for
| the success of such education Messrs Arm
strong, Rodgers and Head also addressed the
| Conference in this interest. Bishop Doggett
| very earnestly spoke Of the question of relig-
| ioua education. and the legitimate effects to be
expected theTefrom.
| On motiop,it was resolved to estimate the ex-
penses of delegates to the next General Com
ference, and apporiion the same to the respective
| districts.
Rev. Messrs Bear, Bildt Dosh Miller, Da-
Wis, Sargent. Gamble and DR.. Edwards, Of the
| NJ. e. Church, were introduced. Dr.. Edwards
| cordially reel procsted the expression of broth
| erly feeling, aud accompanied it with the pray
| er that peace, harmony and the triumph OF
| the cause Of our common Christianity may pre-
val! throughout orr borders. Rev Mr. Miller
expressed his appreciation of this opportunity
of meeting with his brethren.
The balance of the session was spent in re-
| EgiOus exercises 10 the course of which re-