Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-04-01

Proceedings OF the GAINESVILLE Dis.
trict COnferenee af Turuerxv;ffa

Proceedings or the GAINESVILLE Dis
triet Conference ut TurnerxviiIe.
Correspondence OF the Union and American
The GAINESVILLE District Conference met
at Turnersville, Tenn, March 20, at z!
o'clock P. NJ. The Introductory sermon
was preached by DIR. A. +. Goodloe. Aftel
prayerthe Conference adjourned.
SECOND DAY.
Conference met Friday, March q, at 6
o'clock A. NJ. Bishop McTyeire in the chair
DIR. A. +. Goodloe and Rev. w. A. Tur.
ner were elected Secretaries. The follow
ing members of the Conference answered
70 their names: Ministers, Reys. VIM
BUR-, DR.. ]. B. West, John II. Reynolds,
u. Z. jackson, DIR. A. w. Smith, Jordan
Moore, r. w. Seay, W. ID. Cherry, T. j.
duncan, w. A. Turner, DIR. A. +. Goodloe,
John A. McFerrin, A. b. Cohn, d. w.
stack, G.. w. Martin. Laymen-Messrs.
;. A. Caldwell, r. Pickering, S. Pies, II.
Pickering, j. T. Wilson, G.. +. Adams, T.
!. Bolts, e. w. Crane, j. A. Alley, W. ID.
Farmer, Wm. James, Henry Spicer, DR.. j.
ID. Dunn, T. II. Haynes, John E~dwardson,
+. NJ. Fizer, j. w. Davis and r. G. Green.
Rev. w. A. Turner was appointed to re-
port on unfinished business, and Revs. W.
Burr and i. j. Duncan as committee on
Public Worship. 1t was agreed that the
usual committees be dispensed with.
The Bishop began 10 examine into the
condition of the church by calling the name
OF GAINESVILLE Station. Rev. VIM. NJ.
Green, the pastor Of that church, was re-
ported absent on account of the recent
death Of his father-in-law, DR.. Searcy, OF
Whites Greek; but DIR. West represented
that the Rev. Mr.. Green and GAINESVILLE
Station were doing well. All the other sta
lions made similar good report, and DIR.
Smith stated there was a good prospect for
building a new church at New Proyi-
dence.
At the afternoon session the following
resolution was presented by DR.. A. w.
Smith:
Believing Is We do that church confer
ences can be utilized to the benefit of the
church; therefore, Resolved, that we re-
commend the holding of them in accord
ance with the Discipline.
Several speeches were made all f~ayoring
the holding Of district conferences, but with
some differences of opinion as to their fire.
quency and the manner Of holding them.
The question was asked the Bishop, when
the roll is called in our church conferences,
is it to examine into the character of those
who are church members? The Bishop de-
cided that a church conference has no right
in calling the roll 20 examine the character
of church members. DR.. Smiths resolu-
tiOn was adopted.
Rev. L. A. Duncan of the Cedar Hill
charge brought in very fine report from
his charge; had sold $50 worth of books;
church property all decided and paid for and
500 for the missionary cause collected.
Rev. w. ID. Cherry from the Cheatham
circuit, reported four regular appointments,
two decided churches, one in dispute and
one in cOurse of erection. He could not be
candid and report his work in a prosperous
condition. Many were backslidden. Rev.
John A. McFerrin said his people would
probably build a parsonage.
Rev. Mr.. Duncan and s. A. Caldwell
were appointed a committee to bring in a
report on the finance of the church. Rev.
Jordan Moore, Rev. W. ID. Cherry, Mr.. J.
Edmonson and G.. F. Adams were appoint
ed a committee TO bring in a report IN par
sOnages.
Messrs. r. Pickering and DR.. Dunn
were appointed TO bring in a
resolution on Sunday school
THIRD DAY.
Conference met March % at 81 O'Clock,
Bishop McTyeire in the chair. The ques-
ton being asked, how many of the charges
on the GAINESVILLE district had accepted DIR.
RedfOrd's 500 proposition, it was ascer-
tainen that the different circuits and sta
tions had on average sold very nearly 500
worth of books each.
The Bishops called for reports from local
preachers. This seems to be rather a new
item in the plan Of holding a district con-
ference, but was rendered very interesting.
y report was presented from the Commit
tee on ~ParsonageS, representing that it was
a very great calamity to the church to have
no parsOnages, and that a vigorous effort
would be made in the future to place one
in the hands Of every charge as far as prac-
ticable. The resolution wa adopted.
The Committee on Sunday-Schools made
a good report which was adopted. A reSo-
luton was offered memorializing the Gen
eral Conference, which is TO meet in next
May, asking for an express prohibition on
dancing and the making of intoxicating
liquors.
The conference adjourned to hear DR..
McFerrin preach and to get dinner. The
doctor selecting for his theme "Why stand
We here all the day idle?" and surely none
Ofmature years who heard that sermon will
ever forget it. 1t was grand, rebuking,
cheering and peculiar. Long may Dr.. Ne
Ferrin live to bless the land with his ser.
mons and piOus example.
The Committee on Finance brought in a
resolution f~ayoring the adoption of the as
sessment plan for raising the preachers
salary, and the envelOp system. When the
question wac asked "where will you have
your next District Conference"
DR.. Smith nominated Charlotte
and Rev. W. A. Turner, Mallory's Chapel
at Townsville, and Mallory's was selected
as the place. The time of holding the
camp-meeting at Cedar Hill was left to the
discretion of the tent-holders and the Pre-
siding Elder. The following delegates
were elected to our next Annual Confer
ence: CT. Adams, r. ii. Pickering, DR..
J. X. Dunna and ID. W. Stark; ~alternates, !
g. VI. Fizer, S. A. Caldwell, j. NJ. Spears.
Thethanks of the Conference were given BY
a rising vote TO the citizens of Turnersville
and vicinity for the very h~ospitable manner
in which they entertained our body. A
vote of thanks was also given to DR.. Meier
rim, the Missionary Secretary, for his pres
among us, and his wise and whole
some counsel.
On motion, the Conference adjourned
sine die. ROANER.