Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-22
THE RELIGIOUS WORLD.

EhAL CONFERENCE.-THE NORTHERN
METHODIST MEssENGERs-THEIR Re-
MARKs-THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL
CoUNcIL-THE BAPTIsTs-CA
PILGRIMAGE IN MARYLAND.
&C.. &C.. &C., &c.
We give below a carefully collated re-
view of the transactions of the various re-
ligious bodies now in session.
SOUTHERN METHODIST CONFERENCE.
The most of the business introduced in
to the Southern Methodist General Con-
ference has been referred to the committees,
and that reported has not yet been acted
ON by the Conference. The majority of the
committee Oh Temperance reported in IA
vor of altering the discipline so as to pro-
hibit the drinking of spirituous liquors ex-
cept in cases Of necessity, or the making,
buying OF selling them except SO used. A
minority report asserts that the general
rule of the church, and the crede Of the
New Testament condemns by implication
the manufacture and sale of spirituous IL
quors to be used as beverage" and as that
law is held by the college Of Bishops suf-
ficient for expulsion, no alteration of the
discipline is necessary.
CHOIR SINGING.
The following resolution was offered by
Messrs. Pitt, Peterson and Wingfeld;
Resolved, That our bishops be, and they
are hereby, requested, in their Pastoral
Address, to call attention to and express
their disapprobation of operate perform
ance in our churches, which browns the
sense of our hymns and utterly destroys
congregational singing.
And after Il long discussions the follow
ing substitute for it was adopted
Resolved, That the bishops be requested
to urge in their pastoral address the ini-
portance of congregational singing in our
churches.
THE NORTHERN EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Resolutions saying the Conference re-
GREETED the messengers of the Northern
Methodist church could not await a report
on their mission and assuring them of s'our
appreciation of their courteous and frater-
nal bearing among us, and our wishes and
prayers for their future happiness and
prosperity Some discussion rose on the
wording of the resolutions.
DR.. Lee of Va. 8: Like these resolutions,
but, in my opinion, They stop a little short
Of what they ought to express. Anywhere
this side of organic formal union, am
| ready to add that we not only pray for the
| happiness and prosperity Of these brethren
| but within the limits of what l have eX-
| pressed-for the complete success OF what
| they wish to accomplish between the two
Methodisms. Tile whole occasion has met
the full approval Of my mind and the re-
| joicing of my heart am glad they were
SENT am glad they came, | wish they
could stay long, and wish to say for my
self that my heart and hand responds to
the proposals of fraternity which they
bring us. | am sure eau say 1t for my
brethren. [ could say much more, but for
| the present forbear; at another time
may have the chance to do SO. am almost
disposed to say that they may be assured
of one thing, that we heartily respond to
their proposal Of ffaternal greeting and in
tercourse, and it is the hope Of my heart
| that we shall send a fraternal delegation
! to their next General Conference and, so
! far as am concerned, am in favor of
authorizing our bishops, when the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church shall appoint COM
mission to settle all differences between
| us, to appoint for us II commission to meet
them for the settlement of all points upon
| which we are at issue, SO that there will
be no occasion Of strife bstween us-that
we may live us two Methodisms. but with
one religion. 4
H. V. Philpot moved to amend the res
olution, but by request withdrew his mo-
| ton.
| Governor Polk We have committee
| lxy To fra,
| ternal greetings, and prefer that at pres
ent we 90 no further than what is express
| I'd in the resolution now before the Con-
ference. When by them the matter has
been carefully digested then it is time to
go into the general question.
Judge Brown: | desire to say that
think that resolution is we'll expressed: 1t
| is clear, distinct, and. above all, expresses
what is in our minds ard hearts. am in
| favor of admitting it without any change.
| [Cries Of "vote! vote!''l
| DR.. NJ. $. Andrews rose to speak but,
| the cries of "vote vote - continuing. his
remarks were not heard
The question WAS put and the resolutisns
adopted 10y Il rising vote. The Chair, turn
ing to the delegation, invited them to adj
dress the Conference.
DR.. Albert S. Hunt came forward and
said:
"Brahren, When I stood here on Fri
day last l came strengthened and supper
ted by the consciousness Of the Divine
presence, and have felt during every hour
of my tarry in this city that God has been
near to all Of us. 1t is becoming then that
the first expression of our thanks be made
to the Common Head Of the Church.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Gh st, for the peace which
has prevailed among us. L think, bretl-
rem, that we would return home just as
well assured that we carry with US your
hearts, yet we thank you for this express
sion which you have made. We shall ever
prize it rs the choicest thing in our histo-
~. As one of our colleagues has been
called off on business, and will not be here
to speak fer himself, SAY to you for him,
and for myself, that on every hand we have
been pressed with the tenderest tokens of
Christian affection. May the blessing of
God rest upon you.''
In the midst of applause DIR. Charles H.
Fowler WAS called for. He said:
Il will only add that which could not
have thought would be able to say
When | received the appointment upon
this commission thought that perhaps it
was beca use [ was Il young man. A man
i'll our church said to me: 1T is well for
you to go, as God is with you and his bless
ing upon you and this people. Some of us
who remember 1874 will have to go to heav-
Ell before we can have peace But my
presence with you has demonstrated the
all-conquering spirit of Metlodism. The
men OF "A have been as cordial and warm
As the younger men. This demonstrates
the power of the gospel to keep men young.
| have found heads covered with the light
OF eternity, as towering mountains catch
the light Of heaven. have seen this heav-
emily halo about their brow, l find them all
young and glowing with the warmestsy
pathy in behalf of our church. I wish to
say that since we have been here | have
received letters from Ollr lpadino men fill