The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-28
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Intoxicating Drinks Forbidden NJ n
Beverage-The General Rule Amen
ded If Three-FOurfhs OF the Annual
faufcreureS C0neUr


Conferences Concur.
LOUISVILLE, KY, MAY 22.-The
minority report on Temperance, which
provides as an amendment to the gen.
eral rule that any person making,
buying, selling or using as beverage
intoxicating liquors shall be, upon
conviction, debarred from membership
in the church, was adopted by a
very large majority-a vote of 135 to
2S-being more than the two-thirds
necessary for the change of one of the
general rules. This action will be
sent round to the Annual Conferences.
and ifa majority of three-forths concur
Herewith it will pass into a law.
Preceding the final vote very ami
mated debate occurred. Ali the
speakers were agreed on the evil OF
intemperance, but the question was
as to the remedy.
DIR. Edwards said that brethren
were clamoring for another specific
law who were continually violating
those that already existed, such as
the wearing of gold and costly appar-
ell, and others as laid down in the dis
cipline. He was opposed to introduc-
ing q new test Of membership.
DR.. Register was surprised to hear
what the brother, DIR. Edwards, had
said; they were told that the rule rs il
stands does prohibit the sale OF manu-
facture of ardent spirits, and if the
Bishop and General Conference so eS-
pounded the law how could it be Il
new test of membership? He was in
favor of special legislation upon the
subject, though it struck 1000 mem-
bers from the roll. He trusted that
the grand old Methodist Church
would be misunderstood on this point
no longer.
The speaker having been loudly APP
plauded from the galleries and outside
the bar, the Secretary and Bishop
Paine entered their protest against it,
and the chair stated that applauding
in the conference room was out Of Or
der.
The previous question being called,
thevote was taken with the above result
The report Of the committee proyid-
ing for a general Board of Missions
was adopted, and the following officers
elected: President, Thomas o. Sum
mers; Vice President, i. w. Sehon;
Treasurer, 4. H. Redford.
The Committee Of Fraternal Rcla-
tions with the Northern Church sub
mitted report, in which they say:
1--WE stand ready to meet our breth-
rem of the NJ. f. Church in spirit
Of christian candor, compose all differ
ences upon the principles Of justice
and equality" The report expresses
regret that the Northern Commission
ers were not empowered to agree
upon a plan Of settlement and says:
I'VE are prepared to take advance
steps in this direction, and, waving
any considerations which might Justl-
fy greater reserve, we will not only
appoint Il delegation to return the
greeting so gracefully conveyed To Us
from the VI. L. Church, but We will
also provide for a commission TO meet
similarcomnIission from that Church,
for the purpose Of settling the disturb
ing questions.
Resolutions 10 the above effect con-
clude the report of the committee.
An animated debate Immediately
followed, and while a large majority
of the speakers endorsed the senti-
ments expressed in the report, they
we're in favor Of not complicating the
basis of establishment Of fraternal re
lations by any reference 70 the old dit:
ficulties between the two bodies.
The report was finally recommitted,
with Instructions to report again be
fore the Conference adjourned.