The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-02
Imposing Assembly Of Methodist
Bishops and Delegates.
Religious Celebration Of the
National Independence.
DEVOTIONAL PATRIOTISM.


Tho seventeenth Delegated General Conference OF tho
Methodist Episcopal Church assembled this morning
at the academy OF Music in this city, and called to
order at nine O'Clock by Bishop James, Bishops Simp
son, Scott, Ames Bowman, Harris Foster, Haven, m
drcws, Merrill and Peck occupied the platform,
and the auditorium filled with delegates Bishop
Ames las resident Bishop at Batmore) read address
Of welcome from the committee OF arrangements.
The committee say son the 21st day of the present
month 100 years win elapsed since the first annual
Conference assembled In this city. Here also In 1854,
Mcthodism in America assumed its separate and ndc-
pendent existence church. settled Its standards Of
faith, determined the form OF government and
organized tho method OF working. 1t is thirty-sx
years this day since the General Conference last
sembled here, although up to that time than
half OF all tho general conferences had held their
sions in BALTIMORE
George T. woodruff was declared elected Secretary.
resolution adopted ratifying and confirming
tho action whereby the place OF holding tho present
General Conference changed from ST. Louis to
Baltimore
TnE COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS.
In pursuance OF a resolution adopted at tho last Gen.
Conference ls72 that tho Board OF Bishops pro-
pare commemorative address and present II TO this
Conference the first day Of its session to be mmc-
datcly published to the church, with such recommended
our people cheerful and dcvout observance OF those
special thanksgiving services which shall be tho most
appropriate and fcrvent expression Of gratitude Al
mighty God Of faith in Jesus Christ the saviour and
Ruler Of tho world. Of love to country and loyalty
TO the free institutions which based upon tho TIM
mortal declaration OF Independence" Bishop Andrews
read as foiows:-
To PAsroEs CONGREGATIONS MkrHopIsT
RI, and
hasten to urge your compancs with the order
churches Of the csnsna.y Of American
This order provide. for suitable services IL
cnssnsa to cr;n ednsaSn r. lien gre ss. forth
reccd Most Of the conferences have taken tho action
b Hr sS s s,nGps lnys ss ss
aud colleges already begun
aagnra,td Tnroashoui whole communion lie, thanks
svg e S declare n AND
ton that national webeins be only W 10y
,s
70 sSs IT, IN h s day
Is in past days Of trial let Il be seen that the
State This special religious rnton win with
%ansy q history and Of destiny viii insure
with S% review
mens and training the IL time and and DEEDS q
Esyolusonary ..rnggle the formation Of more perfect
tho marvellous increase Of our territory. our
% our il cence literature and education
undccsycd faith the evident truths decla
cipation and acknowledgment Of scrve population
conssmtons 70 the nations rom which we sans and onr
as III Ii hs
century memorable and which prssage more signal future
and a far as possible remedy the evils which threaten
ss ' 'spS Of ana them ss%
from sectional antp.hie and ASPIRATIONS from
Sa: from
@ h. n ns s"s @ III ?.
Of the people invoke the spirit q concord Of patriotism
civil y good Than Is. world Ss. YET fnown century :" wer
sy an% pos
but the patriot Who Is also an intclligent uhrs-
lie nisrp.ess and values ali centuries and d. nations ~
therefore 3 'ns % sy
recognize higher duties such an aon this Tor to
been dssrnasa ios peculiar a.srasion Divine King
no"ad S hsseresy dsaesd from the Chris
tsn principle OF equality and hroherhoods governm ent
cS"rsh independent slate Illustrated the
"sS" sns r''"n ss"'S
ssa T The
to christ and orrsniscd hrssn charities relatively
on.s,rpped n. Of hs me- o.
pendenes :: social ~enrs on religion They are tokens q
a a%e s"sares OF is future triumph they MAKE
the land and the e.. cSsn .a they az
Impose weiyty obligations We must not. brethren he
this meeting place OF the centuries at
aud patriotic rejocng will formal and
milton Of the Of God in centnrys history
when beyond this caure of other times the Church
be summoned revcrent praise and perfect
prayer remuneration of selfish and worldly fer
and &C. 81 With .asy ns d u ss % Of
by which the national liic be Wrought nto harmony
lean Mrthos mark the close OF first century Of
national history tor Church is almost coeva with
Gladly admitting the usefulness, Of ther churches.
attempting estimate OF the service o Method
BY its direct influence upon tho national sentiment and
character IL has been helpful auxiliary ct the Republic.
faithful the traditions of their fathers the
coadutors 10 present the hrst many addresses which
churches welcomed Washington the
civil honored In the that the Methodist
Church sends soldiers TO the field to the
hospitals and more prayers to Heaven Than any ether Let
not be wanting now that We have closed the century in
which the state and Church. though IN law and IN fact
separate ami distinct have been mutually helpful and
operative 70 the nohlest results
Every Conference should provided vgor
ycminarss Our colleges and universities should be
amply this the prosperity
of the Republic the intelligence power II
generation the honor Of Lord
final responsibility lii bar Concur improve and
strength fully discharge them. and commencing you
in ai things the Of Lord remain your brct
Signed by behalf General Conference at
Baltimore, Md, May !. 1876
The address referred TO committee OF nine, to
be announced hereafter.
DIVISION or THE CONFERENCE
Rev William H. Perrins, OF Michigan. submitted
resolution to the propricty OF dividing The General
Conference into two bodies, consisting OF a clerical
senate and House Of lay representatives,. and pro-
cccdcd address the Conference length after
which hts proposition was Lam on tho table