The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-09-14

81 DItfgs Sllcnau Aoah Iron Works, Mt. Sid
lsney, Churchyille, BIidgewater, sangersville,
Port Republic, Furnace No. 2, New Market,
| Woodstock, Strasburg and Luray Circuits,
with the following statistics, viz S: church
members, $3.50; 81 congregations, IS church
buildings, IL Parsonages, so Sunday Schools,
with 514 officers and teachers, and 1920
scholars. Value OF church edifces s77,750.
The following laymen were elected as del
cgates to the next annual Conference, which
meets in Alexandria, Va, in March, 1877,
viz: VIM. Mines, S. r. Sterling, j. W. f.
Allemohg and -Brubecker, Of Page Co.
The next District Conference will meet in
Harrisonburg, Va.
The following preamble and resolutions
presented by Rev. DR.. Martin, were adopted
amid the weeping and congratulations of the
Conference who with the large audience
united in singing the Doxology in acknowl-
edgment Of what the Lord had done in re-
storing peace and fraternity to the two great
branches OF Episcopal ATctholism III the
United States:
whereas, the FratePnal Delegation appointed by
the General Conference of the Methodist Epsco-
al Church to visit the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. South, was most
of the Church South. at it's session in louisville
May 1874; and also a Fraternal Delegation from
the General Conference of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, South, in respon.e thereto, was most
atfectionately received by the General Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at lis session
in Baltimore in May last.
And furthermore, a commission appointed by
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was res
sion from the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose
duty should be to consider all questions and re
move all difficulties in the way of Formal Fratern
ity between the two churches. And whereas the
said Joint commission with the penary powers
committed to them by their respective ch ~
there made full settlement OF all questions en-.
trusted to them, and have published, Jointly, the
results of their deliberations to the Bishops.
Preachers and members of the Methodist Epsco-
pal church, and OF the Methodist Episcopal church,
South. i-.-=
Therefore Resozret by the District conference Of
the Rockingham District of the Baltimore annual
conference Of the Methodist Episcopal church
South in conference assembled.
i. That we have heard with great satisfaction
and intense delight of the harmonious meeting
sioners, appointed respectively by the Methodist
Ell iscopal church. and the Methodist Episcopal
church, South.
Resolved 2. That the recognition Of the Methodist
Episcopal church, South, as one OF the two great
branches of Episcopal Methodism in this country
of the same origin, coequal and coordinate in
agesand rank with the Methodist Episcopal church
Eas OF the same parent STOCK has fully met in ey
cry respect the claim of the Methodist Episcopal
church South, sincei its organization into a eds
tinct ecclesiastical connection in accordance with
the provisional arrangement of the General con-
ference OF 1854; and that this point having been
reached. every barrier to the existence OF q true
Fraternity was removed.
tion that this conclusion was reached in full ac-
cordancs with the antecedents and requirements
OF our time honored inethodsm. and without any
sacrace Of justice honor to either of the great
churches represented
adopted by the Joint commission for the adjudi-
cation OF II questions relating claims of prop
erty between the two great churches respectively,
as in full accordance with the principles OF equity
and peace, and the full expression of true Scrip
tural Fraternity land which alone were worthy as
a basis of settlement between the two churches
Z RESOLVED 4. That reg arding the results of this
Joint commission as the legitimate exercise ofthe
powers with which they were respectively clothed
by the General conferences OF the. churches they
represented. we not only acquiesce in the same
complete 'adiustmentioff all. existing differen-
ces and the settlementof every matter, before,
in the way OF Fraternity, but also as source of
devout rejoicine aly& ~ ~ 4
question as q gracious Providential Interpolation
las only from HIM. who .ordaineth peace for u.s.
OF our history as nation. and about the same Of
the organization Of the first Methodist Societies.
from the close OF the colonial government, we can
but feel that the Great Head of the church,, the
Prince of Peace still recognizes these two
branches of Episcopal Methodism, whose common
record of sacrifices from her sons, who abreast of
any other within the last century, pioneered the
West and the South,in leveIing the forests and
opening the way for settlements. which now
tured, stands forth in beauty and power, an also
by the labors OF whose itnerant and local ministry
m ore than any. other penetrating to every part Of
this great country, the Gospel Of peace has been
preached and Christs Kingdom established-all
attesting this as the Growing event of this ceh-
tennial year; and which will hereafter arrest the
attention and fond remembrance of the children
Of common Methodism- North, South, East and
West as worthy of everlasting rejoicing
Res0tved 6. That i1lthe settlement of this ques-
tlons which in no way changes us from the dis
tnct ecclesiastical connection, we have before
maintained as the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and which In no degree pledges to organ
ic uuion in the future with any other ecclesiastical
body; we nevertheless hereby express our free and
full ofering OF Thanksgiving to God that in the
bonds of q NetlsodiSt BToiler5sood, in the
deliberations and conclusions of this Joint Com
mission ssthc work of righteousness has peen
peace and the effect of righteousness quietness
Now, therefore, in the spirit of exultant graft
tude we call on all ''To look upon Zion the city of
our so IDENTITIES, thine eyes shall behold Jerusa-
lem quiet habltatiOn, a tabernacle that shall not
be taken down. not of the stakes thereof shall
everbe removed neither shall any OF the cords
thereof be broken. But there the glorious Lord
shall be, unto us place OF broad rivers and
streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars,
neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.-Isaiah
xiii 20, FL. s3s -,
tD7s# y 81 45'i JOHN S. MARTIN,
-rtf( 3ts'. Chairman of CDmmttea