The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-23

ministers and members Of the two churches
represented, and that we cordially acquiesce
in and will faithfully abide by the .ame.
8. RESOLVED, That we have been deeply
affected by intelligence OF the death of Rev.
E. Ii. Myers, D. D., chairman Of the COM
missioners on fraternity, and to whom the
Church is largely indebted for the happy
results of the Cape May Conference, and
that we tender to his family and his Confer
ence our deepest sympathy in their bereave-
ment. T.. n. PETERSON, Chairman;
l.. NJ. LEE,
j. A. DUNCAN,
-.. j. POWELL GARLAND.
J. e. EDWARDS,
J. f. BRANNIN,
g.. j. R. KnBY,
| F. II. SMITH,
III. W. MURRAY,
VISITORS.
Rev. Dabney Ball, Of the Baltimore Con-
ference, and Rev. Mr.. Duncan, OF the North
Georgia Conference, were introduced to
the Conference and invited to privileged
seats.
About 2:20 O'Clock a recess was taken till
7:30 O'Clock.
Night Session.
Rev. DR.. J. A. Duncan occupied the chair
at the night session. The religious eXer-
cises were led by Rev. Mr.. Manning.
Rev. A. G. Brown, from the Joint Board
OF Finance. submitted report appro-
priating 1854 for the support Of superan-
nuated ministers and for the widows and
orphans OF deceased ministers. The report
was adopted.
All the superannuated ministers were con-
tinued except two-Rev. George W. Motley,
who was upon his own urgent request left
upon the effective list, and the case OF Rev.
Fields A. Davis was continued till to-day
Thursday. Mr.. Davis was not prepared
| to say whether he wished to be put upon
the effective list or be retained on the super
| annuated list.
PROPOSED DIVISION OF CONFERENCE.
Rev. DR.. Bennett offered the following:
Whereas in the Judgment Of this Confer
ence the interests Of Methodism would be
greatly promoted in the whole northeastern
portion OF our Church territory by dlvl-
sion of annual Conferences and rearrange-
ment of Conference lines; and whereas it
is fully apparent that large and unwieldy
Conferences cannot so readily and satisfac-
| torily transact business when in session, nor
be easily accommodated except In large
cities; and whereas we feel convinced that
| in smaller and more compact Conferences
there would be greater development OF
talent and energy among the preachers,
more thorough cultivation OF our fields OF
labor, and better arrangement in the form
of circuits and districts, with other robYious
advantages; therefore,
| Resolved, That committee OF tive men,
bers of this Conference be appointed to take
into consideration the question OF dividing
the Virginia Conference into two Confer
l;enccs by such natural line from east to
west as shall give an equal and fair division,
and that the said committee be Instructed TO
visit the Baltimore Conference at its next
session for the purpose of consulting that
| body on this subject and arranging for such
exchange OF territory as may be necessary
in the execution Of the purpose and plan
herein indicated.
This committee shall report its action to
the next session of this Conference.
W. W. BENNETT,
P. A. PETERSON.
The resolution was adopted.
DR., Bennett explained the necessity, as he
thought, for the contemplated action, and
suggested that good line Of division Of this
Conference would be down the James river
from the Blue Ridge to Hampton roads,
thence down the eastern branch OF the
Elizabeth river to the ocean, throwing Nor
folk on one side and Portsmouth on the
other. He would have the boundaries OF
the North Virginia Conference extended to
the Potomac river on the North, and to the
Blue Ridge on the west. Then make the
Valley counties into another Conference,
and allow the Maryland Conference to re-
tain the District OF Columbia and the State
of Maryland, and the Eastern Shore Of Vir-
ginia.
Rev. Mr.. Ware thought the movement at
this time would iniure the prospects OF
Randolph-AIacon College.
DR.. Bennett believed that the interests OF
the College would be promoted rather than
hurt. He had reason to believe, too, that
the Maryland brethren would not look upon
the scheme with disiavor, il it could be
made to appear that the general good OF the
Church could be advanced.
Mr.. Ware gave several reasons why, in
his opinion, he regarded the step AZ mad
visable at this time.
i. Dr.. Rosser conditionally supported the
proposition OF DR.. Bennett, and it was
adopted.
The following committee was appointed:
Rev DR.. Bennett, Rev. +. A. Peterson,
Rev. DR.. Duncan, Thomas Branch, OF Rich
mond; and George NJ. Bayne, OF Norfolk.
I. EDUCATION.
Rev. DR.. Bennett presented report ably
dealing with the subject Of education. The
progress in that direction the Methodists
have. made; the necessity for the tnstruc-
ton of children at home; the care that
should be exercised in the selection OF teach
ers, and sanitary arrangement OF schools,
were all elaborately discussed. Farmvlile
Female College, Rev. Paul Whitehead, prin-
cipal: Wesleyan Female College, at Muir
freesboro', N. c., Rev. W. G. Starr, presl-
dent: Southern Female College, at Peters
burg. williams T. Davis, principal; and
Mrs. Chandler's Female School, at Bowling
Green, Caroline county, were mentioned as
worthy of the patronage OF the peonle OF
the Church. Randolph-Macon College, Kew.
Dr. James A. Duncan, president was re-
ferred to in terms OF high praise, and spe-
cial appeal was made for means TO enable IL
to continue its career of usefulness.
The report asked that the Bishop approve
the appointment of the ministers who are
engaged In these fields Of labor, and also the
appointment OF DR.. Granbery as professor at
Vanderbilt University, and that the usual
efforts be made in behalf OF the college.
The report was made the order for 10
O'Clock to-day.
PUBLISHING INTERESTS.
The report on publishing interests was
taken from the table. The first resolution.
was adopted at the morning session.
Rev. Z. M. Peterson moved that the se-
cond resolution be amended so as to request
the Y,,1hIishirG n agent instead of an iteruiZed