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

and take up collection for its benefit.
| 3. ReSotDed, That the ministers OF this
Conference be requested, to the extent con-
sistent with other demands made upon their
time and attention, to render assistance to
the general agent in the prosecution Of the
work of the Society.
4. ReSolued, That the presiding bishop OF
the Conference, as desired by the Board OF
Managers, be requested to continue the
Rev. John G. Rowe in his present relation
as agent to the Society.
BIBLB ADDRESSES.
On motion OF Rev. DR.. Edwards, the Con-
ference invited the Rev. DR.. Hoge, of the
Second Presbyterian church, and president
Of the Bible Society, to address the body on
the Bible cause. DR.. Hoge demonstrated
that something more than resolutions were
needed to enable the Society successfully to
prosecute its mission active assistance such
as could be given by the Methodist preach
ers was needed.
DR.. Hoge graphically described the power
and influence Of the Methodist Church and
the energy and ardor OF its ministers, and
appealed to the latter to exert their 1nfill-
ence in behalf OF the Bible cause. The Bi.
BILE, he said, was needed by all classes Of So
ciety-by the children, the businessmen,
the learned professions, and the politicians.
Especially was it needed by the freedmen.
The ballot has been thrust upon thern-now
let us, he said, furnish them with the Bible.
DR.. Hoge took occasion during his eloquent
remarks to refer to the opposition to the
use Of the Bible in the public schools. He
thanked God that it would forever be text
book in the Sunday schools. He also
touched up the scientific obiectors to the
Bible, and delicately referred to the danger
OF the country in the present crisis, and ar
gued that our safety and welfare, political
and religious, depended upon biblical in
struction and obedience to its teachings.
DR.. Hogc was unusually eloquent. His
illustrations were apt and forcble, and the
attention given him was unmistakabe evi-
dence OF the interest his address excited.
Rev. DR.. Edwards also made an earnest
and eloquent appeal in behalf of the cause.
Rev. Mr.. e. M. Peterson called attention
to the fact that half OF the money collected
for the Bible cause was paid out in the way
of commissions to agents.
DR.. Edwards explained that those COM
missions included payment for the labors OF
missionaries and colporteurs visiting dis
tant homes in the mountains and by the sea-
shore, and their work, the good they did,
was far beyond estimation in dollars and in
cents. The moral result attained could not
be calculated in cold metallic figures.
DR.. Edwards made a full explanation OF
the workings OF the Society, clearly show
ing that the money paid out was not merely
to distribute Bibles, but to spread the gos-
pei, and for prayers with the people, and to
put them on the right road.
Mr.. Peterson expressed his satisfaction
with DR.. Edwards's explanation.
On motion Of DR.. Edwards, Rev. NJ. w.
Staples, Of the Presbyterian Church, gen.
eral agent of the Virginia Bible Society,
was invited to address the Conference. He
stated that every dollar contributed In Vir-
ginia to the Bible cause-and more-was
returned in Bibles and Testaments given to
the Door and destitute of the State. As for
the Bibles sold, they are sold at the price
they cost in New York, and the Society
pavs freight This they have been able to
do with the generous aid OF the American
Bible Society. In eighteen months more
the Society will have furnished every dest-
tute family in Virginia that can read copy
Of the Bible. q.
The report was adopted as awhole.
Bishop Kayanaugh expressed his gladness
that Mr.. Peterson had provoked the expla-
nation from DR.. Edwards, and he was glad to
hear the Society so fully vindicated. The
Bishop entreated the ministers to stand up
to the Bible cause, for he held that it is the
foundation OF the country's liberties and
welfare He hoped the Bible Society would
not be forgotten in the collections during
the coming year, and that we should guard
our religious and political liberties from all
usurpcrs, and through Jesus be free indeed.
THE BROCK CASE.
Rev. DIR. Granbery, from the committee
in the Brock case, submitted report. MIR.
r. S. Brock was member OF the Gordons-
vile church, but was expelled for several
causes. He appealed from the Church ac-
tion to the Quarterly Conference, but that
body declined to try his appeal. Then he
came to the Annual Conference with his
tory Of the case, and questioned the con-
duct OF the Quarterly Conference and OF the
presiding elder (Rev. Mr.. Proctor), who
was e1-oticio the presiding and law officer
OF the Quarterly Conference.
The committee stated the facts, and held
that Mr.. Brooks appeal to the Quarterly
Conference should have been tried.
The committee, in conclusion, say:
"The committee therefore believe that
the presiding elder was guilty OF malad-
minstration in Glowing the Quarterly Con-
ference to dismiss the appeal without a
hearing; but they find no reason to suspect
any improper spirit or intention on his part.
| IL he erred, 1t was his construction OF the
law. We recommend
"I. That the appeal Of r. S. Brock be
remanded to the Quarterly Conference OF
Gordonsyille station for trial.
"2. That the character OF Rev. Joseph A.
Proctor do pass"
Rev. Mr.. Proctor defended the action of
the Quarterly Conference, and stated that
Mr.. Brock, and those acting with him, mad
placed themselves in rebellion against the
Church. That was the occasion OF Mr..
Brooks expulsion.
Rev. Mr.. Motley denied that the trouble
in the Gordonsville church had been origl-
mated by Mr.. Brock, and that Mr. Brock and
those aftiliating with him had placed them
selves in rebellion against the Church. On
the contrary, they were among the very
best men in the church, and were awaiting
the first opportunity consistent with their
self-respect to return to the Church.
Rev. Paul Whitehead said nothing could
be clearer than that Mr.. Brock had been
illegally cut off from appeal. He might be
the very worst man or the very best man in
the world, that did not alter the case; it
had nothing to do with it. The Conference
must see justice done without regard to
persons. 49,
Mr.. Proctor argued the law points in the
case, and held that the Quarterly Confer
ence had closely followed what they regard
ed as the statutes and practices OF the
Church.
DIR. Granbery said that Mr.. Proctor had
acted in perfect faith in this matter, but
misunderstood the law. Mr.. Brock having
| oonoo hafora the Quarterly Conference un-