The Morning herald., 1876-03-18

L ltlA VICoO VIOW0s
Rssolvsd, That the change in the time o
appointments of preachers to stations, O
changes, be 80 altered that no preache
shall be returned for three consecutive
years unless he be asked for by . two-third
vote Of the official membership belonging
to such station or circuit at q meeting
called for that purpose.
| After Offering his resolution, Mr.. Cram
said: "There Is a disposition on the par
of some, which adheres to old usages
When the M. E. Church WIS first founded
it was surrounded by very different circum
stances than those which surround it now
There is in this laity plenty of talent among
its members to carry on the business o
this Conference. The old rule of the Pre-
siding Elderships has lost its influence; and
It is now fact that the salaries of the Pre-
siding Elders is drawn from the meagr'
salaries of the preachers. have no charge
to bring against the Elders as men, and
they arc as efficient as can be expected
under the circums' ances. But for the
amount of labor done, we are paying Toe
much money. There is now about $1,000
which is now paid out, that might be other.
wise applied, Aud the day ofthe efficient
Eldership is passed away. Iwould there.
fore abolish the Presiding Elsersbip, and
have district conferences"
Mr.. Calhoun said that he did not alto
gether agree with the report and resolution,
but he should, after some amendments,
vote for their adoption. OIL. "'
T. w. Eliason offered an amendment to
the resolutions, providing that the word
consecutive" be inserted between the
words uthrae'S and ttveara -
Mr.. Crane accepted the amendment.
One of the members thought that there
was nothing in the past to justify our aban
Mr. Mcdaniel said that he did not think
the Church had kept very close in the old
landmarks. ''."
Mr.. Crane again arose and made some
further strong remarks in favor Of his sub
stitute.
One of the brethren then moved thai the
memorial sent from the Eastern Church to
the Con ference be read, and the Secreta ry
was directed to read it.
Mr.. Ellegood then rose and made some
objections to deviating from the old way,
but said that he was ready to decide in ia
vor of change, if he could give any good
reasons for so doing; thus far he had heard
one objection, and that was it was too ex-
pensive. Rev. DR.. Wilson indulged in some
emarks, and when he concluded, the ques-
tion was called for and voted upon, 25 men,
bers in favor of adopting the resolutions,
and 2S against their adoption. The substi-
tute was then moved to be laid upon the
table. Lost. A brother from Dover then
offered an amendment to the first section of
Mr.. Cranes resolutions providing that there
still be Presiding Elder aud that District
Conferences might be established, and that
they be enlarged, and also that copy Of
The resolutions be sent to the Presiding El-
der. The whole subject was then moved
10 be laid upon the table. Lost.
A motion to adjourn was also lost, by %
to "a.
The whole affair seemed to be very much
misunderstood by some Of the brothers,
and the secretary arose and said that he
thought the assembly had the appearance
Of a demoralized legislation, and hoped
that they would all return to q sober con.
sideration of the subject, as became Chris.
cian men. An amendment was then offered
BY q brother from Easton, but was los.
The brother from Dover then arose and
said few words upon his resolution, after
which his amendment was voted upon and
carried, 16 for the affirmative and IA for
The, negative; his resolution was then ad-
opted The members we're then beginning
TO leave without formal adjournment, and
it was decided to sing the doxology, have
the benediction pronounced, and adjourn
until this morning at 9 o'clock.