The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-29

cupled 10y members or the Assembly, ana
to-day in different trains the members are
dispensing to their homes; but all will bear
with them very agreeable recoilections OF
the people among whom they have So
| journed, and Of meeting in many re-
spects pleasant and profitable. z.
General Conference Methodist EpEsco-
pal Church. South.
ATLANTA, May "a, 1878.
The Conference, after debate, decided by
q large majority that answers l and 9 to
custom l., section 1, chapter 2, pages 30 and
SO, OF the Discipline, be so amended as to
read rs follows:
| Answer 1. The General Conference shall
be composed Of one clerical member for
every thirty-siX members OF each annual
| Conference, and an equal number OF lay
| members. Or the lay members from an an
nual conference one may be a local preacher.
The clerical representatives shall be elect
ed by the clerical members OF the annual
conference; provided, that such represent
atiyes shall have been travelling preachers
at least four calendar years next preceding
their election, and in full connection with
an annual conference when elected, and also
at the time OF holding the General Confer
ence. The lay representatives shall be
elected by the lay members OF The annual
conference provided, that.such represent
atlyes be twenty-five years Of age and shall
have been members OF our Church for
ut least six calendar years next preceding
the time OF their election, and also at the
time OF holding the General Conference.
9. An annual conference, entitled under
the second restriction rule to one minlste-
rial delegate, shall not be denied the prlvl-
lege OF one lay delegate, and he may be
local preacher.
The Conference also decided that the
second restrictive rule in the Discipline,
page Sc, be so amended as to read as fol-
lows-viZ:
9. They shall not allow OF more than one
representative for every eighteen members
of the annual conference, nor allow OF a
less number than one for every sixty; pro-
yided nevertheless, that when there shall be
in any annual conference fraction OF two
thirds.the number which shall be fixed for
| the ratio OF representation, such annual
conference shall be entitled to an additional
delegate for such fraction; and provided,
| also that no conference shall be denied the
privilege Of two delegates-one clerical AND
one lay.
The Conference also decided to insert the
question, care you in debit" in Discip-
line. on admission OF preachers on trial.
Report /. OF Committee OH Finance on
| Church debts and prohibition OF stewards
creating items on Church property, and re-
commencing such changes in present laws
"a are necessary to prevent churches from
running into deep debt. Adopted.
| Report No. 8 OF Committee on Revlsal:
Item 1. Favorable on change OF Dlscip-
line that conferences sit with open doors
unless ordered otherwise. Adopted,
Item 9. Fayorably.on memorial on change
OF Discipline so as to make class-eaders an
nually appointed and changed when neces'
sarv.
z. Hamil opposed the item.
The item was put on dlvlslon-yeas,
Sc: nays, 51-and was adopted,
Item 5. Favorably on resolutions asking
provision against undue multiplication OF
churches and changing the discipline to
| that end.
II was moved to table the item.
The motion was withdrawn after some
debate. and the item was adopted.
!. s. Martin offered resolution to unite
two appointments into one so far as relates
/ 70 presiding elders appointments, anC
changing Discipline to that end. Adopted
! A resolution declaring that the action o.
tbe Conference in refusing to make speclht
law against dancing, &C., could not be con
strupd as any allowance OF such sinful plea
sures, was adopted.
resolution excusng bishops from at
tendance on district conferences was passed
resolution to prevent Sunday travel tt
neyt general conference by making it NEE
on the first Saturday in May, 1882. WIFE
drawn.
A resolution making the next Genera
Conference meet on the first "Wednesday III
May, 1882, was passed.
Risbop Pane said the bishops had ro
ceiyed many requests that the Conference
authorize them to appoint week o.
A. r. Winfield moved that sthe Confer
ence ask the bishops to appoint u week o.
prayer. Adopted.
Resolutions on preparation OF new Dis
cipline and Journal OF General conference
were passed.
4 resolution to publish course Of study
for preachers, to be published IN the DIS
cipline, was passed.
CLOSING SCENES.
The doxology was then sung, and Blsnol
Paine led the Conference in a BRIEF CLOSING
prayer; after which Bishop Wlshtman an an
Inonnced the Conference adjourned SINE on
after the solemn bsneliction. +
/ PHI DELTA THETA.-Tbe thirtieth annua
/ Convention OF the Phi Delta Theta Frater
Ihity convened at the National Grand Hall
at Wooster, Ohio, May %, 1878, at 9:45 a
M. with eighteen States represented %:
delegates, besides large number OF yls,
/ tors in attendance. The retiring president
Mr.. Gaskeli, OF Georgia, delivered an clio
Iouent yaIedictory address; and Mr.. Red
dig, OF Pennsylvania, was elected e. ser tI
mil 1880. Mr.. George William Cone, Q
IRicbmond College, was elected second vice
I;president for the same length OF time. Mi
lL. L. Bristow, Of Kentucky son Of the ez
J, Secretary, represented the University Q
4 Yircinia. The Convention closed Frida
night with public exercises in the Frs
Presbyterian church and grand banque
mt Townley's American Hotel where tn
beauty OF Wooster was fully displayed
! lIri.a..sl q Ia ..1lnmini Has toasted. an