The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-11
Methodist General Conference.


The General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South met in Nashville on
Wednesday OF last week. Two hundred and
sixty-four delegates, representing thirty-nine
annual conferences, were present. The veneer
able Bishop Paine called the Conference to
order, and after the preliminary exercises,
Bishop McIyeire read the address of the
Bishops. 1t is a review of the church work
for four years past and statement of the
present condition and prospects, and gave
cause tor gratitude. 1t shows an increase of
PAT itinerant ministers and an increase of
membership to S606S7. Thirteen Thousand
were added to the communion last year. The
mission fund in four years increased %411 4ao
There are over 5000 members in the Indian
mission, /, 1000 on the Mexican border ana the
same number in the Central Mexican mission
the increase in the Sunday schools was 2O71
900 pupils; the circulation of the SUNDAY
school literature is 100000 The address also
shows a healthy financial condition of the
Publishing House at Nashville, and urges that
steps be taken preparatory to a proper celebra-
ton OF the coming centenary of American
Methodlsm. 1t urges an increase of facilities
tor providing colored Methodist organizations
with pastors and teachers of their race In
recommending the addition to the College of
Bishops, II suggests that with three new Dish
ops the work of the church can be done in the
next four years.
The deaths of Bishops Doggett and Wight
man were touchingy referred to- and the cleo
ton OF three additional bishops was recon-
mended.
BISHOP PAINE's RETIRAcY
bishop Paine presented touching address
OF personal character, reciting how he had
Deen preacher Tor sixty live years and bishop
for thirty-six, and asking to be permitted to
retire from active service. In the course of it
ne says : ask to be permitted to retire from
future active service. Permit me- in conclu-
sion, to congratulate you upon the suspicious
circumstances under which you have met, and
to remind you of your high responsibility to
God and His Church
Should it be allowed me in making this
probably my last, communication TO General
Conference, to express the results of nv ex-
perlence and observations as to the doctrines
and policy OF our beloved Methodism, | would
say, after devoting a life time to the study OF
It's doctrines, my conviction as to their scrip
tulalness has strengthened, and my estimation
OF the Importance of maintaining the essential
features Of its polity has increased"
COMPLIMENT TO THE RETIRING BISHOP.
Inc reaalng OF this created profound i'm
preston. Both addresses were referred to the
Committee on Episcopacy before which, how
ever, Bishop Pierce, addressing the venerable
Bishop Paine, said
Beloved Brother,-Your colleagues and
brethren rejoice to see you among them. We
consider your presence "a bAnediction II
seems to me to be beautiful province that
you should have commenced YOUR itinerant
career sixty-fye years ago at -tiissyery point |
and that after Concluding that circle Of Iahors
you are here in the presence Of voi,r hrethran
asking of them retirement from active service
Bless God that he has given to rs vour service
so long, that he has spared vor.te attend The |
Conference. But, while Won cannot 90 forth nth
in the Masters work, we NAV nroft bv vonr |
counsel and rejoice IN Christian tallows b
with you We do bless God That now in tbe |
sunset of your life, YOU are among ns and we
ask Him To ben and sanot,fr - os' 90 - ~
when your sun Shall 90 down Won will, will mass ss
into tbat heaven made g,oro,s T.. Nv " -, pao'
ries of the past and t6e lows IF tho ,ntnro
God bless YOU.
NM,
M oonMiilhE.
IL was ordered that the standing committees |
DC appointed on Episcopacy, ltineracy, Revi-