The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-01
Last Day of the General Conference.

Last Day of the General Conference.
In the general Conference of the M. E.
Church. South, at Nashville, on the 25th, the
Committee on Revisal submitted report re-
commencing the elimination of the word
"South" from the name of the church, and al
so to change the name to Episcopal Methodist
instead OF Methodist Episcopal"
| Dr. Bennett moved that action be indef-
nitely postponed.
The Bishop ruled that a motion to indefi-
nitely postpone was not debatable
DR.. Bennett appealed from the decision of
the Chair, and the Conference sustained him
| in his appeal Mt
This question called forth great deal OF
discussion. DIR. McFerrin was opposed to in
dehnlte postponement, and wanted the matter
referred to the Annual Conferences by the
Bishops, and for them to report the action of
the Annual Conferences to the next General
Conference for ratification. ~
Judge j. Walker Tucker made a strong
speech against the change, and sale that to
change the name would appear as ifthe Church
was ashamed of her record He was proud of
the name "South," and if any one did not like
to join them with their name let them go to
the others who did not have that prefix.
Dr. Miller advocated the change, because in
the Western country the word "South" had
Its bad effects, and was q means OF keeping
large number of people from joining the
Church when. if that prefix was stricken out
the church would increase more rapidly in
membership than ever. sHriil'is l4fe
DR.. Anson was not in favor OF indefinite
postponement, but was in favor of sending
the proposition to the Annual Conferences,be be-
cause he believed If they did that it would be
defeated. The line between the two divisions
had not been obliterated, and he believed the
change would do no good.
Judge Whitworth favored the change, be-
cause the question on which the separation
was based was dead. and he thought if the
name was changed the 400, 900 negroes in the
South, would join the Church, but would not
do it as long as it retained its present name.
DIR. W. r. Brown, of California, wanted the
name changed because it was Objectionable to
Western people,
DR.. Kelley favored the change on the same
ground.
DR.. Potter opposed the change, and said the
logic of the whole argument meant simply to
go back in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They could not obliterate their history with
out going bodily to the other side, and this he
was opposed to.
DR.. McFerrin read the following in lieu of
the report of the committee, and moved its
adoption:
Resol0ed, That the matter of the change of
name of the Methodist Episcopal Church South
to the Episcopal Methodist Church be offered
to the various Annual Conferences by the
Bishop during the ensuing four years, and
that they report the result of the vote to the
General Conference in 1886 and further
Res0loed, That the Church, if changed, shall
be Methodist Episcopal Church OF America
DR.. ]. E. Evans, of Georgia, moved to amend
by making the name Methodist Episcopal
Church of Christ. This amendment was not
accepted.
DR.. Ellis moved the previous question on
the substitute of Drs. McFerrin and Blue The
substitute then prevailed by rising vote of
105 to 40.
Bishop McTyeire took the chair and an
nounced that the hour for adjournment was
fast approaching.
The Conference joined in singing, during
which grea! deal of emotion was shown BY
members of the Conference.
Bishop McTyeire congratulated the Confer
ence on the work they had transacted. He
then declared the Conference adjourned sine
die
The Conference will meet four years hence
in Richmond, Va. Amen.