The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-03-15

ne IkpbEJ W DIS submitted TO cOD1t
ence and adopted
Upon request the Rev. \ Chandler was
changed from supernumerary to etiec-
tive.
The Rev. Vaughn Smith, supeInuner-
AIRY, stated t. the conference that for
some reason or other he had been trans
terred from the active 70 the supernumer-
AIRY list at the last session of conference.
Not being incap icitaied from performing
full duty. he could not understand the
motive of conference in making him
srpernnm rary. and asked an explana-
tioE from his presiding elder. He stated
with much feeling, endorsed 10y visible
sympathy from the auditorium, that he
had been IS years laboring hard in the
church and considered lie had done his
full uutA commensurate with his ability.
With great deal of emotion lie stated
with tine church and his connection there
with and the taking upon himself of the
duties of minister had been in opp0si-
tion to the wishes Of those he loved best.
HIS people were Presbyteriaus and the
Influences of his early life had been in
that direction, tut he could not sub
scribe to Calvanistia tenets and had re-
fused offers 10 preach in the Presbyte. ian
church for a Larger salary than he had
ever got i'll the Methodist church. He
was no: in the church for his bread ard
butter but because he felt that he had
been called by God. Sensation and ap-
pIau,e. Continuing he insinuated in
Enthusiastically plain terms that he had
been unjnstly dealt with in being taken
from the list of active ministers. He
awaited an explanation.
The Rev. j. A. b. Wilson walked
across To Mr.. Smiths seat and in semi
audible whisper, said you never applied
70; active duty" Mr.. Smith Instantly
arose, and with smvlhered indignation,
addressing the conference, said: He
says have never applied for work.
Brethren during my 46 years in the
ministry he emphatically continued,
Il never once asked for work, and never
once made an application for any par-
ticular charge" Expressions of SYM
pathy and approval
The Rev. w. J. O'Neil, with great
deal of feeling, arose and stated that he
was in charge of Princess Anne Church,
a congregation second to none in Mary
land for culture and intellectual refine
ment, and ability to discern the qualifi-
cations of IA minister. Formerly Mr.
Smith had been of that church and the
speaker testified personally to the fact
that Mr.. Smiths acceptation to that con-
gregation was a standing testimonial to
his fitness for minisieling to a cultured
people. Mr.. Neil had heard men and
women of that Princess Anne Chul CHI
reiterate their admiration of Mr.. Smiths
qualifications and the deep regard in
which he is held to this day. During
the war he differed with many of his
people on the political questions, and
took decided stand in the matter. His
congregation, while many differed in
opinion. respected his manhood. admired
his independence, and esteemed him as
an earnest, intelligent pastor, and will
testify their esteem by giving him a
large audience at-auy time he might see
| fit to go among them and preach again.
[Applause.l
The bishop remi nded conference that
the question before it was whether the
proifered parchment and resignation of
| Mr. Smith should be accepted or re-
| jected.
1t was moved and seconded that Mr..
Smith be requested to withdraw his
withdrawal and leave the question of
subsequent action with conference. This
was passed unanimously by rising
| vote.
1t was then directed upon vote that
NJ. Smiths case be postponed, that he
might consider the request of conference.
Mr.. Smith arose and with difficulty
| concealing his emotion, conveyed his APP
probation of the action of conference
| in his case, but he would not continue
on the supernumerary list and stated
that he could not accede to the request
expressed by the vote of conference, I'M
less he was given active duty. [ Muir
mus of approval and sympathy lie
concluded asking that his parchments be
accepted. L"No! No, No. from men,
bers The case was then LETT for con-
ference's action as ordered.
TUESDAY.
The last days meeting of the annual
session of the Wilmington Methodist
/ Conference convened at o'clock on
/ Tuesday morning.
! The business opened with the reading
of the annual report Of the secretary of
! statistics of the conference, from which
the following figures are taken: Bap-
/ tisms, 2, 0e9; adults, 1855; churches, 81;