Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-18

V,na,cs.
lRepor,ed for the Dspatch.l
PETERSBURG, Nov. l.. 1885.
Conference met at the usual hodr,
Bishop Keener presiding.
Rev. J. D. Lumsden conducted the
opening exercises.
After reading the minut 5 Of last
nights session, the Bishop resumed his
call under Question 20. Are all the
preachers blamcess in life and official
administration?
The call under this question embraces
every preacher Of the Conference, in
Guiding preachers on trial. The whole
number is 22o.
Twenty Of these arc on the "super-
annuatcd" " list and nine on the " su-
pernumerary list. The superannuate
represents the worn-out and perma-
nently-disabled men. The supernume-
rary represents the temporarily-disabled
men--men who are suffering under
some afiction which for the time rem
dcrS them unable to perform the fall
work Of a minister. The first Of these
classes receive no appointment to work :;
the second only nominal appointments
in conjunction with other preachers.
FIRST BALLOT FOR CLERICAL DELE.
GATES.
The following is the first ballot as
reported to the Conference by the
tellcrs Whole number of votes cast,
ia; necessary TO a choice, 8S. John
+. Edwards received l37 ; r. y. Sledd.
1871; W. W. Bennett. l04; j. d..
Blackwell, l03; p. Whitehead. l0l !;
=. A. Peterson, %; j. j. Lailerty,
Ga; A. G. Brown. 81; L. S. Reed,
55; Joseph II. AmiSs, 81; j. p. Gar
land, %; y. p. Wilson, q James o..
Moss, 2l; George T.. Booker, II W.
&. Lumpkin, lS; F. NJ. Edwards, II :;
Leonidas Rosser, lG; William Z. Ed
wards, Is; others scattering. John
L. Edwards, r. y. Sledd, W. W. Ben
nett, J. d. Blackwell, Paul hitehead,
and p. A. Peterson were declared
elected.
The Committee on Temperance re-
ported through Rev. F. VI. Elwards.
The report says: The progress Of
public sentiment towards what is called
local option has given encouragement
to many pious and patriotic men. The
committee arc of opinion that the dan
ger TO society from the excessive use Of
into>igants can only be met by legisla-
tive Interference, Both The great poli,i-
cal parties are pledgei by ihe'r pIa'-
forms to such policy, AMI 'rtHoas
citizens viii expect compliance with
promises voluntarily given. The Chnrch
may expect IN the near future an cXer-
else Of the elective franchise in Virginia
on the subject Of the liquor traffic.
The Church must not be deferred
from its duty by the cry Of politics
The statesman and the ccclc,iaSlic mast
work together on some lines. Prnci-
Pies learned at the foot Of the cross
must not be abandoned by the servants
of Christ simply because legislators
have been brought mp to a recognition
of their truth and importance. We
must not be driven back by the cry,
Prohibition will not prohibit. ."
The committee offered the following ::
R,soiccd, That we regard it as re-
ligiously important to have our mem
bership entirely free from all compli-
city with the manufacture and sale Of
Intoxicating liquors.
R,Soircd, That we urge fidelity to
the disciplinary teaching, and regard it
highly necessary to have uniformity of
administration throughout our Confer
encc on a matter so vital.
Resoirca, That we look with cOnf-
dcnce TO Virginia lawmakers for ful-
flment Of pledges so plainly given to
the people in published platforms.
The Joint Board Of Finance reported
the assessment for the coming year,
except the amount for domestic mis-
sions. as follows: