Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-04-03
MARYLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF TIE
M P. CHURCH.

by fair colder weather.
MARYLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF TIE
NJ P. CHURCH.
CONTINUATION OF YESTERDAYS pRoCEEDISGs.i
When the GAzETTE's report Of the Con-
ference closed yesterday evening the Home
Missionary Society was holding its meeting.
Rev. w. NJ Strayer, president, presided,
and Rev. }. NJ. Brown acted as secretary.
The report of tho treasurer showed iha5
1878 % has been received for distribution
since the rise of the last Conference, and
Il OBS so for investment. j be board OF man
arers reported that w. j. G.. Duiauy had
been appointed to dispose of the Hull street
property, it having been deemed inadvis-
able to continue missionary effort N that
locality. A resolution was offered by Rev.
n. d. Valiant to authorize the board OF
managers to invest the sum of 81 900 i'll the
parsonage property Of Belair. Adopted.
The following were elected for the ensuing
year President. w. NJ. Strayer; first vice
president, J. d. Kinzer; second vice presi-
dent, DR.. J. l.. Mills. The old board of
managers were e.elected. Rev. A. w.
Mather was reelected treasurer, and Rev.
J. NJ Brown was chosen secretary. The
society adjourned until Monday evening at
80 O'Clock, when the anniversary will be
held A resolution was offered by DIR. }. l..
Mills that the rule on page 20 OF the Con.
ference manual entitled ''stationing author
ity," be amended by adding the following:
"Who shall not appoint pastor TO the
same charge more than four years success
siyely, unless tho Conference shall author.
ize it by a two.thirds vote in each case"
The paper was made the order Of the day
for oday at 3 o'clock.
Rev. D. w. Bates, from the committee
appointed for the purpose of waiting on
President Cleveland to inquire II 1t would
suit his pleasure and convenience to receive
the members of the Conference, reported
that the President had received the com
mittee very kindly, and had named Satur-
day, at one o'clock p. M, as the time to re-
ceive the members. The Conference deter
mined to make the visit at that time.
A meeting in the interests of the Foreign
Missionary Society was held in the church
last night Addresses were made by Rev.
G. B. Middleton, pastor of the church in
this city, and Rev. J. l.. Straughn.
TO-DAY.
Conference met at o'clock this morning
and was opened by religious services b:
Rev. J. NJ. Holmes. Some time was con
sumed in routine business.
The provision in regard to the discontiu
uance of the publishing of Sunday trains to
camp meetings which was referred back to
the committee yesterday, was again taken
up for consideration.
Rev F. H. Lewis moved that members
shall not be compelled to fill appointments
by the president at camp meetings, but that
it shall be left to the option of ministers so
appointed.
Rev J. D. Kuzer thought if the oblis,,
ton was taken away it would seriously EN-
barrass camp meeting authorities.
DR.. J. J. Murray was very sorry that TIE
president of Westminster Theological Sem
mary was expressing sentiments which We're
inconsistent with pure Christian doctrine.
If trains must be run on Sunday the Con-
ference must not endorse the action.
Rev r. III. Lewis, president of the semi
nary, said he was sorry that this discussion
had brought up his official character. He
was there by the pressure of his brethren,
and there is a very easy way Of making the
wrong right. He did not believe Sunday
trains are right, but that they are necessary,
aud, therefore, when it is necessary, he has
no conjunction of conscience in making
use of them. He contended that every man
must construe Thou shalt remember the
Sabbath day to keep it holy" for himself.
Rev. Thomas DUNN thought compro
mise was necessary as conscience was IN
volved on both sides.
Rev. Dr. Drinkhouse was glad that the
President of tue Theological Seminary had
The courage of his convictions He was
calm and serious when he said that if bis
Lord was on earth and in Baltimore city,
he would not object to going TO Jackson
Grove on the Sabbath day to worship, for
that is the purpose of those going there On
that day.
DR.. l.. w. Bates thought that the senti.
ment of DR.. DrinkhouSe was preposterous.
The Jackson Grove camp meeting is re-
preventative of the church, aud if the direc-
tors of that camp meeting will sanction the
running of Sunday trains, let them do it in
the face of the protest Of the NJ. ?. Church.
The motion, that ministers shall not be
compelled to fill appointments by the Presi-
dent at camp meetings, was lost by vote
Of % to 3S.
Mr.. Nj. Strayer moved that the whole reso-
lutons be stricken out. He said he under
stood the camp meeting was a means Of
grace; and when the time came when they
must be hemmed about by rules and regu-
lations they were no longer means OF
grace and should be done away with.
DIR. Murray wished the reporters to take
notice that we do not shirk the question.
He said the decision in the Affirmative meaus
that wereiuse TO have anything to do with it.
Rev. Mr. Treadway, former pastor Of
the church here, thought that the question
was an important one, and every one should
make speech and express his opinion.
I'VE have a discipline, and why do we not
DO away with that and leave it to the in-
diridual consciences of the Minister'S"
Rev. Dr. killgore said he could not see
how the conference could pass over such a
matter. 1t was all important, aud if the
church neglected this opportunity door.
would be opened to abuses that would trail
the banner of the Methodist Protestant
honor.
The motion to strike out the whole reso-
luton was lost by vote of IS to 80.
The camp-meeting paper was then adopt
ed, and the report of the committee as a
whole was also adopted.
DR.. Drink house wished to enter his pro-
lest against the vote in that it pronounces
thlpp II, ho balia to ho cir