Smyrna times., 1885-03-18
The M. E. Conference.
THURSDAY.

day and were taken in charge and
comfortably fixed in pleasant homes by
the local committee. The Rev. w. H.
Hutchin preached the annual temper
ance sermon to a large congregation on
Wednesday evening.
The Bishop not having arrived
Thursday morning DR.. Caldwell was
selected to preside. The Rev. J. d.
Rigg was reelected Secretary, and he
appointed the Revs. E. H. Macnichol,
assistants. The Rev. John d. c.
Hanna was elected statistical secretary,
and he appointed as his clerks Revs.
c. A. Hill, Oliver S. Walton, G. w.
Wilcox and J. A. Gise The following
Is the Board of Stewards named by the
presiding elders: Wilmington district,
John France Easton, Adam Stengle :;
Dover james A. Brindle; Salisbury,
William b. Walton. On motion of J.
J, Qugg, all educational collections
] Hecially directed elsewhere, were
ord - be paid to the treasurer of
the C.h.>Yence Academy. The greater
part of the afternoon was deyotedto the
Sunday School Union. Bishop Merrill
arrived during the day.
FRIDAY.
The second days session was opened
by Bishop Merrill Records and testi-
mony in the eases Of Revs. Z. P. Al
dred and A. w. Lightbourne were
handed to the secretary, aud an early
settlement Of the difficulties asked for.
These were quickly followed by the
presentation of charges against Revs.
J. f. Mowbray and w. +. Tompkinson.
A scene of considerable excitement en-
sued.
A motion was made to have the case
of Mr. Lightbourne tried before a select
committee. Mr.. Lightbourne asked
the privilege Of trial before the con
ference. Rev. J. B. Quigg protested
and argued in favor Of committee Mr..
Lightbourne again took the floor and
won the attention and apparent SYM
pathy Of the conference. He said !:
Mr.. President, it is generally conced-
ed that Mr.. Quigg cxerts considerable
influence in this conference, aud in
protesting against his motion wish to
be better understood and my position
clear. therefore ask the permission
Of an open trial, because Mr. Quigg is
the person who prefers the charges
against me-
The matter, which comprises simply
allegations not proven, was adjusted by
the appointment of a commissioner
who, with the assistance of a secretary
and counsel, to collect testimony and
prepare the case for conference, to be
decided by the bishop
Counsel for J. T.. Mowbray and w.
E. TOmpkinsOn asked the same, which,
after some debate, was granted.
The case Of L. p. Aldred was then
brought up and a vote as to its dispos-
al taken. 1t was referred to an eccles-
iastical court of fifteen members, with
T. H. Haynes as chairman.
Rev. J. +. Nowbray is charged by
Rev. T. T. Hubbard with sermon steal
ins and lying. The charge of lying
and slander Is preferred against Rev
W. E. TOmpkinson by Rev. J. A. Z
Wilson, presiding elder of Salisbury
district. The charge of purloining {
letter, in addition to that Of leaving hi:
church without permission OF his pre-
siding elder, is brought against Rev
4. w. Lightbourne bf Rev. J. b. Quigg
The following are the counsel for tn,
prosecution and the defendants: Fo
the church. 4. II. Adams, W J
O'Neal for Lightbourne, r. w. Todd
for the church, T. O. Ayers, J. +. Otis
for ompkinson, J. d. Kemp; for tn,
church, T. +. Terry, W. L. ). Murray
for Mowbray. J :. Willis, J. d. Kemp
for the church, J. T. Van BurkaloW
W. w. W. Wilson for A|dr,d, J. 1
Kemp. J. B. Quigg.
The stewards and missionary colleC
tions We're called, which showed goo
work for the past year. The results {
class examinations was presented t
the conference, anl the regular routin
work in connection done The stats
teal society handed in reports of tn
various districts, showing Salisbury
be the banner district for the past yea
Presiding Elder Hill, Of the WIhnin,
ton district, in reading his rcpo
fought the liquor traffic. lie said
In Delaware she liquor traffic woa
the garb Of re-Pectabiity, protected l.
the Legislature"
When the character Of the pre- lch G
was taken up there was a pause in ii
proceedings when the name of Rev
f. Smith was reached. Presidh
Elder A. W. Mlby read quite AN ella
crate communication from Mr. Smit
IN which he stated that his religion
convictions had recently undergone
change, and that under the circur
stances he could not conscientious
remain in the Methodist Churc
lie wished, however, to be pcrmitt'
to retain his credentials. His nan
was withdrawn from the conferenc
and he will not be allowed TO reta
his credentials. Mr.. Smith will co
meet himself with the followers
Swedenborg.
The following secretaries were a
pointed 20 take testimony Ia the cas-
Of the ministers to he tried for yario
misdemeanors V. 5. Collins for J.
Mowbray, l. G. FosnOcht for A.
Iightbourne, J. f. Kidney for W.
Tompkinson, and T. II. Nelson for
p. Aldred.
The conference gave vote Of than
to the Hon. Jacob Tome for the m
nifcent gift Of $4,000 to the use
Dickinson College. Dr. McCaul, re
resenting Dickinson College, was