Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-11-18
Rev. G. W. Carter Reinstated.

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Conference NJ. E. Church South, in
Norfolk, the question, "Who are adj
mitted on trial 2" was resumed, and the
name of Rev. George w. Carter was
again called, and DR.. a. c. Bledsoe
moved that the presiding elder OF DIR.
Carter be requested TO confer with him
and request the withdrawal of his ap-
plication, which motion was tabled by
the motion of Dr. Whitehead. DR..
Bledsoe then moved that the case be
considered with closed doors, which
motion was also tabled by an over
whelming vote, and then the body pro-
ceeded to the consideration of DR.. Car
ter's application.
Rev. 4. c. Bledsoe was the principal
speaker against the application of DR..
Carter. He said he was about to dis
charge the saddest duty of his life. He
was amazed at the line pursued by the
speakers on the other side. He yield
cd to no man in the feeling ofjoy upon
DR.. Carriers return to the church, but
forgiveness of the past and charity
were one thing, and sending him
out as a member and represent
alive of this conference Was another
thing. He did not question the sincerl-
ty of DR.. Carriers penitence and pur-
pose, but the question for the confer
ence to decide was the eXpediency of
receiving him, and he was compelled to
say that his reputation was such that
this conference could not receive and
carry such a man. His record in recon-
struction times was such as to debar
him. DR.. Blcdsoc described the wretch
ed political history that Dir. Carter had
made. when Rev. Mr.. Amiss rose 10
question of order and asked if it were
proper to introduce political matters
into this question. to which the Bishop
replied that it was proper TO bring out
ali the facts. Dr.. Bledsoe said there
were things in the life of a man Of
which lie might repent, but the results
of which he might not rid himself. DIR.
Carter had sold his birthright fora mess
of pottage and he could not recover it.
If he were an ordinary man the Viz
ginia Conference would not think Of
considering this proposition. He adj
mired Dr. Carriers ability and rejoiced
in his repentance. Next to the intiu-
ence of his mother, he owed his CONVEX
sion TO Il sermon that he heard from
this gifted man. He was glad that he
was in the church and that he was i'll
the local ministry. Let him remain
there. 1t would do for him to preach
the gospel as Il local minister, but his
public and domestic life had been such
that it would not do for him TO 20 out
under the authority Of this conference.
Rev Mr.. Maxcy moved that the case
be referred to committee of three,
which motion was promptly laid on the
table.
Dr. Whitehead said that something
had been said of sentiment. There was
i scntimentalism that might creep in
hcre-a pharasaic sentiment, "holier
than thou sentimcnt-that would not
admit a man who had ever been tar
nishcd. 1t had been said that DR.. Car
Ter could preach in the local ranks. If
he was fit to be there, he was fit to be
mere. 1t had been said that this body
! could not carry such a--inan, but this
conference could carry any man that
they saw fit to receive. Bishop kcener
had been quoted against Dr. Carter.
While he admired the senior bishop
ne did not indorse his judgment in this
matter. 1t had been asked why had he
not gone to Louisiana. He came here
to Virginia, where his worst and best
were known.
Mr.. cheatham opposed his admission
on the ground of his wicked domestic
life.
All the speakers in DR.. Carriers ia,
vor admitted all that was charged
against him, but that it could not be
used to his injury He was out of the
church then, but since he had repentcd
and returned to his Master his life had
been blamelcss and useful. The vote
was taken. and DR.. Carter was admittet
bv a vote of l23 to Is.
DR.. Carter was twenty years in the
Virginia Conference before he went to
Texas and resigned. He commanded
a Texas regiment during the war, and
after the war became noted politician
in the Louisiana troubles.