Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-03-17

former and the Rev. Frank Fletcher on
the latter.
The committees on tracts and Sunday
schools were consolidated.
The Rev. II. Irving Watkins, A. e. Cox,
the Rev. II. II. Stephenson and II. s. Col
dey were appointed assistants to the treas
urer.
A draft on the chartered fund for S25
was drawn, as was also draft on the Book
Concern for 81 ,39l.
The annual report of the Book Concern
was read.
Bishop Foss, the Rev. Jacob Todd, j..
D., and the Rev. DR.. Gray were introduced.
A communication from the F-ecdmens
Aid Society, asking for an appropriation of
5000, was referred to the presiding elders,
as was also a communication asking that
the conferences apportionment for epsco-
pal fund be put at 81 500.
Several minor communications were re-
ferTed to committees.
A motion to strike out the words with
the majority" and substitute with thc
prevailing side" in paragraph 8. section 5
of the rules of order, was lost and motion
to discontinue longer the words Except
when the previous question is ordered"
in section of paragraph II, rules OF order,
was adopted.
CHARGES AGAINST PREACHERS.
IOWurub IL q CLOCK blS0Op AnQreWS
stated that he had been informed that
notification of charges against several
members of conference had been sent to
them and was in their hands. II was
probable he said, that certain law ques-
tions might arise which he would be called
upon to decide. 1t was desirable that before
action was taken he be given opportunity
to look over the papers. He requested
that anybody intending to bring charges
tho M in hfa handle chnrflU iii qt
he and his colleague Bishop Fossl might
examine them before they were brought
UP in conference. He remarked that the
Rev. DIR. Gray would soon deliver an adj
dress and suggested that when the speech
was concluded the conference adjourn
until this afternoon, when he might be
| able to suggest certain things in regard TO
the charges which would prove a proper
solution Of the difficulties.
The Rev. j. B. Quigg moved that that be
| the understanding.
| The Rev. J. d. G. Hanna offered as an
amendment that the ministers upon whom
bills of charges have been served pass
| copies of them to the bishop touching tho
| law question.
The amendment was lost and the origi-
nal motion adopted.
During the discussion it leaked out that
the intention is to not notice charges flung
on the conference (where the persons who
preferred them do not come forward to
prosecute them.) When this became known
the Rev. L. J.. Hubbard requested permits
sion to sign the charges which have been
preferred against him and the Rev, Vaughn
>. Collins asked leave to sign the bill of
charges against Presiding Elder Wilson.
Both requests were denied.
The Rev. Adam Stengle inquired
whether counsel, not a member of Will
mington Conference, but q minister of
another conference supposed to be refer
ence to the Rev. DIR. Todd could attend the
secret session and received an affirmative
reply. The Rev. X. H. Adams asked
whether the press representatives could be
present and was told they could not.
Bishop Andrews explained that only
charges actually stated would come in his
purview. He also stated that il is desirable
that the charges be considered quietly now
and they will come up in public SESSION
later.
1t was resolved to have private session
at 3 o'clock this afternoon and postpone
the anniversary of the Conference Histor-
ical Society from this afternoon until after
the anniversary of the Woman's Foreign
Missionary Society tomorrow afternoon.
The Rev. G. w. Bowman started to offer
a resolution respecting the division Of dis.
tricts by presiding elders, but was induced
to withhold it.
The Lay Conference will not meet
| before Friday.
Asking ex-Presiding Elder France to
preside Bishop Andrews, accompanied by
Bishop Foss, Withdrew at ILL o'clock to
an ante-room to receive whatever charges
| might be preferred.
| DIR. Gray delivered short address on the
work of the Freedman's Aid Society.
The benediction was pronounced by the
Rev. Il. II. Nelson.