The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-30
THE CONFERENCE ADJoURNS.
,,t,THODISTs PASS RESOLUTIONS
REGARDING CHURCH's CLAIM.

rbcv RenOunce the Action of the
Hook Agents and Book Committee,
call for the Return of the Money
and the designations of Offending
arents-La Grange Selected as the
Next Place of decentralization of
Division of Conference.-The OF
Appointments.
Augusta Ga. Nov. 29.-On the last day
- the North Georgia conference two ses-
sions we're held The morning session
from $3.50 to 2 p. M. was occupied in the
can Of the twentieth question, and passing
mon the characters of preachers.
The only breaks in the regular order
were wnen President M. J. Cofer called
10 the attention of the conference the
claims upon all Methodist preachers of the
widows and Orphans Aid Society. Upon
the death of any Methodist preacher in
this association, all the members pay an
assessment of 81. These assessments pro
vide fund out of which $10O is telegraphed
to the widow to provide her with needed
cash for the funeral and her immediate
Ewing expenses. The bishop himself in
dorsed the association, and urged all to
enroll their names among its members.
A pleasant incident was the presentation
of eoid-headed cane to DR.. j. F. Nixon,
presiding elder of the Augusta district. by
the ministers under him. The presentation
was made by the bishop.
Bishop Duncan vacated the chair and
called a session of the legal conference
over which DR.. w. F. Cook presided This
is composed of 100 members of the confer
ence and controls the property of the con-
ference. The session was devoted to re-
ceiving the 'treasurer's report and re-elec-
ton Of officers.
The session of the conference was re-
sumed and, on motion of DR.. Wadsworth
the credentials of Rev. NJ. " Glenn as a
preacher were restored, he having volun-
tariiy retired four years ago but now de-
string 10 return TO the ministry.
The only spirited episode of the day
was over the proposition 10 divide the con-
ference. This matter was laid on the table
the second day of the conference, and to-
day it was proposed to carry it over TIL
next year, There We're various motions and
amendments, and the effort to table the
whole matter was voted down.
It was finally compromised by the adop-
ton of the following resolution:
Whereas the division of the confer
ence is a question that must vitally affect
all interests Of the church within our
bounds, and whereas it has been shown by
vote that the conference is almost equal
~ divided on the matter therefore, be it,
Resolved, That a committee of thirteen,
five of whom shall be laymen, be appoint
ed to take INTO consideration all the details
involved aud report plan and line for
the consideration of the conference at the
next session, provided that nothing herein
contained shall be construed to commit
the conference to the division"
The session adjourned to 1880 o'clock.
All the votes that have been had on this
question have shown the party in favor of
dividing the conference to be quite strong.
and it is confidently predicted that the di-
vision will be made at the next conference.
1t is favored on the ground that the North
Georgia conference is so large that it is
an unwieldy body for the expeditions
transaction of the business; that its ses-
sions are so long and its members so num-
erous that few places in the state can af-
ford TO entertain the conference and a di-
vision would cure these defects and add 10
the ygor and efficiency of the body
The conference wound up its business
tonight, and declared its stay in Augusta
one of the most pleasant sessions in its
history The next place of meeting will
be at LAGRANGE.
Various reports from committees were
read and an earnest speech was made
in support of the committee on Sabbath
observance by DR.. John S. Moore of OK
FORD, who added an amendment to the
report condemning the running of rail
road trains on Sunday, and their use by
Methodist preachers on Sunday in going
TO their appointments. Adopted
The most interesting matter next to
me appointments, was the report of the
committee on the Methodist Book Concern.
which was adopted as follows:
The committee to which was referred
matters touching the claims of our pub
Asnhg house. after due consideration. Of
fer the following report:
IT is with profound sorrow that we
cont mplate the trouble connected with
our publishing house, and now agitating
the church
We deeply deplore the action of orr
book agents, whereby the Senate of the
United States was deceived when The bill
TO pay damages to our publishing house
was brought upon us.
We also deeply deplore the action of the
pook committee in condoning and defend
ing the agents conduct in the matter.
VINE we esteem these brethren in their
general conduct, we renounce and repudi-
a'e me action of both book agents and
DOCK committee touching this matter as
unworthy of our church. and, therefore,
resolve '' -
FIRST. That we commend the action of
the bishops looking to the return of the
money to the United States, and exnress
The hope that it will be done as soon as
possible d"
Second That we request. and as far as
our authority extends, demand the imme-
ulate resignation of the book agents. The
continuation of their imprimatur on orr
PuDdcations would be very detrimental "a
tne publishing house and would not prom
erly represent our church.
Third, That the book committee should