The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-29
CUSTOM PECULIAR
TO METHODIST
Moral Standing Of Preachers
Ascertaincd in Way Different
From Other Denominations.
ALL MINISTERS BLAMELEss
Committee in Joyce Case Recon-
mcnds His Suspension for
Period Of Six Months.
by MAMu! RAYS.


oil the twenty-second minute question
are all the preachers blamcless ~
'heir iifc and official administration &"
was concluded during the session this
morning of the Baltimore Conference
pr the Methodist Episcopal Church
So".h' the name or each member OF the
conference having been called In this
connection. and the answer with refer
cncc TO each one having been NOTHING
against him" The character of every
preacher was passed
When the call OF this question had
been concluded. Bishop Denny said
mat this result was one for which he
and every member Of the conferences
should thank God. He then spoke OF
tho fact that this manner OF asccr-
tanning the moral standing OF preach
ers is custom that Is peculiar TO
Methodism. and that nothing like It
is TO DO found in any other denomi-
nation.
III one OF you know anything
against one OF your brethren" he said
you should tell It to the conference
Don't belong to the blackhand, and
talk II under cover. but shy 1t In the
open and let the matter DO settled
where 1t should be settled. which is in
the conference"
Bishop Denny then urged tho preach.
ers to he definite In their work and
In making their reports. and spoke OF
tho Indefinite idea conveyed by the
much used expression good year" IN
reports.
The report OF tho committee OF trial
In the case OF w. II. II. Joyce was,
submitted to the conference early In
the session. and ia as follows
I'VE the committee OF trial In the
case OF W. II II. joyce. lnd as follows
Specification l. of the bill OF cha rree
| sustains the charge. and tho evidence
sustains the specification.
specifications . and 3 do not sustain
| the charge.
I'VE therefore find the said w. II. H.
Joyce guilty as charged in the bill or
! charges. and we fix the penalty At
suspension from the ministry Of the
| Methodist Episcopal Church. South. for
! the period of six months from this date.
| March 81 1914"
This report was signed by J. T. Will
liams. chairman. and by the thirteen
| other members of this committee.
Tho report went to record on the
minutes OF the conference. without fur
Their action OF the conference. no fur
Their action being necessary.
a little later in the session G. D.
| White, presiding elder of the Roanoke
! district mated that he had received
G. letter from Mr.. Joyce. requesting the
! conference TO grant him location.
| The vote of the conference was taken
| end MIR. joyce WAS granted 4 location
The election Of delegates and alter
nate delegates to the general confer
ence was concluded during the session
| to-day.
The three alternate lay delegates
elected are the following named; NJ
! l.. Walton. of Woodstock; Fl, X. Field,
Of Alexandria. and d. II. Hines. or
Franklin. West Va
The remaining three clerical dele
gates elected are II. II. Sherman of
staunton: ID. II. Kern. OF Alexandria,
and ]. II. Wells. of Roanoke.
Three alternate clerical delegates
were elected also, and they are W. s.
Hammond. or Woodstock; e. L. Woolf.
OF Brightwood, u. c., and II. NJ. Tan
ter. of Harrisonburg.
The answer to the second call OF
minute question IL was that Chris
tian *. Ray. u local preacher from
the Baltimore district, the required
conditions having been met. was elect
ed TO deacon's orders.
Several interests were presented to
the conference to-day BY visitors. as
for the education OF colored people, by
Rev. j. d. Hammond. president; Ran
dolph Macon Womans College, by Dr.
w. A. Webb president; the Americans
Bible Society, by Rev. NJ. b. Porter, or
Richmond. district superintendent.
The conference contributed about $3.50
to Paine College
This evening the anniversary OF the
conference board of church extension
was held. The speaker was Rev
r McMurray, secretary OF the board
of church extension OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South