Newspaper Page Text
82
Southern Christian
MACON, GEORGIA. MAY 27, 1870.
Preachers’ Sons.
A correspondent writes ns as follows :
There has been a base slander, I think,
against the ministers of the gospel, in cir
culation, and pretty generally credited by
members of the Church as well as by those
who are not, ever since I eon remember: viz:
—“that the sow* of ministers of the gospel
as a class are usually as wicked, if not more
go, than the sons of men of any other pro
fession.” Now, lam not the son of a min
ister, but I have been a member of the M.
E. Church, South, more than twenty years;
and from my acquaintance with the minis
ters of our Church, I am satisfied that the
assertion is false, and I would be glad, if
you have the statistics at hand, you would
publish the number of ministers in the two
Georgia Conferences whose fathers are and
were preachers. Also, how many of said
ministers’ sons over twenty years of age are
members of the Church, and how many are
not. lam not afraid for the world to know
just how the case stands. I think the above
charge was made by unbelievers, and has
been thoughtlessly received and circulated
by Christians.
We cannot give the information asked by
our correspondent. A glance at the Minutes
of the two Conferences named, shows that
a very considerable number—perhaps one
fifth—of their members, are sons of local
or traveling preachers; and we presume that
quite as large a proportion of sons of preach
ers over twenty years of age are in the
Church, as sons of any other class of citi
zens.
But if this is not so, the fact is no argu
ment against religion. Preachers’ children
inherit like depravity as other children of
the fallen race. Preachers, who are faithful
to their work and efficient in it, may as fre
quently as other men lack the qualifications
of the wise ruler of the household. They
are as liable to mistake os other men. And,
a3 iu the case of all other fathers, they are
not solely responsible for the character and
conduct of their sons. In this matter,
there is a divided responsibility, in which
the mother shares; and unless there be co
operation in the management of the chil
dren, there is no more reason why failure in
this respect should not result in like damage
to them, as in the case of the children of
other fathers, whose rule may be impaired,
by want of support from the mother. Many
elements, therefore, must be considered in
settling this question, so far as religion is
concerned, besides the bare fact that the
prodigal sons had a preacher for a father.
Yet the very charge shows how carefully
preachers should rear their children, how
religiously mothers. should sustain their
authority, and how much self-control the
children of preachers should maintain over
themselvos—how circumspectly they should
walk—lest their misdeeds paralyze the es
forts and neutralize, in a great measure, the
life-long labors of fathers, whom they should
honor more than all other men. They often
have in their keeping the ministerial char
acter and influence of the father —some-
thing far more precious to him than wealth
or position, or reputation for intellect, learn
ing or eloquence.
Meeting of the Macon Bible Society
The Fourth Annual Meeting of this Society
was held at tho First Baptist Church on Sun
day night, the 15th of May. The meeting
was opened with usual religious services, af
ter which the minutes of the last Annual
Meeting were read by H. L. Jewett, Secre
tary. Ho also read tho following statistical
report:
RETORT OF THE SECRETARY.
The operations of this Society, during
the past year, have been mainly confined to
the establishment of a Depository of tho
publications of tho parent society. A good
slack of Bil.les and Testaments have been
kept up. These have been sold at cost to all
applicants, and the sales, at cost, have
amounted to tho sum of 8387 48. A few
books have been donated.
We enter upon anew year with a stock
amounting to 8203 50, in the Depository,
and 835 60 in the hands of the Treasurer,
and we owe to tho American Bible Society
one bill of January 15, 1870, 898 88.
It is believed that the policy of keeping
up a well filled Depository of Bibles, Testa
ments, and Testuments and Psalms, in tho
various forms and styles of binding, issued
by the American Bible Society, and the sale
of the same to all applicants at the extremely
low prices at which they are published by
that Society, has largely increased the de
mand, and* accomplished groat good in tho
diffusion of the Scripture among all classes
of our people, about 600 Bibles and Testa
ments having through this agency, been
placed in the hands of the public during the
past year.
But while we think tho Depository should
bo liberally supplied and maintained, we by
no means conceive our obligations to end
there. Year before last, through the agency
of the Macon Bible Society, this city and its
suburbs were thorouglily canvassed. Every
family—it is believed—visited, and the des
titution fully supplied, as far as we could ob
tain knowledge of its existence, through the
careful labors of Rev. James Jones, our Col
porteur.
Now, we should enter vigorously upon an
equally important work, the thorough can
vass of our entire country, and we have the
will to do it. Will you, dear friends, give us
the means? To your liberality on this occa
sion we look for the ability to carry God’s
blessed word to every destitute family within
this country during the present year, with
its promises of hope to the faint, strength to
the weary and toil-worn and life to the dying.
Will you aid us in so doing? God help you.
* Dr. Wills, President of the Society, then
read the annual report, in which he called
attention to the fact that families, in our
own county, were destitute of the Word of
God, and said “it is a standing reproach to
a Christian people to permit such a state of
things to continue.” We have the ability
to supply every destitution and to brighten
every household with the light of heavenly
truth, if we have but the heart and the will
for the noble work. His report closes with
the following beautiful declamation:
“It is a most sublime fact that the Bible
has already been translated into more than
two hundred different languages, and when
its divine teachings shall have been published
in all the dialects of man, then the powers
of anti-Christ shall fall like lightning from
heaven, and the great millennial anthem as
cend from the ransomed millions of creation,
‘ the kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of onr Lord and His Christ and
he shall reign forever and ever.”’
These reports were, on motion, adopted.
Rev. E. W. Warren, pastor of the First
Baptist Church, then made a short but tell
ing address on the great value of the Bible,
after which, the President introduced Rev.
W. A. Parks, Agent of the American Bible
Society, who entertained the audience for
about half an *hour. He dealt extensively
in statistics, showing what a wonderful work
is being accomplished by the different Bible
Societies, and specially that one of which he
is agent. His speech was well calculated to
awaken an interest in this great cause.
A collection was then taken up for the
special purpose of supplying this county
with the Bible, which amaunted iu cash and
subscriptions to 8202 75, including fourteen
life members of this Society. To this amount
the Officers and Board of Managers hope to
add largely, by collections from co .grega
tions, in tho county, and at an early day
they expect to have a Colporteur in the field
and supply every destitute family in Bibb
county.
An election was then held for officers and
managers of the Society fer the ensuing year,
resulting as follows:
President—Rev. David Wills, D. D.
Vice Presidents—Rev. E. W. Warren,Rev.
J. Blakely Smith, Rev. Benj. Johnson and
Rev. R. B. Lester.
Secretary, Treasurer and
L. Jewett.
Board of Managers—Hon. E. A.
Judge James Jackson, Judge Jno. J. Gres
ham, Hon. Geo. S. Obear, W. P. Goodal,
Esq, CoL W. J. Lawton, CoL L. N. Whittle
and Major T. A. Burke.
The following resolutions were presented
by Hon. Geo. S. Obear, and unanimously
adopted:
Ist. Resolved, That as the city of Macon
has been canvassed, tbe Board of Managers
are hereby requested to employ an agent to
canvass the entire county to supply all the
destitute with the Holy Scriptures.
2d. That article 3d of the Constitution of
this Society be so amended as that ten dollars
shall constitute life membership instead of
twenty.
3d. That article 6th of the Constitution be
so changed as to make the President and the
Vice Presidents members of the Board of
Managers, ex-officio.
4th. That the Board of Managers be au
thorized to fill any vacancy that may occur
among the officers of this Society during the
year.
stli. That we request the city papers to
publish the proceedings of this Bible meet
ing.
On motion, Henry L. Jewett was appointed
Fraternal Messenger from this Society to
the Griffin Bible Society, to meet on the Ist
Sabbath in June.
Proceedings of the General Con
ference.
TENTH DAT —SATUBDAY, MAT 14.
Conference met, Bishop Pierce in the
Chair. John Harrell conducted religious
worship. The minutes of the last meeting
were read and approved.
Bishop Wightman took the Chair.
J. Hamilton, Chairman of the committea
on Revisal, presented Report No. 5 of that
committee, which was read and laid on the
table under the Rule. It is as follows :
BEPOBT OF THE COMMITTEE ON REVISAL —NO. V.
Your committee have had under consider
ation a paper signed byR. W. Lovett, A, H.
Colquitt, and James Jackson, asking that
the words “one-fourth of whom may be lo
cal preachers,” in chapter 2, section 1, and
answer 1, page, 5, N. A.; and the words “one
of whom may be a local preacher,” in sec
tion 2, answer 1, of the same chapter, may
be stricken out. The Committee so far con
cur in this request as to recommend that
the first sentence named be so changed
as to read, “one of whom may be a preach
er."
A paper was referred to the committee,
signed by E. K. Miller, T. C. Barton, and
others, asking for the preparation and adop
tion of a form for recognition of the church
membership of baptized children, and the
assumption by themselves of their baptismal
obligations. Your committee find this al
ready provided in the Re-arrangement of
the Discipline.
The committee recommend that in answer
3, section 5, chapter 6, page 27, N. A., after
the words “of trial,” the words “suspension
or” be inserted. Also, that at the close of
answer 3, the following be added : “Incases
of suspension, the suspended person shall
not bo restored until satisfactory evidence
be given of repentance and reformation, un
less the innocence of the accused shall have
been made apparent.”
A memorial by G. W. Sullivan, of South
Carolina, was referred to the committee
asking that the right of appeal he given to
prosecutors, and especially to laymen, when,
dissatisfied with the decision of a quarterly
conference, in a trial. Your committee are
of the opinion that the request cannot bo
granted.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. Hamilton, Chairman.
L. C. Garland, Chairman of the commit
tee on Education, presented the following
Report, which was adopted unanimously :
REPORT OF TTTE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION —
NO. I.
The assertion that Methodism is unfriend
ly to learning, or that, at any timo, it has
disdained to avail itself of its advantages,
is a libel upon a Church which was origina
ted within the walls of one of the most ven
erable and renowned universities of tho
world—a Church whose founder was a man
of extensive, and varied, and accurate
knowledge, and who, to the end of his life,
did all in his power to improve the intellec
tual as well as tho spiritual status of his fol
lowers. Mr. Wesley was a scholar ; but—
what was far better—he was a holy man of
God —a man who, with the great Apos
tle of tho Gentiles, “counted all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus his Lord”—a man who
knew how to hold learning within its legiti
mate sphere, and to apply it to its proper
ends. He was also a reformer of tho cor
ruptions niul evils brought upon the Church
of England by pride, and formalism, and
self-indulgence, und philosophy, falsely so
called. tAs was to be expected, the high, the
noble, the worldly-minded, the rich, tliescn
sual, the wise in their own conceit, had no
ear to lend to doctrines and teachings like
his ; and he was forced to turn aside to the
humble, the poor, the ignorant, and the des
pised. In this fact we make our boast, for
in this he had the imprimatur of the great
Head of tho Church, who laid it down as
one of the infallible marks of His kingdom,
“that unto the poor the gospel is preached”
—an evidence, this, of Apostolicity worthy
all the lines of pretended prelatieal descent
drawn up in tho pride and the fancy of pre
tentious men. And whenever we shall lose
the spirit of Wesley—his devotedness to the
temporal and eternal welfare of the poor—
whenever we shall so modify his system as
to fail to thrust out into the work of the
ministry, godly men, men of one business,
and that the business of spreading scriptu
ral holiness throughout these lands, and
carrying the gospel, in its simplicity and
purity, to the door of every man who will
hear it—we shall have lost one of the fea
tures of our conformity to the Apostolic
Church, and you may then write “leliabod”
upon all the institutions peculiar to Method
clisrn.
Whilst, then, from the force of circum
stances, Mr. Wesley’s followers were drawn
chiefly from the ranks of lower life, and
were, for the most part, poor and unlearned
—and while lie preached to them nothing
but the gospel in its utmost simplicity, and
determined to know among them nothing
but Christ and Him crucified—yet his jour
nal, his positive declarations upon the sub
ject, and his establishment of schools, show
that he felt at heart a deep solicitude for
tho intellectual as well as the moral eleva
tion of his people. And the very system
which he adopted for this end, ha3 been per
petuated and modified and enlarged by his
followers in England, until the intellectual
status of the Church is not inferior to that
of any other and until Methodism in
England has become a social and moral
power, respected and felt throughout the
realm.
And just so it has been in America. The
simple, heartfelt, experimental, self-sacrific
ing religion we preach, has never been, and
will never be popular with tho world. Our
mission was at first chiefly to the middle
.and lower orders of society. We followed
emigration to the very verge of civilization
—and preached the gospel in the remotest
and darkest corners of the land. But our
founders were not unmindful of the intel
lectual condition of those whom they had
brought to the foot of the cross. Though
not very successful in this line of effort, yet
Bishop Asbury attempted the establishment
of schools. Not long after his time, the
Church became more deeply sensible of the
power of education either to evil or to good
—and waked up more fully to the necessity
of educating her own sons and daughters,
if she would keep them in sympathy and
union with herself. Our Methodist chil
dren were educated at institutions either un
der the direction of other denominations of
Christians or under the direction of the
State. In the former case, they were drawn
away, but too often, into the communion of
those by whom they had been fostered, and
in the latter, into the ranks of the ungodly
and the profane- It thus became, as it con
tinues this day to be, a solemn and impera
tive duty laid upon the Church to educate
its own youth. In the discharge of this obli
gation, colleges have sprung up to the num
ber of about forty within the bounds of this
General Conference. It is even questiona
ble whether we have not overleaped our ob
ject and inflicted an injury upon the educa
tion of the Church by multiplying our col
leges to an extent which has prevented us
from making any one of them as complete
and useful as we might desire it to be. A
half dozen judiciously located institutions
of learning, having concentrated upon them
the money and patronage which have been
distributed among the forty, would have
served onr purpose better—have given a
higher character to the education of the
Church and have met more perfectly the'de
mands of the age. If the number cannot
now be reduced, let the Church take warn
done,
and energy a
of the {*
tronage. '*'.?» < f:-
We have read with
ports sent up from a number of the
under the patronage of the Church. We
feared that, amidst the wreck and rain
brought upon the country by the devasta
tions of war, none of our institutions were
at present self-sustaining. But the facts in
regard to several show that they are out of
debt and are carrying on their operations
without the creation of new debts. Yet
those in the best condition, are sorely suf
fering from the want of funds to enlarge
their capacity for usefulness. We trust the
liberality of our people will furnish the re
quisite amounts speedily.
* But what has given us most gratification
is the moral and religious condition of our
schools. It was reported of one of them,
that there had never passed over it a single
year without a revival of religion, and that
of the students who had entered it from the
first of its operations until now, about two
thirds had been converted to God, and had
led lives consistent with their religious pro
fession. No wonder the Faculty had never,
since the re-opening of its halls after the
war had occasion to enforce the discipline of
the Institution by the suspension or the dis
mission of a solitary student. And in this
regard the institution referred to is not sin
gular, for without exception, a like satisfac
tory condition is reported from all the other
institutions heard from.
We dare say that specific reports from our
other institutions, had they reached the
committee, would have shown the most of
them, both male and female, to be in a like
state of moral soundness and usefulness.
What clearer evidence could wc demand of
God’s approbation upon our efforts to train
up in His nurture and admonition the chil
dren of tho Church ? Is not our education
al enterprise in this its most important as
pect, to-wit : the preservation of the morals
and the development of the Christian sym
pathies of the young, a great and glorious
success ?
It is amazing that our people do not con
sider these facts in their true significance ;
and that so many of them persist in patron
izing institutions of learning where the
principles of their children are corrupted
and their habits vitiated, or where, if their
morals are preserved, they lose their sympa
thy for the Church of their fathers. This
must be because of a supposed superiority
in the educational appointments of the in
stitutions they patronize. If such be real
ly the fact, the deficiencies in our own in
stitutions ought to bo removed, and they
ought to be elevated in character until our
people shall prefer to patronize them, over
any others in the land. It will not do, in
the support of our Institutions, to depend
upon tho sectarianism of Methodists. The
truth is, they have too little of it—too little
of that sectarianism which loves the Church
for the Church’s sake. Far better would it
be for the institutions of the Church if we
had more of this spirit of sectarianism
among us. If we loved the Methodist Church
more, because it is our Church, we would
rally around its institutions and support
them, despite of any deficiencies that may
temporarily attach to them ; and in that
case, through unity of effort, such deficien
cies would be most likely to be speedily re
moved.
Again our people who patronize other in
stitutions rather than their own, cannot be
sufficiently impressed with the fact that an
education is purchased at too dear a price,
when that price is the wreck of moral char
acter or the loss of the Christian sympathies
of early life. What thanks does a father
owe to an institution of learning that re
turns to him his son, it may be, with all its
blushing honors, thick and fresh upon his
brow, and yet that son a profligate ?
Never was there a greater mistake than
that which is becoming so prevalent at the
present day, that mere intellectual culture
is of itself adequate to exalt the virtue and
secure the happiness of a people. It was
never so at any period of the world. The
contrary is susceptible of the clearest proof
from tho history of our race. In all nations,
the periods of greatest literary distinction
have been the periods of greatest moral cor
ruption ; as witness, tho Periclesian age in
Greece, the Augustine ngo in Rome, the
Elizabethan in England, the Republican in
Franco, and the present in America. Edu
cation was never moro widely diffused
throughout the United State than now.—
Never was there more to do about it. Never
were institutions so multiplied. Learning
was never more highly valued and sought
after, as a means of reducing the laws of na
ture, and the properties of matter to human
control, and contributing to national and
individual wealth and power. And this ed
ucation has not been wholly from under the
control of Christianity. It has partially
felt its restraining influence ; and yet, with
this partial restraint upon its natural ten
dencies, what is the result ? Has the virtue
of the people increased with their knowl
edge ? Are our public men more patriotic,
more self-denying, moro honorable, more
true to compacts, and more trustworthy
than they were fifty years ago ? Are the
morals of the people improved ? Is there
less of crime and lawlessness in propor
tion to population ? Alas ! to all such in
quiries there comes up a negative response
which is well nigh universal. And yet, edu
cation is with a vast number of persons, the
agency which is to bring us to the perfecti
bility, so-called, of our nature, and the
question, in some sections of the country is
even raised of exalting education by totally
divorcing it from religion. Fatal delusion,
this ! And if it prevails, Education will
have become the Moloch, upon whose altars
will be sacrificed tho spiritual and eternal
interests of our posterity. And that Meth
odists should prefer for their children an ed
ucation which is ont of sympathy with all
forms of Christianity, or if not so, which is
at least unfriendly to their own religipus
principles and polity, is a folly we did not
expect, and for which we know not how ad
equately to account. Be it therefore
Resolved by this General Conference, 1. That
it is the duty and interest of Methodists to
maintain and patronize the educational in
stitutions of their own Church.
2. That as far as we have knowledge of
the institutions of the Church by specific
reports they are all eminently worthy of the
confidence and patronage of the people.
3. That where there is any inferiority in
an institution of the Church, compared
with other institutions of like grade, arising
from the want of libraries, apparatus and
cabinets of Natural History, or from the
small number and inefficiency of its officers;
such’causeof inferiority ought to be removed
as speedily as possible, by a supply of funds
adequate to furnish it, and to maintain an
efficient corps of officers of acknowledged
ability.
4. That it is more important to the edu
cational interests of the Church to place in
good working order the Institutions already
under its patronage, than to found new
ones.
5. That an unsanctified education is a
curse rather than a blessing; and that the
authorities controlling our schools and col
leges, should be careful to employ all means
by which may be maintained the religious
character of our Institutions, which, for the
most part, is so satisfactory, and for which,
we express our devout thanks to Almighty
God, without whose special blessing nothing
valuable can be accomplished.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
L. C. Gaelajo:,, Chairman.
J. Boring, Chairman of the Special Com
mittee on Orphan’s Homes, submitted the
following report, which lies over under the
Buie:
EEPOET or THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON OR
PHANS’ HOMES.
The Special Committee appointed to con
sider the subject of homes for orphans beg
leave to report that they have investigated
the subject as thoroughly as the circum
stances would allow, and are fully persuaded
of the truth and profound importance of
the following propositions :
1. That the Word of God declares it to
be a peipetual arrangement of Divine Pro
vidence, that the poor shall always abide
among us.
2. That the highest obligations of duty
to God, as well as to our fellow-men, require
us to make provision for the welfare of the
helpless orphan and indigent widow, and
the faithful discharge of this high trust is
one of the sources of the richest consolation
possible to human experience.
3. That the early Church was careful to
discharge this duty, and for several centu
ries succeeding the apostolic age, the widow
and the orphan were regarded as subjects of
special interest, to be provided for, tempor
ally and spiritually, as far as possible.
4. That there is special necessity for this
benevolent work at this time.
We therefore recommend the adoption of
Church
practicable, shall
homes, under the direction
hereinafter provided for, where they shall
be cared for, in all respects, as in intelligent
Christian families—they shall be as thor
oughly educated as practicable, trained to
business and habits of industry and useful
pursuits, and as far as possible qualified to
become useful members of society.
Ans. 3. When an Annual Conference
shall determine to found a home for Orphans
within its bounds, it shall appoint a Board
of Trustees consisting of six traveling
preachers from its own members, and six
laymen who shall be members of onr Church
and twenty-one years of age.
.Ans. 4. Tho Trustees shall hold all tho
property, real and personal, of such house,
in trust for the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, for the purpose before specified—
shall manage, direct, and when proper, sell
or otherwise dispose of the same, shall ap
point a superintendent, matrons, teachers
and such other officers and subordinates of
the Institution as may be necessary, and
shall superintend the conduct and manage
ment of the same. They shall also deter
mine the number of Orphans to be received,
and decide between applicants when there
are more than can be admitted, and they
shall also determine the time and mode of
discharging such orphans.
Ans. 5. The Trustees shall not put out
to service any orphan or other child who
may have been admitted into said home,
but they may make such business arrange
ments for said orphans, when they shall
have attained proper age, as may be deemed
best for them, retaining the guardianship
and oversight of the orphan pending such
business arrangement.
Ans. 6. Before proceeding to establish a
home, the Trustees shall, if practicable, pro
cure from the proper authority of the State
in which it is to be built a charter or act of
incorporation for such home.
Ans. 7. The Board of Trustees shall adopt
their own by-laws, and conduct the busi
ness of the trust as they shall judge best
under the limitations and restrictions herein
specified, and shall make a full annual report
of the institution to the Conference in ses
sion.
Ans. 8. The Trustees shall be amenable
to the Annual Conference, and shall nomi
nate persons to fill vacancies in their Board,
subject to confirmation or rejection by the
Conference.
Ans. 9. Whenever an Annual Conference
shall make the request, it shall be the duty
of the presiding Bishop to appoint an agent
for the purpose of building or sustaining an
Orphan’s Home within the bounds of said
Conference.
Ans. 10. In case one Annual Conference
may not be able to establish a home for or
phans for itself, any two or more Conferences
may unite for that purpose, upon such
terms as may be agreed upon by themselves.
Jesse Boeing, Chairman.
J. E. Evans and J. S. Key offered a reso
lution on the Support of Bishops. Refer
red to tho Committee on Finance.
J. E. Evans presented a memorial from
the Colored Georgia Conference of the M.
E. Church, South, which was read and or
dered to be printed in the Daily Christian
Advocate. It is as follows :
To the Bishops and members of the General Con
ference, in Conference assembled:
Dear Fathers and Brethren : The under
signed, as representatives of the Georgia
Annual Conference of the M. E. Church,
South, for the colored people, take this
method to express our high appreciation of
the interest you have manifested in our race;
and also our entire approval of the plan
adopted by the General Conference of 1866,
and perfected by this, to organize the color
ed members of the M. E. Church, South,
into a separate Church, at an early day.—
The provision made to transfer the proper
ty held for our use, to trustees that may bo
appointed by the colored Church, when
formed, is without a parallel for its magnan
imity and confidence ; and we pledge that,
so far as in ns lies, the confidence and trusts
reposed shall never be betrayed ; but the
property shall bo held sacredly to the nso in
tended.
While we thus express ourselves to the
Bishops and Conference as a whole, allow
us, as Georgians, especially to express our
high sense of obligation to Bishop Pierce,
for the interest he has manifested m our
cause, and for the services rendered in or
ganizing and holding our Conferences for
ns, which has enshrined him in the hearts
of our people. And, in the same connec
tion, we cannot forbear to mention the name
of another Georgian, Rev. J. E. Evans, who,
ns Chairman of the Committee of tho Gen
eral Conference of 1866, and also at the
present Conference, lias perfected the plan
for organizing the colored M. E. Church,
South, and who, at home, as well as here, is
our fast friend and counsellor.
Finally, Though we be separated into two
bands, that our common Christianity and
Methodism may thereby be promoted. May
the prayer of the Saviour be fulfilled in us,
that we may be one, even as He and His
Father are one.
Respectfully, yours in Christ Jesus,
R. H. Vandebhobst,
R. J. Brown,
I. H. Anderson,
Presiding Elders of the Georgia Confer
ence.
A communication was presented by J. E.
Evans, from the Rev. T. N. Stewart, and
other colored ministers of the M. E. Church,
South, expressing gratitude to the Confer
ence for-the interest it has manifested in the
welfare of the colored people, which was
read to the Conference.
Also, a Petition from the Missouri, St.
Louis, and Illinois delegations, which was
read and referred to the committee on
Books and Periodicals, and ordered to be
printed in the Daily Christian Advocate. It
recommends establishing two Publishing
Houses, one in the East, at the city of Bal
timore, and the other in the West, at the
city of St. Louis.
O. Fisher and E. K. Miller offered a reso
lution asking that the Columbia Confer
ence be placed on the list of Domestic Mis
sions, which was read and referred to the
committee on Missions.
S. R. Jones and others of the Illinois de
legation offered a resolution asking that said
Conference have the right to divide within
the next four years, which was read and re
ferred to the committee on Boundaries.
A. W. Wilson submitted the Report of the
Board of Foreign Missions, which was
read, and on motion of E. H. Myers was re
ferred to the committee on Missions, with,
instructions not to print it.
Dr. J. Hamilton submitted a communica
tion from Dr. A. T. Bledsoe respecting the
publication of a Quarterly Review, which
was referred to a Special committee of Seven,
constituted as follows : S. S. Roszell, A. L.
P. Green, J. Hamilton, A. H. Redford, L.
C. Garland, G. N. Lester, W. H. Watkins.'
Dr. J. E. Edwards offered a resolution,
on the Decisions of Bishops, which was read
and referred to the Committee on the Epis
copacy.
T. Whitehead offered a resolution on
changing the basis of representation. Re
ferred to the committee on Revisal.
The Special Committee of Nine submit
ted their Report on the papers relating to
the Proposal of Union, made by the Com
mission of the M. E. Church, which was
read and adopted unanimously, with a ris
ing vote, as follows:
REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE ON PROPOSALS OP
UNION.
The committee to whom were referred the
papers relating to the proposals of union
made by the Commission from the Method
ist Episcopal Church, having carefully con
sidered the subject, recommend the adoption
of the following resolutions :
Resolved, 1. That gratefully recognizing
that Providence which has hitherto guided
us, multiplied us, strengthened our hands
and preserved our integrity nsja Church of
Jesus Christ under the trying conditions,
both of war and peace, we earnestly desire
to cultivate true Christian fellowship with
every other branch of the Christian Church,
and especially with our brethren of the sev
eral branches of Methodism in this country
and in Europe.
2. That the action of our Bishops in their
last annual meeting in St. Louis, in response
to the message from the Bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, has the full
endorsement of this General Conference,
and accurately defines our position in refer
ence to any overtures which may proceed
from that Church, having in them an offi
cial and proper recognition of this body.
3. That the distinguished commission
general Conference a
•proposals of union to the General Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South.
4. Resolved, moreover, That if this distin
guished Commission were fully clothed with
authority to treat with us for union, it is the
judgment of this Conference that the true
interests of the Church of Christ require
and demand the maintenance of our sepa
rate and distinct organization.
5. That we tender to the Rev. Bishop E.
S. Janes, and the Rev. W. L. Harris, D. D.,
the members of the Commission now with
ns, our high regards as brethren beloved in
the Lore!, and express our desire that the
daymay soon come when proper Christian
sentiments and fraternal relations between
the two great branches of Northern and
Southern Methodism shall be permanently
established. A. L. P. Green,
J. C. Keeneb,
A. W. Wilson,
L. C. Gabland,
James Jackson,
Geo. W. Williams,
E. K. Miller,
Tbesten Polk,
R. Alexander.
The Conference adjourned, with benedic
tion, by the Bishop.
Eleventh Day—Monday, May 16.
Bishop Marvin took the chair.
- J. E. Edwards, Chairman of the Com
rttee on Itineraney, presented Report No.
which lies over under the Rule. It is as
follows:
BETOBT FBOM THE COMMITTEE ON liINIJ'.ANCY
—NO. m.
The committee have considered tho me
morial from the Louisiana Conference, pe
titioning the General Conference “to ex
punge from the Discipline” all that relates
to the preacher or preachers who may be
stationed in the city of New Orleans, as
forming an exception to the limit of four
years, during which a preacher may be re
turned to the same appointment, and recom
mend concurrence on the part of the General
Conference.
L. C. Garland, Chairman of the Commit
tee on Education, submitted Report No.
2of that committee, which was read. It is
as follows :
REPORT OF TOE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION. —
no. n.
It was by resolution given in charge to
the committee on Education to report spec
ially upon the subject of Ministerial Educa
tion; which duty they proceed to discharge
in the words following, to-wit:
In regard to the relation between learn
ing and the promulgation of the gospel,
there is not, among Methodists, much di
versity of opinion.
We hold that a man cannot be made a
true minister of Christ by any human agen
cy. He must be called to this sacred office
by the Head of the Church, who retains the
prerogative of calling into His service whom
He will; and that whatever be the aids to
which a minister may legitimately resort to
increase his usefulness, they are nothing
worth without the presence and assistance of
the Holy Ghost. Spiritual things must be
spiritually discerned, and a minister cannot
rightly comprehend and develop to others
the true nature of the Gospel without hav
ing experiened its regenerating power in his
own soul. A course of training which is to
serve as a substitute for the calling and
preparation of the Holy Ghost, we do there
fore, repudiate.
A learning, which is to detract from di
rectness and simplicity in the gospel mes
sage, which is to mix up the vain specula
tions of men with the clear revelations of
the Scripture—which is to render sermon
izing abstract and philosophical—or which
is to address itself to the mere fancy and
the literary taste of men, we denounce.
A learning which, so to speak, is to scaf
fold over the cross of Christ and shut it out
from the gaze of men, and upon it to erect
a platform from which the minister may ex
"liibit his parts before admiring crowds, is
odious, and disgusting, and profane.
But a learning which, in its acquisition,
has developed and trained the powers of the
mind—which has laid the foundation for a
constant progression in the mind’s capacity
to grasp truth, so that the mind is secured
against a superannuation antecedent to that
of the body, which, in its application, seeks
to find out more profoundly and accurately
the true meaning of the Scriptures, and to
present its truths with greater simplicity
and force, which adapts itself to tbe capacity
of its hearers, and which, while it disdains
to cater to the tastes of men, will nev
er offend the rules of propriety; which will
give its possessor weight of character; not
only in the pulpit, but in the social circle as
a man of extensive information and sound
judgment, is a learning which we highly
value and which we rank as a qualfication for
the ministry second only to the unction of
the Holy Ghost.
Such an education the Church has always
estimated at the highest rate, and endeav
ored to secure for its ministers.
It has never thought itself at liberty to
make such an education a sine qua non to
reception into the ministry. And we trust
it never will. A man who has learned but
little from books may, in the experience of
his heart and life, have become profoundly
acquainted with all the essential doctrines
of Christianity, and the simple story of the
Cross uttered through unpolished lip3, yet
coming from a full and glowing heart and
in dependence upon the Spirit of divine
grace, will find its way to the consciences
of men, and under its power sinners will be
convicted and converted, and through the
instrumentality of such an one there will be
added to the Church such as will be saved.
Such were many of the most useful mem
bers of our Church a century ago. And yet
no one can doubt that the usefulness of
these men would have been enlarged by
proper intellectual culture. As in our first
Report, was stated in another connection,
our population at that period was, for the
most part, unlettered. The literary attain
ments of these ministers, though small,
were in advance of those of the people to
whom they preached. There were but few
cultivated tastes to offend by false grammar,
or rhetoric or elocution. But even at that
time these holy and successful ministers
of God lamented their lack of knowledge,
and they endeavored to repair their deficien
cies as, under the cirmumstances, they best
could. The young ministers were required
to travel under their seniors that they might
be directed in their studies and incited to
diligence.
In the progress of the Church it lifted up
its membership to a higher social position,
and took hold upon the most refined classes
of society, so that there was created a de
mand for ministers not less simple-hearted
and earnest and devotedly pious, but more
cultivated and refined that they might not
drop below the level of the laity in this re
spect, and become shorn, in part, of the
power they had exerted over them. The
Church recognized this demand and proceed
ed to supply it by adopting enlarged courses
of study to be prosecuted by the candidates
for the several orders in the ministry. But
it was found necessary to exact from candi
dates some previous scholastic training in or
der to the sucessful study of these prescribed
courses, and to the quarterly conferences was
entrusted the examination of candidates
upon the elementary studies of an English
education. That much good was effected
by these measures cannot be denied. Enough
was accomplished to show the efficiency of
the system if it were judiciously applied. It
failed chiefly in that part entrusted to the
quarterly conference, which did not exact
from the candidate the amount of mental
development requisite for the successful
prosecution of his future studies in the
midst of the burthens and responsibilities of
a minister assigned to full work.
The Church then adopted the policy of
erecting colleges for the general liberal edu
cation of its youth, indulging the hope that
from among those thus cultivated, it would
please the Holy Ghost to call many into the
ministry. In this hope the Church has not
been wholly disappointed. Look over the
Conferences and you will find many gradu
ates of our colleges in the ranks of the min
istry, and they are generally our most prom
inent and useful men. They, by virtue of
their previous culture, could, when they were
received on trial, do the full work of preach
ers, and at the same time master the pre
scribed courses of study. They are the ex
ponents of the utmost usefulness of the
plan adopted by the Church when it is right
ly applied, and they prove the plan to be a
v.
jurity of
umi iig the mills,! I ■ ,
youth of im J*
the Church ns it ever
ministers. Indeed, it is ’
consider the fact that our num^H
and colleges are daily elevating tV
tual character of our people,
from every part of the work is, give
more highly educated ministry. We can
not defer longer to meet this demand with
out disappointment to the people and detri
ment to our cause. Never, at any former
period, had the Methodist Church so strong
a hold upon public sympathy; never were
its opportunities for usefulness so great as
at the present time, and if we had a minis-,
try equal in all respects to the occasion, we
might go up in the name of the Lord to the
possession of the land.
The Church, moreover, stands already 1
fully committed to this work. The princi
ple upon which the education of the Chris
tian ministry reposes has long since been ac
cepted by the Methodist Church, and the
duty it imposes acknowledged in what the
Church has already done. There is no di
versity of opinion among us upon this point.
The only question is, how we may educate
our ministers most effectually.
Without disturbing the plan already
adopted by the Church, which we have
stated to be a good one, and which we
should not wish to see disturbed, excepting
to give it greater efficiency by exacting a
better preparation from candidates for the
ministry, and by making the annual exami- 1
nations more rigid, we think the Church i
ought to establish a Theological Institute*
under the control-of the College of Bishops,
and officered by our wisest and holiest
where those called of God to preach mayj
receive without detriment to their piety and
zeal a better preparation for the work of the
ministry. We would not have attendance
upon the training of this institute coerced
by making it indispensable to admission on
trial—nor would we compel a student at
tending to remain any definite period of
time. Let it be an opportunity of improve
ment over and above those now furnished
by the Church, of which our young men
called to preach may avail themselves or
not as they please and to such extent as
they please. But that it may be accessible
and useful to all classes of candidates, we
would have two courses of study prescribed
in it: The one for the mere English scholar;
to enter upon which the requirements should
be the same with those for admission into a
Conference upon trial. This course should
not be less extensive than the entire four
years’ course now prescribed by the Discip
line, and being prosecuted under the most
favorable circumstances, it may bo so ar
ranged as to be thoroughly completed in
two years. If a student remains and finishes
this course, so much the better. If he leaves
at the end of one year, or even of six
months, to enter a Conference on trial, let
him do so. Ho will, from a stay however
brief, have secured to himself advantages
worth much more to him than the time and
money he may have expended, and which
he could not have procured in eqnal degree
elsewhere or by any other means.
The other course should meet the wants
of the classical scholar, who desires to study
the Scriptures in their original languages,
and to make himself familiar with the whole
circle of Biblical literature. Admission to
this course would demand higher attain
ments—attainments about such as the grad
uates of our colleges acquire. Here, again,
we would impose no length of residence at
the Institute upon any one prosecuting this
course. He may cut it short when ho
pleases, and offer himself to a Conference
for admission on trial. And wo think a
courso sufficiently extensive may bo arranged
so as to be completed in three yoars.
Students completing either of these, we
would receive into the ministry just as they
are now, and precisely upon tho same terms.
From tho moment of application for ad
mission on trial, up to the hour of consecra
tion to the highest order in the Church, no
distinctions should be made between' these
and the candidates who present themselves
with the certificates of the quarterly con
ferences only.
To enter into the details of tho organiza
tion of such an Institute, is not the object
of this Report. Suffice it to say, they are
not difficult. The two courses may be made
to harmonize, so that the work of both may
be done in the time prescribed, by the la
bor of three men, lecturing twice a day.
To the establishment of such a Theologi
cal Institute, the sentiment of the Church
was committed by the College of Bishops,
at the last General Conference. In their
Address, they say : “In this connection, wo
specially bring to your attention the impor
tance of an Institute for the proper training
of young preachers. That we should make
some proper arrangements for the moro
thorough training of our young men before
they are received into the Conference and
sent forth to minister in the Church of
Christ, appeals to us to be so obvious as to
need no argument to prove it.” Now, what
was the response of the Conference to this
recommendation of the Bishops.
“That it is at this time most expedient
that Biblical Schools be established in con
nection with the colleges which are under
the control of the annual conferences.”
The very phraseology shows that this meas
ure was designed as a temporary arrange
ment, until the times should become moro
favorable for the establishment of an Insti
tute. We had just emerged from the war,
and the time was propitious for nothing
more than tho attachment of a Biblical
Chair to a College. But this action was in
acknowledgment of the importance of The
ological Schools, and a waiver of all objec
tion against them. It was an acceptance by
the Church of the policy of affording our
young ministers the opportunity, in a The
ological School, of being better prepared
for their work And tho measure adopted
as temporary, has been useful. Not a Col
lege belonging to the Church ought at any
time to have been without a Chair of Bibli
cal Literature; and no young man should
at any time have left its walls without hav
ing been taught in connection with tho
study of the Bible, the doctrines and usages
of the Methodist Church. We should bo
glad if arrangements were made whereby
every student should attend upon the in
structions of the Biblical Chair. Asa mere
literary production, the Bible cannot be ig
nored by any one pretending to a liberal
education. And that Homer, or Virgil,
should be daily studied and commented up
on, and not the Bible, is perhaps a reflec
tion upon an institution under tho immedi
ate patronage of the Church. Let the Bib
lical departments already established in our
colleges, be fostered and supported, and let
the establishment of others in the institu
tions now destitute of them, be encouraged.
But we respectfully submit, that these
Chairs do not and cannot meet the demands
of the Church for an educated ministry.
A respectable theological course of three
years’ study, requires the undivided labor
of three or four instructors. Now, we have
not a college that is not complaining of the
want of funds to enlarge its literary advant
ages, so as to bring it up in all of its depart
ments of learning, to a level with those in
stitutions with which it has' to compete.
Each has found it difficult to establish a
single Chair of Biblical Literature. And
for the most part, the labor of but one man
has been exclusively applied to Biblical in
struction. What he could not do in the
limited course of study adopted, has been
divided out as best could be done, among
the professors of the literary departments.
Is this the theological instruction the
Church demands? But it may be asked,
■why not raise money to increase the number
of Theological Chairs, and to convert the
Biblical department of each college into a
bona fide Theological Institute ? The ans
wer is, that this would impose upon the
Church the enormous expense of endowing
a half dozen or more Institutes, when one
is all that is required. Then why not take
hold of the Biblical department of someone
of these colleges, and erect it into a bona
fide theological institution, by the endow
ment of three or four theological Chairs,
and the purchase of many thousand theologi
cal books for its library? 1. Because it
would be difficult to choose between their
rival claims. 2. Because those institutions
are under the control of corporate bodies,
which, by law, have the exclusive manage
ment of them, and who would intervene be-
turell
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advancement.
The truth is, a show of
detriment of our ministry is
among us. Learning is an ekfßient in min
isterial qualification so demanded by public
taste, that there is scare es a minister who
does not affect it more of less, whether he
really possesses it or not’. Our young men
without guides, without tho facilities for the
acquisition of true learning, ore catching at
a spurious article, which is of no servioe
subjectively as a means of mental improve
ment, or obj ectively in elucidating and en
forcing the simple truths of the gospel. It
is hurtful under any view you can take of it,
and we had a thousand times rather have a
simple and totally unlettered ministry than
one imbued with the superficial and patched
up learning of the day. The exhibitions of
the pulpit are becoming ten-fold more pain
ful by affected learning than by undisguised
ignorance. Neither is desirable, but the
latter is vastly more endurable. Now, we
must get this vanity and foolishness out of
our young ministers. They must know and
feel that tho preaching of the simple story of
the Cross, and that in its utmost simplicity
and directness of appeal to the consciences
and hearts of men, and in sole dependence
upon and co-operation with the HolyjGhost,
is the only preaching that will provo effec
tual to the salvation of souls.
We know of no way of ridding ourselves
of false learning but by substituting for it
the true. And how this substitution is to
be effected except by tho proper training of
the young ministers of tho Church, and how
they are to bo properly trained, unless
placed as pupils under tho tuition of the
most wise and holy men of tho Church, is
past our comprehension. Be it, therefore,
by this General Conference:
“ Resolved, 1. That our Bishops be request
ed and authorized to locate and plan a Bib
lical Institute for the proper training of
young preachers, and to solicit, in the man
ner which to them may seem most effectual,
contributions from all parts of tho Church
for the establishment and endowment of the
same.
2. That to secure tho identity of this In
stitution with the Church, and its opera
tions in complete sympathy and harmony
with, its organization and policy, the Bish
ops of tho Church shall bo its Trustees and
Directors. They shall prescribe its Course
of Studies—appoint its officers—assign to
them their respective duties, and see that
they aro rightly and faithfully discharged,
a majority of whom shall have full authority
to act.
3. Graduation at tlio Institute shall not
be made imperative to admission into a
Conference upon trial.
4. The graduates of the Institute shall ac
quire no specific rights over tho candidates
for admission having only the certificates of
quarterly conferences. They enter tho con
ferences by the same mode and upon the
same terms.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
L. C. Gabland, Chairman.
Memphis, May 16, 1870.
On motion of L. C. Garland this Majority
Report was laid on the table until Minority
Report should bo read. This was presented
by Dr. Cravens, and is as follows :
MINORITY REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDU
CATION.
The undersigned, members of the Com
mittee on Education, being a minority of
the same, and differing from tho majority
on the propriety of inaugurating measures
to establish a Theological Seminary, beg
leave to offer the following report:
We are of tho opinion that it is inexpedi
ent at this timo to take any steps indicating
a fixed intention on the part of the General
Conference to establish an institution ex
clusively for the training of young preachers.
The opinion of the whole Church is very
far from being unanimously in favor of such
a measure. It is even doubted by many
whether such an institution accords either
with the interests of Methodism, or the
teachings and spirit of the Gospel; hence,
to act now, with this divided opinion, and
no certainty of success, would certainly be
a hazardous experiment. Any resolution or
form of words endorsing a Theological Sem
inary, neither followed nor intended to be
followed by immediate and successful efforts
to obtain it, will be unwise and injurious. If
the resolution is simply intended to quiet
those who are supposed to demand it; or if
it is prepared as a protection for those who
are restless under our supposed ministerial
inferiority when compared with others; or
if it is meant as a silken cord to hold those
children of Methodism who are said to bo
straying away in search of a higher culture
—upon either or all of the suppositions as a
reason for the passage of the resolution,
there would be a seeming want of candor
incompatible with the Word of God, and
something which may be construed into
practical subterfuge unworthy any assem
bly of great and good men. .
If, however, the resolution is intended to
be followed by immediate and vigorous ac
tion, then in our opinion it is injudicious,
undesirable and certain of failure. Whether
located at some existing institution, or at a
place yet to be selected and improved, a
We sum of money will be necessary. Such
a seminary can have very little if any in
come from tuition, and hence all expenses
of founding and maintenance must be pro
vided for by a vested endowment, and a pro
vision for all appliances and faculty will re
quire a larger sum than has been raised for
all our schools and colleges since the war.
This difficulty is greatly increased by the
fact that every Conference already has a
load almost too heavy to be borne. It will
require a persistent and tremendous effort
to prevent the colleges we already have from
being crushed by debt, or dying of starva
tion. We shall need tho famed energy of
Methodism, aided by enlarged Christian
liberality, to save the investments and van
tage-ground of our literary institutions, and
place them upon a basis of collegiate respect
ability and financial security. We have not
a doliar to spare, and no time to lose. Wo
are in far more danger of losing position in
the world of letters, caste in society and
human efficiency in preaching tho Word of
God, from want of first-class colleges, than
from any present lack of Theological Semi
naries. We assert, in reply to tho sugges
tion that some persons aro thought to bo
holding large sums in reserve for the pur
pose of endowing a theological seminary,
experience answers with a groan, that re
served donations are dangerously slow of
movement, and generally bring with them,
i
” 1 ' 1
HpPii'hi
in reference to
irs in connection with our es-
BHgColleges, as the best available means
Tor training young preachers.
Respectfully submitted,
B. Craven, E. K. Miller,
A. H. Colquitt, L. M. Smith,
E. W. Sehon, R. Smithson,
Charles Taylor, J. R. Rogers,
J. R. John, H. G. Hall.
Judge Byrd moved an indefinite postpone
ment of the whole subject, which motion
was lost.
J. E. Evans moved an afternoon session
to discuss this question, which motion pre
vailed.
Dr. J. E. Edwards moved to take up Re
port No. 1 of the Committee on Itinerancy,
pending the discussion of which the Con
ference adjourned on Friday last.
After debate, on motion of Judge Byrd,
the subject was indefinitely postponed.
A. W. Wilson presented a memorial of
Reuben Wright on certain unsettled claims
on the Missionary Society, which was read
and referred to a special committee of five,
as follows ; A. W. Wilson, J. S. Lithgow,
D. K. Pittman, 11. H. Montgomery and W.
B. Wood.
A motion of W. M. Leftwicli to refer all
other claims on the Missionary Society to
the same committee, did not prevail.
Bishop Pierce submitted the report of the
Commission appointed by the last General
Conference to meet a Commission of the
Methodist Protestant Church to consider
the subject of union, which was read and
adopted.
Conference adjourned with benediction
by the Bishop.
afternoon session.
Conference met according to adjourn
ment.
Bishop Kavanaugli took the chair.
A motion of Dr. Shipp, to postpone tho
order of tho day to Friday next, at 10
o’clock, was lost.
The order of tho day was taken up, and
Judge Byrd moved tho adoption of the re
port of the Minority as a substitute for Re
port No. 2 of the Majority of the committee
on Education.
The question was then discussed by Thos.
Reed, F. E. Pitts, Charles Taylor, L. M.
Smith, he being allowed to speak without
regal'd to tho fifteen minutes’ rale; O. Fish
er, A. H. Colquitt, iu favor of tho report of
the Minority, and by J. B. Cottrell, E. H.
Myers, W. H. Watkins, J. Hamilton and A.
L. P. Green, against it.
The Rev. Allen Wright, of tho Presbyte
rian Church, Principal Chief of the Choc
taw Nation, on his way to the General As
sembly of the Presbyterian Church, at Lou
isville was introduced to the Conference.
Dr. Marshall arose to speak on tho ques
tion—was recognized as having the floor—
when the Conference adjourned with the
benediction by the Bishop.
TWELFTH DAY —TUESDAY, MAY 17.
Conference met at tho stated hour—Bishop
Dogget took tho chair.
W. P. Harrison, chairman of the special
committee on the Revision of the Rirual,
submitted Report No. 1 of that committee,
which was read and adopted as follows:
REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE
REVISION OF THE RITUAL—NO* I.
The special committee appointed to con
sider propositions to revise the Ritual, beg
leave to make Report No. 1.
A paper was referred to us making certain
inquiries concerning the faith and practice
of the Church in regard to re-baptism. This
paper, signed by Wm. S. Baird and A. W.
Wilson, requests us to determine whether it
is proper for the General Conference to do ■
cide the lawfulness of re-baptizing persons
in adult age who have been baptized in in
fancy, and the case of those adults who, hav
ing been baptized by one mode desire to be
baptized by another.
Your committee, after due consideration,
deem it necessary for this Conference to pro
nounce an opinion upon these subjects.
W. P. Harrison, Chairman.
Memphis, Tenn., May 17, 1870.
Milton Brown, chairman of the committee
on Finance, submitted Report No. 1 of that
committee; also a minority report of the
same committee —both of which were read
and laid on the table under the Rule, and
ordered to be printed in the Daily. They
are as follows:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE —NO. 1.
The committee on Finance, to whom was re
ferred the various memorials, resolutions and
plans on the subject of the support of tho
ministers, P. Elders and Bishops, beg leave
to report and recommend the adoption of
the following, viz.: Strike out sections 1,2,
and 3, from chapter 9, pages 30 and 31, of
the “Report of'the Special committee on
the Re-arrangemeut of tho Discipline,” and
insert the following, viz.:
SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.
I.
SUPPORT OF THE PREACHERS ON CIRCUITS AND
STATIONS.
I. Every minister who, by the rules and
usages of tho Church, bos a claim on its
funds v 'shall, as far as practicable, hove his
claim estimated by those who are to pay it,
or by an agent authorized to act for them.
11. The stewards of each circuit and sta
tion shall meet as early as practicable in the
Conference year. The timo and plaoe of
this meeting shall be fixed by the fourth
quarterly conference of the preceding year
—or, in default thereof, by the pieacher in
charge. They shall elect their own chair
man, secretary and treasurer; provided,that
the offices of secretary and treasurer may be
filled by the some person. It shall be the
duty of the Board thus organized—
1. To estimate the salary and travelling
expenses of the preacher in charge, having
due regard to what, in their godly judgment,
may be deemed necessary to place him and
his family (if a man of family) in such cir
cumstances of comfort and protection as will
enable him to serve the Church to the full
extent of the requirements of the Discipline.
2. To apportion this amount, with the
amount necessary to meet the claim of tho
Presiding Elder, among the several societies
of the pastoral charge, according to their
judgment of the equitable proportion of each.
3. To report their action to the first quar
terly conference of the charge, which shall
approve, amend, or recommit.
4. As soon as practicable, each Steward
shall inform his society of the whole amount
to be raised on the circuit, or station, and
what part of it each society is expected to
raise. The societies shall adopt their own
method of raising this money.
5. The stewards shall cooperate with their