[reported for the Richmond Daily Dispatch.]
proceedings of the Baltimore
annual Conference.
ninth day.
Staunton, Va., March 22d, 1861.
Conference met, and after religious exercises by Rev. Dr. Ryan, the Journal was read and approved.
The report of the Committee on Temperance was read and recommitted.
The reports of the Committees on the Tract Cause, on Sunday Schools, and on Seminaries, were read and adopted.
On motion, a committee of six was appointed to make one more effort to secure a plan of harmonious action.
The following were elected to serve on this committee, viz: B. F. Brooke, N. J. B. Morgan, Samuel Register, John Lanahan, Wm. B. Edwards, Jno. Longstreet.
On motion, they were permitted to retire.
The report of the Committee on the Baltimore Advocate was taken up. Messrs. Gibson, T. Sewall, S. Cornelius, D. Thomas, T. H. W. Monroe, F. Israel, John S. Martin, E. P. Phelps, etc., etc., discussed the report at great length.
After an amendment recommending to the Publishing Committee Dr. Bond as editor of the paper, the report was adopted.
It was given in my letter of yesterday.
The reports of the Committees on Temperance and Colonization were read and adopted.
S. S. Roszel, in an amusing manner, presented to the Conference the bill of the editor of the Staunton Spectator for printing the plans presented by Messrs. Wilson, Morgan, Register and McCauley.
He informed the Conference that Hon. J. Summerfield Berry had generously settled the bill for the Conference.
A rising vote of thanks was moved and carried.
On motion, the missionary money collected within the bounds of the Baltimore Conference, for the past year, was ordered to be distributed among the Mission Stations of this conference, it being understood that the amount shall be subtracted from the amount of the missionary appropriation made by the General Missionary Committee.
Mayberry Goheen was appointed to carryout this order.
On motion, a similar course was ordered for the missionary money of the coming year.
Order of the day.
John S. Martin addressed the Conference at length. A sketch will be given. The committee of six, having entered the Conference room, reported as follows:the committee to whom was referred the plans of compromise submitted by brothers N. Wilson, Register and McCauley, and N. J. B. Morgan, beg leave to report that they are not able to agree upon any basis of action recommended by these several reports; but for the continuance of peace and brotherly kindness among us as a Conference, do recommend--
- 1st. That the majority pass such plan as, in their judgment, may be considered best calculated to meet the necessities under which we are placed, without the concurrence of the minority.
- 2d. And that for the purpose of bringing before the Church the true position occupied by the minority, they be permitted to enter such protest as they may deem proper upon the journal of the conference without opposition from the majority; and that both parties receive their appointments in the usual way from the Bishop.
- 3d. And for the purpose of calming the agitation of the Church, that all controversy on the subject, during the year ensuing, be prohibited in the Baltimore Advocate, and the Publishing Committee be and are hereby so instructed.
- 4th. That this Conference disclaim any imputation of the motives of the brethren who feel constrained to protest; against the action of the majority, as to the soundness of their views on the subject of slavery, or their fidelity to the interests and peace of this Conference.
- 5th. That after the determination of this question by the Conference, a committee of nine be appointed--four from the majority, and four from the minority, to be elected by this body, and one to be selected by the Bishop — for consultation during the year, with the view of securing greater harmony of sentiment and feeling hereafter.
[Signed] W. B. Edwards, Chairman,
J. Longstreet, Sec'y,
N. J. B. Morgan,
John Lanhan,
Samuel Register,
B. F. Brooke.
J. Longstreet, Sec'y,
N. J. B. Morgan,
John Lanhan,
Samuel Register,
B. F. Brooke.
It was moved that this be adopted. The Bishop arose in the midst of great silence and remarked: Your Kindness is so great that I may be permitted to call attention to one point. God knows I desire to see the unity of the Baltimore Conference. I call attention to the first resolution. If I put this question it may commit me to this plan. Can't some way be taken to prevent committing me as the presiding officer of this body ? Perhaps I can say that no man wants me to put myself in a false position. (Cries of "No," "No;" "certainly not.") Then I put the question, understanding that I am not expected to endorse the same. A motion was immediately made that it be the understanding of the Conference that the Bishop was not, as a presiding officer, expected to endorse this plan. It was unanimously carried. The Bishop then put the question on the adoption of the report of the committee, and it was unanimously adopted. Thomas Sewall rose and said:--Mr. President, if ever there was a moment when the representatives of thirty thousand Christians should praise God, it is now, when the unity of the Baltimore Conference has been preserved. I move that this body unite in singing the Doxology, and that you, sir, give out the same. A sublime scene then ensued. The church, filled from galleries to lower floor, united in rolling forth "Old Hundred," to the words, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The tears of many flowed freely. S. S. Roszel then addressed the Conference. A sketch will be given. The Conference adjourned by time, until 3 o'clock P. M.
