Virginia Conference
--
Seventh Day.--The application of
George S. May for admission to a traveling connection, was taken up, and it was opposed on the ground that he was a married man.
Rev. Mr. Burton warmly opposed the policy proposed.
He thought that an ordained minister on every circuit to administer the sacraments would add largely to the
Church.
A minister's wife was a helpmate in the ministry, not a hindrance.
If there was not a man on each circuit who would not board a preacher's wife, when her husband gave them the bread of life, it was a shame.
He spoke at length and with much effect.
Rev. Mr. Cross said that
Mr. Smithson had authorized him to say that what
Mr. May failed to get of $400 per annum, he would make up.
Mr. Branch, of
Petersburg, (lay delegate,)--‘"If he don't, I will."’
The question was taken, and
Mr. May admitted into the traveling connection.
The Board of Stewards made a report upon certain memorials from the
Petersburg and Lynchburg stations in relation to the manner of dividing the Conference collections and assessing the salary of the
Presiding Elder, accompanied by certain resolutions.
These resolutions provide that, hereafter, in assessing the Conference collection and salary of the
Presiding Elder among the various circuits and stations, a just and equitable basis shall be adopted, having reference both to numbers and to pecuniary ability, without pressing heavily upon any, and operating equitably upon all.
The first resolution being before the Conference,
Rev. Messrs. Coulling and
Langhorne discussed the matter.
Mr. Branch, of
Petersburg, advocated the adoption of the report, and declared that the plan adopted by the Petersburg Quarterly Conference was the proper one.
Rev. Dr. Smith thought that willingness to contribute had sometimes been mistaken for ability to contribute, by the district stewards, and as the cities were generally more willing to pay, they were sometimes indiscreetly assessed.
Rev. Mr. Langhorne agreed with
Dr. Smith, and the language of the resolutions, that numbers and ability should be estimated as a financial basis.
He spoke with some spirit in regard to the manner in which Presiding Elders were sometimes met. The stationed preacher got all, and the Elder, if he was not present at the quarterly meeting, was left to "suck his fingers, " and got nothing.
Rev. Dr. Lee took occasion, in his remarks, to speak of the covetousness of the
Church and of the age.
Rev. Mr. Bennett, in reply, said that the Methodists of
Virginia were most liberal in their contributions; they had given $100,000 to endow Randolph Macon College, $74,000 to the
Publishing House, and $20,000 to Missions, beside a liberal support to the pastors of the
Church.
He protested against the idea that the
Church was illiberal.
Rev. Dr. Lee denied with much spirit that he had declared that the members of the
Church were stingy.
He was, himself, the best witness of their liberality, but he did believe that many men, even within the sound of his voice, loved money more than they ought.
The report and resolutions were adopted.
Rev. Mr. McCauley and
Rev. Mr. Lemon, of the Baltimore Conference, were introduced.
The Conference then took up the order of the day, the report of the committee on the exhibit of the Richmond Christian Advocate.
The committee, through
Rev. Dr. Cowles, reported that, after careful consideration, they found that the
Advocate is barely self-sustaining, if indeed it be not conducted at a loss.
They recommend that each preacher make annual reports to the Conference of the subscription lists within the bounds of his charge.
They also recommend that the expenditures be confined within the most economical limits; that the
Clerk's salary be but $500; the free list abolished, and papers furnished to preachers at $1.25 per annum, with an allowance of 25 cents on each subscriber obtained.
They declare that it would have been impossible to have given satisfaction to the public, in the embarrassed condition of the office.--The committee speak highly of the abilities of the editor, and concur in the plan of lay co-operation recommended by the publishing committee of the
Advocate.
Rev. Dr. Rosser made a speech, giving an account of his conduct of the paper since 1858, and at the afternoon session of the Conference resigned his editorship.
A resolution, placing the paper in the hands of a committee of laymen and ministers, was adopted.
Adjourned.
