The Columbian Fountain

THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN
Methodist Protestant Conference.
SATURDAY, March 14, 1846.
The Conference was opened with reading
the Scriptures, and prayer by the Rev. Isaac
Webster.
Rev. J. Varden offered the following,
Resolved, That the Conference Steward be
requested to receive the money designed for
the Superannuated Fund, and that he be di-
rected to pay over to the treasurer of the Su-
perannuated Fund Society the amount of mo-
ne ys he may receive expressly for the estab-
lishment of a permanent fund, and appropriate
all other collections and subscriptions. to the
immediate relief of those having demands up-
on the fund.
The resolution gave rise to an interesting
discussion, in which Rev. W. Collier, Judge
Hopper. and other gentlemen participated.
Dr. J. H. Owing offered, as a substitute, the
following:
Resolved, That the funds now in hand, be
distributed to the widows and orphans of de-
ceased ministers and preachers. and superan-
nuated ministers, if any, and that in future the
parties contributing shall designated the object
of their subscription, and that brethren having
money intended for investment for a perma
nent fund, be instructed to pay the same to the
Treasurer of the Superannuated Fund Society.
The substitute was accepted by the mover of
the original resolution, and adopted by the
Conference.
Levi Mills and Jno. Roberts were elected to
elder's orders, Wm. T. Wright was also elect-
ed, with the provision that he be not ordained
unless his appointment for the present year,
render his ordination necessary. The action
in this case is predicated on the fact that Mr.
Wright has not served out his usual term of
probation.
The application of W. H. Tarr for Deacon's
orders, was laid on the table.
Thos. M. Bryan, Fred. Swantzell, and W.
Reiniek, admitted into the itinerancy. On mo-
tion of Judge Hopper, further action was sus-
pended, in order to hear a communication from
a new society in Baltimore, under the title of
the Central M. P. Church, petitioning for the
erection of a station. The communication was
read and referred to J. S. Reese. W. Starr. P.
B. Hopper, F. Stier, F. Waters, J. Webster.
The committee obtained leave to retire.
S. L. A. Barney and T. D. Valiant, were
received into the itinerancy.
Jas. W. Smiley, Jesse Shreev, E. J. Yocum,
and Thos. H. Dechessi. left in the hands ofthe
President.
- The report of the committee on the state and
wishes ot the churches was taken up. and a-
greeably to the recommendation of the commit-
lee, Pipe Creek circuit was so divided as to
make of it two cireuits and a mission, viz:
Fredrick and Pipe Creek circuits, and Frank-
lin mission.
Dr. J. S. Reese submitted the following:
"The committee on the petition from certain
brethren, desiring to be set off by the A. Con-
ference as the Central M. P. Church of Balti-
more, beg leave to recommended that said re-
quest be granted."
On motion, the report was adopted.
The name óf Trough Creek circuit, was
changed to Juniata circuit.' A new mission
was erected, to be called Hummelstown mis
sion.
A communication from Rev. Dr. Smucker
on the subject of christian union, was referred
to F. Waters, D. D., J. G. Wilson, and Wes-
ley Starr. On motion of Rev. S. K. Cox, it was
resolved, That this Conference deprecates the
manufacture, traffic, and use of intoxicating
drinks, as inaccordant with the pure principles
of the Gospel, and in the highest degree hurt-
ful to the bestinterests of humanity-hostile
to the cause of Christ, and the good of our be-
loved country.
That the members of this body, make every
prudent effort to discountenance and do away
with the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as
a leverage.
On motion of Dr. Jno. S. Reese, resolved,
that we, the members of this Conference, re-
garding the subject of Total Abstinence from
all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, wor-
thy the attention of all, will do whatever
we can,prudently, to promote the formation
of such associations, as may be, in our judg-
ment, best calculated to advance the cause.
Resolved, also, That we hail with delight
the establishment of a daily and weekly paper,
in the Metropolis of our nation, called the Co-
LUMBIAN FOUNTAIN, devoted to this important
subject; and that in consideration of its firm,
but respectful advocacy of the principles of
temperance and truth, and its fieedom from
party spirit and sectarianism, we recommend
it to the patronage of the public.
A resolution by Rev. F. Stier, on the subject
of Christian union, was appropriately referred.
Henry Joice was elected to Deacon's orders.
The most delightful harmony has thus pre-
vailed, and all the deliberations of the Confer-
ence have been characterized by that spirit of
courtesy. and good feeling which should ever
prevail among christians.
Conference adjourned with prayer by Rev.
A. Eversole.
Conference sits with open doors.