The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-27
Important Movement among tho rlctho.

AT meeting OF lay members OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church Of the city and districts OF Phi
ladelpha (called together. i've from each Of the
churches-the number present being about ninety,)
held at Trinity M. E. Church, on Thursday evea-
ing. 20th Of November, 1851
On motion, ] j Boswell, of Union Church. was
called to the chair.
The following persons were selected as Vice Pre-
sidents:-
T. X. Collins, of Nazareth
p. II. McNeiie, Of Eighth street.
Coison Hieskell, OF Trinity
b Longac of st. Georges
John Thompson. of Ebt ne1er.
Samuel Ashmead, of U MON.
George Hamilton, of Kensingtcn
Michael Fricke, of Cohocksink.
Secretaties: VIM. P. Hacker, J. b. Chrisman,
VIM Carlisle, Jr.
The meeting was opened with prayer BY Row.
David II. Kollock.
The chairman stated, in a few brief but co,npre.
bensiye remarks, the object Of the meeting, and
declared it ready for business. Whereupon,
DIR Tiiden moved that committee Of Eve be
appointed by the chair to draft resolutions express
sive of the sense of the meeting.
The chairman appointed DR.. Tilden, Alexander
Cummings, Colson Hieskell, T. K Collins aud
Samuel Ashmesd. whe, after having retired for a
short time, reported preamble and resolutions
which, after mn interesting discussion touching their
various points. were adopted as follows The first
recitation with two negative votes, the second.
third, fourth, and prea u Bile, unanimous
Vheress, It is evident to every observing mind
ouetomsd to look after the Interests of the Methodist
rot fulfilling as could bs desired, the great and
poftant ohlects OF It's mission in many places in this
oouatrythe minutes Of the Phiiadep hia Annual Con.
ference showing that for tho Last ak eight years 1t
has been At stand If not retrogrsding whereas
the cause OF this said stats Of things
merops ana varied yet in oGr Judgment large OF
the PRESENT i1enicency OF tine church mny trecsi to
the unequsi rights, interests and dependencies OF tn,
ministry and lsty And whereas we believe fair aud
equit able distribution Of rghts interests daDan
denotes between CHS ministers lay members souli
more certainly secure the welfare and efficiency of both
Yrsnt tapn and nsrffv ~,
church and rebound to The honor and glory or God:
II erefors,
Received, That this meeting composed of members
from the various Methodist Episcopal churches In the
city and districts OF Philadelphia take mmsdiats stsp,
to CAL genera meeting Of all the lay brethren OF tia
cburch IN the city snS county Of Philadelphia In view
Of petitionrg The next General Conference for such
alterations in The government of the church will
move any Objectionable features chat may present
themftives, and secure 20 the laity voice in its
councils.
Resolved That in this movement we wish to bs dis
tincty understood dsavowng all radical schismatc
purposes and sdberiDg alone TO those of purely
vae character having for their object the good of the
church in all IT, relations.
Resolved, That we entertain the greatest
confidence in the Intelligence usefulness pisy OF
the ministry OF our church, and most cordially invite
them to unite their influence and efforts with the
accomplishments OF the objects contemplated in the first
resolution.
Resolved That committee to consist of nine persons
be appointed by the chairman Of this MS
an executive committee, whore duty 1t shall be pro-
cure tuitable place Of meeting prepare resolutions
nominate officers and whatever may be necessary to
carry the object OF this meeting into effect.
The chair appointed the following committee
under the fourth resolution
DR.. W. z. Tilden. Samuel Ashmead, Alexander
Cummings, p. X. McNeille, David H. Kollock J.
B. Chrisnan, J. Whiteman, John Huff, Colon HES
kell
On motion adjourned
In obedience to the call of the Committee of
Nine, large and respectable meeting of the male
members Of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
Nikv- ~vA ac ,Iolo LzI1
the Union Church, Thursday evening, December
18th.
The meeting was organized by calling Samuel
Ashmead, Of the Union Church. to the char. and
the appointment of the following vice presidents
and secretares:-
VICE PRrsIDESrs.--Authony Null, of st.
Georges Church; J; J Boswell, Of Union; Arch-
Eighth street; T. K. Collins, of Nazareth;
Ephraim Clark, of Fifth street; James B Dare
st. Johns; J. y. Calder, New Market street,
David Horn. Sanctuary; Matthew Kramer, Kens.
Hohick. Twelfth street, William Rhoads, Bethie-
hem; VIM Divine, Western; John Caldwell,
Salem; James w Farley, Ebenezer; John Ash
John " Hines, Marirers' Bethel; Israel James,
Manayunk; J. Shalcross, Fraukford; Wm
Walker; Germantown; William Rose, ST., West
Phila dellbia
SrcRErAn William P. Hacker, c. A. Wal
born, Thomas w. Price, George Hamilton, j. B.
ChrismRn.
After readin the Sith PISA IN, singing q hymu
and prayer, the president, brief and appropriate
remarks. stated the object Of the meeting, where
upon, Alexander Cummings, Esq on behalf Of the
Committee of Nine, offered the following preamble
and resolutiors which, after discussion, were
adopted by q very large majority
Whereas to secure in any great enterprise it
is deemed highly in portant that the respect paid to
the mind and spirit Of the whch it is expected
to make an impression and WHEREAS. in religious
well civil government it is both prudent and wise to
make changes end notifications to the wants and
tine march of nsllect and the progress OF knowledge
and whereas the government Of the Methodist Episco
Providence, and sdmirsby adapted the times and
circumstances in which it originated yet inasmuch as
these have vastly changed and equal right interests
ana deper asDcies in civil religious. and social
psce are amorgst the great principles Of the age In
which We live believe the Indications of Providence
less clear, that alteration in s petty is
essential to the accomplishment of its great mion to
spread scriptural holiness over these lands and,
whereas it is evident that the efforts and energy in
any department Of life are generally 10 proportion the
responsibility belonging thereto, and applying thi.
principle to the church it is equally evident that lay
representation in its councils would certainly
cure division Of the responsibilities between the
ministry snd iaity, and thereby 70 greater
activity er usefulness the church, greatly increase its
future prosperity and the honor and glory of
God and vhereas it behooves all every where aud
under all circumstances TO ask direction ut the
Infinite Wisdon, and seek the benefit OF ns counsel Of
the we and prudent We therefore, deem it i'm portaut
in so grave a matter fundamental change in the
government OF church to obtain, far a. pract
CABLE the aid Of the united wisdom aud prayers OF our
brethren Throughout the Methodist connections there
fore,
1st Resolved That committee, to consist of twenty
persons be appointed by the chairman of this meeting
10 act as an executive committee whose business II
shall be TO adopt the necessary to call gene
Te convention TO be held in the city Of Philadelphia
Wednesday the Sd day Of March 1862 to consist OF
delegates from the various stations and circuits within
the bounds Of church to take into consideration the
propriety Of peioDing the General Conference TO be
held in Rotton IN MAY next, for ouch action in their
body assembled, a. will the introduction Of lay
delegates into our conferences and SUCH other modca
Lions Ia the government Of our chuich the wisdom
o. the convention may suggest or agree upon.
"a Resolved, lhat We not only disayow ell intention
tc interfere with the Enscnpacy or the itiuersncg Of
church but hereby declare determined purpose
70 advocate ind sustain them both
3D.. Resolved Thst We love. honor AMI respect the
ministry Of church, and hesitate not in declaring
purpose "a sustain them In their high holy call
Ing by sympathies prsyers and our means and
sincerely invite them TO cooperate With seek
ing the change contemplated.
Attn Resolved That the editors OF papers in connsc.
tion with the Methodist Episcopal Church be requested
TO pubsh these ings and slso the call for
vention os provided for bS the first resolution
he f.lln xs,ry