Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1857-12-19
An AGITATION Among the Methodist.

A Convention of Clerical and Lay delegates
from various Methodist Episcopal churches in
Western New York was held in St Johns NJ. E.
Church, Rochester, Monday The subject of
deliberation was the proposed change in the rep
resentation in General Conference, by'which the
Laity may be permitted to have share in its
deliberation. and legislative action, and a modi-
fication of the presiding eldership large
number of the prominent members of the church
were in attendance. representing churches in
different parts of the State.
This subject has been discussed to considera
BILE extent in the organ of the denomination, and
petitions were presented at the last General Com
ference; but this is the first public convention
called to take formal action in the premises, so
far as we are informed.
Geo. Shelton, Esq, of Rochester, President,
and j. w. Stebbins, Esq, and Mr.. Jollie, OF Ma
cedonia, as Secretaries.
The discussion was quite animated, but at the
close of the days proceedings the convention
had not come to any definite conclusion upon
the main question. We quote from the report
of the proceedings in the Democrat:
Mr., -, of Castleton, said the people feel
that the Presiding Eldership is useless burthen
upon them. The burthen had been endured for
n long time because it was hard to change, but
the time came when there is a general demand
for the reform.
Mr.. Kinney, of Ovid, said our missionary treas
ury has gone backward $50, 200; and it would
continue until it became bankrupt, if the will of
the clergy is to be the law of the laity, forever
The gag will be endured no longer.
Rev Mr. Matteson, Of Syracuse, was remind
ed of the Scripture, which reads-'Thou re-
proacheth us also, we dominies. But he had
not in long time felt so much like saying
"glory to Cod" And what has been said is
certainly true If he was not borne away by
his feelings, he had not in many years been in
meeting arguing SO well for the future of the
Methodist Church as this does. He was glad to
see these laymen with hard hands and soft
hearts; who lodge and feed us and our horses,
taking action in this matter. He was with his
whole heart in this matter, and he hoped the
| 'Rights of the Laity" would be maintained
lnscribe it on our banners, brethren, and keep
it there. [Sensation.l
Mr.. Burton, of Cincinnati, said they wanted
no presiding elder in his church, any more than
they wanted n fifth wheel to wagon. He does
us no good whatever. He mentioned the fact
thrt Union Chapel, Cincinnati, passed resolu-
tions against the Presiding Eldership, allowing
him to get his salary out of the congregation, if
he could. The ministers who congregate about
the Book Concern, where most of the troubles
in the.church originate, ESensatienl were excit-
ed by the resolution, and declared thatthe Union
Chapel had repudiated the Presiding Elder and
refused to pay him, or have anything to do with
him.
Mr.. Matteson inquired If Mr.. Burton was not
one of those who in Cincinnati started that
great Innovation" apewed church.
Mr.. Burton: | was one of that band; glory be
to God. And the effort was successful. He said
further that some one had remarked that when
the clergy arc resolved upon sustaining some
thing relating to their order, they call upon the
Bishop, who sends to Washington for his troops.
[Laughter.l Well, let the Bishop send now for
his troops 1t will remind us of the King who
marched up the hill with 10000 men! Laugh
ter.
Dir. Hunt,;of Andover, said that his charge
came to the conclusion several years since, that
they could dispense with the services of the
Presiding Elder. He has nntviSited us more
than twice in a year, and we thought if we could
get along without him at two meetings, we
might at four. 1t was further heard that the
Missionary Fund was low; and it ed to US
that we should give to that fund the $4,000 we
pay in three conferences to the Presiding Elders.
[rha'ts It'll AS to lay representation in general
conference, we think that it would be wise to
consider that subject and that possibly all inter
estS might DC advanced thereby.
The Convention then adjourned.