The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-06-30
|UNDAY READING,

LAY REPRESENTATION Northeastern
|riStidn 1drocate has entered the field as
earnest supporter of Lay Representation
the Methodist Church.
The following, amongst other considera-
hs, are adduced by the editor in support
The proposition:
J. Because it seiU terminate an old and un.
ppy controversy. In doctrine and in most
our usages, we have been one from ocean
ocean. But there has meyer been entire
occurrence in the solely clerical character
our General Conference. 1t was ever APP
rent TO many that there was a showing of
neal authority not diyinely commanded
ere was, in appearance at least, wide
Ference between us and sister churches. 1t
been easy to show that in few of them
5 lay influence so potential as in ours, but
question ever arose, "Why not trust your
Ethren at the visible head OF your ecelesi.
zeal authority
/. Il is erpedient to reiRore the one great
|Tier to Methodist unity.
he tendencies OF our age are centripetal
lall bodies are merging in large ones
Idred churches are uniting. The Calvan
c churches are closing up their ranks-the
Inches of the great Presbyterian churches
we toward each other. Methodism has
nmon theology; its members use one Lam
Age in rehearsing theirChristian experiences;
y have, to a great extent, common
Ilmody they have the class. meeting, the
e-feast, the conference-why shall we re-
in asunder? Nhy set pulpit against
pit !?
I is perfectly patent that the difficulty the
thodist Episcopal Church presents is the
fusion of our laymen from participation
the legislative business of our Church.
her matteE can be harmonized-this
mot.
ii. II is erpediera that orr ldymen partict, |
G in framing the rules and regulations
|ch are TO sorer1, them, and in selecting the |
b to officer the church
Because 1t is not easy to show any
Fipture warrant tor excluding them.
Because they are competent. They |
Re been represented on the bench Of the |
Preme Court, IN the Court, in the Cabinet, |
6he Senate, In the House, on Change
" have proven themselves competent to |
armies. e govern States. to WELD CAPT, |
The Church considers them competent
pronounce upon the fitness of candidates
membership, to decide when exclusion |
II take place, to direct the religious edu- |
on of her children, to choose those who !
ll be recognized as having divine call TO |
ZACH, to nominate those from whom the pas
shall be chosen, to manage our great mis- |
barry and other corporate benevolent asso-
lions, and such capacity must be compe.
\ for the business Of General Conference
he Church has 9eerpetrsted a series of
|tly blunders in fhe
Because there are great financial inter
to manage.
v. IL u erpedient TO employ the influence
|aymen schere IL can Be most dudilaGle and
not erceed its proper limit.
An article of last week showed the remark
e power of the laity of our Church, and
| of the churches which censure our non
representation can exhibit such a show.
|. Yet it is not visible in the chief Coun
! of the Church. 1t is not directly exerted
bn great questions, but indirectly. 1t is
present to be examined, confronted, or
I in argument Ii asks, and because not
Eselt to defend its wishes, they are often
|nted with undue precipitancy sour lay
IN ask this" is the end of controversy, 1t
y be they are right-it is as possible they
wrong. Let them come forth and show
Eir reasons; let those reasons be weighed
I given neither greater nor less preponder
be because they come from iaymen. Let
influence now indlrect-and because i'm
ect, sometimes unduly powerful-be direct
/ the subject of open criticism.
Now the laymen who act most potentially
on the church are those who can afford to
end our General Conferences at their own
Arges and lobby their measures. Give US
representation and we have allclasses and
conditions OF laymen represented and class
uence is neutralized.
We believe this influence should be direct
the sake OF our laity. Many of them
mot see reason sufficient why they are not
be trusted as fully as laymen of other
nrches. They are ready to come closer to
to come closer to the great financial
hemes of the church, but while our organ
ltion is so apparently clerical, they shrink
I'm the work they can and ought to do.
". HtcW be a check upon sudden changes.
The people love quiet. They see system
brking well, and prefer some friction to the
k of change. 1t is simple history that &C.
esiastical corruptions have been brought In
the clergy-at least they have stood forth
their leaders. We are sure to day the
art of our people is sound in devotion to
r Itineracy and Episcopacy. We are sure
ey would resist radical changes in our pol-
!. We are confident they will cling to the
Eth of our fathers, and therefore we want
EN- in our chief councils