New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-05-17

yet one of the largest States
in the Union has no Conference
wholly within its boundaries, while, on
the other hand, some Conferences
embrace parts of two, three, and even
four States within their limits.
In view of the influence of local
legislation upon the corporate wealth
of the Church, the benefit of ascertain
ing from year to year our ecclesiasti-
cal statistics within the several States,
and the advantages of city, country,
and State organizations in carrying on
the various benevolent operations and
other collateral interests of the
Church, such as the distribution of
the Word Of God, the promotion of the
cause of temperance, and the erection
of institutions for higher education, it
is eur deliberate Judgment the Gen
eral Conference might promote ''the
highest welfare of the Church" by
readjusting Conference lines.
We know that there are serious,
| though we think not insurmountable,
obstacles in the way. One of these is
legal, growing out of corporate
interests secured to certain Con-
ferences by name. 1t is presume
BILE, however, that in nearly all such
cases, if not quite, in the readjust-
ment, all pecuniary damage might be
avoided through that love of equity
and spirit of kindness which
characterize all truly Christian
bodies, and that enlightened legis-
lation, which would never refuse its
aid, when necessary. to just and
satisfactory settlement.
Another difficulty which has been
regarded as formidable by some is
even less serious. We refer to those
strong personal attachments which
years and decades of common toll and
suffering. and pleasant business rela-
tons, and delightful social and religi-
Gus communion have contributed to
mature. Probably in most cases the
separation of chief friends could be
avoided, and even should this be found
impracticable, it can not be doubtedthat
men of God would cheerfully sacrifice
personal feeling upon the altar of re-
ligious duty. Nor would such sacri-
nee be without compensatiOns, not the
least of which would be the acquisition
of new fields of labor without the
disadvantages of transfer.
There may be more serious difficult
ties in certain cases, nor would we
urge a conformity to State lines where
it is found impracticable without the
loss of important interests, though
we think such cases will rarely be
found.
Should the General Conference be in
harmony with us on this subject, we
shall be prepared to give suggestions
and furnish data to aid in the proposed
readiustment.
In arranging for our centenary SER
vices the General Conference was
pleased to express a desire that all
branches of Methodism might unite in
those services. In this spirit of fra
ternal union the bishops heartily SYM
pathized, and in 1865 some resolutions
were adopted expressive of our views
and of our desire 70 see Methodistic
families more intimately associated.
As the General Conference had ex-
tended to the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Canada, and TO the Method
list Episcopal Church South, with some
conditions, the rule previously exist
ing as to the British Wesleyans, we
deemed it proper to say to the annual
conferences that on the question
| of receiving ministers from
other branches of the Method
list family we should not object to
the Conference acting, if they desired,
so to do on the same rule. We sub
nit this action to your body, and ask
that if it be approved such change
shall be made in the Discipline as
shall remove all ambiguity.
The subject Of Lay Representation
will come before your body both by
resolution of Annual Conferences and
by petitions and remonstrances from
the membership. 1t will doubtless re-
ceive your careful consideration.
We respectfully ask your attention
to the inequalities connected with the
supernumerary relation. In some
cases ministers who desire to engage
in secular employments or agencies,
or to travel abroad, seek for and re-
ceiVe a supernumerary relation with
out an appointment. In few instan-
ces the relation has been sought for
the purpose of serving churches con-
neeted with ether denominations, thus
retaining a claim for an appointment
and possibly for support should there
be failure elsewhere. What legisla-
ton is necessary to guard againt these
evils and to define more clearly the
amenability Of those who reside be-
yond the limits Of their Conferences
is for your decision.
Confding fully in your wisdom and
| in your devotion to all the interests Of
the Church, we submit to your careful
review our administration during the
last four years.
We have received and are prepared
to lay before your body an address to
| the General Conference from the Brit
ish and the Irish Wesleyan Confer
enee. You viii also be favored during
the progress of your deliberations,
with the presence of honored brethren
who will come as delegates from the
British Wesleyan Conference, and
from cur sister Conferences in Canada
They will be cordially welcomed as
i brethren believed, and we hope to be
profted by their presence and minis
| trations as on other occasions We have
been by their colleagues who have
borne to us the salutations of their
i