The New York herald., 1868-05-23
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE.

Reports Taken Up-No Missionary Bishops
and No New Bishops To BE Eiected-Re.
port Against Reviving the National Maga-
zine.
CHICAGO, May 81. 1s6s.
In the General Conference to-day resolutions were
offered by the Rev. J. W. Talley, OF Alabama, that
the General Conference shall be composed OF
equal number OF ministers and laymen. Referred.
The Rev. Mr.. Cogswel of Michigan, offered a reso-
luton to organize district appeal courts for the trial
Of appeals Referred.
The report of the Committee on Revvals was read,
recommending that the discipline be so amended as
to make aymen eligible 10 election as book agents.
After considerable discussion the report OF the
Committee on EpscOpacy, adverse TO the election or
missionary bishops, was adopted
The recommendation Of the committee that no ad
ditional bishops should be elected at this time was
also adopted the result being greeted with applause
The Committee on the Book Concern reported
against the revival Of the National Magazine or
the establishment OF any similar periodical; also
against reducing the number OF church papers.
Tabled and ordered to be printed.
resolution by Rev. ID. Brown, OF the Washington
Conference (cOored) against receiving any OF the
delegates OF the Zion or African Methodist Episcopal
Church as bishops. Referred.
The Convention then adjourned till tomorrow.
The Proceedings Yesterday-Report Of the
Committees on sunday schools and Lay
Delegations.
CHICAGO May o. 1868.
Bishop Morris, senior superintendent, was excused
from active service, except far his health may
allow. Bishop Baker OF New Hampshire, was also
allowed to do such work during the term his
impaired health may permit.
"a paper was presented and read from certain lay
men in opposition to the admission OF lay delega.
ttons which was referred to the committee on that
The report Of the Committee on Sunday Schools
was read. II recommends an increase OF books
adapted to Sunday school purposes, the continuance
Of the Sunday School Journal in its present form
and the admission Of life members OF the society to
the meetings Of the Board Of Managers
read and Which petitions for the adoption Of some
plan OF lay representation The number Of lay
men up to this time Is 25,6oe Eleven con-
ferences have expressed unqualified approval
Of the principle and twenty have expressed
Other conferences have expressed no dec ded views
on the subject. The General Conference has twice
submitted to the popular vote and had failed by
small minority vote, II having been taken amid the
eenerav too much concerned about the
Of the national life to give the subject much atten
tion. Those who memorabilia the General Conference
this subject believe that the highest judiciary OF the
Church is called upon to consider these questions in
which the laty equally interested with the clergy
the idea that they seek admission to the Councils
Of the CHURCH f9r the purpose OF changing It's polty,
destroying its tnerancy or undermining It's Episco-
pacy but claim TO have as deep and genuine affec.
ton for the Church as the ministry and deep an
interest In its welfare. The report was then consid.
cred and objections to the proposed change OF the
committee were made.
The committee, after careful consideration, recon.
mended the adoption Of measure and submitted a
plan for the admission OF one layman into the gen.
eral conference from each annual conference and
providing for the admission Of not more than thirty
iaymen to each annual conference. II was ordered
to be printed.
Merrill against lay representation, which was also
ordered TO be printed and the conference adjourned
This completed the eighteenth day OF the session.