The Portland daily press., 1868-01-22

The State Convention of members of the
Methods. Episcopal Church, called to meet in
the Chestnut Street Church, for the purpose
of giving formal expression to the opinion OF
those in this State who favor Lay Representa-
ton in the General and Annual Conferences
met yesterday afternoon, and at o'clock was
called to order by DIR. E. Clark of this city. SO
Hon. Hiram Ruggles of Carmel was elected
temporary Chairman, and D. G.. Hartman
temporary Secretary. III ID q liuTE,1
Rev. j. II. Gould of Bangor offered prayer
On motion of G. J. Talbot, Esq, committee
of seven was appointed to report permanent
organization. '4 'a4i go
After consultation the following report was
made: w s..., .... "a, -
President-Hon. Hiram Ruggles of Carmel.
Vice Presidents - Hon. John L. Blake,
Pennington; Hon. G. j. Talbot, East Wilton;
Rev. B. F. Teft, Brewer; Hon. B. f. East
man, Strong; Rev. John Allen, Pennington;
Dimon Furnel, Esq. Wilton; VIM. Ross, ESQ.,,
Portland, Rev. Joseph Colby, Gorham; Rev.
L. P. French, Oldtown; Hon. B. J. Herrick,
Alfred; Hon. R. B. Dunn, Waterville; Rev,
II. P. Torsey, Readfeld; Rev. h. B. Abbott
lewiston; Rev. c. w. Morse, South Berwick;
Hin. Elisha Clark, Bath; Enoch Cousins,
Esq, Kennebunkport; Rev. S. f. Wetherbee
Portland; Rev. J. b. Gould, Bangor; E. NJ
Tibbetts, Esq, Bangor; Rev. P. Jacques, Win
throp; Rev. i. S. Cushman, Conway; Rev. j.
S. Mcmillan, Biddeford; Rev. Hobart Richard
son, Waterville.sI AW-N ssnE 80
Secretaries d. j. Hartman and c. y.
Clark, Portland. vsre r5aer sFvay ,.ga
On, 81 r., II
committee was raised to report plan for Lay
Representation: DR.. E. Clark, Portland; s. R.
Bearce, Esq, Lewiston; Hon. @. j. Talbot,
Wilton; A. 8. Weed, Esq, Bangor Hon w
II. Joselyn, Portland; Rev. j. b. Gould, Ban
gor; VIM. Deering, Esq, Portland gu cd
On motion of Hon. j. j. I cry, the follow
ing were appointed Committee on Resolu-
tons: Hon. j. j. Perry, Oxford; Hon. j. A.
Sanborn, Readfeld; Rev. E. R. Reyes, Port
land; Hon. Chas. Beale, Hudson; Rev. C. C.
Cone, Brunswick; Rev. B. A. Chase, Bangor;
j. d. Donnell, Esq, Portland. stf, 5,.sIg
Dr. Clark, Chairman Of Committe on Plan,
reported the following plan of Lay Represen.
tation: e'i-4 -4is s'l-.iii e-l1 ia
ELEcToRs.-M members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, who shall have attained
the age of twenty-one years, shall be electors;
and when they shall have been four years
members in full communion in said church.
they shall be eligible to the office of Law Del
egates to the Annual and General Conferences.
STEWARDS ELECTIvE.-Stewards of Circuits
and Stations, and also District Stewards, shall
be elected annually by the electors of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, at the last quar-
tQrlu IF fba %
Station.
DELEaArEs TO TIE ANNUAL coNrEaEscr
How CHosEN.-Distlict Stewards, at meet
ing holden within not less than 30 DAYS next
preceding the session OF the Annual Confer
ences, shall elect not less than three nor more
than nine Delegates from each District, the
number to be determined by fixed ratio of
representation of membership, to represent
the laity in Annual Conferences.
RIGHTS OF DELEGATES IN ANNUAL CONFER
ENcEs.-Lay Delegates to the Annual Confer
ences shall have the right to take part in all
their deliberations, to act ON all committees
and to vote on all questions, except those re-
lating to passage of character, and the trial of
ministers. - ..... -.s .a...... .. ..
DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
How CHosEN.-At the Annual Conferences
next preceding the meeting of the General
Conference, the lay members shall elect Dele
gates to the General Conference, equal in
number to the Clerical Deleg ates, elected by
the ministers. Joe. DID,.
RIGHTS OF DELEGATES IN THE GENERAL
CoNFERENcE.-Lay delegates to the General
Conference shall have the right to take part in
all the deliberations of that body, to act On all
committees, except those ON Itinerancy and
Epscopacy. and to vote on all questions ex-
cept those relating to the trial of ministers.
Which, after thorough discussion. was
adopted; and the meeting adjourned to 7
o'clock P. NJ.
.e.ut EVENING SESSION. s.5 e..ssr
Religious exercises were conducted by Rev.
Mr., Sawyer of Bath.
#Fl..E "a .......T