Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-23
General Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. ..

] episcopal NAhEGhs
CHICAGO, May 22.--The chair was oc-
cupied by Bishop Jones.
A resolution was offered by the Rev. j.
w. Falley that the General Conference be
composed of an equal number Of members
and laymen. Referred.
A resolution was offered by Rev Mr..
Coggshall, of Michigan, to organize Dis
trict Appellate Courts for the trial of ap-
pellates Referred.
The Committee on Seamen's Friends So
ciety submitted report, recommending
| the continued cooperation Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church with the society and its
branches. Adopted.
A report on reviyals was read, recon-
mending that the discipline be so amended
as to make laymen eligible to election as
book agents.
The minority report on the same subject
was read. 1t was adverse to such change
of discipline. ,.
After considerable discussion, the report
of the committee on this case was read, be-
ing adverse to the election Of missionary
Bishops. Adopted.
The recommendation of the committee
that no additional Bishops be elected at
this time was also adopted, the result being
applauded.
The Committee on Book Concerns re-
ported against the renewal of the National
Magazine, or establishment of any similar
procedure; also against reducing the num-
Der of church papers, which was tabled and
ordered to be printed.
Rev. G. ID. Carrow, Of Philadelphia,
moved to instruct the COMMITTEES on Book
Concerns to consider and report on the ex-
pedieney of elevating the character and
increasing the efficiency of official news
papers, which was referred.
Rev. ID. Brown, colored, Of the Washing
ton Conference, moved against receiving
any Of the delegates or officers of the
Methodist Episcopal Church as bishops
Referred
The convention voted that the call for
resolutions be dispensed with after to-day. I
The convention adjourned until to-mOr- 4
row.
CHICAGO, May 22.-In The Methodist
Episcopal Conference, the report Of the
Committee on Sunday Schools was read
1t recommended 40 increase Of books
adapted to Sunday School purpose, a con
tinuance 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, ....
DR.. Haven, chairman Of the committee
on lay delegation, presented and read a re-
port of the petitioners for the adoption Of |
some plan Of lay representation, which |
number up to this time 25j 200. Eleven |
conferences have expressed az unqualified |
approval of the principle. Twenty have
expressed a readiness 10 grant il upon the /
demand Of the people. Other conferences
have expressed no decided views on the
subject ...-.f .. ..r =rg
The General Conference has twice voted 4
in favor Of this principle. Once il had
been submitted TO the popular vote, aud
had failed by a small minority vote being
taken amidst The excitement of the late war,
when the people generally were too much
about the preservation Of the
much attention. Those who now me-
,uhject believe that this il the highest ia
liary Of the church, and is called to con-
iider questions in which the laity are
,qually interested with the clergy, and
,qually entitled TO have a voice. They
epudiate the idea that they seek admission
o the councils Of the church for the pur-
,ose Of changing the pOlity, destroying It's
or undermining its episcopacy.
mt claim to have as deep and genuine
Fiction for the church "a the ministry,
nd az deep an interest ia its welfare.
The report was thea considered. The oh
ections 10 the proposed change we're First,
eing thai ii was unconstitutional This
bieetion was shown 10 be wholly untenable.
he second objection that the influence Of
be ministry, as the divinity call the body.
Tould be weakened, was also shown By an
labOTale argument 10 be weak and incon-
lusiye. The third objection that there
Eists DO necessity for such a change,
very one must decide for himself The
after careful consideration
the adoption Of the measure. ,
I'd submitted a plan for the admission OF |
ne layman into the General Conference. :
ID providing Tor the admission of not !
Iore than thirty laymen to each annual :
Inference Ordered 10 be printed. d
The minority report was also presented !,
: Rev. 8. NJ. Morrill, against lay repre-
niaiion, which vas read and ordered
-inied.
Rev. Singleton Jones. colored minister
ID delegate 10 the conference from Z0n |
I. f. Church, vas introduced to the con-
renee.
Papers from The General Conference TO
at church we're read, expressing willing a
- TO unite with the NJ. E. Church. pro-
ded il could be done on terms Of equality.
le stipulation they would make. that
cir Bishops should be recognized a.. snch.
far, At least, az topreside. Corrected with /
oionged applause ,,
II