The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-14

General Conference OF the vi. E' Chnfch.
The Fifteenth Quadrennal Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church began in
Chicago MayE1st, composed OF 231 delegates
from ri annual Conferences. There are also
present representatives from the Washing
and Delaware Conferences composed wholly
of colortd preachers, and 10 representatives
from Alabama, Georgia, HOUSTON (East Ten
nessee), Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennes-
see, Texas, Virginia and North Carolina, ana
India Mission Conferences, composed partly
of white and partly of colored minIsters) which
have been organized by the Bishops since the
General Conference of 1864, under the author
ty given them by that Conference to organize
annual Conferences in the States and Terri
tories not embraced at the close of this Gener-
al Conference IA any of the annual Confer
ences, such Conferences to possess all the
rights, powers and privileges of other annual
Conferences, excepting that of sending dele
gates to the General Conference and of draw
Ing our annual dividend from the avails OF the
Book Concern and chartered funds, and of vot-
ing on constitutional charges proposed in the
ipline-which restrictions shall continue
until the IfeXt ensuing General Conference
The question of admitting these representa-
tives to the Conference with all the rights,
powers and privileges of delegates has given
rise to a very interesting discussion which con-
tiuued for several days, and on May 18th was
decided by avote of 205 to 10 to admit them.
All the speakers were in heartfelt sympathy
with the proposition to admit them, but some
i'll view OF the conditions on which the confer
enceS had been organized questioned its con-
stitutionality or propriety.
LAY DELEGATION.
The question of lay delegation bids fair to
occupy considerable attention in this Confer
ence. Petitions in favor and remonstranceS
against are daily presented and referred.
ADDRESS OF THE BISHOPS.
Bishop Simpson read the quadrennial adj
dress of the Bishops on Tuesday, May 9TH
They referred to the organization of the con-
ferences i'll the Southern States and to their
great prosperity At the recent session OF
these conferences 1913 travelling preachers
were appointed by the Bishops presiding, and
a large number of local preachers We're EN-
ployed by the Presiding Elders. The member
ship i'll connection with this department of the
work is 90071 In the Kentucky, Missouri
| and Arkansas Conferences previously organ
| lied, there has been an increase OF III travel
| ling preachers and Y ,225 members.
| The number of members and practitioners
| in the whole church has increased from $685.
| 391 in 1868 to 1,146,0S1 in 1867. The number
| of church edifices has increased from 9,436 to
H. 21 and their value from SIC, 1884 554 in 1868
to 1876, 1856 436 in 1867. In the same time the
their value $2,571 Jas.
The amount of contributions for general
and local objects is reported by the Centenary
Committee at S8,397,66
The condition of our Theological schools and
other educational institutions of the church
is encouraging. The Sunday school and
Tract departments prosperous and indi-
cate grl a increase. The Missionary cause is in
a healthy condition as shown by reference to
the contributions, to the new fields inviting
occupancy, and to the decided advancement
in the old. The Church Extensive Society
| for the organization of which provision was
made by the late General Conference has
sustained a serious loss in the death of its
most efficient Secretary, Rev. DR.. S. Y. Nun.
| roe, but has been instrumental in accomplish
| ing much good through the labors OF his
successor DR.. A. Y. Kynett of Iowa.
The overthrow OF slavery and the necessity
of increased efforts for the education and
christian nurture of the freedmen and the
poor whites in the South requires the consid-
Grafton of the Conference. In conclusion
the Bishops called the attention of the dele
gates to the various influences which in their
view rendered it advisable to adjust the Con-
fernce boundaries SO as to compare as near
~ as possible to State lines.
On Tuesday, May IL, Bishop Thompson's
report respecting his visit to India was lis
tened to, and Rev. Mr.. Creary of Baltimore
| offered resolution in favor of building a
| church at Gettysburg to commemorate the
| Methodist soldiers who fell there.