New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-09
Frani the New OsieAas Advocate
The Episcopacy.

we and in The Western Christian
AdUoeote the following letter from
Bishop Morris on the subject Of an in
crease Of the episcopal force at the
next general conference. His remarks
will be read with lively interest by
all classes Of our people
I am often asked, What will the
next general conference do in regard
to strengthening the episcopacy? My
answer is, do NOT know-who can
tell? l have, however, an opinion de-
Hberately formed as to what would be
suitable and proper in the premises !;
and having been requested by few
brethren, whose Judgment Prospect, to
express that opinion, | incline to do
so, using the freedom Of an old man.
Let it be understood, however, that
none of my colleagues are in any wise
responsible for my opinion. Again,
while l have nothing to conceal as TO
measures, say nothing speeting
the selection of men to execute them.
But to the main question, How many
bishops viii the Methodist Episcopal
church hereafter need for her home
and foreign work?
First. The home work. At the close
Of the general conference in 1868 we
shall probably have at least seventy
annual conferences, to hold which,
and fill other orders made upon the
bishops, we shall need ten effective
general superintendents; q less num-
Der, in view of liability to sickness
and death, would not be safe for the
work. So | think. In a word, after
deduoting from the present list of in
cumbents such as are unable to work,
we shall need reinforcement suffi-
cient to turn out from the old and new
stock ten efficient bishops. As to
how their work shall be arranged, and
how they shall be distributed therein,
have here and now nothing to say.
Secondly. Our foreign work. In my
opinion we shall need resident mis-
sionary bishop in each of the following
mission fields: Western Europe, India,
China, and South America-Liberia
being already supplied. In support
of this opinion, which | have long en-
tertained, here suggest few brief
reasons:
l. Economy. To send out bishop
from the United States to visit any one
of our foreign mission fields and bring
him home would probably cost as
much money as would support resi-
dent bishop in the same ield for one
year, besides the loss of time and risk
Of life going and returning.
2. There is frequently need of epis-
oopal authority on the spot, and that
need is increasing every year as the
work extends and agencies multiply.
3. / have never believed that all our
foreign work could be permanently em-
embodied in the Methodist Episco-
pal church in the United States
of America without embarrass-
ment arising out of civil and
political relations, and consequently
the true policy would be to organize
our foreign missions into independent
ecclesiastical bodies as soon as they
have sufficient force to govern them
selves. Our missionary society could
aid them financially after such organi-
cation as well as before, and With less
trouble, as they would fix their own
estimates, and make their own distri-
button of funds.
The above is an honest expression
of my individual opinion, yet be-
lieve in the teaching of Peter, - Yea,
all Of you be subject enc to another,
and be clothed with humility" OF
course when official action shall be
taken in the premises, / shall cheer
fully acquiesce in the Judgment of the
general conference, and do all 1 can to
sustain and enforce its orders.