The Portland daily press., 1868-01-23
Revolutions in Hefsrencs 10 "Lay
ReDpexenfatiou.,


The following are the resolutions adopted at
the Convention OF members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, held IN this City on Ties
day.
Whereas, The General Conference of the
M. e. church, 1850 and sub eqreatstse Gen-s
eral Conference of 1854, both recognized
the principle of "Lay Repres ,ntationr and.
committed themselves to its introduction into
that body,-...When it shall be ascertained
that the church desires it, We, therefore,
members of the M. q. Church in Maine in
Convention assembled, in response to the ac-
ton of said Conferences, do hereby adopt the
following resolutions, as embodying our SEN
timents and opinions on said subject.
l. Resolved, That we hereby re-affirm our
loyalty to Methodism and the M. Il. Church.
that we in harmony with its doctrines. US
ages, and discipine,-that our affection Tor
the whole church is undiminished,- and that
we greatly desire the full development of its
power and energies in advancing the con-
quests OF the Redeemel's kingdom TO final
triumph.
2. ResolUed, That we believe in the great
doctrine OF progress, not only as applied to hui
man governments, the material, social, and
moral world, but as connected with the religi-
GUS organizations of the day; that no system
of church government or church polity can so
nearly approximate to perfection, as to pre-
clude the idea of improvements or be pied as
bar against intelligent, impartial inyestiga-
ton.
3. Resolued, That the governmental polity
OF American Methodism should be equally
based upon American ideas; that whatever
stands in the way of the representative prin-
ciple and the right Of suffrage, so universally
recognized by our people as the chief corner
stone of republican institutions, should be re-
moved And we believe the full adoption of
this principle by the next General Conference,
would do much to conquer (the) prejudices, and
| bring in to communion many who otherwise
n Nj oh IN a,,in
| alton and doctrines.
4. RESOLVED, That there can be no such conflict
| of rights aud inter SITS between the clergy and
laity in the Methodist Episcopal Church as
| will prevent harmonious cooperation of
these two elements in the Legislative Councils
OF the church; that all fears that the latter in
| the event of the adoption of laN representation
| would encroach upon the rights of the former,
| is an impeachment of the pety and integrity
| OF the laity; that in the terse language of
| Bishop Simpson, "What is for the interest of
the church is for the interest of the ministry of
the church, and whatever is for the interest of
| the church is for the interest Of the laity of
| the church. We are all one" aTl
8. RESOLVED, That while we acknowledge
| with gratitude the wonderful success of Meth
| o,lism in the past, we believe we have now
| reached point in its history, whore, to insure
| the greatest success, the cooperative energies
| of the whole church should be brought into
| active requisition, and where the combined
| wisdom OF both clergy and laty- should direct
| in her councils, and guide her on to new con-
| quests and new victories.
6. Resolred, That in recommending the in
| PRODUCTION OF lay representation Into our Con-
| ferences, we disclam any intention to interfere
| in any way with the "Itnerant System" pecu-
| liar to our own church, believing as we do that
| it combines more wisdom and efficiency than
| any other plan ever devised to supply the peo-
| pie with the regular and stated miniStrations
| of the Gospel.
Z. Resolued. That we have witnessed with
| profound satisfaction the excellent spirit and
.brotherly love that have characterized the dis
| cussion upon this subject; that while our
brethren upon both sides of this question have
| been in earnest, they have been courteous,
kind and gentlemanly towards their opp IN
| ents. AS evidence of this truth, we have only
to cite the gratifying fact that during the past
| year more members have been added to the
church, more effective christian lab IT has been
done, more money has been raised for the be-
| nevolent operations of the church, and more
| churches have been built, than during any
| previous year in our history.
8. Resolued, That we hail with gratitude
| and pleasure the action both of conferences
and conventions in the grea West and other
parts OF the country, in favcr of lay represent
alton. They are unmistakable omens that our
| church and people upon this question will very
| soon see eye to eye and be of one heart
| and one mind. .a ...a... ar--rs-
9. Resolced, That we hereby approve of the
plan of representation reported to this Con-
NOheiou ny INC cOtuuittt6 WIZ nave Iidu GudI
subject in charge, and recommend its adop-
ton by the next General Conference.
10. Resotued, That copy of these resolu-
tions together with the plan" adopted be
| signed by the President and Secretary, and
forwarded to the next General Conference, as
memorial to be duly presented to said body
for its action.
II. Resotued, That we have read with inter-
est the proceedings of the New England Con-
vention in favor of Lay Representation. holden
at Boston on the 3Oth of November last; and
that we approve of the general principles con-
tanned in the resolutions adopted by that
body. l..,... ~. ..-y 1900 :
II. Reio'ued, That while we view with
some alarm the recent avowals of a few of our
ministers, that in the ministry alone inhers
the exclusive right of government in the
church, we cannot believe that General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
will ever auction by word or deed such an
exploded dogma. Il
In our list of officers of the Convention pub
lished yesterday, the second Vice President
should have been NJ j. Talbot of East Maehi-
as, instead of C. j. Talbot of East Wilton.