The national Republican., 1869-03-10

ministry 10 control their church government
because their rule has been 90 mild and just
that no cause could be found to protest
against II.
All honor to the noble ministry Of the
Methodist Church for the successful and
peaceful administration. But will II always
be soi Because the power has heretofore
been exercised by the ministry is no reason
that Il should not be changed. Times have
changed since these rules and forms were
made, and the increase Of knowledge and
wealth are all Offering inducements TO the
ministry to Increase their power, and expe-
riencc has proved the danger that power in
government Ia liable TO be abused. The
governing power Of the Church, the general
conference, has now offered 10 place the op.
| portunity In the hands Of the laity TO coun-
terbalance the power now held by the min.
istry, and the cxpcllcncy Of the movement
must be obvious TO all.
viii the church people always feel frcci
History and human nature answer no! and
the laity should understand the matter. The
Bible Is recognized as our text book where
are TO be found the foundation Of our church
| government, and In no part OF that book
| can be found such doctrine as that we are
now contending against. The Bible is the
basis of all republican Institutions, and what
Is true in the State is true In the Church.
The power Of operating the machinery OF
the governing power Of right belongs to the
people.
The laity Of the Church is composed oi
men Of intellect, OF wealth, OF science, good
men whose presence In the government ot
the Church would be power. A judlcious
Introduction Of this element will encourage
the people to renewed efforts, inspire then
with new vigor. It will perpetuatc the init.
macy which has been the great aid to the
advancement of the Church. This point
was discussed at some length BY the speaker
who finally closed by saying tllat the Metho
dist Episcopal Church cannot stand mucl
longer as the only Protestant Church which
docs not trust the "ronle in their delibcra
tions.
At the conclusion OF thu eloquent addrcs
of Senator Wiley, the chairman announce
that owing 70 unforeseen circumstances Hon
Messrs. Hiram Price and General Pile, VIII
had been announced to speak, were detaine
from the meeting, and that there were n
other speakers.
Samuel Norment, esq, offered the follow
ing resolution;
Resolped, As the sense of this meeting, tha
such changes In the organic law Of the Moth
odist Episcopal Church are desirable as vii
secure to the laity q voice and vote In tn
deliberations and legislation In the Genera
Conference.
Upon the question of the adoption of tn
resolution,
DR.. Phelps arose and asked II all pres en-
were expected to vote. As his name woul
be published in the opening services, he di
NOT want the reporters to let II go out O
having voted In Its favor, as he was not
lay delegation man.
The Chairman stated that 1t was cxpec tc
that all present would vote according to Ii
dictates OF their own conscience.
l. The question was then put, aud the rcsC
luton adopted-there being but few ne q
tiyes votes.
The following resolution offered by Mr.
Sorment was also adopted, there being bu
few dissenting voices:
Resolved, That while we regard the itlnc
ancy and episcopacy Of our church as anon
the great and primary means OF Its succei
and prosperity, and earnestly recommor
that such measures may be adopted fro
time to time as will tend to strengthen Il
= former and perpetuate the latter, yet '
: have no hesitation In expressing the bell
: ! that the introduction Of lay representati,
will essentially promote the growth of Il
church.
, The meeting then adjourned, the congr
! CATION being dismissed with the benedict,
pronounced by DR.. Riley.