Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-05-11
Lay Delegation in the M. E. Church.

OHuiNuj vi tuC dSC VI e"N'J Wv
years and upward, will have an OPP
portunity to vote on the question OF
lay delegation. 1t seems to be a
question, the decision of which must
have a marked influence on the future
of that growing denomination.
The subject of lay representation
began to be agitated among the Meth
odists fifty years ago. In 1926, the
Rev. ID. B. Dorsey was expelled from
the Baltimore Annual Conference for
circulating a pamphlet, the object of
which was to advocate the introduc-
ton of laymen into the councils of
the Church; aud his expulsion was
confirmed by the General Conference
of 1928. In consequence of this and
other action on the same subject, a
large number of ministers and laymen
seeded, and originated the Metho-
dist Protestant Church; and, at a
convention held ia Baltimore, in No
vember, 1880, a constitution was form
ed and adopted for its government.
The General Conference OF 1910,
finding occasion for some action on
the subject, declared: ave should
prove recreant to the trust committed
to US, were we in the slightest degree
to yield to the spirit of innovation"
Petitions for change were present
ed to the General Conference of
1852, and the reply was that there
was "a strong opposition in the great
mass OF the membership to the pro-
posed change and that therefore
they deemed it "inexpedient to alter
the economy of the church" In 1860,
it was amply discussed, and the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted THAT
We, the delegates of the Annual Con
ferenceS of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, in General Conference assem-
bled, hereby approve the Introduction
oil lay representation into this body,
when it shall be ascertained that the
church desires it. The question was
put to vote in the years 1861 and
1862. The vote, as reported at the
General Conference of 1864, stood
of ministers, 1888 votes for, and 1869
against; Of lay voters, 28884 for, and
1855 against, lay delegation.
Before the session of the General
Conference in May, 1868, resolutions
tavoring some action 10y that body on
the subject of lay representation, were
adopted by many of the Annual Con-
lerences, and petitions for and against
change of church polity, were circu-
lated among the members. These pc
tltlons were presented to the Confer
ence, and, after careful consideration,
and diligent effort to reconcile con-
tilctlng views, plan for the admis-
sion OF laymen 10 seats AID votes In
the General Conference was agreed
on, subject to the approval of the min
listers and lay members OF the Church,
and embodied in a series of resolu-
tionS (adOpted by a vote Of 81 to 3, }
the second OF which reads:
During the month of June, 1869,
on any day except the Sabbath, the
time to be determined by the pastor
and the two laymen appointed by the
Quarterly Conference as hereinafter
provided, there shall be held a gene
raj election i'll the several places of
worship of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, at which all members in full
connection, and not less than Il years
OF age, shall be invited to vote by bal
lot: "FOr Lay Delegation" or Against
Lay Delegation" This election shall
be held under the direction Of the
preacher in charge and two laymen
appointed for the purpose by the
Quarterly Conference, who shall see
that due notice is given thereof, for
at least twenty days before the cleo.
ton, and who shall superintend all
the details OF the election. They
shall report the result within ten days
after the election to the Presiding
Elder of the district, who shall report
the same to the Bishop presiding at
the ensuing Annual Conference, to be
entered upon the Conference Journal. ,
The third resolution reads: SHOULD
a majority of votes cast by the PEG.
pie be in favor of lay delegation, and
should three-tOurths of all the members
Of the Annual Conferences, present
and voting thereon, vote in favor of
the above proposed change in the
Constitution of the Church, then the
General Conference, meeting i'll 1872
by the requisite two-thirds vote, Car
complete the change, and lay dele
gates previously elected may then be
admitted"
This radical change in the legisla
tive department of the Methodist
Episcopal Church has many able apd
earnest advocates, while it meets with
Jealous and intelligent opponents
some of whom object to it on scriptn
raj grounds, claiming the exclusive
right of the clergy to govern in al
ecclesiastical matters.
1t can not be predetermined wha
the vote on this question will be; bu
many believe that, if it is found to bt
in favor of the proposed change, boil
the ministers in the Annual Confer
ences and their representatives in tn,
General Conference of 1872, will
faithfully carry out the will of the laity
Vermont Watchman.
EXCITING ADvENTURE-A YOUNG