New-York tribune., 1869-06-10
RELIGIOUS.

LAY DELEGATION IN THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The election returns so far as reported, show
large majority Of votes in favor Of lay representation
In one list lust printed in The Methodist out Of As churches
representing all sections Of the country only nine give
majority against Lay Delegation out OF total Tor the % OF
2O5o votes the number in favor 46l TO 5go against me
majority beng sI3 The yeneGaDe bisOP has ex
pressed himself in favor of the scheme IN tne touo"ns
true letter, addressed to ayman IN TINS n Gy lime 1862
JIs W6odis pTblishes at the head Of Of its pages
fac sime engraving of this characteristic hose d
Bishop has also written note TO an opponent OF l"I
egation saying: "I belong a class OF nine men, DISH
Ops who have no vote in any Conference, quarterly
Council or General If had vote snouiG ca1S ten y IN
collectively on the question: they did in 1862 but sew
era others besides Bishop Morris are counted on TO sup
port the rights Of the laity in this matter
The BedfOrd-st. NJ. L. Church, last evening
voted On the question Of sending lay delegates to the
General Conference BY the action Of the last General
Conference all members OF the Church over q years OF
age in good and full standing entitled 10 vote on all
questions relating TO the poy OF the Church privilege
whchhad previously been restricted 10 tne ile IjI Sn
called upon TO exercise this new junction. ana 10 IHe
avail themselves of the privilege. Considerably less
than half the votes pOlled were cast by women;
altIOugh they constitute decided majority Of the legal
voters Their action IN tho premises would seem 10 DO
dictated by their sentiments upon the suDScl as
is understood that the pastor of tho church and several
of the leading members have expressed themselves de-
cidedly OF the women voting IL should be con,
sidered however that the question at issue Is one upon
whichthe Church has been agated for twenty years;
and about which great diversity Of opinion exists ana
strong opinions have been expressed On ess eAcIiH
topic larger feminine vote might have been polled.
Those ladies who did vote appeared TO 40 so
and conscientOusy The result OF the Dalioung slo"eu
95 votes in favor Of lay delegation ana l5j opposed
GENERAL SYNOD OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OF
PENNSYLVANIA.
PHILADELPHIA, June 0.-In the meeting of
the Synod to-day the Committee to whom was referred
the documents the subject Of Freemasonry, in which
that order was denounced destical dolarous, anti
Christian, and hostile TO the Church." reported as
foowsi
Your committee have neither the time the books OF
reference at hand TO verify reue the assertions ana
arguments contained in these papers. Many OF them
hev believe 10 be exaggerated II not entirely unfounded
To render decision therefore, either Tor or against
memorlalists, would be unfair, because the verdict
would necessarily be given upon er pdrte testl-
mony. At the same time we cannot ignore subject
presented with so muen ea-tnesSheSs - "a 1uT d mGSveI
Tbav ore sincere i'm their tAat RaS0nry y
sin against God and they ask the Synod TO ueOunSe y
such but they must not complain II mOddy 5d cannot be
brethren do not share their yleWsi anu eaoC eattont "
convinced by their arguments. NlnouG WIotinpV
ing defense or history ot @SSTcIn y4ur 'C' omr
own country at least, the Order has numbered
among its members some OF the purest anu noDest men
statesmen, Christians, and not lew MINISTERS VI Inc
Gospel.
CONNECTICUT EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
NEw-HAyEN, June 0.-Y Yesterday the Episco-
pal Convention for the Diocese OF Connecticut com
menced its annual session in this city. The Rev E. W
Maxy Of Bridgeport preached the opening sermon.
Bishop williams presided. In his annual address, the
Bsbop alluded TO the subject OF securing change In the
divorce laws OF the State, and hoped that some action
might be taken TO maintain the holiness OF the marriage
sslation A plan OF life insurance laid before the
GoSyentlon which recommends that when parish is
ug 10 pay $40 per annum, the Rector be insured for
q, on6 for the benefit OF his family The subject
nostponed tiutn the next annual Convention.
PTTTs2URG EPISCOPAL CONVENTION.
prTTsu1RG Pa June 9.-The Episcopal Con-
nn Of the Diocese OF Pittsburg Is in session here to-
day By vote OF as to the Convention refused TO adj
mil 70 tho Union the All Saints rtu5tic) Church"
THE IAY-MEstBERsHIP QUESTION IN CLEVELAND.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, June 0.-The vote on the
Mctbgdst laymcmbersp question in this city resulted
in n largo maiofity In favor OF their admission