The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-09

ters, such as fairs gotten up by ladies for
charitable purposes. The feeling is a natural
one, and runs in our social circle We all
want say in the government of the country,
ana the world is struggling after this, and
feels that there will never be peace aud
quietude until every person all over the world
has say in the selection of the government
under which he dwells. Now why should the
Church be an exception to this rule? The
members have responsible duties to perform,
and all should take an equal part.
God distributes from above gifts but so far
as the duties are performed by men they are
only looked up to as men. What is given of
God no man has a right to modify the doc
trines which Christ teaches us to believe.
Some men say they have been called to preach
the Gospel, and, therefore, they should make
the laws of the Church. 1 acknowledge the right
of preaching the Gospel, but not the right of
making Church laws. Methodism does not
teach such doctrine; nor would | uphold
such a doctrine. Our lay preachers, who
work SO laboriously and well, should have a
say at our conventions, and not be excluded,
as they are at present. L think they are the
best body that can enact the laws of the
Church, and carry them out properly.
believe the teachings of the Gospel point
to such a course as we are now pursuing.
You all remember that passage, "If thy
brother offend thee, tell him, and if he heed
not, tell it to the Church" Now, you all know
what the Church is Christianity is one great
democracy, and the time has come for all of
us to blend our powers together. Can we help
the ministers? / hold we can. The Apostles
at first managed things themselves and why
Because there was no other Church. but soon
they appointed linen of good repute' to
carry on the work of the Church. L think the
ministers are following in the steps of the
Apostles when they say, as they have said in
their general conventions to the laity, if you
desire to help us in our work, come and do so.
When there were not enough ministers to
preach the Gospel, Mr.. Wesley called down
upon him the censure of the world when he
said to the laity, $50 ye and preach the word
of God to your brethren" 1 thank God
Wesley did take that step, and there true
Methodism commenced. Referring to the
ladies, the Bishop said his religious
convictions were owing to the admoni-
tions of his sainted mother. Wherever
there was a soul it should be set
at work, and that is the secret of the success
of Methodism. There are objections to ad-
mitting lay delegates, but | don't think the
Objectors understand the question. If they
are admitted the annual conferences will not
be inteIfered with in any way, but will remain
| as at present. Lay delegation is this: s:-From
the annual conferences two laymen are Sc
| lected to sit in General Conference, and from
the smaller conference one layman. These
will sit together, not interfering with any
minister. The same number of ministers as
| before will be present. with two laymen from
| the large and one from the smaller of the con-
| ferences. They listen, they deliberate, and
they discuss matters together, and if there is
any question of interest, and division of
votes is called for-as there certainly would be
on all questions of Church economy and
Church discipline-then the ministers vote
first, and nothing is done unless a majority of
ministers vote for the matter. Well, if ma
jority of the ministers vote for the matter, as
is now the case, it will be a law. If there be
lay delegation after the ministers have voted
for it, then the laymen will vote, and it can
not be a law unless a majority of laymen have
voted for it. This is the whole Of lay delega-
ton.
Bishop Simpson, after some intervening re-
marks. said he should like to see union of
Methodists, as there had recently been of
Presbyterians Some men did not think lay
men were sufficiently read to be competent to
take q seat in the General Conference. Now,
| am not surprised to hear such an expression
from the lips of a high-church man. He
| then referred to the election of delegates, and
| asked if any member present would select a
| bad man. He was sure they would Mott
| would not be to their interest to do So 1t
was not essential that rich man should be
| elected. The expenses and boarding of dele
| gates will be paid, and am of opinion that
under such circumstances no man would re-
| fuse to go for four weeks into the best com
| pany i'll the world. He had made calcula-
ton. 1t was this:-Suppose two delegates
| from the Philadelphia Conference were sent
| to any part of the United States where the
| General Conference sat, and the expenses
were 800 for travelling, and their board bill
| might come to another 800. Now, there are
| between 30, 900 and 10000 members in the
| Philadelphia Conference-I will say 10000
for convenience sake. To meet this expense,
| it will only cost each member half a cent
every four years, and cannot the Church beal
that? / am sure it will not break the mem
bers. (Laughter.)
The Bishop then showed how the expenses
of delegates from India, Oregon, and Other
distant parts could be provided for at trifing
additional cost In the course of his remarks
he said lay representation was essential tC
union with other Methodist bodies, as they
have it and will not unite with us without it
If there is to be no union, it is necessary fol
self-protection. If we are without it, the,
will have an advantage over us. My convic
ton being that this element will increase ou
strength and unity, pray God for its sue
cess. (Applause.)
The meeting closed with the doxology.
|