The New York herald., 1869-05-14
LAY REPRESENTATION IN THE METHODIST
CHURCH.
Opposition Meeting In WILLIAMSBURG.

Opposition Meeting In Williamsburg.
meeting IN opposition to lay representation was
held last evening In the Central Methodist Episcopal
church. Williamsburg.
Brother James Bradley presided and the venerable
and reverend Mr.. Hatfield offered prayer.
Mr.. BRADLEY stated that the object OF the meeting
was to hear the views OF brethren in opposition to
lay representation. He called upon the Rev. Mr..
SAKE for a few remarks
Mr.. SAKE, rising, said that although he was
nominaly clergyman he practically layman.
With regard to the proposed change in the govern
ment OF the Church, he did not believe that there
was any class OF laymen In the Church which could
spare the time necessary to attend the conferences
He did not how the interests OF the Church were
to be subserved by lay representation.
The Rev. Mr.. ADAMS said that he was not cham
pion on either side OF the question. He was In
DOUBT For the past hundred years the Church had
prospered wonderfully without lay representation,
and he did not believe that the masses OF the Church
required any change. The demand comes from the
wealthy members Of the Church, who constitute
little majority. n their voices were hushed we
should never hear another word about lay represen-
taton. The masses OF the Church are perfectly sat
is1ed with Its existing government. In his expe-
rience all the men who have made trouble In
the Church are those who possess money.
on my bread and butter They now demand lay re-
presentation simply because they have the control OF
money. In CONCLUSION, Mr.. Adams did not approve
OF aymen sitting In conference with clergymen be-
cause they never heard divine calls
The Rev. Dr. PORTER, late agent OF the Book Con-
cern, said that the present question first brought
TO his mind IN 1s40. lie did not then believe In lay
representation and had not since changed his mind.
IL IL argued that we should have lay representation
now because we are rich. But who OF us are richS
certainly not the clergymen. The laty now own
the church edifices, the graveyards, the school
houses ana the colleges, and the General Con-
ference has no control over the property OF the
Church What, then can the laity obtain by taking
part IN the deliberations OF the General Conference
ihe business transacted s purely Of q spiritual ma.
ture, ana the aity have nothing 70 do with IL. To
rue Tue ministers Is TO make slaves OF them. and
thus destroy their usefulness. He did not believe
that conference made up OF lay and clerical dele
gates, as proposed, was In accord with our demo-
cratic institutions, because the people are not to
have voice In the election Of the lay delegates.
Ihe plan proposed Is for the quarterly Conference,
COMPOSER OF cerpynen TO elect lay delegates to the
people OF any voice In the matter. In con-
ciudng MS remarks DR.. Porter said that
u ne was Congregationalist or Baptist
ne Wouin iavor lay representation, because they
nave ntte 10 represent. But the Methodist
Cnurcn PAD prospered for hundred years under Its
present. government he willing 10 have the
same government continued.
MI. MORGAN, OF 81. Johns church, said he did not
approve OF the contemplated change. lie salts
neuJo leave Wen enough alone and let the matter
rest. lie would vote against lay representation.
Mr. SENSETr, OF the south Second street church.