The New York herald., 1870-04-09

New York Conference.-The Case Of Widow
Van Cott-voIc in Favor Of Lay Dele.
CATION.
The New York Conference Of the Methodist Epis.
copa Church met yesterday morning at the usual
hour, Bishop James In the chair aud the Rev. Mto
Couchman made prayer. The Bishop then intro
duced the Rev. Mr.. Mckay, Of the Troy Conference,
who made au address. Mr. Charles McCabe was
then transferred from the Ohio to the New York
Conference.
Reports OF committees were presented. Appropra-
tions OF $7,S25 to superannnated Minister'S S3.675
to widows and orphans and $500 to effective men
were reconmended by the Committee on Necessi.
tous Cases.
The famous widow Van Cott, who has been timer.
ating over New England, laying down the Methodist
law upon her own responsibility then came up FOR
tue action OF the Convention. the committee to con-
slider her case making report, which was laid upon
the table.
It was reported by the Rev. Mr.. Osborn that the
pougaskeepss district was IN highly prosperous
The all absorbing question OF
LAY DELEGATION
then came before the Conference and considerable
discussion followed. but II inay passed 10 vote,
and the ballot stood Ill IN favor of to 90 against the
innovation. Lay delegation, II will be remem.
bered, has occasloned great deal OF conLrover-
sal writing among the clergy and for upwards
OF year The subject has been warmly canyassed.
It IS move TO change the organic laws OF the
the Methodist Church, which body voted, as was
requisite by iwo-thris majority IN favor OF per-
mttng the question 10 be voted upon by the clergy.
II requires threeIourths OF the clergy TO sus-
tain the amendment OF the lay delegation and
the probability ls now that The whole
measure Will be defeated by from twenty to 100
yotes-ust this number failing short OF the
threefOurths necessary for ratification. Not above
one-dfth OF the aity OF the church have expressed
any conviction for against ana the question, after
long debate, WIN die Oi apathy. Many regret tnfs,
as strong efforts have bsen made. now proven un-
availing aud the change poss essed no Interest Tor
the rank and file OF the vast Methodist brotherhood.
The Conference before adJourntnH examined the
characters OF the clergy IN detail.
In Observation-Disclosures Services for the Late
Bishop Thompson.
The death OF Bishop Thompson, which occurred
short time since at Wheeling, Va, where he
had been presiding az the General Con-
ference Of the Methodist Episc opal church,
was commemorated yesterday in exceedingly
impressive services at ST. Paus Methodist
Episcopal church, in Fourth avenue. Bishop
james presided, and the exercises were participated
in by Reys. J. Y Bates, j. A. Roche, s. L. Fergus son,
N. ID. e.. Crawford, j. H. Barclay and D. Curry.
solemn voluntary having been played on the or.
gan the Rev. Mr.. Bates read portions OF the 39ib
PSALM, OF the llth 2lst and 27thl chapters OF ST.
Jonn and OF the 4th 18th and 18th chapters OF lst
Thessalonlans. pN
Prayer was then offered by Rev. J. A. Roche after
which the 93'th hymn was sung:--
There is an hour OF peaceful rest
TO mourning wanderers given:
There Is q Joy for soals distressed,
balm FOR every wounded heart
IDS round alone In bsavfp.
Eloquent addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr.
Crawford and Or. Curry, and the services closed
with the poSoloey and benedlctIon.