The sun., 1872-04-27
A METHODIST ECUMENlCAL.
TIE QTiDR ENNTdL CONFERENCH
OF WESLEY'S DISCIPLES.
An Imposing Assemblase la tho Brool,,u

dist Episcopal Church, which nill bc.n its ses-
sions In the Academy of Music, BROOKLYN. on
wednesday next, Is an Ecumcnicl Council so
far rs that denomination t. concerned. and
equally 40 with the famous Roman Council OF
two years ago. II will be composed VI dele
gates from a parts of the world where this par
ticular form Of church organization has obtained
a foothold. II is the highest tribunal Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. and exercises
worldwide jurisdiction over tht dcnomina-
tion, with the single exception of that branch
In this country known as the Church south,
which separated from the main fold a number
of years ago ON the slavery issue.
THE OENERAL CONFERENCE
meets every four years, and has heretofore been
composed exclusively of clerical delegates
chosen from the Annual Conferences. Bach
Annual Conference ia entitled to one delegate
for every thirty members Of which II Is COM
posed, and one for fraction Of thirty exceed
Ing twO-thrds. The approaching Conference
VIII consist of 2g3 clerical delegates. All the
bishops of the Church are cr-oDciO Presidents ~
the Coniercncc. The senior Bishop usually pre-
sides at the initial meeting, after which tho
Others take turn. There are now but five bish-
ops, of whom the TT Rev. Thomas L. Morr. is
the senior. Delegates will participate in this
Conference from Europe, Asia, and Africa, AZ
Wen IA irom All parts OF the United states. The
Annual Conference of Liberia. in Africa, will le
represented by the Rev. Mr.. ritman, native
African. who IA already here. The Animal Con
ference Of Germany and switzerland will bc REP
resented by the Rev. Dr. Jacoby; that of Indin,
by tie Eev. Henry Mdnscll while the churches
that country, the Rev. Dr. MaClay.
PREPARATIONS tN BVooKLNS.
Tho BROOKLYN Academy of Music, which has
been engaged FOR this asscmhlagc, Il now being
put In readiness for its occupancy. The paru,iot
eats and the first two blocks ~ seats Ia the
balcony will bc rcscrved for delegates The o.
chestra space T. set apart for tie accommoda-
ton OF the reporters OF the press. The Tcbt Of
the house, with the exception, Of course, of tho
"a m T. M H..
The Conference will convene at q O'Clock on
Wednesday morning, beginning with devotional
exercises conducted under the supervision Of
the bishops. After this the organization will DO
perfected by the election Of a Secretary and tho
reception of credentials of delegates. After the
first session IL is probable that the Conference
VIII hold sessions daily, beginning at Q a. M anh
evenings viii he given up To work In committees.
THE QUESTION OF LAY DEIRGATBs.
Az soon ~ the organization IL effected II IL
probable TINT the question Of the admission u
Conference proposed modification Of the dis
cirline OF the Church so as 70 admit lay dele
gates 10 the Conferences. The proposition as TO
the General Conference Is as follows:
The lay delegates shall consist of two laymen for
each Annual Conference. EXCEPT such CONT rcnces a.
.hall be entitled TO enc lay delegate each.
A majority Of the membership OF the church,
ana three fOurths Of all the members of the An
as provided In the plan of submlssion, II now
remains Tor hnal adoption 10y twn.thlrds vote
| of the approaching Conference. There is no
doubt that IL will receive that vote, and that th
| lay delegates will he at once admitted. a fun
| delegation Of laymen from all the Annual Con-
ferences has been chosen, and will be Ia attend-
! ance at the opening of the General Conference
| when admitted VIII swell the menbership 10
the General Conference to AL, exclusive OF the
| bishops. The lay delegates, II admitted, are 10
! SIT Ia the sano BODY and exercise the saline
| powers right sand privileges as the clerical dele
gates. Hut onc-thrd Of either order may de-
mdhd separate vote by orders on any pending
| question.
CuNEENL BUSINESS.
The General Conference viii be In session
| probably al entire month, If not lougcr. Prom
| lnent among tho topics awuitiuy its cousl lera-
ton viii be the yeXed state ut the Book Com
| Germ in this city tie condition Of the cpiscu-
pate, and the necessity Of creating more bishops,
and probably six preachers AT least will be raised
SIrc6 Ch%rs6 cxtesi"n. ' thn cS,, ~ 81 & lho
! slnns' Nc, Ihs Conference also cloCts all the
officers of the Church Ion the noNt tour years,
| Including book AGENTS, editors, secretaries, and
all Others excepting only bishops
THE nook CONCERN TROUBLES.
| The Book Committee Of the Methodist Episco.
| pal Church, having in charge the affairs Of the
Book Concern, are preparing their quadrennial
report for submission to the General Conference
next week. Their proceedings are conducted
| In sccrcsy, with closed doors. II may be re-
| membrrtd that AT the close Of the Lanlhan trial,
| In June last, the committee provided for thor
| ough examination of the Concern under the fol-
| lowing resolutions:
| THE APPOINTMENT OF An EXAMINER.
ReO'rff That. IN order TO secure proper Inspection
Ot the accounts OF the Book Concern a. ruVluf tlrf
r. kihrcth, OF Cincinnati to make such inspection ami
tat he be authorized 90 select such A.-lstaut DO
| may hnd necessary.
| Ie,Or-i That We refer 10 Mr. Kuhrcth all the ya1-
Gus allegations aud CAHr-cs Of fraud aud auas-
mout uadc from time 90 time by the A-sI-tIuf AErut
asuinst the Book tonurru and W. sptrsi Direct uls
/ attention Ia such books aud accounts rHI business
! transactions OF WhutcN date ol what depart
mont of ihr Concern Or ny such allegations -tid 10
| involve fraud, Ions e. ur uil~mtnul'. u IT.
h' .'f fU 'st, That Nit. kilurrtl hg allowed such
! tee t- uc may dcstrv
H,.olti, That he be directed also TO examine the
methods % husiucss aud mode OF boOAhct AID
| port On the same.
| DIR. LANAHAN's CHARGES pIsPROyEp.
Mr. Kilhreth has been diligently employed with
competent corps of assistants rom that time Ia
! the present mai<ng the investigation "a, ordered.
! lie yesterday submitted to the committee a fun
/ report of his lHhors This is a very long and
/ comprehensive document, aud was considered
/ by the committee with closed doors. II tuly
/ eXuneraics the tcv. Dr. Carleton, the Senior
| AGENT, from all suspicion of WrungduiuZ or
iritgIlarity In the conduct Of the affairs IF the
] Concern; CNculputeS Mr.. Goodcuuugh from the
| chtrses of fraud preferred against him uy Dr.
] Ilnahan; and Is in general, compile .n NlIdiO \
/ ton OF the course pursued 10y the present Look
| Committee during their administration.
! The report Will probably be lururpouu 30
! bodily in the Quddrcunial report ol tIc tuin-
mlttCe to tie General Conference.
~ a a. T. . "a AZ D o. TTsIg "a =