New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-03
LOCAL CONCERNS.
THE METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE.
SECOND DAYS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SCENE
ADMISSION OF THE LAY DELEGATEs-ThE
STAINING COMMITTEES UNDER CONsIDERA-


SECOND DAYS Observation-Disclosures SCENE
ADMISSION OF THE LAY DELEGATES-rHE
STANDING COMMITTEES UNDER CONSlDERA-
TON.
The Methodist General Conference held lib
second days session yeserdayn the BrooRy Ao"uey
OF Music with comparatively small attendance on ac
count of tho unJnopitious weather large NUMBER OF
delegates however occupied the body OF inc HOUSE, anu
the proceedings lost none Of their interest ana animation
ON account OF tho denquents who gradually ooK their
nlaces AZ the morning advanced The exercises were
formally opened by the Rev. Ludwig s. jacob VINO con-
Quoted the preliminary devotional exercises reading tho
nth chapter Of the Gospel Of st. john and announcing
the wellknown hymn, "Oh, for thousand tongues 10
sing" in which the assemblage Joined.
Bishop Simpson, who presided, inquired II the roll
should be called, and upon motion II was determined
that this unnterestnR but important part OK the pro-
ceedngs should not be dispensed WITH Inc secretary
Dr. Harris then read the minutes Of the first Days SEES
sion and this rise to nearly an hours anha'cu us
pute and debate, and not q little amusement MANY
corrections found necessary until at last DE- Harris
was forced to tell tho Convention plainly that he must
have moro help. profuse response was returned Ill
the shape OF countless and noisy nominations for ASSIST
ant secretaries Dr. Hunter OF Central ILLINOIS, "ah'co
DR.. Woodruff TO Ofioate. Dr. Woodruff deemed
in favor OF o. s. Munsel. Tho latter gentleman couia
not possibly accept, because he mad oeeh III
assistant secretary for the last two years and bad
of the honors Dr. Curry turned the current in favor OF
the gina nominee by laughabe Jaur pas remarking
earnestly that Dr. Woodruff Gin all sobriety has peculiar
adaptation for his work" The Rev. j. b. Dervis, one
of the ready and competent secretaries was
the nominee. This was followed by perfect oape
OF nominations accompanied by abbreviated sketches OF
the life and qualifications of the favored ones Tho up
roar became general that Dr. White of the Black RIVER
Conference, mildly inquired soon as he had been
seen and recognized by the President, If 1t was IN
order for dozen persons to speak at once
The President explained that he understood IL
10 be sort Of free fight the floor. aughterI Dr.
Eddy of the Baltimore delegation then humorousy NOM
mated each and all Of the members of the Conference Tor
the position. Just as the motion to close the nominal
tions prevailed Dr. Holmes of Ptsburg threw In last
shot 81 don't wish TO make nomination, but merely
TO remind you all that Brother Horner first name Is Jo-
seph." This sally created loud laugh and was so sue
cessu that at least three similar subterfuges were re-
sorted until the trick worn out 1t was then de-
cided to elect by ballot four assistant secretaries
motion was carried to lay the report on the question
Of boundaries the table Dr. Strong in behalf oil the
laymen presented the following address
An occasion so memorable this, which brings to-
cether for the time the clerical and lay clements by
terohange OF and feelings We desire to respond
to the summons which invites US to share In your GelD
eratiOns, and to express ourselves In q manner
appropriate for permanent record lHS thr we
question Of Law Delegation Seldom before has
the world seen a voluntary surrender OF power by men
long possessed of it By constitutional right 1t has fire.
Quenty been alleged that Methodsn has some features
late ourselves on the complete refutaton Of that charge
In the second place, behalf OF the aynen we invoke
the gracious assistance OF Heavenly Father that we
may meet Divine approval councils. We feel that
an assuming spirit would be unbeeomag those
defcrentally acceded TO them by their col
leagues T1 we would SepElecd a0s any syD4 Sfpa
powers Of this body between lay and clerical mem
bers Acknowledging the special charge OF ministers TO
be the spiritual guidance Of Their ceks ana equally ac
knowedging the special charge OF the lny TO DO the
custody OF church property and the care OF the pec
mary interests Of the church we believe 1t to be con-
ceded that all have equal interests In every question
which comes before the Conference whatever Affects
bishops, ministers, and lay men, ana whatever aLecSs
either OF these, affects the rest Lastly, We 90
enter this body to protest against any sudden
or radca! change IN tue practical , Hlacmney OK Oh
our church Happily we SEQ 10 dHerseHos on on
changes may DO mado in our ministerial polty. We,
laymen, as being comparatively inexperienced natufay
against advance in prudent measures nor are we IN
their antiquity. In short profess ourselves CONSERVE
tive in principle ana progressive IN action
The following then adopted and the doxology
| sung:
Red That we have heard the address Of our lay brethren with
great p, and heartily repocate the sentiments expressed
The address ordered to be printed
DR.. Eddy OF Baltimore moved that the standing CON-
mttees shall consist of two delegates from each Book
Committee district. DR.. Good moved for the
ceptance Of the boundary committees, including one
member from each Conference. substitute for the
whole was offered by DR.. W. II. DIN, to appoint the
standing committees OF delegate from each Annual
Conference nominated by the delegations respectively
and elected by the General Conference Dr. Woodruff
said that he was favor of the old way OF appointing
committees The work then done by sectUps and In
every other respect was advantageous Dr. Gums sub
stitute was adopted. 49,
resolution was submitted at this juncture 20 appoint
standing committees on EpiscOpacy, Iunerancy, boun-
dares Missions, REVEALS Appeals, Church Extension
Freedmen Sunday and State Of the Church
After much discussion on proposed amendments to ada
committees Lay Delegates and Representation,
which rejected the resolution was adopted. A mo
ton was also passed that tho standing committees, ex-
cept the Court of Appeals shall consist Of quorum OF
and that each committee shall select Its own Secre-
taTy and Chairman.
The tellers then announced hat In the ballot for Sec
rctaes the following had received the greatest
number of votes: o. s. Nun SELL 222; G.. w. Woodruff,
1872; John Phillips 1877. Mr.. Woodruff positively declin
ing the position, he excused, and the TWO having
the next highest number OF votes were added being
d. NJ Cooley votes and J.. A. Manning. l0l votes.
motion made that the bishops should be respectfully
requested to announce what day 1t would suit them
to the Conference their quadrennia address,
Bishop Simpson In reply said that owing 10 the Illness
of his colleague, Bishop James. he was not able to
answer the question. Messrs. Harris Hester, Evans,
Rules of Order and the Conference adjourned until
q. to-day.
AN ARMORY sWINDLE.
Nearly two years ago, Col. Scott of the