Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-20
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Church TriaIs-BishoP McTyeire De-
Preeates a Departure from the Old
Landmarks.

LOUISVILLE, May 19.-The only matter
of Importance in the General Conference
to-day was the report Of the Committee on
Church Trials. 1t provides for the trial Of
Bishops. Presiding Elders, local and travel
ling preachers. and church members, all
in about the same manner. The case Of
Bishop is first brought before committee
of three Presiding Elders for investigation,
when chargeS shall bs bTOught against him.
He - t44--- l.s...-l4.i suas IA anGthar Bishop,
together with a committee who shall pass
upon his case, giving him the right to ap-
appeal 70 the General Conference.
The section providing for the trial Of
Bishops Is the foundation Of all church
trials, and the articles in this connection
were seyerally read and after considerable
discussion on each adopted.
The several articles of the section on
Bishops, whGh ig but a small part Of the
report, having been adopted, the adoption
Of the section as a whole was announced in
order, when
Bishop McTyeire
came forward and said he wanted to speak
in regard to the matter. He desired to call
attention TO the fact that some points were
probably overlooked, and hoped they would
not act until ne spoke OF than. First, he
hoped to hear some reason for changing the
whole system. This system is something
like the English law. 1t has grown up.
Bishop GranbuITy touched it and Bishop
McKendree, who was the chief justice
marshal of the church, further brought it
out. The law had been adopted to an
extent 10 the necessities of Methodist
preachers. 1Oupset this whole system OF a
hundred years at one GlGw, TO adopt it to
modern views, seemed a very hazardous eX-
pertinent. The line between ecclesiastical
and civil law he did not think had been
distinctly drawn by the committee. He
supposed the idea was to protect the
Bishop and to keep him straight, he saw
a much better chance for the accused 10
become clear than under the old regime.
4 bishop arraigned for speaking unOrtho-
dox doctrine would have a much better Op-
pOrtunity to get out than under the former
rule. 4 committee of thirteen men
might be brought together, seven OF whom
might be induced to vote for his acquaint-
ance. He could not be tried twice for the
same offense. \ bishop was elected for the
good of the whole Church, and his case
should be left with the assembled wisdom
of the Church, the General Conference.
The adoption of this report left the Church
no power to do anything except tC examine
into his mal-administratiOn. He trusted
that the Church might always be blessed
with true, sincere Christian men as bish-
OBS. but it might be otherwise. He
| knew of 10 case which they had failed to
| get at by the old law. 1t looked TO have
| been intended foI the protection of Bishops.
| The laws now in vogue had been adopted
! in 1908. II every preacher could at first he
fried bv a General Conference, there could
be no need of appeal. There We're present
the wisest men of the Church. 1t was the
highest judiciary. Bishops, therefore, need
have no fears. When condemned he should
be willing to take his appeal TO to the court
! of Heaven. in 1870, the General
| Conference had been compelled to
do away with a great number OF
new laws which had crept in the place of
old ones. which were again brought into
reouisition. He did not speak for his own
protection or for the protection OF any OF
/ his colleagues, but to guard old Methodist
ism. to guard her laEs, honOred for hun
| dred wears. Iftbere were no laws, perhaps
he would incline TO those proposed. The
] old laws were interlined with our tradi-
ti0ns. were venerable. (Applause.)
The time for the consideration OF this
question having expired, the vote Will not
| he taken until te-moTrpA,