New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-19
RELIGIOUS COUNCILS.
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.


THIRD GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST
CHURCH.
The third General Conference OF the Metho-
dist" Church will meet at Princeton, He Today
This Conference is the supreme court and lswmaking
body OF division OF the Methodist Protestant Church
numbering about GJOOO members and 700 travelling
ministers The Methodist Protestant Church comprises
what are called the Reformers" Of 1S20-3O, who sepa
rated from the Methodist Episcopal Church on account
Of opposition TO epscOpacy and exclusive minser'"'
government few years before the opening OF inc war
there was another separation from the Method'st
Episcopal Church. growing out OF the Slavery question:
and resulting in the organization Of the wesleyan
Methodist Connection anti-Savery basis ana WIN
substantially the same form OF government as tue
Methodist Professionals As early 1853 the Methodis
Protestant Conferences lying within the Frs States held
Convention at which s.avery was denounced, and
official cQnn"":.iion and fellowship with those con-
ferrnces and churches praccing or toeratlng
savcholdng save-trading declared suspended
1t was further ordered that the Constitution and Discipline
should he altered to ford protection to slave
holding members. Another Conference In 1862 widencd
the breach between the Northern and Southern Churches
still by declaring the Conferences lin the Southern
states In revolt against the Methodist Protestant Church
for taking part in the Rebellion In 1866 union OF the
Wesleyan Methodist connection and the Northern Metho
dist Protestant Churches effected The first General
Conference Of the united body, denOminated the Metho
dist Church, met in 1867 when a Constitution and Dis
cipline adopted The second General Conference
was held in 1871 when the Discipline underwent revis
ion. and further improvements and alterations arc ex-
peced to be made at Princeton.
The srongholds OF the denomination in Western
Pennsylvania and Ohio. There six congregations In
Brooklyn Twenty annual Conferences meet in various
parts of the North and cole under the Presidency OF
Dr. McElrOy IL established at Adrian. The center OF the
publishing interests Of the Church is at Pittsburgh.
where II has buildings worth $50 900.
Negotiations for union with the Methodist Protestant
Church in forward state, with good prospects OF
ultimate success. Commissioners have been appointed
by the Southern Church. and the General Conference at
Princeton is expected to appoint delegates to confer
with them. Among other important business to come
before the Conference Is proposition for General
superintendent with duties somewhat like those of q
travelling Bishop II appears probable that this meas
IRE will fail several Conferences have instructed their
delegates to vote against it, The General Conference Is
also asked 10 provide for travelling agents for the various
church interests; to adopt rule requiring every MEM
contribute OF his to the support of church
work; to make rule limiting the pastoral term to three
years define the duties and privileges OF presidents
annual conferences; to provide for Judiciary
Committee to sit Court OF Appeals between the
of the General Conference to change the name OF
steward to that OF deacon and to adopt more definite
rules respecting tho election OF delegates by annual con-
ferences.
Among the best known OF the delegates the Rev.
Messrs Alexander Clark Of Pittsburgh, John Scott of
Pennsylvania, \. H. Btssett Of Ohio, and c. T. McElroy
OF Michigan. The delegates from NewYork Minis
er,-J. j. Smith, 5. Homan and J. II. Robinson. Lay
mcn-C Toniins, J. savage and A. H. Holgate.