The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-04-06
Methodist Conference,

The Philadelphia conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church began its seth
annual session in the Kensington church on
Wednesday afternoon last, with Rev Will
liam Cooper presiding. Bishop Gilbert
Haven subsequently, appeared and took the
chair. The roll was called by the Secre-
tary, ". j. Paxson, and ia members an
swered. The usual committees to prepare
and report business were appointed. Re-
ports of the presiding elders were received,
showing the work done in each of the dis
tricts. A committee of eight experienced
ministers, with Rev J. f. Chaplain for
chairman, was appointed to consider all pa
pers and propositions relating to change
in the church polity, with directions to re-
port at the earliest opportunity. Sugges-
tions to this end were offered by Revs. G.
D. Carrow and w. NJ Ridgway Mr..
Carrow proposed quadrennial election of
bishops the discontinuance of the third
ordination the exchange of episcopal resi-
dences every eight years the relief of the
Book Concern from paying any part of the
expenses of the bishop the transfer of the
whole question of the presiding -eldership to
the annual conferences the introduction
of lay delegates in church governments
the removal Of limits upon the pastoral
term, but appointments still to be made
yearly and the Institution of conference
of laymen, who shall have equal representa-
ton with the presiding elders in the coun-
Gil for making appointments, and shall have
equal authority with them The plan sub
mitted by Mr.. Ridgway includes many of
the same changes, but also provides for the
abolition of quarterly conferences and the
institution of single church and district con-
ferenccs. 1t also proposes the election of
general superintendent, not to be ordained,
in the place of bishops These papers were
referred to the committee of eight for con-
sideration. The afternoon of Tuesday was
devoted to the anniversary Of the Women S
Missionary Society, and the evening to that
of the Conference Education Society. An
latter by Professor Strong, of Drew Theolo-
gical Seminary. Thursday morning was
consumed with variety of business Of a
general character. Afterward, the com
mittee to which the proposed changes in
the church government had been referred
submitted report Six of the eight mem
berS had met, and upon five points they
were unanimous in the affirmative. These
were the discontinuance of ordaining bis
hops, the introduction of lay representation
in the conferences, the establishment of dis
trict conferences, giving quarterly confer
ence the right to request pastoral supplies,
and that the number and salary of confer
ences secretaries be reduced as far as posi-
ble With one vote in the negative, the
reference of the presiding g-eldership ques-
ton to the local conferences was recon-
mended. On other subject introduced the
committee was divided and no recommends
ton was made. The vote extending the
pastoral term indefinitely was one in favor
and five against The six first mentioned
were presented for the endorsement of the
Conference, and it was agreed that the sub
ject be taken up for discussion on Friday
forenoon. The afternoon and evening of
Thursday were devoted to anniversary and
prayer meetings