The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-05
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE,


MENr OF THE INDIAN PEACE PoLIcr-Rz-
VIEW OF THE WORK OF THE CHURCH
SCHOOLS, MISSIONS AND pULPrTs.
BALTIMORE, May 4. 1870.
Bishop Amos presided at the opening Of tho Con-
ference this morning
proposition by Rev. G. n Jocelyn OF Michigan, to
appoint committee OF thirteen, composed OF one from
each Of the twelve g, neral conferences and from
the General Conference at large provide for meeting
the balance due the Book Concern and similar expenses
in the future, referred to the Committee Eps-
copacy
Rev. J. A. Brown, OF West New York, moved tho APP
pointmcnt by tho Bishop OF special committee Of
twelve to consider andreport the proprety Of re-
vision OF the Hymn Book. Adopted
Bishop James tnen proceeded to read tho quadrcnnal
TO the bishops
On motor OF Dr. Moody tho address ordered
printed In all the organs Of the Methodist Church, and
5000 copies IN pamphlet form. II also ordered
that much OF tho address relates charters be
referred to special committee OF five
committee ottwoivc, to whom shall be referred all
matters relating to the expenses Judicial conferences
was ordered.
INDIAN QUESTION.
Rev. J. II. Wilbur, OF the East oregon and Washing
ton Conference, submitted preambles and resolutions
condemning and protesting against the bill recently
passed by the House of Representatives and before
the Senate OF the United States transferring tho
Indians to the management and control Of the War
Department, and that committee OF Ave be appointed
to lay the resolution before the Senate and President.
The resolutions declare that such transfer would BIO
instruction TO the Indians.
DR.. Moody. Of Cincinnati. hoped tho resolutions
wouI be acted on and passed now The transfer would
DO the quick determination OF tho aborigines Of tho
land
two sides TO this question Under tho management Of
the War Department there would DO less corruption
than under the Indian agents file was wiling TO cavo
the question to the action OF Congress.
The subject was LAID over until tomorrow
The Conference then adjourned till halfpast three
r NJ
Tho address OF the bishops, which read today,
begins follows
Divine providence and have hed another page
OF deep interest and Of high Importance Some Of Them
II next. aludcs TO tho deaths Of senior Bishop
Thomas A. Morris; Of Rev. John Wright Roberts, mis-
sonary Bishop for Africa; OF Rev. Thomas n. Eddy,
Secretary of tho Missionary Society," Of Rev. Nelson f.
Coblegh, editor Of the Methodist Adrocat OF Atlanta
Ca OF Rev. Dallas N. LORE editor OF the Northern
Christian advocate and pays fitting tribute to their
eminent lives and services
Since the last General Conference in 1872 eighteen
ministers, who we're members OF that body and held
important positions In tho Church, and three laymen.
also members, have died; they were honored and
years conferences OF East Oregon and Washington,
Southern German, West Texas, South Kansas and
Southern California have been formed.
The address next reviews the action OF the bishops
under the resolution OF the last Conference requesting
them to give foreign missions such principal super
vision during the ensuing four years will promote
the b0st interests Of the work. including vsi
tation, recng the visits of Bishop Harris to Japan,
China and India, and elsewhere Asa in 1854;
Of Bishop Foster to Europe Bishops Haven and Simp
TO Mexico, and also OF tho latter TO Southern Eu-
rope Our foreign missionary work has continued 10
have natural aud healthy growth in fields occupied
before the last General Conference and important and
wn1,co TIE nressnt svgreva,a ~ snnsv schooi
statistics Is l0.2S7 schools, 207 lS2 officers and
teachers; and the importance Of this interest
and tho correspondence OF its growth with that
of the Church ia evident to all Our tract society Is
ono Of Oldest benevoences and continues to be
important auxiliary OF tho evangcstic work Of the
Church. both at home and abroad The work OF edu-
cation has lost none Of interest 10 the Church. These
departments have been well sustained and coming
on successfully with their legitimate wsrk 1t is ex-
pectcd that the Centennial contributions Of this
WIN largely increase their resources VIC have bus
church work full reports may be
expected from those having them in charge. The
thereafter the statistical tables Of our general minutes
should show tho number Of members OF our churches
the rule into effect 252 945 members of the church
and 600 ministers have finished their probation and
nave gone 20 tner account since the las, General Con-
$40 ministers have died. giving an aggregate ON the
death roll Of "a 100 Tho net increase Of membership
during the Same time was l59, 1885, and OF ministers
liza making tho total net increase 160 400 Tito this
number add the number OF those who have died as
stated above the result will show that 234 $40 persons
have, within the past four years, admitted 10 tho
fellowship OF tho church. Tho number OF men,
bers reported In the minutes OF 1875 $50 $50 and
the number Of ministers 10, 933 giving total
number OF COMMITMENTS Of 1851, 49, The confer
which have met the LIST OF January las
port increase Of 50971 and II this increase DO
added TO the aggregate as reported IN the minutes
OF 1875 the result will show the present membership
OF the Church to be 642 456 The whole number OF
churches reported in the general minutes Of 1875
10 $685. with total estimated value of $1 $50 25 being
increase OF 1913 churches and $l444l 334 in their
estimated value The number Of parsonages 5.01T,
and their estimated value So 73l 62S; being
In the number OF porsonagcs OF 70S and of s44
In their estimated value. This increase In the minis
try and membership and in the corporate wealth Of
the Church shows how greatly God has prospcred
during the term Of which speaking, and 1t Is
evidence that neither the ministry the member
ship Of the Church has declined in spirituality and
devotion 10 God and His cause. While hearts
filled with gratitude and praise to God for
His goodness TO us Church ana u
people rejoice to make mention OF the
prosperity God has vouchsaed TO other branches
OF Mcthodsm in America. II IL also high satIstac-
ton to to know that the other evangelical churches
of this land have shared largely IN tho oupourng Of
the divine spirit and been earnestly and success.
fully engaged in evans elistc labors.
The address next reviews the matter OF appointments
OF presiding elders and minister's the pcrpcxtics
tending this duty, and concludes with eloquent
summary OF the glorious work and future Of tho
Church.