The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-24
THE METHODIST CONGRESS.
A VERY EARNEST DEBATE ON THE
RIGHT or APPEAL.
The Powers OF n Conference COMMUNICATIVE
tending the Mission Field In Africa
India, China. and Japan to be Visited.

The Powers OF n Conference Committee-Rr-
tending the Mission Field in Africa
India China, and japan to be Visited.
BALTIMORE, May 23.-Bishop Andrews
presided In the Conference to-day. Report
number two from the Committee on the Epis-
copacy was submitted. The committee recon-
mend that one OF the General Superintendent,
II in the opinion OF the Bishops IL be deemed
practicable, should visit Africa once during tho
next four years to extend the mission field in
that country. 1t is also suggested that during
the next quadrennium two visits should he made
to Europe, also to india, China aud Japan. The
report elected long debate. A motion to re-
commit that portion relating to missions in
Africa was lost. and the report was adopted.
Bishop James then introduced to tho Confer
ence the Rev. James IL. A. Johnston, the Rev.
u. T. Tame r, and the Rev. W. +. Dickinson, fra
ternal delegates from tho African NJ. f.. Church
Addresses were delivered by each of the dele
gates, after which resolutions were adopted
expressive OF the pleasure Of the Conference at
their visit. DR.. j. Il. Rankin OF Washington,
fraternal delegate from the Congregational
Church, was introduced and addressed the Con-
ference.
The Conference then proceeded to select the
point Tor holding tho next General Conference.
Cincinnati. philadelphia, Indianapolis, and
Cleveland were named as extending Invitations,
and tho facilities Of each for accom- m odating SO
large body as the G Inference were eloluently
set forth. John W Raw, in urIing the SELECTION
OF lnuie3enolis, said Cincinnati was only sub
urb Of the former, aud II would better accord
with the dignity OF the body TO meet In the heart
OF the city than In suburb. On the second
vote Cincinnati was selected.
The report OF the Committee on ltlnerancy on
the case OF the Rev. j. G. Wilson, a presiding
elder in tho Wisconsin Conference. was taken
up. This case involved the right Of appeal In
certain cases. Briefly stated the facts are as
follows: private member who had been tried
and censured, but not excluded from the
church, appealed from the decision OF the
committee to the Quarterly Conference, at
which Brother Wilson presided. He ruled out,
suing session Of the Wisconsin Conference. a
charge Of standardization was preferred
against Mr. Wilson, and committee hearing
the case convicted him Of Observation-Disclosures.
The report under consideration says the dis
cipline guar'n the right OF appeal to mem
bers VINO nave heen excluded from the church,
but In this case there was no exclusion. but
merely u censure or reproOf The discipline re-
quires presiding elder to decide all questions
OF law arising IN a quarterly Conferences ject
to an appeal to the bishop presiding nj the next
snnusl Conference. II the presiding elder has
erred, the bishop alone can correct H.. That the
bishop did not reverse the ruling OF Mr.. Wilson
IN bis refusal to entertain an appeal from pri-
waite member who mad simply been censured but
not excluded. is prima facte evidence that he
approved % such railing. The report concludes
with a resolution that the action OF the Wiscon-
sin Annual Conference convicting Mr.. Wilson OF
INSTRUMENTATION be and Is hereby reversed.
An earnest debate ensued on the adoption OF
the report The Rev. j. ROthweiler Of the Cen
trial German Conference, DIR. Curry OF New York
East, and the Rev. j. W. Hoghey OF Southern
Illinois contended against the adoption OF the
report aud IN favor Of the right Of appeal IN all
cases whether the result OF the trial was re-
proof or censure merely, or exclusion from the
~ appeal as = minister. II was also argued that
tue Committee on ltlnerancy, In submitting a
sin Conference, constituted itself a court OF ap-
peals, aud to adopt their report would furnish
dangerous precedent.
Without coming to a vote the Confereno ad-
Jourued until Tomorrow.