The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-06-01
UNITED BRETHREN GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
CONTINUED.

A
from $50 to over 9005. There is strong
feeling in some parts of the church that
this representation is unjust to the
populous Conferences. One delegate
from frontier or mission Conference.
representing perhaps only few hun
dred members and very small material
interests, has vote equal to one
which represents thousands of members
and great material interests. 1t often
occurs that on question of finance, and
also in reference to the Secrecy ques-
ton, the delegates from the weak Con-
ferences differ from those from the
strong ones, and outvote them. For
instance Sandusky Conference has
ZIG members, and last year paid near
ly 5000 missionary money. There
are twelve frontier Conferences that
do not equal Sandusky in the particu-
lars above named. But Sandusky has
only three votes, and these Conferen-
ces have thirty-six. 1t is easy to be
seen how po rer may be abus ID, and
the weak control the strong. which
seems anomalous An effort was made
to change the Discipline so as to have
representation pro rata. Various pro-
positions were brought before the Con-
ference, looking to more just repre-
sentation. But when pow-r is once
obtained, it is not i'm human nature to
throw it away. 1t so happens that
the Secrecy question controls the
judgment of many members on the
Representation question. And so for,
fear that a change in the Secrecy rule
might be effected, the majority mega
tived every measure looking toward a
more just and equal representation.
On the direct issue on the Secrecy
question, there arose protracied Gis-
cussion. The rule as enacted eight
years ago at Lebanon, Penn, proved
to be imperative in many of the large
Conferences. Those who favor q
strong prohibi.ory law could not agree
as to the method of its endorsements.
| So an effort was made at tlis Confer
ence to make its terms more definite,
and to render it more certain in its
action. But the plan met with vehe-
ment and determined opposition. The
sentiment opposed to a prolibitory
Jaw has greatly increased in the church
and Conference in the last eight years.
And when the vote was taken On the
new rule it stood yeas II, nays 81.
Three members who are known 10 op-
pose the rule had left. So il is ap-
parent that the present form of the
rule has more opposition than the for
mer. That was imperative in the
eastern Conferences, and in many
places, in some of the western, and
this will be equally SO, or the church
will be ruined in many places. There
is a strong feeling that is fast growing
in the denomination, that the rule is
unwarranted in the scriptures, and
that it is in the way of the prosperity
of the church. Immediately after the
vote on the Secrecy rule the minority
presented the following protest:
WHEREAS; the General Confer
ence has this day adopted an Anti-Se-
crecy law, which in its main opera
ton, 10 our opinion, stands directly
opposed to the enlightened sentiment
OF Protestant Christianity, the reason,
conscience, and practices of the church,
and of the Bible, therefore We the un
dersigned enter our most solemn and
earnest protest against such enact
ment, and wash our hands of the con
sequences to this church. resulting
from the enforcement of this law"
A motion to place this protest on
the journals and in the minutes was
indefinitely postponed. The Confer
ence made some important changes in
the Constitution of the Church Erec-
ton society. 1t provides for regular
annual collections. Quite IA spirited
discussion arose on a proposition to
publish an edition of Hymns for the
Sanctuary" without notes. Several
members showed their old fashioned
taste by favoring the measure. Among
them was Rev. L. Davis, D. D., Presi-
dent of Union Biblical Seminary.
The doc or said he desired to get rid
of the notes. He did not want to
be encountered by them. He had
no need OF the notes when singing in
the worship of God" A query arose
in the minds of some who are not Doc
tors of Divinity, how we could
get along without notes in the
composition of tunes. Perhaps the
doctor could invent method OF music
that would not be encountered" with
notes. Conference decided to publish
the edition, and also to continue the
present form, with notes. The legis
lation of this session of Conference,
will have all important bearing on the
welfare of the denomination. Some
of its measures will be beneticent and
progressive: others perhaps not so
much so. The best possible humor
generally prevailed among the mem
bers. Occasionally little spirit would
crop out not of the meekest kind, but
it would soon calm down, and kindness
of feeling would prevail Frequent
sallies of wit and humor occurred, and
hearty bursts of laughter would almost
compromise the dignity of the Confer
ence. During intervals of adjourn
ment there was general hand shakings
and greetings. 1t was no unusual
thing for members to shake hands
half dozen times day. With few
exceptions, the delegates seemed TO
entertain the kindest feelings toward
each other, though widely differing on
questions of church polity. Yourcor-
respondent has had the honor of being
a delegate at three quadreDnial Con-
ferences, and can testify that the one
Just past was the most interesting and
in some respects the most pleasant.
ALoAN ROSE.
Reaay-Made Shirts.
Warranted to fit. Also new things in