The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-13
METHODIST MINISTER'S CONCLAvE.


LOCAL scApEGoATs FOR ITrNERANr UXcoUrH-
NESS RESOLVING THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
OUT THAT DULNEss MAY PRODUCE RE-
sPEcTABILIrY.
Gradual or instantaneous sanctl0caton occupied the
attention OF the Methodist preachers while yester
day morning. 1t seems that the process by which this
experience is attained is OF equal II not OF more im-
porance than the experience itself. DR.. True Is an ad
vocate Of both processes, Rev. J. Parker OF the In
aneous, while Rev. s. D. Ferguson and others look
for the experience regardless OF tho processes The
New York Observer had a standing offer Tor several
months to pay 500 for specimen OF the sanctincd
class 10 matter by what proc made so, but there
wero claimants, aud the doctors differ regard
TO the processes and also TO the degree Of sanch
cation, the meeting left the matter where il was
found agreed differ about 1t hereafter much
ana as stoutly as heretofore.
YixED STARS MErEoRs.
The brethren then passed by an easy process
to subject that more vitality Affects OF thcm--
namely the lcnathenns or lessenng OF the pastoral
term-and this Rev. J. Dickinson relieved his
mind. lie would be satisfied with ''the old nerancy"
but as that "no longer exists he does want to
hang on the ragged edge OF an obsolete system any
longer. True, the old system exists the pages OF
Methodist history, aud might be resurrectcd at any
time. But the brethren would take their chances
that provided the disciplinary restriction removed
and they could stay as long rs II should be found mu
tualy agreeable to preacher and people But the pco-
ple'' have little nothing TO say about their preacher
Nevertheless when he comes they must bear with him
for at least ono year. though he be dull a stump
and useless too And as tho preacher, once IN
stalled can manipulate class leaders, who can .be
made or unmadc by him absolutely; the stewards,
who are his nominees, and rarely If ever, rejected
by the Quarterly Conference and the exhorters who
may be very largely his crealures-inasmuch
as the preacher can thus mako control
more than two-thirds OF his Quarterly Confer
ence, he may also influence enough OF his church
tees to keep himself IN place year after life
time Indeed, under Tho itnerancy as II is some men
scrve the same churches SIX, nine twelve Of
their lives by just changing from to another every
three years. But the preachers find their greatest OBJ
ectiou to tho ncrancy in the fact that II
prevents friendships and acquantances This excuse
as Rev. Il. Brown showed "won't.hol water" Some
would not become acquainted with church IN
twenty years. while others Will know all their members
IN six months. And the removal OF the disciplinary
restriction won't help the one sort nor hinder the
other. All the brethren say they favor OF
itinerancy, but all their arguments favor OF
settled pastoratean indefinite pastoral term timer
ancy implies system OF frequent changes. The qucs-
ton is as Mr.. Brown said, Had Mcthodism such
system?' He believed It had. IL ID not necessary
that they should change pastoratcs every months
Most OF them change now a. the end OF year, aud
II would be well Tor the larger NUMBER who stay three
years, II they lett ut the end of two; Tor they
usually drag and incubus upon the churches after
that There Is more settedness and stability ~
years pastOratcs than In three, and the
limit should be loss and more, unless tho preachers
want to become Presbyterians.
POOR METHODIST CLERICAL TIMBER.
The Rev. a. 5. Graves, Presiding Elder, would take
oil tue restrictions 10 tme because there largo
number OF Methodist preachers that 1t Is benefit 10
them and to the churches 10 change every year and
soon AS the change To these years made there
pastoral changes the lrst year than either
the second or third About six per only OF tho
preachers stay three years IN charges. There
charges however, In which II would be great good
the pastors could stay than three years. false
No RI.
mains thrce years IN one charge
REoRGANIzING.
This tOpic too, had To give Just as the meeting
had become Interested IN H. because the committee OF
nine appointed week ago had report to make and
plan 10 present Tor reorganization of the Preachers
Meeting as a Pastors Meeting. This is u step In the
right direction. IL may tend TO make the takers
have shut out all tue gentlemen and ladies' who de-
lighted 10 spend ali hour there on Monday
mornings, and being alone henceIorth they won't
let OIL much buncombe. But while this Will be
great loss to some II will be great gain to others
The process by which the meeting arrived at this DO
csOn exhibits however, remarkable obtuscncss Their
wild speeches AID ungcn iemaniy and uhm,nstcrial
remarks scattered abroad the land necessarily
In un imperfect condition. Country papers and city
journals also were at one In condemnation OF those
vagaries. Now, instead OF combining their Ian
guage within decent and proper limits their committee
yesterday brought In the following report aud rules of
order OF exercises for the meetings in futurc:-
REsPEcrABiLIry ny RESOLUTION.
s Msm na s e Re
copaI Church residing New city and Vicinity Who
the
Any travelling preacher OF Methodist Epsco
Churca shall welcome session
the Introduction of member and recognition by
President
Then follow the old rules OF order.
On this report Drs Crawford, Scuddcr, Parsons,
Dickinson and other members Of tho committee spoke
and also Drs. Curry, Roche, McAlisicr, Willis and 9th
who were not on the COMMITTED Tho local preach
ers, reporters ladies', laynon, and even ordained
listers who had spent hall life time the service of
the Church. summary ordered outside thai these
resolutions might be discussed Such was the icverish
haste Of the meeting TO resolve itself into orderly
and decent body. Mr. McAster favored the admission
listers, by curbng their own tongues, could avoid this
ground, and there was apparent inclination TO adj
marked that Of that class connected with the
HERALD, and by admitting him local preacher they
could not prevent him making But tho speaker
erred IN saying that the HERALD representative went
In q local preacher and not a reporter lilo went
In the latter capacity always aud was so known. A
compromise between the anti-locas and those in favor
OF them by admitting them under the head of pastors
rricd So that II local preacher has Charge of
u church he Is by this new order oil tuings member
OF tho New York Preachers Meeting. But shutting
out the press aud the public will not necessarily shut
in courtesy and order and gcntlcmanlness, as tho
meeting seems to think The chairman, Mr.. Willis
and Dr. Curry werc opposed secret concavcs OF tho
ministers, for their proceedings Will be published
heretofore, but In more garbled and exravagant con-
dition. The resolutions were adopted. however, with
not than half "a dozen dissenting votes. Thus
dies the New York Preachers Meeting. IR burial will