The New York herald., 1878-11-19
THE PASTORAL TERM.

METHODIST LAYsdEN DISCUSSING THE ExPgpI-
ENcY OF CHANGE IN THE RULES NOW
EXISTING.
Last evening" pursuant to call issued by the con-
vention of delegates appointed by the Methodist
Episcopal Quarterly Conference to cooperate for the
purpose Of considering the relation OF the present
limitation of the pastoral term to the
dition Of Mcthodism in Brooklyn. and
to take such action with regard to
memoralizng the General Conference
may be deemed best for the interests of the Methodist
Episcopal Church." meeting held in the lecture
room of the Washington Street Church, Brooklyn.
Alderman John French presided at the Convention.
and thirty Ave Methodist churches represented
by five delegates from each After the roll Of delegates
had been called it moved by Brother Brown,
delegate that the General Conference be memorialzed
to reinstate the two years service
AS an amendment DIR. Watts moved that they me-
moralize the Conference to give an unlimited term
for pasorate. that the pastor may remain with the
people as long s friendship and Fellowship will advise
such relationship.
Another amendment offered by Brother Burton
to the effect that the pastoral term in Brooklyn shall
be made indefinite as long the pastor and people
that it shall be reported to the Conference and that
changes shall be made subject to the approval Of the
people and the pastor affected thereby.
The latter amendment not seconded.
DIR. Watts said that what the pastor and people
should do when they become dissatisfied was purely
subject for the rules 10 decide. He believed that
the pastor should remain with the church long
fellowship should exist between him and the people.
A brother and said lac merely in fJvor Of
indorsing the object Of the CALL and he moved to lay
the substitute offered by DR.. Watts the table. The
motion prevailed. # stF
A vote was then taken the question. "Can the
General Conference be memorializcd to restore the
two years rule 2? Tho vote in Affirmative ~, in
the negative 33.
It was moved by Brother Scarlc the OF the
meeting that it incxpedient to mcmoriaize the
General Conference to advise any change IN the rules
in relation to the time of pastoral relation. He said he
offered 1t for the purpose of asceraining the of
the meeting the subject that had called them to-
gether. A#
Brother Ncelham said IT q question of great
importance. and had agated and attracted the ntcn
tion of the Church for hundred years. They should
with precipitation in the matter. 1t then
decided to allow Ave minutes discussion TO each del
then ensucd, in which remarks We're made by Broth
Brown, Minor, Burton. Browning. Barndoliar,
Nundcu Lee. Baird, Williams Davis, Whiting. Tay
lor Morrow and others. There appeared to be great
diversity of opinion the subject to whether any
changes should be made in the relations Of pastor
and people, whether there was really anything
arbitrary the limitation to time of service, 1t
now exists
Brother Williams said he desired no change. The
rules present in existence worked well. So thought
Brother Whiting and others. The Convention ad-
journcd at a late hour to meet at tho place
Tuesday evening next. when the discussion win be
resumed.