Smyrna times., 1879-09-10
For the Smyrna Times.
The Next General Conference of the
M. E. Church.

we address ourself to locality, and to q
local body, but in doing SO we call atten-
ton to q question or questions that are
general and wide spread.
We speak, then, directly to the persons
who shall compose the Ministerial and
Lay Conferences to be held at Dover, next
March, more directly to the first named, as
we are a member of that body.
At that time and place we will be called
upon to elect delegates to the next General
Conference, and as true men, we should
begin in time to look into the great gues.
tions of the day which affect our church
polity. We should not wait until the
meeting of Conference to discuss the ques-
tions, for then the loud talker, the long
talker and the reckless talker may en-
barass the occasion, darken council and
defeat wise plans. We should do oar think
ing before hand and be prepared to have
and hold an opinion at that time.
What shall be the ground of qualification
for delegate?
We hope to see a new departure in this
matter. We hope that all Presiding Elders,
candidates, and that no man will be elected
because he is Presiding Elder.
The press and the individual, have for a
long time been declaring that there is no
hope of reform, as long as the General
Conference is made up of Presiding Elders.
We must also look out for that other
class Of andidates-namely, the "Good
fellows" the Popular boys" the "Men
we all like"
We will not be called upon to manifest
| our toadyism, nor to express our favoritism
but to act manly part and show ourselves
/ to be equal to great time, and great
question. We must rise above all of the
mere pleasant relations, and strike oat in
| n new direction-where duty is the guild
ing star and principal the propelling power
| We should boldly throw ourselves into the
front rank of the advancing church, anC
say what we want and send men to the
General Conference who will 90 with
thought and conviction that they wer'
sent there to do some specific thing anC
that they are going to try to do it.
First let US debate the questions in ou
Quarterly Conferences, and District Meet
ings. Then let US put the points befor
our Annual Conference in the form Of resolu
tions and then let the majority that passe
or defects the resolutions, elect the dele
, gate to represent the majority of the Cor
ference in the General Conference. Let u
make an issue on principal, and stop ou
complimentary voting and begin to live fc
purpose.
The church has reached point in he
! history, when, if we are not mistaken
she is to take long step in one directio
or the other. Great questions are pressin
upon her and they must be met.
There is the question Of colored Bishol
Are we to have one? Is he to be- Dishc
for the Colored Church only; or is he
preside at the whites Conferences Is
to be elected with restriction, or witho-
restrictions?
Then there is the Presiding Elder modi
cation question. Has the Wilmingtc
: Conference a thought or a care about ii
matter? Then let her express it, and as Il
Conference votes so let the delegate vot
Then again, we have the "Pastor
Term" Shall it be continued as it is,
;. shall all limit be takeu off, and all appoir
ments be for one year at time, to be 1
appointed at the wish of the parties?
Then, too, shall our General Rules I
main just as they are, fossil, taken fro
our formation period, and dressed up.
"Gold and costly apparel" These a
great questions, and are affecting the i
and the mission of the M. E. Church.
10 Now let us plant ourselves squarely
questions OF cnurcn pOiIyi anu SleCL q
General Conference delegates according
In reading this article, it will be observe
that its object is not to express its autho
views on the question stated hence no
ing is said about the questions as such. I
time and place for that work has not con
We want to be understood in our referer
. to the Presiding Elders.
$3.50 We have only taken the responsible
of saying in print what is common talk
private, indeed we are less radical than
4 private takers. Our position is that
delegate should represent some thought,
plan, or party and not be elected because
is Presiding Elder, and then sent to
General Conference to find out what h.
to vote for.
We want men elected delegates JeeC
they represent an idea, and if a Presid
Elder comes up to the stand, and he sho
not be set aside because he is . Presid
Elder. In q word: let no man say, ~
going to vote for that man because h
my Presiding Elder, sut because he rel
sents my thought. t. 0. AYRE
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