Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-05-28
THE CENERAL CONFERENCE.

dist Episcopal Church conyened In Cincin-
natl, o., May lst, 1880, with Bishop scorT.
the senior bishop, in tho chair This
General Conference is the law.making
body Of the great Methodist Church, and
meets once every four years on the 6rst
day OF May, in places selected from time
to time.
The first General Conference was held in
Baltimore, Nd, November lat, 1892. The
Church was organized in 1884, by form
ally constituted Conference of all the min
listers, who met from year to year as do the
Annual Conferences Of the present duy.
There have been tweniy-ihree General Con-
Terences, including the present one, which
have met ns follows: tthe figures repre-
sent the number OF the Conferencc) Balti-
more, Md, |, 2, 8, 4, 5,7,S, ., 13, %; New
York, 6, IA; Pitt,burg, Pa, 10, Is; Bu6a-
l., n. Y, ls; Philadelphi", Pa, IL, 10;
Chicago, ILL.,, 20; Cincinnati, o., IL, %
Brooklyn, N. Y, 81; Boston, Mass, 1e;
indianapolis, Ind, IL.
The Conference il composed OF delegates
elected by the ministers and laymen each
quadrennial in the ratio of one ministerial
delegate to every fOrty-ive ministers OF the
Church, aud two lay delegates for each
Annual Conference. The number increases
from year TO year with the increase of
membership. The present Conference is
composed OF four hundred delegates, repre-
senting a constituency of over one million,
seven hundred thousand members.
The object Of the General Conference is
the same to the Church as Congress is TO
the United States; they make all the laws,
elect the Bishops, various Secretaries, Edi-
tors, Book Agents, etc, etc.
The present Conference has plan under
consideration OF forming two separate
houses, the Ministerial House of Delegates,
aud the Lay House OF Delegates, having
the same relttion to each other as the two
houses OF Congress. In the present Confer
ence both Lay and Ministerial Delegates
sit together. This proposed change will
become law to the very great advantage
OF the general Church.
The Methodist Church stands at the head
oil all other churches in the U. s. in regard
to membership, and holds great influence
over the affairs Of the Nation. Perhaps
the proceedings Of no other ecclesiastical
body has been so widely and fully reported
by the secular press of the country MS have
those of this General Conference.
The following are some of the interest
ing data. 1t would require too much space
to even hint at all the doings of these
learned men, with their long speeches of in
terest and myriads oil resolutions and
petitions. We notice only few OF the
leading events.
The first, of which we may speak, is the
reception OF Frateinal Delegates from
most all other denominations. Certain
evenings were set apart for this reception,
which consisted in speech of formal in
PRODUCTION by one OF the Conference, and
speech by the delegate from another de-
nomination, expressive of good will, kind
ly feeling and christian courtesy. In re-
turn this body will elect men to carry their
greetings to the other religious bodies met
in their highest ecclesiastical assembly or
Conference. 1t is an indication of chris
tian unity 10 witness men from all Protest
ant churches, (save only a very few in this
country, and the Methodist of Europe, thus
assemb ling together to voice their greeting
of fellowship and brotherly love. May the
time soon speed when christians can see the
"benuty of unity" and give expression to
the truths of Christianity by their cooper
alton and fellowship.
Another important feature was.the steps
taken toward an Ecumenical or Pan
Methodist Conference TO meet at City Roads
Chapel, London, in 1881. The object of
this is not to unite the different branches of
Methodism, but to court and stimulate fra
ternity and good will between the sects in
the one Methodism. AT that time four
hundred delegates from all parts Of the
world will meet, and much good will
result both to Methodism and religion.
The Methodists have always been lovers
of higher education and have always been
In the van of educational movements
Their Conference has taken steps towards
the elevation of their educational Institu-
tions and an increase in the endowments
of her Universities and Colleges. The
Church has fourteen Colleges, nineteen
H., a. In
stitutes, making forty -four institut ions Of
learning, among which we mention the
Boston University, Dickinson College Ohio
Wesleyan University, Cornell College, Uni
versty of the Pacific, and others ranking
among the best in the United States. tits
the object of this educational movement TO
make these institutions still higher in their
curricula, and SO complete the already
great endowments as to give education TO
all persons literally free OF charge.
Perhaps one OF the most exciting and
interesting events Of the present session was
the endeavor, on the part of a few sore.
heads and OF the colored delegates, to elect
a colored Bishop. The discussion grew
warm and many speeches were made pre-
and con. The resolution to that effect wal
indefinitely postponed as the time for 4
Bishop OF color had not yet come. Foul
Bishops, however, were elected and conSe
Grated or ordained: II. w. WARREN
DID,. IL D.; C. D. Foss, DID,. Ill. D.
], F. HURST, DID,, LII, D.; E, o. HAVEN
DID,, LII, D. These are all men highl!
educated aud will be an honor to til,
Church.
1t is not likely that there will be an.
material change in the existing laws Of tn
church, though there is an effort on tn
part of few to make some change, es
pecially in the Presiding Edership, Ia.
representation and itiueracy. There is a