New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-01
THE NETWORK EAST CONFERENCE.

| DISCUSSION AND ACTION CONCERNING LAY REPRE-
SENIATION AND THE ELECTION OF PRESIDING
ELDERS.
| The thrty-second annual session of the
New York East Conference OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church was begun yesterday IN the Summerfed NJ E.
Church, Brooklyn, Bishop Thomas Bowman presiding
After the opening exercises and the appointment OF
committees, resolutions were presented by the
Rev Dr. c. NJ Sims. signed by tweny-sx
members. to tho effect that la the judg.
mcnt o! the conference the time had come when
provision should be made for extending the term
OF paStCrates beyond three in where the
Bishop aud hs cabinet deemed 1t best for the whole
work; either by extending the time limitation. by
omiting the limiting clause, by any other plan which
should not Interfere with the maintenance Of true and
efficient itneracy The resolutions heartily approved
tlneracy, and expressed the opinion that the changes
proposed would not impair the efficiency Of the custom
These resolutions made the special order of the day
for this morning.
The Rev. j. A. Pullman presented counter resolutions
favorlng retention OF the limitation Of pastoral
terms; the cooperation OF representative laymen with
ministers IN the Annual Conference the cooperation OF
the members OF the Annual Conference with the Bishop
IN the appointment OF Presiding Elders; the determine
ton by the Annual Conference Of the jurisdiction OF
Presiding Elders; the management OF newspapers and
periodicals Of the Church by the Annual Conference
The definite instruction of delegates the Annual Con-
fcrrncr concerning measures favored by the EewYork
The object OF these res0utons was understood to be
the views OF members before choosing delegates
the Annual Conference Considerable discussion was
evoked by the proposition 10 make these also the order
for tn-,luv, with tho resolution OF DIR. sims. Finally
they made the special order for tne afternoon.
At ihc afternoon session the Rrv. Mr. Pullman Olrncd
tie discussion upon the first point OF hs rsOlutions
" That the time has come wien representative iuymeD
Should St with their bicthreI the ministers, mem.
hcIs of the Annual Conference" Tits h6 believed TO
represent generally the feeling OF the whole church upon
the subject NJ ay delegates.
Dr. Curry SAID that H. heartily in favor OF the IN
trolucton II into Tie conference. hut thought
mrthol rhOuId hr laid down FOR their appointment
Aficr remark, BY number or other speakers. the
oution WIS adopted by largo majority.
The resolution " Tint the annual confer
fcriHcc, thus composed or clerical and lay members,
should be empowered 10 cooperate With the Bishops
tho appointment of Presiding Elders"
1his moved and seconded. and about to pass
without opposition. when Mr.. Bucary asAeI II Discus
mcnt AGAINST II, the principal roin Of which that
the Introduction OF such system OF electC wuul b;ing
into the Conference something Of tn cOnieDti mel |
dent To politics. The Rev. j. Henson rep led 10 The |
POINTS ed. IN the Rev. " +. ketc. Tor rhe other
dc, Dire at cnion the drinOrz ng effect that hr
clamd the adopt II Uf uch rcUlitlOn inu produce.
The REV Mr. Pullman spoke against the arbitrary power
Low scd by the Bishop and tho ellcrs.
Tue Rev. Drs. Curry. M'Alistcr ana Dickinson aliO
spoke, vote then taken. which resulted-l7
In favor and SO against The resolution therefore
lost. rlr conference then. at 5:iO adjourned to .
o'clock this morning.
The usual missionary sermon preached In the
evening by Professor Rice, 0fWrsleyan University.