Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-02-14
THE coMINe DfscussIoN UPON
THE METHODIST ITIHIRANCY.

THE coMINa DIscussIoN UPON
THE METHODIST rrINnRANCY.
The thought which occupies the in
fiuentisl men Of the Methodist denomi-
nation at This time, is that which relates
TO modifying the intinerancy, and
throughout the churches the forces are
being organized for the battle that viii
be bought on this question at Cincinnati
in May next
One one side Of the question win be
srrayed those who regard this part OF
the church polity as an organized ty-
rsnny, that have served its day and its
purpose, and is now out OF harmony
with the times, detrimental to the
growth Of the church, and destitute OF
any rational argument for its continu-
anee.
On the other side will be a host OF
''old-side" Methodists, who believe the
church possesses the best system OF
pastoral appointments ever devised,
and are ready with the results Of an
hundred years testing to show that not
only does the church owe to this system
its marvellous growth and present stand
ing, but also, that while it appears to
be too inconstant and capricious to suit
the demands OF the church in the pres
ent day, yet 4 comparison with churches
which have settled pastorates, will show
that the Methodist pastorate, with all
its limitations, is quite as settledin prac-
tice as that Of any other church.
Between the advocates Of these ex-
tremes, the one demanding an entire
abolition Of the itenerant system, and
the other opposing any change, there
is large class occupying a medium
position, who will favor modifying
and remodeling the system in some re-
spects, and they will probably win.
Under the present operation OF the
itinerant theory, every Methodist min
lister is the possible pastor OF any church
in the denomination. At every annual
Conference OF the Church, the pulpits
within the boundaries Of that Confer
ence are regarded AS vacant, and every
minister belonging to the Conference is
a subject for reappointment The Bish-
op presiding has the sole and unques-
toned power to make these appoint
ments, and to make them without the
knowledge or consent Of church or pas.
tor. As the system used to be carried
out, the preacher was IN utter ignor-
ance as IN where he would be sent until
the appointments were read at the close
OF the Conference, and this is still true
10 large extent, although many lead
ing churches have habit now Of select
ing their pastors before Conference.
leaving il to the Bishop to sanction the
engagement il he will, and thus the mat
ter OF secrecy in some instances becomes
an "Open secret"
But the time-limit is as rigidly adher-
ell TO as il was fifty years ago. The
original limit vas one year, then it was
changed to two; and now the utmost
limit Of time for which a pastor is al
lowed to occupy any one pulpit is three
successive years, though he may be re-
turned to this pulpit again after having
served another appointment between
the expiration Of his three years term
and his return to it.
The point at which the opponents Of
the itinerant system claim that il fails,is
in pastoral service. The pastor, it is
claimed, cannO, do his most effective
work as a stranger lie cannot, in the
present pastoral limit. become intimate
IL acquainted with his flock and their
special needs. This is, 20 some degree,
true in its application to large churches
IN large cities, and is given rs reason
why the Methodists do not build as
strong. influential churches in the great
centers OF population, az rival denomi-
nations DO. They claim that preacher
has not time, in three years, to build
up reputation for himself.
But there are arguments advanced to
offset these objections which we have
not time now To follow out. Suffice il
to say, that the notifications proposed
and which will likely prevail are de-
signed 10 meet these objections very
fully. while retaining the essential fea-
lures of the itinerancy wherever they
may be OF advantage.
The modification contemplated asks
simply that the Bishop he granted pow
er to make appointments year by year of
the same minister to the same church
without limit. That is to say, that the
pastoral terms shall expire at the end of
every year, as now, and that the pastors
shall be appointed every year. as now,
but that the limit of three successive
wears To the same church shall be abro-
gated, the discretion Of the Bishop being
left To operate without restriction in the
return ct pastor to church.
This modification would seem to meet
the difficulties in the case, yet this and
other proposed notifications will be
strenuously opposed by the advocates
Of the itinerant plan. They claim that
the itinerancy is the distinctive feature
of Methodism, and the keystone, so to
speak, Of its structure, and any obroga-
ton of its ancient features will tend to |
open the way to its entire abolition, and
MethOdism will then DO swallowed up !
bv Congreyationalism. The discussion
promises to be an earnest, il not bitter !
one, and il is impossible to predict what |
the result will be.
THERE are some disadvantages in own |
ing and wearing 500, 900 worth of dis-
monds after all Mrs. john JACOB As !
TOR, of New York, has policeman on