Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-03-16
THE M. Z. CONFERENCE.

supernamerary Rslssions-A Spicy Debate.
In the Methodist Episcopal conference
in session in Philadelphia the question of
supernumerary preachers was taken up,
and the following were continued:
Without Work-Revs. G. Karsner W.
Cooper, D. D., ]. H. Alday, d. D., J.
Thompson, w. Trickett, S. p. Gillingham,
w. McCombs, r. Owen, T. S. Thomas, r.
II. Sanderlin, j. Shields.
With Work-Revs. James Neill, S.
Townsend, NJ. D., A. Wallace, A. Atwood,
A. Gather.
Thy relation of Rev. D. Mckee was
changed from supernumerary to effective.
Rev. F. E. Church was, at his own request
made local preacher, and therefore
ceases to be member of the conference.
The relations of Rev. Henry B. Mauger.
MH. Burrell and Levi B. Hughes were
changed from effective to supernumerary.
Rev. S. NJ. Cooper was granted a super
anauated relation, and Joseph Gregg a
supernumerary relation with work.
The superannuated preachers continued
were Peter Halloweli, J. D. Long, J. Car
Isle, Cummins and Joseph Castle,
d. ID.
| \ vote was taken for two alternate dele
gates to the general convention and J.
Cunningham and DR.. ]. F. Chaplain were
elected.
| Secular Work Among the Ministers.
Rev. w. j. Paxon, ON behalf of the pre-
siding elders, offered the following:
| WHEREAS, The vows which as Christian
| ministers we have sOlemnly taken upon us,
require that we shall employ all our time
in the the work of God and
WHEREAS, The work of the Christian
ministry is one of the highest Importance
and most solemn responsibility, demand
ing the conservation of all the time and all
the energies of every minister occupying
the pastoral office; therefore
Resolced, That in the judgment of the
conference it is highly improper for any
preacher in charge to engage in any secu-
lar employment or occupation, whether
professional, mercantile, official, or other.
wise and we atfectiOnately urge upOr
all our brethren in the pastoral Office the
absolute necessity, which is upon us all
to keep entirely clean from all such ell
gagements.
Rev. s. NJ. Cooper moved the followin:
amendment : That the bishop be request
ed not to appoint a preacher to a charg'
where there is inadequate provision for hi
support.
This amendment was defeated by a vote
of 6S to 25.
Rev. William Muller arose to speak upOl
the subject appointing ministsr to charges
where they don't receive enough for thei
support, and yet denouncing them for Ell
gaging in secular pursuit. "Men of years,
he said, "who have done good work, art
crowded into small places. One is obliged
to choose between their vows and the sol
emn declaration of Gods word, which is il
the language of Paul, He that will nO
provide for his own, and especially those
of his own house, hath denied the faitf
and is worse than an infidel.' Can ht
allow his wife and little ones to want
What is he to do? l believe this thing ha
drawn our men into secular pursuits, and
in consequence of that we are called t.
bow in ashes and dust before God, having
our men arraigned before this body. Thi
is matter which should be inquired int
by the presiding elders and ascertain wht
Ii as an interest in cranberry bogs and sea
side resorts not for the benefit of tht
church, but for the secular aggrandize-
ment. Here some one cried out, "Ocear
Grovc.") I remember seven years ago
when an appointment of mine was to bt
thus and so, but from some secret power
Bishop Andrews erased my name and put
it somewhere else. 1t caused a loss to mi
of 500 in one year. My boy was at school
l told him to come home, and he did come
Two years ago, when an appointment wa'
offered me, said, g. If you cannot do bet
ter than that for me lay me aside" There
is the question involved here. What shall
we doe And if the presiding elders have
back bone enough to look into thi:
thing to the very core, then 1 say amen. ,
Contract " with the world" said Rev.
w. II. Elliott, don't contaminated mar
if he tells the truth. This conference has
taken up floating sentiment in a way
which is not clearly defined in the resolu,
tiOn."
Pending debate on this question the con.
ference adjourned.