Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-03-17

This is not from their being engaged in
secular pursuits, but because they are nj
leading eonsecrated lives. l do not fe.l
that have right to be anything else than
. pastor and preacher. 1t is the duty of a
minister to support his family, but he
should not be false to the vows he has
taken. The conference should give
deliverauce, but not in the words of
Brother Neely's substitute, which means
nothing.
II do not care for what a smart or
otherwise reporter may say about me in
care. though, for what my brethren in the
ministry think of ME. If it had not been
for the little appointments, there would
never have been any large ones, and if this
plan is adopted the conference will be
obliged to dispense with the services of 30
or 10 men,"
Rev. G. j. Thompson moved that the
whole matter be laid on the table.
Kew. 1. b. Neeley had obtained the
floor and claimed he had right to speak
on his substitute, but Bishop Merrill in
formed him he would have chance after
any others who desired to address the con-
ference ON the subject
motion to postpone all action was car
ried, and Brother Neely was deprived the
right Of speech.
Father Wood, who is connected with
the Independent Catholic movement now
in progress, was introduced and addressed
the conference, after which resolution
was adopted as follows:
Res0Ired, That having heard the interest
ing statement from Rev. F. w. Wood Of
the working of the National Independ-
ent Catholic movement" we express our
hearty good wishes for its success, and
request the appointment Of u committee
OF five to further its interests.
Rev. I. B. Nicely then offered the follow
ing,
the general conference:
6 First. To SO change the law Of the
church that presiding elders shall be
elected by the annual conference.
- Second. To consider whether it would
not be more economical and effective to
have bishop for each conference, with
advisory boards of presiding elders. who
shall be chairmen of small districts, and ut
the same time have a pastoral charge and
"Third. To consider what other changes.
if any, should be made in the work of pre-
siding elders.'
Brother Nicely was debarred the privi-
lege of speaking to his resolution until DIR.
Fowler, OF the Christian AdrOcate, had
been given an opportunity to address the
conference.
Rev. T. B. Neely then obtained the floor
to speak on his resolution. g During my
fifteen years connection with the confer
ence, - he said, Il have never once uttered
bitter retOrt to the president. | never
wish to be presiding elder if it involves
my having a lOrdly supremacy of manner
over my brethren, and causes me to look
down OH them in \ condescending way. l
consider an electoral presiding eldership
the best thing under the present circum-
stances. The ministers should have
right to say what kind Of a man they wish
to WELD their destinies, SO that they may
make change when the wrong kind of a
man becomes presiding elder. If there
| was bishop for each conference the
church would be saved nearly s5OO,OOO
year, and the bishop would have chance
OfbecOming thoroughly acquainted with
the members of the conference.
On motion of Rev. J. Cunningham the
consideration of the matter was postponed
| for the present.
Rev. Mr.. Neely was again subjected to
| the Inconvenience of gag law.
The Next Conference.
| BY a vote of the conference it was agreed
to hold the next annual conference at Potts
vile, the time to be fixed hereafter by the
bishops.
| The question of the time of adjourn
ment of the present conference came up,
and Rev. COombe moved that there he 4
session last night, and that the business of
the session be completed.
Rev. w. l.. Gray arose, and, with con-
siderable feeling. said: "When brothers
are arraigned before the church l hope
| they shall have all the rights the confer
| ence guarantees to them. God forbid that
| we should be hurried in transaction
| which involved the life of a minister of the
Lord Jusus Christ!'
| Rev. s. w. Thomas also advised the
conference to take time, and the resolution
| was laid on the table. The conference
adopted resolution requesting the bishop
to fix the time of the next conference OH
the third Wednesday in March, 1881.
The conference adjourned after the adOp-
tion of the following:
ReS0lred. That the trustees Of Cambria
street church be authorized to sell their
church building and to transfer the pro-
ceeds to the trustees of the COokman NJ.
E. church and that the church at New
Mines may be sold by its trustees the pro-
ceeds to 20 to Swatara church.