The daily gazette., 1880-01-16
For the Gazette.
The M. r. Church and ifs
QOVel.filllefaf.

0OOcfttuteftt.
The object of this article Is not con-
troyersional but simply to let the com
munity know when the Methodist
Protestant Church was organized, and
the difference between the NJ. P. and NJ.
y. church governments. For some think
that the Methodist Protestant church
was the fruits of our late war, or only
about nine years old; but think that /
can prove that II is over fifty years
old. First l will commence by asking q
few questions.
lst-When was the Methodist Protes-
tant church organized?
Answer-On the 12Lh day of Novem-
Der, 1928.
2d-Why was 1t organized2
Answer-Because large proportion
Of its founders had been expelled from
the Methodist Episcopal church, aud
were thereby necessitated to either
abandon "Methodism" by entering the
communion of other churches or orga-
nize new Methodist church for them
selves.
3rd-Why we're they expelled?
Answer-For advocating mutual right
and equality in the church OF God.
4th-Were they accused OF ofimmorality?
Answer-No, not In q single case.
bth-Were the expelled men of good
moral standing?
Answer-They were; their piety and
intelligence were acknowledged even by
their prosecutors and prosecutors.
0th-But were not some of the expell-
ed also ministers?
Answer les; some of the ministers
were not only advocates of the lay rights
but they were also opposed TO the abso-
Lutte powers Of the Bishops and Presiding
Elders.
We will now go TO the executive
parts.
1st question-Who are the executive
officers In these churches?
Answer-In the Methodist Episc pal
church the Bishops and their deputies,
the Presiding Elders; and IN the Meth
odist Protestant church the President of
the Annual Conference.
2nd-What are their terms of service?
Ans@er-The Bishop Is ordained for
life; the Presiding Elders during the
pleasure OF the Bishop; and a NJ Methodist
Protestant President is elected annually
and Is eligible to the Office for five years
only.
3d-Does it require more executive
officers In the N. Il. church than in the
M. +. church?
Answer-Yes; 1t requires a Bishop
and from five TO ten Presiding Elders in
the nj. K. church to each annual Con-
ference, at cost of from $4,000 TO $40
OOO 10 do the work of one President in
the M. p. church at cost of from per-
baps 81 900 to $4,000 yearly.
4th- How are the churches supplied
with pastorsP
Answer-ln the NJ. E. church the
ministers are appointed by the Bishop,
and in the M. p. church by commit
tee.
5th-Is there any difference in min
ister's administration?
Answer-Yes; marked difference.
6th-How Is that difference?
Answer-In the NJ. <. church the pas
tor appoints all the class leaders and
dismisses them at his pleasure, and in
the Il. p. church each class elects its
own leader, and the pastor has no agen-
cy in the matter except simply to hold
the election.
7th--How are the Stewards and Trus-
tees elected?
Answer-In the M. p. church the
Trustees are elected by the members OF
the church occupying the property; and
The Stewards are elected by the men,
bership, in stations, and by the Quarter
ly Conference on circuits, and the pas
tor has no control over these matters.
Sth-Does the same system obtain in
the M. Il. church?
Answer-No; the pastor nominates
both Stewards and Trustees, and the
Quarterly Conference elects from his
nominees.
We will now turn to the progress OF
the Methodist Protestant church.
Fifty years ago the M p. church was
composed of from 10 to 20 ministers and
members, and the estimate of to-day is
as follows: Annual Conference, 40; mum
Der Of itlnerant ministers, $4,000; num-
Der OF lay mem' ership, 10000; value of
church property, $3,000,000, and four
institutions of learning. Still, some
say, that the Methodist Protestant
church is not improving. but the church
was never in better working order, and
her prospects were never brighter than
at the present time. And may her mem.
bership still increase and mutual rights
flourish in our midst, and the borders of
the Methodist Protestant church extend
the length and breadth of our land.s
MUTUAL.
LEIPsIC, Del, Jan. IA, 1880.