The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-08
RELIGIOUS CONVENTIONS.
Proceedings Of the General NJ. L. Con-
ference at Philadelphia.
A PROPOSAL to Divide the Conference Into
Two housekeeping of the South
ern Baptist Convention,
THE N~IETHODISTS.

Important Resolutions offered During Yes
terday's Session.
PHILADELPHIA, May THE General Confer
snce of the Methodist Episcopal Church re-
assembled this morning, with Bishop Cyrus D.
Foss in the chair.
VIM. II. Reed, a lay delegate from st. Louis
Conference, conducted devotional exercises.
A resolution that the name of the Freedman's
Aid Society be changed to that of the Southern
Educational Society, was referred to the COM
mittee on Freedman's Aid Society and work in
the South.
A communication from the Philadelphia con
ference of Baptist ministers was read. 1t stated
that the committee had been appointed to con-
yey the ~fraternal greetings of that body to the
General Conference. Referred to the committee
on ~fraternai correspondence.
A resolution was offered that the committee
on revisals be instructed to inquire and report
as to q plan for a moro perfect unification of
connexional societies. Referred to the committee
on state of tho church.
A resolution was offered providing for the ap-
pointment Of a committee of twenty-fve-one
ministerial and one lay delegate from each gen
eral conference district, and one delegate at
large-to devise and report a plan for division of
the General Conference into two legislative
houses, and also to consider the desirability and
feasibility of procuring a site and erecting a
building thereon in which are to be held the
meetings of the conference. The resolution was
divided into two parts; the first was referred to
the committee on the state of the church, and
the second-by yeas 1913, nays 106-was referred
to the committee on temporal economy.
Rev. w. n. McElroy, of Illinois, offered a res
olution that it is the judgment of the conference
that, in all elections, the question of prohibition
should come first, and then party. Referred to
tho committee on temperance.
A resolution as to whether a mission shall be
made an annual conference, and be attached to
an annual conference, or remain a mission,
was referred to the committee on missions.
A resolution was offered, asking that the com
mittee on temporal economy be instructed to
report = plan for a more equitable basis of APP
preparation for episcopal support and other
funds needed throughout the church.
Rev. Earl Cranston, of Colorado claimed that
the assessments should be made so as to be fair
and not oppressive to weaker conferences.
The resolution was referred to the committee
on temporal economy.
Rev. s.. G. Smith, of Minnesota, offered the
following:
Resolved, That the committee on itinerancy be
instructed to inquire and report what legislation, if
any, is needed to make uniform throughout the con
nection, the method of applying the pastoral limit
that works so advantageously with reference to the
Peoples Church of Boston"
Rev. DIR. Daniel Curry said the fault was that
they did not trust the annual conference enough.
The resolution was adopted.
Rev. ] M. Shreveport, of Mississippi, offered
the following:
''Inasmuch as thereha been a great deal of dis
cussion, both in the religious and secular press, of
caste in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, mas
much as caste is q curse to any organization, and
more especially to a religious denomination; and, mas
much as we believe caste prejudice is sin, therefore,
"Resolve6, That it is the sense of the General Con
ference that no trustee of a church, school, college, or
university should exclude any person on account Of
race, color or previous condition OF servitude."
d. Referred to the committee on state of the
church.
The committee on ~fratelnal relations reported.
recommending that the conference hold a special
session on Wednesday evening next, in order to
hear the Wesleyan delegates from England and
the Rev. Jean Paul Cook, of France. Adopted.
Bishop Harris exhibited the bust of John Yves
ley, which was loaned the conference a few days
ago by Rev. r. W. Todd, of Wilmington.
Adjourned until tomorrow.