The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-31
MORE METHODIST BISHOPS.
Candidates and Their Chances Before the
Next General Conference.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
The most important, and. generally, the most
interesting duty to he performed by the great
Methodist General Conference, which meets at
Association Hall, in this city, next May, Will be
the election of new bishops. Since the last Gen
eral Conference, which was held IN CINCINNATI, IN
1880, three bishops have died-LeW Scott Oh
gDelaware at the time of his death the senior
kbishop E O. Haven and Jesse II. Peck. By
1.-THE death of Bishop Scott who was elevated to
the episcopacy in 1852, Bishop Simpson, VINO
was also made bishop in 1852, became the
senior bishop. His election dates twenty years
before that of any other bishop of the church
There is no positive law of the church as to
the number Of bishops to be elected at any OF
the General Conferences. That body is guided
entirely by it's Judgment as to how many may be
necessary to carry on the church work. AS
Bishop Scott was non-effectve his death did not
of itself create any vacancy or neceSs1tate UIle
election of another bishop. But the church
has grown in the past four years, so that IN ad-
dition TO filling the places vacated by the death
of Bishops Haven and Peck, it is generally I'M
derstood there is occasion for still another, per
haps two other bishops. The prevailing opinion
is that there will be only three elected, but a
strong movement will be made for the election
of a fourth The position being one of great dig
nifty and authority, and the salary handsome,
no begging is necessary in order to fill the
office. Four years ago there was quite con
test between the East and the West as to which
section should get its men in. The West had
the advantage in delegates, but they could not
unite upon the same candidates and the East got
the lions share. This year there will be another
tug between the two sections, and the contest
will be exceedingly interesting.
1t is understood that the Western people are
especially cordial in their support of Rev. J. NJ.
Walden, d. D., agent of the Western Book Con
Germ. at Cincinnati, who received ninety-three
votes in the General Conference of 1880. DIR.
Walden's election is probable. DR.. c. Fl. Fowler,
of Chicago, who for number of years edited
the New York Christian Advocate, is also a
cd tlTsal
votes in 1880 for the Office on the first ballot but
lost good deal of his support on the second bal
lot DR.. Fowler is one of the most eloquent
pulpit orators in the country. Philadelphia will
furnish very strong candidate for episcopal
honors in A j. Kynett, d. D., corresponding
secretary of the Church Extension Society. DIR.
Kynett had strong support in 1880, and re-
ceived twenty-five votes from the East AS he
is now probably the leading candidate of that
section, his chances are considered to be almost
as good as those of DR. Walden.
Rev. Jacob Todd D. D.. who recently left the
Philadelphia Conference to serve a Newark, n.
j., congregation, will also be strongly pressed,
and stands very fair chance of wearing the
episcopal robes Dr. Todds name figured con
spieuously in the balloting at the Cincinnati Gen
eral Conference. Dr. Daniel Currey an old edi
tor Of the New York Christian Advocate. and
probably the ablest controversialisti the church.
is another prominent candidate. If it were moi
for a feeling that he fills his present position
with so much ability and success, j. NJ. Buckley,
the present editor of the Christian Advocate III
New York would be the strongest candidate in
the list. His remarkable success in the Advocate
has resulted in "a general desire that he shall be
retained in that position, thus weakening the eff
forts being made by his friends to have him ele
waited to the episcopal Office. DIR. o. H. Tiffany
very recently pastor of the Arch street NJ. e.
Church, in this city, will also have support, as
will also DR.. w. T. NTalleleu f. O. Fuller and
c. Fl. Payne The election of bishops will be
the first work of the conference after it has or
ganized.