The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-26
THE CHURCH CONVENTIONS.
Deliberations of the Various Confer
ences, Conventions and Assemblies.
The New Bishop for Africa Causes Ripple
of Excitement in the Methodist Con-
ference-The Other Meetings
M. E. GENERAL CONFERENCE.
A Mild Bit of Excitement Over the New
Bishop for Africa.

A Mild Bit of Excitement Over the New
Bishop for Africa.
PHILADELPHIA, May 24-In the Methodist
General Conference the fraternal address of the
Irish Methodist Conference of 1883 was pre-
sented- Rev. J. H. Caldwell, of Wilmington,
obtained a suspension of the rules TO present a
resolution. On reaching the objective portion
of his paper, Rev Mr.. Caldwell read preamble,
as follows:
Whereas Rev. William Taylor, who elected by
more than twothirds of the members of the General
Conference and then consecrated Missionary Bishop
of Africa, has been invited to occupy seat the
platform with other bishops consecrated at the same
time and by the ceremony but declined the IN
vitation thereby constrained to feel painful
of the popularity of the position he occupies in
this body It is singular positon-eccentric, anon
alous and unlike anything that has occurred in hun
dred years Of our history"
At this iuncture Rev. w H. DIN moved the
regular order be taken up, and by an over
whelming vote the reverend gentleman from
Wilmington was ruled out of order That part
of the resolution which he was not permitted to
finish had for its object the removal of the lin
itation to the episcopal jurisdiction Of Bishop
Taylor missionary bishop of Africa, and
placing that bishop on an equal footing with
other bishops
An animated discussion followed upon the re
port of the committee on lay representation i'll
annual conferences. The report provides for lay
representation IN annual cOulertHCtoO On q DelSlo
of one layman for every six pastoral charges or
presiding elders districts and one for every por-
ton of two-thirds, to be chosen by the district
stewards meetings, laymen to DE entitled to
equal rights with ministers, except to vote for
ministerial delegates to the General Confer
ence on admission of ministers to the annual
conference, or on the character of ministers.
After an extended debate a vote was taken on
the adoption of the report and it was over
whelmingy defeated.
The report from the committee on lay repre-
sentation provided for an equalization of minis
teria and lay representation in the General
Conference by reducing the ministerial repre-
sentation from one in every forty-fve clerymen
to one in every sixty, and allowing one lay dele
gate to every ministerial delegate. Debate on
the subject was general. Rev. J. M. Buckley
moved to refer the whole matter of lay and min
isterial representation to a special commission.
Carried-l71 to lao.
The reportof the committee on the subject OF
entertainment Of delegates to the General Con
ference of 1888 was next presented 1t provided
for The appointment of commission to make
all arrangements for the next General Con-
ference, which it was suggested should be
held in the, Peoples Church, sBoston, or
wherever else majority of the commission
should decide. Rev. DR.. Buckley favored the re
port, excepting that portion fixing upon Boston
the next meeting place AS the General Confer
ence only, meets every four years, he was of
opinion it should convene i'll each large city but
once in every half century, 1t met thirty -two
years ago in Boston; therefore some other place
should be favored in 1888. Rev. j. W. Hamil-
ton, pastor of the Peoples Church. Boston, ex-
tended to the conference hearty invitation to
meet there at its next session. Rev. G. S. Hare,
of New York, moved the invitation be accepted;
laid on the table. The reportiwas then adopted
III to 105. Adjourned.