The Indianapolis journal., 1884-05-17
The Great Uncertainty Preceding the Elcc
tion of BishOps-No Combinations in
the Interest of any Candidate.
Messrs. Phillips, Hunt, Cranston and
Stowe Chosen Book Agents.
Proceedings of the Presbyterian General
Assembly at Saratoga Growl
from the COlOred MethOdists
NJ. E. GENERAL CONFERENCE.
A Review of the Work Accomplished Dur,
ing the Past Week.

ing the Past Week.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
PHILADELPHIA, May 15.-The week since
your correspondents last report has been
chiefly given over to feld-day speaking on the
floor. Most of the committees in their after
noon sessions have been busy in the work as
signed them, but on the report of the committee
recommending the establishment of an episcopal
residence in India, a long continued volley Of
earnest eloquence has been poured forth The
matter came to a vote on Wednesday, and to de-
feat the proposed measure it became necessary
for the laymen to exercise their disciplinary pre-
rogative of calling for vote by the separate
orders Of ministers and laymen. When such
call is made there must be majority of both
sections to complete action. OF the ministers
there was majority of thirty four in favor of
the report, and of the laymen there was a major
ity of twenty-five against it. The friends of the
measure were well satisfied with the result es-
pecially when step involving vital questions
would have been made necessary by so small
vote. An analysis of the vote showed that New
England and the new West, the South, the
missionaries and those named for the episcopacy
largely advocated the India residence. Many
Of the laymen of wealth and the ministers in the
centers were on the other side These dis
| tnctions, of course were not strictly drawn but
they were to some extent observable
majority Of the Indiana delegates voted for
the residence. DR.. B. F. Rawlins, however, dis
tiguished himself by offering a substitute and
making an eloquent aud influential speech in de-
fense thereof though his motion was heavily
voted down So far, while the In diana men have
been in their places to vote, they have not
plunged extensively into the scramble to secure
the floor for speaking
The committee on episcopacy recommended
the election of five bishops but the conference
decided very promptly to elect only four Evi-
IDENTIFY the minds of the members were made up
for the motion to amend was taken under the
action of the previous question. The bishops
themselves had been asked for al official opn
ion, and gave their judgment for three. The
decision of the conference, taking middle
ground between the verdicts of these strong
bodies was doubtless the correct as well as the
proper thing Evidently the delegates have
minds of their own The committee on episeo-
pacy is composed generally the chailmen of del
egations or those ministers elected first by their
annual conferences and therefore, presumably
among the wisest as we'll as most popular of the
representatives.. In consequence Of their pecu-
liar work they stand in relation sometimes ap-
parently antagonistic TO that of the bench, while
those, also, who are most likely to be elected
bishops are members of the committee
Probably their gody judgment there
fore, may be prejudiced in favor
of the larger number, as giving hope
for one who otherwise would fail of the high, la
borious and useful Office. The bishops on the
other hand, consider the item of increased ex
pense, and have always acted on the policy Of the
smallest number possible to do the work The
conference, by it very large vote determined its
action. Dr. Curry, chairman Of the committee
who has been very paternal in his manner to the
conference, was apparently delighted in report
ing the large votes by which his committee ar
rived at its conclusions. Nevertheless so far
none of the reports on vital questions have been
concurred in. If all the wisdom, not all the pow
er, is vested in this important committee
Never before, perhaps, had there been as
much uncertainty previous to the election in re
gard to the persons who were likely to be chosen
The delegates have all along seemed 10 realize
the responsibility of their position. Combina
tions We're therefore out of the question and the
persons elected, of whom the telegraph has al
ready notified your readers, represented the
sound ana godly judgment of the General Con
ference and of the church. 1t has been asserted
that no mistakes have ever been made in the
choices for the elevated Office Adler, wiser and
perhaps worthier men have sometimes been left
out than were taken in but there are so many
checks and safeguards in the polity and usage of
Methodism that heretofore no harm has bcfalen
the church through its episcopal officers. Prob
ably, as before, some of the very best
men have been left on the floor,
but the Methodist people will cheerfully
and universally accord the due honor and dignity
to the last ncumbents, as 10 all others who have
been entrusted with these great responsibilities
The selection of Dr. Walden, Of Cincinnati for
the episcopacy will be attended with great good
especially in the South and West. lie is a man
of exceptional administrative abilities, and, while
not as bright preacher rs many Others he is
clear and logical. He will adorn the Office, and
no Methodist preacher need fear to commit his
interests to Bishop Walden. He has been brave
and bold in the advocacy of great reforms was
early and actively engaged in the Freedmans
Aid Society of the church, and has always been
vigorous in tho support of liquor prohibition
He is loyal Methodist, without er,nks-iust
such as is needed in the bishops Office.
On Wednesday last the committee on nitinerancy
decided by about two thirds vote that it is in
expedient to give formal license for women to
preach 1t IS to be hoped that this action will
not be interpreted as a disapproyal Of the work
of such eminent eyangoists as Mrs. Lucy O
Robinson Mrs. Jennie p. Wiling and many
other women who have apparently been SO useful