The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-10
An Abundance of Work of all Kinds
Provided for the Committees.
Proposed Consolidation of the Book Concerns
Proceedings of the Southern Baptist
Convention at Baltimore.
Nj. e. GENERAL CONFERENCE.


ence has made better progress than usual in its
work. The body consists largely of new mem-
bers unused to the rules of the assembly, and
some of the action taken betrays the fact but
there is a universal disposition to transact bust
ness with dispatch Some of the members who
have been delegates for several previous sessions
seem to act as if they were entitled to monop-
oily of the talk, but younger men occasionally
make themselves heard. 1t is little singular
that in so dignifed body much time should
be consumed in the discussion of trivial ques-
tions. However, the conference will not neglect
its legitimate business, and great subjects will
be thoroughly considered
Among the chief speakers is Dr. Daniel Curry,
the Nestor of Methodism, well known to West
ern people as a former president of Asbury Uni
versity, and editor of the defunct National Re-
pository, the successor of that once very popular
magazine, the Ladies' Repository. The Doctor is
not quite soquick as Buckley who sits on his right
hand from the same New York East conference,
but he never speaks without commanding atten-
ton He is chairman of the committee on epis
copacy, the most dignified and in many respects
the most important of all the subdivisions of the
conference. Eight years ago he was retired from
the editorship of the Now York Christian Advo
cate, as some thought partly by episcopal inhu
ences, and now he is president of the court that
has jurisdiction of all episcopal affairs. He is
thoroughly loyal and enjoys the confidence Of ey-
erybody.
j. NJ Buckley the editor of the Advo
cate, is chairman of the committee
ON itinerancy, second in dignity and equal in far
reaching Importance to the former. To this
committee is referred all questions concerning
the time limit, conferences, journals, etc. The
chairman has spoken out in regard to the matter
which will provoke the liveliest controversy,
viz: the length of time for which minister
shall serve charge without change. He has
placed himself on the record for the rule as 1t
now is, but there is no doubt but that there is'a
strong and growing sentiment for the removal
of tho three years restriction in certain emer-
gencies. 1t may be set down certain that the
Discipline will not be altered at this session, but
greater fexibility will be allowed in the admin
istratiou of tie provision which author
ICES an exception In the case of
the ministers who are appointed
''to neglected portions of our cities The dis
cussion on Wednesday brought j. w. Hamilton,
pastor of the famous Peoples Church, in Bos
ton, to his feet, and it Is clear that he would
have had unanimous vote, even of this great
conservative body, for his return indefinitely,
while he is doing so effective missionary work.
= The bishops, in their eloquent and well-pre
pared address, expressed no opinion on the pro
priety of change, but it was noticeable that In
the first skirnish of discussion they showed
more interest than in any other matter yet pre-
sented 1t is plain that they are impressibied In
like manner they leave it wholly to the confer
ence to determine as it has the legal right to d.
the number to be elected TO re inforce the epis
copal bench. 1t seems probable now that four
or five, or even more, will be elevated.
There is canor for bishops to reside in certain
quarters hereafter to be designated and this
will cause the proposition for higher number
to be received with favor The East Indies
want RESIDENT Denver, the Pacific coast, Texas
and other less prominent and desirable places
demand the location of an episcopates family
among them If General Conference order is
given and regarded, it may quench the pent-up
desire of some for the high Office
An effort made to precipitate the elections
at an early date Had the movement carried,
it would have resulted, probably. in the choice
of men already we'll known and frequently men
toned in connection with the office, and they
from the commercial centers of New York. Bos-
ton and Chicago AS 1t is, the time not yet be
ing determined though probably Occurring
next week. there may be a distribution
of the choices from different localities Some of
the men mentioned are not as strong as they
were week ago, while others are gaining G.
H. Fowler asecretary of the Missionary Society,
has friends and admirers. A. S. Hunt who rep
resents, the church in the American Bible Soei-
ETY. is growing in favor. DR.. Walden and DR.,
A. J. Kynett of the church extension board are
certainly not losing, but all speculations are
without authority If FIVE are to be chosen the
great interior Of the country will most likely
have at least one representative. 1t will be de-
manded that the bishops elect shall be in SYM
pathy with the church in various localities, and
hence the reason for geographical distribution.
as these officers ever afterward become the prop
arty of the connection at large and are supposed
to be beyond all local prejudice
In the selection of officers for the standing
committees, President Martin, of DePauw uni
versity was elected chairman of the committee
on education, and Rev. John Poucher, of Indian
apolis was chosen secretary of the committee
on revisals of the Discipline. As there are only
twelve of these bodies, and they consist of over
ninety members EACH Indiana certainly received
her share of distinctions in this line DR.. Payne,
of Ohio Wesleyan University, is chairman on
temporal economy, and P. G. Gilett, of Illinois,
on Sunday schools. OF the special committees
consisting of smaller numbers, and appointed by
the bishops Hon. j. H. Baker, of Goshen. goes
on expenses of delegates; VIM. Newkirk, Of
Connersville. on entertainment of the next Gen
elal Conference: n. p Haughey, of 1ndianap0-
lis, on the centennial of Methodist organizations
John Poucher on statistical forms, and Rev. =.
l.. Dolph on important work.
The committees already loaded down with
memorials, petitions and resolutions. The work.
however. will BIO subdiVded, and therefore wlh