Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-15
IN LINE TO FIGHT SIN.
METHODISTS STILL PLANNING
FOR BETTER WORK.

Bishops Not Required to Consult Pre-
siding Elders in Making Appointments
A Change Made in the Wording of the
IuvItation to Participation In the
Lords supper.
RICHMOND, VA, May 1.-THE Metho,
dist Episcopal Conference opened to-day
with the ordinary religious exercises
Among the reports very Interesting ona
was made ON the subject Of education,
proposing the establishment of four bIbli-
cal schools, with other matters Of general
literary interest to the denomination.
A resolution was offered, signed by Dr.
T. j. Dodd, ofTennsssee, q. r. T. Taylor,
II. y. Walker and others, calling for q
change in the rubric ofthe church, touch.
ing the invitation to the Lords supper.
The resolution proposes that the invita-
tion read "all that do truly and earnestly
repent OF your sins and intend to lead q
new life, living in love and charity vita
your neighbors," etc., instead of sail that
do truly repent OF your sins and are IL
love, etc.
DISCIPLINARY AMENDMENTS
Several disciplinary amendments we're
proposed The proposition requiring
Bishops to consult Presiding Elders "a
making appointments was submitted.
The committee having reported nOn-cOn.
currence with the proposition, DR.. Kelly
mOYed to strike out the non, aud made q
forcible speech in favor of the proposition.
Drs. Whitehead aud Winfield supported
DR.. Kelly. Drs. West and McFerrin were
the chief speakers in opposition.
DR.. HagOod, chairman OF the COMMITTEES
which had reported aon-cOncurrence.
closed the debate, arguing that there was
no necessity for such legislation. because
the Bishops do now take advice and
counsel OF their presiding elders. A vote
was taken and the original resolution was
lost.
A paper proposing to arrange the ans
nual conference into permanent episco<
pal dioceses was read but was lost when
voted on.
DANCING, RING AND FOOTLIGHTS.
The Committee on Revlsal presented
their report. The committee had referred
TO 1t paper in regard to dancing. also a
clause fOrbidding dances, attending the
| circus and the opera. The COMMITTEES
fully agree that these evils are directly
contrary to the general rules, which ara
sufficiently comprehensive 10 cover such
cases, and recommend that said evils
should be corrected under the law as IL
now stands.
Judge Tucker, Of Florida, Of the Com.
mittee on the betrayal of the Expenses
OF the General Conference, submitted
| report recommending that the expenses
OF delegates be paid by the church. The
/ report stated that TO meet this expense
would require an assessment of only %
cents once In four years upon each churcb
member.
MIR. HILLS ADVOCACY.
Walter Is. Hill, OF Georgia lay dele.
gate), in advocating the report, paid a
high compliment to Virginia hospitality,
and cOntended that the General Confer
| ence had no more right to have their ex-
! penses met by the people where the Con-
| ference meets than have Congressman OF
the United States a right TO claim their
expenses from the people Of the District
Of Columbia.
DIR. r.. A. Young, Of Tennessee, was op-
posed to the whole plan, and neld that the
| spirit of Christian hospitality was yet
abroad in the land Of MetbOdism.
DR.. Samuel Black. of West Virginia,
thought that by adopting the report Of tha
committee the conference would be set
ting precedent that would be followed
by the annual conferences and the districts
conferences.
The discussion resulted In the commits
tees report being adopted.