Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-21
CHURCH Comfy.
DEBATE IN THE METHODIST GENERAL
CONFERENCE YESTERDAY.
The Mission Work in Foreign Fields
Conservation of the -Four New
Bishops, &C., &C.

pibnOps, oc'i uO'
The Conference assembled at O'Clock.
Bishop Wilson called the body to order
and requested Rev. T.. VI. Bounds, OF II.
Louis. 10 conduct religious services. Mr.
Bounds read Romans 18th chapter. hymn
52G--
Come, saviour Jesus, from above;
Assist me by Thy heavenly grace;
Empiy my heart Of earthly love,
And for Thyself prepare the place ~
was sung, and Mr.. Bounds led in prayer.
Eishop Wilson resigned the chair to
Bishop GTanbery.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
The Board Of Missions at meeting We'd
nesday night instructed the chairman to
ask for reconsideration OF o report adopt
ed, which provides that in case the CHINA
mission Is converted into an Annual Con-
ference and mission be established in Ja-
pan, the japanese mission shall be inc luded
in The China Conference.
Dr. Potter explained that the reconside-
ration was askel with view Of amending
the report 50 that the Japan mission, II
established. should not be made part OF
The China mis sion.
The motion 10 reconsider prevailed. and
Or. Potter made motion 10 amend the re-
port by striking out the resolution which
makes the proposed Japan mission part
Of the proposed Chinese Conference.
Rev. Paul W Whitehead asked for the rea-
sons " hicb Influenced the Board in asking
this amendment. which practically leaves
Japan "out in the cold"
The explanation was given to the elect
that japan was six or seven days journey
At. 4 "a ~ ha
yeniently attached to the China Confer
ence: that il was not considered advisable
that a mission in Japan should be begun
under the dominant influence OF China, as
II would be II combined with that work.
Rev. Mr.. whitehead said Japan. though six
OF seven days travel from China, is much
nearer that country than TO any other in
which our Church is established. He
thought the Japan mission nigh, be work
I'd very conveniently as q presiding elders
district Of the China Conference.
The amendment was adopted, which
makes the Japan mission Independent OF
the Church IN China.
4 motion was made 10 change the rules
50 a. 10 limit speeches 60 I've minutes.
Rev. Mr.. Whitehead, oi Virginia, was
opposed 10 this. lie said some OF the most
IMPORTANT matters are vet to be considered,
and he did not think il wise TO limit speak
crs at this time.
Rev. Mr.. Peterson. of Virginia, moved
10 substitute ten minutes for i've.
Judpe TuckG, Of Florida, wished no
charg &c i'm the rules, neither did Rev. Mr.
duncan. Of Tennessee.
Rev Mr.. IIonncll, Of Alabama, was in
favor Of limiting the speakers.
The Conference refused to limit except
o. now provided by the Rules.
BOARD or MISSIONS.
The Committee on Missions made a re-
port, which increases the number OF mem
hcrs on the Board from nineteen 10 twenty
five. Adopted.
Comfy AND FRATERNITY.
The report of the Committee on Comfy
and Fraternity with other Methodist
Churches WAS taken from the table. The
report of the majority reco nmendct that
no change be made in the pollty OF the
Church regarding mission work, aud that
il was not cXpedient 10 appoint the COM
mission asked for by the petitioners.
The minority report, by permission Of
the Conference, was withdrawn and an
amendment TO The majority report was
offered, which proposed 70 substitute fOI
the resolutions Of the majority report reSo-
lutions instruGing the Board OF Missions
10 confer with the Board Of Missions
u the Methodist Episcopal Church, North,
regarding the eXpediency Of adopting
some plan OF comfy and confederation 10y
which cooperation may be secured in the
mission work Of the two Churches, and
that the Board OF Missions DE instructed
10 favor such plan OF confederation with
the Church North and with all other
Methodist bodies.
Bishop Kceuer arose, and was recognized
by the Chair. He said the state Of the mis-
sionary work Of the Church was such that
it was difficult to get view OF it that
would enable member 10 vote intclli-
gently en- subject so sweeping in it, effects
as the question now before the body. "It
l. supposed that In the missions abroad
there j. no ClaShnC-LO conflict between
good men; but the fact i the denOmina-
tional character is Just as distinct abroad
n at home" lie did not consider this an
evil. The McthodiStS of the North are not
in our way. We are not in their way.
Mothodi>ts at the North send out their
mn 10 Mexico and other fields, and send
them money. Something is gained with
the man who cannot 20 but is willing 10
send To his own man and his own column.
These queStionngs, he said, are calcu-
lated to make the impression on the public
that the mission work Of the Church Il in
confusion or not succeeding. "The mis-
aonaIies 0f thc Church are eSuccesSful-pre-
cminently so--and | desire that they be let
alone"
DR.. Cox, Of Baltimore, had voted TO call
| this matter up because he did not wish 10
! cut OF his brethren from the expression OF
! their views. The success Of the Methodist
! Episcopal Church, South, at home and
abroad had hardly precedent in the his
| tory Of the Christian Church. This sue
cess. be claimed. indicated that God would
have the Church continue aS II is. He
thought It was not prudent at this time to
inaugurate a measure which may be con-
sIrucd 10 mean that the Church has not
succeeded. lie was opposed to the amend
m,nt.
ONE FAMILY.
Rev. VI. b. Chapman, Of Missouri. said
the gentlemen who have spoken have
somehow mistaken the meaning Of this
movement. There Is no expression OF
dissatisfaction with our mIssOnarles-no
reflection upon those who have served the