The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-05-10
METHODIST CONFEREN CE.
Interest in the Deliberations Increasing
Report of Yesterdays Proceedings

Interest in the Deliberations Increasing,
Report of Yesterdays Proceedings,
New YORK, May 5.-The interest in the
Methodist Episcopal general conference
increases daily. There was much larger
audience present than on any previous
day. Bishop j. F. Hurst presided, and
the religious services were conducted by
Rev. j. W. s. Wilson, of South Carolina.
Rev. DIR. j. NJ. Buckley claimed the
floor. He said he only wanted to set him
self right in regard to certain remarks he
had made in regard to the eligibility of
women as delegates. He claimed that as
the house had adjourned yesterday with
out fixing any special order the rules
would have to be suspended before the de.
bate could be continued.
The rules were again suspended, and
Mr.. Clinton B. Fisk took the floor to ad-
vocate the admission of women. As
women were class leaders, preachers, and
members of quarterly conferences, they
were entitled 10 seats in the conference.
Their cause was holy one. General Fisk
commended that there was nothing in the
law of the church which says lay delegates
shall not be women. 1t would be revolu-
tionary to turn women outside of the
general conference, and the church could
not afford TO exclude them. 1t was fool
ish to say that if WON en- are elected men
will be exclu led. No lawyer would deny
the right of women to seats in the con-
ventiop, for the law of the church entitled
them to admission.
"Are we so cowardly," asked General
Fisk, shat we would refuse to admit
woman fer fear she would fill the place of
manw
Rev. A. j. Killett, secretary Ct the
Church Extension society, favored the
Baptists ard Congregationalists admitted
them to their conferences.
Rev. N. d. Moore, of Colorado, said that
women should not be admitted. In clos
ing, Doctor Moore offered a substitute
previously submitted. 1t WAS, in effect,
that, as the eligibility as lay delegates
had been challenged as unconstitutional,
it was of the utmost importance
that no doubt should exist in regard to
the admission of women without giving
an incorporation to the rule of the
church, and disclaiming all intentions of
establishing precedent by the action
now proposed by the resolution. The
substitute further provides that during
the month of October, 1890, a general
convention shall be held in each church,
and that all the members be called upon
either TO vote fer or against the
| admission of women as lay delegate
| The electiol shall be- held under { direc
ton of preacher and if it is de ermined
| by this vote to admit women, the rule
shall be amended so as to read, "men or
women" Should majority of the
church be in favor of the admission of
W. men ss lay delegates, then the general
conference III 1892 can complete the
change. The substitute bears tie sigma
lures of David Moore, John Frey and
| General Swindei.
Rev. G. Pendleton moved the previous
| question. The motion was recorded, and
1t looked as if the question would be set
| ted then, and consld rable excitement ex-
| listed while the vote was being taken.
| When the announcement was made it was
discovered that the motion was lost. The
vote stot d 1872 against 179
Rev. W. N. McElroy YVES in favor Of
women.
Rev. d. Gray, presideLt of Dickinson
Female seminary, Wiliamsport, Pa, was
opposed to women being present while
the vote was being taken on the ques-
tiCn.
After some desu'tory discussion an ad-
| journment was had until Monday.
Lost-"I don'G know where, can't tel
when, 1 don't see how-some.hing oJ
great value to me, and for the return OF
which shall be truly thankful; viz: a
good appetite"
Found-"Health ard strength, pure