Omaha daily bee., 1888-04-29

tainiy there Is an indignant protest against
such conduct from the rank and file OF the
church, and an extended observation seems
10 warrant the belief that the conference
soon to assemble will be a reform body, at
least in that particular. Nc one anticipates,
however, that there will be any lack of will
ing BarkIs's, or that any who are invited to
step up higher will astonish the country by
declining.
The Office of a Methodist bishop is a very
desirable one. The term is for life, the sal
airy large, and the influence tremendous.
The bishop makes the appointments, and IL
is moderate to say that each bishop in the M.
f.. church controls on the average athousand
preachers and as many churches. Since the
last general conference three bishops have
died. The matchless Simpson was the first
TO go, his demise occurring shortly after the
ever memorable farewell address by which
he brought the conference of 1884 to q close.
A little later, Bishop Wiley died and was
buried in China, the scene of his early mis-
sionary labors. Still later Bishop Harris
breathed his last in New York. BY these
losses the Episcopal force of the church has
been reduced to twelve men, and some of
these are not robust any longer. 1t is newt
able, therefore, that new timber will be
needed in the Episcopal board. Precisely
how many new bishops shall be elected the
conference itself will determine. Some
think there ought to be a big batch of
them, the cry of these being for more bishops
and fewer presiding elders. Others think
the tiihe has come for q M. e. bishop to pre-
side IN Europe, with another in China and
still another in India. Such propositions as
these were before the last conference, and 1t
was the common remark that, but for the in
f1uence of the bishops themselves, effectual-
lied in the votes of the laity, they would have
been adopted. A reasonable prediction would
place the number of new bishops at not more
than five, as more than that would involve
q radical departure from all recent prece-
dents.
Who will be promoted TO this dignity is
one or the things no fellow can tell with alb
solute certainty, but he would be a poor OBJ
server of events who could not venture q few
guesses. 1t is not improbable William Tay-
lor, now missionary bishop to Africa, will be
made a full-fiedged Episcopate. He thinks
he is this now, and so do some other people.
but If he is he was certainly made so by acct
debt, for the last general conference never
intended to make him such a person. Another
upon whom the lot is not likely to fall is DIR.
John II. Vincent, who four years ago
gave Bishop Fowler such a long and close
another probability, as is also DR.. d. A.
Goodsell, of the same city. DR.. II. A. Buttz,
of Drew seminary, is also supposed to be in
the line of promotion. For the two last
named a preference has been expressed by
some of the present bishops. In the west
DR.. Charles III. Payne, of Ohio Wesleyan
university, looms up as a decided probability,
being closed followed by Earl Cranston, of
the Cincinnati Book concern. In New Eng
land the tug of war will be between Drs. j.
w. Hamilton and S. F.. Upham, each of
whom, in certain contingencies, would stand
an excellent chance. DIR. Daniel Dorches-
ter will also make a strong pull in this sec
ton. Many think DIR. A. Is. Leonard. of
Ohio, is a possibility. He would certainly
be the first one thought of if the lines were
to be drawn tightly on the question of pro-
hibition. DIR. T. B. Neeley, of Pa, will be
strongly urged by his section, and will bring
to the contest the prestige of great abilities.
AS usual, Ohio leads in the mum
Der of candidates. Both DIR. Bayliss,
Of the Western, and DIR. Joyce are talked of,
and each will have from the start consider
able strength. Besides these many other
names occur, although too many to mention,
among them that of DIR. G. c. McCabe, the
splendid missionary. secretary, whose ire
sistible enthusiasm has put S400, 900 INTO the
and who is popularity supposed, and with
gift of the church. If the conference should
| take a notion of that kind it could send the
chaplain into a bishops chair with scarcely
any opposition, and this contingency may
arise. Many think DIR. Buckley would be
made a bishop were it not for his superb
adoption to editorial duties.
Nearly all the general secretaries, the edi-
tors, the book agents and other officials are
likely to be reelected. If, however, any of
these should be called to higher positions, or
should wish to retire into private life, there
will be no trouble in prevailing upon others
to fill their places, though of this, and all
other matters relating to this important con.
ference, we shall know more anon.