The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-18
Judicial Report Touching the Or
ganic Law Of the Church.
This Report Answers Some Very
4. Important Questions.
The Presbyterian General Assem-
bly, Meets at Philadelphia.
1t Is the Centennial Convention OF the
Supreme Ecclesiastical Court ofthe
Church In the United States
500 Delegates Present.

"a New York, May 1.-THE active work
B of the fifteenth day OF the general Meth
odist conference begun with the report OF
the judiciary committee, on certain ques.
tons referred TO it, touching the organic
\ law OF the church. Bishop Foss presided, |
3 and the devotional exercises were led by |
Z the Rev. J. w. Peck, OF Brooklyn. The
representation Of the judiciary report pre-
( ceded the order Of the day-the call ofcon-
ferences-by general consent. The report
was in answer to several questions referred
{. TO the committee on changes in the Dis
cipline.
The first question was May the Dis
ciphne be so changed as to authorize the
election of presiding elders at the annual
conferences? To this the committee an
swered no, as such proceeding would be
violation OF the third restrictive rule,
which leaves such matters solely in the
hands Of the bishop.
Question second was May the Discipline
be so changed as to give the presiding eld-
ers coordinate authority with the bishops
fixing the appointment of preachers2 No,
was the answer 10 this question, also as to
the appointing Of preachers rested solely
with the bishops themselves.
The third question referred 10 tho tenure
OF tive bishops Office. II was: Can the
term OF Office OF bishop be restricted TO n
term of years? and was also answered in
the negative, rs the law Of the church
makes the Office one OF lifelong tenure.
The fourth inquiry was: Can not the
bishops be assigned quadrennially TO their
episcopal districts. This was also denied
ON the ground that episcopacy is general.
The committee was unanimous on all
these points except the third, relating TO
the tenure Of the bishops Office, and a
minority report, signed by Eli /. Ritter,
NJ. b. Reese, John Lacey, W. 5. Spearo
and l.. g. Qucal, was presented. This
report dissenied from the views Of The ma
jority on the question on the ground that
the third restrictive rule carefully guards
the office OF episcopacy and its preroga-
tives, but does not touch the tenure OF
office. The diSenters held, therefore,
II ,SSsitia competent for the general confer
sncc no ~ sub y li..fiitio the bishops Of
n dcial terms M in its wisdom may be
deemed best. For a moment Il looked as
n these reports would agitaie the house
for n considerable time, but DIR. Buckley,
by pointed speech, succeeded in getting
bo4h reports tabled. lie held that as the
conference had decided that no speech
over five minutes would be allowed that
the matter could not be thoroughly con-
sidered in so few minutes. Ills speech
and the decision 10 lay on the table were
received with applause.
on motion OF DR.. Swindell, OF Philadel-
phia, il was decided 10 have the commit
tee on episcopacy report on Saturday
morning plan Of districting and elccting
missionary bishops.
Dr. Queal Of central New York, then
&asked permission 10 call the attention Of
tbo conference 10 what he called great
rvent-the Punishment Of slavery In Bra
LII. Permission was refused and then he
inoyed TO have the rules suspended In
order 10 move n resolution referring the
matter 20 n special committee 20 express
the 10y and gratitude of the conference ON
this event, in which he succeeded amid
great applause.
After much discussion II was resolved e
receive no more petitions or memorial
nlter May q.
"A resolution was also read asking tina
nc committee on episcopacy may no
mako any recommendation for the ap
pointmcnt OF a missionary bishop 10
Europe. In support Of the resolution Dr
Ashford, Of the Germany conference, mad
eshori address.
|Thon followed heated discussion on th
uibject ofthe election Of bishops. This wa
brought about by report submitted 10y III
cpiscopacy committee recommending tina
\Gye be the number OF bishops 10 be vote
I'm at the forthcoming election. DIR. Oil
xcscntcd the report Ms chairman oil III
ccmmittee. In an instant twenty mem
kcn were on their feet clamoring for recol
nIfion from the chair. Dr. Lanaha
6Iiered an amendment TO the committee
Msolution, substituting four for five IA III
nnmbcr. DR.. Spence, OF Tennessee
owed 10 substitute seven. DIR. jackson
- Ohio, moved 10 substitute six for Oh
6nmbcr originally named.
|Dr. Wheeler said that four bishops wer
enough. M they were not wanted for exh
tition purposes or 10 open camp-meeiing
hit TO exercise general superintendent
j the church work.
Is. DR.. Buckley was also heard In favor
Do original number. The bishops then
lives, be said, only asked for four.
DR.. Bndgcmen interrupted the deba
~ moving the previous question whicl
ID being put, resulted In the adoption
- original report by more than tw
XIrds vote.
Tho remaining time Of the days scssl,
~ given up 10 completing the memoirs
1&run Yesterday.