New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-27
THE METHODIST ELECTIONS.

Until 1t has concluded the election OF BISHOPS inc
Methodist General Conference IS never quite ready to
settle down to business The interest In that event Is
altogether too fcverish to admit of close application TO
the routine work of the Conference Until II IS over
the delegates to an extent they would probably be
unwilling TO concede. politicians and they regulate
themselves more or with reference to the object
they wish to attain in the Episcopal contest they are
brethren but still they men, and they naturally
have their likes and dslikes their interests and con
germs The General Conference is big affair numerl-
caly as in every other way, and 1t cannot be hurried
If eouires about two weeks time get acquainted with
Itself The work Of organization cannot be done In
moment. The committees must be slated, ana only
when things begin 10 run smoothly 90 the ceiegates
find time for that discussion which must needs go on
everywhere before any can be chosen by ballot 70
an exalted place.
Some people affect to think 1t very wicked that the
brethren should hobnob with each other should cancus
and electioneer over sacred office, worldly folks do
over a place of public trust. They lift their hands
and shake their heads sOlemny. and say that these
are dreadful goIngs They ask is Conference
townmeetingl Is this the proper kind OF example
for gody people to be setting the children OF darkness
And then they always work of that tresome nonsense
about the way Bishops used to be elected IN the ola
DAYS. when everybody good and nobody smoked
EXCEPT your grandmother and the world to bed at
6 D. m and rose with the lark.
These sombre saints. who think the world Is getting
worse every day despite all that being done to save
IT, are dreadful people TO come in contact with Or
course the delegates elcctioneer among themselves In
favor of their friends and why shouldn't they3 How
any deIberative assembly going to know the merits OF
candidates unless they are talked about? There are
many distinguished men in the Church who arc not III
to be bishops, and the duty OF the delegates IS 10
examine the character history. services and ability Of
tho Churchs eminent that those may be taken VINO
will strengthen the eplscopacy, and those left who are
bettcr in the pulpit than in the counciroom Few Of
these 500 delegates personally acquainted with all
those who were being urged for the elevation and the
only way by which their especial qualifications could
he ascertained was by talking with their friends II
Is great aim Of Methodist preachers to get close to
the people Theirs is popular Church. Its wonder
fu growth and development IS one Of
the consequences of what Mr.. Beecher called
tbe "Relgn Of the Common People" In
drawing close to the people they have not failed 10
acquire habits and methods in vogue among the peO
nle They think the thoughts OF the masses, under
stand their condition, appreciate their ambitions and
feel their weaknesses and temptations They become
good citizens, too, very much as result OF this
,nInclinc with the everyday world, and not infre
ouently leaders in politics. The intense Interest they
Ike in publlc affairs has not diminished since the
,, when their Church split upon the slavery ques-
ton and the Northern clergyman added the doctrine
90 emancipation and equal rights TO his articles Of re-
,ioion There Is nothing remarkable about the fact,
t,,en that the Methodsts are wise In their day and
anoraton and elect their bishops as other men elect
their great officials. They canvass dihgehiN LOT
,otcs and boom their friends warmly, and when the
dv for haIloting comes they figure up the result
as ntellgcntIy as political expert in state CON
vention