The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-03
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
The COMMITTEES on Eligibility Reports in Op-
position to the Claims of Women.

New YORK, May 2-The second days session
Of the twentieth annual General Methods. Con-
ference opened promptly at 10 o'clock at the
Metropolitan Opera-house Bishop Stephen
Merrill occupied the chair. The proceedings
were opened with prayer and reading Of the
Scripture. Bishop Merrill then read the address
of the bishops extending 10 the delegates the
episcopal greeting and blessing The address
reviewed the revival work that has been going
in the church since the last conference, four
years ago. Since then not less than 100000
souls have been brought into the church The
membership has increased from 1.769,534 to
2,093,933 There has been great improve
ment in the architectural designs of
the churches. The educational work of
the church has made rapid progress.
Peace rsigns throughout Methodism, and
no serious agitation threatens the unity of
the denomination. Considerable correspondence
has been had with the English Church about n
conference between the English and American
churches, to be held in the United States in
1891. The delegates were urged to support only
the official book concerns and papers After
dwelling at length the growth of skepticism
the address advised that only men OF scholarly
minds who are able to cope with the arguments
of scoffers should be placsd in the pulpits. At
teution was called 20 the standing of the mission
airy bishops. 1t 10 not now known who are to
support the missionary bishop, or to whom he is
amenable. The growth Of the number Of dele
gates to the quadrennial conference was spoken
of. and 1t was suggested that some change
should be made that would limit
the representation. The increasing ar
rival on our shores Of members
of the Roman Church makes it imperative that
the members of the Methodist Church should
work to convert them. The bishops are Of the
opinion that the Church of Rome 10 q snare to
struggle between capital and labor is referred to
ia the address, and it was denied that the
church has any right to take part in political
struggles or had taken part In them. Ii was
advised that steps should be taken to adopt
some regular order OF worship 80 that In all
churches she form would be the same. The
bishops severely criticised the secular Sunday
newspapers The liquor traffic was deprecated,
and total prohibition was advised The LIQUOR
traffic. it was held, could not be legalized with
out sin. The members of the church we're
advised to work for the destruction Of the per-
nicious traffic.
The report Of the committee appointed to
report the eligibility OF women as delegates
was then brought forward. 1t was presented by
Rev. DIR. Shinkle. The committe reported:
That after serious discussion they have become
WINGED that when the rule passed relating to the
admission of Law delegates TO the General Conference
the church contemplated the admission of men only
as lay delegates. Und the constitution and laws
women are eligible and the committee agreed that
the protest against the ladies should be sustained and
conferences from which they were sent be mott
fed that the seats vacant.
The report was signed by eleven members of
tha committee. and six of the Members reIused
to sign it. Ii wac resolved that the debate on
the subject be postponed until tomorrow, when
it should be the order of the day.
Rev. Dr. Barnes, of Michigan, offered resolu-
ton to the effect that the previous question shall
not be called tomorrow until all the delegates
had had chance to speak upon the question at
issue. The resolution was not adopted.
This evening the delegates were entertained
in the opera-house by the Methodist Social
Union. -c