, 1888-05-27
LIVELY GENERAL CONFERENCE
Some of the Things That Attracted the
Rev. ID. l.. RAIDERS Attention.

:" aNhN" INV
Rev. ID. l.. RAIDERS Attention.
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A Methodist general conference is a
lively body of earnest men. To one, how
ever, who has been accustomed to attend
a4Rnual conference of tie same denomi-
IHn6h, the disorder and confusion of the
larger body stands out in disparaging con-
trast to the order and decorum of the
smaller one The difference is palpable
and the cause obvious. In the general
conference the members make their own
rules of order, decide any point of law
that may arise and have the bishops who
preside entirely under their own control.
They frock or unfrock them according to
the will of the body. Hence, their decis-
sions are not dreaded to any very great
extent, and their opinions on points of
law and order are often appealed from to
the conference. 1t looks a little strange
to see a hundred digniied doctors of di-
vinity and leading laymen spring to their
feet all at once and yell at the top of their
voices: "Mr. President" 'Mr. Presi-
dent" Such was the excitement over
the admission of the ladies who had been
elected by the laymen of five conferences
to represent them in this body; and so
eager were many of the men to make
speeches that at times | am sure there
were at least a hundred men on their feet
and yelling as indicated.
Rev. D. II. Moore, d. D., of Denver.
who is known to many in Cheyenne, got
the floor in the third day of the discussion
and made a fine conservative speech, but
in favor of the women. While he was
speaking an amusing incident occurred.
DIR. j. NJ. Buckley, editor ofthe Christian
AdUocdte at New York had championed
the opposition to the admission of the
m and had proven himself a formid-
able antagonist. He was the pride OF one
side and greatly dreaded by the other
A veritable .%solon, DR.. Moore took the
floor, intending to try to placate this
champion OF masculine rights. One ac-
quainted with the doctor could see that he
made this attempt with fear and tremb-
ling, wondering whether it would appear
as a dastardly piece of %impudence to this
male hero. From the first the clouded
brow of DIR. Buckley indicated that DR..
Moore's effort was to prove futile. No
doubt this expression contributed to
make DIR. Moore nervous. In this condi
ton he imagined someone interrupted him
and called out:
What do you mean, Mr.. New York
East conference DIR. b. sprang to his
feet and said with evident embarrass-
ment: II said nothing. | was listening
attentiyely, that was all" DR.. NJ.
shouted back: well, sit down, then. l
am trying to make my first speech before
a general conference, and am nearly
scared to death" Such a round of ap-
plause and laughing as followed that re-
ioindor one seldom hears. While it was
going on DR.. NJ. had time for composure
and made an address that no Western
man would have been ashamed OF in any
presence.
Our Judge J. W. Lacey tried a number
of times to get the floor during the ex-
element, but was always, like the man at
the pool of Bethesda. While l am COM
ing another steppeth down before me"
He would doubtless have made a fine
speech on the legal aspect OF tie case
could he have gotten a hearing. He will
have to practice more in ecclesiastical
polimical gymnastics.
In going from the room where this
great church council is carried on to the
galleries of the congress and senate of the
United States, the embarrassment one
feels for the church congress is greatly re-
lieved by the conduct of the civil body.
But however much one may feel relieved
as a churchman by this comparison, he is
greatly Inundated as a citizen. | will
hold this chagrin in allegiance for the
present, but may say something about it
in the future by our permission.