New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-19
CHANGES IN METHODIST LAW
TWO IMPORTANT TOPICS DISCUSSED.
AN ORDER OF DEAcosEssEs TO BE ESTABLISHED
| LAY REPRESENTATION.

AN ORDER OF DEAcoSEssFs TO BE ESTABLISHED
LAY REPRESENTATION.
Tho Methodist Episcopal Conference allowed itself
a relaxation yesterday on the subject of electing
Bishops and took up tho heavier questions OF debate
The entire session devoted to two of the most i'm
portant topics of legislation before this Conference
Ono of these the organization of the order of
Deaconcsses to permit Christian women who wish to
devote themselves TO religious work under the direction
OF the Church. A modification of the report was
adopted Lay legislation was the other topic and the
Conference adjourned after taking vote by orders,
leaving this question still unsettled The discussion In
the corridors regard 10 candidates continues with
increasing interest Bishop Hurst presided at yester-
days session, and General Clinton b. Fisk announced
reunion at Dr. John Halls Fifth Avenue Presbyterian
Church tonight and requested that delegation from
the Conference attend It. 1t was decided TO appoint
two Bishops. two lay and two clerical delegates
The Committee Missions reported in favor Of
establishing an order of Deaconesses in the Church
Ike that in operation In England and Germany for
several years Such order recently established
in Chicago and others proposed in various parts Of
the country. DIR. Thoburn spoke in favor of the re-
port saying that there were good number Of IN
employed women in the Church, who would be
Invaluable aid to pastors In this capacity The re-
port proposed that the duties of the dcaconesse should
be TO minister to the sick and poor and to renquish
all other pursuits. No vow was to be exacted from
any doaconess and any Of their number should be
at liberty to renqulsh her position as deaconess at
any time. When working sfngly, each dcaconess was
10 be under the direction of the pastor OF church
When associated together In home al the members
of the home to be subordinate to and directed by
the superintendent placed in charge. No dsaconess
was 10 be under twenty-five years Of age. Each
nual conference to appoint board OF nine NOM
bers three of them women, TO look after this form OF
work
Dr. Buckley, while approving the principle of this
plan opposed the idea Of Conference Board The
Rev DR. J. D. Walsh, of Kentucky, proposed to strike
out all in relation a Conference Board and sus-
gested the deaconesses be governed In the same
manner as local preachers. DR.. Queal made fur
Their amendment that the deaconesses should be
recommended by the Quarterly Conference and that
Board should DO elected by the ANIMAL Conferences
which should make a yearly report OF the work or tho
deaconesses and their continuance should depend on
this report The report was adopted with Or. QueaPs
amendment.
MORE LAY DELEGATES WANTED
The regular order Of the day was the consideration
of the subject of lay representation In the General
Conference Under the existing ruio two lay oeie
gates are elected from every Annual CONFERENCE ana
about one-third of the delegates are laymen Al Inc
last General Conference commission was appoh'eo
to examine and report on an increased rato Oh mo
Law representation in the General Conference Inc re-
mort of this commission before the body 1t
spgeesed equal clerical and lay representations In the
General Conference. Seton 2. paragraph H. was 10
read:
THE General Conference shall not allow OF more
than one ministerial for every fourteen
Members of an Annual Conference, nor OF less num-
her than ops for every fortyfve, nor Of more than
the same number Of lay delegates as there may 10
ministerial delegates in the same Annual COnierenco'
nrovidea nevertheless that when there shall DO IN any
Animal Conference fraction of two-thirds the NUM-
her which shall be fixed for the ratio OF representation
such Annual Conference shall be entitled 10 an au-
dtonal delegate for such fraction; and pro'lueu'
also that no Conference shall be denied the privilege
of one ministerial aud one lay delegate
DE Bentley who presented the report, spoAe III i'
favor Law sentation had already, he sa4o Deen
beneft to the General Conference, and II was risn'
that the lalty should equal representation WIN
Tho rDips4ers The new rule would provide also for
the admission Of women. DR.. Miley opposed we TO
mort Or Oueal offered as an amendemoht tnae
Committee of minister ard one ayman sfo1lu oe
anpointad from each General Conference cistr1c 10
he presided over by the General superintendent ana
should report to the next General conference pau
for equal representation on the present basls ann III
addition plan for increase of the Lay representa-
ton 49, -.-.,,.t,,
The discussion was transferred to this resolu'lon:
number of lavmen secured the floor and opposed u
strongly IL W. knight and Ex-Governor Cumback'
of Indiana spoke emphacany against the amendment
When the vote reached eau Tor order was sus-
tanned and the lay and clerical delegations voted sep
arately The result stood MinisterS-ayes POI, ZOOS
| IA Iaynan-ayes 81, noes ia concurrent ma
johty being required the substitute was lost ana the