New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-28
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.

THE CASE OF METHODIST PASTORS.
ONE or THEM SAYS THAT NOW Is THE TINE TO
CHOOSE BETWEEN MODIFICATION AND REvo-
LUTON.
To fhe Editor OF The Trfbuns.
Sir: The proceedings OF the General Conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. which IN session
IN your city, matter Of the greatest interest to
large number Of our people. 1t represents member
ship OF moro than 1000 900 men and women, and
of 1900 ministers. The members Of that body are
acting the representatives OF these $4,000 ministers,
who the legal Lawmakers of tho church. While
every member Of the church is interested In the laws
enacted, IL is well to keep In mind the fact that the
ministers interested than any Others, because
they have at stake. Here all these men. aud
there other Of equal number in any department OF
life who their supcriors in talent and devotion 10
their work, who absolutely, by the law OF the
church, at the mercy OF those in authority over them
Tho Bishops have as much authority as the Pope OF
Rome And In their power over the clergy they have
far more than any Roman Bishop These ministers
have put themselves into this undesirable position OF
being subject 70 the viii OF another because they
believe they have been called Of God to preach the
Gospel, and because they accept the statement OF
Scripture doctrine set forth by this church rather
than any other.
Now, this being tho case, It does as II their
rights and their interests should be sacredly guarded
but this is not the fact evidenced by the laws passed
and by the reports made The for this IS found
in the fact that out Of the whole number Of members In
the Conference there less than hundred pastors
Why is this the case 1t Is not because those who
were elected delegates were better men In any sense
than the pastors but from the condition OF the laws Oh
the church The presiding elders now appointed by
the Bshops and make most of the appointments Of the
preachers OF their district When the election OF dele
gates takes place. the preachers in each district feel
that II they do not elect their elder, their interests
may suffer when the appointments are made for the
next year This is So whether there is generally any
foundation for 1t in fact not. Again, when the APP
pointments have been mado II there any one that Is
a hardship and 1t looks as II some one had Decn
punished it very easy for the elder, who Is really
the responsible party, to say that 1t was the bsnop
who did IT, and thus shrk hts just share Of the resron
sIbillty.
Now in order to give the pastor q better chance 10
have Justice done him. the pastors are in favor OF hav-
Ing the presiding elders elected so that they VIII ieei
that they are dependent the pastors, as well as inc
want to have law declare that the elders are In Ia"
what they now IN name, cabinet, WIN ~, ~,
ordinate powers with the Bishop. Ihey also DeAeNo
that the election Of the Bishops Tor four years is IN per-
feet harmony with the constitution OF the cburcn dn
with the sentiment OF the people IL certaihS y S
anomaly to see such autoclatc epscopate as our
existing In a great republic and supported Dy those
OF thc most democratic type when civlI analrs arc
dealt with AS tine law now Is, the Bshops arc allOs'
bevond The reach of the law Under ordinary clrcun
stances no one would dare TO stand out against one OK
thorn In support of his opinions and IL he did he woulu
be sure TO suffer for his temerity, not only ~ lhc
hands but also by those who always toady 10 those IN
HIGH places That these changes could and should Dc
made at this session of the Conference there cannot DO
two opinions. Tho tendency toward more DEM,
ocratlc administration IS growing very rapay a s'
ali classes in the church except among the ONCE
holders; and II some concession is now made 70 ms
demand II will be better than 10 wait until inc iIoS
prevails that nothing be done without rekulu-
lion II that time comes and como u VIII uhlesS
checked by disposition TO acqucsce in these demands;
~ Will s,yeen away some OF those things which Should
romaIn II seems strange that so much uulo Is spent
in Discussing the admission OF women ana so u rn
time wasted and care displayed IN preserving the pre-
s,,ycs ~ the eplscopacy and little attention IS
gven to the greatly needed legislation for the reei
Of these 12 900 pastors and their families, VINO ua'o
made the church what II rs by their sacrhces H.
Cincinnati, May 23, 1855.