The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-05-09
The General Conference.

NEW YORK, May 2.-ln the Meth
odisr General Conference to-day the
address of the Bishops reviewing re-
vival work since the last Conference,
four years ago, stated that within that
time the membership has increased
from 1,769,534 to 2,095, 1896. The
Church has now II theological semina-
ries, 54 colleges, and 154 academies for
the education of candidates for the min
istry. The value of this property is
over $25, ,0QO,00 The Freedmen's Aid
Society has done great work in the
South, not only among the blacks, but
among the whites.as well.
For the first time in the history of
the Conference women have been sent
as delegates. The Bishops do not
think that women are eligible. "
Thereportof the committee appoint
ed to report on the eligibility of wo-
men delegates was brought forward.
1t is against the eligibility of women.
The report was signed by eleven MEM
bers OF the committee; six of the
members refused to sign it.
NEW YORK, May 3.-In the Meth
odist Conference the greater part of
to days session was given up to the
discussion of the adverse report upon
the eligibility of women as lay dele.
gates. Rev. DR.. o. H. Potts, editor of
the Michigan Advocate spoke strong
ly in favo- Of their admission.
NEW YORK, May 4.-The Method
ist Conferencespent large part of the
day in discussing the report of the
committee on the eligibility of women
as delegates to the Conference. There
were many speeches for and against
their admission. Rev. F. B. Nicely OF
Philadelphia was in favor of submit
ting the question tothe, Annual Con-
ferences, and offered an amendment
to the report of the committee. The
amendment was seconded and will be
voted Oh at the close of the debate.
NEW YORK, May 5.-Devotional
exercises were led by Rev. j. E. Will
son, colored, of South Carolina. The
last notes of the hymn had scarcely
died away when a shrill voice sang
out: "May I have permission to
speak ?" A fine-lookink middle-aged
lady stood up and faced the presiding
Bishop, Hurst. The chief usher sue
ceeded in getting the unknown female
into the lobby, and the delegates
breathed easier. She refused to give
her name, but as she walked away
from the Opera House vowed she
would yet address the Conference on
women's rights. DR.. Buckley, who
was shut Off in his speech yesterday,
was entitled to the floor this morning
and continued explaining his opposi-
tion. to the admission of women to the
Conference. Gen. Clinton B. Fisk Of
terwards spoke on the amendment to
the report of the committee on the
eligibility of women. During his
speech q voice in one of the gallaries
occasionally shouted: "Glory to God"
Rev. DR.. o. H. Moore, President of
Denver University, proposed a substi-
tute TO all previous resolutions, viz:
that in October of 1890 a
general election shall be held in each
church and all the members called
upon to vote either for or against the
admission of women as lay delegates
If the majority favor the measure the
work will be completed by the Gener-
al Conference of 1892. The previous
question was called, and vote was
taken amid considerable excitement.
The motion was lost-yeas 1872, nays
1873.
New YORK, May 6.-Bishop Fowler,
D. D., LII. D., San Francisco, deliverd
metaphysical discourse before an i'm
mense audience at the Metropolitan
Opera House, the building where the
General Conference is held. r