The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-27

Bishop Wiley died, aud was buried in China,
the scene of his early missionary labors- Still
later. Bishop Harris breathed MS last IN New
York. By these losses the epssopa. force of
the church has been reduced to twelve men. and
some of these are not robust any longer. Ii is
inevitable, therefore, that timber will be
needed in the episcopal board. Pecisely how
many new bishops shall be elected, the confer
ence itself will determine Some think there
ought to be big batch of them, the CRY of these
being for more bishops and fewer presiding ell
dars. Others think toe time has come for an
M f. bishop to reside In Europe. another In
China. and still another in India Such propo-
sitions as these were before the last conference,
and it was the common remark that, but for the
influence of the bishops themselves, e1ect1al-
lied IN the votes of the laity. they would have
been adopted. A reasonable prediction would
place the number of bishops at not more
than five, more than that woule involve rad
zeal departure from all recent presidents.
Who will be promoted to this dignity Is one
of the things no fellow can yet sell with abso-
lutte certainty, but he would be poor observer
of events who couldn't venture few guesses.
1t is not improbable William Taylor, now
missionary bishop 70 Africa, viii be made full
hedgsd epscopare. He thinks he is now, and
so do some other people, but 1t he is hs was
eral Conference never intended to make him
such an o1fcial. Another upon whom the lot Is
not unlikely 90 fall Is DIR. John FL Vincent. who
four years ago gave Bishop Fowler such long
and close fussle DR.. James III. King, of New
York, is another probability, as is also DR. D. A.
Goodsell. of the same city. DR.. II. A. But,z.
Of 0a..d Drew s Be e ss I alse 'u F.
promotion For the last-named preference
has been expressed BY some CT the present
bishops. IN the West DR.. Charles Fl. Payne. of
the Ohio Wesleyan University, looms up as q
decided probability, being closely followed by
Earl Cranefon. of the Cincinnati Book Concern.
In New England, the tug of war will be between
Drs. j. W. Hamilton and S. F. Upham, each OF
whom. In certain contingencies, would stand an
excellent chance DR.. Daniel Dorchester would
also make n strong pull in this section Many
think DIR. A. B. Leonard. of Ohio is possibil-
ity. He would certainly be the first one thought
of IL the lines were TO be drawn tightly on the
question of prohibition Dr. I. b. Nicely, of
Pennsylvania, will be strongly urged by this Sec
of great abilities. As usual. Ohio leads in the
number of Candidates. Both DR.. l8ayliss. of the
Western, and DR.. Joyce are talked of, and each
will have from the start considerable strength
Besides these, many other names occur, al
though too numerous to mention, among them
that of DIR. G. O. McCabe, the splendid mission
airy secretary, whose irresistible enthusiasm has
put $4. 600, 900 into the missionary treasury the
last four years, and who is popularity supposed
and with good reason. to be wor thy of anything
in the gift of the church. If the conference
should take a notion of that kind it could send
the chaplain into bishops chair with scarcely
any opposition, and this ontingency may arise.
were it not for his superb adaptability to edi-
torial duties
Nearly all the general secretaries. the editors,
the book agents, and other officials are likely to
be reelected. If, however, any of these should
be called to higher position, or should wish to
retire into private life, there will be trouble
in prevailing upon others to fill their places.
this important conference, we shall know more
anon.