New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-09
THE METHODIST CONFERENCES.

The Methodist Episcopal conferences which
have Just closed their sessions i'll this city and
BROOKLYN have been of more than ordinary In
torcst, as the readers of TIE TRIBUNE nave
been made aware by the fact that the reports
Of their proceedings have occupied large
amount of space for n week past. \ Methodist
conference is never n cut-and dried, formal
dull affair. There is always plenty OF ready
and effective speakers and there is never a
lack of opportunities for them to exercise their
skill. The New-Yorl and Newly DIRK East
conferences comprise nearly 300 ministers
each, and their jurisdiction embraces all the
southeastern portion of New-lork state the
western half of Connecticut and small slice
of Massachusetts. This city is divided between
them ON the line of Third ave. and the Bowery.
When these 300 ministers como together, *
they do once year, for an interchange of
views and opinions and for the annual cap
nointmcnts." their sessions are invariably ami
mated and interesting. rs Is evidenced by the
LARGE number of McthodistS of tho yicinago
who always attend them.
There are no lay members OF the Methodist
annual conferences. but the most important
question which has come before the meetings
in Ncw-York and Brooklyn has rotated to lay
representation in the General Conference
which meets once in four years and is the
supreme lawmaking body Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Laymcn were only admitted
TO that body after a long and historic struggle.
At the last meeting of the General Conference
the question OF increasing the number of lay
DELEGATES was put in such shape rs to be sub
mittcd 10 the annual conferences for an OK
nres>ion OF opinion I'm both Of those which
have lust been held here the vote was decided
" adverse 10 an increase: which suggests that
ncrhaps the ministers arc fearful lest the
brethren of the laity may exercise too much
influence in the councils Of the Church. And
i that fear. il NAV be- asked connected in any
way with the question of admitting women
delegates which gave rise TO ono OF the liyelieSt
debates in the General Conference held in the
Metropolitan Opera House two years ago?
The effect Of the increase of the limit of the
pastoral term from three to fiv' years. which
was made two years ago. cannot yet bc fully
determined. The number Of churches which
have taken advantage Of il - retain their
pastors for the full time allowed l., however,
surprisingly small. This will strengthen the
position Of those who contend that the iin"racy
has been one Of the towers Of strength Of
Mc'hodi,m. A. matter OF fact, although
changes Of paStoraie arc compulsory after
certain period in the Methodist denomination.
such changes do not take place much more fire.
qucnty in that division Of the Church than
among sccts where different usage prevails,
Though the Bishop. with his " cabinet OF pre-
siding elders, nomnally determines 70 what
church each member Of the conference shall
20, in reality the preferences Of important
churches and preachers are invariably consult
cd That cases so rarely occur Of ministers
refusing to 90 where the Bishop has assigned
them is a good proof Of the vitality which per
vadcs the Methodist Church and OF the pIac-
teal wisdom OF the founders of the itincrlnt