The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-09
METHODISM ON THE MOVE
FINE PROGRESS IN EVERY FIELD
OF CHURCH WORK.

Mexico Easily Explained - Worldly
Amusements Under Fire.
ST. LOUIS, May 8-The Methodist Epis-
copal Conference met again this morning
with full attendance About an hour and
half was consumed in calling and per-
fecting the roll When completed it showed
that there are 147 clerical and 146 lay dele
gates present.
Several unimportant committees were
then. appointed.
The quadrennial report Of the board of
missions was submitted by Rev. j. G.
Johns 1t shows that four years ago there
was debt of s100, 900, which has been re-
duced to $4,000.
The report as to the Mexican mission
shows an apparent falling of in members
from I,97S to 1888, which is explained to be
due to increased care in preparing the re-
port.
Some of the special committees were then
appointed.
WORK OF THE PUBLISHING HOUSE.
The report of the book committee to the
conference of the operations of the publish
ing house at Nashville, Tenn, contains the
following: "On March 81. 1890, the house
had outstanding of its four per cent bonds
S10,575, and this was ell the debt IL owed.
Against this it has a sinking fund made
up of good bonds to the amount Of $l0,575.
The house had on deposit to its credit, sub
| ject to its check, So, ,6S5.
"All the publications of the house are
more than self-supporting with the single
exception of the Quarterly ReuietU, and that
has sustained a pecuniary loss Of 1,270 to
the house. We believe that notwithstand-
ing this loss it has been of great benefit to
the public and we confidently believe that
its publication should be continued. The
| Christian Advocate Is not meeting with
| the circulation it should have and which its
| correctional relations demand.
THE OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS.
"The outstanding Indebtedness to the house
amounts to S161, ,79l. This is too large, but
could not readily be avoided by reason of
the fact that the sales of the hymn book
| swelled the amount largely in the latter
months of this quadrennIaL
1.-THE committee ordered all accounts over
two months old and upon which nothing
had been paid during that time to be de-
| Quoted This amounted to s27, ,S97, tn us
leaving a balance due the house of S130, S93.
1t must not be understood, however, that
this $27, ,S97 is regarded now as absolutely
lost, though much of it is so regarded"
| NJ. G. Miller and others asked that the
| ulSClplll6 U6 HL00Lueu so dS uO lOTDlu buc
signing of petitions for saloon licenses by
members. The subject was referred to the
committee on temperance.
| CONDENSATION OF DIVERSIONS.
| j. ]. Duncan of Tennessee, for himself
and others, introduced long preamble
and resolution, the substance of which was
condemnation Of "taking such diversions
as cannot be used IN the name Of the Lord
Jesus" The resolution also mentioned
the fact that the address of the bishops
called attention to the increase of worldli-
ness, and Mr.. Duncan named as worldly
diversions to be condemned theater going,
dancing, card playing, and the like, which
we're INDUCED in by members of the church
and remained unnOticed by many pastors.
Also that the use Of such expressions as
"reform theater" and Legitimate drama"
had pernicious effect upon the minds Of
the young, especially when used by minis
ter of the church. The resolution rn9t
strong opposition at first against condem-
nation OF the pastors for inactiou, the belief
being general that there had been no inac-
tion. After an animated debate, and the
defeat of motions to refer, to postpone, to
table, etc., it was adopted by a large ma
jority.
LAYMEN ON COMMITTEES.
This matter being decided another was
brought up at once which led to long dis
cussion and affects the entire laity of the
church. Rev. d. G. Kelly OF Gallatin,
Tenn, introduced a resolution to make lay
men eligible for service on all committees.
There was question as to the right Of lay
men to sit upon either the committee on
episcopocy or the committee on appeals, and
| upon this debate arose.
EQUALITY CLAIMED.
DIR. Kelley contended that in the organiza-
tion of the church by Christ equality of the
laity and clergy was established; that the
logical effect of a contrary position was to
establish an ecclesiastical aristocracy. The
church had always been democratic, and
the American republic had been erected on
the system of church government.
Rev. Ethelbert Philpot proposed a sub
stitute providing for the admission OF lay
men to all committees save that of appeals.
Rev. Hiram Walker denied that in the
primitive church a minister was ever called
upon to answer before a committee COM
posed in whole of laymen as TO bis
moral character. 1t was always held that
ministers were to be tried by ministers.
The proposed admission of laymen to all
the committees was long step toward
congregationalism. He quoted Bishop
Keener, who had said that in 1896 it was con-
ceded in the general conference that laymen
were not to sit upon committees organized
to try ministers The demand would not
stop at this point. If granted, he said, the
next demand would be for lay representa-
ton in the bishops cabinet. Then all the
bishops will have to do will be to give polite
assent to arrangements by the laity.
AN ADVOCATE OF THE LAYMEN.
Rev. Paul Whitehead talked for the lay
men. He challenged any man who breathef
to show that when the leymen were admit
ted in 1866 to representation in the general
conference that any Limitations were put
upon the laymen. As to their participation
insthe work in the general conference no re-
strictions have been laid upon the laymen.
| Then they had right to a posi-
tion on all the committees. Laymen have
served on the committees Of episcopacy and
no objection had been made before. Since
the admission of laymen to the general con-
ference there has been more conservatism
in that body, and none Of the evils that had
been predicted had come into the church.
The discussion then closed for the day
and the conference djourned, but it will be
continued tomorrow. This afternoon
various committees met in the exposition
building, which has been fitted up for their
use, where they organized aud entered upon
the work allotted to each.