The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-04-04
THE NJ. I. CONFERENCE.
Question Of Lay Represen-
tation Discussed and
Postponed.
QUEER MINISTERIAL COMMENTS,
Dr.. McCormack's Claim Passed and
a Precedent Established.
QUEER MINISTERIAL COMMENTS

The third days session of the Newark
M. E. Conference opened at the Centenary
M. E. Church at half-past eight this
morning, Bishop Newman presiding, and
Notwithstanding the fnclemency of the
weather, the church was well filled. The
Bishops sermon to young preachers was
on the Methods of Study" and was an
able and interesting discourse.
Solomon Parsons. OF Passaio, then sub
mitted the following resolution, which
was carried by vote of 12l to l:-
Whereas, A local option bill is now pending in
mission Of the annual ecclesiastical bodies of the
State at meeting held in Trenton; therefore
belt
Resolved, That the Newark Annual Confer
ence, holding its session at Newark, respect
fully and earnestly request the Senate to pass
fine said bill, giving to the several counties Of
this State the right to determine whether the
retailing of intoxicating beverages shall be al
lowed within their borders.
Resolved, That copy of this resolution, duly
signed by the President and Bishop, be trans
mitted to Senator Nevius who has charge of
the bill.
There was lively debate at this june
ton, but almost all favored the adoption
of the resolution. Mr.. Parsons, who in
lIOlluCC0 bu6 IcoOlAGlOA.s w do bA6 III So
prohibition candidate for Governor of the
State.
The report from the Paterson district
submitted by Presiding Elder S. p.
Hammond showed most satisfactory
state of affairs and gave evidence of a
prosperous years work in Paterson
church circle. One of the clauses or the
report read as follows:--
In connection with the revision of the
church membership we want to report
some of the entries found in our church
records. it has been the habit in some
charges of writing opposite individuals
names the conclusions or the suspicious
mittee. The following are some
of these marvellous comments,
mot Reliable, (" "Untrustworthy,v .sCon-
version Doubted = Very Unfaithful," !"
He's done the Church great injury, Z
"Does not come to Church or contribute,
and has been drunk and will not admit
IL, Run raid on her pastors dona-
tion," mo good, +" ''Slandered his pastor
in the pulpit" "Died Of Copperheadism, =
''Backslidden" and "Gone TO the Devil.v
"Of these entries we feel that it is fair
to say the most of them are of old stand
ing They may be all true, but we feel
like doing something to prevent a
by any of our younger brethren.
No record committee or pastor,
and so we have insisted everywhere,
ought to pass Judgment upon the sus-
pected and before hearing has been had
or charges preferred, or write conclusions
in a public document. We are inclined to
think that such practices net only make
us liable to charges for maladministra-
tion, but lay us open to an action of the
State for SANDER"
A very lively discussion arose when it
was suggested that the case of DR.. Nc
Cormack of Newark, who was
appointed to take charge at Paterson at
the last conference, and had refused to go
to the charge in question. A motion was
made to the effect that Mr.. Mccormack
be paid as usual with those on the sick
list. The discussion was very lively, and
the remarks showed that Mr.. McCor.
mack's action was permissible, for shortly
after his appointment, his wife was taken
sick, and that and other troubles have
burdened him ever since.~ When the vote
on the motion was taken, all We're of one
mind, that DR.. McCormack's IS action and
character were beyond treproach.
The previous question was called for,
putting an end to the discussion, and DR..
McCormack's claim was ordered paid.
The matter involved aquestion OF consid-
cradle Importance as a precedent, as it
decided the question that the General
Conference has full power to investigate
the action of its members.
On motion of Presiding Elder Brice q
claim was ordered paid to Dr. Rooney,
who is now seriously i'll at Asbury Park.
Mr. Rooney was formerly pastor at the
Linden Avenue M. K. Church, this city
The order of the day was then taken
up the question being the matter of lay
representation, which was presented at
yesterday mornings session at the re-
quest of the conference.
A motion was made TO the effect that the
6fca
ing discussion followed. The subject OF
the discussion was the letter, a copy of
which was printed in yesterdays JERSEY
CITY NEWS.
Dr. A. Craig was the first
speaker on the question, and
he spoke strodgly against the change,
admitting that the present system is un-
equal. but that the proposed change
would make matters worse. Genial
Solomon Parsons spoke very eloquently
in opposition to the proposition and in
concluding said:-
Il hold that the General Conference
will become too much of an official con-
ference if it reduces the ministerial repre-
sentation for the purpose of increasing
the lay representation. 1t would be mt
Just and not democratic. hold also that
in no church in the world has the laity
better representation than in the Meth
odist Church"
Dr. batIz, preSlueuJ OF the Drew Semln-
ary. was then introduced to speak on the
question. He argued in favor of the Gen
eral Conferences proposition. Several
otheys spoke on the question, among
them Pastor Halleron, who was opposed
to the proposition.
A motion was then offered and carried
to the effect that the Bishop address the
candidates for ordination at half-past
nine tomorrow morning. The discussion
on Law representation was then suspended
until tomorrow morning, owing to the
session adjourning.
This afternoon the Rev. Bishop An
drews will maze an address at the ami
versary of the Women's Foreign Mission
ary Society.
The anniversary of the Preachers Aid
Society will be observed this evening"
Addresses will be made by Bishop New.
man, the Rev. q. s. Colt, the Rev j.. B..
Hamilton and Mr.. W. H. Murphy.
The ANNOUNCEMENT of appoin tim ents
will not be made until Monday.
Young Heazog's Death.
Charles Parrott, who was arraigned