Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-03
U,HE MEMORIAL CHAIR Is HERE READY

HIHE MEMORIAL CHAIR Is HERE READY
l. for the admiration which will be showered
upon il and the use to which it will be put.
Above its massive proportions the American
eagle spreads his wings. but even that dis
tinctively new-world emblem fails to detract
from the eminently British character of the
religious throne, for that is what it is. There
is solidity ard firmness in design and makeup;
il looks as though it could defy an able-bodied
man and an ak for at least an hour or two
The man who built that chair had interesting
material to work on, the timbers being an oak
beam taken from tho old City Road Chapel,
London Perhaps this inspired him to excel
himself but whether it did or not the result of
his toll shows no flaw, nothing unfinished
Very many of the delegates of the ecumenical
conference will not be near so tall as the back
of the chair, and only half dozen of them will
weigh as much
Surmounting the back is tho eagle referred
to- against its breast being the starred and
striped shield of the United States. appropri-
ately colored. OF stripes there is a suticiency.
but the stars number only thirty four. Beneath
the eagle and the shield Is carved the motto,
'-E Pluribus Unum, the letters being colored
crimson According to the specifications there
should be hon on each side OF the eagle,
one bearing the royal arms of Great Britain.
the other supporting the heraldic devices of
Canada and the colonies. but as matter OF tact
but one lion arrived; the Canadian Is missing.
The vacancy will be supplied as soon as posi-
BILE Immediately below the national bird and
the national motto Is q very finely carved me-
dallion of John Wesley. and on the right and
left Of the founder is the quotation:
Unite the pair long disjoined-
knowledge ard vital Iiety."
The arms of Christ Church College. Oxford,
are painted on oval shield on one upward con-
tinuation of a chair arm. and opposite 1t is a
blank shield. on which will be painted the arms
of the American University. The arm rests
are. like the remainder of the woodwork. of
solid oak, carved TO represent winged lions;
above these are palms. emblematic of peace.
On the front of the framing. beneath the for
ward edge Of the seat, Is carved the year
1881" The seat and back are upholstered in
garnet-hued embossed leather. The cost of the
chair and foo'stool (for there is footstool to
match) was $3.50.
The identity of the donor has not vet been
clearly disclosed but the general impression is
that the Rev. Thomas Bowman Stephenson,
president of the Wesleyan Methodist confer
ence. is the generous individual. Rev. c. W.
Baldwin, secretary of the American University,
was the first man in the United States to sit in
the chair, with the Rev. DIR. Elliott a close
second
- The chair will be used by the presiding Off
Ger Of the conference during all the sessions
and il will then be put away until the American
University Is an accomplished fact
PRECIOUS WESLEYAN RELIC.
II 10 not improbable that the Bible which will
be used in the religious services of the confer
ence will be the object of more well-founded
curiosity than anything else-animate or in
animate-eonnected with the great gathering.
Bishop Hurst, who has done more for the well
fare Of the conference than any other man. has
secured that copy of the Scriptures known
the "Epworth Bible" 1t used by John
Wesley's father in the church at Epworth and
by clergymen who succeeded him. The relic is
precious one and has. at the bishops solicita-
ton, been loaned to the conference.
THESE ARE THE LAWS.
Outlines of the rules governing the confer
ence in its deliberations were printed in The
STAR some time ago. Since then there have
been amendments, and now the rules and regu-
lations are fixed as follows:
l. For convenience of organization and
for the purposes of equity and fraternity. the
whole Methodist community shall De include
In four general divisions, follows:
First division-The Methodist Episcopal
church and the Methodist Episcopal church
south
Second division-Other Methodist churches
In the United States and Canada
Third diTision-The British Wesleyan Meth
odist churches.
Fourth division-Other British Methodist
churches.
IL is understood that the several churches
OesCtlCtu Inclusive OF tIelr Respective mis-
SION fields and aiiiliated conferences
2. There shall be business committee con-
sis:ing Of twenty members six vi whom shall
be selected from the first division. four from
the second division, Eve from the third division
and i've from tho fourth division
Two iron. each division shall, II practicable
be laymen- This committee shall be chosen by
the eastern sld western sections Of the execu-
tive COMMITTEES, on nomination Of the members
Of said executive committee representing re-
RuectlyelN -le several cgns-al dlyt.iDr,g The
nrst named on the business committee by the
FIRST western division shall be the conyener, but
the committee shall choose by ballot its own
chairman and secretary. All questions. pro-
posals, resolutions. communications other
matters not included in the regular program
OF exercises which may be presented to the
conference shall be passed to the secretary,
.ead by their titles Only and referred without
debate or motion 20 the business committee.
A period at the close OF the regular program OF
the final session If each day shall be set
apart for reports FROM the business committee.
but the reports Of the business committee shall!
~ all times be privileged and shall take pre-
cedenee OF any other matter which may be
before the conference.
8. The business committee shall appoint
some ono to preside at each session OF the con-
ference, and in the following maHner--to wit
at the nrst session from the first division; at
the second session from the third division; at
the third session from the second division; at
the fourth session from the fourth division; re-
Re@doB Anis ofuer uurinB tne continuance OF
the conference.
l. The business committee at the opening of
the frat regular business session of the CONFER
ence shall nominate four secretaries, one frou,
each general division, the named from the
FIRST division TO be chief; but if the nominations
thus made shall fail of confirmation, in whole
or in part, then the conference shall proceed 70
al the vacant place or places in such manner
- 10 may determine; provided, that the mode
Of distribution herein indicated shall be main
tanned
8. Every session Of the conference shall be
opened with devotional exercises, to be con
Quoted By some person selected by the presi
dent Of the session
8. The first hour Of each forenoon session
after devotional exercises and reading Of Jour
nal ahall be set apart for the presentation Of
resolutions or other papers not included in tho
Regular program Every resolution must b,
reduced to writing and be signed by at leas
two names The conference may, at any time
eloss the morning hour and proceed to III