Smyrna times., 1892-06-01

REV. ALFRED SMITH returned to his |
home in Smyrna on Saturday, as did the |
other two delegates to the General Confer |
ence, Rev. W. L. S. Murray and +. II. |
Adams, to their homes in Dover.
Presiding Elder Smith returns in more
vigorous health, and highly pleased with
the General Conference and the OppOrtu-
mites it offers for larger acquaintance
with the world In sitting down to lunch
one day, he had at one side, two represen-
tatives from Japan, on the other, one from
India, while the rest Of the company were
from different states of the Union. Meet
ing as one family they did not hesitate to
converse on subjects that were to them of
common interest. There were representa-
tives from all quarters of the globe, the
leading men of their place and
station, the whole numbering between 500
and 600 persons. Each delegate was on
two or three of the great committees in
which the subjects were matured for pre-
sentation to the Conference. Each of these
committees numbered about 115 men
nearly equal in size to an Annual Confer
ence. A delegate was lucky if he got to
express an opinion in one of these, and in
the open Conference, why, it was only the
great debaters, the men of long exper-
ience and large brain, who had any show.
DR.. Buckley. in this line, he thinks, stands
without peer. Bishop FOss, in a conver-
sstiOn with him, in comparing this with the
previous and Other Con ferencOs, said the
Omaha Conference was more conservative
and better Conference in every way than
four years ago. Mr.. Smith says that if the
propositions were acted on favorably that
are sent up 90 tha General Conference,
there would soon be little Of the spirit and
poiity of MethOdism, as known to OuI
fathers, left. These propositions are refer
red to the respective committees. where
they are mostly allowed TO take the slseI
that knows no awaking.
One Of the greatest debates was owe
removing the time limit, but It was defeat
ed by a vote of 240 to 160
There was 4 memorial (which got befor'
the committee room Only) to strike out al
specifications about popular forms o
amusement, such as dancing. card play
ing, etc., and making it matter Of con
science only with the individual, but it wa
defeated by vote Of 80 TO lS, and thu
did not come before the general conference
The Troy was the only conference thi
sent up the memorial.
The matter Of admitting females as de
eKaEas 70 the General Conference was on
on whieh hinged great deal of interes
especially to the female sufragists. III
disturbing question was over the wor'
siIaymen"-did it mean men only,
wculd It embrace women as well. ii
Judiciary Committee, sfter long deliber
tion, reported that it meant men only.
was decided not to settle the question the
however, but leave the interpretation
Gha word ''Laymen" to & vote Of the annu
conferences. DR.. Hamilton, the champs
ofthe women, in the confusion Of debas
xot in An amendment reversing what h
herstofore been thefule, declaring that
two-thirds Of The conferences do not vol
that the word e sLaymen" does not met
men only, why then it may mean eth
sex. As this prSsiieally gives the questi'
20 the women. they will probably be a
mitted to the next General CoufeEaRC
AS no new bishops we're elected, 9
chief interest was in the election Of Il
editors Of the different advocates, soT
oznantv in number, book agents, e.
With one or two exceptions, the prese
occupants were reelected. The Epwor
League movement was endorsed, and !
I.F. Berry elected editor Of the Eps0o'
Herald