The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-04
THE METHODIST QUADRENNIAL.

The Methodist Episcopal church will
hold its general quadrennial conference
in Omaha this week and it promises to
be one of the most interesting and i'm
portant sessions yet held, at least in the
character and import of the questions
that will be laid before the body for dis.
cussion, one of the highest interest to
many being that of women delegates to
the conference.
Four years ago the right of women to
sit in general conference was burning
question. The sisters were temporarily
excluded by their ministerial and lay
brethren, but the contest did not cease.
At the Omaha conference the question
of equality of women with men in the
highest courts of the church may again
give rise to spirited discussion.
Then there is the question of an en-
largement of the episcopacy. This may
cause much debate during the ensuing
conference. The conservatives do not
favor the raising of missionary bishops"
to full bishoprics, although there is a
strong element in favor of the change.
The multitudinous concerns of Metho-
dism must pass in final review before the
quadrennial conference. The importance
of the gathering can best be estimated
when it is recalled that not less than 1870
annual conferences will have repre-
sentatives at Omaha. The quadrennial
ic o1co hn otrctAAion Of far
poral affairs of the church and manages
the profitable book and publishing con-
Germs of the denomination.
Statistics of the growth of Methodism
in the United States gives an instructive
example of modern church building.
Though more than century has elapsed
since John Wesley's time, the ratio of
progress among his followers, both in
numbers and influence. annually in
creases. AS Methodism has grown in
power and wealth, it has, in the cities.
discarded many of its primitive features.
1t builds costly churches and has ornate
surroundings.
But the Methodism Of the rural dis
tricts, where the great strength Of the
body lies. has not materially changed.
1t Is still pioneer of evangelism and
the spires of its humble chapels are
found in every hamlet. Besides it's
work of legislation for the good of the
church, a simple review of four years of
prosperity will be an interesting feature
of the Omaha conference. 1t will con-
tinue in session for nearly the entire
month of May. presided over as usual
by the sixteen bishops in rotation from
day to day. beginning with Bishop
Thomas Bowman, of st. Louis, by virtne
of the seniority of his ordination.
The conference, which is composed Of
delegates from the annual conferences,
in the proportion of one to every forty
five ministers and smaller portion of
laymen, will consist of 25S ministerial
and 222 lay delegates. and the bishops
in attendance will be Stephen NJ Merrill
of Chicago, Edward G. Andrews of New
York, Henry W. Warren of Denver.
Cyrus D. Foss of Philadelphia, John F.
Hurst of Washington, William X. Ninde
of Topeka, john NJ. Walden of Cincin-
natl, w. F. Mallalieu of New Orleans.
Charles II. Fowler of San Francisco.
John H, Vincent of Buffalo, James n.
Fitzgerald of Minneapolis, Isaac w.
Joyce of Chattanooga, John P. Newman
of Omaha, Daniel A. Goodsell of Fort
Worth, Randall s. Foster of Boston, and
Thomas Bowman of ST Louis. Bishop
Taylor of Africa, one of the missionary
bishops, will also be present.