The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-12
GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Methodists Convene in Omaha in Ouadren
NAL Session.

Methodists Convene in Omaha in Quadren-
NAL Session.
At Omaha, Ncb., May 9, the 21st Quadrcn-
NAL General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church opened by Scripture reading
by Bishop John p. Newman, followed by moro
religious service. Tho Secretary chosen was
DIR. S. ID. Monroe, of Pennsylvania. The old
trouble between the lay and ministerial dele
gates came to the surface at once and ended
by the lay delegates securing separate seats,
upon the matter being put to vote.
In the evening the delegates were given a
reception by the Mayor and other city officials
The second day there was much wrangling
over trivial matters. But at length plan OF
organization WAS adopted containing princi-
paliy the provisions that there shall be ~
standing committees, as follows: Episcopacy,
itinerary, boundaries, revisal, temporary needs
Of the church. missions education, church ex-
tension, Sunday schools and tracts, Freedmen's
aid and work in the South; that each COM
mittee shall meet at the time and place ordered
by the general conference and choose Chair
men and Secretaries under the supervision of a
Bishop.
In the evening great mass meeting was
held in the interest of church extension.
More wrangling marked the opening of the
session Maya. Then the committee were ap-
pointed. The Episcopal address was read by
annnm has been prosperous one in the Church
and that no Bishops had died. Tho Bishops
have made more gan $4,000 assignments of
ministers aId families, with but little dissatis-
faction. Work in foreign fields has been given
special cure, and numerous visits by Bishops to
foreign lands have been made with beneficial
results. The book concerns of the Church are
the largest in the world There have been no
dssensions in tho Church, and there is more
intelligence and less bigotry in the pulpit. The
membership during the past four years has
grown rapidly, and now numbers 1922, 694
communicates. Four hundred and forty-six
thousand souls have been added to the Church
during the four years by comparison with four
years preceding. Contributions to all mis-
sionary societies have increased 1894. 100.
Higher education in the ministry is mpera-
tive, and no man should be allowed in our
schools whose loyalty to the doctrine of our
Church is not steadfast
The Epworth League received great praise
as a mediator between Snnday-school and
church. 1t has in three years sprung up from
nothing to 5000 chapters with 100000 men,
bers. The National University at Washington
is announced as certainty, and liberal endow-
ments asked for. millions being Necessary for
its equipment. The Woi,Ian's College in Bait-
more was also commended.
The continuation of foreign languages and
customs by immigrants in this country is
wrong" the Bishop said, "and we opposed
to the teaching Of foreign languages in our
schools" Total abstinence is imperative. The
Capitalization Of wealth and the Chinese ex-
clusion act was condemned.
The report declared the union of church
North and South-is drifting closer and closer,
and the North still held out its hand of well
coming. fasNl
The session Of May 5 was taken up with mo-
tons and petty arguments very little business
being done besides the receiving and reference
of certain reports. ioE
The first business OF the next day was the
report of Bishop Thoburn ON missionary work
in India and Malaysia. The Methodist Church,
he said, was teaching and preaching the Gospel
there in 13 different languages
The next day the address of Bishop Taylor,
of Africa, on evangeization in Africa. His
plan was to establish mission farms, stock them
with the necessary tools and implements and
place on tfem number of boys and girls
equally divided, and teach them the Christian
religion in addition to agriculture and in
dustry. When they grew up they would pair
in wediock and thus build up Christian COM |
munites and, finally. Christian dominion.
Parliamentary tactics stole the time for the |
rest Of the session.
Women aud dancing agitated the reverend |
brethren on Monday. Tho women's question
was sprung in the form of resolution by j. B.