The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-05-18
THE MErHoplsTs.

-DDITlLtu DlbCubblOn on Lne bJNbuo Va
Laymen In the General Conferonce-A
Delegate Asks for Action on the Labor
Question.
OMAHA, Neb., May 1S. S.-Itisquite prob
able that before this conference adjourns
the Methodist church will know no north
and no south. The following resolutions
offered by DIR. King, Of New York,
were read:
Resolved, That the members Of the general
conference OF the Methodist Episcopal church
rejoice greatly at the fidelity and prosperity OF
the great Methodist Episcopal church south,
whose membership has advanced from iOO,OOO 70
| 1900. 900 in the last twenty-six years
That we sympathize heartily with the desire
for reunion so eloquently expressed by Bishop
Foster, and we devoutly pray for It's speedy con-
summation.
That the general conference Is hereby re.
quested to take such action as Il may deem best
| TO secure the organic union Of the Methodis!
| Episcopal church, the Methodist Episcopal
church south and other Methodist churches
These were referred without discus
sion, the feelings Of the conference be-
ing we'll known.
The special order of the day, the re-
port of the constitutional committee,
was then called up.
DR.. Butts, of Detroit, was opposed to
the report for the reason that the deti'
milton of the constitution was not in his
power adequate and a proper interpreta-
ton and after much discussion John
Fields, of Philadelphia, offered reso-
luton postponing further considera-
tion of the report until the next general
conference.
The lay de legates presented a memo
rial In regard to equal representation.
The document sets forth that in sixty
three conferences equal representation
has already been adopted, but the older
conferences are not so favored 1t calls
atten tion to the fact that the older con-
ferences are represented in the ratio OF
one lay delegate to 26,s41 members,
while the new conferences have one del
egate to 3,542 members. The memorial
asks that this inequality be remedied
by giving the laymen equal voice in the
conference.
The action of the committee on episco-
pacy in refusing to recommend the elec-
ton Of additional bishops was the topic
of discussion among the delegates on
Thursday. The decision came like flash
Of lightning, as the candidates had all
along figured on more influence than
the bishops and they had no idea the
episcopal board could thwart their de-
sires While no disrespectful language
was used, number Of delegates said
that they thought the bishops were en-
croaching on the prerogatives Of others
DIR. Goucher addressed the con-
ference on the report Of the consti-
tutional committee. DIR. Goucher pro-
duced copy Of the discipline of 1sOS
He spoke Of the history of the church,
tracing the conferences through every
stage. In 1792 the first general confer
ence was held. In it were nd dlaymen.
The ministers had built up thN church
and the laymen claimed no rel Iresenta-
tion in its government
The discussion became spilI bed and
general, the disputed point ing the
status Of laymen in the geners confer
ence. The previous questi on ls then
ordered and all the amendm ed being
voted down, DIR. Goucher's sl Atitute
was adopted. It is as follows:n n a.
The section on the general conferdl;e In tho
discipline OF 1908, as adopted by the gel raj con-
ference OF 1908, has the nature and rec OF q
constitution. That section, together II tn such
notifications as have been adopted 81 co that
time in accordance with the proyiIbn for
amendment in that section, is the prtIent con-
stitution and is now included In parad apis 50
10 "a inclusive in the discipline Of TIC nj, IL.
church Of 1879 excepting: 1.-The chanfe OF the
provision for calling an extra session oil the gen
eral conference from unanimous P two
thirds vote OF the annual conferences I2-That
which Is known as the plan OF lay delegation as
recommended by the general conference OF 1858
and passed by the general conference Of 1877.
DIR. Buckley moved that as the church
does not understand the second part of
the report II be postponed until the next
general conference. Carried Ayes 293,
nays 100, thus disposing Of the constitu-
tlonal question.
Bishop Goodsell occupied the presiding
officers chair at the conference Fri
day. While the minutes were being
read the politicians were kept busy dis
cussing rumor that the committee on
episcopacy had decided TO reconsider It's
action and recommend that two more
bishops be appointed. Such being the
case, Earl Cranston, Of Cincinnati, has
the largest following and is conceded to
be the first choice. The committee on
a colored bishop has not reported yet,
but the same source from which the
other rumors springs, says that there
will be colored bishop, and that DIR.
Grandson, of Burnet university, win be
the lucky man. A. c. johnson is named
as Earl Gran ston's successor as an agent
Of the Book Concern at Cincinnati.
Thomas Hanlon, of New Jersey, Of
fered resolution that as the conflict
between capital and labor is widespread
and OF serious Importance, and as the
gospel alone contains an adequate REM
edy for the evils complained of, the
church ought always TO be with the COM
mon people. That the conference rec
ognizes the progress Of the conflict and
that IL pledges TO the toiling masses its
sympathies in this strife, and that in
and out Of the pulpit will do all in its
power TO effect reconciliation on the
gospel basis OF the universal brother
hood Of man. DIR. Hanlon made strong
plea for immediate passage, but II was
opposed by number and was referred
TO committee on state Of the church.
Friday nights session OF the confer
ence was for the purpose OF greeting fra
ternal delegates. Col. Elliot +. Shepard
made short address In which he de-
clared that the Presbyterians and Meth
odists were drifting nearer together.
His remarks were loudly applauded.
DIR. L. r. Fisk, Of Michigan, read the
address Of the Irish Methodist confer
ence Rev. Carmen, Of Canada, deliv-
cred the greetings Of the Canadian con-
Il. 81 n