The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-26
THE METHODIsT CONFERENcE

OMAHA May 25-In the Methodist con-
ference this morning the committee on lay
representation reported In favor of equal
lay and clerical representation IN the gen
eral conference, TO consist of one layman
and one ministerial delegate for each
forty five ministers in the annual confer
euces.
A spirited debate ensued, followed by
decidedly close votes in the ballots.
Dr. Neely called for a vote by orders
upon the committees report.
The result was as follows: Lavmen-
for. 2l3; laymen-against, IL: ministers
for, 1877; ministerS-against, 10S
The chairman held that the report had
been adopted by the concurrent vote of
both orders. Some of the delegates held
that it required a two-thirds majority of
both orders TO carry vote when there
was division. The question was referred
to the Judiciary committee.
The committee on seating the next gen.
eral conference submitted a report, favor
ing the separate seating of lay and minis
terial delegates, having a section set aside
for the laymen. Adopted.
The report of the committee on judiciary
touching the prerogatiyeS of the bishops
at meetings of the book committee when
vacancies were to be filled held that the
bishops had the right to discuss questions
before the committee only when that COM
mittee gave them such a privilege, aud
had no right to vote in meetings of the
book committee The report was adopted.
traternal greetings were received and
read from the Presbyterian general as
6embly in session at Portland.
The only matter OF lmpor. ance handled
ut the afternoon session was Lue report of
the committee on episcopacy touching the
action of Bishops Taylor and Thoburn in
ordaining missionaries aud deaconnesses
1T seems that Bishop Taylor, who is a mis-.
sionary bishop, and has episcopal authority
IN Africa only, ordained missionary in
England last fall, and the question was
raised as to his right to orQain ANYBODY
outside his territory. The committee re-
ported OF the matter to the effect that a
missionary bishop had the right to ordaiu
missionaries for work in his own territory.
even though he might not be at the time
OF ordination in his own territory, pro-
Vided that the services of another bishop
clothed with full episcopal authority could
mot be had at the time without great in
convenience.
In the matter concerning Bishop Tho
burn, the committee reported that be had
employed form of conservation services
not authorized by the church. He had
JaId his own hands on the heads of the
ueaconesses in the conservation services
and had spoken words not authorized in
the discipline. The committee did not
condemn Bishop Thohurn, for be had ex-
ceremony for the censecration of dea-
Conesses in the church was rather in
definite, he had employed a form he
Thought would be impressive, and had no
Sntention of violating the rules of the
church or of setting up precedent.
The report of the committee was
adopted
Allvely contest took place over an effort
to unite the Order of Deacouesses and the
Woman's Home Missionary society by
placing the deaconesses' work under the
supervision of the missionary society, but
the matter was finally tabled.
Adjourned until evening.
At the evening session the judiciary COM
mlttee reported on the question of ma
Jority raised in connection with the vote
on the report adopted this morning pro-
vlding for submitting to the annual CON
ference the matter of allowing lay repre-
sentatlon equal to ministerial in the quad
renpial conference. The committees de-
Cided that two-thirds majority of the
two orders was unnecessary when n two.
thirds vote of the aggregate was had, with
a clear majority in each of the orders The
matter will now so TO the annual confer
1erences
The place for holding the next general
conference will be decided upon 6y the
book committee.
A memorial thanking the people of
Omaha was adopted.