Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-03
MErHoDIsrs AT OMAHA.
Opening Of the Twenty-fourth Ouadrennia,
Conference.

Opening Of the Twenty-sourth Quadrennial
Conference.
The twenty fourth quadrennial conference
Of the M. E. church was called to order at
Boyd's Opera House, Omaha, yesterday morn
ing by Bishop Bowman and Mr.. s. Monroe was
elected permanent secretary. The morning
session was devoted to q discussion Of the
proposition to seat the lay delegates separate
from the clergy. During the discussion DIR.
John Lanahan said he wished to congratulate
the laymen upon the demand. He had always
believed that the laymen had been at Q great
disadvantage in sitting among the ministers in
the conference. He believed that the laymen
would have more influence by being seated
separately. He believed that the ministers
would be pleased to have the lsymen seated
separately if they wished to have it so.
Mr.. Sinkle of Kentucky vigorously combated
the idea Of separate seating. Il do not con-
graduate the laymen upon this demand for
separate seating" said Mr.. Sinkle. Il know
that we had the meeting the other night, and
seventy-one out of about one hundred laymen
voted for the separate seating. They wanted
the sheep and the goats separated. Some
thought they should be called sheep and lambs
Well, want to plead for the lambR / want
the laynen and ministers seated together. I
want the advice Of the ministers, and want to
get advice occasionally from the laymen. II
we are seated separately it will have the ap-
pearance of antagonism.
''The Methodist church is not divided body
II is one church for ministers and laymen. II
we laymen are showed off in one corner We
shall appear to be interlopers when we 60 over
to speak to the ministerial delegates. I want
equal representation in the conference for the
laymen, remember, but l am opposed to the
separation of the lay and ministerial delegates
Please. brethren, do not separate the laymen
from the ministers. do not want to be sepa-
| rated from the ministers.
Il have never yet been advised in general
conference to do a wrong thing By a minister
l hope, brethren, this resolution will not carry,
1t is wrong STEP and we shall regret 1t if the
iaymen and ministers are separated.
MIR. Murray, Of central Pennsylvania, o lay
delegate, said they were glad to do honor to
the minister's but they wanted to be seated by
themselves for the influence it would give in
the conference. They had lost their individ-
uallty heretofore. as nineteen laymen had been
lnterspersed between over 800 ministers. One
advantage the proposed order of things would
give would be the possibility of comforting to-
gether. They merely wanted to be placed on
an equality with the ministers.
MIR. Field of Philadelphia said that there
was no thought of arousing antagonism be-
tween the laymen and the ministers. The de-
SIRE was to create a closer union, by placing
the laymen where they could do the most for
the interests they represented.
DIR. j. VI. Buckley, editor of the Christian
Advocate OF New York city, then took the floor
He said the object of giving laymen represent
tation IN the conference was not to increase
the size OF the body. but to secure the assist
ance OF the laymen IN the framing of the laws
Of the church Had the laymen been given
fair chance to exercise equal power with the
ministers? DIR. Buckley thought not He re-
counted the history Of the conference legisa-
ton upon the subject. and held that the laymen
had been Handicapped by failing to get sep
arate vote in the conference when they had de-
manded it.
''Nine-tenths of the laymen," said he, tat
tend but one general conference. but the min
lsterial delegates usually 90 to conference after
conference, and the bishops who preside know
them The bishops are not acquainted with
the laymen and when they arise on the floor
OF the conference along with half dozen min
listers what Is the usual result? The presiding
| officer usually recognizes some ministerial dele
gate and the laymaD sits down"
DIR. Lewis G. Curtis OF Chicago said that 1t
was simply n question of privilege for the lay
men and not of compulsion. II they wanted
to sit by themselves the ministers could not do
less than to grant their request
F. II. Root of Buffalo, a layman spoke in op-
position to the separate seating scheme lie
wished to see harmony and unity all through
! and he believed that separate seating would
result in a semblance, at least, of dlscord and
| a lack OF unity of purpose.
Ex-Gov. Evans of Colorado stated that some
body had evidently been scared before they
were hurt. There seemed to be little appre-
hension that they were not all members Of the
same church. lie could not understand why
the ministers were afraid that the laymen think
1t wise to condemn thing just because it was
proposed by layman of the conference. and
hoped the ministers would see that there was
danger III voting against the resolution.
After long wrangle, during which many
amendments and counter motions we're made
la1 70 al lo Jala
who so desired to select seats separate from
the ministerial delegates.
On motion Of DIR. Pullman, section OF the
hall was set apart for the delegates, and then
This lasted until 7:30 in the evening. when the
conference adjourned before the drawing of
lots had been completed.
THE CoLoRED METHODIST
The quadrennial conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal church, which is to con-
/ tinue three weeks, began in Philadelphia YES
terday. Nine bishops and 317 delegates were
present. representing every state in the Union
In addition. delegates are present from Canada,
Nova Scotia, Bermuda, San Domingo, Bayti,
Sierra Leone and Liberia. Among the notable
persOnages, lay and clerical i'll attendance at
the conference are Bishop D. A. PAYNE OF Ohio
now In his elghtieth year, who has occupied
the episcopal chair for forty-two years. and
who is the founder of the S150,OOO university
near AeHld. OHiO. N.AA. whitman OF Arkansas,
DIR. W. b. Deralck. West Indian by BIRTH
who represents the New York conference; j, E.
Lea, a circuit judge in Florida, and Bishop
Tanner. who is foremost in the religious litera-
ture of his race.
The most important business to be trans
acted by the conference is the selection OF
three bishops, two to fill the vacancies made
by the deaths of Bishop J. P. Campbell of this
city, and Bishop II. Il. Disney of Atlanta, and
an additional to be resident African bishop.