The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-06
SESSION OF METHODISTS.
MANY MA1rERs ARE CONSIDERED.
Frequent Heated Discussions Over Proposed
Changes In the Church-Rulings
of the Chair.

| OMAHA, NEB.. May 5.--For the first time
since the Methodist Conference opened there
was hardly a quorum present when Bishop
! Waldren took the gayel this morning and
/ called the meeting 10 order. but before the
devotional services. led by Rev. Jesse Kill
! patrick, were finished the seats began TO
rapidly fill. A large number of ladies' graced
the galleries and the parquette circle. DIR. Kill
patrick's prayer was one OF the most powerful
delivered during the Conference thus far and
from the fervent responses one would imagine
that revival was in progress.
As soon as the prelimnaries were concluded
DR.. Edwards. of New York arose 10 a ques-
ton Of privilege and withdrew some OF his
remarks Of yesterday. The reading OF the
address Of Bishop Thoburn, of India. was
fixed for 10 A. NJ. tomorrow.
The rules were suspended long enough to
authorize the appointment OF a committee OF
fifteen on general conference boundaries.
The reports of the Western book agents and
the board Of trustees were slipped before DR..
Butts. of Newark raised point of order and
shut out the report OF the treedmans Aid
Society offered by DIR. Hsrtzwell.
On motion Of DR.. Neeey of Philadelphia,
the unfinished business OF yesterday of APP
pointing a committee on supeTannuated MIN
listers was resumed. Rev. Mcdowell. of
Philadelphia. resumed his speech of yester-
day and demanded the previous question.
which was ordered The laymen favored the
special committee. but were voted down and
the report under contention was referred 10
the committee on temporal economy. Dr.
Fiske. of Detroit. asked for assignment of
the time for the committee on fraternal dele-
gates 10 receive the delegates from the British
conference. The reception will be given to-
morrow night.
FIGHT NARROWLY ADyRRTED.
Dr. Moore. OF Cincinnati. secured the floor
and offered u resolution asking for O COM
mlttee OF fifteen on judiciary 20 consider all
appeals. laws, etc. DR. Moore asked that the
committee be appointed by the conference
instead OF by the bishops. He made the
point that 10 was not good law for a court of
appeals 10 be appointed by the body whose
acts are 10 be reviewed. He had no doubt
that the bishops would be glad 10 be relieved
of the responsibility of appointing the COM
mittee and quoted the opinion of
several of the bishops before thew
were elevated TO the Episcopal board. This
brought Bishop Foster 10 his feet with the
remark that the bishops did not care TO be
dragged into the discussion. 1t was evident
that fight was on. DR.. Buckley. of Detroit.
witha copy ofthe Ecclesiastical law in hishard.
rose 10 reply T. Mr.. MOOres forcible address.
was fallaciOus. The bishops, he declared,
were more competent than the delegates Sc
lected 10 general conference. After further
discussion DR.. Quat. of Central New lork.
moved IN order 10 cOnciliate all factions. that
the bishops nominate the committee subject
10 the confirmation of the general conference.
This motion was carried almost unanimously.
A resolution offered by the Chicago Ger
man Conference 10 the effect that no member
of the Methodist Church could belong 70 or
join oath bound organizations without yio-
lating his faith and breaking the fifth com
msndment caused good deal OF excitement
and would have precipitated fight but for
the opportune action Of DR.. Buckley, who
asked that it be referred without further read
ing than the opening declaration, which was
ordered.
WENT BACK OK his RULINGS.
The reports of the Missionary and the
Freedmen Aid Societies were received aud re-
ferred. The cal proceeded in dreary man
ner nothing happening 70 break the quletude
except an occasional pass between Dr. Buck
lev and Bishop Walden over ruling OF the
Chair. The Bishop made rulings and went
back on them with startling frequency. At
one time he ruled against Buckley. who, with
a book of rules IN his hand. walked up to the
Chair. and after showing him his mis-
take said deliberately, viii you re-
woke your ruling or compel me TO make
you DuNiiNiF ubDADbiNo Aol ~ DSb 9DNA
pardon. ~ quickly reioined the Bishop. and he
at once reversed his ruling. Aresoutlon that
the conference petition the President not 10
sign the Chinese bill passed by. the Senate
was referred to a special committee in
structed 10 report tomorrow morning 10
was also decided to telegraph tho President
OF the memorial to be prepared and sent
to him At / o'clock the conference ad-
iourned, and the committee on Chinese ex-
cluson Immediately met to consider the me-
meual.