Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-05-27
THE WORK is FINISHED
And the Methodist General Conference
Has Adjourned.
THE LAST, A LIVELY SESSION,
And Many Matters Of lmpOriancs Were Considered
The Question Of Admitting Women as Lay Del-
sgaies-RsprsssntatiOn Cut Down From
One for IS Ministers 10 One for 30.

OMAHA. NEB., May 96.--"Blest be
the Tie that Binds" was the hymn
sung at the opening OF the last day OF
the Methodist Episcopal General Con-
ference this morning. Bishop Fitz-
gerald was In the chair. IL was evident
that some OF the delegates had already
taken their departure, for there were a
number OF vacant seats In tie hall.
Bishop Andrews from the Sitting Com
mittee reported that the committee APP
pointed the evening before had done
some vigorous slaughtering OF insignih-
cant reports. But the reports consigned
to the waste basket would never be
missed.
The committee recommended that the
reports touching the book concern be
first considered, for they had TO do with
with matters OF business that must be
attended 10.
DR.. Hunt, OF the New York book con
cern, was given the floor TO state several
points in the law governing the book
concern that needed 10 be disentangled.
The report OF the Book Committeo
adopted the previous day had run
against some previous rules In The
discipline that needed TO be ad-
justed harmoniously. The principa'
point that DR.. Hunt wanted cleared %
was the change made In paying the
missionary bishops. DIR. Hunt is treas
urer OF the missionary society, and as
the conference had voted 10 take the
salary OF the missionary bishops out OF
the missionary fund, instead OF the
Episcopal fund, DE-. Hunt wanted 10
have some instructions as 10 how and
wAen and how much he should remit 20
the missionary bishops. The committee
on book concern was instructed 20 fx
the salary OF the missionary bishops,
and instructed DR.. Hunt as TO how the
funds should be remtted. Bishop Tay-
Tor Is very much averse 20 taking his
salary out OF the missionary funds.
The committee on the state Of the church
reported in favor Of the appointment OF a
commission consisting OF three bishops,
three ministers and three laymen 10 con-
slider the adviSabiity OF the organic union
of all the Methodist churches In the United
States. The report was adopted.
The committee on missions brought ia
red hot report upon the attitude OF the
Church with relation 10 polygamy. II de-
circumstances admit any one who had not
entirely abandoned the practice oil polygt-
my. Adopted.
A long discussion took place cpe<ft.1
matter OF church Psnrance, apd res0iu-
tion was adopted which provided for the
appointment OF commission on insurance
10 report a plan OF insurance az the next
General Conference.
AT last the woman question got into the
conference. The judiciary committee re.
ported that the word "laymenn in the dis
cipline did not apply 10 both sexes, but
that IL had reference 10 men only. The
committee did not mean 70 take the ground
that the women should not be admitted, but
simply that the meaning OF the word 'iay-
men" as IL was placed ia the discipline
years ago did not incllde women.
DIR. Hamilton offered substitute pro-
viding that the annual conferences should
vote upon the proposition 20 make the word
"laymenn mean men only, and In case tho
proposition was not carried by two
thirds vote then the word 'laymenn should
thereafter mean both men and women.
DR.. j. NJ. Buckley rolled out vigorous
speech TO show that the word "laymen"
had meant women. He wanted the women
TO come in early II they came in at all. DR..
Field, Of Philadelphia, held that the ad-
mission OF women would drive the young
men and boys out OF the church. He plead
ed for the young men, he said, urging tho
conference and all the women Of the
church not 10 insist upon admitting women.
a motion was made 10 lay DR.. Hamilton's
amendment on the table. 10 was adopted.
DR.. Hamilton's amendment provides that
the word "laymenp as applied 70 lay dele
gates must mean male delegates. and Ia
case this Interpretation Of the word is NOT
sustained by d two thirds vote Of the an
nual conferences and three.fourths vote
OF the general conference when the word
laymen shall mean both women and men.
and will OF course admit the women asiay
delegates. Dr. Hamilton's amendment
was ADOPTED Dy vote OF 239 10 ia
DR., Hamilton's substitute was then
adopted by vote Of 24l 70 100, 10 take the
place Of all parts Of the paper, and DC sub.
mitted 20 the annual conference.
A resolution was submitted 10 ask the
annual Conference 20 reduce the ratio 81
representation from one delegate for each
- ministers 20 one for every 20 ministers
in the annual conferences. II was adopted
by a vote OF l67 70 l23. The object OF this
is 20 make the General Conference q small
or body Tho roll was then called 10 sos
how many Of the delegates wero present
and who they were az the last session, and
after the approval Of minutes and the usual
resolutions OF thanks the Conference, after
devotional exercises, adjourned sine die.