The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-05-07
MerHopIsrs IN COUNCIL.

Opening of the QuadrennIal Assembly OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church I'm
Omaiis-rhe Prominent Questions to be
Passed Upon Daring the Conference
The Battle Of the Lay Delegates for
More Prominent observation-disclosures
zation and Preliminary Work.
OMAHA, Neb.. May s-The quadren-
nial assembly of the Methodist Episco-
pal church, better known as the gem
eral conference, in session in this city
| has brought out the most prominent
and influential ministers and laymen Of
that denomination from every state
and territory in the union
An increase in the number of bishops,
the time-limit controversy, the ques-
ton of giving the coored brethern rep
resentation on the board of bishops,
and the right of women to sit as dele
gates. are among the questions which
the conference will be called upon
to decide, while strong MEM
orial will be presented to the
conference asking it to enact
such Legislation as will enable pastors
to drop members who do not support
the church according to their ability,
to elect bishops for eight years without
privilege of reelection; to remove the
limit for the pastorate: to provide for
the election OF presiding elders with
out the nomination of the bishop. and
TO give the cabinet of the bishop the
power Of making appointments, ma
jority of the presiding elders being suf-
ficient to determine an appointment.
bishop Bowman called the meeting to
order at o'clock The session was
opened by scriptural reading by Bishop
Newman. followed by an earnest prayer
by Bishop Foss. Continuing the reli-
Cious services, DR. Lonohan. of Balti-
more. read another passage from the
Scriptures. and the congregation united
in an old Methodist hymn.
\. d. Monroe. of Pennsylvania. was
elected secretary, and chose as his as
sistants Manley II. Hurd. of Wyoming,
and Charles Hudson, of Indiana.
The permanent seating of delegates
was next in order. Immediately the
old trouble between the lay and minis
terial delegates came to the surface.
The lay delegates asked the conference
to seat them by themselves separate
from the ministers. thinking by this
means to secure greater recognition
than they now have.
When the discussion of the question
was ended another misunderstanding
arose over the manner of voting. Some
wanted the laymen to vote separately
on the question and then for the minis
IL. a.. in ha rnn
manner. Some wanted to be put on
record on the question and others
wanted viva voce vote. Yea and nay
finally prevailed and resulted as fol-
lows: Laymen. yea, 105: no, 81. Minis
terial. yea. 1872; no, 1885,
The conference reaSsembled at p.
m. at Exposition hall, where all future
sessions will be held. and attempted to
get through the task of securing seats
This was no easy job. DIR. Shicxley at
tempted to have the motion to allow
lay delegates to choose seats by them
selves reconsidered. and succeeded in
getting II so modified that if lay
man wanted to sit among the preach
ers he could.
Then a wordy wrangle ensued on the
allotment Of seats. A colored brother,
Rev. r. ii. Gilham. of Missouri, secured
the first seat and took the first one in
the house. amid much laughter.
At 6 o'clock all the seats had not been
assigned. and quite number were in
sinuating that they were not getting
fair shake in the hat.
Praise God from Whom All blessings
Flow" was sung and the delegates adj
iourncd until tomorrow.