The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11
WORK OF THE CONFERENCE.
THE DELEGATES TALKuPON VARIOUS
SUBJECTS.
Great Interest in the Approaching Election
of OGlcers-The Work OF Grant University
TO BE Investigated-Address of DIR. Azoul-
ton of England-Other Matters.

metnodlst eplscopal general conference TO-
day. The Rev. Mr. Curt OF the Italian
mission officiated in the devotional ex-
ercises.
There has been a lively contest in the
organization OF the temperance committee
among those who desired to be chairman.
the Rev. J. C. Evans of Illinois, Prof. W.
i. Whitlock of Ohio, Dr. a. J. Kynett of
Philadelphia and the Rev. Ii. L.
Pendleton of Kansas were most active.
The Rev. J. q. Evans secured the
election by majority of two
votes. The temperance committee is
looked upon as a very important one.
Several delegates absent thus far in the
conference arrived today and answered TO
roll-call. DR.. Neely of Philadelphia pre-
sented the conference with very hand
some record of the work of the constitu-
tional commission. The order of the day
was taken up at 10:30 being the report of
Bishop Thoburn OF India and Malay. The
methodist church, he said, was teach
ing and preaching the gospel in India and
Malay in three different languages
Bishop ThOburn's report gave a de-
tailed account of the work done
In the three annual conferences.
1t stated that the work in India
was in excellent condition. The working
force from America had fallen off some,
but the work had continued TO grow.
Tn membership had increased nearly
thirty thousand during the quadrenial.
The methodist Sunday-schools in India
now have a membership of over fifty
five thousand, an increase of $4,000
during the four years past In the day
olc la oh 10
pills in India. The people by the thous-
ands were giving up their idols, and the
native ministry was rapidly increasing
both in numbers and efficiency. The report
warmly commended the work of women
in the missions of India. The church has
established three publishing houses and is
sending out pamphlets and periodicles in
nine different languages from its own
presses. The report recommended that
there be five conferences organized, IN
stead of three. The conferences are too
large at present, compelling some OF the
ministers TO travel two or three thousand
miles 10 attend them. The report urged
the necessity OF enlargng upon the work.
"The day of small things is past" said the
bishop.
I'VE must take up the work before US
and carry practically the responsibilities
laid upon us We do not know what may
happen tomorrow, but we do know that
the sun never sets in the morning. 1t is
just morning in India. Let US be mp and
doing while the light lasts" At the con-
clusiOn of Bishop Thoburn's address,
which was heartily applauded, the confer
ence sang, The Morning Light is Break
ing"
On motion of DR.. Hamilton the report
of Bishop Taylor of Africa was made the
order Tor tomorrow at 10 O'Clock. The
conference the requested the committee
appoi nted the previous day to prepared
resolution upon the Chinese exclusion
bill. Judge Lawrence submitted the re-
port which stated that the committee had
learned that the bill had already been
signed by the president and it was, there
fore, too late to take action until the exact
wording and condition of the bills bad
been asceTtained. DR.. Swindell offered q
minority report to have the question re-
ferred to the committee on the state of
the church. He feared the passage of the
Chinese exclusion bill would jeopardize
the lives and the property of missionaries
in China and hs wanted the matter
thoroughly considered and disposed of so
that the conference might be thoroughly
informed as to the actual state of affairs.
The exclusion bill matter was finally re-
ferred to another special committee OF five
ministers and four laymen. The confer
ence adjourned at ! o'clock. During the
discussion DIR. Leonard denounced the
president and congress, and said that the
Chinese had the same right here as
other foreigners, notably the Irish.
He believed this conference should take
action in no uncertain tone in relation to
it. Mr.. Buckley of New York asked that
the matter be referred to q committee in
structed TO get copy of the bill and make
a clear report on the subject. DIR. Swindell
again made an earnest plea for action on
the bill. lie argued that unless some
action is taken the country would regard
the conference as approving the bill.
This bill, be said. was the most inidui-
tous measure ever passed by the congress
of this country. DR.. Edwards of Chicago
later took the floor. He said it was po-
litical measure. This bill, he added, is a
sop to the steerages now unloading at Bat
terry park, New York. 1t was rushed
through a democratic house, passed by
our noble senators and signed by our well
nigh unimpeachable president solely for
political effect. He moved to refer it to
the committee on missions.
Dr. Payne of Cincinnati said the church
should show now that it was not con-
trolled by any partisan bias and that no
political party manages it. de believed
the conference should show that it does
not approve such political measure. and
moved to send the matter the church COM
mittee. He was wildly applauded. DIR.
Buckley again secured the floor and de-
nounced all reference TO politics, saying
that the man who would try TO build
up one part or tear down another
in this conference is nothing but dema-
gogue. Finally the matter was referred
to a special committee consisting of five
ministers and four laymen. There was a
universal sigh of relief when the question
was disposed OF.
OMAHA, may 9-Delegates to the general
conference assembled in the exposition
hall this morning looking considerably
disgusted with the weather, but ready to
take up the work OF the conference
with energy and earnestness. Bishop
Vincent presided and the devotional eX-
ercises we're conducted by DR.. Mckinley
of New York. DIR. Hammond OF San Fran
cisco offered resolution referring to the
entertainment of the next general con-
ference. A special committee was APP
pointed to consider the subject. reso-
luton was offered calling on the
committee on episcopacy to ascertain
if either of the missionary bishops had
ordained anybody outside of the special
territory to which they have been assigned,
and if so. by what authority they had