The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-05-18
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE
FOLLOWERS OF JOHN WESLEY
Assemble in General Conference at
Omaha Summary of Proceedings.
MEnNrsnAY,s srssInN

wEDvEsDAY's SESSION.
AT to-days session Of the Methodist Con-
ference, Dr. Gray, of Philadelphia. offered
q res luton providing that each bishop be
assigned to q prescribed territory for four
years. and that the Episcopacy be divided
into as many districts as there are bishops.
DR. Webb, Of East Ohio, in the interest of
the ministers, offered resolution that the
Conference remove the time limit from the
pastorates. Both resolutions were referred
without debate, but were received with evil
dent pleasure.
The lay delegates, through John Field, of
Philadelphia. presented memorial asking
for equal representation in conferences.
A resolution asking that seven bishops.
five ministers and five laymen be appointed
to attend the General Conference of the
Methodist Church South, and lay before il
the action ofthis General Conference. which
believes that the interests Of the Church will
he increased by the umalgamaion or the
Church North and South, was referred TO q
special committee.
The report of the Constitutional Commits
sion was then taken up. ane protracted
debate followed respecting the constitution
al status cf lay delegates Discussion of the
report was pending when the Conference
adjourned until tomorrow.
THCEspNY's SESSION.
Bishop Joseph W. Newman presided
Rev Ialstead of Indiana !, q the devotional
vorng the amalgdmation of the Freeman's 9
Aid and Southern Education Society and
the educational society of the board Of edu-
cation. The resolution was referred to n
special committee for consideration. The
regular business was suspende for the pur-
pose of resuming the discussion uf the con-
.tituiional revision. DR.. Buckleys motion
to indefinitely postpone the constitutional
question was carried by vote of 233 ayes TO
0noes.
Following is the full text of the substi-
tute for the report of the constitutional
commission, which was adopted by the con-
ference
The section on the general conference in
the discipline Of ls0S, as adopted by the gem
eral conference of lS0s. has the nature and
force Of q constitution. That section to-
gether with such notifications as have been
adopted since that time in accordance with
the provisions for amendment in that
section is the present constitution, and IL
nov included in paragraphs 81 10 ~ inclu-
sive in the di.cipline of the Methodist Epis-
Copal church of lSSS excepting:
First, The change of the provisions for
the calling Of an extra session of the gen
erai conference from an unanimous to q
two-thirds vote of the annual conference;
and
Second, That which is known ne the
plan of lay delegation as recommended by
t7e-genurui conference of 1868 and passed by
the general conference of lST2r
This is regarded as "A sort of compromise
between those who hold that the plan of lay
representation is not part of the constitu-
tion and those who hold that it was in
reality. II seems victory for the former
with the admission on their part that the
prin 'iple of lay representation is in har-
monr with and supported by the constitu-
ton.
FRIDAYS SESSION.
Bishop Goodsell presided to-day. Rev.
Thomas Hanlon, of Pennington Seminary
Introduced n resolution declaring that the
Methodist Episcopal church should come
out squarely on the great struggle between
capital and labor being waged in this curr-
try. He declared in his remarks that the
church had not shown sufficient sympathy
for the toiling millions. His resolution was
referred A delegate from the Indiana Con-
ference introduced resolution to change
the rules so as to admit women as lay dele
gates in the General Conference, and to in.
struct the annual conference that either
men or women may be elected as delegates.
Referred TO Committee on Lay DELEGATES.
The Conference adopted the report Of the
Committee on Revivals giving unordained
preachers, serving as pastors, authority &c
solemnize marriage where the civil law gives
such authority. Memorial services occupied
the Conference from this point on Confer
ence finally adjourned until Monday.