The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-03
she present large and unweildy and inoress.

the present large and unweildy and inoreas-
ingly expensive body.
Another very interesting matter touches
the composition OF the episcopal board.
There are now sixteen bishopg n two mis-.
eionary bishops on the board. The differ
enoe between the two kinds OF bishops is
that the missionary bishops are chosen for
some specific missionary Neld and exercise
episcopal functions only in that particular
province. The episcopal question la one or
the storm centers. and here the cyclone mas
been raging for some time. Il ID customary
to elect additional bishops at each general
conference, but owing to the fact that the
bishops have a life tenure on their ot1oe,
md to the other fact that none has died
during the quadrennium, it 10 extremely
doubtful whether the ensuing general CON
ference will elevate any of its members to
to the great office of bishop.
Several Of the bishops are not in very
GOOD health and some are getting we'll along
in.years. but for all that it is safe to sAy
that the brethren who have been erecting
their episcopal lightning rods may as well
take Thorn down. There has been no little
dissatisfaction with the plan OF missionary
bishopa-it has never given aatlsfactlon-
and ii may be that the general conference
will direct that the present missionary
bishops, Taylor and Thoburn, be elected
full bishops, and then abolish the office OF
missionary bishop.
Il is quite likely at least that the office OF
missionary bishop will never be revived
after the incumbents saver thelr conheos1on
with 1t.
A great deal of discussion will take place
over the proposition to extend the pastoral
term. At the last general conference the
term was heightened from three years to
five years, and now it il thought the time
$500. e. ~AsII Fnrfhnr nvfnnHlnn.
MANY prominent Mcthodists think the Law
Of the church should be 10 modilsd as TO
permit a pastor to remain with = church at
least seven years c~onsecutively. Many other
prominent Methodlsts look upon this at
tempt to extend the pastoral term as an
invasion of the horored traditions OF the
church. and another step in the direction OF
the abolition of that very useful institution
of Methodism known as the itinerncy.
Originally the Methodist preacher was
shifted eyery six months. then his term was
extended to two years, then to three years
and then to five years, and now it begins 70
look very much as if, in the cities at least.
he will be allowed to stay Indefinitely.
One of the most pleasant Textures OF tue
great gathering will be the reception OF fra
ternal delegates who will bear the greetings
of other Methodist bodies. The Kew. ~.
w. f. Moulton will represent the British
Wesleyan the Rev. DR.. Albert Carman
will speak for the Methodist church OF
Canada, the Rev. DR.. J. j. Iigert, OF Kan
Methodist Episcopal church south, the Rev.
S. E. Cottrell will appear for the colored
Methodist Episcopal church, and there will
bo also representatives, of the African Meth
odist Episcopal church. the African Eplsco-
pal church, the Methodist Protestant
church and other kindred denominations.
It is not unlikely that the conference Will
ra< IN foat arY1a YnQpCura in the OlrHCG1Cn
of practical organic union with the Meth
odist Episcopal church south, which sepa-
rated from the mother church and set up
for itself nearly fifty years ago.
Among the chief events of the session are
the elections. These form a very important
part of the work of the genera! conference
There are a great many offices in the gift OF
the body and there are a great many men
who would like to be called upon to fill
them. After thu bishops, if any are elected,
the general conference will proceed to elect
the secretaries of the benevolent socletles-
viz, the missionary secretaries, a secretary
for tbs Sunday school union, one for the
education society, one for tho church extern
sion society, one for the Freedman's aid So
ciety: then come the editors of the Metho-
dist Review and the large list of Advocates,
ten or twelve of them; the two publishing
agents for the eastern book concern and
two for the western book concern; then long
lists of members of the boards OF managers
for the various benevolent societies; then
fourteen members of the general book
committee, and so on to the end OF the
chapter.
penses q larger amount Of patronage than
any other similar assembly, and the state
ment is probably correct.
The presiding elder question Will come
up again. There is not a little opposition to
the present method of appointing presiding
elders and this opposition may crystalize
into a positive protest before the session is
concluded unless something is O to sat-
isfy or mollify the DIRECTORS.
The custom now in vogue with reference
to the appointment of presiding elders is for
he chooses, arbitrarily, without consulting
either the man himself or the members of
the conference as q body or the preachers of
the district over which the appointee is to
preside. It ia readily seen that there is
ample room for the display of fevoritism or
the exercise of arbitrary power, sometimes
of a very obnoxious kind.
The Western Christian Advocate OF Gin
cinnati recently secured the views of 274
presiding elders'on the subject of a change
in the method of appointment; 1873 were in
favor of the present plan, while eiahty-one
desired a change. Out of 900 pastors who
replied to the request of the editor III
voted Tor a cnange anu lVJ against IL. IL
is quite probable. however, that the general
conference will utter some deliverance on
the meter.
The conference will legislate for the Ep-
worth league, the young peoples society OF
the church. This organization, which has
grown up entirely within the quadrennium
has developed in a remarkable me It's
third anniversary will be celebrated May Is
when great meetings of young people vii
be held in many churches. On the 22l
inst. the Epworth league will have full
swing at Omaha, and vast Preparations ar
being made for the occasion by the com
mittee at the seat of conference.
This society has nearly 5000 chapters ant
nm estimated membership of about 100000
It has also been sdopted as the young PEG
ple's society Of the Methodist Episcopa
church south and the Methodist church o
Canada. The first international CONVEX
ton will be held in Cleveland, July, 1879;
The general conference will probably cleo
a general secretary for the society an
make provision for its work as G part Of tn
church machinery.