New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-04
METHODISTS AT OMAHA.
REPORTS ON CHURCH CONSTITUTION.
OUTLINE OF A. NEW PLAN-TRouBLE OVER SEATS
PROVIDING FOR COMMITTEES.

1
| PROVIDING FOR COMMITTEES.
iBT TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUxEI
Omaha. May 3.-The Methodist General Conference
today received two reports from the commission ap
pointed in 1883 to define the Church constitution.
The majority report signed by Bishop Merrill and DR..
| Thomas d. Neclv OF Philadelphia. Is clearly designed
restrict the episcopal power: The minority report,
| signed by Colonel John W.. Ray. Of Indianapolis dc
nOunces the nMethoistic scramble Tor Office among
Methodist preachers and recommends constitutional
provision in reference 10 the working boards the c;cc
ton OF secretaries and publication officers, Elections
ont CT the way" SAYS Colonel Ray, the session reed
not continue two weeks lie also protests that as
the history OF the Church shows can't exist with
out the women: the word "members- should be sub
stuted for laymcn" In the Discipline. This change
would remove the main argument of those WHO oppose
the admission Of women delegates.
Neither report acted upon, but the first
made special order for next Tuesday. The majority
report Is conservative and able document. and
bodies parncu!arzed version Of formal new consti
tuition drawn from different parts of the code known
as tho Discipline with additions suggested
essary BY the commissioners experience. For many
years the OF the Discipline composed partly
OF rules formulated by John Wesley. but principally
OF accretohs from outside sources has caused
embarrassment The majority report, however identl
fcs the existing constitution Of the General Confer
cnce rs the document drawn up and adopted by the
General Conference Of 1855, but now embraced In a
modified form in Paragraphs ?5 TO "a inclusive.
In the Discipline for 1883. excepting the statement
as TO the definite number of delegates which IS
matter solely within the power Of the Conference,
the organized law it Is further found, includes and
limits to the articles Of religion tho general rules OF
the united societies; and the rules and regulations
enacted by the General Conference statutory and
form part OF the organized law Tho new form
OF constitution is presented to replace Paragraphs
- - ,ttai
vides that the government OF tho Church shall be
vested In General Conference which shall be com
posed Of ministerial and lay delegates. In Article
concerning ministerial delegates. the new provisions
enact that for fraction Of twO-thrds or more OF |
the number fixed by the General Conference as the |
ratio Of representation, annual conference shall be
entitled to additional delegate. Tho ministerial
delegates shall he elected by ballot by the members
Of the annual conference at It's meeting Immediately
preceding the General Conference. and shall DC at
least wentyfv years old. connected with an annual
conference four successive years and full members OF
the annual conference which elected them. An an
nual conference may elect reserve delegates not en-
ceedng three and not exceeding the number oi
It's delegates. The members Of mission con
fcrences shall have electoral membership In
annual conferences to which they may be as
signed BY the bishops having charge OF such mission
and in the annual conferences they shall
,e conntcd in the basis of representation, have the
light OF voting for delegates and upon constitutional
,langcs, and be eligible TO election delegates to
he General Conference.
Article g. on lay delegates. changes existing methods
" recurring that lay electoral conference Shall be con
titutcd Guadrennialy within each annual conference
elect lay delegates to the general conference Lay
zen not under twenty one holding pastoral membership
re eligible. Article requires that the secretaries
the annual and lay electoral conferences shall
irnlsh certificates Of election TO The delegates and send
,Ja ,gr,tar OF fho
Preceding General Conference. By Article 8. the date
the General Conference meeting Is changed to the
rst Wednesday In May. The other important new
aragraphs In this article are follows:
The General Conference shall create quadrcnnialy
Dmmisson which shall have power in case of
Emergency to change TIE place for the meeting of the
eneral Conference, with the advice of twO-thrd,
all the annual conferences. At any time In case
I an emergency extra session Of the General Con
erence may bc called by the concurrent action OF
wo-thltds OF the general superintendent and two
ii:ts Of tho commission On the place or meeting:
uca session. to he held at such time and place
ajority Of the general superintendent and also Of
re above commission shall designate. The General |
difference convened In extr, session shall be com |
Dsed OF the delegates to the General Conference I'm
ediately preceding: and shall have power to con |
der only such questions as are mentioned I'm the |
H. The other six articles provide In brief that | )
re president OF the General Conference shall decide
icsuons OF order ard the conference questions OF
W. thus restricting the power Of the presiding bishop
mt certificates Of election shall be prlma
cle evidence Of the right 10 member.
nip; that q less number than twothirds
all the delegates NAV form quorum 10 adjourn
at the final session approve the record and that the
'eneral Conference shall possess supreme cgslatv.
xecuve aud judicial powers for the government of ,
he Church. subject to the provisions OF the constu
ion.
Five hundred and four delegates present at the
penlna OF today's session. a long time was CON | ,
umed IN adopting yesterdays Minutes. and the seat ,
~ OF the delegates occupied the rest OF the morning
nd was completed amid much confusion Wilbur / .
0ggo shall and Edward ]. Mills appointed per
lament assistant secretaries. The episcopal address, y.S
,rday was made special order for this morning at 10
clock but was to-day deferred until the same hour
morrow. DR.. J. VI. Buckley. OF the New York East
elcSaon, scored a point by getting motion passed
them 10 distribute themselves among the
'ats still unapproprated In the body Of the house
stcad Of sitting together. This ingenious device will
nabc the New York delegates 10 catch the presidents
We from many directions and thus permit them 10 do "
,eir full share OF the speaking. The clerical dice,
ites. however. already installed In some OF IN. | T.
10 seat IN the laymcn's boc, objected vigorously :,
being dislodged, and much indignant eloqucnce and ;,
ergetic eavel rappine were provoked. DIR. j. ". | +
amilton. Of the New England Conference chung :,
nacously TO good seat which he declared he had ~
cupled yesterday In good faith and which John f. | {.
| II