Huntsville gazette., 1894-05-12
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Bishop Keener presiding. There are
about 500 delegates in attendance.
There following is synopsis OF the
Bishops address:
Beloved Brethren: We greet you in the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and thank
God for the abundant tokens of His favor
amid which you are assembled. AT no
time. not even in the most sacred deyo-
tons, nor in direct evangelical labors,
have you greater need and right to claim
the promise. 'Lo,, L am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world, than
now, when you have congened to take
counsel together, and to make rules and
regulations for the furtherance of His
kingdom. Allow US to remind you that
the chief qualification for the high duties
which have been imposed upon you by the
voice of the church is singleness OF eye
to the glory of God, that you be full OF
faith and the Holy Ghost, and therefore
full of wisdom-tirst pure, then peaceable
which descends from above.
The brotherly love and harmony which
prevail throughout our connection demand
grateful acknowledgement. We have
been remarkably free from strife and fac
tions. There has been as near an approach
to unity in doctrine, and also in approval
of our general policy, as can be expected
in a membership distributed over SO wide
an area, numbering largely over million.
We are not split into parties with rallylng
cries either of men or of measures, but all
mind and speak the same thing. We con-
fidently look to this body, as we'll in your
deliberations as in your actions, to illus
trate and foster this happy condition.
In reviewing the progress of our church
during the past four years we must de-
pend largely upon the statistical tables of
the general minutes. The great pains which
are now taken to secure complete and ac-
curate reports warrant reliance on their
approximate correctness. Without them
we should be compelled to substitute
guesswork and vague impressions for at
tested facts. The numerical increase of
the church is most interesting and mo-
mentous item. 1t measures. more than
any other figures can, both the fruits of
our past labors and the forces now at
command to carry forward the work. Our
present strength is 5,4S7 travelling preach
ers, of whom 4.SS2 are on the effective
list, an increase of 625; 6,513 local preach
ers. an increase of 244; 1888. .210 MEM
bers. an increase of 167 ,191. Total num-
ber of preachers and members 1,345,210,
an increase of 16S, 1877; or, taking account
of the recently published statistics of the
Baltimore Conference, the total member
ship is 1 LAT .34S, and the quadrennial in
crease 170,191.
How to secure the greatest efficiency of
our itinerant system is vital problem.
Few conferences now suffer from scarcity
IL
recommended for admission afford oppor-
tunity for more careful selection. Reluct-
ance is felt to 1ocate, without their con-
sent. well-meaning brethren whose inef-
ficiency or unacceptability is due to de-
feet or of energy; and the difficulty
increases with their length of service.
The probation of at least two years be-
fore reception into full connection is an
Indispensable means of testing and sift-
ing. But. the door should be guarded
against the entrance of unsuitable candi-
dates. though it be on trial.
Modern evangelism, by its rapid devel-
opment, draws to itself more and more
the thought. and, we may say, the solici-
tude of the church. Methodism has ever
sought to combine order with progress
and responsibility with power. Our form
Of discipline defines the mode of appoint
ment, duties and amena abilities of all our
officers. Local preachers are required to
aid the preacher in charge of the circuit,
station or mission to which they belong
in supplying the people with the ministry
of the word Travelling ministers are as
signed by authority their fields and kinds
of service. The Quarterly, Annual or
General Conference inquiries into and
passes upon the life and official labors Of
every prea cher. Provision is made for
carrying the gospel into new and destitute
places During the four years $521,
071.43 was raised for domestic missions
Evangelists do not undertake this mission
ary work. In our Judgment the General
Conference acted wisely in refusing to
graft on our system the office of evangel-
ist. The only step that could be taken in
this direction, consistently with our gen
eral economy, would DE to authorize the
bishop, when requested by an Annual
Conference. to appoint to evangelistic
work, within its bounds, for the year one
or more of its members, with view to
utilize on a wider scale their extraordi-
nary gifts as evangelists. Such legisla-
ton would not, however, of itself restrain
irresponsible evangelists, whether of our
own or other communions and would pro-
duce, we fear, more discomfort and fric-
ton than benefit
The responsibility of appointing and
directing religious services belongs TO the
preacher in charge. To hold meetings in
his circuit station or mission without his
consent and against his remonstrance
would be an unwarranted obtruson. and
tend to confusion and strife. 1t NAV be
well in the section of the discipline on
Preachers in Charge" to add an express
enactment against such interference
whether by local or itinerant preachers.
We hear complaint that preachers are
overburdened and distracted from their
spiritual work by the duty of raising
funds for various causes Our travelling
preachers may be greatly assisted BY Law
men in getting and collecting subscrip-
tions, but cannot be released from direct
responsibility in this matter. They are
the leaders of the churches, and sbould
see that they abound. as in other graces
also in the grace of giving
Although the debt has been reduced a
year ago by $4,000. on account Of small