The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-10
METHODISTS OF THE SOUTH
Many Spectators Attend the Sessions
Of The Conference.

Bishop Galloway Presented with a
Historic l-Consideration of the
Cateohism Taken UP and the Point
Raised That the Y oung Are Not Suf-
hoiently Instructed in It-Revision
of the Chapters on Discipline.
Memphis, Tenn, May 9.-Visitors were
out in force this morning, aud before the
Methodist Conference convened the most
desirable seats, both in galleries and in
the auditorium of the church, were COM
fortably filled with visitors. Nearly all
of the absent delegates have returned and
there are but few vacant seats at present
inside the bar OF the conference.
Bishop Duncan opened the conference
just as the clock in the belfry tolled 0.
DR. Brooks, of North Carolina, conducted
the devotional exercises. Bishop Duncan
then entered, and Bishop Galloway took
the chair.
DIR. Thomas Bowman Stephenson, ex-
president Of the Wesleyan conference Of
England, appeared and was introduced TO
the conference.
DIR. Brooks then presented TO Bishop
Galloway gavel made from a portion
Of the pine door sill over which the good
ministers walked 100 years ago, when
they assembled in general conference in
the room in DIR. Greenhills house.
! The reports OF the standing committees
were then called for and those presented
were read. One of the important reports
was that Of the committee on appeals,
which Is as follows: "In the case Of A.
J. Lawless, who appeals from the action
| Of the western conference, the committee
on appeals remands the case for new
trial on the ground of irregularity and
| illegality."
THE CATECHIsM.
Consideration OF the catechism question
was taken up.
DR.. Wilson said the Methodists had cat
echisms for the old and learned, but none
for the children.
DIR. West rose and asked as TO the priv
ileges Of those persons who had sent man.
uscript TO tho committee, He wanted to
know II those persons would be allowed
to withdraw their manuscripts and per-
feet them.
DR.. Matthews, venerable membar OF
the conference, made a speech favoring
the compilation of a simple catechism for
the children.
"The trouble is" said DR.. Matthews,
"they appoint great theologians on the
committee Of compilations. What do they
common people2'
DIR. Haines spoke at length of the deplor-
able absence of catechisms In the Me-
thodist Sunday school, He safd. 1--WE
are raising a generation OF Methodists
who will not be Methodists when they
are grown. The Methodist church can
not retain her hold il the catechism is not
studied" His speech was q very strong
one and elected applause
Or. Alexander moved the original ques-
tion, and his motion wasput to a vote and
prevailed.
The call for resolutions was then taken
up.
A resolution asking that the election Of
correctional officers be made q special or
der of business for next Monday was
offered and read On motion OF DIR.
Holmes this resolution was tabled.
DIR. KELLY's APPEAL.
The appeal of DR.. ID. G. Kelly from tho
verdict of the committee on trial APP
pointed by the Tennessee conference was
referred TO the committee on appeals
The hearing OF the report of the COM
mittee appointed TO revise chapters and
s of the discipline which was made the
special order of business for to-day at
previous session, was taken up.
DIR. Smithson offered q resolution that
the report OF the committee be referred to
the committee on revisas.
DIR. Whitehead and Others made
speeches opposing this, and upon motion,
IL was tabled.
Upon motion of DR.. Whitehead, the re-
port was taken up seriatim.
The committee recommended an
amendment TO the amendment to the an
swer to question !, chapter vii, on the
trial of a bishop, which "is to the gen.
eral conference, who have power to expel
him for improper conduct IL they see it
necessary
The committee recommended the in
sertion of 9try and ncquit, suspend or
expel, after ito" in answer L.
DIR. Whitehead moved the striking out
Of ''If they see it necessary" as an amend
ment.
The amendment to the report was put
and carried
The next question and answer was
read. They are as follows:
Question What provision is made
for the trial Of bishop IL he should be
accused OF immortality in the interval Of
the general conference.
Answer When a bishop shall be
under report, or be accused Of immor-
atty, three travelling elders shall call
upon him and carefully inquire into the
case, and, If they believe him guilty, and
there shall be strong presumption Of his
guilt, they shall report the matter TO any
bishop, and 1t shall be his duty to
summon together at some convenient
place not less than twelve travelling
elders, and also the witnesses by whom
the accusation is expected to be estab-
lished and the said elders shall form
be committee for the investigation of
the charge brought against the bishop,
and If two-thirds Of them believe an in-
vestigation necessary they shall have
power to suspend him until the
ensuing general conference. The
presiding bishop shall cause an
exact record Of the investigation, signed
by the president and secretary TO be
transmitted TO tho general conference.
BY this record and such other testimony
as may be obtained, the case shall be con-
sidered and determined by the general
conference without the intervention Of
another committed"
The conference then adjourned for tho