Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-15
The Methodist Rishnns

AHO mebnOulbL bishops.
Many inquiries are made regarding
the Methodist Episcopacy and the
division Of labor arranged by the
bishops of the church. The Topeka
Capital has compiled these facts re-
garding the bishops, and they will be
of interest at this time: There are
sixteen Methodist Episcopal bishops,
all exercising supervision over the
Methodist Episcopal church in the
United States, in South America. in
Europe. Asia and Africa. No bishop
is limited to any permanent diocese.
He is expected to see every conference
in the world within twelve or fifteen
years. His diocese, therefore, changes
every year, Places Of ''rcsidcncc" are
assigned, but with no reference to
especial supervision. Bishop Vincent,
for example. last year had charge Of
the conferences in Europe; namely.
Germany. Switzerland. Norway, Swc-
den, Denmark. Finland, Bulgaria and
Italy This year he has charge of Il
conference in Kansas, one in Okla
homa, one in Delaware and one in
New York. lie will be assigned to
four or five additional conferences
during the coming autumn.
The bishops of the Methodist Epis-
copal church having this general
supervision. are given below accord
ing to seniority Of election: Bishop
Bowman of ST. Louis; Bishop Foster
of Boston; Bishop Merrill OF Chicago;
Bishop Andrews Of New York; Bishop
Warren Of Denver; Bishop Foss of
Philadelphia; Bishop Hurst of Wash
ington; Bishop Nindc Of Detroit;
Bishop Walden Of Cincinnati; Bishop
Mallalieu of Buffalo; Bishop Fowler OF
Minneapolis; Bishop Vincent of To-
peka; Bishop Fitzgerald of New Or
leans Bishop Joyce Of Chattanooga;
Bishop Newman of Omaha, and Bishop
Goodsell OF san Francisco.
There are two missionary bishops:
Bishop Thoburn. having jurisdiction
in India and Malaysia, aud Bishop
Taylor, having Episcopal jurisdiction
in Africa.
The sixteen bishops are divided into
four classes: First, those elected in
1872; second, those elected in 1880;
third, those elected in 1884, and
fourth, those elected in 1888. At
their semi-annual meeting four mem
beers of the board Zone from each of
these classcs) are appointed by
seniority In Office, to make assign
ments of the bishops to the confer
ences which they are to serve during
the next six months, and Of which
they are to have charge for the year
Each bishop presides over the con-
fcrcnces assigned to him, consulting
with the presiding elders of the con-
ferences, who constitute his cabinet
and making appointments according
to the best light he can receive from
all sources.
The itincracy of which the bishops
are the center has its disadvantage.
but IL has this advantage; that no
minister in the church il without a
charge and no charge without q
pastor. II is only in Methodism that
there is permanent pastorate. The
personnel may change, but the
pastorate itself is Interchangeable.
There are Methodist churches one
hundred years old that have never
been one hour without a pastor.
The Boston Journal has been at tho
pains TO tabulate the Republican
gains or Democratic losses In seven
States which held Stoe elections last
fall, and Pennsylvania, which hold
her election this last month, with the
following result:
Iowa, Republican gain 1891
Maryland, Democratic loss ..............I U3B
Massachusetts,, Republican gain . 500
Nebraska, Republican 900
Ohio Republican gain 40 eag
Pennsylvania, Republican gain MANN. 1875 e6l
virginia, Democratic los. IIIo
New York, Republican % ,OG,
lo'al's''''''''' ss'ss'..,,s,....,,. N2 90
This is more than the popular
plurality by which Mr., Cleveland was
! elected-and there are 81 more
States to hear FRONT