Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-05-12
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE

eEal SOhieTcHCe OF the Methodist Epts
copal Church. South, met here today
Bishop keener presiding. There are
about 800 delegates in attendance.
There following is a synopsis of the
Bishops addres
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. hot even in the most sacred devo-
tons. nor in direct evangelical labors,
have yOn greater need and right to claim
the promise. "Lo, am with you alway
even unto the end of the world" thar
now, when you have convened 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 TN glory of God, that you be full. OF
faith and the Holy Ghost, aud therefore
full Of wisdom-tirst pure, then peaceable
---whicl4 4desccnds from above.
The brotherly love and harmony whicL
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 membership distributed over SO wide
an area numbering largely over million.
We are not spit into parties with rallyns
cries either of men or Of measures, but all
| mind and speak the same thing. We con-
tidently look to this body, US well in youl
deliberations AS in your actions, T. illus
tratc 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 theiI
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 thal
| any other figures can, both the fruits OF
our past labOrs and the forces now al
| 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 G23; 6,513 local preach.
ers. an increase of 244: 1,333,o1e mem.
bcrs an increase of 187,101. Total mum.
ber of preachers and members 1,345,210.
an increase of 1GS. 1877; or, taking account
of the recently published statistics of the
Baltimore Conference, the total member.
ship is 1.347.34S, and the quadrenniaj in.
crease 10. 1871.
| How to secure the grea test efficiency OF
our ittnerant system is a vital problem.
| Few conferences now suffer from scarcity
| Of lalorers. The large number annually
recommended for admission afford oppor'
tunity for more careful selection. Reluct-
ancc is felt to lecatc. without their con.
sent, well-meanng brethren whose inef-
ticiellcy or unacceptablity 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 cundi
dates, though it be oh trial.
Modern evangelism, by its rapid devel
opment, draws to itself more and more
the thought, and we may say. tho so'iei
tude of the church. Methodism has eve
sought to combine order with progress
and responsibility with power. Our form
of discipline defines the mode of appoint
ment, duties and amenabilties of all ou
officers. Local preachers are required t.
aid the preacher in charge of the circuit
station or mission to which they beon;
in supplying the people with the ministry
of the word. Travelling ministers are as
signed by authority their fields and kind.
of service. The Quarterly, Annual oil
General Conference inquiries into an,
passes upon the life and official labors OF
every preacher. Provision is made fol
carrying the gospel into new and destitut,
places During the four years $521,
OH. 1.43 was raised for domestic missions
Evangeists do not undertake this mission
ary work. In our Judgment the Genera
Conference acted wisely In refusing tt
graft on our system the office of evangel
list. The only step that could be taken il
this direction, consistently with our gen
eral economy, would be to authorize til,
bishop when requested by an Annua
Conference. to appoint to evangelisti
work, within its bounds. for the year on,
or more of its members, with view t,
utilize on wider scale their extraordi
nary gifts as evangelists. Such legiela
ton would not however, of itself restrain
irresponsible cvangelists, whether of on
own or other communions, and would pro
duce, we fear, more discomfort and fric
tion than benefit.
The responsibility of appointing an,
directing religious services belongs to tn
preacher in charge. To hold meetings il
his circuit, ton or mission without hi
consent and against his remonsranc
would be an unwarranted obtruson, an
tend to confusion and strife. 1t may b
well in the section of the discipline o.
preachers in Charge" to add an expires
enactment against such interference
whether by local or itinerant prea chers.
We hear complaint that preachers ar
Overburdened and distracted from thei
spiritual work by the duty Of raisin
funds for various causes. Our traveln
preachers may be greatly assisted by lay
men in getting and collecting subscrT
tions, but cannot be released from direc
responsibility in this matter. They ar
the leaders of the churches, and shout
, see that they abound, as In other grace,
, also in the grace of giving.
Although the debt has been reduced
, year ago by $4,000, on account of sna
collections the present year, due no doul
to the general financial stringency in III
country, 1t now amounts to $102,OOO
Let us press the claims of the mssio
cause on the heart and conscience of OF
l people, and induce them to so contribut
that the giving shall be both a sign an
means of grace.
Today We recall the last General Col
ference of the undivided Methodist Epi
copal Church. which sat in the city
: New York fifty years ago Under Il
4 plan of separation then adopted the Met
K olist Episcopal Church, South, was o
i ganized. We desire to record our graz
s tude to God for his good hand upon u
by which we have been led and prosper,
v during the half century of our separa
/. history. We humbly and renitcntly co
9 fess that we have come far short of
!. ing our whole duty and improving full
!. our great opportunity; but we thai
God, and take courage. in review of 4
good work. which by his providence al
grace W, have been enabled to acco
- plisb