Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-09-16
METHODS OF METHODlsM.
The Interest Which Attaches to the Com
ing Conferences.

| The Interest Which Attaches to the Com
ing Conferences.
Much interest generally center:
around the conferences to be held in
Illinois this week of the Methods,
| Episcopal church, as matters which
would affect the entire future policy
of the church may come up for con.
sideration, if not for definite action.
Some of these things can only be
settled in the general conference Of
the entire church, but the delegate:
will undoubtedly consider the mat
ter, and the expressions at the con.
ference will be very good indica.
ton of the drift Of sentiment in the
church. Among the propositions,
which, if supported, would inaugur.
ate radical changes in the existing
discipline and rules governing the
church are:
Radical Changes.
l. That bishops shall hereafter be
appointed for 4 term of years and no,
for life.
.. That the Office and authority
of presiding elder shall be abol.
ished.
3. That preachers shall be Sc
lected and retained by vote of con
gregations and not by assignment o.
| conference.
| These three propositions are moi
the result of recent agitation or dis
cussion. but have for some years beer
considered by members of the church
although it has been only of lat,
years that the supporters of tn,
movement have gained noticeabl,
strength. They have been brought
up from time to time at the success
sive meetings. but have never hat
sufficient following to demand def
pite action on the part of the meet
ing.
The changes contemplated, it i.
claimed by their supporters. would
have the effect of bringing the church
in closer touch with the mass of it.
members. At the same time, it il
said also that the changes are to-
radical and sweeping as proposed tc
bring out any strong support by /:
majority OF the delegates. Says on,
authority:
Tho abolition of the Office of bisho,
would have the effect of retiring
without honor men who had spen
their lives in the service OF the
church. and lasorcd hard in it,
upbuilding. Some of the less radi
cal adherents say they do not objec
to this movement if it is put in fore,
by retiring the bishop the same a
a superannuated preacher, which
would take them out of active ser
vice. yet not deprive them of theil
authority or functions. The feeling
is that some action in this direction
should be taken, but how to do it i
not clear"
| The Pesiiing Elders.
| las to abolishing the presiding
elders. that is hardly within tho
bounds of possibility. 1t is true tina
the matter has been discussed iitfuil,
for years. The elder stand.
in the same relation to tn,
district as q commanding officer doe.
to his army. 1t is his duty to sec
that the church discipline is observed
and further he stands between tn,
church and pastor as mediator
seeing that each totes fair with the
other. There less adherents to tn,
proposition to abolish presiding
elders than to any of the others.
| Naming Their Own Preachers.
"Another matter that will be car
ried no further than to be informally
discussed is the proposition tina,
preachers shall be named and re
tanned by vote of the individual con
gregations. The present method o
placing preachers has become Sc
thoroughly fixed or established tina
it will probably not be altered. The
reasons for this are that if a preach
ers is placed with congregation
and does not seem adapted to it, oil
is poor preacher, it is obvious tina
he should be transferred. Or. if
good preacher is secured and the con
gregation is loath to part with hin
that in spite of the fact his field o
labors should be enlarged by trans
| fer -