The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-12
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE
OF METHODIST-E EPISCOPAL HURCH
CONFINES IN BALTIMORE.
The Question of Admitting Lay Delegates
to the Conference and EIecting Presid-
ing Elders to be Considered.

BALTIMORE. MD, March n.-Bishop
Henry Warren. OF Denver. Col. this
morning called TO order the one hundred
and twelfth annual session of the Baiu-
more Methodist Episcopal Conference
The visiting clergymen made their way
to the old Broadway church in the heaV-
lest snow-storm of the winter. Ihey en-
joyed the discontinue Of the Local. mem
bers and others who were yesterday en-
tolling the beauties Of Baltlmore's baimy
climate. one hundred and sixty minis
tors answered the roll-call at O'CLOCK
several came in thereafter until the Iuii
membership was present Within the al
far rail with Presiding Bishop warren
and his cabinet sat Bishop bowman,
senior bishop Of the church in the 1h4'tu
States And Am / Yet Alive was tht
opening hymn OF the initial session Al
ter scriptural reading the sacrament OF
the Lords supper was celebrated by
bishops, presiding elders, and assisting
ministers.
Bishop Bowman made a short address,
which was freely punctuated by ferFent
amens.
ITINERANT TINE LIMIT.
Rev. Or. John Lanahan and Rev. J. !.
Wright Jointly offered a resolution m re-
lation 10 the adjustment OF the tme ilinll
90 the itinerant svstern- tn" once OF
the resolution TO have the General Con-
ference refer the question Of changing
,i.- ,line ntit back 90 the annual coAie.-
cnce for further discussion before taking
final action thereon.
After considerable discussion, the resO-
luton was adopted.
The remainder Of the morning session
was devoted 10 electing officers OF the
conference and getting things in working
order Tor the general business 10 follow.
At u o'clock the conference took re-
cess until evening when the anniversary
of the Freedman's Aid and Southern
Educational Society was celebrated.
BACON RESOLUTIONS.
The conference will remain in session
until next Tuesday, and will be fraught
with unusual interest, not only 10 the
three States and the District Of Column
bia, represented by delegates, but to the
country at large
General interest is centered i'm the Ba-
con resolutions. originally offered by Rev.
George 6. Bacon. OF Hagerstown. These
resolutions provide for the admission OF
laymcn TO the annual conference IN such
proportion as shall hereafter be deter.
mined, the election of presiding elders
by the annual conference. and the Civ
ing Of coordinate power 10 the presiding
elders In the cabinet.
The preachers meetings of Baltimore
and Washington have discussed the rosa-
lutions during the pa st year, with nearly
an even division in sentiment. At least
half the conference members. it is said
do not reach the preachers, and their
votes will decide the question as far as
the annual conference Is concerned
In addition 10 the Bacon resolutions. a
resolution simply favoring lay represen-
tations in the annual conferences. which
was adopted at "A conference Of laymen
held last June. will he presented 10 the
annual and lay electoral conferences. and
viii also be carried to the General Confer
ence. These resolutions will cause the
most animated and interesting discus
sion Of the conference work
\ caucus was held last night by forty
four ministerial friends of tho Bacon
resolutions. Washington city was well
represented. and the Indications point 20
"A majority OF the clergy OF that city /
Young tn favor of the measures.
CANNOT BIZ SHELVED.
II Is said that as the matter will come /
mp on the report Of committee Of the /
last conference. IL can be called M ar I
any uine. thus preventing the Bishop /
rom shelving the resolutions until tho /
closing hour Of the body. as Mr.. Racon /
stated on the floor last March was done .
by Bishop Andrews.
\ number Of changes will be made In
me pastorates by reason Of the expiration /
OF time limits under the itinerant system
ana delegates to the General Conference. I
the governing body OF the church. which /
VIII meet at Cleveland. o.. Nav 9Th. viii /
be elected. Heretofore the Baltimore Con-
ference with membership OF 200 has
been represented by four ministerial dele.
gates. This year the conference MEM
retshlp has so increased that a fifth dele
-ate Is nkely 10 be chosen. Besides the
delegates. two lavmen viii Ia
chosen by the lay electoral conferer.r
Nhich VIII meet here next Friday. !