The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-05-19
THE CONFERENCES LAUGHS.
The Woman Question Brings to Light
q Kansas HumOrist.

| Bishop vincent, the venerable found
er of the Chautauqua Society, presided
at this mornings session of the Meth,
odist General Conference. The usual
routine was followed during the morn
ing until the Rev. DIR. Lowther, OF
Southwest Kansas, created great
deal of laughter by introducing the
following resolution
Whereas, this conference has de-
cided to send to the annual conferences,
the question as to whether the word
laymen should be so construed as to
include women, and,
| Whereas, it is believed by many
that on scriptural grounds women can
not be admitted to the general confer
ence therefore,
Resolved, That we also submit to
the annual conference the following
questions
Are women included in our articles
Of religion, which read MAN is very
far gone from original righteousness" :"
| While this question is pending be it
the order of this general conference
that the women of the church obey the
| apostolic injunction: "Let your wo-
men keep silence in the churches"
That they do also refuse the knowl-
| edge that comes from books, papers,
magazines, lectures, lyceums and
reading circles, and if they would
learn anything let them ask their hus-
bands.
Since "on scriptural grounds" some
OF our brethren have served notice
that they will raise this question on
the day of judgment, let the annual
conferences decide by vote whether
women are included or excluded in the
language, Every man in his own
ORDER" in Paul's chapter on the resur-
rection.
On motion of DR.. A. j. Kynett, the
resolutions were referred to the com
mittee on eligibility.
Several changes in the discipline,
recommended by the bishops were re-
ported by the committee on revisals.
The first two sections of the report
over the adoption OF the third section
OF the report, relating to infant bap-
tism.
During the debate Mr.. Buckley said
that he was satisfied that there were
In the Baptist church over half a mil
lion members who would now be in tho
Methodist church If they were given
the right to choose the way they were
to be baptized.
He moved that part of the disci-
pline be stricken OUT so that adults
baptized in infancy might be allowed
to be baptized again in any way they
might elect
Rev. A. b. Leonard opposed the mo-
tion. He said that the motion would
discredit infant baptism, and that it
would be step backward for the great
Methodist church. He said e. be-
lieve there is no person so fit to be
baptized as an infant"
Rev. S. w. Matthews, of Southern
California, said that he did not believe
in discrediting infant baptism, but he
! did believe that adults who have been
baptized in infancy, should be given
the same right to be baptized, that
unbaptized have.
Rev. DR.. j. E. C. Sawyer said that
he thought the Methodist church
would be much bettered by striking
| out the fOot-note. He was sure that it
would help the growth of the church
membership. William Fl. Daniels, of
| Northwest Indiana, created sensation
| by inquiring If the footnote in ques-
tion was the one that some one had
surreptitiously put in the discipline,
without any authority from the gener-
al conference.
The section was recommitted, with
DR.. Buckleys amendment to the com
mittee on revisals.
Ihe committee on episcopacy did
not report in accordance with the in
structions 1t had received. DR.. Buck
ley stated that the committee had as
yet been unable to agree upon the
number OF bishops it would recommend
to be created, but that it would be
ready to report to the conference the
first thing tomorrow after the reading
of the journal. The time for the com.
mittee to report was extended to that
hour. Though the committee was
unable to report, this much Is known
Of the deliberations at the meeting
The members agreed to recommend
the retirement Of Bishop Thomas Bow
man, Bishop r. S. Foster and Mission
ary Bishop William Taylor, of Africa
on account Of their feebleness and ina
bility to perform the arduous duties o
theip positions, by reason of advanced
age. This action will necessitate the
election OF two regular bishops, ant
one missionary bishop.