Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14
The Question as to Methodist Pre-
siding Elders.
BALTIMORE CONFERENCE DISCUSSION
Dr. Wilson Argues Against the
Proposed Change.
VIEWS OF OTHER SPEAKERS
pecinl Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
BALTIMORE, Md, March 1j.-Presiding
Elder Luther B. Wilson of the Washing ton
district made the strongest presentation Of
the opposition to the Bacon resolutions to-
day in the Baltimore annual conference in
session at Broadway Church. DR.. Wilson
conceded the first proposition for lay repre-
sentation, but protested against the elcc-
ton of presiding elders.
presiding elders are the point of con-
tact with the Ieople,' he said, "and there
fore form the point of friction. Such an
arrangement as is proposed is impractical
BILE. The confirming power ought to be
absolutely with the bishops or with the
conference
IF there would be any bcssism 1t would
be with this irresponsible majority. We
must have plsn for all parts OF the world,
and not one for single section. The power
OF our church is in its untrammeled episco-
pccy. Otherwise We would be obliged to
have national churches instead of a uni
versal church. Would that could call up
before you visions of the great leaders Of
our church who have been loyal to its
principles"
Rev. Joel Brown contended for the prin-
ciples of the majority report.
Il am for republican, he declared, "as
against monarchical reform Of govern
ment. I challenge the statement that the
present system has worked well. 1t is not
the system, but the men behind it, who
have accomplished the results. If all the
h:shons died, and if all the presiding elders
were buried, the reports of our revivals
and other church work would have been
just as good Suppose those remained who
nave been driven out of the church by its
system, how much greater would be our
church today?"
Rev. +. 7. Mowbray characterized the
proposed election of presiding elders as one
for 'spoils." He said the lay convention
had taken power away from the bishops
entirely by giving 4 majority of the pre-
siding elders the right of confirmation of
appointments.
Rev. c. Herbert Richardson said the an
nual conference remains a fence in the
common field open to the laymen on one
s!de IN the quarterly and district confer
ences, and on the other side in the general
conference. He advocated throwing down
the fence.
Rev. Dir. J. N. Davis spoke for the reso-
!utlons, and said he was the only speaker
IN favor of a similar plan proposed in con-
terence fifteen years ago. The discussion
D.os fair to occupy the remaining hours of
me session without getting TO the order for
cisst.on of general conference delegates.
howell l.. Bryant, Walter. g.. Mcneil, l..
Emcfy Benrett, jeremiah L. Winger and
Jacob NJ. Giilum were elected to deacons'
orders, and were admitted to full member
snip IN the conference Bishop Warren
limited at some of the assaults made on the
pohty or the church In telling the candidates
tney haa better stay out unless they came
INTO conference ready to support the polity
ana institutions as they found them.
when you are sent to the general cor
ference to fight for some legislative noint
Tor your brethren" he said, ''is time enough
10 commence that; meanwhile be content to
SIT quietly in your sophomore state"
John r. Edwards, Louis Henck. r. + Ran-
son and H. c. Grinmell were admitted to
local deaconS' orders