The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10

tWo-thirds vote, there is little doubt that
ihelr man will command a larger vote than
some white men now I'm the field. T. A. O.
SATURDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
Many Resolutions on Importaut Sinh
jects Presented to the Conference.
CLEVELAND, o., May 9.-To-days pro-
eeedings Of the Methodist Episcopal General
conference developed no sensations. There
was brief reference to the proposed feder-
alton OF the Churches. North and South,
and resolution was introduced asking for
equal representation for the laymen. At the
meeting of the committee on education, fol-
lowing the adjournment Of the conference,
CONSERVATION was caused by the reading of
a report to the effect that funds to the
amount of more than six hundred
Thousand dollars had been loaned
to students during the past twenty
two years and that only about fifty
thousand dollars of that sum had been re-
paid. The report precipitated lively dis
cussion anu subcommittee was appointed
to investigate the matter fully.
When Bishop Ninde called the conference
to order to-day but few delegates were in
their seats. In fact. since the conference
settled the woman question delegates gem
orally have been tardy.
q. Louther, of the southwest Kansas Con-
ference, when the roll of conferences was
called, introduced a resolution denouncng
the use of tobacco in preamble and then
commended the members 10 absolute abst.-
nence, and recommended that all Sunday
school superintendents and Epworth League
presidents be forbidden the use OF tobacco
AZ was feierfed 10 the committee on state OF
the church.
A resolution was introduced which created
a deal or laughter. Ii said that Bishop
hurst, in his speech last night, said that
the nrst dollar given the American Univer-
sity was by c0iored man, and therefore
the reso.uflon provides that the colored race
snouic Always be represented on the board.
A resolution was introduced by Merit
hur-oert, or the Wilmington Conference,
recommending that the Senate and the House
or Representatives so amend the Consti-
tuition that 1t might recognize the Deity,
and in the preamble insert the words Trust
ing in God" 1t was Placed on its passage
but finally referred 10 the committee on the
state OF the church.
A resolution in favor of taking better care
OF superannuated preachers was referred to
the proper committete.
Secretary Monroe read communication
pal Conference South, which me. in May
lSyi LII spoke of the matter of federation
OF the two bodies, and recommended that
the conferences or the churches and missions
or Great Britain and Ireland, of the United
states. of Australia and its branches and
OF Canada and its missions be brought into
Closer federation. The resolution asked il
such conference was not possible, and il so,
that committee be appointed by all the
various conferences to consist of three bish-
ops, three ministers and laymen. Ii an
nounced the committee already appointed by
the VI. l.. Church South. The matter was
taken up by resolution from an Ohio mem
Der, but IL was decided that no action should
be taken by the conference until official no.
tihcation was served. The movement is i'm
portant, as 1t may result in the consolidation
OF two of the great Methodist bodies or the
country.
DIR. Broadbeck asked leave in behalf OF
the committee on missions to submit his re-
port out of its order. The request was
granted, and the report was read. II related
TO the reception or pastors from other de-
nominations into the Methodist Church.
While the resolution was general 1t was
explained that IL referred to a special case
in Germany, where the German Weslyans
desired to incorporate with the Methodist
Episcopal Church. There were differences OF
opinion as TO the financial arrangement. The
Wesleyans had property worth 100000 which
would be brought into the Methodist Church.
They would sacrifice their lifelong connec-
ton with the English Wesleyan Society,
which they regarded as quite a sacrifice The
speaker therefore asked that the conference
take such action as would open the doors OF
the Methodist Church to the Wesleyan
brothers. and if SO, the union would be con-
summated next year. The resolution was
unanimously adopted by a rising vote A
cablegram was sent to the Wesleyan Synod.
now in session, informing 1t or the action.
A resolution was introduced which provided
that changes in the constitution could be
made without the present two-thirds vote OF
the conference and the tnree-Guarter vote
of the annual conference. 1t looked like a
storm for a moment, but IL was slde-tracked
to the committee room.
Ex-senator Marian, under the order OF
miscellaneous business, introduced sae fol-
lowing resolution:
Resolved That the second restrictive rule
be so changed at to admit of equal repre-
hxr ha 1tpfo ofr nd laff An
General Conference"
The resolution was signed by James Har-
Ian, Christian Howe and J.: r. Teter. l;
and the lines more closely drawn than they
have been heretofore. but the resolution was
finally referred TO the committee on lay
representation.
Dr. Stevenson, Of Kentucky, introduced a
resolution of sympathy for Cuba, which was
adopted.
The conference, before adjourning passed
a resolution copdemning a recent enactment
OF the Florida LEGISLATURE whereby it was
made Illegal in that State for coiored chill
dren and white children to receive instruc-
tion in the same school,
Since 1873 the board OF education of the
Methodist Church has been loaning TO in
digent, deserving students money with
which to complete the studies necessary 10
make them Methodist ministers or mission
aries. The loans were for long time and on
easy payments Two days ago Rev. DIR.
Charles III. Payne. OF New York city, the
corresponding secretary of the board. pre-
Senteu In pdinpniSl FORM a ItpoTt on THESE
loans, embracing the entire twenty-five
years during which they have been given.
This report showed that 100000 had been
paid to students and that only the sum OF
$4,000 had been returned. At the meeting
OF the conference committee on education
to-day this matter came up in the form OF a
motion for a subcommittee to look into this
apparently extraordinary state OF affairs.
Gen. James l.. Rushing, OF New Jersey, de-
clared that the loan system was evidently
turning Methodist divinity students into
paupers, and that Ii impaired their useful
ness and was a bad thing in al ways.
Rev. j. H. ClendeLing. OF Fort Smith.
Ark, said he could scarcely believe hiss
senses when the figzfes were placed before
him The effect CT the system on the stu
dents could not, he said. be other than
disastrous. Men VINO would not pay their
debts, he declared, were not ut 10 be Meth
| odSet ministers.
Said Chancellor Day. of Syracuse Uni
versity: IF the repayments do not come
-<---xs--.I ~. S~.o.5 49,