The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-29
THE SCRANTON MORNING. APRIL 60 1885,

claimed the right to assist in making
the laws Of the church, but the men
have denied them the right on the
ground that II was unscriptural and
inexpedient for women to have the rule
over men in the church. BY a large
majority the church at large has eX-
pressed itself in favor of the admission
of women to the general conference.
Four women have been elected and will
present themselves for recognition.
Those opposed to women contend that
the vote in favor Of admitting them
will not be a law until ratified by the
general conference. Since the women
were elected several months ago, 1t
will be claimed that they cannot come
in at the present session. Their friends
will undoubtedly endeavor to seat them
by direct vote. They have the power
and may exercise 1t. but such a course
may lead TO serious disturbance OF
ecclesiastical harmony.
THE TIME LIMIT.
Next In Importance to the woman
question Is the proposed removal OF
the time limit regulating the length of
preachers stay in charge of one
church. The bishop fixes the appoint
ments at the session of the annual con-
ference. but cannot reappoint for more
than five years. At the end of five
years the law Of the church requires
the removal Of the preacher. During
the past Quadriennium there has been
considerable discussion of this question,
particularly among the city pastors.
The circuit riders and men appointed
to small stations are not much in favor
Of removal Of the limit. The argu-
ment urged by those who want the limit
removed Is that q metropolitan church
cannot be developed to a high degree
of efficiency by a pastorate Of five years.
The removal of the limit places the
whole responsibility on the bishop, who
must continue to reappoint a pastor as
long as he wants him to stay at one
place. Early in the history Of the de-
nomination there was no time limit,
but the limit was enacted at the earn
est solicitation of a pioneer bishop, who
found that there were some things that
even a Methodist bishop could not do.
1t was a hard thing sometimes to move
preacher by mere authority, and it
was considered more desirable to have
a law that would create vacancies at
stated intervals. At first the limit was
two years. Four years ago it was ex-
tended to five years, and now the de-
mand is made to have it removed alto
gether. The matter will doubtless pro-
woke considerable discussion.
AS TO ADJUSTMENTS.
Another question of more widespread
interest among the laity, and especially
the young people, Is the proposed elm
ination from the church discipline Of
the specific rules against popular
| amusements. Dancing, card-playing
and theater-going are named particu-
larly. and provision made for the ex-
pulsion of any indulging in these
amusements. A rigorous enforcement
of these rules would have a bad effect
on the membership of some of the city
churches, where there is superabund-
| ance of wealth, society and young peo-
pie. These specific restrictions did not
emanate from the mind Of John Wes-
ley, the founder of the church. They
| were incorporated in the discipline as a
| sort Of Interpretation of a clause in
| the general rules which forbids amuse-
| ments that cannot be taken in the name
| of Christ. They have given preachers
endless trouble. because a literal en-
| forcement arouses resentment and fails
| to accomplish the desired object.
Preachers who are opposed to the
amusements named urge the removal
OF the specific restrictions because they
feel that the proper way is to make
the amusement question a matter of
conscience, and not of arbitrary restric-
ton. The matter has been freely dis
cussed and there is q strong probable
ity that the rules touching amusements
will be considerably revised.
! ADDITIONAL BISHOPS.
| A matter Of deep concern to the more
advanced Methodists and the leaders in