The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-04
THE CITY PASTORS.
PLAIN TALK At n METHODIST
CONFERENCE.
In Discussing the Proposed Extension a.
tho Time Limit Of Pnstorates, MI. Mo-
Anney says Hard T~hin&s.of City Clergy
men Who Hnye Rich C-ongregatIona.

In Discussing the Proposed Extension -
tho Time Limit Of Pnstorates, MI. Nc.
Anney says Hard T~hings.ofC City Clergy
men Who Have Rich Congregation.
Interest in the election OF delegates to tho
General Conference drew a large attendance to
the Union Methodist Church for the third day
of the annual conference. The Secretary an
nounced that the membership roll contained
EOS names. This entitled the Conference to six
representatives in the General Conference. but
300 would entitle 1t to seven. Bishop Sinde
announced that he had transferred two men
who were employed as missionaries under the
direction of the New York Conference to tho
roll of members but before the voting began 10
was discovered that an error had been made In
the compilation, and that there were still only
300 members. The Bishop had another mis-
sionarv up his sleeve. however, and the repre-
sentation of seven delegates was finally settled
upon.
The members of the conservative party, which
is in favor OF maintaining the present hve-year
limit in the term of all pastors. were anxious 70
impress their views on the delegates to the Gen.
eral Conference, as it is expected that that body
Will take some action on the subject. A resolu-
ton was accordingly adopted. advising the Gem
eral Conference against abolishing or extending
the time limit.
The Rev. C.. II. McAnney OF Mt. Kisco spoke
III support u Ie TesOiulIOH. ic edlu.
II believe that this agitation for the abolition
or extension Of the existing ~tve-year limit
comes from our great prosperity. approve of
the decision of the Conference to consider the
question here instead of leaving 1t entirely to
the General Conference. In some cases the del
egates to the Conference may represent a higher
light than that which we have here, but in re-
cent years II has come TO be more and more true
that they represent only IA narrow section of
Methodism. Most OF them, In their narrow
secretaryships live in II barrel and peep out at
civilization through the buuEhole.
I've are too prosperous. What did John the
Baptist care about u time limit He was filled
with a holy zeal Tor the upbuilding Of the Lords
Kingdom and was ready TO move at any time.
SO Is many a pooS country preacher who 10
to the ~fiveJycar limit comes not from such AS he.
but from those who have the fat charges, who
receive good salaries, aud are able TO live in
good houses, somc members OF the Methodist
Church are like the people OF Israel when they
struck that grass patch in their march through
the wilderness. You remember the lsraelites,
who had been iull Of ambition for the promised
land theday before. stopped and said: oh, Lord,
here is "a fertile spot, good for the feeding OF
cattle. Lot us abide here and take us not over
Jordan so it is with members Of our ~clergyi
they have struck a good place for cattle and
they want to stay there.
$50 il is with Darlington Booth. formerly Of
the salvation Army. He started out with high
ideals and great ambition Tor his work, but he
has struck u place good for cattle, and hn is not
India go, let emma goi am going 20 stick
10 the artisan class Of America, the most
fertile salvation grass lhlrh uh iInus tATth.'
but let him beware. Prosperity has tsdangsrs,
and unless lie j. careful, lr~t"ad OF buildirx
tents for the suffering ~ humanity he viii ind
himself making sllkcn flaps for the four hun
dred.
"Some Of our pastors are Ike Jonah. lie was
willing 10 do IT," Lorl'~ work uutil his gourd
began to grow. Then hr sat down hy the gourd
and refused To leave II. some of US are too
anxious to hang On 10 our g"'lfdr: DIR. Dry SAYS
that lie Is not worried about tins resolution.
Well, the Doctors gOurd l. pretty well grown
MIR. McAnueY's PLAIN surnkiuE reused the Ire
Of several mcmhrrs Of the Conference, The
Rev. James 4. bay, who - \lcc-t hancellor OF
tho American UNIVERSITY, and To whom Mr.,
Mc.Annr referred, explained that he lad not
meant To speak "a, OF" opposing the ilnc INIT,
but he believed that he matter should DO Left
10 the General Conference
The movement IA favor u! the abolition OF the
time limit Is especially ~truI,s m tins city. It's
supporters declare that much of the usefulness
and prosperity of a city ClrrUh depends on the
strcigth,tn ana personality ui il, pastor, aud that
lac should not be- removed Just when lac has got
himself firmly established.
lhc ballots for d~c."Ettrs wore not counted
untIl late yesterday at uruuHu, AID the mem
beers OF the 'OmWsltrr 20 tuaI-e d. .iled not -
announce the result uH',l tu-'.tl IS session. II
was said that there Wa some question about
the election ui on, en- twu U"mh"rs, ana that
uuly four had received the necessary majority,
These four are believed To Lc tho hey. tuIes H..
DAY, ID. H., the Rev. l.. 5, Osborn % KINGSTON,
the Rev. james NJ, King "t The tuiou church,
| aud the Rev, {. G.. McCAbs, Secretary OIL Tie
' Missionary society.