Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-05-15
A GREAT CHURCH CONSOLIDATION
Many Bodies Wish to Ally With the
MethOdists.

Cleveland, May 9.-When Bishop Ninde
called the Methodist Episcopal general
conference to order this morning but few
delegates were in their seats. G. Louther
of the southwest Kansas conference, in
PRODUCED a resolution recommending the
members to practice absolute abstinence
and that all Sunday school superintend-
ents and Epworth League presidents be
forbidden to use tobacco. 1t was referred
to the committee on state of the church.
resolution was introduced which pro-
vided that as Bishop Hurst said the
first dollar given the American university
was from colored men, the colored race
should always be represented on the
board.
resolution was introduced by Mer-
rift Hurlburt, of the Wilmington confer
ence, recommending that the constitution
be amended to recognize the Deity by in
sorting in the preamble the words trust
ing in God" 1t was referred to the COM
mittee on state of the church.
Secretary Monroe read a communica-
ton from the Methodist Episcopal church
south regarding the federation of the two
bodies. 1t recommended a conference of
the church and missions of Great Britain
and Ireland. of the United States, OF
Australia, and it's branches, and of Cana
da and its missions. The resolutions rec
commended IL such a conference were pos
sible, committee be appointed by all
the various conferences, to consist OF
three bishops, three ministers and three
laymen. 1t announced that a committee
had already been appointed by the Meth
odist Episcopal church SOUTH The move
ment may result in the consolidation of
two of the great Methodist bodies of the
country.
DR.. Broadbeck asked leave on behalf OF
the committee on missions to submit his
report out of its order. The request was
granted. The report related to the re-
ception of pastors from other denomina-
tons into the Methodist church. 1t was
explained that the German Wesleyans de-
sired to cooperate with the Methodist
Episcopal church. The Wesleyans had
property worth 100000 which would be
brought into the Methodist church. They
would sacrifice their lifelong connection
with the English Wesleyan society. The
speaker asked the conference to take ac-
ton that would open the doors of the
Methodist church to the Wesleyan broth
ers, and If so the union would be con-
summated next year. A resolution to this
end was unanimously adopted.
A resolution was introduced providing
that changes in the constitution could be
made without a two-thirds vote of the
conference, and three-quarter vote OF
the annual conferences. 1t was referred
to a committee.
Senator Harlan introduced the follow
ing:
Resolved. That the second restrictive
rule be so changed as to admit of equal
representation by ministry and laity in
the general conference"
The resolution was signed by James
Harlan, Chris Howe and ]. p Letter. 1t
looked as II the old fight would be
opened.
The resolution of ex-senator Harlan was
referred to the committee on lay repre-
sentation.
DR.. Stevenson of Kentucky introduced
resolution of sympathy for Cuba, which
was adopted
The conference adopted a resolution con-
demning the recent enactment of the Flor
ida legislature whereby 1t was made ille-
gal in that state for colored children and
white children to receive instruction at
the same school. The convention ad-
journed for week.