The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-24
NO NEW BISHOP FOR ASIA
COMMITTEE ON EPIsCoPACY RE-
PORTS TO THE CONFERENCE.
Saturday. Proceedings OF the NORTH
ern. Southern and Cumberland
Presbyterian General Assembifes-

ID. D., the missionary bisnop OF
India. He lacks the aldermanic proportions
traditionally supposed to inhere in bishops
office. weighing only about 1s5 pounds. but
every pound counts. He was born In St
Clairsville. O., March z. 1886. and was gradu-
ated from Allegheny College In 1857. He en-
tered the Pittsburg Conference in 1859 ana
the next year was one OF company OF six
young men who dedicated themselves 20 the
cause of missions in India, one OF whom
was Rev. Joseph r. Downey. who went from
Indianapolis with his young wife to die on
India's coral strand only a week after land
ing. The widow heroicaliy continued in the
work as teacher. Mr.. Thoburn's first wife
died in 1868. leaving son who Is now cham
cellor OF the University OF Tacoma With =
heroism that cannot well be described DR..
Thoburn continued his missionary work, be-
coming the chief minister Of the little band.
under the title Of presiding elder. until 1SsS.
when the Office Of missionary bishop was
conferred on him. and his powers were %
enlarged as TO enable him to ordain the na-
tive preachers who had grown up In the
mission. The mission began at Lucknow. In
1859. but its present headquarters Is Calcutta
After the death OF his wife. in 1868, he con-
tinued unmarried for seventeen years, but
in 1850 he married the widow OF the mission
ary Downey. who had devoted all these
years to the work OF teacher among the
natives. Bishop Thoburn Is in the stxfy-nfst
year of his age, but stin very vigorous and
effective His success in the mission In In
dia entities him to high rank as q mission
ary worker and commends the system Of
missionary bishops 10 the approval OF the
church After Bishop Taylor had abandoned
his self-supporting mission in India, the
missionaries under Presiding Elder Thoburn
followed in his track and organised those
who had been converted into churches and
schools and this saved much that had been
accomplished through Mr.. Taylors evangeli-
cal methods which he had left In q state
Of chaos. Bishop Thoburn reports India as =
ripe field for missionary work and expects
to return to IL soon after the General Con-
| ference adjourns.
THE MISSIONARY BISHOPS.
The center OF attraction yesterday after
moor was the committee on the episcopacy.
the elections being practically over, the
special interest centering in the deliverances
which the bishops were invited TO make as
to a continuance of the rank or order Of
missionary bishops. The committee had al
ready determined 20 retire Bishop Taylor
on account OF his age, and. Notwithstanding
his protest, but IT had not determined to fill
his place. and ii wanted the mind OF the
bishops on the question. This was given
IN writing to the effect that they did not
think it wise to increase the number OF
missionary bishops. This being somewhat
ambiguous. in view OF the fact which the
bishops seemed not to have taken into the
account, that Bishop Taylor was TO be re-
tired. the question was put directly 70
| Bishop Merrill whether the election of new
- 4|-<w
opinion thus expressed After a moments
| hesitation he replied that as that contin-
gency had not been considered by the board
| OF bishops he mus speak for himself only.
| and he would say that IL would not. as that
| would not increase the number. Bishop Tay-
| lor being retired. The free and easy talk
| by questions and answers ELECTED eome m
formation a little In advance Of the intended
| disclosure. and at the same time caused
| some confusing logic to come TO the front
| For instance, IL was remarked that none of
| the general superintendents had visited
| either the African or che Indian field since
| the election of missionary bishops- The
| answer was easy; 1t was not necessary.
| whereupon the question vas propoundsd;
| But suppose you had; who would b the
| ranking bishop. seeing the Discipline says
| missionary bishop Is no bishop except In
| his own diocese. but 'co-ordinafe with q
general superintendent II one should coms
within the jurisdiction OF the missionary
bishop?" The answer. OF course. turned on
| the meaning of coordinate In such .
case. AS the basis OF his answer. the bishop
| announced that no law OF the church could
deprive bishop of his episcopal authority
| wherever there was Methodist church or
| conference. Being pressed for more direct
1 No c1f1 no In u<ou ffup<
| in the hurry and confusion OF the last days
| OF the General Conference. and evidently it
needed revising to make Il conform 60 the
| genius OF Merbodism, the supreme authority
| OF a general superintendent: meaning. with
out saying directly. that general super
| intendent would rank the missionary bishop
| II any occasion should arise to assert hiu
| authority. No vote was taken to test this
doctrine, but murmur OF disapproyal Wa
| distinctly heard
| In answer to the question what provision
| should be made for episcopal supervision OF
| the China and Japan and the Eoropeen
work, ne said the board OF bishops had al
ready determined 10 assign Bishop Joyce 70
Eastern Asia for two consecutive years 70
| spend the time between conferences In such
| episcopal oversight as the church might
need. This being new departure, one
brotner asked IL Disnop may be 4SEKned
special field for two consecutive years.
why might he not be assigned for four or
more years The bishop was not prepared
| TO answer the logical conclusion OF this new
| departure The question OF hunting the
| power of bishops to transfer preacAers ha0
been sent from the committee on itinerary
/ 10 the episcopal committee, and rule was
formulated TO that effect which has TO pasa
| the General Conference. +. A. q.
| Proceedings of the Conference.
| CLEVELAND. May 2a.-Bishop Warren
presided over to-day's session OF the con-
| ference. The Rev. Dr. +. b. Scott was
elected as editor Of the Southwestern Advo-
cate by 265 votes. or hfty-three more than
were necessary II was ordered that DR.. 4.
w. l.. Hammond. the displaced editor. b
paid his salary until other work can he pro-
cured for him. Dr. Homer Eaton was made
| treasurer. and Dr. Louis Curtis assistant
| treasurer OF the missionar, society. DIR. r.
| l.. Naglee was elected editor Of The Haus
and Herd. and pr. J. y. Barry. q pstsst<