The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-21
The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NEXT GENERAL CONFERENCE ~
MEET FIRST WEDNESDAY
IN MAY, 1900.
.A CHANGE IN ITINERARY PROPOSED
The Committee Will Recommend l''''
by Which a Passionate May Con
tinue for Ten Years-Bap-
tism Debated at Length.

Cleveland. o., May 13.-The delay III
tbe proceedings of the Methodist gem
,, eral conference, owing to the failure OIL
the committees to present their reports
is about at an end. With the election
of the bishop and conference officers,
which begins tomorrow the conference
will get down to real solid work.
Following the election will come the
settlement of the time limit question and
there probably will be spirited contest
over that.
The most important business at today
session was the adoption of resolution
changing the time for the general con-
ference from the first of May to the first
Wednesday in May. The vote stood 39I
yeas and - nays. The next general con-
ference will therefore meet on the hrst
Wednesday in May, 1900.
A proposition was presented by kew. H.;
Il. Fisk of Detroit to hold the general
conference each six years, which was re.
ferred to the committee on the state OF
the church.
A report in which change was pro-
DOSpu Ill lllt lDulltI VI DupllSih Nuu''Nu :"
prolonged discussion. The proposition
was to the effect that those who were
sprinkled in infancy could, if desired, be
immersed when they grew older. This
was opposed by DR.. Leonard and Others
on the ground that it was a discrimina-
ton against infant baptism, and after
prolonged debate the report of the COM
mittee was re-committed.
The committee on book concerns made
an adverse report on the recommended
ton to establish Methodist daily paper.
1t also made like report on the recon-
mendation that the Western, North
western and Central Christian Advocates
be consolidated into one paper for the
Mississippi valley. The report was
adopted.
Another report authorized the book
concern to publish certain books and
periodicals of the Methodist church in
the Spanish language.
After announcements had been made
the conference adjourned.
The committee on Episcopacy decided
to recommend to the conference that
Bishops Bowman and Foster be declared
non-effective, which is equivalent to re-
tirement, and that three new bishops be
elected. 1t was practically decided to
take this same action in regard to Bishop
Taylor of Africa but his speech to the
committee induced it to defer action.
Bishop Bowman is so years old. Bishop
Foster is as and Bishop Taylor is 9, and
the labors and responsibilities of Metho-
dist bishops are great.
The committee decided to recommend
that one of the new bishops be man of
African descent.
Tho nd tn Of Jn1 e..
is Rev. DR.. Bowen of Cannon institute.
1t was also decided to recommend the
continuance of missionary work in Africa
and India.
The committee on itinerary will recon-
mend that i'll rare cases the tive-year limit
may be extended one year by an appeal
by the congregation to quarterly con-
ference, where it must have three
quarters vote, after which it must receive
the vote of the majority of the cabinet
of presiding elders, including that Of the
presiding elder having charge of the
church, and then the bishop must con-
sent. This may be done year after year
for five years, making the longest DOS
sible passionate ten years.
The laity claims that it will defeat this
plan tomorrow. The minority report.
asking for the adjustment of the time
limit, will be submitted to the conference
and will probably be supported by the
laity.
The advisory committee ordered that
there be presented to the conference the
rule providing that one of the first ques-
tons asked candidates for licenses as
local preachers must be that regarding
the use of tobacco; also that the promise
to wholly abstain was not necessary.
The proposition to substitute rhe term
general church for holy catholic church
in the discipline was defeated.
The temperance committee is in the
midst of a hot fight on a long series of
resolutions in which those who oppose
them declare they would tie the church
70 the Prohibition party.