The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-27
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGS.
installation of Bishops and Adoption
of the Temperance Report.

of the Temperance Report.
CLEVELAND. o.. May 26.-This was a
busy day in the Methodist Episcopal Con-
ference, and it was found necessary to hold
three sessions. AT the forenoon session
the impressive ceremonies incident to the
installation of the three bishops elected
McCabe, Cranston and Hartzell-attracted
much interest. At the afternoon session
temperance was the subject under discus
sion. and the committee report which was
adopted shows that the Methodist Church
is still the incorporating foe of the liquor
traffic. An important step was taken in
requesting the board of bishops to
memorabilia Congress to so modify the in
ternal revenue laws as to give them less
semblance to statutes intended to legalize
the liquor traffic, especially In States which
have prohibition. The evening session was
devoted to further consideration of the re-
port of the committee on constitution.
The conference opened to-day with
Bishop w. Y. Ninde in the chair. Robert
Forces conducted the devotional exercises,
ana saca,S alder tb sey baak minor nnmt reports gs n nad is pe ren
port. The chief item of interest in the re
port was the creation. OF the Voice. book
editor. At present editor Kelley, of New
York, and editor Monroe, of Cincinnati,
act in this capacity. but the de-
cided that the work should be taken out
VI it'll dl11 dLQ pldCCo III Tax laAl0 VI
one man. The conference did not take
kindly to the proposition, and for an hour
is was discussed pro and con. George G.
SturgiSs made the report for the book COM
mittee and defended it against the objections
OF the opposition. After the reading of the
book committees report DR.. Lanahan arose
and opposed it by saying that he thought
that a careful examination of the records
would show that the conference had about
gates. He was followed by w. ". Kelley,
editor of the Methodist Review and book
editor, who also spoke against it. George
c. Sturgiss, chairman of the book commit
tee, next replied TO the gentleman, after
several resolutions had been made to strike
out the creation of a book editor. He said
1t had met with the approval of every one
of the book committee and he hoped it would
be adopted. A motion to lay on the table
was next made, but, 1t being lost, DIR. Miller
took the floor, while another delegate tried
TO move the previous question:, and pro-
ceeded TO speak in favor of ii. After ex-
tended debate the report was adopted:
The conference spent the next half hour
debating whether or not a session should
be held this evening in spite of the tenn
perance anniversary. Frequent flights Of
oratory and a parliamentary tangle was the
result, and a recess was taken without any
thing definite being considered.
CONSIDERATION EXERCISES.
When the conference again convened the
special order-the conservation Of the three
newly-elected bishops-was taken up.
Bishop Bowman presided and brought UP
the rear of the line of bishops. elders and
candidates. He announced the singing of
the hymn, "Hera;ds of the Cross" and after
the vast audience had sung the hymn
through, still standing, Bishop Vincent read
the collect as follows: Almighty God, who
by thy Son, Jesus Christ, didst give to Thy
holy apostles, elders and evangelists many
excellent gifts and didst charge them to
feed Thy flock, give grace we beseech
Thee, to all the ministers and pastors OF
Thy church. that they may diligently preach
Thy word and duly administer the cody
discipline thereof; and grant to the people
that they may obedently follow the same,
that all may receive the crown of everlast-
ing glory, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen" The epistle from Acts Xxx. 1875, by
Bishop Thoburn. followed. The gospel was
reclted by Bishop Taylor. 1t was the gospel
OF ST. John, chapter xxi, 15-17.
Subsequent to this came the actual cere-
mony OF conservation, the most important
feature of the entire conference. The cam
didates were presented before the assem-
Dled multitude by the elders. They were:
S Gcndss G E IL MscaOe, by Rex. / !:
Earl Sranston, by Rev. d. l.. Parker, and
Rev. s: Rust. D., d.. and Joseph HartzelI, by
Rev; NJ; c; 3. Mason. D. D., and Rev. Sam
by Bishop Fitzgerald. A very Imposing
service was the formal examination of the
candidates and invocation OF divine grace
on the event by Bishop Andrews. After
PRAYER. by Bishop Fowler, came the i'm
portant ceremony Of laying on of hands
oAAa PiCoC4lldlAOll VI TIE blDle. Indicative
to conservation as bishops of Christ's chosen
flock of pastors. For candidate McCabe
there ofiielated Bishops Foster. Bowman
Bishops Merrill. Bowman and Irah Wa1,,
den; for candidate Hartzell, Bishops
Warren. Bowman and Foss, and the pre-.
fered prayer when the conservation had
been erected and then Bishop Newman an
Business the wh hymn WAS sT Sung M I,a5Sirs Only
on a motion 1t was decided to transact no
further business of the conference in open
session until afternoon. The meeting Vas
brought TO a conclusion with the benaS Sas
ton, pronounced by Bishop Foster.
me conference resumed business at 3
parliamentary sparring. The bishops were
requested to appoint fraternal delegates to
the conferences of the Methodist Church
the Canadian NJ. Z. Church. the African NJ
L. Church. the Colored VI. Z. Church Ard The
Reformed NJ. f. Church.
The report of the temperance COMMITTEES
was adopted as read. the main provisions
being as follows: 1t declares it to be the
total abstainer: 1t condemns License. assert
ing that the government becomes a partner
in the traffic by. permitting the sale of
tude of the church towards the traffic is
relentless enmity, as the time will come
when al good citizens must unite to oppose
1t and advance to its total determination.
The following recommendations are made
by the rep5rt: That temperance societies no
organized IN al annual conferences. that the
objects of the Anu-saloon League be an
proved and that the church co-onerate with
1t so far as is consistent with The avowed
temperance principles OF the church. that
the fourth Sunday in November be SET anart
as temperance Sunday and careful attention
be given to the regular quarterly Sunday
school temperance lessons: that the hoard
Of bishops memorabilia Congress, asking the
government to SO adjust the internal rev
enue laws as not to make II appear that the
liquor traffic is legalized and legislated for
in States where practical prohibition obtains.
that the permanent on temper-
ance be continued: that each annual confer
ence appoint a permanent on tem-
perance TO be subject &c the General Confer
tees be formed in the district conferences.
the presiding elders 10 be the chairnen. that
similar committees be formed In the otIar,er-
ly conferences: that on temperance Sunday a
collection be taken, one-fourth TO go TO The
General Conference committee, cne-four;h IN
The annual conference committee and ha,f
to the quarterly conference mmit
There was much debate. and two hours NJ
parliamentary skirmishing over the latter
part OF the missionary committees report.
The conference agreed 10 the formation of a
central conference In China. with the con-
sent Of the bishops; 10 the changing OF the
gulf mission TO a missionary conference. and
10 Sunday school collections for missionary
purposes at least once a month. The recon-
mendation that the field agents be appointed
by the board OF managers was not concurred
IL. There Vas a fight over The representa-
tion or lay delegates In missionary confer
ences. and some very earnest speeches We're
made. As adopted. the report provides chat
lay missionaries may sit in missionary an