Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-05-14
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
A Resolution Presented, Asking the
Aid of the United States
In Suppressing the Outrages and
Massacres Perpetrated Upon
Armenians by the Turks-Tlme
for Holding General Conference
Changed-Numerous Questions OF
More or Less Interest Discussed,
but Few of Them Decided.

CLEVELAND, O., May 13.-The Meth
od.st Conference opened to-day with Bish-
op Vincent in the chair. The devotional
services were conducted by Rev K. r.. 1ii-
lum. a colored minister from Central Mis-
souri,.
The first resolution offered denounced
in the strongest terms the Armenian OUT
RACES and massacres, and referred TO 'he
apathy of the Christian governments Oh
Europe and America. 1t closed by call
ing on Congress to pass a joint resolution
authorizing the President to enter into ne
gotiations with the European powers most
directly interested with the view of inter-
ferng and preventing further massacres.
The resolution also provided that copy oil
the resolution should be sent TO both
houses Of Congress. 1t was referred to the
committee on the state of the church with
out discussion.
The proposition to change the time of
holding the General Conference from May
l to the first Wednesday in May aroused a
discussion on the constitutionality of the
action. Three-fourths of the annual Con-
ferences have approved II. and it was ap-
proved by more than twu-thirds Of the
General Conference. DR.. Leonard led the
opposition. but he was literally buried as
the vote stood S97 years and 10 nays. The
next General Conference will therefore
meet on the first Wednesday in May, 1900.
A proposition was presented by Rev l..
3. Fisk, of Detroit, to hold the General
Conference each six years. The reasons
given were that it would save $3.50 per
day and would save time, as under the
present arrangement $40 men are out Of
church work four weeks. or an aggregate
of forty-five years. Other reasons were
that ii would reduce the anxiety incidental
to elections. would give more satisfactory
test of officers elected, would save crit
icism. would give a longer time in which
to test changes in discipline and would in
sure greater stability and permanency.
1t was referred TO the committee on state
of the church.
Chaplain C. C. McCabe presented con-
stitutional amendment which forbds any
missionary society from appropriating any
sum in excess OF the income of the ytar
previous This was to call a halt on the
appropriations which have been made in
excess of the income
Great interest was maifested when the
committee on episcopacy was called. DR..
Buckley reported that the committee is
unable TO report at presen on the number
OF bishops, but he promised to do so the
first thing tomorrow morning.
A report in which change was pro-
posed in the matter of baptism caused a
prolonged debate. The proposition was to
the effect that those who were sprinkled
IN infancy, could, if desired. he immersed
when they grew older. This was opposed
by DR.. Leonard and others on the ground
that it was a discrimination against in
fant baptism, and after a prolonged dis
cussion the report of the committee was
re-committed.
A committee on book concern made an
adverse report on the recommendation to
establish a Methodist daily paper
The report was Immediately adopted.
Another report authorized the book con-
cern TO publish certain books and perlodi-
calls of the Methodist Church in the Span
ish language.
After announcements had been made the
Conference adjourned.