Middletown transcript., 1896-04-04
Written for the TRANSCRIPT.
LET THE CHURCH ALONE.


Mr.. Editor: You say the columns of
the TRANSCRIPT are open for discus
sion of the powers of Bishops in ap--
pointing Methodist Presiding Elders
and Pastors; also of Pastors in making
up the local governing body, the Quar-
terly Conference. For want of further
light, I will say the proposed change,
restricting the authority of tie Bishop
in the Conference Cabinet, will not.
and should not. be made. Also that
what little authority the Pastor now
has in the working body, the Quarterly
Conference, should remain. AS both
these pleas are opposed to the views of
the TRANSCRIPT I must attempt to
show reasons, else may be considered
an old fogy, to adyisb, conservative.
The plan to make the Presiding Ell
dership elective is nota new one. 1t is
old straw, well threshed early in this
century. Its agitation had somewhat
to do, doubtless, with the separation of
Methodist Protestants from us in 1928.
With all just respect for their honest
convictions and joy in their success,
can we still see that the change of pol
ity they adopted led to greater resultsp
They, as ministers and laymen, elect
their Conference Presidents. 1t is now
proposed that we as ministers nominate
the Presiding Elders. Of course this is
equivalent to elections. Now if We
adopt that much of another polity, why
not adopt all, giving laymen an equal
voice? Then to give Presiding Elders
the same power of appointment as a
Bishop, should division arise in the
Cabinet, is not strictly American. A
President or Governor, it IS true,
must have consent of the Sera.e 10 ap-
but, in case of heli-np,
no new appointment being effected, the
old appointee remains or vacancy en-
sues. This may do in civil but is not |
in ecclesiastical affairs. |
What wire pulling, what factionAl
work shall we have when we change to |
this planp The candidate for the Pre-
siding Elders office will then have the
awful power, by the support of his
friends, of getting In the Cabinet, and |
then, of rewarding those friends by |
his increased authority in appoint
ments. This will be circular indeed and |
more disastrous to peace and frmness
than the comparatively small matter
of elections to General Conference. 1t
is conceded that the present episcopal
authority is not abused. Then why not |
let it alone, for We have no warrant |
that the proposed plan will not be
abused. 1t is argued indeed, that we
have become great Church, and that |
therefore our polity must bs tinkered.
As well say that because ours is great |
country our form Of Government must |
be altered. We all know that adher-
ence to Federal authority was what |
saved US generation ago from dissolu-
tion. As we become great and power
full we need more that ever the central |
pillars Of authority and the checks and |
balances Of Constitutions for both |
Church and State.
A word now about the power of the
Pastor in his own council, the Quar-
terly Conference, which the TRAN
SCRIPT thinks should be modified. Yet
it is admitted this power is not abused.
Then let it alone. Are we right sure
there would not be trouble frequently
If the Church should for instance, elect
class-leaders, who are now appointed
by Pastors, thus becoming members of
The Quarterly Conference. Invariably
she fitness of the person and the senti-
nent of the class is considered by the
Pastor. 1t is less delicate for him to
make needed changes. Sunday-School
are nominated by the
Board and confirmed by
quarterly Conference, of which they
hus become members, not made by
he Pastor. Trustees, unless bodies
corporate as in some states, are nomi-
lated by the Pastor or Presiding FL
Ter. They must be confirmed by the
Whole Quarterly Conference. Stewards
re nominated by the Pastor and may
% confirmed or rejected by this body.
n no respect does the Pastor have abb
Olute power to create this body. Now
axe from him what discretion and
versight he has viz, to select those as
elpers who will cooperate with him to
uild up the church, and his situation
ill be pitiable indeedl The local
hurch is already popularity governed.
or the membership has the effective
over of the lower houses of Parlia- :,
lent and Congress, that of the purse. e,
70 need to fear the Bosses" Suppose p
D the ether hand all officials are eIec- D
We by the people in the society and by n :,
le preachers in Conference, we shall d
rift into Congregationalism; we shall h
. away gradually with our itinerant "
eneral Superintendency; we shall, in
lort, undermine that most marvellous al
stem that, from Wesley as its original u
cad and founder, has produced results Va
nparalleled in history. 1 submit these
ssty and imperfect suggestions as
asons why our Methodist polity
lOuld not be changed in the mattars -