The San Francisco call., 1897-09-28
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adjourned tonight, to meet again in Oak.
land next year.
The conference is said BY the Bishop TO
have been one of The most fruitful and
pleasant ever held on the coast. When it
met there was an expectation that very
important discussion would arise as 10 the
meaning # the word control" in para
graph l20 of the discipline of the church.
a petition 10 the Bishop and other mem
bers Of the conference was drawn up and
addressed to them, but was presented
only to the cabinet, consisting of the five
presiding elders and the Bishop.
The petition OF the lay members
reached Bishop Hargrove and the cabi-
net" said Rev c. w. Z. Smith tonight,
land. having become acquainted with the
expression of the laiIy, its mission was
considered 20 be fulfilled. 1t was not de-
sired to bring it before the whole confer
cnce, but was intended for the Bishop and
el, ers 1t was signed by large mum Der
OF the lay mem bers.
The petition is follows:
To the Bishop, prestfino elders and other mem
bers 7 the Poe, nc C0ufsrtHCe u The ". T. Church
South in session at OJk.CRd, a., September,
1897 ana to al OthgS fHcd-DEAR bRETH-
RkN: We. the undersigned lay members Of
the NJ L. Church h, within said confer
ence, earnestly desITOus OF the peace and pros
Jerty OF our beloved church, yet profoundly
IMPRESSED by 81 condition that exists among
us. present for your consideration the follow
ing paper, setting forth in brief the principles
which We bclcve should be observed by ali
concerned, o avert calamity and restore haf-
IuUuv and brothe IL love.
We believe that the doctrines of our church
are taught in the Holy Bible and that in its
Interpretation and application the .argest lib
erty OF cO1sCieucs IOIsIsteut with personal
purity OF lie and conduct should be allowed.
NV dr. arrr,a hal lan
Chris.ien lie is governed BY the law Of
spiritual lite in christ Jesus, and mat he law
OF the spirit OF Lie in Christ Jesus has made
US Tree fTom The law of SIN and DEATH and
vet whose lOoketh into the perfect law OF lib
erty should be not fOrge.ful nearer, but q
doer OF the work, in ord-r 10 be blessed in
We believe that the spirit IN his benign
work on the human spirit, bears uumlsta6abe e
irutt IN life and conduct, and that the ruit
OF the spirit is love, JOY, peace, long-suHerlng,
gentleness meekneSs, and tem perance," and
that against such there IS no law" human OF
divine.
to follow, the injunction of 81. Paul, Let us
not be desirous OF vain glory, provoking one
another" and when he says, brethren, if a
man be overtaken in fault ye which are
spiritual resi- tore such an one in the spirit Of
Also. LET every man prove his own work.
and then he shall have rejoicing IN himse 4
an not another"
We find here tn law Of liberation and OF
personal responsibility, which, when applied
10 pastors invites The largest liberty oil con-
science aud conduct, in view OF ultimate and
annual Judgment and respOns .blltty TO iudg-
ment based on personal purity and ultimate
fruitage OF ministry
When applied 10 private mem berS we see
their right TO the same liberty an kind and
certainly the right to pray without ceaSing
and in everything 10 give thankS.' and other
wise 10 worship GOO according to the dicta tes
OF their own cOnscienCes. at ali times and
plact 5, not by the law OF The land under legal
fro Fror,
rference of any and oil othor persons; be-
ing responsible to the State for any infraction
of lis laws AMI TO the church Tor any lmpurity
Of conduct.
We know cf no law, human or divine. to pre-
vent private members from assembling wnen
and where they may see nj 10 pray or praise,
or tell to one another their experiences of The
love of God shed a broad in lneir hearts by
the Holy Ghost, which is given unto them
lfsuch be the fact and desire.
We recognize fully, ana commend to all the
veeopultlou Of both the law OF God and OF the
church and the binding force OF both, wisely
and justly administered
We be ieve most Fl my that both the law OF
God and the church imI ose upon pastors in
charge weighty responsibilities, ana tnat, in
order 10 the better fulfil. ment Of these, allows
them large liberty Of choice in the means TO
he ACCOMPLISHMENTS of the best results.
RESPONSIBILITIES are largeiy measured by op-
portunft.es. Among The rights Of t. pastor,
by our discipline, are these: 20 preach me
gosp4I 10 con rol the appointment OF all serv-
ices 10 be ned in The churches in his charge
IN "Ihe absence OF the presiding elder or
Bishop" (Par. 120)
If he Bishop Ii personal y present ne mas
"coutrol" 1t ne is personally absent aud he
presiding elder is personally present he has
''controi; II neither is present personally }
the pastor has conIo ana any Iacucal as
sertlon of or claim 10 the power OF person.
ally absent official OF superior rank 10 GO: =
troll" ihese services is manifesuy an unwar-
ranted and dang .rous assumption OF arbitrary
mower which would be menace To the peace
Of the church and fruitful source OF many
evils II should need no argument 10 show
that actual absence is meant IL either su-
perior official is a lways coustructVeiy present,
aud if CO. strueiive presence gives contro',
then the Bishop Is always present ana the
elder never has control.
This control" on the part OF the pastor IS