The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-28
METHODIST LAYMEN.
REV. MIR. RawIins Offers Some Criti-
cisms and Suggestions.

10 the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal:
A very large number of Methodist peo-
pie In Indiana, / am sure, will feel very
kindly to the Journal for the courtesy it
is extending at the present time to the
pending laymens movement. Awaiting my
self of this kindness 1 will venture a crit
icism on the preliminary meeting of
Wednesday, the 23d inst On all hands
think it will be considered that most of
the utterances of this meeting We're indis-
Greet and certainly uncalled for at the
present stage of the proceedings. The
Methodist ministers, 1 am sure as such.
are not opposed to a just and equal repre-
sentation of the laity and ministry in the
counsels of the church. What the most
want is some practicable plan on which
it can be installed. There will be a diff
Guilty in the way, but they will not as
sumo an attitude Of opposition when that
plan appears. The talk of hunting out
those who are opposed to it is i'll advised
ana IN bad taste. Nor are the bishops
Of the church such enemies to this move
ment as some of the remarks would seem
to Indicate. | believe, without exception
they would favor any new feature of econ
omy which would promise to give the
church greater efficiency and at the same
member that we are an episcopal church
In our root idea of government. To make
an array against this fundamental feature
would be to meet with defeat at the very
start.
The thing sought is equal representation.
This is an ambiguous idea to start with.
There are, say, more than five hundred of
the laity to one preacher. This looks like
nearly all of the representation would have
to be on one side. Better throw the word
equal overheard, for it is impossible to
realize the idea it conveys. The real thing
sought for is that in the initiation of the
economic features of the church it should
ha hXT hE lott md 1ini-
mutual counsel. This can be done if the
number of the lay and clerical delegates in
the General Conference is the same. This
is a good objective point to aim at. This
is really the demand at issue. Let the
General Conference be composed of an
equal number of delegates from each An
clerical, and the difficulty, excepting minor
details, is settled Even then the General
Conference would be unwieldly, unless Wa
can come to the point that every conferI
ence shall be entitled to two, and only two,
delegates-one layman and one minister.
We are increasing so rapidly that it will
ly even if we do not have to provide in
some way for a still less delegated Cen
eral Conference. But in any event let the
laity equal the CLERGY as to numbers.
Let us aim only for the thing sought, and
go straight for it, peaceably, even if ear
nestly. Above all, let US not commence the
undertaking with epithets and impeach-
ments. Let the laity bear in mind that
all they are asking for is already in the
hands of the ministers, and by their suf-
ferance, too, for more than hundred years
of our growth 1t is certainly bad policy
to attempt to, wrest 1t from them by vio-
lence. The clergy verify believe, are as
friendly towards the best things for the
church as are the laity. Let us all pull
It is to be hoped that the coming con-
vention will be characterized by wise and
dispassionate elaboration, and progress,
and not backset' will be { Z, queens 3EI THc
Rising Sun. Ind, June 20.