The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-21
THE METHODIST LAYMEN.
A Vigorous Campaign Should Insure
Success for Their Movement.

Chicago Tribune.
Will the Methodist laymen win? There
Qucston--yes, but it is not a certainty. The
recent Rock River Conference not only
granted the request of the laymen to sub
nit again to the votes of the ministers of
all the conferences a proposition so to
amend the laws of the cchurch as to admit
of an equal number of lay and ministerial
delegates in the General Conference, out it
pledged itself to vote for and assist in
curing such equal representation. Nearly
all the bishops favor the reform; only one
mas pronounced against it, and another is
satisfied to have the matter continue as
it is" Leading officials, secretaries, editors
and representative pastors have also pro-
nounced themselves in it's favor.
The movement has also been introduced
most fayorably TO the church at large. The
dianapolis, through the unWise utteranceS
of several speakers. aroused much antago-
nisIn. The Rock River Conference laymen
adopted a different course. They not only
did not attack the ministers, but they eX-
pressed their regard for them in fraternal
words and assured them that they We're
not working against the pastors, but for
what they believed to be the best interests
Of the church. Moreover. the Rock River
laymen, by their action, narrowed the agi-
tation from half a dozen issues to the sin
gle issue of equal lay representation in the
General Conference.
vorable start, and seems sure to win.
Whether it does or not will depend upon the
laymen themselves. The favorable action of
embrace in their membership large num-
berS of progressive and aggressive business
men, is no indication of the sentiments of
the ministers of other conferences. There
are about l20 conferences, with over 1900
ministers. These are scattered throughout
the world. To carry the amendment must
receive three-fourths vote of all the min
listers voting. Possibly three-fourths of the
ministers do not fully understand what
equal lay representation means, or why
there should be a change, when laymen are
already represented. These must be in
structed and impressed with it's justice and
wisdom
To secure success the laymen will find
that they must begin soon and prosecute
tireessly until the last conference has voted
q campaign of education like that of a great
political campaign. They will need to reach
clearly their demands and the reasons why
they should be granted. If they neglect to
adopt business methods, such as under the
favorable conditions that exist would GER
River amendment, they will themselves be
to blame, and it will be a reflection upon 4
their business efficiency.
business campaign will cost money 1t
might require the outlay of as much as
$25, O00 but is a small sum to a body OF men
many of whom are rich and not a few of
whom are millionaires. who give cheerfully
TO the church. and is q great deal less than
would be required to support a paper to adj
yocate the movement, such has been
proposed by one or two laymen's associa-
tons.
The next year will be a history making
period for the Methodist Episcopal Church.
II equal representation wins 1t Will involve
a radical revolution in the government OF
the church. and must affect not only the
composition of the General Conferene hut
the powers Of the individual az
church