The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-16
A NATIONAL CONVENTION
METHODIST LAYMEN RECOMMEND
ONE IN THIS CITY IN '9s.
Thirty Delegates Elected to It-Reso-
lutions for Equal Representations
Cincinnati Delegation Here.


The first state convention of Methodist
laymen assembled in Roberts Park Church
yesterday morning. About $50 of the more
prominent members of the laity from diff
ferent parts of the State were in attend
ance and the body had very substan-
tial and influential appearance. A number
of ladies were also to be noted as present.
The convention held two sessions, one in
the morning, when the organization was
effected, and Will Cumback, the chairman
elect made an opening address, and one in
the afternoon, when three set papers were
read. resolutions adopted and delegates
elected to a national convention and perma-
nent organization effected.
The proceedings throughout both sessions
were marked by a unanimity of expression
and an earnestness of purpose. The speak
ers made no attempt to gloss over the rev.
dictionary character of their movement,
and a great deal that was said was very
radical in it's nature. The preachers were
charged with being incompetent to manage
the business affairs of the church, and the
rule of the clergy was stigmatized as a
despotism. 1t was convention for the
agitation of the right claimed by the
laity and for the development of that agi-
tation.
A NATIONAL CONVENTION.
The chief reform demanded was the
granting of an equal voice to the laymen
in the legislative and administrative de-
partments of the church government, and,
in order to impress upon the clergy rec
ognition of this demand, the holding Of
stare conventions was urged and ultimately
a national convention, which is called for
October, 1898, in Indianapolis, and the ar
rangements for which will be left in the
hands of the executive committees appoint
ed by the various state conventions. Inc
organization of laity conventions in the va
rious local conferences was also urged, pat
termed on plan that has been put In OPP
GRAFTON in the Cincinnati, Central Illinois
and Northwestern Indiana conferences.
Although the convention Was restricted TO
those sympathizing with it's purposes, ana
no voice in opposition was heard throush-
ont tho day vet there were about dozen
r9inisters present some of whom were hos
tile Among the ministers present were
Rev. Messrs. Lasby, Sergeant Appelpy ana ana
NJ s Marble, of Kokomo, and Rev. u. t.
Guild, of Knightstown. SeVeTal OF Ing
ministers. particularly Revs. Laspy anu
Parr expressed themselves as dsloiIa ~. u u
ar what they termed the radical eX pdTte
STATEMENTS made by some or the speah-
ers and also at their not nndlng more lay :
me
of the ministers and some or the 10y i ai
present while not opposing the ~ opo st
of equal lay representation In the aost 81 d. IT,
were in favor of q thorough reNsloss VI ~
church nolicy and the inStituting OF gov
erntng body composed of two schaInoers'
one Of the laymen and one OF tIle cleiS S'
10Th To be endowed with equal powers. .
Turing the day much comment was nlue
of q criticism on Bishop Walden tnal dp
peared in several papers yestealu n1SSra The
The delegates were not loath to declale L elie
enSlsupht made upon the Veneraple plsnop
as unjust and wholly uncalled Ior. InG u nn
egates of the Northern Con.eIeiiIo eoI meet
ca SION To discuss the matter IN d meet
ing held late in the day, but aoopIeu ~
resolutions on the SUBJECT
A CINCINNATI DELEGATION.
Tn the afternoon a large delegation from
Cinoinnati including an especially appoint
od committee by fraternal greeting from
tba lavmen of the Cincinnati Conference
arrived in the city and took much interest,"
in the proceedings, number OIL theln nlaA-
to sneecbes that met with the hearty APP
rrohation of the convention. The commit
tee consisted of w. j. Perkins, CHAIRMAN
II. G. Marshall, w. r. Warnock and L. N.
Miller. Accompanying these gentlemen
were the following, many or Whom a. e
prominent business men IN ClnclnlldII 4, "a
ward e. Shipley VIM. E. BrooKs, i. a.
Snider p. w Mullikan, Charles r. Bas-
ford. Charles e. Smith, Wllnam GeoIse
Doering, Philip Roetenger ana b. H. 0'uoA-
enberg. va % oraa, nv
David p. BEEN at IL o'clock, and after m
vocation and singing by a. cholr OIL laoIe9
VIII CImback was elected chairman anel
delivered the opening address. The Hollow
ing were then elected as vice presluSnlSs'
Mark l. De Motto, Mrs. John M. BurIoro'
George w. Grubbs and ". +. L I he q ~
treasurer and Miss Mary M. Dennis, ol
Richmond, and ]. ]. Todd, OF BluHton'
were made assistant secretaries.
The chair announced the following COM
mittee on resolutions: John y. Conner, IN
dianapolis; George w Grubps, Mar1l las
vile; E. G. Hogate, Danv1le; S0 1h ?.
anoIis: c. b. Jones, Brookville; Glenn
Studebaker, South Bend; Mark L. De
Motto Valparaiso b. r. Ipach' halhl IN -
son. SheIbyville; r. G. Shinn, Hartford
CITY; G. c. Binkley, Richmond; e. b. Key
nolds, Hagerstown .,.o, 90
select thirty delegates to the national con-
vention and also an executive committees
of seven: William Newkirk. d. r. BEEN
B. F. Ibach, w. G. Van ArSdel, Ell hlttei'
]. J. Todd and W. t. Durbin-
RICHARD w. THOMPSON'S LETTER.
The following letter from Richard W.
Thompson to 1. II. G. Royse, dated Sept IA,
at Terre Haute, was read:
Nothing but fear of the effect it might
have upon my health, while the weather Is
so oppressiyeiy hot, prevents me rom n.6 &C
TO take part in the deliberations of the con-
vention of laymen of the Methodist EplSco-
pal Church. Therefore, adopt this method
of expressing my earnest sympathy win
the object the convention is intended &c
promote-that is, the adoption of such a
plan of government as shall provide fol
equal representation of both clergy and
laity in the General Conference OF the
''The primary principle involved in this
proposition is not new. 1t was settled some
years ago with great unanmlty, When lay
delegates were first admitted to these con-
ferences. The only question then left open
and undecided was that which involved the
respective proportions OF the two classes OF
representatives; that is, whether the lay
representation should be taken away or In
creased | WAS a member OF the first Gen
eral Conference that met after this amend
ment to the constitution, and then became
convinced that the result sought after by
it could never be otherwise accomplished
than by equality of representation. This
opinion has undergone no change and
have INDUCED the hope that would live tC
see this result accomplished. Perhaps
shall not do this, but there are multitudes
now living who WILL for almost every day
furnishes new evidences to prove that III
the management of its temporal Interests
the church must keep abreast with the
spirit of the times.
-'.1he main object of the church is spirit
ual; it's secondary object is temporal. Fol-
the former ii requires a ministry who shall
devote their time-with as few slight in
terruptions as possible>-to the acquisition
of thorough knowledge as possible OF
the theological teachings of the Bible, and
the history and progress of Christianity
in contrast with other religions. For the
latter II requires that its temporal affairs
shall be placed under the guardianship OF
such of its lay members as shall be chosen
on account of their business qualifications
and fitness. The idea 1 am seeking to con
vey is this: That the church looks to its