The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-31
Greensburg, Ind, May 29.
Ministers Do Not Like 1t, but Will
Submit.

Chauncev King in Western Advocate
Fifty laymen, representing Methodism in
all sections of the State of Indiana, have
united in issuing call for mass conven-
ton of laymen, to be held in Indianapolis,
Sept Is, 1897 The men signing the call are
representative in that all of them possess
state and not few of them, national
reputation, both in the church and as men
of affairs. These facts indicate that the
subject-matter of the call presents prob
lem of widespread Importance.
Some of these men are lawyers, both at
the bar and on the bench, some bankers,
doctors, editors, and authors. merchants,
manufacturers; statesmen and patriots all,
among whom we note the old guard, Colonel
Richard w. Thompson, ex-secretary OF the
navy under Hayes. The object of the move
ment thus auspiciously launched is to Sc
cure equal representation of ministers and
laymen in the General Conference. We no
tice too, that the time set is the date OF
the meeting of the Indiana Conference in
the same city. This is doubtless a coinci-
dence for the bishops had not determined
upon the time of their fall VtSltatons when
the call was issued. But as 1t Is, 1t will
be in order for the conference, or the con-
vention to receive" and for the bishop
presiding to make an address, all of which
proceedings will help us to know where
we are at"
which they would gainsay, and which they
have imputed TO the minority of the
ministers. who have defeated movements
to the end sought heretofore, is an i'm
pregnable' argument. There are deeper
reasons for the action of the ministry than
a jealous sense of power, il we rightly un-
derstand their feelings. Their unwilling
ness to yield power may be a virtue, instead
or as in this (he North indiana the
majority has voted on two different occa-
sons against any change in the ratio OF
representation. We will concede that these
ministers are jealous of their power, but
that is an inotfensive feature In the light
of several facts that might be mentioned
If the present ratio of ministerial represen-
tation is kept up one for every forty-fve
members of an annual conference, and then
add corresponding number OF laymen' II
results In very large ana expensive pody'
which, on account of its size numerically,
cannot work as efficiently as a smaller
body. Paul said that the care OF al the
churches came upon him. and it is true
now that the burden of church lie ana
work comes upon the ministry as II does
not fall upon any one else. and II Is not 10
be wondered at il they should feel that
their representation in the General Confer
ence is now small as compared to the inter-
ests they have there.
Another fact is that by the vote-by-orders
feature of the General Conference as at
present organized the laymen nave an equal
power with the ministry
However, we are inclined to the opinion
that the call OF our laymen IS SOUND IA "a
principle and II the General conference Is
to continue TO sit as one body, their de-
mand must be granted, II Is fair 10 assume
that the piety Of these brethren is fairly
expressed in the deep interest that they
manifest We personally know many of
them to be men Of sound hearts, as well as
and prayer We believe that the placing of
heavier responsibility on them In the man
ner they propose would add to their con-
servatsm, and not endanSef the interests
of the church.
On the whole. we favor equal representa-
ton. and bid these brethren godspeed in
their honest efforts 20 add 10 the efficiency
OF the church. We favor smaller and
swifter body equally divided in numbers
between ministers and members.