The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-12
METHODIST LAYMEN.
Spirit and Purpose of the Movement
Inaugurated in This State.

To the Editor of the indianapolis Journal:
The Methodist Church has no constitu-
ton. The restrictive rules do not rise to
the dignity of organic law, even if they
are so called These rules may be re-
pealed or declared void at any time by any
General Conference of the church, as they
are but an unwarranted attempt of one
General Conference to say what a subse-
quent meeting of the same body having
the same power and authority, may or may
not do. AS well might the present Congress
declare that no subsequent Congress should
change any of their laws or the tariff or
currency or any other subject of legisla-
ton, as for one General CONFERENCE to say
that no other General Conference should
fix the representation in that body except
ON certain limitations Such action is il
legal, unpariamentary and consequently
void. Yet there is the barrier that has
been erected to defeat the equal rights of
the laymen. Seeing and realizing the
sandy formation upon which the claim of
the rule of the few is resting, some efforts
have been made in the General Conference
to make a constitution that would make
the rule of the minority sure and perpetual.
When it comes to determining in that
solemn manner the rights of the members
of the church. it must be done by repre-
sentatives chosen by the members them
selves. No government whether it be po-
ltiCal or ecclesiastical, can stand in this
free land without the consent of the gov
erned.
A constitution made and reported to the
General Conference by a committee APP
pointed by the episcopacy could not have
the Endorsement of that body, and, if it
did, would be promptly rejected by the
laity. Such committee. / understand is
now at work on such document to be
considered by the next General Confer
ence. The bishops selected the committee
1t is composed OF six laymen, six preachers
and then the bishops added three of their
own number The laymen on the commit
tee as l am informed, were not selected by
the little band of laymen that are per-
mitted TO have seats in the General Con-
ference. They were not even consulted
about il. The bishops picked the laymen
they wanted then put on as many clerical
members and then added three of their own
number to make sure that Episcopal inter-
ests were protected Had the 2,50O000 lay
men had the selection OF the six they
would have been powerless against the
nine representing the minority. 1t is mani
fest that this autOcratic rUle is and has
greatly awakened the power and useful
ness of the Methodist Church 1t is a
singing ref ection on the devotion of the
laymen to tie interests of the church. 1t
Is an unjust implication of the incapaCity
! of the laymen to properly manage the af-
| fairs of the church. 1t is this that alien
| ates the laymen and abates their interest
and thus hinders the usefulness of
Methodsm In this State the Methodist
| laymen rank Ia honesty and intelligence
| with the best. They are called for as
| diplomats sent to foreign courts charged
| with important and delicate Responsible
| ties; they are called To sit on the bench of
| the Supreme Court; they are sent TO the
| Senate and House OF Representatives, and
now a iayman of the Methodist Church is
| the honored President of the Nation That
| the Methodist Church viii greatly add to
| it's strength by doing justice TO its own
| laymen cannot be questioned, and that is
| the spirit and purpose OF the demand for
| equal representation
WILL CUMBACK
| GreensburA Ind July 10.