Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-08
FOREQUAL REPRESENTATION
Conventions to Be Held by Laymen in the
Methodist Church.
A Question That is Being Vigorously
Decentralization In General Con-
ference Repeatedly NulliRed.

lay representation in the general confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church is
being vigorously discussed by many repre-
sentative laymen, and will no doubt in due
time secure the necessary action upon the
part of the ministry" remarked Captain
Alexander Ashley, speaking at length upon
the subject to Star reporter. But many
OF the laity are becoming almost exas-
perated in view of the restiveness mani
tested by the ministry in granting them
their rights in this particular.
AT three quadrennial sessions of the
general conference a report has been made
favoring equal representation, and three
times has the general conference adopted
the report of the committee and ordered the
SUBMISSION to the annual conferences of an
amendment to the restrictive rules pro-
viding for equal lay and ministerial repre-
sentation. Twice have the annual confer
ences refused iaymen their request and de-
1eated the action of the legislative body of
the church. They voted 1895 for and 5,5U1
against the proposition in 1887. Four years
later the general conference at Omaha
sgaln ordered the amendment or its equiv
aren't resubmltted, but the annual confer
ences again defeated 1t by a vote of g S.}4
Tor and 6.13S against
Argument of the Mfnistrv
The argument Of the ministry uu to this
oate mad been that such an increase in the
lay representation would make the general
conference so large body that the BUSH
ness could not be accomplished, and would
also increase the expense of holding the
conference beyond what the church at
large would be willing to bear In view of
inns objection (Which in the minds of many
OF the la1ty, who foot these expenses is
put futile argumenD there was also sent
down to the annual conferences an amend
ment reducing the ratio of ministerial rep
Iesentatlon from one delegate to forty-ive
OF their number to one in every ninety
ms was defeated by vote of 3Ns3 for
and 4,599 against. The Colorado confer
ence, during the same quad-ennium, sub
mitted to all the annual conferences (Which
any annual conference has a right to lo)
this proposition: The general conference
shalI not allow of more than one ministe-
rial representative from every fourteen
members of an annual conference nor of
less number than one for every sixty-
hve But even this small reduction was
oe1eated by the annual conferences by
vote of 1854 for to 2.733 against, the re-
strlct1ve rule requiring a three-fourths vote
In favor of any amendment to the existing
law on this subject.
1t was, however, a very favorable vote.
lacking but 800 to adopt the proposition
Encouraged by this action on the Colorado
proposition. the general conference of 1896
by vote of $50 for to Al against again
submitted the proposition of equal repre-
sentation to the annual conferences, only
against it,
Patience Exhausted.
This action of the ministry from time to
time has so exhausted the patience, so to
speak, of many of the representative laity
that further endurance has almost ceased
to be virtue, and it is now proposed to
take such action throughout the church as
will probably induce the commission an
pointed by the last general conference to
formulate constitution to embody in that
instrument recommendation for equal
ministerial and lay representation in the
law making body of the church.
"A call has been made by some fifty rep
resentative laymen in ILdiana for mass
meeting of the laity. to be held at Indian
apois on the 18th instant to give express
sion to their views on this question Able
speake RS have been selected to discuss The
Restrictive Rules and How Shall We Sc
cure this Right? equal representation
Among other declarations in the call equal
ly significant is the following: The laymen
furnish the millions of money to carry on
the work of the church in all her various
departments. The impolicy, to say nothing
of the injustice in denying them an equal
voice In its disbursements and in the gen
eral management of the church, is painful
ly apparent
"A call has slso been made by representa-
tive laymen of the Baltimore conference for
a like convention. composed of five dele
gates from each charge and circuit, to meet
IN baltimore on October 8 to take action on
this question. This will bring together some
GOO delegates, all of whom have been more
or less prominent in the local affairs of the
church, and who. 1t Is believed, desire that
the lnnuence and power of the laity be felt
in the general conference equally with that
of the ministry. Laymen should see to 1t
that their list of delegates Is forwarded to
the secretary of the committee at Baltimore
at once, if it has not already been done ).
We Have Fuel to Burn. Your Winters