The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-14
METHODIST LAYMEN.
Vigorous Criticism of the Attitude of
Rev. DIR. COIvin.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
When fifty of the best-known Methodist
laymen in Indiana united in calling con-
vention the 18th of next September in
which they might discuss the various in
terests of Methodism, having no other time
or place to do it, they little anticipated SO
impertinent a meddling with their scheme
as the paper of Rev DR.. Colvin, of Rock
vile, in yesterdays Journal, is intended to
be. It would be pardonable in them if, in
view of their extensive acquaintance and
their well-known devotion to the church.
they presumed that they might do this
without giving offense to any of their min
isterial brethren, but it seems they were
mistaken. Because their call indicates
that one topic, If not the chief topic, be-
| cause it underlies everything else, is to be
lay representation in the counsels of the
church, this venerable leader of the North
west Conference volunteers to read them
a lecture, as If they should beg pardon for
their audacity He begins by characteriz-
ing it as threatening the preachers
Wherein? Do the preachers so own the
laymen that they dare not consult together
without being suspected of an unfriendly
attitude towards their masters? But they
are to talk of lay representation. Why
may they not? For more than a hundred
years Methodists have petitioned, literally
begged, the preachers to so far recognize
them brethren as to allow them voice
in the business of the church, but to this
day their petitions have been met only by
the mockery called in Methodist parlance
LAY delegation" which means that the
preachers themselves, though the machin-
cry of the quarterly conferences, composed
of preachers and such laymen as they may
designate without consulting a single lay
man as SUCH may elect half as many lay
delegates they
delegates through the machinery OF the an
nual conference: Laymen as such nave not
a word to say in the transaction from be-
ginning to end. This is no lay representa-
ton, it is simply mockery. And now, be-
cause there is to be demand that these
preachers shall elect as many laymen as
they elect preachers, DIR. Colvin character
ICES it as "a struggle for political prefer
ment; more preachers to stay at nome ana
more laymen to go to General Conference"
Is it any less "a political preferment for
preachers to hold on to more preachers in
the General Conference and fewer laymen?
But he serves notice upon US that the con-
stitution will not allow this, and then calls
us rebels because we are likely TO DEFY
that un-American polity which allows less
than 1900 preachers of the ruling order to
negative the. wishes of nearly 1000 OF
the same guild. and 14,6S6 local preach
masters i in devotion to the church, as Well
as being the superior of some In ability;
democratic America, and since the most
ignorant African has voice In the direct
state. DR.. Colvin ought to blush at such
suggestion 1t is gratifying to believe that
he represents only a small remnant or the
ministry. How different this echo from the
tombs of the buried past sound from the
words uttered by Drs. Rawlins and Ilnsley
5urnal and similar words that may be
!ard everywhere among the better edu-
cated young ministers from our theological
schools, who have had their views of poltty
as well as other things broadened by Gull
ture.
ministers give all their time to the laymen'
with the respect due an old man who was
paid class can hardly be found than the
Methodist ministers of to-day Very few of
them would realize as much in any other
calling they are prepared to enter. But sup
pose they do give" their services, is that
any reason why they should have the ex-
elusive control of the church? Then he asks,
''Who else should pay the bills?" with the
supercilious air of a born master. Laymen
are not shrinking from paying bills; they
ask only that they may have something 10
say in the disposal of their moneys; and
| that sheer at the smallness of the contribu-
tions of some churches in Indianapolis, If
the allegation be true is only an argument
in favor. of greater lay parteipation IN
church business. 1T is Illuminating Iact
that Methodists everywhere are behind In
| their contributions to church progress as
| compared with the churches in whose man
| agcment the laymen take part, while in
| business and politics they are second to
none Did it ever occur to Dr. Colvin and
| such as he that our church polty is alone
/ reSpOnSlDle lOI lHlS
But truce to this. That convention will
| be a large and earnest one The known
| conservatism of it's callers is a guaranty
| that it will propose nothing wild or revol4-
| tionzing unless few more such trebrands
| as Dr. Colvin's paper should be thrown into
| it, They are good men, as good men go
generally, but none of them profess to be
| SO pious that they will meekly submit to
being called rebels, and that TO pay; lyt pills
| man without resenting it. If it shall be any
| thing else than dignifed delberatiye body
| with high and holy purposes, it will be be-
| cause men who are not invited shall at
| tempt tc run it through the papers in adj
| vance or by taking possession at the time.
| Believing that ] voice the sentiments or ev-
| ery Methodist layman in Indiana, | sub
scribe myself The LAY MEN,
| Muncie, Ind, June II.