The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-09
METHODIST CHURCH.
Andtllc Question Of Lay Represen-
tation in Conference.
AN APPEAL OF THE LAYMEN
10 DE SENT TO EVERY MINISTER
IN THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT
THE WORLD, ASKING FAVOR
ABLE ACTION on THE PRopo-
sITIoN FOR EQUAL REpREsEN-
TATIoN IN GENERAL CONFER.
EScEs WITH MINISTERIAL
a DELEGATES.
no M SENT 70 EVERY MINIsTER
DELEGATES

b . Z
DELEGATES.
CHICAGO Feb. s.--The, Northwestern
Christian Advocate OF tomorrow will
contain the following appeal. which Is
signed by large number OF lasmen
and Is TO be sent 20 every minister OF
the Methodist Episcopal church,
throughout the world:
DEAR BRETlIREN:-At the close
of the last general conference a large
number of lay delegates met and ap-
pointed a committee with instructions
10 adopt such ricasures as would pro-
mote favorable action by the ministers
upon the proposition 90 amend the re-
gtrictive rule, so that the general con-
ference shall be composed OF an equal
number OF ministerial and lay dele
gntcs. The committee find that In
many annual conferences the vote on
this question has been taken without
debate, that Is to say. without due
public consideration. This, In some
cases, Is the result OF indifference, while
In others Il seems to be the method
adopted 10 defeat the proposition. The
laymen feel that a subject OF suca Inn
portancc deserves the freest and fullest
discussion OF Its merits. and In no case
should action be taken In way that
could seem to be discourteous to those
who are patiently waiting your fraier-
nal action.
The question will again come before
your annual conference at Its session In
1898 In q proposed amendment to change
the discipline so that the number OF lay
delegates to the general conference
from all the conferences shall be the
same as the number OF ministerial DEL
egates.
"As the laymen are deeply interested
In the proposed change and have .neIth-
er voice nor vote in the annual confer-
ences. We on their behalf, take this
method OF calling your attention TO the
proposed amendment, and respectfully
ask your careful and prayccful consid-
Grafton OF the same for the following
reasons:
]. The present plan OF minority lay
representation has failed to satisfy the
church. and has created al impression
that our ministers distrust the laymea.
toe adoption OF this amendment will not
oniy correct these evils. but will carry
10 Its logical conclusion the action Of
1872. which admitted layneH cs dele
gates In the general conference.
2. I. Is Unfair still further TO In
crease the disparity now existing by
adding only ministerial representatives
when conference grows beyond tae
limit of tTo ministerial delegates.
3. II Is unjust to tae church 20 de-
prive It OF the advantages that might
be gained from ths experience and wis
dom OK layner who nave helped 70
make the conference grow.
a. II Is not Just to give to sixty
seven conferences equal representation
S aud TO fifty-fvc conferences Unequal
representation. when the siXty-seven
4 conferences with their niDety-one lay
Representatives :iavc only about 100000
members and the ffty-hve conferences
with their one hundred and ten lay
representatives have over 100000
members.
s. II Is not right that the smaller and
weaker conferences should nave rela-
lively a larger delegation than the lar
ger and stronger conferences. who have
TO bear land do so gladly the chief
financial burdens Of the church.
6. 1t will remove the feeling OF in
equality existing in the minds of many
Intelligent laymen. will enlist their in
fuence. and thus add greatly 10 the
spiritual power and practical efficiency
of the church.
g 1t will add responsibility 10 the
I Iaymen and thereby increase tnei. In
terest, and thus bring about closer
Union Of hearts and hands throughout
sho, church..
s. The present plan gives power to
negative legislation, but power 90 only
suggest Affirmative legislation. The
power OF affirmative or negative lesis-
lntion should be equal With both minis
.ters and laymen.
Q. The property and secular inter-
ests of the church have become Sc large
and important, aud the necessity for
the use of the best business knowledge
and experience so imperative that the
body governing the same by its legisla-
tive action should have at least equal
ecclesiastical! and secular, representa-
I ton.
10. Every other Protestant dennmi-
nation. including the Methodist Episco-
Z pal Church South, the Canadian Meth
1 odist and the English Wesleyan. now
have equal lay and ministerial rcprc-
) scntation. In view OF its uniform sue
cess. there can be no doubt Of the wis
dom. as well as the justice. OF granting
like equal representation In the Metho-
dist Episcopal church.
* II. 1t Is unquestionabiy desired bS.
the church at large as Is indicated by
: the almost unanimous vote In favor of
/. 1t by at least fourteen conference lay
mems associations. two state conven-
,tions and several local lay associations.
besides ninety-six per cent OF several
hundred personal letters from all parts
i of the Methodist Episcopal church, re-
z ceivcd in answer 10 an inquiry upon
this subject. directed 10 m-n who were
( known to be Methodists, but whose
views on this question were not known
& to us.
X IL. 1t Is the simple question OF equal
Y representation ard the only plan now
before the church. and Is uncomplcated
by any other Issue as were all former