The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-13

2. II Is unfair stii lurtuer " N.' -, 80
the disparity now existing o. 1uu'n conser,
| cnct grows beyond the limit Of Two min
| isterial delegates. ..
4. II is unjust to the church 20 deprive
| Il OF the advantages that might ue GAINED
from the experience and wisdom OF lay
fncu who nave helped 10 mahe tuc W"
ference grow.
A. II is not Just to give TO sxsy-seven
conferences equal representation ana 70
forty-nve conferences unequal representa-
ton when the sixty seven conferences win
their ninety one lay representatives. nave
only about 800. 900 members and The ftty-
Ave conferences with heir ITO lay repre-
sentatives have over 2,00D.u0O menonrs.4
Il II IL not right that the smaller and
weaker conferences should have relatively
n larger delegation ihan the larger and
stronger conferences. who have 70 pear
land do so gladly the chief Ansncisi eur
dcns of the church.
g. Ii viii remove The feelinR OF In
equality existing In the minds Of many m
teligent Iaymen, Will enlist rhair influence
aud thus add greatly to the spiritual power
ana practical efficiency Of .he chufch,
z. II Will add responsibility TO tit lay.
men and thereby increase eh2l interest
and Thus bring about closer union OF
hearts aud hands throughout the church
$. The present plan gives power TO
negative legislation. but power to only hug-
affirmative or negative legislation should
be equal with both ministers and laymen.
o. Tho property and secular interests OF
tho church have become sn large and I'M
porlant and the necessity for the use OF Inc
| best business knowledge and experience
so imperative that the body governing the
| same by It's legislative action should have
at least equal ecclesiastical and secular
| representation.
| 10. Every other Protestant denomina.
| ton, including the Methodist Episcopal
church, South. the Canadian Methodist and
the English Wesleyan, now have equal lay
ana ministerial representation. n view
OF It's uniform succcss there can be no
| doubt of tho wisdom. as well as the jas
tice, of granting like equal representatiou
| in the Methodist Episcopal church.
| II. 1T is unquestionablS desired BY the
church AZ large rs is Indicated bv the al
most unanimous vote in favor of II Ivy at
| least fourteen conference laymens asso-
| Citations, two state conventions rad seVerh
local lay associations, besides 90 per cent
OF several hundred letters from all parts
Of the Methodist Episcopal church. re-
| coived in answer to ain INJURY ubon TINS
| subject. directed to men who we're Known
| 10 be Methodisis. but whose views ON this
question were not known to US
IL. II Is the simple question Of equal
repi esentation and the only plan nov be
fore the church, and is uncomplicated by
any other issue as were all former propo-
eitions which have been ntgntived either
bv general conference action or the MIN
isterial vote 1t is right and il 10 wise II
Y Is domocratic II springs from ana ap-
meals to the people II is IN line WIN re-
publican government, and in harmony Win
the genius and spirit Of the age IL - 'e-
sired only for the glory of Col and the
advancement of His cause among u.s.
Wherefore in behalf of the great body
Of our laity, comprising 80 small proper
lion OF our beloved Methodist Episcopal
church we respectfully but carnt silly ap-
: peal to YOU dear brethren, Tor your gen
erous and hearty personal support lis l.
TOO much to nsk you TO both speak ana vote
for it In your conference
The Advocate will also contain a large
!, number OF opinions from bishops ministers
: and lpymen in favor of equal lay represent
>, INT don.
The bishops quoted sap'
/, Bishop BowmnnI believe, upon the
, whole that 1t would TO beet for the lay
!, men to ne in the general conference IN
, ouua, numbers with tho clergy. Thls
would bring the ministry and the people a
little closer together and H. would lead Inc
laty TO take more interest In tho generai
a affairs OF the church and TO study the
polty of the church more fully and care
{ fully than they now do.
Rishop Mer;ill-Eycr since my repfesen
tation has been IN the general conference
IL has been my firm persuasion that sat
n sfactiop would not he secured till lay del
4 egates equal In numbers the ministerial
A delegates. | am In favor Of liked aud
/ definite arrangement 10 this end.
Bishop Foss--ln general why, the de-
sire of the laity for equal representation
with tho clergy In general conference j.
8 In itself very proper one, and snch equal
y representation should be granted, az 1t VII
= ultimately be, ] believe.
hnt in,prrssipn pxi stinp
S In some directions that The participation 81
n our laymen In the legislative and Other
II councils OF the Methodist Episcopal church
d is not desired by the clergy is erroneous
I. fully share in the wish that our genera
II conference shall consist OF equal lay anc
d CLERICAL delegates. for | believe IL woult
l. be n benefit to our entire church.
Bishop Walder--Whan the preachers art
satisfied that the highest Interests OF tn,
u church Will be promoted aud conserved by
IL equal representation they will make thu
le necessary change as readily as they grant
pi cd tho first and fundamental concession
- quarter OF century ago.
~ Bishop Nindc--I believe strongly IN equa
:, lay representation In the general confer
v ence.
10 Bishop yiucent-When the laity Of thu
- church, after thorough consl Iteration o
IL the subject, asks It's fnl share in respon
- | sihilliy and service, the ministry shoul'
:, grant tho request.
- Bishop Fowier---lf nymen want eaua
representation they shonld have II. On
body with equal members would neutrali2
the tendency to awaken antagoniSm.
Bishop Goodscl-l am In favor OF eaua
. representation in the general conference o
loymen. when lay and clerical representa-
., lion are oqnalzed, we might thus hope 70
:" the continued return 10 the seneral confer
= ence OF experienced and eminent laymon.
,d Bishop Mallalicu-al believe In equal nu
10 mericul and clerical representation In tn
81 general conference, aud hence favor an
si,f toward IL,
bishop Cranston--I perceive both IN
" equity and eXpeGicncy OF equal ministerial
" and lay representation in tho general con
GO ference.
q q LOCAL CHURCH NOTICES.
Ill EPISCOPAL
4. Christ church-Comer ot Texas ayenu,