The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-09
LAYMEh WANT A VOTE
An Important Move in the Meth
odist Church.
A STRONG APPEAL MADE
Equal Representation Demanded In the
General Conference = 1t Will In
crease Their Interest-Opinions
of Bishops and Ministers

Chicago Feb. S.-The Northwestern
Christian Advocate of tomorrow Will
contain the following appeal, which is
signed by a large number Of laymen,
and is to be sent to every minister of
the Methodist Episcopal church
throughout the world
Dear Brethren-At the close of the
last general conference a large number
of lay delegates met and appointed
committee with instructions to adopt
such measures as would promote favor
able action by the ministers upon the
proposition TO amend the restrictive rule,
so that the general conference shall be
composed of an equal number of minis
terial and lay delegates. The commit
tee finds that in many annual confer
ences 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 fndiffer-
enee. while, in others, ii seems to be the
method adopted TO defeat the PROPOSE
tion. The laymen feel that a subject of
such importance 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
fraternal action.
The question will again come before
your annual conference at its session in
1925 in 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 delegates.
.;As the laymen are deeply interested
in the proposed change and have neither
voice nor vote in the annual conferences.
we. on their behalf, take this method Of
calling your attention to the proposed
amendment and respectfully ask your
Pal .faTu ion af
the same for the following reasons:
Il. The present plan OF minority lay
representation has failed TO satisfy the
church, and has created an impression
that our ministers distrust the laymen,
the adoption of this amendment will
not only correct these evils, but Will
carry to its logical conclusion the action
of 1872, which admitted laymen as dele
gates in the general conference.
''2. 1t is unfair. still further TO in
crease the disparity now existing by
adding only ministerial representatives
when a conference grows beyond the
limit of two ministerial delegates.
5 1t Is unjust 10 the church TO de-
priNe il of the advantages that might
he gained from the experience and wis
dom of laymen who have helped to
make the conference grow.
"A. 1t is not just 10 give to 81 confer
ences equal representation and to 55 con-
ferences unequal representation, when
the 81 conferences, with their ~ lay
representatives, have only about 500, 600
members, and the SO conferences, with
their ITO lay representatives, have over
1000, 600 members.
5. 1t is not right that the smaller
and weaker conferences should have
relatively larger delegation than the
larger and stronger conferences. who
have to bear land do so gladly the chief
financial burdens Of the church
- ...flI he foo ,ff II,
equality existing in the minds of many
intelligent laymen, Will enlist their in
fiuence, and thus add greatly to the
spiritual power and practical efficiency
of the church.
-. 1t will add responsibility to the
laymen and thereby increase their in
terest, and thus bring about a closer
union of hearts and hands throughout
the church.
IS. The present plan gives power to
negative legislation. but power TO only
suggest affirmative legislation. The
power of affirmative or negative legsla-
ton should be equal with both minis
tiers and laymen.
=. The property and secular interests
of the church have become so large and
important, and the necessity for the use
of the best business knowledge and ex-
perience so imperative. that the body
governing the same by its legislative ac-
ton should have at least equal ecclesi-
astical and secular representation
I 10. Every other Protestant denomi-
nation, including the Methodist Episco-
pal church, South, the Canadian Metho-
disty and the English Wesleyan, now
have equal lay and ministerial repre-
sentation. 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 unquestionably desired by
the church at large, as is indicated by
the almost unanimous vote in favor OF
1t by at least il conference laymen's as
Sociations. two state conventions and
several local lay associations, besides sc
per cent. of several hundred personal
letters from all parts of the Methodist
Episcopal church, received in answer to
Rn inquiry upon this subject. directed TO
men who were known to be Methodists.
but whose views on this question We're
not known to US.
''12. 1t is the simple question of equal
representation and the only plan now
before the church. and is uncomplieated
by any other issue as We're all former
propositions which have been negatiVed
either by general conference action or
the ministerial vote. II is right and II
is wise. 1t is democratic--it springs
from the appeals to the people. 1t is in
line with republican government and i'm
harmony with the genius and spirit Of
the age. II is desired only for the glory
of God and the advancement of his
cause among us.
Wherefore. in behalf of the great
body of our laity. comprising so large
a proportion of our beloved Methodist
Episcopal church, we respectfully but
earnestly appeal to you. dear brethren.
for your generous and hearty personal
support. Is ii too much To ask you 10
both speak and vote for il in your con-
ference?"
The Advocate will also contain "A
large number of opinions from bishops
ministers and laymen in favor Of equal
lay representation. The bishops quoted
say.
Bishop Bowman--I believe. upon the
How about your