Evening star., 1898-11-12

A prominent Methodist, in speaking of the
| lay movement, to which reference las from
| time to time been made In The Star, said:
TT now seems sure that the latest move
ment to equalize the number of laymen
and ministers in the general conference
has been successful. No one supposes that
the results of this change will exhibit a
miracle or inaugurate a series Of miracles.
We hope and believe that the outcome will
fully meet the reasonable expectations OF
those, both clerical and lay, who have de-
sired this outcome of prolonged effort.
One OF the good results will be the
change of the record that representation is
unequal. There has been an apparent
flavor Of injustice In the former proportion
of delegates. in that he who was in search
| OF proofs Of objectionable inequality could
point to the law and the figures. The OBJ
Jectionabe feature began to appear at IT'S
possible worst aspect when the movement
Tor change began, but was not successful.
IN the first instance II was inequality
only, but two or three failures to accom-
plsh the change brought fresh emphasis
into the issue and made things seem worse
than perhaps they really were EquelIZa-
ton has not been a burning question with
thousands of both laymen and ministers.
AT nrst the advocates of change were few,
out the ranks soon began TO attract more
and more earnest men of both orders AS
llHie WtHl OH ana the needed thre3 quarters,
vote was not reached in the annual confer
ences, new recruits in increasing numbers
Hooked to the standard. Happily at last
the army of change found Itself massed
with banners and better def led aim and
all quite eager for the decision which has
finally come.
1T will be noted that this final ,campaign'
mas proceeded almost entirely without de.
pate. 1t was one of the questions which
seem to need little debate Information
history, precedents, the reasonableness of
the request, the genuineness of motive ard
practlcal value of equalization were quite
We'll understood. The whole rna,e- had
been reduced to the simple balancing he
tween the sincere instincts of men who al
ways prefer to do just that which is host
ior the dear old church. Some really be-
heFed that the general conference already
contained as many laymen as cared or
could afford to attend the trying sessions
of a body that meets in a significant period
Just before vital point in the presiden-
calendar month.
Some have claimed that laymcn. Is
rule, are not eager to go to the general
conference. The best cure for all -sal or
supposed 1ndlnerence is in actual Law ter
vice in Methodism's supreme legislative
pody The old church will grow. Increase
IN personal acquaintance common zeal
se1-respect, efficiency and in grace also
when larger aggregate number of law
men can look each into another's fac, ard
JON hearts and hands in our really i-npor-
tant governing body. The two orders will
oe impressive and will be mutually i'm
dressed, because of increased numbers
The very appearance of the dual assem-
ply VIII yield enlarged interacting resnect
ana thls last concession to laymen by their
oroile[ " ministers Will dignity and strength
en- both orders alike"
The fourteenth annual donation Marty and
Sociabis under the auspices of the Catholic
hnlehts OF this city for the benefit of 81
Joseph's Asylum will be given TbanEsgsr
ing evening at the Of ny,
ton Light Infantry, 18th and E streets nortR
Mest. II Is believed by those having the
mater In charge that the THANKSGIVING
party this year will be attended with its
usual success, for on it depends the com.
tort OF those little ones for the coming
winter.
o,;a Much efIl interest has been created in Cath
one circles by the announcement that a
magnificent chalice, to cost sll 500 is ba
ing manufactured in Baltimore and thar II
M Mlil pe presented to church in this arch
diocese outside of Baltimore the name of
which is unknown. The chalice will con-
tain $50 precious stones, and it is absolutely
unique In design The name of the donor
OF this beautiful Chalice has not been VET
announced, although 1t is said il was or
dered by wealthy lady of Baltimore.
Rev Dr. Duncan Of the lexington Pres
eyterian Church will begin a course of six
free lectures at Z o'clock Monday at the
Central Union Mission. All who desire are
invited to attend. The only request made
by those in charge is that all attendants
ginning, so as not to disturb the class by
entering late. Mr.. Linton and others will
sing at each lecture. which will last only
forty-five minutes. The subjects and dates
are as follows: November IA. Jesus Christ
as Teacher November p. THE Joyful
ness of Christianity" November 2s,
Archaeology and the Bible" December 3,
systematic Bible Study December II
AN Apostolic Character Study" Decem-
Der 10, Influence of Friendship"
The Central Union Mission has been re-
organized for the ensuing year as follows:
Board of directors, E. D. Bailey chairman;
A l.. Swartwout secretary; J. c. Pratt
treasurer; Geo. ". Wheeler, Geo. w
Havell Allen Wood, W. c.. Tyler. o. B.
Brown, Chss. J. Ladsen.
Committee on gospel wagon-G. w. whee-
Ter, G. w. Havell Allen Wood, c.. ]. Lad |
son and o. B. Brown.
Committee on finance-w. c. Tyler, ]. C. |
Pratt and 0. b. Brown. |
Committee on printing-A L. Swartwout
Committee On Bible Training School-E.
D. Bailey, Allen Wood and ]. c. Pratt. |
Editor of Bulletin-E. D. Bailey.
Musical director-G w, HayelI
Bailey. |
Committee on Bible reading and visiting |
G w. Wheeler, j. C. Pratt and G. W. |
Havell.
Industrial departmental. B. Brown, G. |
W. Wheeler and G. w. Havell
Committee on relief-O. B. Brown and A. |
l.. Swartwout.
There is a great desire on the part of |
many prominent leaders in church work /
that the Student Missionary Campaign" |
some of the advocates of which movement |
were recently in Washington, shall be con- /
tinued circular on the subject received |
in this city says:
Early last year it was decided by Rev. |
w. /. Haven, first general vice president, |
to see II the student volunteers and their |
enthusiastic student friends could rot be /
brought into direct contact with the local |
chapte of the Epworth League Mr. |
Fletcher 5. Brockman, one of the devoted |
travelling secretaries of the student volun-
teer movement, was delegated to visit the /
colleges and ask for 100 or more volunt eers
who would give a month or more without 1
salary, to the visitation of the leagues.
-Four points were especially emphasized:
L. Only those students should be appointed |
members of the student missionary cam
psign who would agree to devote at least
four weeks during the summer to this
work. who should receive adequate train
ing for the work and who should be in
dorsed by the presidents of the respective
institutions 2. The campaigner should
serve without compensation; travelling ex-
panses to be met by the leagues visited; |
each chapter of the league yisitei was ex- |
pected to provide entertainment and its |
proporuonate amount of travelling expenses
tabout 80. 3. Two days should be spent at