The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-09
An Appeal to Methodist Ministers
Throughout the World
Relative to Delegates Selected to Attend
the GeneraI Conference.
Laymen Ask That They be Given
Equal Representation With the
Ministerial Delegates and Have
the Same Voice in the Proceed
ings-Many Bishops Favor the
Proposed Change.

Proposed Change.
CHICAGO, Feb. S.-The Northwest
ern Christian Advocate" of tomorrow
will contain the following appeal, which
is signed by a large number of lay
men, and is to be sent to every min
lister 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 ia
vorable 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 ministerial and lay delegates. 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 consider
alton. This, in some cases, is the re-
suit of Indifference; while in others it
seems to be the method adopted to de-
feat the proposition. The laymen feel
that a question of such Importance de-
serves 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 1898. in a proposed amendment to
change the discipline so that the num-
Der of lay delegates to the General Con-
ference from all the conferences shall
be the same as the number of minis
terial 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 re-
spectfully ask your careful and prayer
full consideration of the same for the
following reasons:
"First-The present plan of minority
lay representation has failed to sat
isfy the church, and has created an
impression that oui ministers distrust
the laymen. The adoption of this
amendment will not only correct these
evils. but will carry to its logical con-
clus.on the action of 1872. which adj
mitted laymen as delegates in the Cen
eral conference.
"Second-It is unfair still further to
increase the disparity now existing by
adding only ministerial representatives
when a conference grows beyond the
limit of two ministerial delegates.
Third 1t is unjust to the church
to deprive it of the advantages that
might be gained from the experience
and wisdom of laymen who have helped
to make the conference grow.
"Fourth-It is not just to give to
sixty-seven conferences equal repre-
sentation and to fiftyfive conferences
unequal representation when the six
ty-seven conferences with their ninety
one lay representatives have only
about J00,00 members. and the fifty
five conferences with their 10 lay rep
resentatives have over 100000 men,
bers.
Fifth-It 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.
"Sixth-It will remove the feeling If
inequality existing in the minds Of
many intelligent laymen; will enlist
their influence, and thus add greatly to
the spiritual power and practical eff
cheney of the church.
"Seventh-It Will add responsibility
to the laymen, and thereby increase
their interest, and thus bring about a
closer union of hearts and hands
throughout the church.
"Eighth-The present plan gives pow
er to negative Legislation. but power TO
only suggest affirmative legislation
The power of affirmative or negative
legislation should be equal with both
ministers and laymen.
THE property and secular interests OF
the church have become so large AMI
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
action should have at least equal &C.
clesiastical and secular representation.
"Tenth-Every other Protestant de-
nomination, including the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, the Cana
dian Methodist and the English Wes-
leyan, now have equal lay and minis
terial representation. In view of its
uniform success there can be no doubt
of the wisdom, as we'll as the justice,
of granting like equal representation in
the Methodist Episcopal Church
s.Eleventh-It is Internationally ce-
sired by the church at large, as is IN
Dictated by the almost unanimous vote
in favor of it by at least fourteen con-
ference laymen's associations, two State
conventions and several local lay as
sociations besides SO per cent. of sew
eral hundred personal letters from ali
parts of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. received in answer to an in
curry upon this subject directed to men
who were known to be Methodists, but
whose views on this question were not
known to us.
"Twefth-It is the simple question of
equal representation. and the only plan
now before the church, and is uncom-
plicated by any other issue, as were
all former propositions which have been
negatived either by General Confer
ence's action or the ministerial vote
1t is right, and it is wise. 1t is dem
ocratic-n springs from and appeals
to the people. 1t is in line with repub-
lican government, and in harmony with