The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-09

lively larger delegation than the larger
and stronger conferences. who have %
bear land do 20 gladly tie chief financial
burdens Of the church
s.EIxfn-It will reE1oye the feeling q in
equality existing IN the minds Of many
Intelligent iaynen. viii enlist their in
fiuence. and thus add greatly to che spirit
TAI power and practical efficiency Of the
church.
ssevenfh-I: will add responsibility 10
the iaynen and thereby increase their In
terest. nd thus bring about a closer union
OF hearts and hands throughout The
church.
.Eighth--The present plan gives power
10 negative legislation. but power 10 only
suggest affirmative legislation The power
OF affirmative or negative legislation
should be equal with both ministers and
lsymen.
'Sinth-The property and secular inter
esss OF the church have become go large
and important and the necessity for the
use Of the beat business knowledge and
experience 80 imperative. that the body
governing the same by It's legisiatl -
ton should have at Ieast equal eccieSias
teal and secular representation.
Tenth Every Other Protestant dsnom-
nation. including the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. the Canadian Methodist
lay and ministerial representation. In
view Of its uniform success. there can be
no Doubt of the wisdom. az well as the
Justice, Of granting like equal representa-
tion in the Methodist Episcopal church.
eleventh. is unauessionahly desired
by the church az large Is indicated by
the almost unanimous vote in favor OF IL
by at least fourteen conference laymen's
associations. two state conventions and
IA tlAs
per cent. OF several hundred personal let
ters from all parts Of the Methodist Epis-
copaf church. received In answer 10 an
inquiry upon this subject, directed to men
who were known to be Methodists but
whose views on this question were not
known 10 US.
'Twelfth-It Is the simple question Of
equal representation and the only plan now
before the church. and Is uncompIlcate. by
any other issue az We're all former propo-
sitIons which have been nega,ived either by
general conference action or the ministerial
vote. IL IL right and II is wise IL Is demo-
cratic--it springs from and appeals 10 the
people. II is In line with republican gov
eminent. and In harmony with the genius
and spirit OF the age. II Is desired only for
the glory of God and the advancement OF
HID cause among us.
Wherefore. in behalf Of the great body
of our iaity, comprising so large q proper
tion Of our beloved Methodist Episcopal
church. We respectfully but earnestly ap-
peal TO you dear brethren for your gen.
erous and hearty personal support. IL II
too much 10 ask you TO both speak and vote
for II I'm your conference"
Bishops Favor the Change.
The Advocate VIII also contain large
number OF opinions from bishops. ministers
and iaymen In favor of equal lay represen-
tation. The bishops quoted say:
Bishop Bowman--I believe. upon the
whole. that II would be bes, for the lay
men to be- In the general conference In
equal numbers with the clergy This would
bring the ministry and the people n little
closer together. and II would lead the ialty
To take mare interest In the general affairs
of the church. and 70 study the pollty OF
the church more fully and carefully than
they now do.
Bishop Merrill Ever since lay rcpresen-
tation has been In the general conference
IL has been my firm persuasion that salts
faction would not be secured till lay dele
gates equal in numbers the ministerial
delegates. I am In favor OF a fixed and
definite arrangement 10 this end.
Bishop Foss-fn general way the de-
sire of the iaity for equal representation
with the clergy In general conference is.
In Itself. very proper one and such equal
representation should be granted as IL will
ultimately be, | believe.
Bishop HurSt-~The impression existing in
some directions that the participation OF
cur laymen in the legislative and ether
councils of the Methodist Episcopal church
Is not desired by the clergy is erroneous
! fully share In the wish that our general
conference shall consist OF equal lay and
clerical delegates for believe IL would be
A benefit 70 our entire church
Bishop Waidep-When the preachers are
satisfied that the highest interests OF the
church VIII be promoted and conserved by
equal representation they VIII make the
necessary change az readily as they grant
ed the FIRST and fundamental concession a
quarter Of a century ago.
Bishop Sinde-f believe strongly In equal
lag representation in the general confer
enes.
Bishop Eineent-When the iafiy Of the
church. after a thorough consideration OF
the subject. asks rs fun share In RESPONSE
hiiity and service. the ministry should
grant the request
Rishop Fowier-if laymen want equal
representation they should have IL. one
body with equal members would neutral
tze the tendency 10 awaken antaganiSm.
Bishop Goodselll am In favor Of equal
representation IN the general conference Of
tasmen, When lay and clerical represen-
.asion are ssfuailxed we might thus hope
fer the continued return 10 the general
conference of experienced and eminent
Aymen.
Bishop Malialleu--f believe In equal nu-
merieai hay and clerical representation In
the general conference. and hence favor
any step toward *.
Bishop csansson-~f perceive both the
equity aud expectancy of equal ministerial
and lay representation in the general con-
ference.