The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-27
METHODISTS GATHERING
ARRIVING AT CHICAGO TO ATTEND
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Rev. DIR. Berry's Outline of Work to
BE DOne-New Phase of the Jen-
nings-ScheIl Controversy.

CHICAGO, April 26.-The advance guard
to the General Conference of the Metho-
dist Church, which opens in this city on
Wednesday, May 2, has already arrived.
They are the five members of the local
committe on affairs Of the Methodist Book
Concern, and have come from New York
and Cincinnati to take up a new phase
of the Schell-Jennings controversy, and
prepare themselves to make recommended
tions to the general committee, which will
meet on Saturday. The members of the
local committee are John E.. Andrews and
E. B. futile. of New York, and James
Gamble, r. T. Miller and Richard DOM
mond. of Cincinnati.
This committee met to consider charges
against H. c.. Jennings, publishing agent
of the Methodist Concern, supposed to have
been instigated by Edwin A. Schell, who
was discharged from the secretaryship of
the Epworth League last fall. Members
of the committee say their business is of a
strictly private nature, and will make no
statements.
A forecast of the proceedings of the
General Conference. which is expected TO
be the largest and most important in the
history of the legislative body of Method
ism, has been made by DIR. Berry, editor of
the Epworth Herald. Following is, in
brief, his outline of the work of the con-
ference as thus viewed in advance:
1.-The first important question will con-
Germ the standing of the provisional dele
gates who have been elected. 1t is gem
orally believed that the movement toward
equal representation of ministerial and lay
delegates will be contaminated by the adj
mission of the provisional delegates. Soon
after the opening will come the debate on
the. adoption of a constitution for the
church. The great ecclesiastical lawyers of
the church will take part in this discussion.
The question probably will be recommitted
for four years.
Fourteen standing committees will have
business to report and there will be large
Plumbers of special committees.
"The committee on episcopacy is consid-
cred of the first import. DR.. Buckley is
slated for it's chairman. The committee
will recommend the number of new bish-
ops, If any are necessary, and review the
administrations Of the bishops for the
quadrennium. Frequently it calls in bish-
ops to give their versions of controver-
sizes which have grown out Of their deci-
sions.
THE question of episcopal supervision of
the mission fields will be broug 1T up. 1t is
possible the missionary e~piscopate will be
abolished and several new bishops elected
to foreign countries. In this case Eastern
Asia would ask for a bishop to reside at
SndQSn1l OF Mdnlld, lDOld W0uiu ask 1Or
Two and Europe might ask for one to re-
side at or Berlin.
"The time limit of the p%astorate will be
considered on the floor. The ministers will
Favor the change and the laymen will op-
pose 1t.
The amusement question is coming up.
1.-THE rule which provides that members
are to be received into the church only
after a probation OF six months may be
modified. There is a desire in some quar-
tiers for the entire abolition of the period
of probation.
1.-THE advocates of a new hymnal will
push that scheme.
THE Sunday school union and tract So
city will ask for a divorce. making two
organizations instead of one.
1.-The Epworth League will ask for
changes in its constitution. The
board of control may be abolished
and the business Of the league
supervised by an executive committee of
seven. There is a plan to unite the Sec
retaryship of the Epworth League with the
editorship of the Epworth Herald.
"a number of benevolent societies may
be consolidated"
Judge Horton. chairman of the commit
tee on balls. has secured what is said to
be the largest amount of space ever given
to a convention OF any kind. Following is
a lis. of places to be officially occupied by
the conference: The Auditorium, Recital
Hall, Studebaker Hall. University Hall,
Fin Arts Building, Auditorium of the Chi
cago College of Law, audience and lee
ture rooms of the First Methodist Church,
audience and lecture rooms of the Wa
bash-avenue Methodist Church, assembly
room at 81 Washington street.