Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-05-11
THE N. E. CONFERENCE.
CONSERVATION Among the Deiesa sas
over the Sale OF the Daily hrfstisa
Advocate on sunday-violens Op-
posit.On to Publishing All Cau L,
troversies In its Columns -The Use
ofIndivfdual Communion Cups.

Chicago, May THE session of the
Methodist General Conference to-day
was full Of life, of brisk debate and
some feeling. There was CONSERVATION
among the delegates when it was learn
ed that the Daily Christian Advocate
had been hawked about on Sunday;
there was violent opposition to DR.. J.
M. Buckley's resolution directing that
all articles on controversies under dis
cussion by the Conference be elimi-
mated from the Daily Advocate and a
resolution by former Congressman M.
w. Johnson, of North Dakota, giving
the approval Of the Conference to the
use Of individual communion cups was
cried down without the formality OF a
discussion.
DR.. A. B. Leonard demanded to know
by whose authority the Daily Christian
Advocate. which represents the doings
Of the Conference. had been hawked
about the streets yesterday like any
secular Sunday paper. It was sold. he
declared, with much vigor. at the very
door of the Auditorium, while the
Methodists were entering to attend di-
vine services
Il want to put a motion right here"
said the delegate from Cincinnati, that
hereafter our paper be not sold on the
sabbath and that the proper authort-
ties be directed to enforce the rule"
u. ID. Thompson, manager of the pa
per, explained that the papers sold were
back numbers, that the sale was not
authorized and that it would not occur
again.
DR.. Buckley's resolution concerning
the suppression Of certain articles, was
passed by a vote of 323 to 279, but not
until several delegates had expressed
themselves very freely.
THE humble delegates want all the
light on the subject they can get" said
the opposition to the resolution.
DR.. John Lanahan, of Baltimore, re-
marked that the editors were so used
to suppressing things in their paper
that they want to suppress the whole
Conference. A dozen others spoke in a
similar strain. A motion to table the
resolution was lost and following this,
the resolution was passed.
An attack On the 9reusement clause
In the Book Of Discipline was made in
an unlocked for way by DR.. J. E. Price,
Of New York, during the session. He
questioned the constItutionality OF the
amusement paragraph (248) and asked
that the Committee on judiciary look
Into the matter. In explanation DR..
Price said:
II do not believe the paragraph is
constitutional because it Is judicial
ruling, but was not delivered in q case
on trial. The paragraph was adopted in
1872 and not as the result of q trial"
It seems probable that. because of
the advanced age of several members
Of the Episcopacy. the committee on
Episcopacy will recommend the elec-
ton of five additional bishops. Three
will be for work in this country and
two to supervise the missionary work
In Asia. This is the programme in favor
with a majority of the members OF the
committee on Episcopacy.
There are twenty or more avoWed
candidates for the high Office Of Bishop,
although 1t is not likely more than
five additions to the present Board OF
Episcopacy will be made. 1t Is proba bic
that much opposition to the election OF
a colored bishop will appear when the
matter is taken up by the conference.
The Southern delegates, 1t is said, Will
vote solidly In favor of the innovation,
but hundreds of representatives Of
Northern conferences, 1t is said, Will
oppose it. The great number Of white
candidates for bishop, it is believed,
will operate against the chances of DR..
J. E. Bowen, of Washington, the lead
ing colored aspirant, and several proml-
nent delegates declare that the elec-
tion of DR.. Bowen by the present con-
ference is by no means certain.
A many sided movement to increase
still further the powers of laymen in
the Methodist church organization can
be marked as the standing committees
Of the General Conference settle down
to business.
These are some of the proposed re-
forms: The admission of 1aymen to
the annual conference. A constitutional
requirement for a majority vote of the
two order separtely on all constitution
al changes. The seating of laymen to
the General Conference in body,
separate from the ministerial delegates,
so as to secure greater independence
for the laymen.The election OF stewards
and trustees of churches by the church
members in their quarterly conferences,
instead of the appointment of them by
the pastor.