New-York tribune., 1900-05-10
KNEELING IN PRAYER.
METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE
TENTIoN TO THE OLD CUSTOM.
FRATERNAL FEELING EVOKED BY ENG
LISH FLAG-TIME LIMIT TO BE
TAKEN UP.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l

fBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Chicago May AT the General Conference
to-day the Methodist Church brought face
70 face with the African race problem by
petition asking that minister of African
descent be made Bishop.
Irwin G. Penn. a delegate OF the Washing
ton Conference, introduced petition signed by
delegates from twenty-five Conferences. asking
for the election Of a colored man to supervise
the work among the colored MethoGists in the
Southern States. The movement is in the in
terests Of DR.. ]. w. E. Bowen. of Washington.
the leading colored candidate for Bishop.
Little talk was heard outside the session con-
cerning the coming elections the candidates
for Bishop LAS yet" said a minister we'll
versed in Church politics. there strong
candidates for Bishop in the field They will
be developed after while"
Although the proposed codihcation of the
organic laws Of the Church had been made
special order for 10 o'clock this morning the
regular order OF business suspended, but
not, however, until two ballots had been taken
on The proposition Several delegates omitted
the rollcan of conferences. wishing to submit
memorials for immediate passage. objected to
the regular programme being carried out and
protested that they were being practically dis
franchised.
When the Nebraska Conference was reached
Delegate Tinde arose and read the following
resolution:
Resolved. That we are as much as ever IN
favor of observing the order of public worship.
found in Book of Discipline, IT relates
- kneeling in prayer
ITO me this means a great deal" said Mr..
Tindle. We should not attempt to amend
rules. but keep them. ! submit that 1t is not in
good taste to sit stand during prayer if
follow or pretend TO follow Church disci-
pIine"
NOT RECEIVED WITH FAVOR.
The motion was received with marked dis
favor by many delegates. we would have TO
rebuild our churches and construct them diff
ferently If our congregatio were compelled to
kneel in prayer said one delegate The motion
tabled after brief discussion.
An echo Of the heated dispute at yesterdays
sessions of the Committees on Church Extension
and Missions the action of their respective
chairmen in regard 10 discussion of the report Of
the special committee moved to plan the consoli-
dation L various benevolent societies was heard
soon after the Conference was called to order.
Delegate Handley. of the New-Jersey Confer
ence. introduced resolution giving the commit
tees on Church Extension. Missions and Freed
mems Aid and Southern Education Society the
right TO discuss all questions brought before
them.
Dr. Leonard presented substitute limiting
the discussions Of these committees to subjects
referred them by the General Conference.
DR. Leonard argued that the committees in
question could not originate subjects discuss
measures not especially referred to them under
the rules of the Church. DR.. King of New
York. spoke in favor of the substitute. After
long wrangle the substitute was tabled and
The resolution giving the committees unlimited
scope in discussions adopted.
Delegate Hardin of the Rock River Confer
enoe suggested that formal nominations be dis
pensed with in the matter of electing officers.
Delegate Ames of the Pennsylvania Conference
offered a substitute permitting nominations on
the floor and requiring two-thirds vote Of the
Conference to elect bishops
After long debate to the method Of nom
mating bishops Hnd other officers. a motion was
adopted directing the bishops TO appoint COM
nittee of seven to formulate rules for the nom
,ration and election of bishops and other Off
GERS to report no later than Saturday.
ENTHUSIASM FOR ENGLISH AND AMERI-
CAN FLAGS.
Bishop Warren aroused the patriotism Of the
delegates by walking to the front of the stage
and presenting to Bishop Foss, the presiding
officer basket of flowers decorated with
miniature American and English flags.
When the Conference caught sight of the two
flags exhibited side by side a remarkable scene
followed. The delegates rose in their seats and
gave cheer after cheer. while the women in the
boxes waved their handkerchiefs. 1t sew
eral minutes before Bishop Foss succeeded in
restoring order.
DR.. J. N. Hunter, the fraternal delegate from