The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-07

G. f. Reynolds, a delegate to the
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church at Chicago, gave an
address at the prayer meeting In Elm
Park church last night before a very
large audience. Mr.. Reynolds said, in
part:
One OF the penalties, ! may say, which comes
to you for sending a delegate 10 the general
conference is about to be inflicted. A con
scientous discharge OF ones whole duty is al
ways gratifying, but those who witness the
process may find it a little trying. The gem
eral conference is, as you know, the great law
making body Of the Methodist Episcopal
chrurch, and is held every four years, each ses'
sion being presided over by one Of the gener'
al superintendents. When John Wesley died
his adherents numbered only 10000. The CON
ference just held at Chicago represented a
church with 2,7O5,0OO communicates
just word concerning the great city Of the
west. 1t has had marvellous growth, spring
ing from less than 5000 in 1910 to its present
population of nearly two million: The open
saloon, places Of amusement and fakirs crying
on the street corners are prominent features Of
Sabbath desecration. Material prosperity and
recreation seem to be the bent Of the people
The mayors representative, in his address OF
welcome, remarked that the city authorities did
not deem it necessary TO increase the police
force by reason Of the conference in Lner midst
Albeit had he dropped in on some sessions he
naturally would have thought that power
greater than the presiding officers was needed
to preserve order. About 700 delegates were
in attendance
The general conference Just closed may prop
erly be called revolutionary one. Those OF
you who are familiar with the old discipline
may not be able % recognize the new one
when it shall be edited, containing all the ad
ditions, alterations and amendments enacted
but if it will assist you any in the recogni
tion, permit me to say that the covers remair
the same as heretofore.
WERE WISE AND GOOD.
For the most part the outcome of the de
liberations was wise and good, and will prob
ably be helpful to the church. A man NAV
not be legislated into heaven, but sign board
here and there may greatly assist him-ever
when painted by human hands--in reaching the
celestial city:
For the first time in all the history Of tht
church lay representation cquallcd the clerical
all Of the provisional delegates elected being
seated without a dissenting vote, which ac
tion was made possible by the graceful with
drawal of Mrs McMahan, of Griggsville, Ill.
now made quite famous as the widow
whose COW kicked over the lamp which causeC
the great confagration OF Chicago in ISL
The Episcopal address was by far the mos
interesting and instructive paper presented t,
the conference. No complaints we're made o
its length, although it consumed about TIVE
hours in reading The document was read by
Bishop Andrews, by whom 1t was said to hav,
been prepared. The opinion prevails that i
is one Of the ablest episcopal addresses eve
written.
To equal lay representation may be ascribed
some at least, of the radical changes effected
1t was sought to adopt business methods par
ticularly in carrying forward the great benevo
lent enterprises Of the church.
One secretary and one assistant only wer
elected to take charge Of these societies, will
the exception Of the Freedmen's Aid and South
cru Educational Society, where two, with co
ordinate power, were chosen; and thus it wa
thought that greater efficiency would result il
administering those important branches o
| christian work. Perhaps the greatest chang
| effected during the sessions was the remova
Of one of the distinctive features Of Method
ism--the time limit referring to which tn
Rev. DR.. Nichols, who extended in a yer,
able manner the fraternal greetings of tn
Presbyterian general assembly then in session
| at st. Louis, intimatcd that We were thereb,
getting nearer and nearer the Prcsbyterians
THE TINE LIMIT.
the time limit will result in materially length
ening the pastoral term, for few men only ar
competent to maintain themselves in one plac
| for a longer period than five years. We O
the Elm Park church. are thankful that Their
are some, and one of these is our honored an,
greatly beloved pastor DIR. Gifln; and w
count ourselves exceedingly fortunate in hay
ing the right man at the right time and
| agreeable to him, sure he need not lool
| f.rK ALL
time to come
The legislation was not all in the intcres
OF men; women received their full share. b.
| pronounced vote the eligibility of womcl
TO the various offices of the church was passed
subject to approval by a two-thirds vote OF tn
annual conferences So we shall expect to see
possibly in the next general conference, womel
scrambling for the floor, rising to points of or
der, and moving the previous question; whicl
we trust she may do with more ease AM
| grace than was witnessed during the recen
sessions.
stormy debate ensued on paragropb oi
relating to amusemcnts, and by small ma
| Jority no change was made therein.
The reports of the missionary bishops wer
| listened to with profound interest. Bsho
| Thoburn, who reported for Southern Asia an
| Malaysia spoke of the terrible famine no,
raging in India, and how it had retarded III
work of the missionaries. Said, moreover, tina
we are stronger today in all the essential ele
ments OF strength than we have ever been be
| fore, our Methodist community numberin
| lll,OOOO souls. Bishop Thoburn made a r,
quest for two additional missionary bishops /
his field, and proposed a substantial reductio
OF salaries, beginning with his own. Mir
listers and Christian workers in common wit
! people generally, are usually anxious about a
advance in salary, not a reduction, and th
proposition of Bishop Thoburn's gives an ac
diuonal evidence Of the noble, sacrificing spir
Of this conseerated man.
From Bishop Hartzells report / quote er
| couraging words: