New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-06
METHODISTS TO ECONOMIC
PLAN PROPOSED TO UNITE MISSIONARY
BOARDS AND DISPENSE WITH
SOME OF THE SECRETARIES
AND COLLECTIONS
AND COLLECTIONS.
ley TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Chicago. May 5.-Consolidation of several Of
the missionary boards and consequent saving in
expenditure and simplicity In the business de-
partments OF the Church favored to-day
by the Methodist Episcopal General Conference.
in session at the Auditorium. A resolution in
troduced by the Rev. Dr. A. b. Leonard was
adopted after debate OF an hour or more. and
a committee of five from each OF the societies
will be named to report plan for uniting the
Freedmens Aid and Southern Educational So
cety and the Church Extension Society with
the home department of the Missionary Society,
making body instead of three and making
two secretaryships unnecessary. 1t was de-
cded to hear the report of the committee on
Friday morning, and at that time the important
change probably will be effected
In the course of the discussion DR.. Buckley
declared the officials of the societies were OPP
posed to consolidation but he favored it. This
brought forth applause. did the statement
that there should not be delay until after the
General Conference elections. which exert "a
baneful influence" Other speakers said there
were too many board secretaries and too many
collections. DR.. Forbes advocated saving money.
After the discussion the resolution was amend
ed before being adopted to provide that the
committee consider the consolidation of the
Freedmen's Aid Church Extension and Mission
airy Societies
Again, just before adjournment, a consolida-
ton plan was brought up by DR.. j. Embury
Price of Yonkers n Y. who introduced a reso-
luton that the Offices of the secretary or the
Epworth League and of the editor of THE Ep-
worth Herald be united. This important mat
ter was referred to the Committee on the Ep-
worth League, and when it comes up VIII offer
opportunity for a fight. By combining these
offices a salary of 81, $50 would be saved. and
another General Conference plum would be re-
moved from the sight of covetous eyes.
PLAN FOR THE DEACONESSES
The next important subject to-day the
memorial from the Rock River Conference Of
fering a complete plan for the government OF
deaconesses, to avoid friction in thu.
future. Soon after Bishop Walden called the
Conference to order this forenoon two resolu
lions and two memorials were presented by the
Rock River Conference. The first resolution
asked that committee General Confer
districts be appointed by the Bishops, to
which refer certain memorials. The paper
was turned to the Committee on Bounda-
ries. The other resolution was for having extra
copies of memorials for the press. II
adopted
Presiding Elder H. G. Jackson, of the Chicago
(South) District, presented two memorials. The
first the one on deaconesses. and may
suit in settling the differences between the
Woman's Home Missionary Society and the dea
conesses under Mrs. Lucy Rider Mayer. of
Chicago The memorial referred to the
Committee on Deaconesses.
The measure seeks to have Board of Control
established. composed of one Bishop two mem
bers Of annual conferences. two licensed deacon
esses and two laymen. to be appointed quad
rennially by the Board of Bishops. This Board is
to have general supervision of the deaconesses
work throughout the Church, and is authorized
to establish homes. hospitals, orphanages. old
peoples homes and other institutions. the Bishop
appointed to be president of the Board and have
authority to order the transfer of deaconesses
from one conference to another. Provision is
made for the support of superannuated deacon
esses institutions. the deeds to the property be-
Deaconess Board of nine members, three to be
women. shall be appointed to promote the work
of the deaconesses. No institution is TO be recog
nized unless it is approved by the conference
within whose territory 1t is situated.
Qualifications for deaconesses are that the
candidate be over twenty five years of age and
recommended by the quarterly conference Of the
church Of which she is member. She must
have had two years of probationary service and
pass examination before the Conference
Board, and conform to the course of study pre-
scribed by the bishops. Each deaconess not in
a home shall be under the direction of the pastor
of her church Neither the General Board
the Conference Board is permitted to hold or
control property for homes and other deacon
essess institutions the deeds to the property be-
ing held in trust by local Board. The other me-
mortal from the Rock River Conference faVors
changing the constitution of the Missionary So
cety S to authorize the Board or Managers
to appoint missionary evangelists. with or With
out salary.
One of the features of the morning session to-
day was the presentation of a gaVel from the
La q 70
sent by ID. G.. Allen, a correspondent or
The New York Christian Advocate. and the
letter from Mr.. Allen, read by Secretary Monroe.
stated that the body OF the gaVel was made
from olivewood from the Mount of Olives, while
the handle shaped from shepherds crook
The gavel Is inlad with pearl from Bethlehem.
representing cross a crown, heart and a
dove.
By a rising vote the General Conference
adopted a long resolution containing tribute to
the late Dwight l.. Moody presented by |. l..
Thomas of Washington
An innocent resolution presented by ID. X.
Tindall, of the North Nebraska Conference. ex
tending thanks to Bishop Hartzeli for his lecture
on The Brton and the Boer," delivered on
Thursday night placed the Conference in an
Frank A. After, delegate of the East Ohio
Conference remarked that the Conference should
not turn itself into mutual admiration society.
He moved to place the resolution on the table,
and il was done without objection after he eX
planned
Local pulpits will be occupied largely by the
visiting ministers tomorrow.
The standing committees Of the Conference
have been organized follows. to hold office
for four years:
Book Concern-Chairman, Governor Leslie
Shaw, Iowa; secretary, Charles w. Willard.
New-York
Philadelphia: Secretary, J. c. Cox Iowa.
Freedman's Aid and Southern Education