The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-07
UNIQUE AFFAIR
Is Episcopasy IN Methodist Church.
Grown With the Times,
NAY BECOMPLB7E REVOLUTION
In the Laws Of tine ohurch-BishOp
Merrill win be Remembered for
Ills Resolutions Praying for Mar
tial Law.
snselal dispatch to the Iptelllgencer.

the Methodist sense is an entirely
UNIQUE affair. Like most other features
IN the denominatlonal polity, It seems
to have been an evolution. It is not an
imitation of any Office existing in other
churches. 1t has grown out of the ex-
Iganc!es Of the case. In colonial days IN
America the need Of a experimenting
officer who should travel at large
among the scattered societies, meet and
confer with the preachers and ar
range their work, was apparent. Mr..
wesley, as the recognized head of
Ne,hodIsm In the new world, delegated
his authority to his associate in Eng
land, Thomas Coke. L. L D., who aa-
peared at the first general conference
commonly known as the Christmas
eontersuce") at Baltimore. December
q. 1854. DR.. Coke was recognized and
approved as a general superintendent
and had associated with him in his
novel office Francis Asbury, by cleo
ton and conservation Of the conference.
This is the rise Of the Methodist Epis-
copacy. A technical definition of 1t
seems TO have been studiousIy avoided
The church was intent upon having an
efficient officer rather than that the Of
nee itself should be put in alignment
with any existing prelacy. Thus thu
church does not affirm that its Epis-
copacy is superior order In the clergy.
though tt has conserved It's dignity by
making 1t a life tenure and by an Inn
pressive ritual for Induction into 1t.
May Narrow 70 a Diocese.
As the church has never crystaliEed
It's theory Of the Episcopacy in any
formal manner. 1t is Bttll free under con-
sututional process to make any alter
atlons which the conditions now exist
ing may seem to demand, Thus 1t may
change the life tenure and make the
office elective for a term of years with
or without eligibility for reelection. 1t
may narrow the present worldwide su-
perntcndsncy to q diocese. These
changes will undoubtedly be made Il
ever the case seems to demand them.
The law OF the church bearing upon
changes in The BpIscopacy Is found in
what is known as the third restrictive
rule" The general conference shall
not change nor alter any part or rule
OF our government so as to do away
with the Eplspopaey nor destroy the
plan Of our itlnerant superintendency.
But this restrictive rule can be set
aside by a three-fourth vote of the
members Of the annual conference. I'm
der such process the Eptscopacy
could be altered in any way thought
desirable OF 1t could be actually abol-
ished.
General Average for Bishops.
To this unique 'ofiicc forty-four msn
haye been promoted Including DR.. Coke.
OF this number ffteen are still ersc
tive and two are honorably retired or
account Of age. The average age OF the
bishops on consecraton to office has
been sos years. Bishops Coke and
James were the youngest, viz: 81; Bigh-
op whatcoat oldest, Ga; of the twelve
bishops elected in the first fifty-eight
years OF Msthodist Episcopacy only
two exceeded the average age of all at
conservation. During the last fifty
eight years, OF the thlrty-ewo elected
eighteen have exceeded the average.
The average age II the ftctiv bishop Is
IS vars. ~
TIL freedom OF the church in dealing
with the Eplscp1acy is illustrated by
thu creation OF tho missionary EpIsco-
pacy by the general conference of 1856.
Until the present the missionary Epis-
cOpacy have been limited to Africa and
India. Four fiSFe been elected to the
former ohe to the latter. Missionary
bishoprIcs may be created for other
continents OF the Missionary EpIsco-
pacy or may be Get aside entirely at
the discretion Of the body now in s-s-
s!on.
Bishop Merrill and Martial Law.
When Bishop Merrill was in the Sec
ond year OF his pastorate at Greenup
Street church. in 1852. CovIngton in
those days OF the civil war was trying
to preserve the Agment Of neutrality
but many OF Its resident citizens sn1
families were sympathIsers with the
south, In this feeling Of uncertainty
confederate scouts appeared in consId-
cradle numbers on the heights overlook
ing the city. They belonged to Kirby
Smiths army, then making a demon
stration against Cincinnati. A panic
ensued. People were anxious to get
away from Cincinnati. Excited par.
iEhoners besieged the bishop. who
firmly replied: Il cannot advise you in
this emergency; but for myself GER
talHIy shall remain in Covlngton." The
danger Of sack for the city was immi-
nent There were no federal troops,
and the municipal authorities were In
sympathy with the confederacy. In
this emergency a citizens meeting was
called.
Should Not Shed Each Others Blood.
one of the clergymen present made
q specific address. saying: 1--WE be
brethren and should not shed each 9TH
sr's blood" This advice was not taken
kindly. whereupon Bishop Merrill took
from his pocket a common passbook.
and putting It against brick wall wrote
across the page the following preamble
and resolutions:
Whereas. Public safety IL menaeed,
ne well M nronprtv and iiFp. by the near