The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-16
REPORT ON THE EPISCOPACY.
Two New General Superintendent
and COlOred Bishop Provided For.


CHICAGO, May 15.-The General Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church
voted to-day to increase by two it's board
of general superintendent, thus adopting
the majority report of the committee on
episcopacy. This was the result of vote
taken after one of the most exciting and
eloquent debates of the quadrennial con-
ference, in which many of the most promi-
nent members of the church in both hemis-
pberes took part. The proceedings were
watched by crowd that taxed the capacity
of the Auditorium to it's utmost The ma
jority report, which was considered as be-
ing in the nature OF a compromise. was
adopted after two minority reports, one
resolving that no bishops be elected, and
another providing for the election of four
additional members of the board of gener-
al superintendent, had been voted down.
Previous to the voting the committees re-
port favoring the election of .colored
bishop was adopted by large majority.
One ballot on the election of the general
superintendent was taken just before the
close of the session, but its result will not
be announced till tomorrow.
After considerable routine Dr. John
Handley, of New Jersey, introduced reso-
luton, which resulted in an uproar. 1t was
that the British colors be given a place
alongside the stars and stripes on the plat
fern of the conference. A storm of noes"
went up from the delegates when the reso-
luton was read but DR.. Handley finally Sc
cured silence and made a passionate ap-
peal for the resolution. 1.-The British flag
all over the world has given to missionaries
the protection which encourages us in the
great work of preaching the gospel. 1t
stands for the open Bible in every COM
munity. The American and the Briton have
locked arms to close the century with one
united effort to destroy the crescent and
lift the cross in the East" DIR. Handley's
remarks for the moment apparently turned
the tide in favor of the resolution, but after
several delegates, including w. j. WEIGH,
OF Wyoming, had spoken against 1t, a
motion to lay on the table, made by Dr.
s. p. Carmen. of the New York Confer
ence, prevailed
AT 10 o'clock the roll call for resolu-
lions and memorials was laid aside and
DR.. Buckley took the platform to read the
report of the committee on episcopacy.
Report No. 3-on the effectiveness of bish-
ops, recommended that James M. Thoburn,
missionary bishop of India, and j. G. Hart
zell, missionary bishop of Africa, be de-
clared affective and that William Taylor.
Missionary. bishop in Africa, remain in
his present relation. This was adopted by a
large majority.
on the election of a bishop of African de-
scent 1t read: There should be no dis
elimination on account of race or color
Men should be chosen because of the worth
and fitness of the person. We believe the
time has come when the General Confer
ence may safely and wisely choose bishop
from among the LOO ministers of African
descent and we recognize the need of a
ar he n q
descent. This, too, was adopted amid
great applause.
DR.. Buckley then read the report on the
election of additional general superintend-
ants. 1.-THE committee on episcopacy recon-
mends that two general superintendent be
elected by this General Conference" said
DR.. Buckley. 81 have to announce minori-
ty report" said he. "In fact the division
il. the committee involved the offering of a
second minority report" DR.. Buckley then
moved the adoption of the report and the
fight over the question of additional bishops
was fairly on.
Governor Leslie NJ Shaw, of Iowa, was
recognized to present minority report No.
1. II was that mo more bishops be elected
at this session Of the conference" and in
q strong speech Governor Shaw moved its
substitution. "Six bishops can hold all the
annual conferences In eighteen weeks" said
he. amid great applause If you add more
bishops they will be busy, but not with the
work of the episcopacy."
Dr. Robert Forbes, of the Minnesota Con-
ference. then presented minority No. 2.
moving as an amendment TO the minority
report presented by Governor Shaw that
four bishops be elected by this General
Conference. There ought TO be Methodist
bishop in every great city in this country"
said he. land they should be appointed TO
their places, not on seniority, but for the
work they may do.
DIR. ]. II. Potts. of New York. editor of
the Michigan Christian Advocate. then
spoke in favor of the majority report. He
dwelt especially on the election of colored
bishop, which he strongly favored.
DR.. Charles B. Lore. layman, of Whining
ton, Del, spoke I'm favor of the majority
report and against an increase in the
number of bishops. Don't let the Methodist
Church get megalocephalic.' said he. amid
laughter
Matthew Simpson. of Philadelphia, son
of the late Bishop Simpson. advocated an
increase in the number Of bishops. and
pleaded for liberality in this respect. DR.. j.
r. Thompson, of South America. spoke
along the same lines
DIR. A. B. Leonard. secretary OF the Mis-
sionary Society. made an imprisoned plea