The sun., 1900-03-27
GHT over TRUSTEE LAW
Solutions Favoring a Change
Are Opposed and Voted
Down.
BY. .COURSEY MAKES CHARGES
Iys There is too Much Politics in
6e Election of Trustees in Will
\ Observation-Disclosures Adopt
ed DenounciRg Theatre-go-
ing and Dancing, etc.

sNhat was the most heated discussion
81 4he entire M. E. Conference session
t1ok place Yesterday afternoon over the
tfaetee law. The ministers apparently
f04k advantage of the absence from the
6te ion of Bishop Andrews, and INDUCED
j6R peeches of more or less length. Rev.
a9E G. w. PrettymaR presided.
he matter was brought up by Rev.
Q& w. L. S. Murray who introduced
fk& following resolutions:
Whereas, the last General Assembly
8fthe State of Delaware repealed the law
H8thorizing the election of church trus-
ff6B which had been in use for 1l5 years,
&Hd whereas the same body enacted in
,It6A thereof law referring the whole
|li8bter to the law of each denomination
4: N hereas, our church law in such cases
t6|fes the election away from the laity
8lld authorizes the presiding elder to
13fpinate and the quarterly conference
{oeonfrm, therefore be it,
Resolved, First that paragraphs 30l OF
&8& discipline be 30 amended that the
sl4lal church may have the right to vote
How trustees without nomination Oh the
IJ(ator or presiding elder wherever the
MEM bership of the church shall so elect.
IN Second, That our delegates to the
General Conference be instructed to pre-
sent this memorial and do what they can
to have this amendment adopted"
K was signed by Rev. DIR. w. l.. S.
M9rray and Revs. t. E. Barrett and r.
SXV.FTodd.
Rev. DIR. Murray spoke in support Of
tif5 resolution, He said he was willing TO
trust the laity in the matter OF electing
Trustees. H. 7. Budd spoke against the
rHBolution in strong terms. 1t was stated
tbat the church at Frederick had a
special charter under which it elects its
tfpktees as it desires.
Charged to Rev. Wilson.
Hev. R. 7. Coursey spoke against the
feaD lutions and asserted that some one
haA said that Rev. Wilson, now out in
QAN fornia, was influencing church law
i4 Delaware.
This remark caused some laughter and
anfne cries of ''no." DIR. Murray said he
Had made remarks like that and Rev.
W9ursey said he had not said he did,
Whereupon DIR. Murray said ''you
po}nted at me-"
Eev. Coursey then remarked that he
had at once pointed his finger while
preaching about a sinner and man in
the congregation had found fault with
him, taking the remark on himself.
He asserted that the people down the
State knew how to elect trustees; that
in Wilmington people were dragged out
to vote for trustees, who gave little to
the support OF the pastor, and knew little
about class meetings.
- nr1a a1tx nft ftCg a III n
sbaI1e humorous remarks, was asked by
eext3e minister on which side he was.
INls caused some laughter and he re-
plfed that he did not know which caused
E33fe laughter. Rev. DR.. G. A. Phoebus
sn9ke in favor of the resolution.
54lames Carroll opposed the resolution
aev. DIR. j. d. q. Hanna favored the
ad8ption of the resolution. He said il
F48 true as stated that there was politics
iM4be election of trustees.
/, IN ev. f. Burgette Short spoke in favor
y be resolution.
l3ev. j. w. Ea:ely called the previous
4Nsstion, but was voted down. Aftei
&8lne further discussion, a vote wal
t4&en by showing of hands. The pre-
q5A1ng officer said he was in doubt as tt
result and a rising vote was or
. The Resolution Defeated.
he vote was So for and 45 against the
S8ntion and it was declared lost.
8v. f. G. McSorley read the report
be Board of Managers OF the Con
Zee Missionary Society. Rev. q. 1,
y " read the report OF the Church Ex'
pn Society. The Wilmington Con
e ice is asked to raise 5000 and is
brized to reserve one-half of the
d contributed in view of the work
l by the Board of Church Extension
to pgh period of thirty-three years
he help given to so many churches
al n the bounds of the conference
l!8f report of the Woman's Foreign Mis-
II et5lIA ry Society was read.
Bui Ike read the report of the com
mj9f8e on Sunday school work. There
Ia Sc schools within the Wilmington
-N erence, 5,866 officers and teachers
scholars, and 1,72l scholars con
AL ID last year.
board of stewards reported that il
laims of $4,000 and receipts o.
HD last year. This sum was distrib
TO IL superannuated ministers,
4. fnumeraries, 81 widows and chill
)Il' leaving balance OF $40.
nc fport of Statistical Secretary.
lon k. w. R Mowbray, who has been
~ licient statistical secretary of con-
Itu1 Pc for ten years, presented his re-
1t was in part as follows:
day schools-Dover district-Num-
2S; number OF teachers and officers,
. number of scholars of all grades,
4; average attendance, 1887; num-
members in the home department.,
. ~ 9nversions, ,066; number of Ep-
)e' 1 Leagues, As; Epworth League
Rmbers, 2.474; Junior Leagues, 20;
4l6r League members, 1875
M Etaston district-Number, 81; number
LIZ teachers and officers, 1,1l6; number
y. echolars of oil grades, 1857; average
ndance, 5,l52; number OF members