The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-09

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CONSTITUTION OF METH0DlSM
Conference Undertakes to Define
Ministers Oppose Lay Representation
Chicago, May S-The matter Of import
ance before the conference today was the
report Of the commission on organic law
Of the church. This commission was ap-
pointed by the general conference OF 1896
and was made UP OF two bishops. six
ministers and three laymen, among whom
were the leading constitutional authoIt-
ties of the church. The real work Of the
commission was to decide on what is the
organic law of the church-or, in other
words, what is the constitution. 1t seems
strange that a great church could have
permitted almost a century 70 pass with
out deciding 50 vital a question But il
should be remembered that the Methodist
Episcopal church was organized under
the direct authority of John Wesley, who
gave It its doctrines and rules. To these
have been added from time 70 time such
legislation as seemed to be needed TO in
terpret and carry out their spirit The
constitution has, therefore, been a grow
ing one, whose limits have never been
clearly defined The movement for de-
termining precisely what these limits are
began In 1888. It viii probably close with
the adoption Of the present commissions
report, modified; if at all, by a few verbal
changes.
The report names as the organic law
Of the church the articles Of religion, the
general rules as they appeared in the
discipline Of 1905 and all that legislation
which appears under the head of THE
General Conference" 1t is the opinion
of Bishop Merrill, the oldest conStitu-
tional authority in the church. that this
report is the most important matter
which will come before the general con-
ference at this conference. Only the first
paragraph Of the report was considered
by the conference today. One of these
served to show the sentiment relative TO
lay representation in the annual copfer-
ence. 1t is clear that this will be resist
ed by the ministry.
The devotional exercises at the opening
Of today's session were conducted by Dr.
J. H. Potts, of Michiganfi. while Bishop
Ninde presided over the business session.
The report of the special commission
confirming the recent action of the gen
eral conference in granting equal lay rep
resentation at all general conferences, but
except under special provision, excluding
laymen from all annual conferences was
adopted after a hot debate Bishop War
rem presented the report of the commits
sion which was appointed four years ago
to revise the organic law of the church
Important changes were also made in the
method Of ballOting on certain questions
The main provisions were as follows:
The ministerial and lay delegates shall
deliberate together as one body. They
Will also vote together as one body with
the following exceptions: On svery ques-
ton which proposes a change in the disci-
pline they shall vote separately; CT any
other question, when requested BY one
third OF either of delegates present and
voting, they shall vote separately. In ali
cases of separate voting it shall require
the concurrence of the two orders to adopt
the proposed measure, except that for
changes Of the constitution a vote OF two
thirds of the general conference shall De
sufficient
Article 2, which refers to the adoption
of constitutional amendments, IS altered
to read as follows: ''The concurrent rec
ommendation of twb-thirds of all the
members of the several annual confer
ences present and voting and of two
thirds Of all the members o. the lay cleo
toral conference present and voting, shall
suffice to authorize the next ensuing gea-
eral conference by a two thircs vote to
alter or amend any of the provisions Of
this constitution, except section l, article
10; and also whenever SUCH a iteration Or
amendment shall have besn Srst recon-
mended by the general conference by q
two-thirds vote. then so soon as two
thirds Of all of the members OF the sew
eral annual conferences present and vot-
ing and two-thirds Of all the members Of
the lay electoral confe,ene present ard
voting shall have concur d therein, srch
alteration or amendment sEai. take eject;
and the result of the vote shan be an
nounced by the aeneta supecintsndt TT -
DR.. Charles J. Little, Of the Garret BIB
hcal institute, explained that the 1evisIcns
would be to exclude aymen from thu an
nual conferences except by a three
fourths vote Of the ministers and a TWO
thirds vote OF the general conference.
Another important change adopted pro-
vides that travelling preachers shall be or
ganIzed by the general conferences into
annual conferences. the sessions Of which
they are required to attend. In opposition
TO the exc usion Of the laynen from an
nual conferences speeches We're made by
j. II. Buckley and DR.. A B. Lee. mo-
ton to reconsider was lost by large ma
jority
1t was formally decided that the begin
ming Of elections he made the order Of the
day for May "A and that they be taken
up in the same order as at the previous
conference-bishops first, editors second
and so on down 70 the minor officials. It
was also resolved 10 adjourn sine die on
Tuesday, May -
CARS PRIVATE GOLD FIELDS
To be Worked by None Other Than
Promoter HooIey.