Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-22
interest of Methodist Conference
Centers in the Bishops.
SECOND WEEK OF THE CONFERENCE
Resume OF Work Done at Chicago Dur-
ing Past Six Days-Spccial Interest
Taken in Bishop HartzelI
Of Africa.


direct personalities concerning present
incumbents of the high Offices are kept
out of the public sessions, but certain
obllque remarks are frequently made,
the applications of which are thoroly
understood by the delegates. There
has developed disposition to limit the
office, in the interests of an alleged
democracy, by abolishing the life ten
ure, by throwing the non-effective
bishops back upon their respective
conferences as superannuates, and by
making them claimants upon the fund
for such minister's; to restrict the pres
ent worldwide SUPPLEMENTARY to dis
stricts; to diminish the salary; to hold
the bishops strictly to episcopal work,
and to deny them extra remuneration
for services at dedications, etc. Tho
this movement was led by Governor
Leslie NJ. Shaw, of Iowa, in the most
determined and skillful manner posi-
bic, it did not develop upon test vote
a strength equal to one-third Of the
whole body. Now that the air is clear
after the storm, it is evident that epis-
copacy is more firmly rooted in the
policy OF the church than ever. Not a
bishop is declared non-etfective. The
board will be strengthened by the adj
dition of two bishops, and diocesan
episcopacy is defeated. Fortunately
for all concerned the most experienced
and influential member of the confer
ence, DR.. James NJ. Buckley, editor of
the Advocate New York;, is chairman
OF the committee on episcopacy, and
steered the report thru a stormy de-
bate, which is destined to be historic.
The missionary bishops of India and
Africa are shorn of office the moment
theN1leave the continents Ito which
their epjscopacy is limited. They are
bishops only when in their respective
fields. But wherever they are they
cannot lose the love and yeneration of
the church. Their report of Episcopal
supervision for the quadrennial awak-
ened great enthusiasm. James NJ. Tho
burn, bishop of India, has been the
standard-bearer of the church in
southern Asia fora third of century.
His heart was evidently touched TO
pity Tor his famine-stricken people,
as the very first word of his memora-
BILE address bore upon this unparalleled
affection. Three thousand famine
made orphans were thrown upon the
hands of the mission at the close Of
the last famine. More than that num-
Der may now be expected. The bishop
made a stirring appeal for immediate
relief. The Methodist community of
India now numbers 10000 souls. But
even this great parish seemed not
large enough for the heart of the mis-
sionary bishop. He entered Manila
when the insurgents were still in the
suburbs, and planted an American
church of fifty members, and Filipino
services, with an attendance of over
600. Bishop Thoburn's plea for the
appointment OF two associates in tile
{ Episcopal supervision of India, MALAYSIA
and the Philippines, was pathetic
He removes the objection of increased
expense by most uncommon propo-
I sition-namely: The substantial re-
duction of his own salary. But the
church did not need the additional evil
dence of the unselfish character of his
services. III,
A special interest attaches to the
appearance and words of Bishop Hart
1 zell at this time. He is fresh from the
scenes of the war in South Africa, was
the guest of President Kruger Just be-
fore hostiities began, and of the Brit
ish authorities since. He was elect ed
to the bishopric four years ago, and
Jn1S was MS nrSt .quaurennlal report.
He is the successor OF the immortal
William Taylor, who is still living put
is in retirement on account of old
: age. Bishop Taylor during the twelve
+ years of his supervision of Africa, re-
ceiyed and expended 100000. He nam
tanned a. semi-independent relation to
the church, declining a salary and
throwing his missionaries upon self
support ON arriving at their sespec-
4 tive fields. The experiment. has not
been satisfactory in permanent results.
tho incalculable good has undoubtedly
been DONE, especially thru Taylor's
personal services. Bishop Hartzell
says: THE most important service
rendered by Bishop Taylor's self-sup-
porting missionary movements in AZ
RIGA was to demonstrate that the or
ganized methods OF the church, repre-
senting the Christian Judgment as Well
as the administrative experience OF the
whole body are more certain to insure
large and permanent success than any
individual movement" Bishop Hart
zell has travelled 10000 miles in the
quadrennium by ocean and river craft,
Z