The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-05-16
Methodist General Conference.

Methodist General Conference.
An interesting body is holding its
quadrennial meeting in Chicago. This
is not convention for nominating q
candidate for the presidency. 1t may
not fill 80 large place in the eye Of
the general public as an assemblage of
the representatives of great political
party, but it is, nevertheless, an ex-
tremely interesting and important gath
ering of the delegates of worldwide
organization, one that yields mighty
power for good in the earth at large
and throughout this American CONT
nent. The meeting is that of the gen.
eral conference of the Methodist
churches of the United States, which
assemblies once in four years to delib-
crate, as a national congress, on mat
tiers of interest and importance to the
society at large.
At the beginning of this century the
membership of the Methodist church
was some 10000. In the last year Of
the century the aggregate membership
is 5000, 900, an increase of nearly one
hundred fold. The gain in the last
four years has been about four per
cent. The increase in the population
of the country during the century has
been fourteen fold, so that Methodism
in its growth has vastly outrun the
multiplying of the people.
Certain important changes in church
government and discipline have been
proposed for the consideration of this
conference, and these will give its de-
alterations and its decisions an unusual
interest. One relates to the matter OF
itineracy of the ministers. The propo-
sition is that the old time limit of three
years in one pastorate be restored, or
the time limit be dropped altogether.
At present the bishop, in his discre-
ton, may reappoint pastor for five
successive years, if church asks for
him, or if there are other good reasons
for continuing pastorate. Formerly
the time limit was three years, with nc
discretionary extension. This system
represented itineracy. Under it the
pastors had an approximately equa
share in the large and the small par
isles, in the fat salaries and the lean
The five year limit is not long enough
to secure the advantages and benefits
of permanency of settlement, but il
long enough to obliterate the principle
and the purpose of itineracy. So thu
proposition is to have the one thing o.
the other, the democracy of ltineracy
or the benefits and advantages settled
order of things may bring to the parisl
and incidentally to the minister VIII
has commended himself to the favor o
pleasant charge or a large and well
to-do church. Appointment by tn
bishop will be retained, which ever wa
this matter is determined.
The other change of general interes
relates to amusements, certain popula
I MISUNDERSTANDING, card playing an
q theatre going-which are at present ur
, der the ban. 1t is proposed that this pre-
. hibition be withdrawn. The liberalizin
3 effect of expansion is felt in this propo
a sition to relax church discipline, as
has had its relaxing influence in othe
things. The idea is to recognize i
4 this important matter the right of il
q dividual judgment, to refer to eac
o church member the duty and respons
\ bility of deciding for himself or hersel
q according to the times or circumstance
! in individual cases, whether the anus,
4 ment is harmless or hurtful, either
q the person Immediately concerned {
o to the influence of example on anothe
: This change would be in harmony wit
. the trend of thought in these times
n and the thought which many OF u
70 best people of the times are thinkin