The Van Buren press., 1900-05-19
AST0RN0N()ES WENT OP.
The Methodist Episcopal Genera
Conference Has No Place foc
the British Flag.
AN EFFORT THAT RESULTED IN UPROAR'
The Main business of the Day Wai
The Rcrort of the Committee on
EpiscOpncy and the Election oi
Bishops Resulting In an unusuat
Iy Large Attendance.

Chicago, May 16,-The programme
of the days session of the Methodist
general conference included the report
of the committee on Episcopacy, anc
balloting for election of bishops, ano
resulted in an unusually large attend
ance. Bishop Isaac w. Joyce was the
presiding officer, the devotional eXer
cses preceding the regular session be
ing led by Prof S. F. Upham, of Drew
theological seminary.
Created an UprOar.
After considerable routine, DR.. john
Handley, of New Jersey, introduced
resolution which resulted in an up
roar. 1t was that 'the British colors
be given a place alongside the stars
and Stripes on the platform of thu
conference
A storm of Noes.
A storm of "noes" went up from the
delegates when the resolution was
read, but DR.. Handley finally secured
silence and made a passionate appeal
for the resolution. "The British flag
all over the world has given to mis-
sionaries the protection which en-
courages us in the great work Of
preaching the Gospel. 1t stands foi
the open Rible in every community
The American and the Briton have
locked arms to close the century with
one united effort to destroy the cres
cent and lift the cross ia the east.
Almost Turned the Tide.
DR.. Handley's remarks for the mo
ment apparently turned the tide in f@
yor of the resolution, but after severa.
delegates, including w. j. Welch, OF
Wyoming, bad spoken against it, mo
ton to lay on the table, made by DR.
5. p. Cadman, of the New York con
ference, prevailed.
Report on EpiscOpncy.
At ten o'clock the roll for resolu'
tions and memorials was laid aside
and Dr. Buckley took the platform
to read the report of the committee
on episcopacy. Report No. 3, on tn,
effectiveness Of bishops, recommended
that James NJ. Thoburn, missionary
bishop of India, and j. c. Hartsell
missionary bishop of Africa, be de
clared effective, and that VIM. Taylor
missionary bishop of Africa, remair
in his present relation. ReYort No. !
was then read. This was on the elec
tion of bishop of African descent. II
read:
should he No Determinations.
"There should be no discrimination
on account of race or color. Mer
should be chosen because Of worth
and fitness of the person. We believ,
the time has come when the genera
conference may safely and wisely Ghost
n bishop from among the 1,700 minis
ters of African descent, and we recog
nize the need Of bishop among the
people of African descent"
Adopted Amid Applause.
This, too, was adopted amid great
applause.
DR.. Buckley then read the report OF
the election of additional general SUI
perintendents. "The committee OF
episcopacy recommends that two gen
eral superintendents be elected by thii
general conference said DR.. Buckley
II have to announce q minority re
port" said he. I'm fact, the division il
the committee involved the Offering o
a second minority report" DR.. Buckley
then moved the adoption of the re
port.
The majority report, when put to &
vote, was carried by 4l0 ayes TO 22'
nays.
A motion by DR.. Buckley that tn,
convention proceed to the election o.
bishops was then adopted, amid con
siderable confusion.
Under the rules adopted, II required
two.thirds Of the votes cast to decid,
the election. As soon us the ballot
had been collected by the tellers, mo
ton TO adjourn for the day was cur
ried.