The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-19
OF
SECOND WEEK
OF CONFERENCE.
EpisSopaOy soemS to bo the Storm
Center Personalities Kept Out,
But oblique Remarks Appear.
DEBATE WILL BE HISTORIC.
Stirring Appeal Made for Starving
India Report Of the African Mis-
EtOns-NO Bishop Elected.

CHICAGO, May. 1s.-The eplscopaCy
ID the storm center OF the Methodist
Episcopal General Conference. Happily
direct personalities concerning present
incumbehtH of the high offices are kept
out OF the public sessions, but certain
obiique remarks are frequently made
the applications OF which are thorough
Iy understood by the delegates. There
has developed a disposition to unite the
Office In the interest Of alleged democ-
racy by GbollshIng the life tenure, by
throwing the non-efEectlve bishops back
upon their respective conferences as su-
perannuates and made claimants upon
the Held for suchminlstOrs,t to restrict the
present world wide superiHtendency to
districts, to diminish the salary to hold
the bishops strictly to episcopal work
and to deny them extra compensation
for service at dedicatlons, etc.
Movement Led by Governor Shaw.
Though the movement was led by
oovurnor Leslie NJ. Shaw, of Iowa, in
the most determined and slsillful man
ner possible, It did not develop upon the
test vote strength equal to one-thtrd
OF the whole body. Now that the air is
clear, It Is evident that eplscopacy Is
more firmly rooted in the policy Of the
church than ever. Not q bishop is de-
oIared uneftecttve. The board viii be
strengthened by the addition Of two
bishops and diocesan episcopacy is de-
feated. Fortunately for all concerned,
the most experienced and influential
member OF the conference, Or. James
NJ. Buckley, editor of the Advocate, at
New York, Is chairman Of the commit
tee on oplsebpacy and steered the report
through stormy debate which is des-
tined TO be historic.
Bishops in Their Respective Fields.
The missionary bishops of India and
Africa are shorn of office the moment
they leave the continents to which this
episcopacy is limited. They are bishops
only when in their respective fields. But
wherever they are they cannot lose the
love and veneratlon Of the church.
Their reports OF Episcopal supervision
for the quadrennium awakened great
enthusiasm. James NJ. Thoburn, bishop
OF India, has for n third OF century
been the standard bearer Of the church
in southern Asia. His heart was evi-
IDENTIFY touched to pity for his famine
stricken people. as the very flrst word
Of his memorable address bore upon
this unparalleled affllcton. Three
thousand famine-made orphans were
thrown upon the hands of the mission
at the close OF the last famine. More
than that number may be expected.
Stirring Appeal for India.
The bishop made a stirring appeal for
immediate relief. The Methodist COM
munity of India now numbers 1lO,OOs
souls. But even this large parish SEEM
ed not large enough for the heart Of this
missionary bishop. He entered Manila
when insurgents were still In the sub
urbs and planted an American church
Of fifty members and Filipino services
with an attendance of 900. Bishop Tho
burn's plea for the appointment of two
asyociates in the Episcopal supervision
of.India, Malasia and FilipIna was pa
.thetle. He removes the objection of In
creSsed expense by n most uncommon
proposition, namely, the substantial re-
dnctluu Of his own salary. But the
church did not need this additional evil
dtnee OF the unselAsh character of his
services.
Special Interest in Bishop Hartzell.
A specIal interest attaches to the ap-
peurance and words Of Bishop Hart4eil
/ atthts time. He is fresh from the scenes
Sof the war in South Africa, was the
r1iest OF President Kruger Just before
hostnNles began and of the British au-
tborities since. He was elected to this
btshoprtcy four years ago and this was
his frst quadrennial report. He is the
U1ccesyor Of the immortal William Tay-
lor, who is still living, but in retirement
nm account OF old age. Bishop Taylo"
during the twelve years Of his super
vision OF Africa, received and expended
about 100000. He maintained a semi
independent relation to the church, de-
cllnlnE a salary and throwing his mis-
ytonaries upon self support upon arriv-
ing at their respective fields,
Experiment Not Satisfactory.
Tho experience has not been satisfac-
tory in permanent results, though In
calculable good has undoubtedly been
done especially through Taylors per-
sopal services. Bishop Hartzell snys:
"The most Important service rendered
nv Bishop Taylor's self-supporling mis-
slonary movements in Africa was to de-
monstrate that the organized methods
of ihp church representing the Chris
,ian Judgment as we'll as the admins
tra,lvc experience OF the whole body
ARE more certain to insure permanent
ana large success than any individual
movement" Bishop Hartzell has trav-
eled 10000 in the quadrsnnium by OCEAN
and river craft, railroad, stage, OK
wagons and hammocks.
Spent His Time in Africa.
He spent more or less time in Madeira
Islands, Liberia, Congo, Angola, PNriu-
Ruesa, East Africa, Degola Bay and
Mashunalund. He has received vaiua'
bio concessions OF lands and buildings
from the British South African Com
papy, ono tract alone Of 1900 acres he