Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-31

y
are well known In Iowa and all be-
loved ny the entire church. They un-
doubtedly have felt the keenest pain
and disappointment over this action
Of the conference, but no fretful or
censorious words have escaped them.
We are told that two or three plead
earnestly with the committee on
Npiscopacv to be allowed to try their
strength for four years more, but
when that committee decided that the
interests of the church demanded
younger and more vigorous men, these
fathers quietly submitted and they
appear to greet the men who are now
being elected in their places, with sin
cere kindness and cordially.
Selection of Bishop.
1t is a thrilling scene to watch the
selecting Of bishop. 1t is the very
highest office in the gift of the church.
All the proceedings are conducted
with prayerful solemnity. No one Is
permitted on the floor except the dele
gates and the tellers; even the white
capped pages are excluded until the
votes are written and the ballots col.
lected. When ready the presiding
bishop asks all delegates to stand
and they hand their ballots to the tel
lers; they sit down. Then the bishop
says: "Have all voted?" If there is no
reply he says: THE tellers may re-
tire" There are sixteen men in this
body and they march with almost mar
tial steps. After they have left the
room the receiving Of reports is re-
sumed, but there is an expectant air
over the entire multitude and though
in this case the large number OF votes
cannot be counted in short time, yet
the slightest unusual noise draws all
eyes to the door where the tellers vii!
enter on their return and when they
do come, all business is suspended.
They march solemnly in and at the
platform their report is handed to the
bishop who is presiding for the day.
The house becomes very quiet and lis
tens as the bishop reads the result OF
the ballot. II any candidate has re-
ceived enough or more votes than is
necessary for his election, the bishop
announces that "He is now bishop
Of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OF course great applause and waving
of handkerchiefs follows and some one
moves that the new bishop be es-
corted to the platform and there be
seated.
Two of the older bishops always
walk on either side of the newly elect
ed one. and as he ascends the plat
form he is greeted by the others who
are there. 1t is a trying time for the
successful candidate The first man
chosen in this conference was Rev. DR..
Berry. so we'll known to our own PEG.
ple He was much touched by the en-
thusiastic ovation given him. He also
had the compliment of being elected
on the first ballot. AS he realized the
great honor conferred on him his eyes
filled with tears and his lips quivered
but he looked every inch great and
good man.
The new bishops who have genera
1 supervision are now all elected. They
are: Joseph F. Berry of. Chicago; w
F. Mcdowell of New York; Henry
Spellmeyer of Newark. N. j.; James
| w. Bashford of Ohio; William Burt OF
Rome, Italy; Luther B. Wilson of Bal
I timore; Thomas B. Nicely of Philadel
phia.
\ The conference has been unable te
4 accept all the invitations to visit neal
! by places of interest. On last Satur
day they were the guests of the people
Of Riverside, about thirty miles from
Los Angeles, where are vast orange
orchards in which the visitors were
allowed to roam and each pick an or
l ange for himself. The delegates were
/ taken to Riverside on the Salt Lake
railroad and it was an enjoyable da,
to all.
i In my next letter | will tell some
! thing Of the great missionary exhibit
) now being held here. It's under the
}, especial care of Earl Taylor, formerly
i Y. M. C. A. secretary of Muscatine.