New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-01
METHODIST LAYMEN ACT
Want District Superintendent to
Go Altogether.
REAL EPISCOPAL CONTROL
More Bishops, Smaller Confer
ences, Five Year Pastorates,
Are Among Demands.

The Iaymen Of tho New York Conference
O. tho Methodist Episcopal Church. In SEES
s,on in Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church
In Harlem. submitted 10 the conference yes
terday plans for sweeping changes in tho
form of the church government Abolition
OF the Office Of district superintendent and
an increase I'm the lumber Of bishops are
recommended TO the conference, but even
though n favorable vote by this conference
follow. the whole Church. in general con
ference in Minneapolis next MAY. must pass
upon the plan.
Smaller conferences are urged. IL being
the sentiment of the laymen that natural
houndsries-rivers. mountain chains and
state Iiness-be regarded in the creation OF
conference bounds. Under the present sys-
lem. with conferences. in most cases. half
in one state. half in another, many minis
,crs according 10 the laymcn. arc prac-
ucaHy disfranchised.
The general superintendents. or bishops.
in the view Of the laymen. should be more
directly concerned in the government OF
the Church. The resolutions express the
opinion that the district superintendents
have come 10 DO much of the work proper
!, the function Of the bishops The clause
bishops under the proposed system follows;
As a result of the proposition thus adj
,-anced which is not new we believe that
the general superintendent should reside
within the bounds Of a conference and
preside over It's work FOR a period of SUI
lcient length that lie might personally
visit each Church at least once year,
learning the needs. determining whether
his appointce was fit or mistt, becom-
ING acquainted with the men and women
OF the Church and generally having Such
oversight as to become intimately Informed
OF the nature OF the work set him 10 do,
and hence able 10 prepare some general
and comprehensive plans for Church deVei-
opment and enlargement that as q whole
the work of God might advance. No gen
efal superintendent can DO this unless AZ
least a quadrcnnim IS spent with confer
naee In other words, We believe mat our
general superintendents ought 10 be To-
Gated over one conference for at least four
years 10 travel about and thus make their
knowledge first hand information, with a
consequent breadth of vision and intensive
desire for Church growth;
Upward of five hundred competent pas
tors arc taken from churches where they
are needed 10 become district Superintend-
entS Less than half that number made
general Superintendents could do the work
more efficiently al less expense and win
greater glory 10 God and the Church.
During the day Bishop Smith pointed out
trst the Methodist Episcopal Church,
trorcd by the clergy. had been turned over over
20 the laymen and was now almost IN 'helr
absolute control ,. -.
Ne preachers cannot give a license 10
breach unless YOU laymen nave hTSt APP
proved in your conferences, SAID the
Bishop. You laymen sometimes complain
about the preachers we send you; All
iravc to say is that II you don't Ike the
preachers We send YOU then YOU must Seid
better ones 10 us. This is the unusual
feature of the Methodist church tnat
though organized by clergymer, the latter
have invited the laymen 10 con roi IT. Inc
layman has no right 10 s,anc back ana
complain II the church Is nol SOihS on
ieht. or If it is not going forward; You
lavmen arc just as much responsible as
any one concerned.
Tie laymcn also wish representation at
tie annual conference. They are entitled
,u seats At the general conference, but not
a. the annual conference.
Another recommendation made by the
laymen was that pastorateS be limited 10
Methodist minister was allowed 10 remain
ri one charge only TO years ana then ne
had 10 move on despite his wishes or those
OF the congregation. The Unit was n
creased and again increased. and finally
vas Withdrawn. so that minister might
remain as long as was desired. But the
laymen said yesterday IN their memorial
. tho general conference that number
~ years of trial had demonstrated that
bat generally unsatisfactory and a him
GRANGE 20 work. and they asked for the
nve-year limit 10 be restored.
Edgar Blake. OF the sunday school
Mon. made a speech in which he said
that one third Of the children of the cOun-
try were growing up without religious
training DR.. George &. Carter secretary
q. the New York Bible Society: Dr. +. NJ.
stone. president Of the American Cniver-
city. Washington, and a. f. Noble, pres-
dent Of GoUChcr College. Baltimore. spoke
81 the work Of their institutions.
Congressman John T.. Andrus. Of Yon-
ierf treasurer Of the conference. rcporte ed
the total invested funds Of the conference
~ he s9S0.js3 nor assets bring the amount
10 s2s9.37s. OF these funds. s6.506 is subject
70 the payment Of annuites to old preach
ere and their widows. Mr.. Andrus. who
save $4,000 several wears ago To the Old
Preachers Fund. told Bishop Smith pri-
v9tely that he would give a like amount
il tho conference would raise 100000 In
addition. and = the conference could raise
fnt Ssn 600 he ,vnnld riXe co. N0N