The Daily Missoulian., 1912-08-25

effective and unquestlonable method.
Nevertheless. the question of con-
sistency may Justly be raised in the
light of the previous contention with
respect to equal representation legls-
lation.
The developments along the line of
giving the laity representation In the
church councils are of interest AS
showing the flexibilty of the Methodist
government. herein previously men,
toned. Men only were at first admit
ted to representation. In the general
conference. which was long composed
OF ministers only. Then the suffix
men" of the word 'laymen" was
erased from the discipline, leaving 1t
LAY members" and this then allowed
women to sit In the legislative body.
Msthodists Tagging.
with regard to equal representation
In the annual conferences, the Meth
odist church Ii behind other de-
nominations, as things now stand. As
sociations of Methodist laymen have
sprung up all over the country, but
they have no legal status at present.
Only once in four years do the lay
men meet on anything like an equal
footing with the ministers of the an
nual conferences. That is when the
lay electoral conference meets Just
precedent to the general conference, to
elect one or more delegates to the
latter body. And with that done. the
legal functions of the lay electoral
conference are exhausted. 1t possesses
ne legislative powers whatsoever.
except to pass upon constitutional
amendments to be heard in general
conference.
1t Is now proposed in general church
discussions that the laymcn shall meet
with the ministers In equal representa-
tion In the annual conferences, with
the same voice as the ministry In all
matters arising. with the possible ex-
ception Of passing the characters OF
the ministers" The latter prerogative
seems to he jealously desired lily the
ministers to remain their sole right.
While disposition to refuse a solution
OF this. problem by evasive legisla-
tion, which was described as admit
ting the laymen to the annual con-
ference by the back door" was largely
responsible for It's defeat. IL is also
quite certain that full approval was
not accorded the rather cumbersome
plan proposed. which. If the writer re-
members. provided two separate an
nual conferences. one for the ministers
and one for the laymen, the same to
become coincident at certain stage
in the proceedings. why there should
not be provided unified body OF
laymen and ministers. considering all
matters of legislation on an equal
footing. does not appear on the sur
face of the question. There Is doubt
less food for much thought here, as
well as an opportunity for bright
minds OF the church to formulate.
within the coming quadrennium, such
plan as will meet with general ap-
proyal.
Amusements.
The ever-recurrent amusement aues
ton assailed the general conference
just ended with all It's old-time vigor
and again the body refused to settle
the question. This statement carries
the inference that the action taken al
Minneapolis cannot be considered final
/ am willing to go further and make
the declaration prophecy. have
two reasons for taking this position,
and herein l must again question the
consistency of the Minneapolis con-
ference.
! lay myself open to probable critl-
cism when ] give as the first reason
for my prophecy the declaration that
the question of eliminating paragraph
26O was not decided on dts merits. On
the main question that lies at the
bottom of the whole problem. namely
whether indulgence in so-called
worldly amusemants In conducive ia
spiritual health and growth, l bid fair
to say there is far less difference OF
opinion than would seem to be shown
by the figures OF the vote. The d.
vergence Of opinion Is not as to the
end In view nor the principle at stake,
but rather as to the means for at
tanning that end and making vital that
principle. Few Methodists, In any
(who can rightly lay claim to the
title). desire the church TO take "a
backward step in this great problem
None, or very few, desire that
Methodism shall in any sense place
Its stamp Of approval upon question:
able amusements. And 1t was largely
the fear that the world at large
would so construe the elimination OF
this paragraph that undoubtedly In
duced many to vote for its retention.
All of which raises the question
Should the church not do right for
rights sake. leaving the world to take
misconstruction II 1t will. but hop
ing and believing that eventually II
would discover the true position of
the church? AS things now stand,
we are In an anomalous position. We
have law that is dead letter
Many OF our members violate Vt with
impunity, and the ministry make no
attempt to resort to punitive meas
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