Year: 1861

This subject has long been discussed in
our Church, and the opinion has been evi-
IDENTIFY gaining ground, that to some extent
at least, it may be introduced into the Annu.
al, or even the General Conference. The
subject received considerable attention and
discussion at the last General Conference,
and it appeared difficult to harmonic views
upon any definite plan for its introduction
1t was finally agreed to submit the subject
without defining the plan to the Church, and
give its members an opportunity by vote to
express their wishes upon the subject. We
think it is we'll to give the laity an opportu-
nifty of thus having voice in this matter
In our vicw if the principle of recognizing
lay delegation should be adopted by the
Church, we have more to fear from the indif-
ference and iuattention of the laity 10 the
subj Get, than any over action in controlling
unduly our ecclesiastical interests. 1t is
one trouble, seriously felt at the present time,
that our Quarterly Conferences are thiny
attended, and many of our interests languish
because the attention of our members is so
deeply occupied with other matters Ger
tainly unless the laity desire it, and have
some interest IN this subject, its adoption by
the Church would be comparatively dead
letter. We here give the action of tho last
General Conference upon this subject:


Il Resolyed, that we, the Delegates Of
the Annual Conferences of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in General Conference as
selnbled, hereby approve of the introduction
of lay representation into this body when it
shall be ascertancd that the Church desires
it,


2 Resoived, that all our preachers in
charge, stationed within the United States
anc Territories, be and they are hereby re-
duired to lay the subject Of lay representation
In the General Conference before the male
members over twenty-one years of age, and
in full connection, in their several charges, at
q meeting duly notified on two successive
Sabbaths said meetings to be held at some
convenenient period between the sessions of
the respective Annual Conferences in 1861
and 1862, and the results to be certified to
the Annual Conference next succeeding the
taking of the vote by the preacher in charge,
specifying the number voting for and the num-
Der voting against lay representation, and be
entered upon the Journals; and that each
Annual Conference shall, through its Secre-
tary, furnish to the presiding Bishop certi-
fed copy of the result, The form and man
ner of presenting the vote to the male mem
bers Of tho Church shall be by ballot, and as
follows :---' For lay representation, or,


Against lay representation.


3. Resolced, That the Bishops be and are
hereby instructed to lay the same question,
and in the same form, before the Annual Con-
ferences at their sessions in 1862; and that
each Annual Coference, through its Secretary,
shall furnish tie presiding Bishop with GER
tilted copy of the result.


4. ResoLved that the Bishops be reques-
ted to report the results of these several
votes to the General Conference at its next
session.


With special reference to this action of
the General Conference, the Vermont Con-
ference at its last session passed the following !:
On motion, ordered that the preachers pre-
sent the subject Of lay delegation in the month
of September This subject, then, is to be
presented the present month by the preachers
of our Conference. The notice is to be given
two successive Sabbaths previous to the time
of voting upon the question. 1t is not to be
presumed that the preachers will publicly dis
cuss the qeuestion and try and influence the
people pro or con, but see that the notice is
duly given, and that a fair opportunity is Sc
cured for the people to express their wishes
upon the subject. The votes given are to be
simply for or against lay representation, In
making the public announcement, it may be
we'll to read the action of the General Con-
ference, and urge those who are entitled to
vote not to neglect the subject, as the church
desire the free expression Of their wishes up
on this subject, and the final settlement OF the
question may have much to do with the ultl-
mate prosperity of the church. ...