The Life of Robert Paine, D.D.; Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1916. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXII. General Conference Of 1866--Changes Made--Lay Element--New Bishops. JT FTER his round of Conferences in the fall and winter -W. of 1865-66, he went to the General Conference which met in New Orleans in April, 1866. This Conference gave to the Church lay delegation. No wiser addition was ever made to the life and energy of a Church organization. While it increased the importance of the lay element in our Church and added largely to its influence, it did not detract in the least from the influence of the clergy. Dr. Palmer, the distinguished Presbyterian minister of New Orleans, who witnessed the whole proceeding spoke of it in the highest terms of commendation. He declared it to be an example of the moral sublime, and that great good would result from utilizing this important element in the Church. And his declaration has been found in all respects a true prophecy. We could not now do without this important element in our General Conference. It is conservative; it is practical; it is eminently helpful. This change in our Church polity met with the hearty approbation of Bishop Paine. He was always progressive, as well as highly conservative. He was not impetuous. He belonged to that class of ministers of whom the Apostle Paul was a type. He was altogether unlike the impetuous Peter. He seldom had to repent at leisure of what he had done in haste. His sound judgment approved of a measure which would bring to the front so much talent and so much piety, and which for near three-quarters of a century had been suffered to lie dormant. The change has worked as well as ita most sanguine friends could have anticipated. It was at this Conference, amid great excitement and confusion, that he took the chair at the earnest request of one of his colleag...