REVOLUTION IN METHODISM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 431, 13 February 1909, Page 9

REVOLUTION IN METHODISM.

Methodism , is !now L on .the ev4 of one mort peaceable revolution, the most■ striking;and< democratic;that it has yet.witnessed, states a Wesleyan' correspohdent of ■'., the . Lohdon : "Times." During the; next fortnight. Wesleyan : superintendent ministers ..will -be ■ hold* ing.their,circuit quarterly meetings, and 1 not doub.t acquainting .them, with, and arranging: for,"the important Church meetings to be; held':early in Year, for the. purpose of electing by. popular vote certain persona to.be, duly .the, leadersV meeting, ■; This meeting, -jfa '. its name' indicates, is .composed of the- class leaders -for the most ;p'art,; ; -with .the istewards of: the Church' (or society),, and for-the. poor, and also the.circuit-steward should be a member, of/that particular society. "All these, are; the direct nominees of ./the; minister.; Tney ; have general oversight '■ of the; particular and .possess/disciplinary powers.;: It is.now decided to add to them- (not, ;ho'wever, for the. present; for/disciplinary functions), represeiitatiyes. of'. Churcli - members, - .nominated 'ai. "an , .aggregate i; devotional ..meeting -of.: the members, of, sooioty,", by ,a"ny •member.who.ia, eligible to: take "part -in .theelection^ 1 .Thia is a great step-in advance, and is'a,veritable, '.'democratising'! of Wesleyan Methodism,'fnr in advance ;pf: any. previous development ia this direction.;- •.' :. '■;".-' -.; •'■.•."-■; .':'j v.'. '/.'.■•.•'

The. matter has been under. discussion" for:, some, years, and ;it is a.justVand jquitahUl ' o6noosioh' : to'.ihe'wemWs;of , :liiev.'Wesleyjni-"' Church, giving ;.them.■ a voice-,;in Church'■■ affairs; to which.' everybody, admits . they are>.' ; fairly ehtitled.jJ.These ''elected".- members 'of '■ the leaders' meeting will'be.in • of one. in 50r-pr. fraction.of 50—members , of y society-in. connection with that leaders'meet- ; .' ing,, up ;to". 400; members , 'thus': providing/, f or.■' a/maximuin^df,eight .'elected .members.;'JSucbi ] : persons, become of the,.circuitVquar», terly must 01)6" 2L -years' -of :.' ;age, r and-have thad. three--years , :; cpntifiuou3y ;in:tlie;.Church?;f;The::electorat«;; 'must :also M 21 years of.'age-and/upwardsi ■ an3-■lw~ih' > election,; after J ,hpmina%n/:niay.:be either:by : •openvoting;pr by ballot,asvthe meeting may,' deiermine,:}and-ibr. : : oneVyear"orilyj : pfovideaj. ■'' r };-::,j.'--%" : ';.><• '■- 'These; aggregate '/Church ; meetings;.. wher?(;' the "election -takes, "place,- are? to ■-be hel<i ; as'. early-in :"the as cbhvenieht,'; presided-over: by ;the ; superintendent minister or : by one "of his': colleagues; the members: of; the .meeting:.; to--.show .their -quarterly-ticket of ; membeiw,:, ship.' -; : :-:'v> r ' ri;

: This legislatibri, which.nbwcomesintbforciVas ;. confirmed ■ by ; the ;York; ; . Conference,, an a ■ TTillj".it is generally' anticipated, , be.the,.meaiffl. of strengthening the bond ■. of attachment be^'■ iween members and ; the iWesleyan MetHodisiJ Church;itself.;■ It Tvill .afEord; ; members:oppqtt tunities of.exercising 'their-influence," and;es-. pressing their mind:.upbn. : matters -affecting. an 3, if.the.'priyilege be'". 'rightly ■ exercised;, and \nbt ■■■: abused,'.vmH,dbubtkss'•• add, considerably ;to, of/ the: Wesleyan-community;:;- L - £i:;•;)■ ■ L.