The Tortoise and the Hare

What’s Old is New Again 
By Anne Packard
 
“Much of the steadfastness and solidarity that Methodism has since exhibited to the world is due to the just and balanced judgement which restrained him (John Wesley) and his adherents from playing the part of revolutionary agitator or wild fanatics.” Episcopal Address 1918 General Conference Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia
 
The General Conference meeting in 1808 greatly changed the roles of bishops in the Methodist movement. Fearing that the episcopacy had too much power, the delegates limited their ability to affect change by denying bishops the right to introduce motions or resolutions, participate in debates, or cast votes. To counteract this change and keep bishops from becoming “ornamental dummies,” Bishop William McKendree introduced his own change at the next general conference meeting by adding the Episcopal Address in 1812. This would allow the episcopacy an opportunity to reflect on the progress of Methodism and propose a future with more opportunities. It is thought that Bishop McKendree didn’t ask Bishop Asbury’s opinion before introducing the Episcopal Address because Asbury would not have approved of the addition and McKendree would have rather asked forgiveness than permission.
 
The General Conference meeting in 1918 faced tremendous challenges including the rights of women in Methodism, the Temperance Movement, the reunification of the MEC and the MECS, and World War I. As is so often the case, there were Methodists on both sides but diligent work was undertaken to affect positive change. During the meeting it was announced that Jacksonville, Florida was “dry” and this was met with great enthusiasm but, as we know now, this change would be temporary. The delegates also agreed that if the MEC could create an approved reunification plan quickly, the MECS would hold a special called general conference to approve it, but, in reality, reunification wouldn’t occur for another twenty years. The most heartbreaking written statement for me regarded the support of World War I, a controversial topic during this time. “While we of course long and pray for peace, yet we trust that when it comes it will be a peace full of justice and righteousness. Anything less than that would be a delusion and a snare and would leave the possibility, if not the certainty, of endless wars in the future. It will be better to fight on and suffer on than to capitulate to a despotism whose methods recall the worst chapters of heathen barbarity” (Episcopal Address 1918 General Conference). No matter how hard these Christians tried, World War II would occur and the worst chapters of heathen barbarity would be sadly redefined.
 
So, does this mean that the work undertaken at General Conference has little meaning to affect positive change in our communities? I think not. As Bishop Hoss so rightly noted, “the steadfastness and solidarity that Methodism has since exhibited to the world is due to the just and balanced judgement which restrained him (John Wesley).” It was the deliberateness of John Wesley’s methodical ways that allowed early Methodists to affect meaningful change in the world. Wesley was not changing fast enough for many, especially American Methodists, but the steadfastness and solidity of his change made Methodism a reliable and sustainable organization. Bishop Hoss goes on to write in the 1918 Episcopal Address that, “It was better for the cause every way that he should go too slow than too fast. Conservatism may occasionally vex us by the deliberate gait with which it moves, but it carries with it some of the greatest moral values in the world.”
 
And, so, the Methodists continue to meet, and pray, and sing, and speak, and listen. Change is made, often times more slowly than we’d like. Some changes hold fast throughout the years while others are temporary pauses in the march of time. Some changes are successful in meeting their end goal while others are not able to bring the desired outcomes. Maybe the gift of Methodism isn’t in the results of votes but in the act of meeting. The deliberate gait, steadfastness, and solidity might just be what the world has needed and continues to need. Just maybe, Methodists win simply because they meet.
 
Anne Packard serves as Conference Historian and director of the Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum on St. Simons Island. Contact her at apackard@epworthbythesea.org.