Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-23
THE METHODISTS.
The Approaching General Conference
Of the Southern Branch Of
the Church.
The Work to be DOne-BishOps to be
Elected-Presiding Eldership-
The Word ''SOuth.''
Knoxville Trbuue


The general conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South, will hold Its regu-
lar quadrennial session at Nashville in the
month OF Nav. This Is the lawmaking
body OF the Church, and there are some
questions Of vital importance that will come
before it for adjudication. First, there is
THE cUsIBRoUs sUFFIx SOUTH"
that this branch of the Methodist Church has
been carrying since 1874 True this Ia .
small matter apparently, yet it is causing
very much agitation in the leading papers OF
the Church. Efforts have been made in pre-
ceding conferences to drop it of, but they
have failed. The time has now finally come,
it is thought, when the term South Is
awkward, not TO say out OF place, in any such
connection. At the time it assumed the
Church was confined in its operations eIClu-
sively to the Southern States; but the Church
has no such geographical limits now. It's
extensive borders are expanding in all di-
rections. And inasmuch as the term South"
emits a political odor in consequence of the
late war, it would be wise, perhaps, for the
Church to drop it. 10 the Northwestern
States, where the Church is pushing its victo
ries, this unfortunate suffix is offensive, and
therefore in the way. Another subject OF
some gravity is the office of
PRESIDING ELDERsHIP.
There was a time when this office was alb
solutely essential to the efficiency and sue
cess of Methodism. But it is now thought
by many Of the wisest members of the church
that the day for the necessity of that office is
gone. In England, where the Methodist
Church was organized, the presiding elder
ship is unknown. In America, where many
OF the ministers were young and without ex
perienCe, ii was necessary to place over them
man of age and superior wisdom. But the
Church has developed its intellectual re-
sources, and is now able to supply all Of its
fields of labor with men educated and thor
oughly qualified. From a secular standpoint
this Office ought to be dispensed with or
materially modified. But it is hardly preb-
able that the Church Is prepared 10 do any
thing more Just now than discuss the matter.
The time is not distant, however, when ag-
gressive action will be had. One other work
of Importance will be the election of several
NEW BISHOPS.
This is necessity. Since the last general
conference two bishops have died. There
are but five left, and three of these, on ac-
count of age and attiiction, are unable for
active duty. At least four will have to be
chosen Less than six active bishops cannot |
do the work Of the Church. There are many
able men from whom TO make the selection. |
1t is not known, however, who the successful !
ones will be.
If DR.. f. L. Wiley, late of Emory and |
Henry College, could call back decade OF |
years, he would be one of them beyond ques-
ton.
DR.. \. w. Wilson, the present secretary of |
the Board of Missions will in all probability |
be elected. He is a man OF profound piety |
and scholarship, and one of the finest preach |
ers OF the age.
DR.. A. G. Haygood, OF Georgia, has every |
qualification for the office, but he is not so |
popular now as he was before he wrote and |
published his book on Our Bro,her in Black.
DR.. Il. A. Young, now of Nashville, but |
native OF East Tennessee, would render his |
church valuable service in that capacity.
DR.. o. p. Fitzgerald, the brilliant editor OF |
the Nashville Christian AdUOcate, would make |
one of the grandest bishops his church ever
had, for he is every inch a man in body, |
mind and heart.
DR.. w. II. Potter, of North Georgia, Is
man of ponderous intellect, and would meas !
ure to the hight OF episcopal responsibility. |
But we cannot mention them all, for their |
name is legion.
Suffice it to say, that if the approaching |
general conference is as fortunate in its Sc
lection of bishops as it has been in the past, |
it will have done noble work for religion
in this part of the world. 7