Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-03-22
PuBLIo LEDGER job printing Office
and book bindery. Ii Madison.
The Methodist Episcopal Church
South.
Knoxville Tribune.l

Knoxville Tribune.l
The General Conference Of the M.
4. Church, South, will hold its regu-
lar quadrennial session at Nashville in
the month of May.
This is the law making body Of the
church, and there are some questions
Of vital importance that will come
before it for adjudication.
First, there is the cumbrous sufix
"South" that this branch of the
Methodist church has been carrying
since 1874. True, this is a small mat
ter apparently, yet it is causing very
much agitation in the leading papers
Of the church. Efforts have been
made in preceding conferences to drop
it off, 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 was assumed the church
was confined in its operations ex-
clusively to the Southern States; but
the church has no such geographical
limits now. Its extensive borders are
expanding in all directions. 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. In the
Northwestern States where the church
is pushing its victories, this unfortu-
nate sufix 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
absolutely essential to the efficiency
and success 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
Eldership is unknown. In America
where many of the ministers were
young and without experience it was
necessary to place over them man of
age, and superior wisdom. But the
Church has developed its intellectual
resources and is now able to supply all
Of its fields Of labor with men edu-
Gated and thoroughly qualified.
From secular standpoint this Of
fee ought to be dispensed with or
materially modified. But it is hardly
probable that the church is prepared
to do anything more just now, than
discuss the matter. The time is not
distant, however, when aggressive
action will be had.
One other work of Importance will
be the election of several new Bish-
ops.
This is necessity. Since the last
General Conference two of the Bish
ops have died. There are but five left
and three of these on account OF age
and affection 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. It's not known,
however, who the successful ones will
be.
IfDr. E &. Wiley, late of Emory
and Henry College, could call back a |
decade Of years, he would be one Of
them beyond question.
DR.. A. W. Wilson. the present Sec |
rotary Of the Board of Missions willin
all probability be elected. He is a
man Of profound piety and scholar
ship, and one Of the finest preachers
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 be-
fore he wrote and published his book |
on Our Brother in Black"
DR.. r. A. Young, now of Nashville,
but a native of East Tennessee, would |
render his church valuable service in
that capacity.
DR.. o. 2. Fitzgerald, the brilliant
editor of the Nashville Christian AID.
vocate, would make one of the grand
est Bishops his church ever had, for
he is every inch man in body, mind |
and heart.
DIR. w. H. Potter, of North Georgia,
is a man of ponderous intellect, and |
would measure to the hight Of Epis-
copal responsibility.
But we cannot mention them all,
for their name is legion.
Suffice it TO say, that if the APP
proachiBp General Conference iq as |
fortunate in its selection Of Bishops
as it has been in the past, it will have
done noble work for religion in this
part Of the world.
Mr.. Palmer f. Dale, living near
Savannah, Ca, says: Myself and |
family have always, since living in this