The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-03-06
A BURNING QUESTION.
WHAT WILL BE DONE ABOUT EVAN
CYCLISTS BY CONFERENCE.
The Methodist General Conference to Meet
in May when the Matter Will be Fully
Aired-How Will 1t End.
Many important matters will demand at

tention at the approaching general con-
terence of the southern Methodist church.
Inc conference meets every four years,
and the selection of a place of meeting
is left to a committee of delegates. st.
Louis was the place chosen for this pur
pose four years ago in 1890, and, in May Of
this year, the conference will convene at
Memphis.
Before this quadrennal conference doubt
less will be brought the question of the
creation of a board of education Clergy
men and laymen alike seem to be awaken
ing to realization of the fact that, if the
Methodist church in the south would shape
the destiny of the country, it must do what
1t can TO educate the people.
a great number Of annual conferences in
the southern states have already fallen into
line with a hearty appre citation of this
need, and now levy assessments on their
constituency for educational purposes.
Another question that has been asked in
connection with the coming conference is,
what shall be done about moving and nom
resident members and attendance on church
conferences?
1t is said that the membership of churches
twenty, thirty, forty and fifty miles from
Atlanta and other cities in this and neigh
boring states is frequently represented here
ana elsewhere The nonresident member
ship of the Methodist church, south, has
grown so large, it is said, as to constitute
very significant percentage OF the whole
This state of affairs works a great hurt
to the Methodist church in the south
and, at the same time, the members them
selves, are said to sustain serious losses re-
ligiously.
Then doubtless, there will also have to
be an election Of one or two more bishops
70 conserve the good interests of the church.
OI the number that obtains-ten two
are sad to be practically Incapable of per-
forming the duties of the office owing to
age or other infirmity
MISSIONS and missionary work in general
WIZ require and doubtless receive careful
consideration at the hands of the ouadren-
MAJ conference. and many other subjects
OF like nature and equal mport will he
brought up for deliberations
bul the one subject that is being dis
cuSsed at the fresides of the people from
"eorSla TO Texas and from Florida to Ten
neSSe 49, what will the general conference
90 about evangelists. 1t is believed NV
many that heavy pressure will be broupht
10 pear upon the assembly to provide nv
I'd" Aor special eVaDGelistic work Large
NUMBERS OIL MethodiSts high in office and
III Sooo standing regard the provision as
a necessity. They believe that the churcb
VIII sustain a great loss unless such a uro
VISION is MADE. AS the matter stands now
al'l - no law on the subject The church
- ~ paiIuiiy deficient III this respect.
foald Well-knoWn Methodist minister, +ba
other day: "There's q decided aa,oa,,d f
the evangelist. Many Influences in certain
communities arise now and then that tend
TO deaden the life of the gospel and demand
eiI eiVIceS OF an evangelist. The evan
senst is needed to destroy then, efferts
ana to bring the people back to q realia
ion OF the truth. These influences are in
hlical to the best interests of the chIrch
and ouShe not to exist. 0-'
men, you KNOW continued he. "tbere,s
d certain class of persons who afta, y
while, grow familiar with the es+aI1i'sho .
"s OF the church, and want a chan@o
10y use interest and no Ionuor