The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-05-15
THE BISHOPS RETIRED.
Methodist Conference Adopts the
Committees Recommendations.
ELBCrTON OF BISHOPS NOW ON.

II Is Now Conceded That Chaplain MoCabe,
of New York, Is in the Lead, Though the
Election VIII Doubtless Prove Interest
ing and Lively.
CLEVELAND May 5--Yesterdays ses-
sion of the Methodist Episcopal conference /
was the most important that has been
held yet The long expected report of the
committee on episcopacy was presented |
and adopted after an animated debate, |
which was interspersed with incidents of |
dramatic and pathetic interest. The re-
port provided for the retirement of the |
venerable Bishops Bowman and Foster on |
the ground of on-effectiveness, declared |
that the time is opportune for the election |
of a bishop of African descent, and also |
provided for the election of but two bish-
ops to take the place Of those who were re-
tired. The three propositions in the re-
port were agreed to by large majority
This action relates only to the bishops in
this country, and takes no account of the
bishops in the missionary field, who will
be considered later. The two bishops who
were retired will be supported by the book
concern.
This morning the conference proceeded
to the election of the two bishops. The
contest has narrowed down, and it is now
conceded that Chaplain McCabe, of New
York, is in the lead, although it is doubt
full If he yet has the two-thirds vote re-
quired to elect. Chancellor j. r. Day is
said to have decided to withdraw and
throw his support to Rev. DR.. j. w
Hamilton, of Boston. Jesse +. Case, of
Pittsburg, layman, who lis ambitious to
secure election to a secretaryship of the
Freedman's Aid society, may ALLEVIATE GER
tain Pittsburg support from DIR. Charles
! w. Smith of that city, by joining with
the Day Hamilton forces. The election is
likely to prove very interesting and lively.
The church extension committee de-
cided to recommend that hereafter no as
sistance be given to churches that cost
more than $1,000 except by special legis-
lation. 1t was asserted that many wealthy
churches had in the past secured aid
which ought to be reserved for poor con-
gregations.
The committee on book concern decided
to recommend the appointment of com
mission to prepare new hymnal for the
use of the church, from which much of
the light music now in use would be
eliminated
The committee on education took up
the subject of making loans to students
1t was decided to refuse such loans to
students in the Mexican and South Ameri-
can conferences 1t will be suggested to
the conference, in view of the fact that
100000 has been loaned in twenty-five
years, and only $50, 900 of that sum repaid,
that better system of accounting be
adopted, and all students who are assisted
be required to waive the statute of limita-
tion in the notes they give as security.
There was lively meeting of the COM
mittee on temperance, and as a result two
reports defining the policy of the church
with respect to the temperance question
will be submitted to the conference The
majority report will be in line with the
action of the conference of four years ago
at Omaha, which was to the effect that
no political party has the right to expect
the support of Christians if that party
does not declare in favor of the total
prohibition Of the liquor traffic. This
report will have the support of sixteen
members of the committee, and will be
advocated by DR.. Lowther, of Wichita
Kan
Fifteen members of the committee will
sign a minority report opposing the ma
iority. 1t will urge that the adoption Of
the majority report will commit the churcf
to the Prohibition party, and claim thai
more effective, practical temperance worF
- can be accomplished through the medium
of the old parties DIR. Everett, of the New
England conference, DIR. Mcfarland of IL
linois, Professor Tarris of Maine and DIR
Quayle of Kansas City will support tn
minority report. The committee decide'
unanimously to cooperate with the anti
saloon league.