Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-10
STOP CHURCHMEN USING IT
A Communication Was Received From the N.
E. chu's South.
LOOKING TO AUNstoF THE CHURCHES
Resolution rs Passed Protesting
Against Flor IS Law, Which Pro-
hibits Neg and Whites Being
Taught ~ the Same School.

Cleveland, o., May 9.-Bishop Minde
presided at this mornings session of the
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Rev. Mr.. Lowthers of Kansas intro
duced a resolution asking that all Meth
odists be asked to abstain from using
tobacco, and that no Sunday school
teachers or Epworth league presidents or
other officers be elected who use tobacco.
Referred to the committee on temper
ance.
A resolution was introduced asking
that, as colored man had given the first
dollar towards the new American uni
versity at Washington, one colored man
should be always on the board of trusI
tees of the institution. Ruled out Of
ORDER
A resolution and petition opposing the
proposed amendment to the United
States constitution putting God In the
constitution was referred to the commit
tee on church and state. 1t provided
that the words trusting In Almighty
God should be inserted after the word
"posterity" In the preamble of the con-
stitution.
Samuel Dickie of Albion, Mich, chair
man of the prohibition national commit
tee, and who has just been elected mayor
OF Albion, was excused by the conference
for several days in order to go home and
close up the saloons.
The committee on Episcopacy was in
struoted to report on the advsability Of
electing more bishops by Tuesday at 10
a. m.
communication from the Methodist
church south was read by Secretary
Monroe. stating that a committee had
been appointed to confer with the Meth
odist church looking to federation of the
two churches 1t was referred to the
board of bishops.
The committee on missions reported
resolution giving any annual conference
the right to receive any church, synod
or conference into the Methodist church
upon presentation Of the proper creden-
tials. 1T was stated that while the reso.
luton was In general terms, 1t was
framed to fit the case of the Wesleyan
church in Germany, which desired to
join the Methodist church.
The Rev. Dr. Carl M. Schell of North
Germany, through the aid of an inter-
prefer, explained the request of the Wesi
leyan church, and said that it's admis-
sion would bring" many members and
much property to the Methodist church.
Rev. DR.. William Brodbeck said that
IL the union of the two churches were
consummated 1T would give the Methodist
church an entrance into Austria.
The report was adopted with much en-
thusiasm The women are daily gaining
supporters Today a large number of
delegates who had previously voted
against the constitutional amendment
giving the women admission to the con-
ference changed their votes ana voted
yea. The change was greeted with ap-
plause.
Ex-senator Harlan of Iowa introduced
a resolution amending the second restric-
tive rule, giving the laymen equal rep
ait1f1
eral conference.
Mr. Harlan said: ''The laymen have
had meeting, and we have come to the
conclusion that the time has come when
the laymen should receive justice by this
body. We want numerical equality in
this body unless the ministers should give
us some good reason why we should not
have it,"
On motion 1t was referred to the COM
mitee on lay representation.
A resolution sympathiZing with Arme-
MIA was unanimously adopted.
A protest against the enforcement of
a Florida law prohibiting any society or
persons from conducting school in Flor
ida where whites and blacks receive in
struction together was introduced by Jo-
seph c. Hartsell of Louisiana. Mr.. Hart
sell said: "A Congregational society was
first to be attacked. The teachers of that
school and several of the parents of the
white scholars have been arrested. The
Methodist church had three institutions
In that state and they are liable to be
attacked at any time. This resolution
has to do with personal rights. and 1t
should be passed at once. IL this law
stands 1t will be passed In every southern
state, and twenty-five or thirty of your
southern educat tors In the south would be
LA BILE to arrest We should send the word
abroad that we think the law is wrong"
DR.. Payne Of Cincinnati said that the
law was a disgrace to the nineteenth GEN.
tury civilization.
The resolution was passed. 1t provided
that in case the Methodist schools were
attacked that the constitutionality of The
law be fully tested in the courts.