The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-10-11

A spirited debate upon the subject of
the organization Of an elaborate plan of
church extension work occupied both the
morning and afternoon sessions of the
Evangelical conference at Emmanuel
church. Van Slyke court and Pine street,
yesterday. The subject was brought up
by voluminous resolution, presenting a
carefully detailed plan, by which the sup
porters of the movement expected to eff
feet an organization to more effectively
carry out this important work of the
conference. The reading of the resolu-
lions was the signal for a. spirited debate
which continued Internationally during
the morning and through the entire after
noon The committee on ways and means
took charge of the resolutions. but did not
return them to the conference yesterday.
Since the last general conference there
has been well defined feeling among the
members of that body that the methods
of church extension work at present in
effect have not been adequate to the
needs. The resolutions presented yes
terday were the result of this growing
dissatisfaction, and were presented In the
hope of making this department of con-
ference work more effective, and enabling
1t to place itself on an equality with the
work of other denominations
The plan briefly outlined provides for
the incorporation of board of church
extension, composed Of eight elders, one
from each of the eight general districts
to be provided by the conference, and Of
four laymen, one to be chosen from a
+,in lot f1o TO- CT of
one from the Central states, one from the
Western states and one from the Pacific
coast district Provision is made for a
loar fund for the help of needy churches
the establishment of an annuity fund and
the organization of means whereby the
board would be enabled to hold in trust
such real and personal property as is
donated for the use of the church. Pro-
visions are also made for a careful sys-
TEN of supervision of applications for
help, to the end that churches standing
in need of financial help be aided with
the least possible delay.
Bishop Breyfogel of Reading, Pa, and
Rev. J. B. Kanaga, Of Fremont O., were
the leaders of the movement for the es-
adjustment of the church extension
board, and presented the merits of a plan
such as outlined in a forceful manner.
They advocated q policy Of expansion IN
plan met with the opposition of a con-
siderable number of the members of the
conference, headed by Rev. G. Fritsche,
of Milwaukee, and Rev. M. L. Wing. The
closing hours of the session were devoted
to renewed arguments on the part of the
supporters Of the move for immediate ac-
ton. Bishop Fischer, the presiding Of
f1cer of the conference, sided with the
opposition, and held that under present
conditions the conference was not in
shape to act. He thought the plan one
which required too great an expenditure
and involved the acquiescence of the con-
ference to the disbursement of large sums
Annually. The debate continued over the
hour set for the close of the session, and
the presiding officer refused to grant fur
ther extension of the session. No action
was taken, and the opposition prevented
a report from the committee on ways
and means. The general opinion of the
conference is favorable to the plan, the
opposition contesting it only on the
ground that the conference is not f1nan-
cially able to carry it out
The report of the committee on re-
vision of the constitution and general
temporal laws of the church presented its
report yesterday afternoon. The refusal
of the request of the Japan conference,
made at the morning session and asking
that the time limit of ministers be eX-
tended from four to six hours, was ad-
vised. The committee took the ground
that the present time limit was fixed but
four years ago, and that the need of a
change has not been felt from other parts
Of the general conference. Other portions
Of the report considered the request of
the Canadian conference for changes in
laws, and the question raised in confer
ence as to the eligibility of the bishop to
a seat in the conference. Both were de-
cided afflrmatively Extended mention
was given to the question of harmonizing
church discipline.
A request was received by the confer
ence yesterday from the Wisconsin con-
ference asking that the relation Of chill
dren to the church be set forth. A rec
ommendation was received from the Chi
cago district Sunday school convention
that a course of study be provided for
Sunday schools. Both were referred to
committees.
The following assignments have been
made by the public worship committee,
services to be in German unless indicated:
Pine Street OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES even
Ing, English, ]. H Tobias; Thursday
evening, Paul Beck: Friday evening, Q.
Wiegand: Saturday evening. English, ].
Gill.
West Side Church-Wednesday evening,
G. Barchet; Thursday evening. D. Kreh;
Friday evening. English, l.. II. Seager.
Minneapolis Sixth Avenue Church
Wednesday evening. Philip Laux.
Highland Park-Thursday evening, x.
ZWingli