Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-16
MONEY FOR MISSIONS
The Appropriation Made by Metho-
dist General Committee.
DISCUSSION OF WORK IN THE SOUTH
Motions for Increases Rejected in
Most Cases.
NDS INSU FICIEN 7

NDS ms FFICIEN
The second days session of the general
missionary committee OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church was begun this morning
at o'clock in Foundry Church. 14th and
G streets northwest. Only a small repre-
sentation of the members of the committee
was present at the devotional exercises,
which were conducted by Rev DR.. Jack
son. The members came in, however as
the morning wore on. and when business
was begun there was the usual attendance.
In following out the custom of the
bishops in turn presiding al each of the
sessions, Bishop Joyce occupied the chair
this morning. While the organization Is
known as a committee yet owing to the
large membership, as well as the import
ance of the subjects discussed, the method
of conducting the sessions in no respects
differs from those of the average deliber-
alive body. Rules govern the proceedings,
which are enforced by the presiding officer.
The first business brought up this morn
Ing was a report presented by Rev. DR..
Jackson from the committee to which was
referred the work of the National City
CHARACTERIZATION Union 1t was pointed out
in this report that the work which this or
ganzaticn is doing in the cities Is an i'm
portant one and should be encouraged in
substantial manner. 1t was further stated
that there was an urgent necessity OF
strengthening the efforts along this line.
The committee therefore recommended that
there be set apart at least one-hah of the
increase for the home field, to be appro-
priated as the general committee may de-
termine, to the work in such cities where
the need is urgent, in addition to the
amount appropriated last year for such
n fl1rt her
work of this sort be begun in all cities
where it seems practical and advisable.
1t was stated in reply to an inquiry that
one-half of the increase this year Tor the
home field would be about 81 900. After
further debate the recommendations of the
committee were adopted.
Work in the south.
The committee then took up the subject
Of the appropriation for white work In
the south, Maryland and Delaware ex-
cepted. debate was at once precipitated
by a motion made in regard to the first
appropriation and an increase be allowed
Criticism was made by Bishop Thoburn N
regard to what he desisna ted as rather
loose methods in apportioning the funds
for mission work. He said the funds for
the foreign work were assigned when the
matter came before the committee. He
asserted that he knew Of case Where
minister received a salary Of S1,4oO and re
ceved missionary money in addition.
On the other hand, IT was stated that the
distribution of the mission fund was made
by the bishop in each conference, after
consultation with the presiding elders and
with those familiar with the local situation.
Bishop Goodsell thought it was unfortu-
nate that under the Methodist system such
a large proportion of the fund had to be
used in paying the salaries of the presiding
elders. Such, however, was the case.
Reference was made by Bishop McCabe
nod Nv QiSl1 'EfN1nt
and he said the latter had located It in llli-
nois but on looking over the appropriations
he bishop McCabe) had found no mission
AIRY in that state who received support
A suggestion was made that a rule ought
to be adopted that no money be given to a
charge which was able to pay their pastor
$500 more, and in this way 1t was be-
lieVed provision would be made for widen
ing the work.
Bishop Thoburn. in reply to his critics.
said that some years ago in Illinois he had
been told by a presiding elder that q minis
ter was not willing to go to a certain
charge unless his salary was made 81 800,
ana the presiding elder added that the
bishop of that conference had said he
would take 5000 from the mission fund and
add 1t to the pastors salary to bring 1t up
to the 81 600 The speaker went on to say
that he did not know whether the bishop
did this or not; he simply gave It as 1t was
told to him.
Increase in Appropriations.
The discussion then returned to the Ques-
ton at issue-an increase in the amount to
be appropriated for mission work in Ala
bama. 1t was pointed out that the appro-
priation provided for the payment of only
$50 to each minister. and. further. that the
statistics showed the average salary was
only $50 per year. From these facts thu
conclusion was reached by one speaker that
the work was evidently still remote from
the noipt where salf
porting.
A plea was made by Bishop Fowler for
the Importance and value Of the work now
being done by the Methodist Church among
the poor whites of the south. AS illustrating
the condition Of the people, he said that
children were found sixteen years of age
who were unable to tell the name of the
capital city of their state or of the United
States, but they could read and they knew
how to manage their own affairs. He also
paid a tribute to the earnestneSs and ef-
hciency of the ministers, and said they are
doing a good work on starvation salaries.
and in their preaching there was nothing
of the higher criticism" They believed in
the old-fashioned Sanctifcation.
In conclusion, Bishop Fowler favored the
advance asked for in the appropria ton for
the Alabama conference, and said that he
was opposed to cutting the appropriations
for this work in the south He said the
Methodist Church South favored the work
of the Methodist Church North among the
colored people, but not quite so
warmly inclined toward the work among
the whites.
The increase in the appropriation for the
Alabama conference which was asked for
was granted.
plea was made for an increased appro-
priation for mission work in Arkansas by
Rev. Mr.. Taylor, a presiding elder, who
said that in eleven counties of that state
there was not railroad tie. But now the
work OF building railroads was TO begin
and the population was increasing. owing
mainly to the activity in mining He
thought the present afforded an opportuni-
ty to the Methodist Church which ought
not to be lost.
Reference was made by Rev. DR. Buckley
to the attitude Of the Methodist Church
South toward the work being done by the
Methodist Church North in the territory
of the former, and he said the southern
church ought not to feel that there was
any encroachment, as ii was now establish
ed in at least seven of the northern states
He believed in welcoming such efforts, as
there was enough to be done to occupy the
energies of both churches
AS the other items for appropriation for
mission work came up they were consid-
cred and the merits of each case were
briefly stated, and then a vote was taken.
AS a rule the increases asked by the advo-
no