The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-05
METHODIST CONFERENCE
QuadrenniaI Session Of The Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
INTEREST IN THE AMUSEMENT QUESTION
Number Of Resolutions on the
Subject to Bc observation-disclosures
of Commissions Submitted.

! Chicago. May 4.--There was a plenti
tude OF empty seats when the third SEES.
sion OF the Methodist Episcopal genera
conference began today but later many
brought up the average
Til devotional exercises which prefaced
the days work were conducted by Rev
II. ]. Cozlne of Puget Sound university
while Bishop II. w. Warren presided over
the business session.
There were many delegates In the house
with resolutions and papers concerning
the amusement question.
William Fl. Fawcett Of Chicago. though
not delegate himself, has given his
views in favor of greater liberty In the
matter of amusements to delegate,
while G. W. Pearson OF the Northwestern
university handed HIS plea to Secretary
Monroe today. Many others admitted to
having resolutions ON the subject one
of tho most important of the conferences.
Before the session began this morning it
was predicted that there would be much
discussion over the resolutions.
The first business of the session was
the presentation of the reports of the COM
mittee for the last quadriennnm.
The commission on federation with the
Methodist Episcopal church. South, said
in their report
The adjustment OF the foreign mission
airy work of the church. in the matter
OF episcopal oversight the publishing IN
terests of The two churches in foreign
fields, the srenins competitive attitude
of the churches in various parts OF the
United States, the need of common
catecnism and hymn book, and of uni
formity of public worship, International
Epworth League conferences. tho transfer
OF ministries from one church to the other
and the claims of the American uniyersl
ty. were all carefully and prayerfully ex-
amined, with an eye single to the glory of
God and the concord and effectiveness OF
the churches in their divine mission of
extending the kingdom of God without n
jury TO either or to the common cause OF
our Lord Jesus Christ. AS result of the
conference held the following resolutions
were adopted by the commissioners o.
both churches in joint session. and are
now submitted to you for adoption, al
teratlon or rejection, according to the
terms upon which the commission was APP
pointed.
general conferences of oar respective
churches to adopt measures for the joint
administration IF our publishing inter-
ests in China and Japan.
2. Respecting Joint missionary work in
foreign fields, the following was unani-
mously adopted: Approaching fully txs
Christian comfy which prevails among
our missions in foreign lands, and having
given careful consideration to the princi-
= -
ministratlon as a means for lessenlng the
expenditure of funds in prosecution of the
work. we therefore, without further at
tempt to formulate any plans for such CO.
operation. commend the subject to ths
consideration of the two general confer
ences.
8. Resolved, further, That We recon-
mend the taking OF prompt steus fNr the
OF common catechism.
common hymn book, and a common order
of public worship, and that other brancha,
OF Methodism be Invited to cooperate In
this undertaking.
4, With reference TO both churches oc-
cupylng the same territory, the following
was agreed to:
Resolved. That we recommend the re-
spective general conferences enact pro-
visions to the effect that where either
church is doing the work expected of
Methodism, the other church shall not
organize society nor erect a church
until the bishop having iurlsdic-
lion in the case of the work shall be con-
suited and his approval obtained.
.. Relative to transfer of ministers. we
agreed to recommend to our respective
conferences the provision OF
plan by which travelling preacher of an
annual conferences in either church may
De received into an annual conference OF
he other church. regaining his croden-
ials without the formalitv OF having his
,rders recognized
6, Concerning the Epworth League in
irrational conferences, the following ac-
ion was taken:
much interest the growth OF tho Epworth
league IN our respective churches and
eioice in the spirit Of fraternity mani-
ester in their biennial International CON
ferences, and commend to the several
covering bodies of the church interest
ID tho question as 10 whether official
recognition OF these meetings can be given
md whether authoritative regulations are
equired to increase or promote their Of
cency.
Recognizing the relation and Importance
{ our educational institutions and Of the
american university to our general Meth
dism the Joint commission passed reso.
rtions commenting these institutions OF S
'hristian learning 10 the thoughtfpl con- !
Iteration Of the churches in their con-
rihutions to the Twentieth century thank :
ferings especially emphasizing The !
lain Of the American university TO tho .
onfdence and benefaetions OF both
hurches.
The report OF the general committee OF
hurch extension showed that si.22s,45O
ad been asked for, but only s4ss.a2s had :
cen received by collection.
We ask the general conference and the
lethodist Episcopal church it represents ,
D prayertully consider the fact that In
he face of the painful evidences OF the a
lek OF legitimate and healthiul Increase y
D membership in late Years, the principal l
lorease In the land, which has lessoned
ur humiliation. has been in the sections
the country where church extension has
one its principal work.
Az the beginning Of the quadrennmm We
ad over $50, 600 OF bonded deb. and SRA /
70 due the conferences. or something over y
lii0eO OF obligations to meet with sis,-
- OF cash In the general fund, against
hich $685. OF drafts were outstanding. !
$50 were promised In donations.
During the qugdrennium We have paid
Z the bonded debt OF over s50,000 have
aduCSd the amounts dua m cnnfar.,.- I