Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-05-10
METHODISTSAT WORK
QuADRENN1AL CONFERENCE is
BEING HELD IN CHICAGO.
A Large and Notable Assemb1age of
Christian Workers-Much Important
Business to Be Transacted-Measur
Which May Mark Innovations.

| SdJlerIngS Oh C1rlSL1an workers ever nelu
assembled in Chicago Wednesday, when
the twenty-third delegated general confer
ence OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
began its session, which will continue
throughout the month. About $50 dele
| gates are in attendance, and there is a
| large representation of laymen. Dele
gates have come from all parts of the
world, including four from Germany, two
| from Italy, two from Norway, two from
| Sweden, two from Switzerland, two from
| Liberia, six from India, four fEOm China,
| two from Japan, two from Mexico, and
| two from South America, and the list of
laymen embraces many Methodist leaders
Of distinction and emiEence.
| The general conference, which is the
highest legislative and administrative
| body of the church, acts on behalf of
constituency of nearly 100000 and an
organization embracing nearly $4,000
ministers and 900 local preachers The
| delegates at the conference naturally in
clude the most able and experienced of
| church workers, and they came from
widely remote regions-frOm all parts of
this country and Canada, from Germany,
from Europe and even from the orient.
The work which this body must per-
form is arduous, and includes, besides
the consideration of questions affecting
the general policy of the church, the cleo
ton Of bishops and the administration of
the immense business involved in the con-
duet of church finances and the various
enterprises in which the church is engag
ed. This year, moreover, several ques
tions of vital Importance and unusual in
terest will come up for settlement. Some
of these contemplate measures which
would mark an innovation upon the ac
cepted policy of the church. A new con-
stitution will be considered; the question
Of LAY equality" has been brought for
yard; much time and attention probably
will be given to the subject Of the time
limit now placed upon the pastoral term.
And among other things the conference
is expected to witness warm debate
between the conservative and the liberal
elements upon the question of amuse-
ments and the advisability of abolishing
certain restrictions regarding card play
ing, dancing and other similar paStlmes.
Both on account of the character Of the
work to be performed and the eminence
of the representatives assembled, the seS-
sions of the conference will be of wide
general interest by no means confined to
the church constituency. The business
to be done is as formidably complicated
in variety and detail as that transacted
in an ordinary session Of Congress.
Bishop Merrill Presides.
Bishop Thomas Bowman called the con,
ference to order in the great Auditorium
md Ial n E ro1ip
service. Then he laid down the gavel and
Bishop Merrill, the senior effective bishop,
took'his place and announced the opening
of the business session. David :. Mon
roe, who has been secretary of four con-
ferences, then called the roll Of districts
and delegates in alphabetical order.
The provisional delegates were admit
ted without a contest. There were 157
provisional delegates elected to fill up
the disparity in their proportional repre-
sentation. Only eighty-fve, however, re-
sponded to the roll call following their
admission The limited lay representa-
tion gave the pews 215 votes. Four min
isterial delegates were absent. AS the
roll was made up on the opening day
there are 365 preachers and 236 laymen
On the regular list.
Without a dissenting vote the confer
ence at its first session ratified the action
of the annual conference in extending
equal representation to the laity. The
pulpit and the pew share equally in the
highest governmental body of the Meth
odist Church. The ministers were more
enthusiastic over the loss of their au-
thority than the laymen over their addi-
,,or-arc Tho vic
ed by singing the doxology. The "Old
Hundred" is the battle hymn of the Meth
odists. It announces the conversion of
the penitent at the revival. 1t is the pean
of rejoicing when a church debt has been
raised. 1t is the safety valve Of pent-up
enthusiasm. It rang through the vaulted
chamber of the Chicago Auditorium in a
roar that drowned the roll of the organ.
The step taken makes the Methodist
Church a democratic body; the rule Of
the preacher passes with the century.
The episcopacy in the church long since
has been restricted to a superintendent
without any authority beyond the placing
of ministers and suggestions to the gen
eral and annual conferences.
The bishops address was read to the
conference Thursday. 1t deals with the
state of the church and the progress Of
the past four years. The committees
were announced and organized. All the
proposed revisions of the book of disci-
pline, especially those relating to amuse-
ments and dress and creation of bishops
with limited powers, were initiated Thurs
day by resolutions that Were referred to
committees.
News of Minor Note
Newport is expecting a crush of noble
oP h;G1o 5anroa +biC c11TY1roar