The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-04
AGAINST A Time LIMIT
4 Change Proposed by the MethO-
dist General Conference.
r. Suggestion in the Address of the
Bishops That Pastors Services
should Not Be Bounded by the
Fiyc-Gear Rule Warmly Received
small Increase in Membership.

CHICAGO. May 3.-The abolition of the
time limit OF Methodist pastorates was a
keynote at today's session of the Metho-
dist General Conference at the Andito-
rum. No formal discussion Of the sub
ject was made in the debating of the day,
but the note was sounded in the quadral-
nial address OF. the Bishops. and the ire
isterlal delegates indicated that the time
limit system was doomed.
The Bishops address said plainly that
the fve-year limit method had proved a
failure-that many pastors and churches
became mutually dissatisfied long before
that limit expired. while on the other hand
many churches would wish 10 keep a be-
loved preacher Far beyond the five-year
figure.
Reference to the anti-canteen law was
received with loud applause.
On the question Of membership the ad-
dress says:
The increase of membership, including
prohationers. has been in round numbers
Jos .OO0. an increase Of nearly per cent,
since 1886. The ratio Of increase in several
quadrennials past has been much larger
than this. How to account for this smaller
gain is not easily seen"
Prosperity Of the publishing houses of
the denomination, the increased collections
for missions. and the good outlook in othe.
branches are mentioned. Complete con-
currence in the vote for laymen's represen-
tation is expressed, a plea for Christian
unity Is made. and ''unwholesome, coarse
and debauching amUsements. the theater.
the concert aud the dancehall," are con-
demnea
II is rumored that five Bishops will be re-
tired by the present conference. Bishop s.
NJ Merrill. Bishop E G. Andrews. and
Bishop J. NJ. Walden, for old age; Bishop
c. D. Foss. for i'll health, and Bishop J. f.
Hurst, that he may better devote his time
to the National University at Washington.
More missionary Bishops are desired and
it is thought that eight new Bishops VIII
be chosen.
The morning session was largely taken
Up with reports of the growth of
Methodism in all countries. Rev. E. W.
Parker reported progress in India, and
said that the Church there numbered
As eco. Rev. w. T. Hogan said the growth
in Liberia had been satisfactory. Rev.
Julius Soper, Dean Of Philander Smith Bib
lical Institute at Aoyama Tokyo. said that
there we're sixty-fye ordained native
preachers and $500 native Christians.
Continuing. he said:
The character Of our converts and the
loyalty Of our preachers and members have
greatly improved. There are now over 40
Geo Protestant communicates in various
Nominations in Japan. The Government is
kindly disposed TO Christians, but there,is
still much opposition on the part OF Budd-
hists. ultra-natioHalists. and many of the
scientific men Of the Empire. The outlook
is encouraging. however. and the work ii,-
teresting. Faith is put to a strong test
but the faith Of the japanese Christians is
strong"
The business session was presided over
by Bishop E. G. Andrews. who has pre-
pared the Bishops report Of 5000 words
dealing in a general way with Methodsm
and work and progress in all parts of the
world