Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-05
Bishop Thoburn's Idea of a Practical
Church Militant.
an END-0F- -THE-CENTURY SCHEME
He Wants 1000, Converts and
to Raise $2o,ooo,ooo.
SOME DETAILS OF THE PLAN

ChICAGO, May o-blShop James NJ
Thoburn discussed today his plan for rais-
ing an army of 100000 workers to fulfill
the bishops call. Bishop Thoburn's plan
has been freely debated by members of the
general conference, and probably will come
before that body early this month in the
form Of a memorial presented by some
delegate
Bishop Thoburns plan contemplates
briefly an organization of church members
to become evangelists. and by systematized
efforts to gather in 100000 souls and
$50 900 900 before the close of the century
Il cannot give my plans in detail at this
time said Bishop Thoburn, for when
came to the conference I had them only in
outline. Since coming here and finding the
interest that is manifested, ! can say 1t is
probable that they will be before the con-
ference soon
"In a way my plan may be compared to
the military policy of the United States.
There is large volunteer army scattered
throughout the country. Say that war
is about to begin, what has the govern
ment that 1t can lay its hands upon? The
recruiting sergeant. Surely there are a
found in every congregation, every district
and every annual conference throughout
the country.
Hearty, Active Work Needed.
Gould the members of the church be in
duced to rally in support of such move
ment? That depends on how it is managed.
1t cannot be done unless the right kind of
men and women are put in charge of it
and the right plans adopted for carrying
1t forward. 1t can be stifed at the outset
by perfunctory and heartless policy or 1t
may be organized and prosecuted as to
make itself felt far into the next century
1.-THE first Stpn in such a will
be to select five or six men who have lad
experience in Christian work, and let them
decide on the best plans for putting the
idea into effect The great point to be
settled first is that an effort of this kind
shall have the approval of the conference
not alone in general way, but that it has
Its solemn sanction and authority"
The Standing Committees.
The standing committees of the NJ. f.
general conference have been organized IS
follows, to hold Office four years:
Book concern-Chairna an, Governor Leslie
M. Shaw, Iowa; secretary, Chas. w. Mil
lard, New York
Church extension-Chairman, DR.. John
Field Philadelphia; secretary, ]. c. Cox,
Iowa.
Freedman's aid and southern education
Chairman, Rev. Jos. Pullman, New York;
secretary, Reuben S. Lavingood, Texas.
Day, New York; secretary, Ira NJ. De Long,
Colorado.
Sunday schools and tracts-Chair1nan, DR..
M. H. Hammill, Illinois; secretary, D. S.
Payne, Iowa.
Missions-Chairman, DIR. VIM. T. Oldham.
Chic; secretary, DR.. James Nudge, New
England.
State of the church-Chairman ex-Gov
Robert E. Pattison, Pennsylvania; seere-
tary Rev. Edward j. Gray, Pennsylvania.
Temporal economy-Chairman, DIR. ]. NJ
King, Philadelphia: secretary, Prof. Solon
NJ. Bronson, Illinois.
MISUNDERSTANDING, Dr. ]. NJ Buck
ley, New York; secretary, DIR. J. W. f.
Bowen, Atlanta.
Epworth League-Chairman Prof Royal
S. Copeland, Michigan; secretary, Dr. l.
Irving Penn. Georgia
Revival Chairman DR. J. f. SAWYER
New York; secretary, Charles A. Goss,
Nebraska.
Temperance Chairman. Dr. Samuel
Bashford. Ohio.
ltlnerary-Chairman Prof Samuel +.
Decker. N
Boundaries-Cha Chairman, one of the bish-
ops secretary, not yet elected.
Delegates PROMPT in Attendapce
Delegates to the conference were more
prompt than usual in taking their seats in
Hie AUDITORIUM Theater at the opening ses-
sion To-Day This was due to the announce
neht by Bishop Warren that hereafter the
delegations would be expected to be in their
seats al $50.
The devotional services today were con-
quoted by fayette l.. Thompson of Michi-
gan, while Bishop Walden presided over the
business session
number of the standing committees will
meet late this afternoon