Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-05-09
METHODISTSAT WORK
QuADRENNIAL CONFERENCE rs
BEING HELD IN CHICAGO.
A Large and Notable Assembiage of
Christian Workers Much Important
Business TO BE Transacted Measures
Which May MGrk Innovations.


Business to BE Transacted Measures
Which May Mfrk Innovations.
One of the largest and most notable
gatherings Of Christian workers ever held
assembled in Chicago Wednesday, When
the twenty-third delegated general confer
enee 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 fonr from Germany two
from Italy. two from Norway, two from
Sweden, two from Switzerland, Two from
Liberia, six from India, four erGm China,
two from Japan, two from Mexico, and
two from South America, and the list of
laymen embraces many Methodist leaders
of distinction and eminence.
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 $4,000 local pres chers. 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 ard 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 the3con-
duet of church finances and the various
enterprises IL 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 ae-
cepted policy OF the church, A new con
stitution viii be considered; the question
of "lay equality" has been brought for
ward; 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 ACCESSIBILITY OF abolshing
certain restrictions regarding card play
ing. dancing and other similar pastimes
Both on account of the character of the
wo, 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
he church constituency. The business
t, be done is as formidabIy 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
and presided over the half-hour religious
service Then he laid down the gavel and
Bishop Merrill, the senior effective bishop,
took his place and announced the opening
O. The business Session. David s. Mon
roe, who has been secretary of four CON
ferenees, then called the roll of districts
and delegates in alphabetical order.
The provisional delegates We're admit
ted without a contest. There were 151
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-
ton gave the pews 2f5 votes. Four min
istcTial delegates we're 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-
tionai powers. The vietorr was eelebrat-
ed by singing the doxology The old
Hundred is the battle hymn of the Meth
odists II announces the conversion Of
the penitent at the revival 1t is the pean
of rejoicing when church debt has been
raised 1t is the safety valve OF pentup
enthusiasm. II 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 epiScopaey in The church long since
has been restricted 70 superintendent
without any authority beyond the placing
of ministers ana suggestions To the gen
eral and annual conferences.
The bishops address was read 70 the
conference Thursday. 1t deals with the
state Of the church aid the progress Of
the past four years. The committees
were announced and organized All the
proposed revisions of the book OF disc-
pine especially those relating, to amt,se-
mems and dress and creation of bishops
with limited powers. We're initiated Thurs
day by resolutions that were referred 10