The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-29
LARGEST CONFERENCE OF. METHODISTS EVER Hell

bishop, and there arg not wanting several
gentlemen OF that race who arc each in-
pressed that the church would do well 10
select himself, Consequently there will be
no lack of candidates. Four years aro the
conference gave Prof Bowen Of Cannon
School Of Theology, At Atlanta very ccm.
plimsntsry vote, indeed. on one ballot II
reached 145. The seriousness OF the confer.
ence In connection with this matter was
more than questioned by a good many per-
sons. and whether ii will he taken 40 IN
any seriousness by this general conference
~ very doubtful. The church rs not reaay
for negro general superintendent and a
hishop for negroes is no more constitutional
than a bishop for the Germans or for the
scandnayans on for the Bohemians.
Just who shall be elected Il is little
Cincinnati could furnish the enure duartette
even including the colored bishop. though it
Is doubtful II she will be permitted TO 40 SO.
The editor of the Western Christian Adyo-
cate. Or. David II. Moore has been favor
ably mentioned in this connection. Rev mr.
Hamilton. senior secretary of the Freedmhn's
AID society, seems 70, have as good pros
pect. IL not better. than any other that is
mentioned II for any reason Dr. Moore
should not be returned MS editor OF the
Western Christian Advocate. DR.. Davis w.
Clarke. now the pastor at Columbia. viii
probably make a good showing for the place.
The SUPERVISION OF foreign missions OF the
church VIII also command good deal of
attention. over half century ago II was
agreed TO change the constitution so as 10
admit of the appointment of missionary
bishopsthat is. bishops restricted in their
jurisdiction 10 the mission for which they
were elected. Until 1888 there was but one
mission that had the services OF bishop and
that was Africa In 1858 Row. Or Thohurn
was appointed missionary hishon for India
and Malaysia. He has hacked the work OF
half n century into twelve years and con-
seduentlv is now al home. broken IN health.
and Il is doubtful II he will be able TO do
much moro effective labor Meantime. the
work In India has grown so RAPIDLY that
the conferences there now memorialze the
general cnptsTsIce TO give them at least
three, "a not four. bishops. How many the
=, neral conference will appoint is to be seen.
and also whether they will be general SUPER
tDtendents or missionary bishops. China.
too with Japan mud Korea, demands con-
slant episcopal supervision. but have not vet
had a missionary bishop South America
also and Europe have large interests In TINS
direction that will need attention Hence It
would not be surprising IL half a dozen mis-
sipuary bishops were appointed as many
general superintendents. with residences in
mission fields
The election Of the general conference Off
GERS is always accompanied with considerable
excitement. These officers consist of puh
fishing agents editors and secretaries there
being altogether about twenty-five of them.
~
For many years sporadic Efforts have been
made to have these officers elected by local
boards aud the effort will be made again.
for the Now England conference the other
dsy voted heartily in favor of it, and that
memorial will 20 to the general conference
Doubtless others of the same KIDD will alfE
90 there. But II is argued against this that
these officers are correctional ofhcers-that
u.s. they are officers for the whole church
and II they were elected by local boards they
would thereby become practical local ON
GERS and not command the respect and con
Adeneo Of the church as they now do Also.