Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-05-18
must stand opposed to laxity. The

must stand opposed TO laxity. The
church must sound the call for a
strenuous and militant political right
business to meet the colossal evils that
threaten the nation. Entire removal
of the time limit of pastorates, with
limiting of appointment to three
years, would be of advantage.
Retrenchment in the direction Of
church papers is advocated by score
of memorials from all parts OF the
country. There is feeling that there
are too many Advocates, as the church
publications are named. Out Of the
twelve supported by the Book Concern
only one is self-sustaining. The sup
port of the others cost the denomina
ton more than S25 900 a year.
Resolutions of respect to the mem
DRY of Dwight L. Moody were adopted
by standing vote
Archibald Moore of Virginia, recites
in his petition that there are many
men of wealth in the church who re-
fuse TO contribute to the support of
the preacher and requests that the To-
cal churches by a two-thirds vote be
empowered TO suspend all persons
who keep a tight string on their
purses" Bishop HartZells lecture on
The Boer and the Briton" was given
a severe criticism which the members
regretted and were anxious to tone
down.
These are some of the proposed re-
i = h.
annual conferences. \ constitutional
requirement for a majority vote of the
two orders separately on all constitu-
tional changes. The seating of lay del
egates 10 the general conference in
body, separate from the ministerial
delegates, SO as to secure greater indie
pendence of action for the laymen. The
election of stewards and trustees OF
churches by the church members in
their quarterly conferences, instead of
the appointment of them by the pastor.
When these and a few minor Changes
under consideration have been made
the Methodist church, which 100 years
ago was an organization of preachers
and missionaries alone, will have be-
come thorOugh-going democracy
Proposals for all these reforms were
presented to the general conference in
tie form of memorials from confer
ences and resolutions from individuals.
and nearly all of them Vera duplicated
in proposals on preceding days. Most
of them are now before small subcom-
mittees for definite consideration.
DR.. Jennings accusers expect to pre-
sent memorial 10 general conference
asking review of book committees
methods in investigation of charges.
Defeat expected for consolidation Of
benevOlences. Laymen lost fight for
equal representation in annual con-
terenceS. Date for adjournment OF
general conference set for May %
In episcOpacy committee of Meth
Odist general conference there was
sharp debate on plan of districting
bishops, conservative men fearing this
approach to diocesan rule Bishop
ThOburn announced his retirement
from the India field A memorial was
presented asking for the appointment
of colOred bishop.
The woman question bazed up in
the conference Thursday morning dur
ing the consideration of the constitu-
ton. DR.. ID. NJ. Moore of Ohio offered
an amendment changing the word
'laymen' to LAY member" The dis
cussiOn had reached a fever point and
women in the galleries and boxes lead
ing in the plaudits to the men who
championed their right to representa-
ton when the time set apart for the
subject expired. Subsidized and Off
cial papers in Methodism have proved
failures in the matter Of business sue
cess. The temper of the conference,
ii it takes its full sweep, will do away
with every official paper and leave the
field clear to individual or cooperative
enterprise.