Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-30
Troubles Engendered.


Troubles have increased with the contin.
ued extension of the time limit. To calm
Christian consideration the wonder Is that
for twelve years under the five-year rule
our bishops as a body have been so clear
of acts worthy of the least condemnation
Consider their words in reference to the
five-year nit: A small proportion re-
and churches the extension Of the time
limit has caused restless desire for
changes at the end of one and two years
which might have continued for three
years of that had been the limit Some
would not have continued for five years
but for the limit. The average duration
has been but slightly increased We find
increasing difficulties
Now that the limit Is removed they
face complications greater than any they
have met with in the past. None can
wholly foresee its effects for good or evil.
Custom must take the place of law The
submit to arbitrary conduct on the part
of bishops or churches. Carefulness and
consideration are demanded from all con-
cerned for the success and stability of our
church. Our hope for success depends very
largely upon the character of the bishops
Having such important responsibilities
resting upon them, 1t Is necessary that
they should be exceptionally clean above
the suspicion of Partially or unhoIy mo-
uves.
Under our no-law system Of making an
pointments corrupt episcopacy would
soon develop the spirit of autocratic power
The Chrfst-like character of our bishops
engenders in our hearts sense of security
and hopefulness. Another bright prospect
Is found In the hope that we may properly
interpret the new rule of action and that
all will endeavor to make 1t success 1t
means the bringing up of the preachers
and churches to realize the Importance of
an ideal system. If a long term will be-
come the strength and glory of Methodisrn
RI
strive to reach that goal.
Cooperation Advised.
eff the churches will become exceptional
ly prosperous through q long term of sefy-
Ice, every one should work toward this
end. The bishops win be expected to help
toward this consumrfation by renewing
every appointment indefinitely, where 1t
Is at all reasonable so to do. Every church
should determine to be loyal to the policy
of our common Methodism and settle down
In the spirit of patience and good will to
make the term of service as long as pos
sible.
Every pastor should burn his barrel and
brighten his brains. and thus fix himself
limit, Put the brightest and pest young
men in the hopeful charges. where their
energy and ambition can have ample scope
to bring them up to the standard of per-
manency and strength.
''If we have reached the ideal SYSTEM
let us join hands and hearts in the effort
to make Ii glorious success. If it will
make great preachers. let the laity hold
on to every pastor until he becomes SO
great that some greater church must have
him. II the one panacea Is found give it a
fair trial In large doses
I'VE must guard the door of the confer
ence. and as far as possible select only
long-term candidates. Let us have a min
istry that the bishops can designate with
out serious difficulty life-tenure men.
Above all. the presiding elder must be a
man OF exceptional ability to carry out his
part of this great work We look up to
him as a safeguard against many evils
Our manhood will be sustained in proper
ton to the brotherly love and fellowship
that We may enjoy with our elders.
but, after all. success depends upon the
average preacher of the church. To sue
coed We must elevate the normal condition
of the average church and preacher. To
get 95 per cent of our churches and min
listers educated, trained and transformed
up to the standard required for the sue
eessful operation of the no-limit rule Is
rather prodigious undertaking.
some May Reach the Goal.
''We may put sufficient pressure on few
to enable them to reach the goal but the
great majority will never reach the no.
limit condition till they shall have crossed
the river into the sweet bye-and-bye.' 1t
will be hard to enforce the idea Of more
brains and less barrel Under this rule
a few churches will live in an Eden of de-
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