Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-22
IN THE CHI u r g H E S

While it is considered to be too early to
begin the discussion of the work to be
done by the next general conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. either as 10
its policy or the probable action it will take
in carrying on the regular work of the
church. the matter is beginning to receive
attention in various quarters. Indeed
there is a disposition to forecast what the
necessities Of the case will require as to
the strength of the episcopacy and the
number of bishops to be elected. No one
can foresee the exigenCies that may arise
in the three years yet 10 elapse. but there
is no difficulty in recognizing the fact that
some of the bishops who now both
The list Of active workers beyond 1894. Their
years forbid the expectation that they will,
and some Of them freely express them
selves as having no thought of continuing
effective beyond the quadrenniun.
In view Of what is above stated it has
been suggested that it can not he improper
II anticipate at this early date the facts.
they must soon appear 10 the whole de-
nomination. for they necessarily suggest
changes that are inevitable. Several of
III" bishops are growing old Almost one
half ut the members of the board will
have passed the line of seventy wears
when th. general conference assemblies
At least TWO will he approaching seventy
nine. one has expressed his intention To
F"t!rt. and il Is not improbable that the
other cuIrrJainS thoughts OF the same kind
E'Ih, If then living. will have spent thirty-
w" years in the episcopacy. which will
bring them near to the longest period
reached 10y any bishop in the history of
III" Methodist Episcopal Church and il is
Thought L. be- not strange that they should
took forward To honorable retirement
IL Is thought 10y many Of the leaders of
IN" denomination that the existing rule for
retiring bishops meets all the requirements
90: IN" case When kindly and wisely an
Piled, II Is urged, il works no hardships
H' excitement and unpleasant feelings
titi droS" when il was first carried into
r0rtt resulted. il is stated from nisup-
drTstaniings of it's nature and misfnter
lr~lalI"Ns Of its necessity and design. II
Is now better understood and its applica-
t!Ih Is not likely 10 produce friction
IN View Of the advancing wears of the
inEuTnbents Of the office it is evident that
several will BE- added to the list of s1Iper
animated bishops at the next general con-
t'rThfe- Ihelr places must be filed 1t is
not at all probable that any modification of
IN" duties OF the office will he eTec+a J
winch Will render il expedient or possihIa
20 get along with fewer bishops in the do
.L'lIiha'l"n than there now are, nor is
thrre much likelihood that a large increa 60
III the total number will be required
II is understood that one result of the
J''itTe convention of Young Mems Chris
tldu associations. which closed ar Rostnr
Monday. will be effort to raise 81 ono nnO
as an endowment fund. If secured This
amount VIII be used as a permanent fund
% support the work of the international
committee. pay the salaried officers of the
association and meet the expenses of the
associations many publications.
ne wonderful growth of the association
anu me spread Of the movement to foreign
lands have rendered most important of
latr IN" work of the International com
nItt"s- For the year just ended more
thah 5000 was spent in furthering the
ion 4y
s"rniuating literature in this country alone
f""t-t up TO over $4,000.
ME these items, together with other
expenses necessarily entailed in carrying
on tht executive part of the movement
nave been cheerfully borne by the associa-
Ton at large. the advantages of an ade-
Putte endowment are not TO be gainsaid
and II is felt that the present time is
most suspicious to start the agitation for
a permanent fund OF the size stated Those
Interested in the movement express the he
Ii"i that their efforts will be successful.
Speaking of the general assembly of the
Presbyterian Church. which met recently
III Philadelphia, one who was present at
porter:
The assembly was a striking example
OF representative democracy in the sphere
OF religion II was composed of about 300
ministers and as many elders gathered
rom every section Of the country between
Porto Rico and Alaska These GOO commits
sloneTS Were duly elected to represent a
c. nstituenCy Of more than a million COM
municants and perhaps three millions of
Hdherents
No national convention for the nominal
tI"n OF a President could be more illustra-
i've OF popular institutions or more broad
y American than tne assembly referred to-
IL included ministers of ripe scholarship,
FHd finished culture, hailing from historic
fcats Of learning. and elders who control
ana direct colossal business enterprises or
preside IN courts of justice. and other
ELDERS whose hands are horny with the
loh OF the farm and the Workshop and
%hose races are ragged and homeIy and
bronzed- There was a sprinkling of black
men and slignter sprinkling of red men,
some OF whom were born and reared in
Organism.
hese oo men met on a common plane
lhey sat and elaborated in committees on