The age-herald., 1902-05-15
EDUCATION TAKEN UP BY METHODISTS Chief Point of Interest Was Standard for Ministry BIBLE SHOULOBE FOREMOST Delegates Urge That the Holy Book Be Made an Important and Cardi-
 nal Part of the Cur
 rlculum.
BIBLE SHOULOBE FOREMOST

Dallas, Tex, May 1A-Educational mat ters occupied the major portion Of the time of the seven-days' session of the Methodist Episcopal conference. The chief points of interest and discussion were the elevation of the education standard oft he ministry; the incorporation of the study of the Bible as a cardinal part Of the curriculum of Methodist institutions; the establishment of a school of corre- spondence at Nashville for the purpose Of enabling indigent students to avail them selves of better educational facilities; the establishment of preachers institutes In various sections; and what provoked the principal debate, the commendation of a course at Vanderbilt University as the desideratum of all such students as could possibly attain such course, and an an- nual appropriation of s10.OoO for sending students to that institution.
 The point of chief argument lay in the college course for prospective ministers. A layman, Lucius P. Little, made five minute speech which caught the ear and commendation of the assembly. He be- ueved in higher education of the minis try. The Roman church never sends an illiterate priest among illiterate people, ;" he said, land that is one of their sources of strength"
 Bishop Joseph D. Key of Sherman, Tex, presided today. After scripture reading the singing of "I Love Thy Kingdom, !" and prayer, the reports of the various committees were read:
 FraternaI delegates Introduced.
 P,-ot ha of h. odist Episcopal church were introduced and made short farewell addresses. Dr. Huntington, the Nebraska messenger, stated that he looked forward to 5000, 900 Methodists joined in heart and action as workers for the common cause. Lieuten- ant Governor Bates, the Massachusetts messenger, paid a tribute to the Texans and said that in his visit he was remind ed of the medal which was struck In Pe- kin commemorative of those who breved the siege and which bore the inscription: Walls do not make city, but men," He had been deeply impressed with the mag nifcent harvests and fields and products of this state, but above all, the men who made them.
 Bishop Hendrix reported as fraternal delegate to the British and Irish confer ence in 1900. He said the reception &C., corded him was most cordial.
 Dr. A. Coke Smith reported similarly on his mission to Toronto, Canada.
 Dr. Murray, president of the Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss, and Dr. w. F. Tylott, dean of the Vanderbilt University faculty of Nashville, Tenn, explained in detail the provisions of the report on education, looking for plans for increas- ing the efficiency of the ministry.
 Bible to Be Prominent. They urged that the Bible be given a prominent and permanent place in the curriculum of Methodist institutions; that educators and pastors be instructed to urge young men to attend Vanderbilt University, as 1t is in closest touch with the spirit traditions and aspirations of the church; urging the establishment of a correspondence school for such as are unable to personally attend colleges; and also for those seeking post graduate work. nominal charge to be usually made and in worthy cases free tuition to be given; that the secretary of this school shall summon students to examination, pre- serve and forward papers to prayer committees, said papers to be in their judgment, establishment of fitness for the ministry; to establish preachers insti- tutes; recommending that when an ap- pllcant shall present certificate from any recognized institution that he has creditably passed in any study, such cer- tifcate shall be accredited to him as final in his candidacy.
 Dr. Hammond, secretary of the board of education, Judge Little of Arkansas and ex-Lieutenant Governor Hindman, discussed the subject after which gen. eral discussion was indulged in, the trend of which was the raising of the standard and the essential need of Bible study. The report was adopted as a whole.
 Dr. Parks. fraternal delegate from the African Methodist Episcopal church was here. and presented and delivered his message. Adjourned until tomorrow.
 The name of the Rev. Mark A. Chap man of Los Angeles is being freely men tioned as successor to pr. Hoss of Nash ville as editor of the Christian Advocate fin case the latter is made a bishop, which seems probable. Dr. Chapman edited the St. Louis Advocate for four years is an author of note and has travelled exten- Sively.
 DEAI rDAAcErno