The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29

, and business circles, n are well
| known throughout the south, and west
as leading Methodists and church
workers.
In addition t. the many delegates
from the United States, there will be
many from fcreign lands:
From Brazil-The Rev. J. w. Tarbox.
From Mexico-The Rev. j. w. Grimes
the Rev. T. s. Lallsnce, the Rev j. F.
Corbin, Mr.. S. q. Ffgueron, Mr.. j. Nj.
Valencia.
From China-The Rev c. F. Reid,
Mr.. w. II. Park.
From Japan-The Rev. s. II. VAIN
wright, Mr.. H Nakamura, Mr.. T.
Nishikawa.
Among the important questions hat
will be considered, the one 10 create the
| Order of Deaconesses in the church will
bring forth some debate The order has
proved a success in the Methodist
Episcopal church, and is likely TO be
established by the conference. The
most important matter, perhaps. to
come before the body, and which viii
provoke the liveliest discussion and ex-
| cite the keenest interest throughout the
church, is the settlement of the Pub
fishing House war claim. In 1862 the
Publishing House at Nashville was
taken possession of by the federal au-
thorities n held and used for mill
$500 fNA - OAA liz " ia NLO g
the building having been damaged and
stock and machinery destroyed. For
this damage, after many years of work
and waiting, congress awarded the
church $500, 900. The church has been
agitated by some, who claim this
money was obtained by fraud and mis-
representation by the agent OF the
church, who piloted it through con-
gress, and that the church should not
| profit by such methods.
All admit that the claim was Just
and % and that the church got
only what she deserved, and many of
the ministers and a great majority OF
the laymen insist that the church
should not be judged and made to suf-
fer by the act of a single individual,
and are most decidedly against the re-
turn OF the money. In one way or an
other a final settlement must be made,
and on either side of the question are
many able men nat will make debate
interesting. But as a rule they are
conservative men and will move cau-
tiousiy and well.
1t is said under the restrictive rules.
or constitution of the church, this
money cannot be voted out Of the
church except for a specific purpose;
that is, to the support of old and worn
out ministers, and hat if it should be
voted back any member of the church
could block action through the federal
courts. The commanding figures in the
approaching debate upon the question
are not difficult to pick out even this
early. They ara DR.. Collins Denny.
chairman of the Book Committee: DR..
MORRISON, of the Kentucky conference:
DR.. Hoss, DR.. T!gert, DR.. Whisner. DR..
Alexander DR.. Pritchett and others
VINO are regarded as the most brilliant
and influential men in the church.
ManV influential 1avnpan acnoa,oJl,,
IN the larger cities-as Mr.. w. F. Bar
clay, OF Louisville, and Mr.. Samuel
Cupples, of st. Louis-think the church
should have an Insurance Board, or
fre insurance within the
church to insure the churches and par
sonases, and other church property,
upon the mutual cooperative plan. IT
is likely such q memorial will he nre-
sented for action by the conference.
The election OF bishops is always or
interest TO the church. This office il
neld Tor life, and is the highest honor
In the gift of the church. The church
mas mad only tw enty-five bishops since
us organization, eleven of whom are
COW living Ministers chosen to this
station have always been noted for
lnelr great learning and piety, and as
preachers have ranked with the hest
u otner denominations. This office is
supposed to seek the man and NOT the
man the office, and ministers never
tullIaily themselves , nor are
rney Iorilally for the office
py lnelr friends. SO before and at tbese
quadren Iial meetings names of NAV
MINISTER'S are heard in connection with
the offic.. WIFI
livery annual conference has a min
Ister competent to fill the office which
hdheS l le first ballot usually scatter
ing. lie names mentioned represan+
nGn u scho!arship. piety, preaching
%bny ana In the general opinion of
the church, are most prominent VII
Iner there be two or more elected ~
this list: Iound In
The Rev. E. e. Hoss. D. n ed;to
~ christian Advocate. al NashU;no
loss received more than the re-
vears nuhhper or votes to elect four
Sedrs ago, when Bishops handle ara
MORRISON were chosen. but as onIv tryo
UsnhoPs were to be elected, he was do
clared not elected. ue-
me REV. Gross Alexander. d n. ~
ny louisville conference, professor ~
We" testament Greek and Exepesis
Eanoeroilt university. DR. Alley
tbe - a native kentuckian and leads
one louisville conference DELEGATION
ana is the choice Of the Mefbodist
'Hu[cn or his state for the office.
me Rev. Pohn ]. Tigert. d u ad;+or
me Methodist Review and book ed
.tor at Nashville. DR.. Tigerl is one of
tnr H1pongest men of the church, and
TOT learning and %eloouence is Lpon-u
the connection.
Inc Rev. James Atkins, D. D.. Sum-
1a~y-school editor. Or. Atkins is .
North Carolinian and is an ejoonant
preacher and well-known and non1,Iar
throughout the church. ~
Inc Rev. P, H. Whisner, d. d. of the
Church Extension Society. DR. wbisner
IS one Of the strongest men i'm tho
church' and possesses every quali6ca-
'ion 10 the e~piscopacy, and if he is not
levated to the office will be returned
board.
me Rev. Collins Denny, D. d.. of
vanderbilt university and Chairman of
tne book committee. DR.. Denny, as the
mead of the book committee. will lead