The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-16
HIGHER EDUCATION
FOR THE MINISTRY
Study of the Bible in Metho-
dist Schools.
PRFACHfRS' INSTITUTES
PREACHERS INSTITUTES
a School of Correspondence For In
digent Students.
DEBATES AT THE DALLAS CONFERENCE
Presidents OF Mills College and Vanderbilt Uni.
versiy Explain Provisions Of R. port on
Education Looking 10 Increasing
Efficiency of Ministry.
(By the Associated Press }

Dallas, Texas, May 14.-Educational
matters occupied the principal portion of
today's session of the Methodist Episco-
pal Conference The chief points of in
terest and discussion were the elevation
of the educational standard of the min
stry. the incorpora tion of the study of
the Bible as a cardinal part of the cur
riculum of Methodist Institutions; the
establishment of a school of correspond
ence at Nashville for the purpose of
enc bling INDECENT students to avail them
selves of better educational facilities and
the establishment of preachers insti-
tutes in various sections. A sharp de-
bate was provoked by the commentator
of a course at Vanderbilt University as
the desideratum of all that such stud
ents could possibly attain in such course,
and an annual appropriation of $4,000
for sending students to that institution.
The point of chief argument lay in
the college course for prospective min
listers. A layman, Lucius p. Little, made
five minute speech urging higher edu-
cation for the ministry. Bishop Joseph
F. Key, of Sherman, Texas. presided to-
day. The reports of the various com
mittees were read.
The fraternal delegates from the NJ. E.
Church were introduced and made short
farewell addresses. DR.. Huntington, the
Nebraska messenger, stated that he look
ed forward to the time when 100000
Methodists would be Joined in heart and
action as workers for the common cause.
Lieutenant Governor Bates, the fraternal
delegate from Massachusetts. paid a
tribute to Texas. He declared he had
been deeply impressed with the magnifi-
cent harvests and products of this State,
but above all, the men who made them.
Bishop Hendricks, a fraternal delegate
to the British and American conference of
1900 spoke in terms of praise of his
reception in England and Ireland.
DR.. A. Coke Smith, of Virginia, re-
ported similarly on his mission to
Toronto, Canada.
DR.. Murray, president of the Mills Col
lege, Jackson, Miss, and DR.. w. F..
Tillot, of Vanderbilt University faculty,
of Nashville Tenn, explained in detail
the provisions of the report on educa-
| ton, looking to plans for increasing the
, efficiency of the ministry.
They asked that educators and pastors
be instructed to urge young men to at
tend Vanderbilt University, as it is in
closest touch with the spirit and tradi-
lions fthe church. They urged the es-
Establishment of a correspondence schools
for such as are unable personally to at
tend colleges and also for those seek
ing post graduate work, nominal charge
to be usually made and in worthy cases
i free tuition to be given.
DR.. Hammond, secretary Of the Board
| of Education; Judge Little, of Arkansas,
| and ex-Lieutenant Governor Hindman
discussed the subject, after which a gen.
eral discussion was INDUCED in, the
| trend of which was the raising of the
standard and the essential need of Bible
study.
DR.. Parks, fraternal delegate from the
American M. e. church, was here pre-
scented and delivered his message.
The convention adjourned until to-
| morrow.