Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-12
UP
BEFORE THE
BISHOPS
THE. LAW-MAKING BODY OF THE
M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH, IS
NOW IN SESSION IN DALLAS,
TEXAS.


DALLAS. Tex. May s.-One Of the
greatest church bodies of the United
States the general conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal church, south, is
In its fourteenth quadannual meeting In
this city. This is the supreme body of the
church. It's duties are legislative, judi
cial and elective. 1t enacts laws, levies
taxes, appropriates money and makes
such changes in polity or rules or meth
DDS as II may deem best. In short 1t is
to the Methodist church what congress is
to the people of the United States. Like
congress. It is not absolute, restrictions
being placed on II by what is known as
1.-THE six restrictive rules"
The conference is composed of eleven
bishops and 2s2 delegates. The bishops
are Keener, Wilson, Cranberry, Hargrove,
Duncan. Galloway, Hendrix, Key. Fitz-
gerald, Gambler and Morrison. This body
represents $4,000 church members. H.
COO travelling and local preachers, and has
control of 5000 church buildings, univer-
stiles, schools, colleges, hospitals, etc.,
situated in the southern and western por-
tion OF the United States which are val
ued at more than $25,oOO,OOO.
The young men of "the Holy club at
oxford were given the name of "Metho-
dist" 17S years ago. The Methodist Epis-
copal church in America was organized
IFS years ago. The Methodist Episcopal
church, south, came into existence Sc
years ago. This year is famous in church
annals for the 10th century educational
movement. during which N,5o0.0O0 have
been collected for purposes Of education.
Church reports show that there has
been a great spread Of the faith In for
eign lands. Besides representatives from
the various sections of the United States
who are present there will be Rev. J. w.
Tarbox and c. G. s. Shalders. of Brazil;
Rev. ]. w. Grimes. Rev. T. s. Lallance,
Rev. ]. F. Corbin, S. G. Ferguson and j.
M. Valencia, of Mexico; Rev. c. F. Reid
and Rev. w. H. Park. OF China; Rev. s.
H. Wainwright. H. Nakamura, and T.
Nishikawa, Of Japan.
The indications are that the conference
Will be one OF the most important In the
history OF this denomination. Forty years
ago during the war between the states
the Federal troops sliced upon the pub
Fishing house OF the church at Nashville,
Tenn, and retained possession Of and
used Il for military purposes until the
end OF that memorable conflict. 1t was
claimed by the church that the stock and
material had been practically destroyed
and that the building materially damaged.
For this large claim was filed with con-
gress and after striving fer many years
the national legislators took recogntzance
of the claim and gave the church the sum
OF $4,000. Since that award was made,
great agitation has been caused in church
circles by persons claiming that in OBJ
tanning this money the representative OF
the church was guilty of actions and rep
reservations unworthy of Christian.
For this reason they say that the church
should not spend the money. The ques-
tion Is now TO come UP and the debate,
promises to be one OF the most spirited
that has ever occurred during the pro-
ceedlngs OF a Methodist general confer
ence. 1t is not asserted by any one that
the claim was not Just one OF that
the church got more than II was entitled
to, the sole complaint being as to the
methods of obtaining II. 1t is insisted by
some of the ministers and a large majori-
ty Of the laymen that 1t Is not fair to
Judge the church by the acts Of individu-
ais and they are emphatically against
returning the money. Final settlement
must be made at this conference. Some
hold that under the constitution of the
church II is unable to vote the money out
of the church unless II be for some spe-'
cihc purpose-in other words, for the sup
port Of superannuated ministers-and
they say that any member could block
action through the courts in case the
money is voted back.
Another important question which is to
be settled is one of creating what is called
| the order of deaconesses. 1t is probable
that the idea will be adopted in view Of
| the fact that such an organization has
been successful in the Methodist Epis-
copal church.
Still another suggestion to be debated
is the idea Of establishing an insurance
board which is to be Incorporated for the
purpose of insuring church property. 1t
is to be presented to the conference in tho
/ form OF a memorial. It's most ardent ad-
vocates are w. r. Barclay, of Louisville,
ny, and Sampel Cupples. of st. Louis.
Around the election Of bishops the great
est interest will be centered. 1t is the
| highest honor within the gift of the
church and successful persons hold the
ONCE for life. Since its organization the
| church has had but % bishops and of
these only IL are now living. The quail
1cations to hold this Office are great
learning and piety.
According to the unwritten law of the
church this Office is supposed to seek the
| man and not the man the office. There
| fore formal announcements for ii are
| never made and the result is that at each
| conference many names are suggested for
this position. Among those mentioned
in this connection are: Rev. p. H. Whis-
ner d. D., Of Baltimore. Md; who is sec
/ rotary of the church extension society;
Rev. Collins Denny, d. D., of Wander
/ bilt university, who is chairman of the
| book committee; Rev. James ID. Atkins,
| d. D.. of North Carolina, secretary OF the
| school department and famous as a pull
pit orator; Rev. John Tigert of Nash
Vile, editor Of the Book Review and book
/ editor. of Nashville; Rev. Gross Alexan-
der, d. D., OF Louisville, KY, who is pro-
fessor of New Testament, Greek and exc
gesis at Vanderbilt university; Rev. z.
E. Hoss. D. D., who is editor of the Nash
Vile Christian Advocate. and who four
years ago received more than the required
number of votes to elect at the time
: Bishops Gambler and Morrison were elect
ed but was declared not elected because
| there were only two vacancies to be
filled. The conference is expected to re-
main in session three or four weeks.
| Thousands Of Methodists from the south
ern and southwestern portion OF the Uni
| ted States will attend.
Watch the date on the label by which
you receive your Seml-WeekIy and
when the time has expired send In your