Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-09
IOWA N. }. CONFERENCE
Concludes at Osceola After a
-Four Days Session-Princi-
pal Appointments
DECIDES ON IMPORTANT MERGER
Methodist Protestants Take PreIimin-
airy Action That Will Result in a
Few Years in AmaIgamation With
consresationaIists and United Breth-
ern-conference Officers Elected.
,cial to Times-Renublican.

Special to mes-Republican.
| Osceola, Sept. 9.-One of the most
| important sessions of the Iowa con-
| ference of the Methodist Protestant
| church was brought to a close in this
| city yesterday yesterday after a four
days session. The conference session
was particularly important in that ac-
ton was taken looking toward the gil
gantic church merger. that has been
seriously discussed in this denomina-
ton for the past year. The merger
will result in the banding together, I'M
der some new name, of the Congrega-
tional, Methodist Protestant and United
Brethren denominations. 1t is thought
that it will not be more than two years
before the plans can be satisfactorily
arranged The Congregational church
is back of the movement. as 1t sees the
opportunity Of taking into membership
and control two of the smaller denoml-
nations Iowa alone Is not to be affect-
ed but the churches of the United Sta
ties.
While there have been many in the
Methodist Protestant church who have
not looked with favor upon the new
amalgamation movement the sentiment
is gradually favoring some plan that
will strengthen the church. The con-
ference listened to the arguments IN
favor of the merger, and 1t is thought
that not over two and one-half years,
and possibly only two, will be required
to consummate the change. Presiding
Elder Miller of the United Brethren
church. and Secretary I. 0. Douglass,
of the Congregational Home Missionary
Society, were here as fraternal dele
gates to both the Congregational as
sembly and the United Brethren general
conference to be held next May. Rev.
S. J.. Geddes, of South Ottumwa, and
Rev. b. H. Howery, Of Downey, Will at
tend the u B. conference, and Rev. -.
NJ. Remington, Of Rhodes. will repre-
sent the conference at the Congrega-
tional assembly.
The Methodist Protestant conference
of Iowa is divided into four districts.
numbered consecutively. All We're rep
resented by both ministerial and lay
delegates. The election of officers for
the ensuing year resulted In Rev. ;. J.
Geddes, of South Ottumwa, being re-
named for president for the fourth time
Rev. ]. w. Murphy, of Murphy, was
elected secretary. and Rev. c. j. Mutt,
of KeswicE, steward.
To the general conference to be held
in Washington, D. c., next May, Rev.
Geddes and Rev f. S. Brown. of New
ton, were elected ministerial delegates,
and G. W. Newell, of Newton, and j.
B. Betz, of Ladora, lay delegates.
A deadlock that lasted one day, re-
suited over the election of the second
of the ministerial Representatives Rev.
P. A. Keopple, of Ladora, and Rev. s.
S. Scull, of st. Anthony. were the cam
didates, and each lacked one vote. Rev.
Brown was brought in as dark horse
and elected.
The principal appointments of the
were as follows:
New London-Rev. ]. NJ. Frame.
Keswick-Rev. c. J. Mutt.
Downey-Rev. D. H. Howry.
Ladora-Rev. p. A. Keopple.
Des Moines, Rhodes, Montezuma, st.
Anthony and Montezuma were left un-
supplied for lack of ministers.