The Elbert County tribune., 1904-05-12
THE nETHODlSTS
GENERAL CONFERENCE WORK.
eussed-committe Recommends
Retirement of Four Bishops.

Retirement of Four Bishops.
Los Angeles. Cal. May iO.-The at
titude OF the Roman Catholic Church
toward the public school system OF the
United States furnished a subject OF a
Sensational debate in the Methodist
General Conference yesterday.
While there was a strong disposition
on the part OF certain delegates to have
the conference adopt resolutions com-
mitting II to extreme utterances upon
the subject. there was an oyerwhelm-
ing sentiment, as IL developed, against
and such action and the entire matter
vas finally disposed OF by referring II
To committee, from which 1t is un-
likely ever TO be reported
Rev. j, r. King. secretary OF the
Church Extension Society OF Philadel-
rhia having secured the floor, present.
ed resolution strongly criticising the
Roman Catholic Church, declaring that
Its efforts to control the secular press.
Its influence in politics and Its assaults
on the public school system demand
the vigilance of Protestants and patri-
OTIS"
When DR. King finished reading his
resolution there was commotion
among the delegates and hum Of sup
pltAetu tuHNtl haAlbn anu Nllth VI w.
no." showing that there was strong
dissension with the stand taken by Dr.
King. A score of delegates were on
their feet in an instant. clamoring for
recognition from Bishop Fowler. who
was presiding. The chair recognized
Lay Delegate Chief Justice Charles Is.
Lohr of the Delaware Supreme Court.
who made n strong speech In opposi-
tion to DR. Kings stand
I'm regard to DR.. Kings attitude
upon the Roman Catholic opposition to
the public school system In America, -
said Justice Lohr. II am with him, but
believe this is no place or time to in
dulge in an attack ON the Roman Cath
olic Church. or any other church.
believe that the Roman Catholic
/ Church is doing a great work in this
country along certain lines. and we
should put our hands under Il and as
| kist it. or any other church, In a work
of evangelizatlon,"
After agreeing with DR. King regard
ing public schools. Justice Lohr con-
/ tinued:
But are we to gain anything by any
phase of denunciation against any 9TH
er Christian body? tCrles of NO.
no.'D
"The Roman Catholic Church has
done n magnificent work In this coun-
| try. II has taken hold of class of
people whom perhaps no other form OF
religion could have moulded 80 well for
the well being of our common land. l
| feel like putting my hands under cv-
cry evangelizing agency in the world
that helps to uplift men and not pull
| them down"
This expression was received with
| applause by the delegates and the gall
lerles.
| motion by DR.. S. l.. Belier to re-
| fer this resolution to the committee on
the state Of the church was carried. In
| the opinion OF many prominent dele
gates this disposes OF the matter
finally.
Judge sibley of Ohio offered an i'm
| portant resolution on the subject of di-
vorce. He wanted paragraph 80 OF the
| discipline changed to read as follows:
mo divorce. except for adultery.
| final desertion or cruelty or neglect
such as to compel an innocent partner
to separate from the offender, shall be
regarded by the church as morally law
| full and none of our ministers or lay
men shall solemnize marriages where
there is divorced wife or husband
| living, unless the divorce was granted
/ upon grounds hereinbefore specified.
But this regulation does not apply in
cases where divorced parties are seek
| ing remarriage"
| The subcommittee on the effective
ness OF bishops reported in favor of the
retirement OF at least four Of the pres
ent bishops. These will be. It is said
by prominent leader of the church
councils, Bishops Andrews. aged sew
enty-nine; Mallalieu. seventy-1ye;
| Waldron and Vincent, seventy-three
years. respectively. Bishop Andrews is
the same age as Bishop Merrill. who
has asked to be relieved.
If this forecast is correct, at least
seven new bishops Will be elected by
the present General Conference. No ac-
tion was taken on the ub-commlttee
report pending the report OF the sub
committee on age limit.