The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-03
HERESY REPORT
AT METHODIST CONFERENCE

PTOte8ootx kXonST1teo.-StuoSnt 10
Be caut1onsd.-Report Of Missions
Committee. ee.-May Have Colonial
Bishops,
Los Angeles. Cal. May 29.-The
Methodist general conference rushed
through a vast amount of business yes
terday during its three sessions and
when adjournment was taken late last
night had practically cleared the files
Of all the important subjects that have
been brought before it.
The heresy question. which had
been held up by many as q thing upon
which there would be prolonged and
heated debate, proved to be q very
small matter. after all. 1t was dis
missed with a report brought in by the
committee on education. the confer
ence adopting its recommendations
without ripple Of excitement. There
was no debate except brief speech
by DR.. Mitchell. who is credited with
being the leader of those opposed to
the so-called higher criticism in theo-
logical circles. DR.. Munhall merely
stated his opposition to Bible criticism
and declared himself favorable to the
report as presented.
The recommendations OF the COM
mittee on education on this particular
point were that in the absence Of suf
ficient proof against the faculties Of
certain universities. these Institutions
be exonerated on all the charges 0
heresy, The report recommended also
that since there is some unrest and a
disposition to fear that heresy will de-
velop. the directors should exercise
care in the selection of instructors. ap-
pointing none concerning whose
question. Professors were cautioned
to instruct their students to preach
none but established doctrines. The
report was passed by large vote.
The conference voted down the rec
ommendation Of the committee on
temperance providing for special de-
partment of temperance work and au.
thorizing collections for its mainten-
ance.
The report of the missions commit
recommendations:
Favoring the revision by commits
sion of the ritual pertaining to mar
riage ceremony and administration OF
the southern Asia districtt favoring
the granting of subsidy o the Mex
ican Christian Advocate; referring TO
commission the uniffcation of Meth
odist bodies of Japan with power to
act; favoring the erection. as soon as
practicable of a union theological
school for all Methodist missionaries
in Europe: advising that special col
umn be provided in annual conference
minutes for the recording of special
missions gifts, but providing that
churches which have not come up to
Their regular missions apportionment
shall not have their special gifts re-
corded in said column.
Several of the newly elected bishops
have been given their first experience
as presiding officers over the general
conference at last nights and to-day's
sessions. Bishops Berry. Spellmeyer.
Bashford and MacDowell have presid-
ed in turn. The others of the new
bishops will preside during some Of
the sessions before final adjournment
There was reserved. for the final ses-
sion of the conference one of the most
significant questions programmed for
consideration by this body. 1t was the
question of whether the ministers or
any other than white races shall be
eligible for the episcopacy.
The conference last night decided
by a practically unanimous vote, to
amend the church constitution SO as
to provide for the election of bishops
of other than the white race.
The conference also adopted the ma
jority report of the committee on edu
cation on the subject of opening the
American University at Washington.
The report advised that the university
be not opened until the endowment Of
IS ,O0O,0 had been raised.