The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-21
Conference to Consider
Methodist Episcopal
OvertureS.
MATTER UP NEXT WEEK
Memorial Drafted at Balti-
more Brought to Atten-
ton Of Meeting.

Consolidation with the Methodist
Episcopal Church. in addition to the
contemplated union with Congregational
and United Brethren Churches. was the
proposition placed officially before the
general conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church at this morning 5
session at the North Carolina Avenue
Church. The important announcement
was also made that the proposition is to
be given through consideration at the
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. now in session at Los
Angeles. Cal.
The matter was brought to the atten-
ton Of the delegates by the Rev. DR.. f.
u. Little. president Of the Maryland Con-
ference of the Methodist Protestant
Church, who introduced a memorial
drafted by the Baltimore conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. and
presented to the sister denomination for
reference to the present general as
sembly- The memorial recommends the
appointment of a commission by the
Methodist Protestant general conference
to meet a similar commission chosen by
the general conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church TO consider the ques-
ton Of merging the two denominations
union.
Discussion Next Week.
Discussion Of the proposition was put
off until next week, when the plan OF
oenominational union will come before
the delegates officially. Negotiations
looking toward a union have so far
been carried on in an unofficial capacity.
and until the conference takes recOgn =
ton Of the matter, all consideration of
IL viii be deferred The memorial was
Fl. therefore placed in the hands of Presi-
dent Tagg. to be referred by him TO th,,
proper committee.
in this connection the delegates voted
to take up the subject of union next
morning when DR.. Washington Glad
den. Of the Congregational Church, and
Chairman OF the joint committee, and
The Rev. DR.. William Weekly. Of the
United Brethren. viii appear before tn.
conference. and present the resolutions
adopted by the joint committee.
The proposition TO amalgamate with
the NJ. +. Church makes the present
union movement the most lar-reachine
in its scope that has ever been con
ceived with the intention of being put
into execution. A union of this nature
however tentative ii may be at first
would make the churches concerned one
Of the largest and most powerful reli-
giOus bodies in the world If the plan is
carried into effect, ii would perhaps
mean eventually the consolidation Of al
the Protestant churches.
Devotional Exercises.
Devotional exercises at the opening O,
tOday's meeting were led by the Rev
NJ l. Smith. Of West Virginia. Before
the business session was begun. a mo.
ton was made that the retiring presi.
dent. the Rev DR. d. s. Stephens. the
Rev. DR.. David Wilson. and ;. p. South.
erland be Invited TO take seats I'm tn,
space allotted for the delegates.
The financial report Of the secretary
was submitted and referred TO the audit
ing committee. and later reported back
Announcement was made that a reDor
had been received from Mrs. r. T. WI
son. secretary Of the Woman's HON,
Missionary Society, and II was referred
TO the committee on missions. The re-
port Of the president Of the Westeri
Maryland College was referred TO IN,
committee on education
Animated discussion Of a resolution
providing that all papers TO be intro
duced during the conference be referre,
promptly to the proper committee with
out being presented 10 the conference
occupied the attention of the delegate
for the remainder Of the session. Tn
resolution was adopted but a motion wa.
made later that IL be rccOnsidered. II
the argument that followed the dele
gates expressed themselves in vigC rOu
terms. and the exchange Of pointed re
marks caused an almost continuous rip
pie OF laughter.
To Distribute Copies.
Shortly before adjournment a motion
was made that copies OF the syllabu
adopted by the joint union committee b.
printed and distributed among the dele
gates. The contention was made that tn,
question for consOlida ton was the vita
subject which the church had undc
consideration. and that even though ia
church had taken no official cognizanc
Of the negotiations. it was a subjec
with which every delegate shouldbe thor
oughly acquainted when argument Is be
gun next week. This resulted in a spir
tied discussion I'm which the question
Of the contemplated union figure,
largely.
The Rev. Dr. w. NJ strager. Of Balu
NOR. made a vigorous protest against
the motion, declaring that the question
0i denominatonal union was not th
liyest which the church had 10 dea
with. Such action. he said would sDreat
Ine ldea that this one question was al
the church had 20 live for. while Il
realty the great problems are those o
fostering the educational interests an,
extending the missionary work II d
peiter, ne declared. 10 bend their effort
toward building up these institutions o
the church than 10 divert their attentIoi
toward something IN the far distant
Ihe motion was voted down
Many Of the delegates will tomorrow
morning and evening occupy puIpIts a.
various denominations The conferenc
viii be resumed Monday morning at s.9
o'clock.