The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29
HERESY QUESTION WAS
EASILY DISPOSED OF BY
METHODIST CONFERENCE
All Charges Against the Faculties
CT Educational Institutions
Dismissed.
ONLY ONE, SPEECH MADE
DIR. Munhall Merely Opposed BIZ
bic CriticiSm-Report on Mis-
sions Adopted.
ONLY ONE. SPEECH MADE

Los ANGELES, May 2s.-The Methodist
General Conference rushed through vast
amount OF business to-day, during its three
sessions. and when adjournment was taken
late tonight had cleared the field Of all
important subjects
AS the time for adjournment approaches
there Is less desire the part of the
delegates to enter into prolonged debate,
and many left for their homes tonight.
So numerous. indeed, have been the de-
partures that the convention Is likely 10
find itself without quorum on Monday.
Unless something important comes up on
that day ii Is probable that this point
will not be urged.
The heresy question. which had been held
up by many a thing on which there
would be prolonged and heated debate,
proved to be a very small matter after all.
1t was dismissed with a report brought in
by the committee on education, the con-
ference adopting its recommendations with
out ripple of excitement. There was no
debate except brief speech by DIR. Mum
hall. who is credited with being the leader
OF the forces opposed to the so-called high
er criticism in the theological college DR..
Munhall merely gave his opposition to
Bible criticism and declared himself favor
able to the report as presented
The recommendations OF the committee
on education on this particular point were
that in the absence or sufficient proof
against the faculties of certain universe
ties these institutions be exonerated on all
charges of heresy. The report recommend
ed also that since there is unrest
and disposition to fear that heresy will
develop. the directors should exercise care
In the selection OF instructors, appointing
none concerning whose soundness of doc
trine there is any question. Professors
were cautioned to instruct their students
10 preach none but established doctrines.
The report passed by large vote.
The conference voted down the recon-
mendation of the committee on temperance
providing for special department OF tenn
perance work and authorizing collections
for It's maintenance. The report evoked
much discussion on the floor of the con-
ference. but the final vote against it was
decisive.
The report OF the missions committee was
adopted with the following recommended
tons: Favoring the revision by commits
sion OF the ritual pertaining TO the mar
rage ceremony and administration of the
sacrament in the southern Asia district;
favoring the granting of a subsidy TO the
Mexican Christian Advocate; referring to
commission the unification of Methodist
ballots in Japan with power to act; favor
Ing the erection, as soon as practicable, OF
q union theological school for all Methodist
missionaries in Europe; advising that a
special column be provided in annual con-
ference minutes for the recording of spe-
Stoi iiisSiou SlltS, uul pToNlulHB tndt
churches which have not come up To their
regular missions appointments shall not
have their special gifts recorded in said
column.
resolution was also passed expressing
sympathy with the Brotherhood of Loco
motive Engineers in the sudden death of
First Grand Engineer Ingraham.
Chairman Miller of the conference COM
mission. which looks after the finances of
the General Conference, made a report
to-day showing deficit of about 1000.
His report showed collections. including the
$4,000 raised In the city of Los Angeles,
OF $4,000, and bills paid and outstanding
says. there were unaudted bills amount
ing to 5000 which would bring the def
cheney up to 81, 90. A motion was made 10
the effect that the amount of the def
cheney be borrowed from the book concern
To this proposition there were strong pro-
tests made from Drs. Eaton and Maine
New York publishing agents, who said that
II the money were lent there would be
little chance of ever getting it back. as
has been the case before. After cOnsidera-
BILE talk the motion was adopted and the
book concern must lend the conference
commission enough to make up the def
cheney in its funds.
book concern was finally amended as
to instruct the presiding elders of the
various conference districts that are in ar
rears TO make good their deficiency in order
that the book concern may be reimbursed
Several of the newly elected bishops have
been given their first experience as pre-
siding officers over the General Conference
at last nights and to-days sessions. Bish
ops Berry, Spellmyer BaShford and Nc
Dowell have presided in turn. The other.
of the new bishops will preside during some
of the sessions before final adjournment.