The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-24
GROUND FOR DIVORCE.
Methodist Conference Probably VIII
Recognize But One.

Los Angeles, Cal, May 24-The
morning session of the Methodist gen
eral conference was without special in
terest, the time being taken up in con-
! sideratfon of minor matters, balloting
for the editors of the IL church publ
cations and hearing the report of the
committee on the consolidation of be-
nevolent societies of the church. The
committee recommends that the sew
eral benevolent societies shall be con-
sOlidated into three under the follow
| ing corporate names:
1.-The board of foreign missions of
the Methodist Episcopal church.
2-The board of home missions and
church extension of the Methodist
| Episcopal church.
3lThe board of education of the
Methodist Episcopal church. or the
board of education. freedmen and
Sunday schools of the Methodist Epis-
copal church Gas the general conference
may determined
While the result of the ballot for
editors has not been given out, it can
be stated with every assurance of ac-
curacy that the following have been
elected:
Review.
J. M. Buckley, Christian Advocate.
D. D. Thompson, thwestern Chris
G. B. spencer, Central Christian Ad-
G. W. Smith, Pittsburg Christian Adj
W. B. Hammond, Southwestern
| Christian Advocate.
D. L. Bader, Pacific Christian.
| A J. Mast, Christian Apologist.
| Frederick Mum Haus and Herd.
Several matters of material import
ance to Methodism nave been passed
upon by the standing committee on
state of the church, and its recOmmen-
dations on the subject will be report
ed to the conference, where, IN al
probability they will be fully Sanctlon-
ed by majority of the delegates MOST
| important of these many matters are
those of divorce, ROmantsIn, Mormon
| ism the Bible in the public Schools ana
regulations Of church membership
The question as to what shan con
/ stitute the recognized grounds Tor O-
yorce was the cause of spirited con-
! test in the committee. in which some
of the ablest delegates in the CONFER
ence took active part After hours q
4 discussion, in which arguments We're
made urging the Sanctioning OF Two or
/ three distinct causes as legitimate
grounds for divorce, the committee
finally voted to make the CRIME nm o.
adultery the sole legal reason for sep
aration to be recognized by the
/ church Final desertion and extreme
cruelty were the additional grounds
that were urged for adoptioh as
part of the discipline, but which
majority of the committee opposed.
The resolution on NORM onlsm
which will be presented to the con-
enact a constitutional amendment
that will make impossible certain
| practices of AIormOnism in any part
/ of the United States or in any country
subject to its Jurisdiction
Another resolution denied that the
/ teaching of the Bible in the pubic
schools without note or comment was
sectarian act, and deplored the re-
puted efforts of the Roman Catholic
/ church to secure a division OF the
public school fund along sectarian
/ lines as menace to the public school
1 system and called upon congress to
/ provide an amendment to the federal
I constitution which forever would
make impossible the accomplishment
| of such an object. The resolution
also provided for the extension Of
every aid and support to Methodist
| missionaries engaged in the propaga-
ton of the Protestant faith in Roman
/ Catholic countries.
A resolution regulating the mem
/ bership of the church was also adopt
! ed 1t provides that those who fail in
their duties of attending services and
paying their share toward church ex-
/ penses may be dropped from the roll
of membership by the pastor of the
/ church after he has made due fnvesti
ga ton, with the provision that on de-
mand they may receive a regular
/ trial. The latter resolution evoked
| considerable debate but was finally
accepted