Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-24
DAY RESIGNS.
Elected Methodist Bishop but
Will Not Accept.
Recent Election Accepted as a vindi-
cation of His Course.
Syracuse University Pleased That It
Syracuse University Pleased That It
Can Retain Him.

Los Angeles, Cal, May 23-At the
request of James II. Day. chancellor
of Syracuse University. the Methodist
general conference, today, annullcd his
election as bishop by unanimous vote
because DR.. Day in Il statement to the
conference asserted that he felt him.
self called to the work of Il Christian
educator rather than to that of bis
hop. No one will be elected in place Of
DIR. Day at present. lie was the last
of eight bishops to be elected.
1t was announced today. that. Sat
urday, Dr. 1. Il. Scott had been elected
additional missionary bishop to Africa
and DR.. VIM. Oldham and Dr. John L.
Robinson additional missionary bis
hops to southern Asia. DIR. C. M. Har-
ris. this morning, was elected to the
newly created bishupric of Japan and
Korea.
The newly elected domestic and mis-
sionary bishops will be consecrated,
Thursday. May &c.
Four hours of today's session was de-
voted to special memorial service in
memory of bishops who have died dur
ing the last quadrcnnium and of VIM.
Mckinley.
In rcsigning Bishop Day asked per-
mission of the conference to retire
from further attendance. The rcsig-
nation came as Il profound surprise to
everyone except a few friends, with
whom Bishop Day had consulted re-
Garding his determination, AMI his
statement which preceded his action
WAS listened to by the delegates and
crowded galleries with Intense inter-
est.
When Bishop Foss, who was prcsid-
ing. asked the conference to hear Il
statement from Bishop-clc Day as a
matter of personal privilege, the as
scmbly appeared to divine that some
thing unusual was about to happen,
and Immediately granted permission.
DIR. Day, who occupied a seat among
the bishops on the platform, came to
the front of the speakers stand.
Il do not believe" said Dr. Day.
that any man in the conference will
charge me with disloyalty to my con-
science and to my God. l believe that
everyone will cOnccdc that I am actu-
atcd by honest motives and that 1 am
running, NY 'uty III tothlllS tHc utllO.t
| am about to take l wish to make it
clear that there has been no coercion
by the board of trustees OF my uni
vcrsity and that material considera-
tons did not in any way enter into
this matter. l am acting solely on the
dictates of my conscience and have
arrived at a conclusion only after two
days of earnest prayer and praycrful
consideration, during which time
have left my room only for my meals
and did not seek the advice of any Of
my friends until l had fully made up
my mind"
DIR. Day then read a formal docu-
mcnt. addressed to the general confer
cnce. rendering his resignation as
bishop elect.
There was murmur of surprise
among the delegates. which was stillei
in Il moment by the voice of DIR. j. M.
Buckley. seeking recognition of the
Chair. He stated that he had had no
conversation with DIR. Day until Sat
urday evening, and then had endcav-
orcd in every way to induce him to
abandon his determination to rcsign
But" said DIR. Buckley. when a man
puts MS action upon MS conscience and
duty to God, argument is futile. and If
insisted upon becomes pertinent
DIR Buckley then quoted a paragraph
of the discipline to show that DR. Day
was not resisning the office of bishop, hut
only the eligibility to that office. as he
had not yet been consccratcd DIR. Buck
10y moved that Dr. Days resignation be
accepted. The question was put without
debate and was carried unanimously
DIR. Wright moved that the further
election of general superintendent be in
definitely postponed.
This was carried almost unanimously
and is taken to mean that there will be
no more general superintendent chosen
by the present conference.
The vote for three missionary bishops
was announced, today, as follows: For
Africa, Rev. l. Il. Scott; for Southern
Asia, VIM +. Oldham and John T. Rob
inson.
The remainder of the days session was
taken up in memorial services in honor
Of those bishops who have died during
| the last quadriennium.
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