The Holly chieftain., 1904-05-13
THE nETHODlSTS
GENERAL CONFERENCE WORK.
Catholics and Public Schools Dis
cussed-Committe Recommends
Retirement Of Four Bishops.

Hetlfement oI FOuF ClSNOpS
Los Angeles. Cal. May l0.-The at
,itude of the Roman Catholic Church
toward the public school system of the
United States furnished subject of
sensational debate in the Methodist
General Conference yesterday.
While there was strong disposition
on the part of certain delegates to have
the conference adopt resolutions COM
mitting it to extreme utterances upon
the subject, there was an overwhelm-
ing sentiment, as it developed, against
and such action and the entire matter
was finally disposed OF by referring 1t
to a committee. from which it is un-
likely ever to be reported.
Rev. j. r. King, secretary of the
Church Extension Society of Philadel-
rhia, having secured the floor, present
ed resolution strongly criticising the
Roman Catholic Church, declaring that
Its efforts to control the secular press.
its influence in politics and its assaults
on the public school system demand
the vigilance of Protestants and patri-
ots''
When DR. King finished reading his
resolution there was commotion,
among the delegates and hum of sup
pressed conversation and cries of NO,
no." showing that there was strong
dissension with the stand taken by DR..
King A score of delegates were on
their feet in an instant. clamoring for
recognition from Bishop Fowler, who
was presiding. The chair recognized
Lay Delegate Chief Justice Charles B.
oh, - Mi, t,rf
who made a strong speech in opposi-
ton to DIR. Kings stand.
In regard to DR.. Kings attitude
upon the Roman Catholic opposition to
the public school system in America"
said Justice Lohr. Il am with him, but
! believe this is no place or time to in
dulge in an attack on the Roman Cath
olic Church, or any other church. |
believe that the Roman Catholic
Church is doing great work in this
country along certain lines, and We
should put our hands under it and as
sist it, or any other church, in work
Of evangelization."
After agreeing with DR.. King regard
ing public schools, Justice Lohr con
tinued:
But are we to gain anything by any
phase of denunciation against any 9TH
CT Christian body? tCries of "Nx
no.'D
THE Roman Catholic Church has
done a magnificent work in this coun-
try. 1t has taken hold of class of
people whom perhaps no other form OF
religion could have moulded so well for
the we'll being of our common land. |
| feel like putting my hands under ev-
cry evangelizing agency in the world
that helps to uplift men and not pull
them down.
This expression was received with
applause by the delegates and the gall
leries.
A motion by Dr. S. L. Belier to re-
fer this resolution to the committee on
the state of the church was carried. In
the opinion of many prominent dele
| gates this disposes of the matter
finally.
Judge Sibley of Ohio offered an i'm
portant resolution on the subject of d.
vorce. He wanted paragraph 39 of the
discipline changed to read as follows:
No divorce, except for adultery,
| final desertion or cruelty or neglect
such as to compel an innocent partner
| to separate from the offender, shall be
regarded by the church as morally law
full, and none of our ministers or lay
men shall solemnize marriages where
! there is divorced wife or husband
| living, unless the divorce was granted
upon grounds hereinbefore specified
| But this regulation does not apply in
cases where divorced parties are seek
ing remarriage.'
The Subcommittee on the effective
ness of bishops reported in favor of the
| retirement of at least four of the pres
ent bishops. These will be, it is said
| by prominent leader of the church
councils. Bishops Andrews, aged sew
| enty- nine; Mallalieu, seventy-five;
| Waldron and Vincent. seventy-three
years, respectively. Bishop Andrews is
| the same age as Bishop Merrill, who
| has asked to be relieved.
If this forecast is correct, at least
seven new bishops will be elected by
the present General Conference. No ac-
| ton was taken on the subcommittee
report pending the report of the sub
! committee on age limit.