The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-27
METHODISTS WORK
FOR CHURCH UNION
Adopt Plan for Preliminary
Discussion.
RECEIVE UNITED BRETHREN
Hear Address From Bishop Mills. and
Adopt Troublesome Report on
Book Directory.
RECEIVE UNITED BRETHREN

Our heart is with you in the ques-
| ton of union. and there can be no
doubt but that we will vote for it as
you have done"
Assurance of the cooperation of the
United Brethren Church in the plan OF
denominational union was thus given
the general conference of the Methodist
Protestant Church by Bishop J. l. Mills.
Of the United Brethren. in an address
before the delegates at this morning
session in the North Carolina Avenue
! Church.
Bishop Mills was presented to the con-
! ference at the opening of the morning
session. when he was invited TO conduct
| the devotional exercises. He was later
! called upon TO address the meeting, and
/ II was In the course Of these remarks
that he made known the attitude of his
\ denomination on the question Of union
In his address Bishop Mills paid
high tribute to the NJ P. Church, and
said he had learned with great sat
isfaction that the committee on
church union had returned favorable
report. He spoke of the similarity in
the doctrinal principles Of the two
| churches. and said that the heart ana
with the Methodist Protestant Church
in all its work and undertakings
Attacks Spiritualism.
Referring to the advantages that may
! be derived by a union. Bishop Mills
said the three churches would be in po
sition to take a hrmer stand against
false spiritualism. which has been
| springing up over the country in the
past few years. He deplored the inter-
est taken in such bodies as Spiritualists,
Christian Scientists. and similar organ
izatfons. declaring them TO be a menace
and evil in the spread of Christianity.
In closing his address Bishop Mills told
OF a meeting of the clergy and lay mem
bers Of the United Brethren Church at
Dayton, Ohio. three weeks ago. in which
the contemplated union was discussed
After talking over the matter at length.
| he said, the conferees voted unani-
mously in faSor. of the plan. ,,, 49,,
This ><tiorI," said Bishop Mills, 81
regarS as expressing the sentiment OF
ttc entire church.
More Trouble Over Directory.
The report of the committee on pub
fishing interests, which proved a storm
center at yesterdays sessions. was
again submitted to the conference this
morning. The report recommends the
election Of w. B. Weston to the Balti-
more Book Directory 10 succeed Dr.
DanicI Baker, who withdrew from the
directory because Of the failure, OF the
committee to renominate three of the
former members. Following the adop-
ton Of the report as a whole. DR.. J. w
Herring. who was elected to member
ship on the board. declined TO accept
! the position. The vacancy was filled by
the appointment OF Charles r. Durbin,
Of Grafton, W. Va.
; An amendment was made by the con-
ference TO the report OF the committee
l on course Of study by the substitution
Of the Bible as a regular text book FOR
theological students in the Methods
Protestant church, to take the place of
the present text book. The contention
was made that the plane Of ministerial
education should not be so high that the
preachers Of he gospel would be able
, TO talk on evolution and theology, and
yet not understand the basic principles
J Of their mission in the world.
Field Work Among Young People.
In submitting its report. the commit
tee on Christian Endeavor Union pre-
, scented a memorial TO the conference
; from the Christian Endeavor Union Of
the Methodist Protestant church. The
memorial provides for the approval Of the
conference of the appointment OF a fed
secretary to build up this branch of the
! work Of the church. 1t was adopted
: after a discussion as to whether the in
creas ed membership which the move
, ment will bring would warrant the ex-
pense attending the creation of the OF
fee.
Plan of Church Union.
The syllabus recommended by the com
: naittee on church union. and adopted by
unanimous vote OF the conference, is ~
follows.
I'VE most heartily appreciate the
Christian fervor which inspir ed the labor
OF the joint committee and the gracious
!. spirit Of fraternity and union that char
/, acterize the paper known as the sylla-
: bus-the excellent consensus Of opinion
: Of the joint committee.
= The gratifying statements contained
? therein encourage US to hope for sub
: stantial and satisfactory results in thu
a near future. binding the denomination;
mentioned therein not only TO fraterna
I relations and closer federati but II
: the closer bonds OF a vital organic unior
. which viii rebound 10 our mutual good
t and enlarged powers for the salvation
/: OF the world
y According TO the syllabus we recon-
! mend
"Flrst-That the suggestion for a gea