The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-16

The action of the conference in plac-
ing Bishops Castle and Kephart on the
roster of the church as bishops emeritus
is entering largely into the recommen-
dations which the committee is submit
ting. The feeling is that both of the
bishops who are acting as bishops
emeritus are not incapacitated from
further participation in the government
of the church as they would be in case
of their retirement. At the beginning
of the conference it was thought two
bishops would be elected to fill the va
cancies made by the two designations
and that possibly two ldditionaS bishops
would be appointed to take care of the
work in the south and on the Pacific
coast
The committee split on the matter
when it went into the committee room
to consult. The members of the COM
mittee who were of a more economical
turn of mind thought that the church
could get along with but one more ap-
pOintment in the way of bishop, making
three active bishops on the board and
two bishops emeritus. The idea is that
the constitution of such board would
be able to take care of all the church
territory The bishops emeritus are not
expected to engage very actively in Off
cial duties. This it is rumOred is the
report of the minority committee. The
majority report it is rumOred calls for
the appointment of from two to fOul
additional bishops as the lnances of
additional bishops. as the finances of
make in either instance from six to
eight bishops upon the board counting
into consideration the two bishops ener-
titus. 1t is possible that the conference
VIII take the middle course and COM
promise on the appointment of three
additional bishops. making seven bishops
including the bishops emeritus.
AS the matter has not been aired in
the body of the conference, none but
the members of the committee being
aware what the reports are to be. it is
impossible to say exactly what action
the conference viii take.
Postpone Action on Union.
The final action on the matter of the
union of the United Brethren church
with that of the Congregational and
Methodist Protestant churches which
was to have been taken this morning
was further postponed until Thursday
morning at 10 o'clock. The idea which
was back of the motion for postpone
ment was to secure the possible
change of sentiment of the East Penn
sylvania and the NeoshO conferences
who are now opposing the contem-
plated unions. S. F. Huber of Cham
bersburg, Pa. and DR.. Brane of Penn
sylVanla both prominent members OF
the conference, are taking an active
part against the contemplated union
said one of the high officials of the
church this morning. THE trouble is
that the gentlemen don't understand
fully what we expect to do. We don't
expect organic union right away That
would be ridiculous. We expect to
develop that only as the years prDg-
ress Why, we lose all rights to our
property if we effect a union right at
this instant. tt would be impossible.
They don't fully understand our in
tentions.' The NeOsho conference
takes i'm the south eastern portion Of
Kansas.
This morning two specially appoint
ed fraternal delegates from other
churches addressed the conference.
Bishop w. NJ. Stamford, Harrisburg.
Pa, of the United Evangelical church,
and Rev J. B. Kanago, NJ A., Of Tiff
nm, Ohio, of the Evangelical assOcia-
uon. both appeared before the con-
ference and sent the members word
OF greeting from the general confer
enceS of their respective churches.
The addresses covered practically
the same ground. Both speakers
stated that they trusted that the union
of the churches, the discussion of
assured fact and that it might come to
q speedy consummation.
They requested that the conference
might give them a word of greeting to
take back to their respective confer
ences when they should assemble.
Following therequest a written greet
ing signed by Bishop Castle and
Mathews was read. The greeting ex-
pressed the cordial good wishes and
esteem Of the conference for the greet