The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-20
No More Radical Change.

II Is now practically assured that there
will be no more radical action taken by
the Methodist general conference. since
the adoption of the measure creating a
commission looking to a revision and re-
statement of the church's creed dis
tlnct wave of retrenchment has been
noticeable in the proceedings Of the con-
ference.
For instance yesterday morning a very
important matter came up which pro-
posed a revision or change in the ritual
to eliminate what was called by its sup
porters the idea of "doctrnal baptismal
regeneration" which they claimed the
ritual now contained. At first the senti-
ment of the conference seemed largely in
accord with the proposed change but aft
er several speeches had been made, in
which the warning cry of 'radicalism
was injected the sentiment turned, and
the final action taken was the provision
for naming a commission, which is to
investigate the matter and report back
to the general conference in 1910
Anderson Wants Change.
DIR. e. w. Anderson of Texas. one of
the best debaters in the conference, took
the lead in advocacy of immediate re-
vision. He made a speech at the OPEN
ing of the debate which was frequently
applauded He stoutly maintained that
the ritual of infant baptism was full OF
Calvinistic doctrine, and thought the con-
ference ought not to be afraid to take
hold of the subject and handle 1t without
gloves.
Dr. Anderson was followed by Dr. Ftz-
gerald S. Parker, son of the late Bishop
Parker. and he opposed DR.. Aldersons
IDEAS saying that the ritual did stand
for infant church membership, and for
all the things that Methodism stands for
Rev. Collins Denny who was one OF
the most prominent possibilities for
bishop. protested against tearing up by
the roots" the things for which Meth
odism had so long stood ut is time"
he said to pause in the radicalism whicn
has seized this conference.
DR. Gross Alexander of Louisville
thought Dr. Alderson's suggestion had
sound basis. and he thought something
should be done now instead of waiting
four more years to act.
Bennett Wants Something Done.
z. r. Bennett of Paragould, Ark, was
vigorous in his assertions that the ritual
did contain the idea of doctrnal bap-
tismal regeneration, and that the MEM
hers of the church at large believed 1t
was there He said members were con-
stantly confronted with the fact in their
contact with other churches.
N. b. Hewey Of ST. Louis also thought
the ritual was faulty. and that something
should be done with 1t now. He said, in
discussing and quoting from the ritual
that its supporters were not quoting the
whole idea contained in it. ut Is always
necessary to quote in full he said. In
Fredericktown. Mo-. about 1910, they were
building church which was to have
motto on it, The pastor told the con-
tractor to use Mark 11-17. He expected
the man to use: My house shall be
called of all nations the house of prayer.
The contractor put in the whole verse
the rest of the quotation being: But ye
have made 1t den of thieves.
C. NJ. Bishop of Columbia, Mo, offered
the substitute which was finally adopted.
This provided for a commission which
shall investigate the subject and report
back to the next general conference. I'VE
are not ready to vote now said Mr..
Bishop I'VE don't want to be stampeded
by a cry of Calvlnism. 1t will be better
for us to consider the proposed change
careful and conservatively"
When the vote was taken the substitute
was carried by vote of l13 to 73
The Colportage question was aired for
some time at the morning session but
no change was made in the rules as they
exist on the subject.
At the morning session a resolution was
adopted protesting against the granting
of permission to sell Intoxicating liquors
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