The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-09


What is regarded as one of the most
radical steps of the past twenty-five
years was taken by the general con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
church. south, yesterday morning.
1t was nothing less than granting to
unordained ministers the right to admin
lister baptism and perform the rite of
matrimony. During the whole history of
the church this right or privilege has
been confirmed to ordained ministers, and
pastors on probation in the smaller COM
munties were compelled to await the
coming of the presiding elder in ,rder to.
baptize those desiring to be received into
the church and 'te marry, persons who
wished the ceremony performed according
the ritual of the Methodist church
The change. which was made only after
lengthy debate, provides for the amend
ment of paragraph 12O of the discipline
defining the duties of unordaned min
listers so that it shall read:
ITO preach the gospel; to celebrate the
rite of matrimony; in the absence of an
elder or bishop to administer baptism and
in the absence of the presiding elder or
bishop to control the appointment of all
services to be held in the churches in
his charge. with the unders tandng that
no permanent powers of ordination
conferred until the same shall be granted
by the laying on of hands after he shall
have met the disciplinary requirements"
Precipitated First Real Debate.
The amendment which was adopted to
the report of the committee on revisals,
was offered by DR.. j. A. Burrow of the
Nashville conference, and the whole mat
ter precipitated the first real debate of
the conference and while 1t seemed from
the start that the sentiment of the con-
ference was in favor of the change there
were several on the floor who vigorously
maintained that the conference should
be more conservative and not take such
important action( without long and
thorough consideration.
Another matter brought before confer
ence for debate had to do with disadvan-
tage under which articles of religion place
missionaries in the foreign field The ar
ticles set forth that those subscribing to
them declare their allegiance to the
United States and to the officials of the
United States. The Brazil and Japan
mission delegates were especially anxious
that something should be done, inasmuch
as foreigners are constantly under the
suspicion that the church is working to
secure the allegiance of converts to the
United States government. The matter
was referred to a special committee for
investigation and recommendation.
Favor Missionary Bishops.
A memorial from the North Georgit
conference which went to the commit
tee on episcopacy favored the election
OF one or more missionary bishops with
episcopal power limited to the field to
which he is elected. 1t provides that he
shall work in harmony with the college
OF bishops and shall be supported by
the missionary board
memorial which had the honor of re-
ceiving enthusiastic applause when it
was introduced came from the North
Georgia conference. 1t provided for
memorial to Congress urging that body
to pass such laws regulating the liquor
traffic as shall make effective the will of
the people in counties where prohibition
has been voted for and which will pro-
hibit the shipment of liquor into such
counties under the provisions of the in
terstate commerce act, as Is done at pres
ent. This matter went 10 the commit
tee on temperance and promises to bring
forth some vigorous speeches when 1t
gets before the conference.
Dinsdale T. Young introduced.
Early in yesterday mornings session
DIR. Dinsdale II. Young of London. fra
terna1 delegate from the Wesleyan church
In England. appeared in the church.
When he was introduced he thanked the
delegates for the hearty greeting and
said he would show his appreciation "by
practicing the virtue of tacturnity" Ac-
cording to present arrangements he will
deliver an address before the confer
ence Thursday evening.
Last week the conference by unani-
nous vote agreed to send message of
greeting to j. W. Bergman at Gale
donia. Mo-. who is the only surviving
member of the Methodist general confer
ence of 1874.
Yesterday a reply was received from
the venerable Missourian and it was dat
Cd from Truesdale. Mo- 1t read:
''Greeting most highly appreciated.
fconttnued on Ejohth Paoe.l