The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-13
Methodist Committee Wants Three New Bishops Elected
LIMIT USE OF TOBACCO
Feature of Yesterdays Session Was Continued Debate on Restatenent of Articles of Religion
 of the State.

The feature of yesterdays session of the Methodist general conference was the continuation of the debate on the pro- posal to create a commission looking to the revision and restatement of the ar ticles of faith of the church, and there Is a singularly well-dehned division of sentiment on the subject, the advocates on each side being men of such promi- hence in the conference that 1t promises to be the most important subject of the whole session.
 Prior to the debate yesterday some oth- CT matters came up which are in them- selves of considerable importance.
 For instance, the epscopacy committee brought in a report which recommends the election of three more bishops. The report also recommends years leave of absence for Bishop A Coke Smith, on ac- count of failing health. It fixes the sala- ries and travelling expenses of bishops at s40OO year, of superanuated bishops at 5000, and of widows of bishops at 5000. It recommends light work for Bishop Duncan and Bishop Smith.
 The conference suspended the rules to pass on the character of the bishops, all of whom had been passed upon favorably by the committee.
 Would Fight Tobacco Evil.
 Upon the recommendation of the St. Louis conference and of the women of the Holston conference on the subject of tobacco consumption, the temperance committee places practically all of the blame for the evil effects of tobacco on the cigarette. It recommends that pas tors align themselves on the side of the women and children to fight the growing tobacco evil, and advises that young pastors be prohibited from using tobacco in any form.
 The secretary announced that Monday e being the tenth day of the conference is the last day upon which new business can be introduced.
 a'fere VI. 2 stir, showing unusual in- terese when the chair called for unfin- ished business. The proposal to revise the creed of the church for adaptatio to modern conditions has aroused remark able rivalry, and before crowded gal leries the subject was debated until the hour for adjournment
 pr. Lambuth Opens Discussion.
 pr. w. A. Lambuth, missionary -sec- retary,. began the discussion when the matter came before the conference by reading a carefully prepared argument in favor of revision or as he termed it. a restatement of the church's articles to meet modern conditions. He spoke es- pecially of the church work abroad, and maintained that revision is absolutely essential to the advancement of the cause of Methodism in foreign lands.
 When he had finished, Dr. H. M. Du Bose offered substitute for the com mittee report. which provided for the commission proposed, but which did not empower the members of the com mission to consult with representatives of other branches of Methodsm. He con- tended that the south church should thrash out the matter and agree among themselves before overtures were made to others looking to revision.
 fC. M. Bishop of Columbia Mo-, spoke in opposition to the substitute and in favor of the committee report. "The question resolves itself into this,'' he said Should we keep only the roots of our doctrinal faith before us, or shall we present for our study and observa- ton the fully developed tree with all its foliage and fruit?
 Do we not need statement in our articles that will stimulate the spread of the gospel to foreign lands? It was not
 
 bishops of this church to make state ments before the conference which might have had a tendency to estop discussion. I've will not be called sensational by the outside world for letting the news go broadcast that it has been stated here that the present articles of the church are not statement of faith that is ade- duate to meet twentieth century condi- tions."
 Not a Test of Loyalty.
 Collins Denny, instructor in philosophy at Vanderbilt university, spoke against the resolution, but he prefaced his re- marks by saying: Any stand taken on this question by members of this confer cree is not test of loyalty.
 q do not believe our articles super anntated' he continued. Experimental legislation is one of the most danger ous things with which we can tamper The articles of religion never have been locked upon during the whole history of the church as the entire standard of doc Urine. I am opposed to the resolution chiefly because 1t attempts to narrow that liberty which belongs to every Meth odist. I am opposed to anything that defines narrow channel along which the expression of my faith can move. We are of many minds and any creed adopted Is bound to be compromise"
 Dr. R. E. Blackwell president of Ran dolph-Macon college. said that the confer ence mad already declared itSeil ofi 'he question by naming commission to re- wise the catechism and that there was nothing new and radical in the proposed action.
 Dr. F. Richardson of Holston confer ence, Fountain City. Tenn. said: T can orly look at this matter from the stand point of a man who has preached the gospel for fifty years. l don't want any body to try to make a new creed for me. It our fathers had undertaken what this commission proposes to do we would now be divided into thousand sects."
 J. E. Godbey of Little Rock thought revision was sometimes needful and was in favor of the plan.
 Severe in Denunciation.
 R. H. Mahon of Memphis was especially seyere in his denuncation of the proposal and of the men who made it. Tt is hard for me-" he said ito say anything to