The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-05-15
IMPORTANT FEATURE DISCUSSED
Revision of the rs Articles of
Reli ligion of the Church
Is MUCH DIyrDED
Debate Unfinished When Hour of Ad-
journment Arrived-E1ection of
Three New Bishops Recommended
by Committee-Rule to Prohibit Use
of Tobacco by Young Pastors.

Birmingham, Ala, May 12.-The
feature of today's session of the Meth
odist Episcopal General conference
was the further discussion of the most
important question that has SO far
come before the body. 1t IS proposed
to name a commission with one of the
bishops as chairman who shall confer
with similar representatives of other
branches of Methodism looking to a
revision or re-statement of the 25 ar
ticles of religion of the church.
The debate began yesterday and to-
day it was so animated and the senti-
ment seems so divided, that it is prema-
ture to make any predictions as to the
probable action. DR.. w. A. Lambuth,
missionary secretary Of the church
took a decided stand in favor Of the
commission for revision. He defend
ed Dean w. F. Tillett of Vanderbilt
theological school, chairman of the
committee which submitted the recon-
-mer datiOn.
c. M. Bishop, of Columbia, Missouri,
DR.. R. E. Blackwell, president of
Macon college, J. E. God
bey, of Little Rock, and George r.
Stuart were among the prominent men
who favored the resolution while such
men as Collins Denny instructor in
Philosophy in Vanderbilt, DR.. F. Rich
ardson, of Fountain City, Tenn, r. H.
Malone, of Memphis and DR.. w. B.
Murray, of Jackson, Miss, President
of Millsays college were vigorous in
their opposition. The debate was un-
finished when the hour of adjourn
ment was announced.
The Episcopacy committee recon-
mended the election of three new bish-
ops and the temperance committee
presented report which calls upon
pastors to do all in their power to stop
the spread of the tobacco evil and calls
for rule which will prohibit the use
of tobacco entirely by young pastors.
All local protestant pulpits will be oc-
cupied by visiting pastors tomorrow.
At today meeting of the general
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church, south, the committee on Epis-
copacy today made a report recon-
mending the election of three new
bishops. The report, it is thought will
be taken up Monday. The commit
tee recommended the continuation of
Bishop John G. Cranberry and 0. P.
Fitzgerald on the superannuated list.
The committee also recommended a
twelve months exemption from active
duty for Bishop A. Coke Smith be-
cause of poor health. The salaries Of
active bishops were fixed at $4,000,
superann''ated bishops at $4,000 each
and widows Of deceased bishops at ST.
900 each.
Rev. 3. F. Lpscomb, of Petersburg,
Va, conducted the opening devotional
exercises and Bishop A. Coke Smith
took the chair for the day. A mes
sage of felicitation from the Epworth
League Union, of washington, was
read.
The committee on education in a
report regarding Vanderbilt Universi-
| ty, Nashville, says:
There can be no question as to the
| ownership of the University by the
Methodist Episcopol church, south, OF
as to the charter right of all the bish-
| ops, but in view of certain questions
we recommend the appointment of a
| con, mission of five laymen to inquire
| into and determine the present rela-
| ton of the Vanderbilt University to
| the Methodist Episcopal church.
| south; to take legal steps if necessary
| to perfect the transfer of the Univer-
| sity from the patronizing conference
| to the general conference of the Meth
| odist Episcopal church, south; to de-
| fine the charter right of the bishop OF
the Methodist Episcopal church, south
| and when so defined the bishops are
! hereby instructed to enter on the
| name.