The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-17
Conference Surprises Itself.

The Methodist general conference yes- terday surprised itself and reasserted it's conservatism by overwhelmingly voting to leave the present four year pastoral limit unchanged. It caused probably as much debate on the floor as any subject that has come before the conference and there was remarkable unanimity in the sentiment against change.
 This itself was a surprise for it has been understood for some months that the sentiment in the church was so strong for change that 1t would undoubtedly be made by this conference. If the limit were not removed entirely it was at least believed that an exception would be made in favor of the down town churches where a change in pastors so frequently causes, it is said, the greatest inconvenience and trouble.
 Minority Report Adopted.
 peculiar feature of the matter was the fact that the committee on revisals had reported in favor of limit of six years and 1t was the minority report which was adopted by so large ma jority.
 The committee on Sabbath observance brought in an exhaustive report which favored the suppression of all forms of Sabbath desecration prompted by pleas ure and greed, as ball games, bicycle tournaments, horse racing theatres, boat and railroad excursions. the open sa- loon and the buying and selling of any t.. 0f sity or mercy"
 As the day for closing the conference draws near the delegates are becoming anxious to get through and for the first time an afternoon session was held today. Dinsdale T. Young, British fraternal dele gate, bade the conference farewell He leaves Birmingham at an early hour this morning.
 The pastoral limit was by far the most important thing brought before the con- ference during the morning.
 Missouri Man First Speaker.
 Judge B. J. Casteel of St. Joseph, Mo, was the first speaker on the subject. He said in part: "I am firm believer in the itinerant system; I believe it is apostolic. I also believe in a bishop with authority but I believe he ought not to be forced to remove man after four years who Is doing Gods work well. All men are not four-year men. Some of them are but one year men, but there is man in my home, St. Joseph. Mo-, Brother Vandeventer who is power for good in that community, and the secret of his power is the fact that he has resided there continuously since his superannuation. We want more congrega- tions like that of Dr. Murry at St. Louis. and it won't do to change pastors so often in such congregations" .
 w. C. Ratliffe of Little Rock said he did not want to see the system interfered with. "It is the best system ever devised, v he said. '"rhe centralizing tendency in your church is an evil. If you are not careful you will drift into congregational ism"
 Dr. J. B. McGehee of Helena. Ga., said: 'Tampering with the time limit magnifies the pastor and diminishes the church of God. There Is no demand for this radical change. No preacher has the right 60 se- lect his appointment. If any of you have any distinguished ability instead of using 1t so long in the high steepled churches we need you in the presiding elderships. sympathze with ycu men who want to hold your places. If you are moved around so much you can't be sent to the general conference and therefore you can't be bishops"
 Favors Extending Limit.
 T. E. Sharp of St. Louis made a strong speech in favor of extending the limit. be- ginning by saying that the time limit matter always seemed to be confounded with the settled pastor. but that accord 
 lcontInued on Eighth Paas.l