The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-11
METHODISTS INQUIRE INTO
 BRUTALITES IN CONGO STATE


 It is our belief that the spirit of fra ternity Is steadily growing between the two churches. If the agreements already reached. and the solemn con pacts already made, are faithfully kept, a great deal of un-C n-Christian fric- tion may be avoided. That they may be kept Is our sincere hope, The time has fully come when neither church should for one moment think of pro- noting Its own interests at the ex- pense of the other Mere maneuverine for position Is unworthy of Christian men, Lust for ecclesiastical empire is far from being Identical with zeal for the Kingdom of God
 The whole movement for federation proceeds upon the supposition that Episcopal Methodism in these United States is essentially one. For either branch of 1t to assume airs of patron- age or superiority is to nullify and de- feat the good work that has already been accomplished. and to render still greater achievements impossible. Where either church is doing fairly wei the other should frankly recognize 1t as a sufficient Methodism, and should not embarass it's activities by push- ing in and trying to set up rival con- gregation. If federation does not mean at least this much, then it is sound- ing brass and changing cymbal. mere name without any reality behind it. Common honesty, to say nothing of respect for the higher ethics of our holy religion, forbids us to go through the forms of friendly recognition and intercourse, and at the same time to continue the policy of contention and rivalry. We suggest that this confer ence deliver. itself of so clear a pro- nouncement as shall leave no room for doubt concerning its position on this important subject.
 A. W. Wilson, President.
 E. E. Hoss, Secretary.
 Liquor Sale On Isthmus.
 The committee on temperance made the following report concerning the resolutions relative to the sale of lia- uor in the Panama zone:
 "Whereas, the drinking of intoxicat- ing liquor in the tropics is unusually hurtful to physical, mental and moral welfare, and whereas there are many of the choice young men of our South land now employed on the work Of construction of the canl.
 Resolved, That we delegated repre- sentatives of the Methodism of the South with anxiety and dread at the present situation on the isthmus inas- much as we learn that there are al- ready eleven licensed distillers and sixty retail liquor saloons in our canal zone.
 Resolved, That we hereby appeal to the President and to the Congress of the United States to take such action as will prohibit the manufacturing and sale of liquor in the territory under control of our government. and that copy of these resolutions be sent to the President of the United States, to tho President of the Senate and the Speaker ef the House of Representa- tives-
 A techincal question involving prop erty rights of the Epworth League pre- cfpitated lively discussion today In the general conference. It had to dc with property that any State. Interstate or league conference may secure and improve asa permanent place of meet ing for religious, intellectual and social culture.
 Owing to the importance of the question, which came up yesterday on report of the committee on Epworth League, 1t was postponed until today to give the delegates an opportunity to study the points in the report. The report was concurrent to a memorial from the board of trustees of the Texas State Epworth League confer ence.
 When tho question arose today pr. James Cameron, of Virginia, offered substitute for the original paper, which provided that Chautauqua prop erty shall be held in trust for the use and benefit of the Epworth League of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. under the laws of the State where sit- uated, by a board of trustees composed of the clerical member and one lay man froch each of the patronizing an nuaI conference and the president and secretary of the State league confer ence, who shall be members ex-officio. rrhu af lane and when put to vote was finally lost Still another substitute was of fered by the authors of the original report. It was adopted.
 Debate was Warm.
 The report of the Committee on Itin- erancy recommending non-concurrence in the memorials asking that the au- thority of licensing preachers be trans ferred from the district to the quarter ly conference was taken up.
 Dr. J. T. Smith, Presiding Elder of the Texas conference. made a ringing speech in favor of transferring the licensing power to the hands of the quarterly conference
 Dr. S. B. Turrentine, Presiding Elder of the Western North Carolina con- ference, spoke in favor of the commit tee showing facts and figures why the licensing power had proved more ef- fective under the control of the dis trict conference as compared with the quarterly conference The Rev M. c. Austin of Brunswick, Ga. said he hoped that the licensing of local preachers would not be sent back to the quarterly conference. He said he spoke as local preacher. Judge l.. P Little of the Louisville conference, said that in the town from which he halls every few years man declares his intention to preach. As a rule, the first thing they look to is the question of itinerant work. His speech was a mild protest against the tr4ns- fer.
 A. F. Watkins, one of the secretaries, said there was no use to mourn the loss of a local preacher If there was an itinerant preacher to put in his place.
 The concluding talk was made by Dr. Lipscumb, the chairman of the Committee on Itinerancy. He said his sentiments had been expressed When the question was put to vote the con ference was unanimous in favor of leaving the licensing of preachers to the district conferences.
 The Rev. Shepard, fraternal delegate from the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church of America, who had taken a seat on the platform, was introduced by Bishop E. R. Hendrix.
 The Rev Shepard made a few appro- priate remarks. which were responded to by Bishop Morrison.
 As the hour of adjournment had ar rived, it was decided to suspend further action on the Sunday School Committee report until tomorrow morning.
 Future Events.
 Prior to adjournment, 1t was an- nounced that all delegates, their wives