Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-09-12
LAY ASSOCIATION
In Connection With Method iSt
Conference Convened Today
at Y. M. G. A. Building.
OFFICERS ARE ELECTED
Care of Superannuated Ministers Is
Discussed-Bishop Cranston De-
livers an Address.

The Lay association of the Central
illinois Methodist conference convened
today at the Y NJ. c. 4. building, the
convention being called to order in the
auditorium at 10 o'clock this morning,
with about 1870 delegates in attendance.
The business of the morning included
the appointment of committees, the
greeting of the president, c. W. Neitz
of Fairbury. and the election of Off
GERS for the ensuing year. Following
are the officers elected on the recon-
mendation of the nomination commit
tee:
President-O. +. Morgan, Canton.
Vice Prosident-Dr. Oliver, Winona.
Treasurer-Dr. Douglas. ColfaX.
Secretary f. Merritt, Buckley.
Assistant Secretary - Miss Mary L.
Sexton, Alpha.
Miss Sexton is the acting secretary
of the present session.
Discuss Superannuated.
The lay delegates this morning de-
voted some time to a discussion of the
necessity of caring for the superannu-
ated ministers of the church. DIR. w.
A. Wilder. Bloomington, of the gen
aral Illinois conference, spoke on this
subject, urging that the matter is one
which demands immediate and careful
consideration by the church. He argu-
ed that to begin with salaries should be
made high enough to provide the pas
or with the necessities of life and a
comfortable living. He holds that the
pastor should not be expected to save
enough from his salary to keep him.
self in his old age, for several reasons.
His salary is not large enough the
average minister does not understand
the investment of savings sufficiently
20 accomplish this, and even if he did
he could do so only by becoming Il
competitor of the layman, and thus not
entitled TO the support of the business
man who is a church member e. Ora
ham of Chicago, of the Methodist Book
concern. also spoke on this question.
He holds that it is not a charity to
provide for the minister who is too old
for further service to the church. but
is a duty which the church owes and
count in the next life.
Bishop Makes Address
Bishop Cranston, who is presiding
over the conference here, is addressing
the lay delegates this afternoon. 9th
er speakers were d. ID. Thompson, edi-
!or of the Northwestern Christian Ad-
vocate of Chicago, and w. II. Hutchin-
son of the Methodist Book concern,
Chicago. Mr.. Thompson spoke on gen
eral conference work, and Mr. Hutchin-
son on mems organizations in the
church. Threeminute talks were made
by o. X. Morgan. Canton; F. II. Head
Abingdon; Charles COttrell and Nc
Dowell NJ. Scherg, Peoria. and Miss
Mary l.. Sexton, Alpha, on church fl
nances. The sessions will adjourn this
afternoon.
Committee Members.
Following are the committees of the
association, one being appointed from
each of the districts represented:
Credcntials-O. X Morgan, Peoria
Mrs. Crumbaler, Kankakee; Dr. Jones
Normal; Mr.. Ncwland, Galesburg; ]
T. NOftsker, Rock Island.
Resolutions - DR.. Douglass. Normal,
Mr.. Frost. Kankakee; James Campbell
Galesburg; +. NJ Dunlap, Peoria, an(
Mrs. Fuller, Rock Island.
NominatiOns-C. e. Legg, Normal
I. e. Merritt, Kankakee; J. ]. OMara
Galesburg; II. L. Hart. Peoria, and J
L. Freeman, Rock Island