The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-11-06
OF LAYMEN
Of Methodist Episcopal Church,
South In Columbia.
Some of the Most Prominent Laymen
in the State Were Present and Dis

In the STATE were ffeSenC duu LIS.
cussed Affairs.
Some Of the laymen of the Metho-
dist Church, South, held a meeting in
Columbia last Wednesday evening to
consider certain things connected
with the management Of the
church. The notice of the meeting
was very short, or no doubt there
would have been a largerSattendance.
The Columbia Record. from which
paper we take this account Of the
meeting, says Col. R. w. Simpson, of
P%endleton, life president of the board
of trustees of Clemson College, was
called to the chair, and Mr.. w. w.
Watson, Of Batesburg, was requested
to act as secretary.
As stated by the chairman, the OBJ
ject of the meeting was Ito consider
the state of affairs in Methodism and
to take such steps as may seem fit
toward remeding existing evils"
The raising of preachers salaries was
discussed, as was also the question
Of the adoption of a fixed salary for
the presiding elders. who are now
paid on the PERCENTAGE plan. | .,
Col. Simpson, speaking for his as
sociates, said that he was a loyal
Methodist, and wished to see a res
>toration of the church in this state.
"There are too many mere sermon
izers," he declared, "among the min
listers, we need a few more Christian
gentlemen." Col. Simpson thought
it but just that the laymen, who pay
the expenses Of maintaining the
church, should have some represen-
tation. He thought the laymen should
at least have an advisory commission
in touch with the bishops cabinet.
Coll Simpson had a set Of resolu-
lions drawn up, which he offered as
suggestions. The first of these were
adopted. 1t is in substance, to the
effect that the laymen present were
loyal Methodists and would stand for
the ultimate and highest good of the
church of their fathers. The object
Of this was to make it clear in the
outset that its trainers were not seek
ing the disruption of the denomina-
ton nor planning an insurrectionary
campaign.
Col. Simpsons second resolution
brought forth comment Of one kind
or another from almost everyone
present. It raj practically this:
That the laymen present view with
sorrow that spiritual decadence of
the church and the Encouragement"
Of is affairs.
There were some opposed to this
and some in favor Of it. The party
that seemed to be n the majority
thought the resolution too sweeping,
and were of the opinion that SO small
a body Of men, at so early a stage of
the contemplated campaign, could
not safely and wisely take such radi-
cal measures, lest they brighten away
from thier standard the o con-
sentative of the laymen who are in
sympathy with them, but not as yet
aligned with them openly.
There was discussion ad libitum
upon this resolution. Members rose
and debated the question at length,
and hotly. Col. Simpson offered to
amend his resolution, by striking out
the words acknowledgement" and in
serting unsatisfactory management
However. this did not meet with the
majority's favor, and after consider
able more debate, a new resolution
was drawn up and adopted. "Resolv-
ed, That the chairman Of this meet
ing appoint n or three men from
each presiding elders district to-
wards organizing the laymen of the
South Carolina Conference"
Early in the meeting Colonel
Simpson, en~umerating a few of the
laymen's grievances, said one assess
ment Of $4,000 was for the support
of two negro colleges, one in Georgia
and the other in Tennessee. 81 ask
ed one well informed minister why
we were paying this um," said Col
onel Simpson, land he said he could
not find out any reason except that
it was to pay the salaries of the pres
idents." Another assessment of S15,-
600 is for the education of PREACHERS
sons.
Mr.. P. l.. Sturkey, who had been
one of the promoters of the meeting,
said that he recently saw a letter that