Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-05-08
ference. the body which has lawful

jurisdiction"
Touching the support of the ministry
the address says:
While we still insist that it is un-
wise to plan for emoluments in the
church which are likely to make. the
accidents of salary and house more
attractive than the work itself, it is
of the highest wisdom to offer such
support as secures freedom from anx-
iety. as well as modest provision for
intelligence. culture and education of
children. We believe that inadequate
estimation for these things, even in
the great prosperity of recent years,
has Kept many from our work, who.
being necessarily in debt already to
our educational board, or TO relatives
and friends for the cost of their edu-
cation, feel that they cannot wait un-
til middle life before they can hope to
repay those they owe"
The matter of ministerial appoint
ments is treated thus.
IF there be increasing difficulties in
any degree, as to making appoint
ments, it it because of growing inter-
ference on the part of ministers and
laymen with the judgment of the bis
hops as to what is best for the work
since ministers demand to be kept
within the range of the more lucrative
charges, because they have had one or
two of that sort and they feel humil-
lated and degraded if they are sent
even to a small reduction. Churches
| make it impossible for the bishops to
justly arrange the work by insisting
on appointments which. if granted
compel widespread injustice as to
other members of the conference. Con-
ferences pass resolutions protesting
against transfers without equivalent
exchange, and then wholly refuse
transfer, thus putting the appointing
power where it must disappoint q
church by sending man not wanted
| or cruelty a man by sending him to a
disappointed ofiiciary, if not a disap-
| pointed church. This has reached a
pass where the bishops are accused
of tyranny and self-will when they dc
what the law of the church demands
| of them.
We keenly feel the embarrassment
| thus created by both ministers an6
churches, by proceedings wholly out
side the law"
| 1t is declared that the church has
not yet reached unanimity touching
| the removal of the time limit from the
pastorate and on the subject of the
brotherhood, recommends that the
conference recognize brotherhood OF
the Methodist Episcopal church ant
provide for the incorporation of the
brotherhood in the econonomy of The
local church, assume some general di-
rection and enact such legislation as
may be deemed necessary. Unitica-
ton of the work of the deaconnessei
under a central board is recommended
AS to amusements, and the book OF
discipline the address continues:
I'VE are moved by profound con.
vction of duty in again calling youl
attention to the subject of popular
amusements in relation to the specla
conduct of spiritual life. We re-
gret that the general prevalence o
harmful amusements does not dimln-
ish We still firmly hold that they
are 'antagonistc to the vital piety
promDtive of worldliness, and espe'
ciaIly perncious to youth We rec
ommend, not that Paragraph 24S be
stricken out, but that it be amended
by striking out the confessedly partia
| list of worldly amuSemcnts fount
therein. beginning with the last wore
in the eighth line and ending with the
word other in the 1lth line. which
were inserted in 1872, leaving as the
ground for church trial, in case sucl
trial becomes necessary, that portion
of the paragraph reading; Taking
such amusemcntS as are obviously o
| misleading or questionable mora
tendency. or disobcdicncc to the orde
and discipline of the church" ant
especially our original rue. TO tax
ing such diversions as cannot be uset
in the name Of the Lord Jesus"
Grave injustice will be done if thi
recommendation is interpreted as al
abandonment of our early opposition
to worldly amusements. Indeed. it i
return to the principles and to th
exact words furnished by John Wcs
ley"
In the course of a discussion Of civil
| righteousness the address says:
"Wo see clearly that within the mex
generation tht re are to be great sOcia
changes The influence Of wealth o1
political life and measures is to grov
| less Whcthef ii tt IN tnc Ta1ihS o1 III
div iduals or corporations. The work
| iagElcn ere to have more power. tn
iuisrS less With Il restless and icon
oclaStic future before us, we Must bot
lead and restrain by religion force. Th
social philosopher and the soSilogis
can detect injustlccS and wrongs bu
he can never create the desire TO rem
coy the wrongs which are the lssu
of greed"
Satisfaction is expressed that tier
has been prevented the 're-eStablSh
| ment Of the Cant"en and the toulln
again of tie nations hand hy direc
participation in the sale of liquor" a
to divorce:
"Thc consecutive polygamy perinitte
by the divorce laws of some of on