Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-05-07
METHODIST
GENERAL
CONFERENCE.
Few Countries Where CiViIi-
cation Has Penetrated
will Lack Representation.
The Election Of New Bishops Will Be
Among the Greatest Matters to
be Considered and Decided
by the Conference.
Especial to the ARGUs.)

Especial to the ARGUS
Baltimore, M. D., May The adj
vance guard of delegates and visitors
to the general conference OF the Meth
odist Episcopal church. which opens
in thi city next Wednesday, has al
ready arrived. From remote parts of
the world, India, China, Africa, Japan
and every spot on the globe where the
Methodist church has a toothold, dele
gates, ministerial and lay, are hasten
ing hither. Few countries where civ
ilization has penetrated will lack rep
resentation when the opening session
is called to order.
The general conference convenes
once in every four years. 1t is the gov
erning body of the church and COM
bines the legislative, executive and
judicial powers of the organization.
The gathering this year will consist
of about 1000 delegates. b gen.
eral conference has been a delegated
body only since 1912. Before that
year every minister Of the Methodist
church was entitled to a seat and a
voice In the deliberations of the body.
Several important subjects are to
come up for discussion and action at
the general conference this year.
The great fight of the session is ex-
pected to be over the amendment for
the election of race bishops. The Judi
cations are that the amendment is
doomed to defeat. Those opposed to
the amendment declare that the
negroes have expressed no great de-
sire for it, while the white people,
particularly in the South, are bitterly
opposed to it.
A question on which it is expected
very positive opinions will be express
ed is a proposal TO restore the time
limit in pastoral appointments. Eight
years ago the time limit was removed.
The change has been a cause for dis
satisfaction among ambitious minis
tiers, who believe the best pulpits are
not open to them because the congre-
cations elect to keep a pastor as long
as he suits them.
The question of making the presid-
Ii OlbO1Ship an C1CSlIN OI1SO L ~
generally looked upon as a disturbing
factor.
Of course, the election of bishops
will be among the greatest matters to
be considered and decided by the con-
ference. Eight bishops will be elect
ed. Since the last general conference
the deaths of six bishops have been
recorded. These vacancies will be fill
ed, an additional member of the house
of bishops probably will be elected
because OF the growth of the church,
and another chosen in place of Bishop
Warren, who is slated for retirement
because of his great age. A score OF
more of prominent clergymen are
mentioned as candidates for the Dish.
oprics. Among the number are Rev
DR.. II. G. Jennings, of Cincinnati, Rev
DR.. William Alfred Quayle, of Chicago
DIR. W. P. Thirkfeld, president O
Howard University; Chancellor Day
Syracuse University; w. F. Anderson
secretary of the church board of educa.
ton; W. H. Crawford, president O.
Allegheny College; E. H. Hughes
president of De PAW University; w
s. Lewis, president OF Morningside
College; Rev. DR.. Robert Mcintyre
pastor of the First Methodist church O
Los Angeles; Rev. DR.. Richard j
Cooke, book editor of the Methods
Episcopal church; Rev. DR.. David G
Downey, assistant editor of the Meth,
OdiSt sunday school publications: Rev
DR.. Daniel Dorchester, pastor of Chris
church, Pittsburg; Rev. DR.. M. Y
Bovard, editor of the Christian Advo
cate, and Rev. DIR. Matt Hughes, pas
tor of the Independence Avenue Meth
odist church OF Kansas City.