Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-12
M. E. CHURCH COUNCIL
RESOLUTION FOR A CLOSER UN-
ION OF CoLoRED MEMBERS.

BALTIMORE. May 12.-The work Of the
committees was added to materially today
by the number of resolutions and me-
MORALS which continue to be onered
daily at the general conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal church here. With
the view to a closer federation among the
colored members OF the Methodist Epls-
Copal and the various other Methodist de-
nominations of the United States anu
eventually a union of those bodies. the
Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. e. u.
Loyal colored. of upper Mississippi con-
ference introduced a resolution providing
for a commission of seven. consisting OF
one bishop. three ministers and three
laymen to serve during the en-
suing quadrennium. with similar repre-
sentatives OF the African Methodist Epis-
copaI the African Zion Methodist Eplsco-
pal and the colored Methodist Episcopal
churches upon such questions as may
lead to more harmonious cooperation
among them and the solution OF their
problems.
The resolutions were sent TO committee
after a short debate between several ne
gro delegates, during which the color line
was brought into the discussion.
An important memorial which went to
the committee on episcopacy proposed
that hereafter an election TO the once or
bishop shall be for a term of twelve years
that 1.-THE life tenure of the episcopacy
and the honors and emouments of the
office have begotten such multiplicity OF
candidates for the position as threatens
the conservation and unity of our minis
terial ranks" and that the long con-
tinued occupancy of the office seems out
Of harmony with the spirit of the timer
ancy. and the salary paid the retired
seems to be regarded an estate earn
ed rather than a proper support pro-
vided."
After the completion of the bishops
. term. it is provided that he shall become
an effective member of the conference
from which he was elected. Rev. F. A.
Schell and w. E. Carpenter. respectively
ministerial and lay delegate from the
northwest Indiana conference sent the
memorial up.
To Be Interested in Politics.
Resolutions were introduced at the ses
sion of the general conference yesterday
which, If passed. will have great effect
on the political situation of the United
States in the next presidential campaign.
These resolutions set forth that no man
not a total abstainer should receive the
support of the Christian voters of
America.
Another matter of interest and one on
which favorable action was taken. was
the resolution inviting President Roose-
Welt and the British ambassador. James
Bryce. to come to Baltimore and adj
dress the conference on the day the fra
ternal delegates from the Wesleyan
churches of England, Ireland and Canada
are received. BY a unanimous vote the
conference passed resolutions asking the
Methodist Protestant Church to unite
organically with the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Steps were taken to make the reception
of the fraternal delegates from the IVES
leyan churches of England. Ireland and
Canada a memorable occasion in general
conference annals by having President
Roosevelt and the British ambassador
present to make addresses. The resolu-
tons were introduced by DR.. II. Wade
Rogers a layman of the New York East
conference. and were adopted unanimous
ly. The resolutions are as follows:
President Invited to Function.
Resolved. That the general conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. now
in session at the city of Baltimore, in
vites his excellency the President of the
United States and the Ri. Hon. James
Bryce the ambassador from Great Brit
Gin to the United States. to be present
on the occasion of the reception of the
fraternal delegates from the Wesleyan
Methodist Church of Great Britain, from
the Irish Methodist Church and from the
Methodist Church Of Canada, and ex-
presses the hope that they will address
the conference.
Resolved, further. That the chairman
of the committee on the reception of fra
ternal delegates is hereby requested to
communicate this invitation to the Presi-
dent and the Rt. Hon. James Bryce"
One of the most important actions Of
the conference to Methodism in all its
branches, II the matter is ever brought
to a successful issue. was the unanimous
Invitation extended to the Methodist Prot
estant Church to unite organically with
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
matter came up in connection with the
adoption 4 nf no toe
on federation.
Colored Delegates After Negro Bishop
Among the negro delegates at the con-
ference there is strong feeling that in
addition to a colored bishop to work
among the negroes of the SOUTH the COL
ored conferences ought to have more epts-
copal supervision by white bishops.
White delegates from the south join with
the negroes in expressing a wish that in
its effort to build up strength in Dixie
the church establish an episcopal residence
farther south than Chattanooga, Tenn
where Bishop Luther b. Wilson is now
placed The seventh general conference
division, as now constituted includes con-
ferences in all the southern states The
members Of the Louisiana conference
would like to see New Orleans named as
a residence of bishop, and those from
the Atlanta conference would like to see
that city chosen. The whole division is
d bishop.
The fact that the committee on episco-
pacy Will probably recommend the cleo
ton of eight bishops when only six have
died makes ii likely that one or the other
place will be honored as an episcopal resi-
dence. II is certain that if a negro bishop
is elected he will be assigned to city in
the center of the colored membership
Thirkield for Bishop.
While Rev. DR.. Madison c. B. Mason
has been agreed upon as the choice OF
the negroes If a man of their color is
chosen, they are in hopes that in case
the vote is against a colored general su-
perintendent white educators who have
won success in colored institutions of
learning will be elected. They are thus
working for Rev. DR.. George H. Trever.
professor of theology in Cannon Theo-
logical seminary. Atlanta, Ga, and Rev.
DR.. w. p Thirkield. president of How
ard University, Washington
The negroes are somewhat discouraged
al the lack OF enthusiasm for the election
of colored bishop. but will in meas