The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-06
Conference Speaker As
SertS Dark Skinned
MetllodiStS Grow in
Numbers.
Believes District of
Columbia Will Be
Scene of Church
Clash.

That the prohibition movement in
Maryland was soon TO have tremend-
Gus impetus, that the dark-skinned
Methodists would outnumber the whites
in fifty years. and that the District Of
Columbia was destined to become the
final battle-ground of the Catholic and
. Protestant religions, were some Of the
prophecies at the morning session OF the
Baltimore annual conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The con-
ference held its meeting at the Ham
line NJ z. Church.
The organization opened IN executive
session and admitted two candidates,
]. z. German and NJ. w. Hoffman. AZ
ter their reports had been read and they
had been accepted. the doors of the con-
vention were thrown open and the regu-
lar business was begun by the reading
OF the report of Presiding Elder J. ".
r. Sumwalt of the District Of Colum-
bia. His report lauded the work Of the
local churches and commended the IN
firing efforts of the congregations.
Following him J. +. Heisse. presiding
elder OF the West Baltimore district,
read his report of the work in his dis
trict during the past year.
Assails Liquor Traffic.
After reading his regular report Dr.
Heisse delivered a singing arraign-
ment Of the liquor traffic and praised
the efforts Of William II. Anderson.
superintendent Of the anti-saloon league,
to stamp out the evil.
The prohibition night in Maryland"
said he. has only just begun. Within
the next year. Maryland will see an
a rr7a-
will astonish even the most ardent sup
porters Of the party"
Following the addresses OF the two
elders, came the reading OF various an
uouncements. among them the requests
OF two ministers to be transferred-Dr.
c. G.. Girelius desiring to work for the
Presbyterian church, and Dr. William
Snears wishing to return 10 England.
Both of the men will be transferred at
their own request.
The Rev. Z. NJ. Ransdell. secretary
of the Epworth League. told of the adj
vancement made within the last few
years by that Orga niZation.
President SpenseT, Of Morgan College
startled the meeting during his speech
by declaring that the ''dark-skinned
Methodists would in fifty years exceed
in numbers the white-skinned MethO-
disIs- The statement was delivered
cation of negroes.
Andrew Carnegie" said the speaker
had offered $4,000 TO us without any
conditions except that we raise another
$4,000. We should strive and struggle
10 raise this amount. There are many
who will, Of course. object. but we are
rot taught to preach what is always
pleasant.
In fifty years the dark-skinned Meth
odistS will Outnumber the >white-skinned
Methodist HE japanese, the Malavs
the Chinese. and other dark-skinned
Iren will be in the majority and ii
Of the majority.
The District of Columbla is TO be
the battle-ground # the future between
the forces of Catholicism and Protest
antism.
The Catholic University is aware OF
this. and, aided by that great Pope on
the Tlber, IS securing funds with which
70 build a fitting place in which TO con-
serve their ancient faith. Already they
have ten buildings on their grounds. and
they are building at least one q year.
Professionalism Asleep.
Professionalism seems TO be asleep. Il
IS failing to grasp it's opportunities
This American university is a Methodist
institution. and for Its failure or success
the eMthodist church IS responsible.
Shall It fail? Shall it be said that the
Methodist Church, after beginning this
great work was forced to drOp IL in
completed2 II this happens It will be
a blow to the church. We should do
all in our power 10 make this American
university a grand and fitting institu-
ton. and one that is in every way
worthy OF the church IL represents"
Bishop Earle Cranston presided at the
meeting.
A meeting of the advocates of prOhib-
ition will be held this evening at 5
o'clock