Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-08
BISHOP SEEKS REST
Methodist Missionary Asks for
Retirement.
DUE TO ADVANCING YEARS
Ecclesiatic From Singapore Talks On
Asiatic politic,.
TOUCHES JAPANESE QUESTION
Progress Of Missions in Asia Re.
ported, With Especial Advance
in Philippines.

ported, with Especial ADVANCE
in Philippines.
BALTIMORE. Nd. May s.-Giving ad.
vancing years as his reason. Rev. Dr. J.
NJ Thoburn. missionary bishop of Bonn
bay. India. today asked the general con-
ference Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
to retire him from active service. Hts re-
quest. which was referred to the COM
mission on episcopacy. was made In per-
sou at the conclusion of the reading OF the
report OF the missionary bishops. II
created q deep impression among the dele
gates. who testified their regard for him
by arising and applauding as he finished
his announcement.
Bishop Daniel A. Goodseil presided at
today's meeting. Many memorials and
resolutions were handed up from the
various conferences. Some OF these were
read and adopted. The others were re-
ferred to appropriate committees.
Mrs Florence D. Richards OF the cen.
trail Ohio conference. secured the unani.
incur adoption Of a resolution appealing
to Congress TO submit to the states Of the
Union an amendment to the federal Con-
stitution prohibiting the practice OF
polysamy. The resolution points out that
two such propositions are before the
United States Senate. and urges action at
the present session Of Congress.
Politics From Bishop.
Bishop William F. Oldham OF Singa-
pore read the report OF the missionary
bishops of southern Asia. 1t recorded the
achievements OF the church In that field
during the last four years and treated Of
the political and social conditions N the
far east. The effect of the victory OF
Japan over Russia, the repor, said II
registered In the mind OF every Asiatic.
National and racial elf-consciousness ev-
erywhere has been qu'ckened. In the
Malay archipelago, the report continued.
the increased power OF Japan IL dimly felt
to be threat rather than an incitement.
and the reported experience OF Formosa
and Korea lend stability to European
rule.
In the Philippines at first the japanese
victory produced some wild talk. but tbs
American concession OF a larger degree OF
self-government than has yet been voueh-
safed to dominated people In the history
OF nations together with the object lesson
OF how Asiatics may fare at the hands OF
other Asiatics. has made for q degree OF
could scarcely have been looked for at
the beginning of the quadrennium. There
has been a larger stride toward democ.
racy In the far east during the quadren-
MUM than any half cehtury-prohably
century-of the past. The east begins to
know better than ever that the west holds
treasures and experience In affairs that
must be had for the largest life. Chief Of
these treasures IL religion.
Converts in Asia.
OF the work of their church In. this mis-
sion field. the report said that in the Phil
ippines at no time during the four years
has there been a body Of more than seven
missionaries free for evangelistic work.
and yet the four years close with e7,eeo
church members. an increase Of about $50
OF the $4,000 enrolled in Sunday schools
IN India. 10000. or over 70 per cent are
In Malaysia over 1000 boys and girls are
The gain In amount Of property Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church In southern
Asia In four years has been s. % Per
cent.
The Methodist Christian community In
southern Asia 10 nov al, 40. gain Of -
per cent In four years. .
Visits to Warrington.
Gov. Hanly OF Indiana yesterday Of
fered q resolution on prohibition. q fsa-
ture of which was the request that .
committee consisting Of one minister or
layman from each Of the conference dis
tricts be appointed to call upon Speaker
Cannon of the House of Representatives
In washington, and urge him to push the
Littleneld bill through Congress. This
committee. az named by Bishop Cranston.
Is as follows: Henry Eaton; w. H Berry.
cock. -. B. Robinson. s. Van Peit.
II. w. Bennett. r. Charles Colder. w. A.
Hinson. A. B. Leonard. D. d. Thompson.
John T. Holland. Levi Gilbert. J. z. An
Pollock. e. w. Hoch. Gov. Hanly. Sum-
merield Baldwin and j. A. Patten.
The delegates were informed that an In
Wit had been extended them by the
omcials Of the American University *
Washington to visit the institution
The delegates accepted an invitation 70
visit Annapolis May q. Special excur.
sions will be run on that date by boat.
the delegates being granted the privuese
OF returning either by boat or trolley.
Several hours will be spent In Marylands
capital. so as to give the visitors ample
opportunity to see the places Of interest.
Report on Sunday Schools.
Reports of the various boards and tho
general conference were made through
the general conference handbook, copies
of which were given delegates. among
them the report OF the publishing
agents of the Methodist Book Concern.
the board Of church extension. the board
of home missions and church extension
and the Sunday school department.
The report of the Sunday school depart
ment sets forth that there are now within
the Methodist Episcopal Church 3.1l6
sunday schools, S5S, 10 Sunday school ofii-
GERS and 2067. 877 scholars, according to
the report Of the Sunday school depart
ments.
.'The United States affords a great field
for Sunday school missionary work" says
the report. 1T In not only the rapidly
growing sections that are flling up with
people from the east or with the incoming
tides Of population that enter the gate
way of our Atlantic seaports. but many
places west and east are genuine mission
airy territory. In the newer sections OF
the country nearly every Sunday school
means eventually q congregation and
church. This is not always or often true
in the older portions. There the changing
population has greatly decreased the
church attendance and in many instances
practically closed the houses Of worship.
These regions often contain q large per-
centaRe Of children, and most of them
can be reached. The Sunday School Union
has been and Is the agency that has done
much to help them Again, there are
schools that are overtaken by misfortune
and must either have help or 60 out OF
existence. There are outside parties al
ways waiting and ready to pick them up.
make them a small grant and then claim
them as patrons. and 90 unless We help
them they are lost.