The Washington herald., 1908-05-19
So . rhs washlneton Hsrala.

Special TO The Washington Herald.
Baltimore, Md, May ia matter of
great interest to Methodists which be-
came known at the conference to-day is
that William Jennings Bryan, who Is
TO lecture at the Lyric tomorrow, has
practically become a Methodist, and
often breaches in Methodist Episcopal
churches in his home city. Loncoln, Neb.
Mr.. Bryan was. until several months
ago, d Presbyterian-at least his wife
was-and he attended and supported that
church. A little less than a year ago
he moved from one section OF the city to
another. In the neighborhood of his new
home there are no Presbyterian churches.
Air. and Mrs Bryan came to the conclu-
sion It would be better 10 attend and
support one Of the Methodist churches
near their home than TO journey across
the city TO a Presbyterian church.
They have acted on this plan. Mr.. Bry-
an, although not having the license OF
a local preacher, or even an exhorter. IS
nevertheless welcomed in the pulpits OF
the Methodists-
May Abolish Probation.
One important matter which the con-
ference will have to consider and settle
before It adjOurns win be the proposition
which has just been put forward for the
abolition of probationary membership In
the church, A memorial asking that
such action be taken will probably be
presented TO the conference tomorrow.
II favorable action is taken on the
proposition, an order concerning church
membership, established at the beginning
Of the history of the denomination by
John Wesley, will be done away with
This would be one Of the most radical
steps taken by the conference.
The memorial concerning proba tionary
membership is as follows:
To the General Conference of the Meth
odist Church, assembled in the city Of
Baltimore;
We, the undersigned members or the
General Conference. respectfully me-
morialize said conference TO amend para
graph 4s. section of the discipline by
the omission of the words, Has been at
least SIX months on probation so that
the paragraph shall read: Let no one be
admitted into full membership in the
enureh until no has been recommended by
the leaders and stewards meeting, Sc"
Plan to stop Leakage.
Rev. DR.. Matthew S Hughes. of st.
Louis is the author of an important me-
mortal. 1t viii be a serious attempt TO
stop the great leakage by transfer that
is constantly taking place in church mem
bership. His memorial cCntemplates doing
away with giving church letters to indi-
yiduaIs
Under the new arrangement, if it should
become law Of the church, whenever a
member Of one congregation desires TO
unite either with a church OF another de-
nomination or with another congregation
Of his own denomination. the letter of
transfer will be sent directly to the pas
tor IN charge
Under the present law, letters are given
10 individuals. 1t often happens that
these are not handed in. Out of this
there comes one OF the most serious leaks
in the church.
II has been problem with leaders of
the denominations for years as TO how
this could be prevented DR.. Hughes me-
mortal is the first attempt of a serious
nature In that line.
New Bishops Considered.
At meeting Of the committee of epis-
copaey this afternoon bishops reports.
with reference 10 the number of new
bishops to be elected, was taken up. A
majority of the committee decided 10 ig-
more the recommendation by agreeing to
submit report which provides for ten.
while minority favored seven. Two re-
ports will, therefore, be submitted.
1t was stated this evening by those in
position to know that the conference will
adopt a compromise and make the num-
Der eight. It requires a two-thirds' vote
10 elect. and the conference will begin
balloting Wednesday
Little doubt is entertained of the cleo
ton Of four on the first ballot. Those
whose election is conceded are Rev. J P
Cooke. D. D., of New York, head of the
book department of the church: Rev
William Z. Anderson, D. D. correspond
ing secretary OF the educational board.
Rev William A. Quale, D. D.. pastor of
ST. James Church, Chicago, and Rev. ".
S Lewis, D. D., president of Morningside
College, Sioux City. Iowa
Those who 1t is believed will win on sue
ceeding ballots are Rev. w. C. Jennings.
D. D.. Western book agent, Cincinnati;
Rev. Frank NJ Bristol, D. D., Of Wash
ington. and Rev. F. D. Bovard, D. D..
editor Of the California Christian Advo-
cate, San Francisco.
Hot Discussion Anticipated.
The committee also decided 10 resubmit
the report rejected by the conference
with reference to the elimination from
the discipline of the paragraph with refer
ence to amusements. The bishops recon- /
mended the adjustment Of this para
graph, but the committee decided to rec
ommend its retention This the confer
ence sent back, and now the committee
comes in with the same report. A red
hot discussion is expected to follow its
consideration.
Organic union of the Methodist Episco- |
pal Church and Methodist Episcopal /
Church South is given a setback in the
report Of the committee on federation. |
made public to-day. In speaking of sew /
eral memorials presented concerning a |
union Of the two branches, 'the report |
SAYS:
Your committee begs leave to report
that the time does not seem to have fully /
come for such organic union"
Eloquent eulogies on the lives of de- /
ceased Methodists mere made at the /
memorial service held in memory of the /
officials Of the great religious body who
have died during the past quadrennium. /
Diamond Prices May Hold.
Paris May IS.-The Temps says that
the international Diamond Company
has arranged TO reopen negotiations /