Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-05-09
INCREASE OF 2e7,a57 is FOUR
YEARS RECORD, BRINGING TO-
TAI MEMBERSHIP NEAR THREE
AND A HALF MILLION MARK.
STAND is TAKEN
ON AMUSEMENTS
is NOT STRlKEN
OUT, BUT AMENDED, WITHOUT
ABANDONING OPPOSITION TO
WORLDLY PLEASURES.

Baltimore, Md, May 1.-THE ad-
dress of the bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal church, read before the
general conference touay, notes a gain
in the number of communicates dur
ing the past four years of 27S,357, the
greatest gain during any similar per-
iod for sixteen years.
The total gain in church property
for the four years past is $3,267,800,
while the total valuation of churches
and parsonages is $1S6,924,OOO.
The membership in the whole world
is 3,307,275.
The Stand on Amusements.
AS to amusements and book discip-
line the address says, "We recon-
mend not that paragraph 24S be
stricken out, but that it be amended
by striking out the confessedly par
tial list Of worldly amusements found
therein, leaving them as ground for
church trial in case such trial be-
paragraph to read: Taking sucn
amusements as are obviously of mis-
leading Or of questionable moral ten
dency, or one in disobedience to the
dency, or are in disobedience to the
and especially our original rule to TAX
ing such diversions as cannot be used
in the name Of the Lord Jesus, grave
injustice will be done if this recon-
mendation is interpreted as an aban-
donment of our early opposition to
worldly amusements. Indeed it is
return to the principles and to the ex-
act words furnished by John Yves
ley.''
The Divorce Question.
AS to divorce the address says:
''The consecutive polygamy permitted
by the divorce laws of some of our
states is disgrace to the country
We greatly rejoice that the conscience
of the nation is being quickened on
this subject and that the demand for
uniform divorce laws Increases
Baltimore, Nd, May 7.-Represent-
ing more than 100000 members in
twenty-four different countries of the
world, the 1877 delegates to the Metho-
dist Episcopal general conference be-
gan their twenty-fifth annual meeting
yesterday.
When Bishop Henry w. Warren Of
Denver called the assemblage to order
nearly all the delegates were in their
seats and the remainder of the spa
cious auditorium was filled with in.
terested spectators. Among the dele
gates are men of national and inter,
natinOal reputation, conspicuous in the
church and in professional and bust
ness live.
Bishop Warren directed attention to
the ecumenic character of the church
as shown in the order of devotional ex-
ercises. These were led by Bishop
John H. Vincent of Indianapolis, and
taking part with him were representa-
tives of the church from Sweden,
China and India.
Roll Call For Dead.
An impressive feature of the meet
ing was the roll call of dead bishops,
the delegates and spectators standing
meanwhile. Following the roll call OF
delegates Rev ]. H. Hingley of Min.
nesota, secretary of the last general
conference, was reelected to that
office by reclamation.
Just before adjournment, on motion
of Rev. DR.. Frank M. Bristol of Wash
ington, the following telegram was di-
rected to be sent to Speaker Cannon
of the house of representatives, against
the e-establishment of the sale of in
toxicating liquors in the national SOL
diers' homes.
"The Methodist general conference,
representing 100000 members, urges
continued exclusion of Intoxicating
liquors from the branches of the ma
tional soldiers homes.'
Word had reached the conference
that the question was before the house
of representatives, and Rev. DR.. A. B.
Leonard, secretary of the board of
foreign missions, proposed a resolu-
ton putting the general conference on
record with regard to the matter, but
on motion of DR. Bristol the telegram
to Speaker Cannon was sent instead.
Following adjournment committee
meetings for the purpose of organiza-
ton were held, and series of revi-
walls which will continue daily through
out the session were inaugurated The
day wound up with a general reception
to the delegates, at which addresses
of welcome were made by Governor
Crothers and Mayor Mahool and the
responses by Bishop Warren and
United States Senator Dolliver OF
Iowa.