Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-05-10
ELOQUENT PLEAS MADE.
BY FAIR SEX MEMBERS
Female Speakers Are Heard AS to
Why They Should Not be Given Re-
preventative voice-Disputed Points
Are Debated.
(By Associated Press.)


rot impossible that had the confer
ence OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, heard the eloquent
plans made before the committee on
revisals this evening, the women
would have won their plea for lay
mems rights. The committee announc-
cd that it would hear argument for
and against the memorials that have
been pouring in. The chairman of the
committee, DR.. E. w. Anderson, of
the Texas conference. asked if the
women had any plans to offer at the
hearing. In answer, Mrs. Mcdonald,
secretary of the Board of Foreign
Mission, stepped forward and an
nounced that Mrs. Luke Johnson
would open for the petitioners.
Church in the Way.
Mrs Johnson made stirring plea
for the women. She declared that
for centuries women had been gain
ing their rights and that it remained
for the church to be the one institu-
ton that stood in the way.
I'VE do not ask for Office or posi-
tion,'' she said ALI We ask is a
larger place in the service of God.
What is the matter with us? Why
cannot we nave what we ask? Is it
because We are women Because we
are your wives? Your mothers?
Your sisters? Your loved ones? Does
, all this make us unworthy TO stand
by your side and discuss the great
question of our church,"
Church Law Breakers.
Mrs. Johnson was followed by Miss
Head. prominent in the Women's For
eign Mission Society, VINO declared
that in many places women were
serving as stewards illegally because
there were no men competent to do
the work and that the church was
putting these women in the position
of church law breakers. She asked
that if for only this one reason. the
church should make such work legal.
Miss Belle Bennett, president of
the Women's Home Mission Society,
closed for the petitioners.
The committee then went into exc
cutive session. Its findings will be
reported TO the conference later.
Vanderbilt University Case.
The committee on education listen
ed TO the disputed points in the Van
derbi,t University case This is the
argument as to whether the Nashville
University shall be taken out of the
hands of the church and made ma
tional university, almost nonsectar-
ian in character. or whether the
church SHAH control. On one side
are arrayed the cancellors. Dr. Kirk
land and the board of trustees who
elect their own successors. and on the
other. the college of bishops.
The discussion was marked by the
most kindly expressions. Bishop Hoss
opened for the bishops and Bishop
Hend replied for the trustees. Chan
ceilor Kirkland closed for the trustees.
This committee. likewise. will report
later.
First Fight Won.
ASIDE from the dispute as TO the
method Of election of stewsh1s. which
was the first fight on the confer
eDcc floor and which was won by the
conservatives. who favored the pres
ent plan Of having preachers appoint
them as opposed to the idea Of their
election by the church members.
The main matter OF interest in the
conference today was the report Of
the Sunday school committee. which
recommends the establishment Of
adult Bible classes TO replace the var
ious societies OF young men and
young women under different names.
which now exist in the various
churches. u is proposed 20 appoint q
general superintendent and assistants
tor this work and inauCurate a church
system. The report will probably be
adopted without debate.