The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1910-02-08

ence or the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, draws near, certain
new issues, or new forms of old is
SUES, seem to have superseded the
proposition for a restatement of the
faith which was the core of discussion,
the emotional center of the Birming
ham conference in 1906 The confer
ence will convene here May A, next.
The general conference is the SUI
preme legislative body of a church or
ganization that numbers between l.
100000 and 100000 members in the
Southern States; some 10000
churches, and about $500 travelling
preachers and 5000 local preachers.
The bishops preside in the order of
their seniority, and have no voice in
the action of the assembly and no part
in it's deliberations.
If one may judge by advance dis
cussion the three overshadowing is
sues will be the modification of the
episcopacv, the modification of the
presiding eldership and the lengthen-
ing or the abolition of the pastorate
time limit.
Various restrictions upon the bish-
ops, to prevent the exercise OF "a1'bl-
trary power have been proposed
The enactment of the recall is one
of them. A limited instead Of d life
incumbency has been considered. The
advice and consent of the cabinet in
pastoral appointments is another pro-
poSal.
One prominent churchman has said:
There is present crisis in the
church in regard to the presiding ell
dership, and another: Mr.. Wesley
used to carry Methodism in his arms,
and dangle it on his knee, and feed it
from a spoon. But it has grown to
be a great giant, and we are still try
ing to clothe it with baby trappings.'
There are proposals to abolish alto
9eth5r the presiding elders Office and
others to make it elective. A demand
is voiced for a more democratic form
of church government.
What may be called compromise
plan i'll reference to the persiding
eIdership is to enlarge the districts
and call the elders, elected by confer
ence. junior bishops. This would in
volve a senior episcapacy, and the
Junior episcopacy would be diocesan
in character.
1t is pointed out that if the local
church government were so changed
as to let the church conference elect
all local officials without nomination
by the pastor, this would give the
power that the cOngreg cation has in
congregational churches, and step by
step up to the general conference del
egates would be elected and seated by
the voice of the people, and the lay
men would rule the church.
Lay representatives might be given
u voice in the bishops cabinet; and
pastors might elect their presiding ell
ders at the annual conference.
Some favor the extension of the
one charge from four to six; others,
the abolition of the time limit alto
gether.
The women Of the church are ask
ing for representation in official bO
dies They are sending literature, me-
MORALS, etc, to the members of the
conference, and conducting a strong
ampaign. The success of these efforts
would give them membership in the
board of stewards and quarterly con-
ference and, logically, the district, an
nilaI and general conferences; also
logically entitle them to the office of
Sunday School superintendent
Those who contended in the Birm-
ingham conference for reinstatement
Of the faith pointed out, among other
things, that the articles of faith con-
tain no specific declaration of the
duty and responsibility of the church
to evangelize the world, while some
of their declarations relate to tempo
raj conditions that have passed. The
matter was referred to a committee,
of which DIR. w F. Tillett, of Nash
Vile, is chairman, to report at this
1t is possible that inter
est in the matter has somewhat
abated; neither the northern church
nor she Wesleyan has given it any
particular attention.
Another matter that is being urged.
by some in the border con-
ferenceS, is a change in the church's
name, to eliminate the word south
Indeed there are various changes III
name suggested.
1t seems to be clearly recognized,
and frankly conceded that there exists
what may be termedzithe verbiage is
rot severely accurate breach be
tween Methodism, or Episcopal Meth
odism, and twentieth century Ameri-
can ideals in the matter of pure de-
There is an effort, on the
part of a considerable element, ito
get away from the emphasis of doc
trine, and emphasize method
The session of the conference lasts
q days, and an attendance of 1000 to
',OOO
is probable.
Each bishop has charge of one con-
ference for the term of one year. The
bishops meet and make their own as
A bishop may be returned
to the same conference indefinitely.
There are eight bishops now. The
general conference is body of 80
men. There are As conferences, and
each is entitled to one lay and one
clerical delegate for every 4S ministers
in it; if there are fewer than 4S, the
conference has two representatives
There are now As conferences. This
years general conference will be the
first to be held in North Carolina.
There will certainly be six new
bishops chosen. That number, Bish- |
ops ]. C. Cranberry, w w. Duncan,
G.. B. Galloway, A. G.. Smith, J. J. Tt
CERT and Seth Ward-all in active SER
vice except the first named-have died
since the last general conference. So
many bishops have never been chosen
at any session. and the elections will