The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-30
'METHODISTS OF SOUTH
TO MEET IN ASHEVILLE


: idea, and In that case DR. Ed. Il. Cooke
Is me iog4eai man for the executive
oihoer, but his. election. or appoint
ment, may be retesateu to the ts3srd
Cf Missions, Sust as - the appointment
/ of the presept two assistants. 2
Nan. "soutn'' dropped.
Frcm eertain quarters III the Yves.
cones the ciamor tnat the word
south" DO dropped from the name
II the church. IN o.iier quarters there
IS even demand, 1T is a4id, for the
Abolition OF the office OF bishop and
t.',tDSt.tuttng therefor a superintendent.
Other questions tina; viii precipitate
disuGsaicn are the proposed abolish
/ mont "a the oijiee oil presiding elder,
reducing the episcopacy OF limit or
eight years inAtead II ii lie tenure,
election OF the presiding elders by
vote of the annual conference and
giving them more voice In the APP
I pointment of pastors,
/ A iclnt commission from the two
great Methodist church appointed In
3 1909 en- the closer relations VIII prob
ably nave a report to make, and this
( win bring up some discussion. Tho
Z idea seems tn have got abroad thar
tais commission was appointed with
view OF bringing about n merger OF
the Methodist Episcopal church and
the Methodist Episcopal churca soutn.
1T may be that this was the ultimate
hope OF certain element In botn
churches, but ii is a commission on
federation rather than union, and its
prime purpose IL to harmonic tho
work In fields occupied jointly by the
i two churches. To some extent this
+ has been done in few of the mission
fields and some progress towards
federation hes been made In the West
Whore BOTH CHURCHES are doing active
al Ss
/ this Is at this tinle merely hope Of
Same. In fact. this commissions au-
thority does not extend this far, but
10 what ends the harmonizing work
may lead IL probleu.aticai
/ Women Want Rights.
Women. or at least some OF them.
are demanding that they lie occurred
the fun rights Of the laity of the
church. a writer In favor of the petit
ton sets forth their contentious thus
/ We women honestly believe the
church is asked to take a forward step
by extending to It's women the sanie
original rights and those added thirty
four years ago 10 It's great gain. that
II gives To the laymen of the church.
That this m oNcment VIII also bring to
il Increased efficiency no eGe can
doubt who has noted the eapabl!liy OF
Methodist women in serving tha
church as missionary societies, mis-
s,GRaries and d0aeonesscs.
The church has felt the bad effect
Of restrictive Law thnt forbade tho
selection IF les lay officials and repre-
seHtatites fratf twe-t thirds pf Its n1efr.
bcvsnip thus leaving IL to the legal
right 10 NIL these responsible positions
from only cnc-third or its mem her-
ship TlGt restrictive law which
draws the sex line in our church
ignores mental and spiritual aualla-
cations. for IL has disqualified women
possessing these eimplv because they
were women and qualified men who
did not possess them simply because
they were men, Has not this de-
frauded the church - its right to use
it's best IN mum be yiass iGstaucess
The women who have entered upon
the movement are not actuated by
personal motives. bat feel that "A great
principle Is involved that they dare
net Yield because u opposition from
-any source They have been greatly
encouraged hy the assurance of many
leading men and women I'm The chrroh
~ their hearty enforcement and sup
port Letters bidding them God
speed" are received in every mail. so
they take courage and &" on, trust in
the God of truth and right"