The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-19
CHURCH CONTROLS
THE UNIVERSITY
Methodist Conf erence Settles
the Vanderbilt Status
ABLE MEN ARE CHOSEN
Conference Names Secretaries of the
Various Boards and Adopts Meas
urc Giving Laymen More
Representation
ABLE MEN ARE CHOSEN

Asheville, y. c., May 1S.-Since the cleo
ton of bishops and correctional officers
is over at the general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal church, south, the
conference got down to active work to-
day on the many memorials and reti-
tons which have already passed through
the hands of the various committees and
we're up for adoption or rejection by the
conference. The fact that there was no
discussion on the Vanderbilt university
question created some surprise as it had
been freely predicted that both sides
were ready with speeches to defend their
positions.
There seemed to be some relief that the
report of the committee on education
Tearing on the question met such speedy
action by the conference. 1t is claimed
by those who were in favor of the re-
port that the church has won a great
and significant victory and has forever
set at rest the question as to whether or
not the Methodist Episcopal church,
south, owns Vanderbilt university. The
report adopted this morning was written
in its entirety by the Rev. H. M. Du-
Bose, D. D.
The election of Rev. w w. Pinson of
Tennessee as missionary secretary, Rev.
w. F. McMurray of Kentucky as church
extension secretary, Rev. F. S. Parker of
Tennessee as general secretary of the
Epworth League and editor of the "Ep-
worth Era, ]. E. Dickey of Georgia as
secretary of the board of education, and
Rev. A. J. Lamar and d. NJ Smith as
publishing agents is considered tonight as
the very best possible selections that
could have been made. Each man elect
ed is eminently qualified to fill the re-
sponsible position to which the church
has called him.
The laymen are greatly pleased at the
measure adopted today from which they
hereafter have larger representation in
the annual conference. 1t is thought
that measures passed upon today will
meet with the entire approval of all lay
men throughout the connection. This
afternoon the Methodist women of Ashe-
vile rendered a reception at the Manor
to the visiting ladies attending the con-
ference. The reception was a brilliant
success. Rev. 8. Parker Gadman of
Brooklyn, n. Y, delivered lecture to-
night on William Ewart Gladstone at the
auditorium.
Control of Vanderbilt
That Vanderbilt university is the uni
versity of the Methodist Episcopal church,
south, and that it must be controlled by
the church was finally decided by the
general conference this morning when
the report of the committee on education
was adopted This finally settles one
of the most troublesome disputes with
which the church has had to deal.
There were two factions. One was
headed by the university chancellor and
the trustees The rules of the church
forbid the naming on boards of trustees
of men not members of the church. The
trustees selected several men outside the
church for such positions, including one
of the Vanderbilts. Then there came a
move to do away with the selection OF
the trustees by the conference and make
that body the trustees-a self-perpetu-
ating body. The college of bishops went
on record as opposed to this innovation.
The adoption of the report shows that
the stand of the bishops is approved
Briefly this report finds that the bishops
are common law visitors to the university;
that the conference has the right to select
the trustees itself or through any other
agency 1t desires; that the conference
shall select the board of trustees and fill
vacancies on it; that the conference shall
continue the plan adopted in Baltimore
in 1908, when it committed to the board
of education for confirmation the names
of all trustees selected by the board of
trusetees. Finally the report confirms the
stand taken by the bishops on other
minor points and instructs them to take
any action necessary at any time to pro-
tect the church's rights in the university.
Following the adoption of the report the
conference elected to fill vacancies on
the board of trustees, n. e. Harris OF
| South Carolina, A w. Biggs of Ten
nessee, B. A. Colby of Texas.
F. s. Parker of the Louisiana confer
ence was chosen Epworth League secre-
tary and editor of the Epworth Era.
| j. E. Dickey, president of Emory col
| lege of Georgia was chosen secretary of
| the board of education on the fourth bal
| lot.
Morning Session
| Election of the various church officers
not reached at yesterdays busy sessions
was the order of business when the con.
| ference met today. The opening religious
| exercises were conducted by the Rev. ]
| B. Cox of Mexico, while Bishop Jane.
| Atkins presided. The Rev. A. Carman
superintendent of the Methodist church IL
| Canada, was introduced to the confer
ence.
| On the first ballot the Rev. W. w. Pin
| son of Tennessee was elected missionar.
Sacratarv recaiving 125 yotes
The Rev. w. F. McMurray of Louis
| Vile, KY, was reelected secretary o
| the board of church extension on the frs
| ballot.
| The committee on church relation
recommended that the Methodist Epis
copal church, south. the Methodist Epis
copal church and the Methodist Protest