The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-06
Refers to Men Who Con-
victed Beattie of
Wife-Murder.
COMMENDS STAND
THEY HAVE TAKEN
Hendrix Glad They Have Re.
fused to Recommend Commu-
tation From Death Sentence,
and That There Is Place
Where Women Do Not
Attend Such Trials.

Toronto, October 5.-The principal
subject of discussion of to-days ses-
sion of the Ecumenical Methodist Con-
ference. which delegates from all quar-
ters of the world are attending, was
the decrease In membership OF the
church. which. 1t was revealed in the
reports submitted. has taken place the
world over during the last decade.
The western section, comprising the
Methodist churches in tho United
States. Canada and Japan. reported
during that period loss in net men,
bership increase. while the eastern
section, covering the churches in Great
Britain. Ireland. France. South Africa,
Australia and the mission field, shared
an absolute loss in membership.
In tho western section the increase
in membership in the decade ending
1891 was 1,261,209. while in tho last
decade 1t was only 1882. tho latter
increase being but is per cent. as con-
trasted with the former of a3 per cent
This, according to II. X Carroll, of
New York. secretary of that section,
was due to a decrease in earnest
ness"
Notable Decrease.
In Great Britain, according to the
Rev. Simpson Johnson, of London. sec
rotary OF the Westminster Methodist
bodies gained about 10000 members
during the last ten years. but in the
last decade there was a notable de-
crease. attributable. he thought, to
conditions outside the church and a
weakening of forces to meet changed
social conditions"
Bishop Eugene Hendrix, of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, South, in dis
cussing the religious problem of the
! negro" and "the maintenance OF a pure
home in the midst of adverse condi-
| TONS" took occasion to refer to the
| recent Beattie murder trial in Chester
field county. Va
THANK God, there is place where
women as spectators do not attend
such a trial. ne said. "Thank God, for
jury which sought divine guidance
In reaching n verdict, and which has
since refused to recommend a COM
mutation from the death sentence"
Rev S. Ogata, OF the Japan Metho=
dist Church. who reported remarkable
progress in his country since the
merging OF three Methodist churches,
said nothing was more perplcXinE to
the ordinary Japanese mind than the
fact that there arc so many denomina-
lions and SO many different Methodist
churches. He believed that Christian
fty's strongest appeal subsequently,
would be found in one church, compre-
hensive enough to cover all religious
! needs. instead of In the thirty-hve or
forty denominations.
Seek AmalEa nation.
Reporting on Australian Methodism.
the Rev. w. Williams, of Australia.
| sail that every tenth person in Aus
tralia was Methodist, and that the
present union is seeking amalgamation
with the Presbyterian and Congrega-
tional Churches in its zone of work.
Prize fighting was denounced by Sir
Robert w. Parkes, OF London. who
said In that connection:
IF free churches of London could
with such absolute ease bring such
pressure to bear upon the government
as to compel the stopping of brutal
prize tight in London, notwithstanding
the efforts OF society people to the
contrary, what could not Methodist
and free churches accomplish If fed
Grated throughout the world? Such
work, bordering on the legislative.
must be done largely by the rank and
file OF the laity. for we cannot expect
and do not wish the pulpits used for
political purposes, nor the pastors to
become politicians"