The Washington herald., 1912-05-25
WktbnaIsf


The pathetic spectacle Of three wen
tried ministers Of the 1fethodist Epis-
copaI Church being told they are too old
for service IN the place in which, they
have been working was presented In
q few days ago. Bishops David a.
Moore aged aeventy-four; Henry NJ
Warren. aged elghty-one, and Thomas
b Neely, aged seventy-one, were prac-
tically declared ineffective by q vote OF
all the delegates TO the Conference. The
Conference then decided 70 elect eight
new bishops to take the places OF those
relieved OF omcial duty and further 20
divide the work The discussion gave
rise % taIk Of a dennits age limit FOR
bishops.
The matter came before the highest
body OF the Methodist church on q re-
port from the committee on episcopacy
that all the bishops except the three
be left on the effective list. Bishop
Moore Il q veteran OF the Civil War
and has been president OF both Cincin-
natl Wesleyan and Colorado Universities
He was formerly editor OF the Wesleyan
Christian Advocate and served as bishop
IN China, japan, and Korea Bishop
Warren, the dean OF bishops. was elected
In 1850, has held pastorates IN many OF
the large cities Of the country ana is
stfl IN good health. Bishop Neely has
resided lately in New Orleans, and early
in the session charges were made
against his conduct OF the work in the
South by eolored delegates. He is the
author OF several books.
From the opening OF the Conference
an undercurrent OF excitement thrilled
the delegates IN clashes over the aboli-
ton OF paragraph 80 in the Methodist
Book OF Discipline. This paragraph pro-
hibits attendance at dances, card parties.
theaters and other prescribed amuse-
ments. large element OF the church
favors the return to the policy OF John
Wesley Of permitting each individual
to be guided by his own conscience on
Questionable amusements. After q lively
furry m committee the minority report
that the paragraph be retained was
adopted and sent to the general body,
where Il was the subject OF earnest de-
bate and finally, by vote OF as TO SsS.
the Conference refused TO change the
rules.
One OF the Innovations which IL seems
safe to say the delegates viii adopt for
all the churches Of Methodism Is the
weekly contributions from every mem
Der. such as Is practiced IN other de-
nominations. At present q Methodist
pulpit Is open TO q wide variety OF ap-
peals for different causes The leaders
Of the church would have this changed
80 that q permanent commission on
church finance viii be created. 10 which
each OF the important benevolent inter-
ests Of the church will present an annual
estimate Of the amount needed to sup
port and develop the work. The commits
sion. which will consist OF bishops, pas
tors. and laymen, will appoint subcom-
missions ineach State 20 whom VIII be
referred local benevClences.
The Conference has adopted resolutions
urging that the United States recognize
the republic OF China, and that efforts for
international arbitration be redoubled so
that the new nation may be protected
The adoption OF this resolution was pre-
ceded by several speeches by Chinese
delegates.
DR.. Montgomery viii speak at the
Memorial Methodist Church
Sunday morning. on the subject.
Does 1t Matter What We Believer
In the evening he Is announced to speak
on "A Scene from an Old World
Drama"
Rev. W. r. wedderspoon. D. D., pas
tor OF Foundry Methodist Episcopal
Church, has returned from a visit TO the
general conference at Minneapolis. MINI,
and will occupy the pulpit tomorrow at
morning and evening services as usual.
In the morning he will deliver the sec
ond sermon in the series on The Beati-
tudes," and in the evening his theme
will be The Voices Of Nature
Mr.. Moore will sing for an onertory
at the morning service, Come Unto
Ne" CHawley). At the evening service
Miss Sherier andI Mr.. Bowie viii sing
for the offertory The Song Shall Be
Always Of Thy Mercy CGendelssohn).