The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-06-21
GREAT CONFERENCE,
REV. DIR. MURDOCH DECLARES.

The general conference OF the
Methodist Episcopal church, which
was in session at Minneapolis during
May, will go down in history as one
/ OF the greatest and most fruitful that
has been held up to this time by the
Methodist people," declares Rev. L..
c. Murdoch, district superintendent
of the Wyoming conference.
There were $50 delegates pres
ent, coming from all parts of the
United States, Mexico, South Amer
lea, Europe, Asia. Africa and the
islands of the sea-" said DIR. Muir
dock. Delegates from all these
countries engaged in the lawmaking
for this branch of the church of
! Wesley were a vivid illustration of
the prophetic vision of the great
founder when he beheld the world
as his parish.
There was a larger proportionate
number of new members in this con-
ference than has usually been the
case and larger number OF me-
MORALS or requests for changes in
the discipline of the church. These
facts gave rise to the fear that much
radical action might be taken. Such
was not the case. however, and the
body, while hopefully progressive,
was sanely conservative. Much
constructive and revisional work was
done and very little radical changes
made.
One of the important measures
adopted was the assigning OF bishops
to certain cities, which are the CEN
ters OF groups of conferences. The
bishops will exercise supervision
over these conferences for the
quadrennial. The numerous me-
MORALS, which requested the restor-
alton of the time limit for pastors,
was referred to the committee on
itinerancy. This committee did not
report to the general conference any
plan for the restoration of the limit,
and consequently no change was
made this year in this respect.
The committee on the episcopacy
recommended that the general con-
frence give the annual conferences
of Methodism an opportunity to vote
on constitutional amendment
which will provide for the election
of bishops for races and languages.
More than two-thirds of the confer
ence voted in favor of this amend
ment and it is thus handed down to
the churches.
Eight new bishops were elected
and two missionary bishops. The
new bishops are Homer c. Stuntz,
T. S. Henderson, w. o. Shepherd, N.
Luccock, F. J. Mcconnell, R. j.
Cooke, F. d. Leele, w. P. Thirkeld,
DR.. w. p. Eveland, and j. w. Robin
son were elected missionary bishops.
All are strong, broad-minded men
and will be a power for the advance
ment of Methodism. 1t was, indeed,
an impressive sight to witness the
conservation of the bishops.
"Dr. George p. Eckman, whose
father for a long time was a mem
Der of the Wyoming conference, was
elected editor of the Christian Advo-
cate, DR.. Buckley having resigned
after serving for over two score of
years. DR.. Eckman is of st. Paurs
Episcopal church, New York city.
DR.. Buckley has been one of the
greatest editors of this country, and
for years has been the chief author
ity on the customs and laws Of
Methodism.
mo change was made in the law
of the church pertaining to the
amusement question, and there is no
indication that the great law-making
body purposes to lower it's moral
standard"
DR.. Murdock expressed his ap-
proval of the action of the confer
ence in voting down the final court
of appeals. The general conference
remains the final authority of the
church. He was also pleased with
the step taken for a more reveren-
tial Observance of Memorial Day.
The conference was in session
from May until May 29, three ses-
sions a day being held most of the
time. DR.. Murdock declared that it
was almost impossible for the indi-
divual to keep in touch with the
scores of questions coming up for
consideration before the different
committees and conference for con-
sideration.