The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-12-03

lred the floor TO read a resolution
by eight Of the nine presiding
ders. and explained that II the res
were to be effective il would
ave to be acted up5n IN adVarce Ct
-tion Of the conference upon the re
orts Of the various boards dealing
18th financial matters. Tho resoldtloT
hen adopted by the conference in
ructs the various boards not 70 ii
any Of the assessments we
st year, but TO undertake to raise
additional amounts necessary ~
ppeal TO the judgment and llberality
I the people for free VIII offerings
he resolution is signed by Presiding
lders Beaman of Durahm district
Ugh district. John OF Fayetteville
istrict, McCullen. Of Rockingham
i~strict. Gibbs of Wlolinctol district
Wilson of Nli-uI i4ton district
is as follows:
'NhereaS, the combined assess
ments for bene1icent cause out
side Of the individual charges has
reached an amount IN excess OF
50 per cent. Of the salaries. and
"Whereas, the last general cot-
ference very largely increased the.
assessments. and the churches
have not yet been aDle 10 adjust
themselves to the Increase; and.
.Nhereas, any increase OF as
sessInent at this time IN all prob
ability will fail to increase the
total raised and viii but
disturb the equitable balance
now existing between these sacred
causes: and,
Whereas, our careful study Of
the field at large ~conNinceS Us that
a further increase at this time
Will tend to check the hopeful
tendency to a large and liberal
free Will offering on the part OF
our richer churches (Which must
inevitably be our support IL any
really adequate ~adNance) and
make progress to self support on
the part of our charges to a point
Of open rebellion:
'~'Therefore. resolved, that the
different boards Of this conference
are instructed in making their
assessments for the coming year
in no case to make the total as
sessment for my board greater
than it was during the year just
passed, and that they make APP
peal for the much larger amounts
which they urgently need, and
which our people are. as a whole,
able to furnish to the judgment
and liberality of our people by
making plans to present their
causes. and to solicit free Will Of
ferings in excess Of the assess
mentS.
Gag Law Alleged.
Mr.. Wilson asked for immediat
action on the resolution, but Presto
ing Elder Underwood, Of New Der
district, the only presiding eide
who had not signed the resoll
moved that action upon it
made a special order for a lat
hour. This motion was tabled. Re
A. T.. Tyer asked if it was tt
purpose to forestall adoption Of ar
reports calling for increased asses
IF so. it is the gag law" NJ
Tyer remarked.
Opposition having developed, NJ
Wilson proceeded to argue for Il
resolution.
For one" he said, II have frett'
for twenty-one years under the a
ton Of this conference railroadil
matters through without deliber
ton Then he stated that often
had been tempted to throw himse
into the fray and hold up the confe
ence by a speech until the train h;
gone so that the members would
forced to remain over and have tir
to consider important matters, but
had hesitated because Of his youth
a conference member. But
said, 81 am free today and propC
to speak as long as I please Tn
he entered a plea for the preache
on the weaker charges and circui
and describ detheir difficulties III "a
ing the assessments made. 1--WE kne
when we drew up this resolution"
explained. that it would seem to
in opposition to progress. But"
contineud, I'VE are pleading tod
not for less contributions. but
gifts, and not taxes" Mr.. Underwo
interrupted to ask if the orphana
was included in the amounts M
toned in the resolution, to VIII
Mr.. Wilson replied in the affirmati
The Service Required.
Continuing, Mr.. Wilson ask
what is a presiding elder? A Giro
rider with a large circuit, clothed W
a little brief authority. Today
are and tomorrow we are not. 3
he explained that the presiding cid
were In position to know Of the c.
dition Of the local fields. He cited
detail conditions in his own dist