The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-02
BISHOPS SCORE
THE CHURCH FOR
ITS LETHARGY
Methodis1n Only Increased
Two Percent in Member
ship During Last Year.
SYSTEM OF EMPLOYING
REVIVAL EvANGELISTS OPPOSED
Make Strong Plea for a Closer Living
Application of the Real weslevan
Doctrine as the Only Means Of
Saving the Nation Against Vice.


Saving the Nation Against Vice,
Minneapolis. Nav 2.-Criticism Of
the condition which enabled the
church to gain 'less than two per
cent in membership in the last year"
and charges that the church press Ia
being used AS a. free forum by tho
promoters Of disaffection." was made
in the bishops report to the quadren.
NAL general conference of the Meth.
odist Episcopal church here today.
Inc report which is known as the
episcopal Address" was signed by
eighteen bishops from this and six in
foreign countries. and is regarded as
the most important document to
come before the conference, as IL
contains the bishops recommends
tions for the guidance and policy Of
the church. 1t was read by Bishop
Earl Cranston OF WASHINGTON. d. G.
Another section on which the bishons
have been working will be delivered
tomorrow. The report says that in
iast year the church made gain Of
but $4,000 which is less than two
per cent as the outcome of the years
activities and the outlay of many mill
Mons OF dollars. The statistical par
adox glares us out of countenance."
What are the honors of offices
worth in any army that does not win
battles: No marvel some are pro-
posing to reduce the major generals
to post duty and let the army dis
solve into antique ecclesiastical
This reference to the proposed linn
lting of activities to the local district
or the bishops whose Jurisdiction is
no WunlVersal was proposed by one
wing OF the conference.
one reason for the meagre growth,
says the report. is too strict an appli-
cation Of the law demandir~ that all
members who remove from the com.
munity without church letters shall
ne dropped from membership after
year. A plea is also made for the
emphasis of the distinctive WESLEYAN
doctrines as the only power to save
| the nation against vice.
Agaln the report says the ciiulrh
system is not being worked as for
merly and certain distinctive parts
nave been modified or abndoned The
calling in of evangelists for revival
services Is also condemned as is also
the "congregational system" of CALL
ing a pastor for local churches 1t
also asks TOR the fixing of two or
more Episcopal residences in this
country at strategic centers
Inc conference ordered a commits
sion appointed to investigate the sup
ervision of the 100000 negro members
| in the southern states, William Lucas
or mississippi claiming tina, although
| blshop NetleN'S residence was fixed at
New Orleans he had resided there NOT
more than thirty days in the last four
Years.
Better Working Conditions.
Asking that the churches through
out the world come out suuarely i'm
favor of improved working conditions
ior wage earners special COMMITTEES
had prepared for presentation to the
conference working program to
oisprove the charge that the church
| is not in sympathy with the poor"
Inc report of the committee which
mas been at work for four years,
states that labor and social condi-
tions have become such that the
church must take prominent part
in them. After asserting that this
church had its beginning among the
poor and the bulk of its members
always nave been wage earners." the
report recommends for adoption by
the conference. which represents
| propaganda calling for:
abolition of child labor.
Reduction of working hours TO
the lowest practicable point.
safeguarding the conditions of
| toll for women.
Equitable division of the profits Of
industry.
Protection of workers from the
risks of enforced unemployment
| "ProNision for old and injured
workers.
1t is expected the demand that the
church go on record on these sub
jects will provoke lively discussion
lx,t, ia.
! ference.
When the conference conveend for
month in its twenty-tifth session
today with delegates present from all
parts of the world. Joseph s. Hinge
ley of Chicago was reelected secre-
tary for four years. The conference
then ordered a telegram sent to
Bishop Thomas Bowman, the Oldest
leader in the church, who is 95 years
old and who because of his advanced
Iage was unable to leave his home at
Orange. n. ].
Reports We're submitted to the
conference showing the total mem
bership to be 3,2S4.s22 with 1s.ass
ministers. 3o.39s churches and l63
church raised s1.o7a,ss7 for foreign
missions, while 1896 foreign mission
aries were maintained. The total
value of the church and parsonage
property throughout the world was
given as $216.490.437. The church
has $50 educational institutions with
$4,000 students.
Bishop William Burt of Zurich,
Switzerland. delivered the chief ad-
dress at the opening session, describ-
ing the progress Of the church in Eu-
rope. He called attention to Russia,
wheer he said. despite the fact that
the government had excluded many
attempts at missionary work. the
Methodists has succeeded in securing
a foothold. In all parts Of Europe,
he declared. Methodism was progress
i ing. meeting opposition only where
1t came into conflict with state
churches.
-vy~ ~ @vv,~, o.