The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-05-03
NJ. E. CHURCH
ALARMED OVER
SMALL GROWTH
MAY RESTORE TINE
LIMIT ON PULPITS.
Opposition Expected TO Arise to
Plan to Move Ministers
Every Five Years.
Indications Are Conference Will
Adopt More Liberal Amuse-
ment Policy.

MINNEAPOLIS. Mimi. May o..
Limitation to Ave years as the longest
time any minister shall remain in a
given church, IL is expected, will be-
recommended TO the Methodist Episco-
pal general conference by the bishops
tomorrow as a means OF stimulating
the growth of the church.
Much opposition is expected to arise
over the proposal. At present the 49,
600 Methodist Episcopal ministers
scattered over the world are allowed
TO remain in any pulpit indefinitely.
The new plans, supported by the
twenty-four active bishops at the con-
ference will mean a restoration OF the
time limit abolished in 1900.
In favor OF the change. the bishops
have received these arguments:
Because some OF the churches will
not have the less able ministers all .
the time and none OF the churches
! will have the better ministers exclu-
sively: because the prominent pulpits,
now held by a few. will be thrown
open to younger men"
Objections to Plan.
Against the change. these objec-
tions we're made:
That preachers who plan great
work will not be i'm a pulpit long
enough TO accomplish IL: that many
great preachers have left the church
because hampered by a time limit:
that large congregations cannot be
I built up from pulpit where there
are frequent changes"
II is said that many OF the min
listers have occupied the same pulpits
for more than twelve years and their
objection to the bishops proposal,
when IL comes before the conference,
will be based on their reluctance to
leave a community where they have
lived so long
II is expected also the bishops will
recommend radical changes in the
amusement restrictions now imposed
upon church members and these
changes will be in the nature OF re-
storing John Wesley's method Of al
lowing conscience of individuals 10
dictate what shall be prohibited. In
stead Of having the church decide.
Church Gains Small.
In delivering the first section Of the
Bishops report signed by all the
bishops and received by the $50 dele
gates as the most important document
TO come before them. Bishop Earl
Cranston. OF Washington. d. C., to-day
described as critical" the fact that in
the last year the Church has gained
Tees than ? per cent in membership"
TN the last year." said the report.
"the Church has made a net gain OF
tut $4,000. which Is less than per
cent. as the out come Of the years
activities and the outlay or many mil
lions Of dollars. The statistical para
ufn - fsar4
shames and humiliates us. What are
honors Of Offices worth in any army
that does not win battles? No marvel
that some are proposing TO reduce the
major generals TO post duty"
This was a reference 10 a proposed
limiting Of the activities to a local
district OF the bishops whose iuris-
diction now Is universal
| Among the reasons for the meager
growth as sat forth. were too strict
application OF the law OF the Church
demanding that all members who re-
move from a given community without
their church letters be dropped from
membership after one year
HaH Million Members Dropped.
a fair calculation" the report -.id.
reveals the astounding fact that prob
ably not less than 500. 900 members
disappeared from the rolls by reckless
use of tho dropping process.
Nevertheless. We still face the pat
Ient fact that our distinctive doctrines
are not being emphasized No they
once were. or. where preached. are
discredited for the time by a gainsay-
Ing world drunk with vain phiIoso-
rhies and sated with Eluttinous indul-
gences"
Pleading for an emphasis on the dis
tinctive Wesleyan doctrines the re-
port said that they were the only
power 70 save the nation against vice.
70 says.
Where is the evidence that science
has ever reEenerated ono soul. or that
culture has redeemed one libertine. or
taken envy. malice. pride. jealousy or
greed ont ~ any hear These utter
ances are not reaCtionary. unless this
world has outgrown Jesus Christ.
Causes % Harm.
"Our second lapse is that our eva-
TEN ls not being worked as ~ former
ly WIS. Certain distinctive parts have
been abandoned. others modified In
rovrious. noyious 90 our pastoral as
well as 90 our supervisionai methods.
have intcrvened 90 the hurt Of both "
The address condemned tho practice
that was said 90 have Erown up In
certain churches of calling in evan
Eelisfs 10 carry on revival services as
AGAINST The former custom which
placed fhe local pastor in charge %
that work
Turning frbm this. the report con
Idemned the Fo-caIcd congregational
system % calling pastors for local
churches which are said 10 have be-
come gcncral iu Mcthodism
Referring 20 discussions On the
church publications. the report said:
We understand the church main.
talns n press FOR the advocacy % her
doctrines and the defense Of her poIcy
when assaiicd. not as a free forum