Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-05-02
Severe Criticism for COndi-
tiOns Which Permit MethO.
dists to Show Gain Of Less
Than Two Per Cent in Year
GLOOMY DOCUMENT LAID
BEFORE CONFERENCE
Reckless Use Of so-Called
Dropping" Process Respon-
sible for Loss Of Half Mil
lion Members is Declared.

(Bs Sweating mcFala a. p. Leaaua wtrel
Minneapolis. May 2.--CrlticiSm Of
tho condition which enabled th,
church 20 gain "loas than two per
cent In It's membership In the last
year" and charges that the church
press was being used ''as free for.
um BY the promoters OF disaffcction.
ware made in the bishops report 70
the quadrennial general conference
OF the Methodist Episcopal church to-
day.
The report. known as the "Episco-
pal Address" was signed By eighteen
bishops Ia this and six bishops In for
eign countries. and II regarded as
the most important document TO como
before the conference. as Il contains
the bishops recommendation for
the future guidance and policy OF the
church.
The report was read by Bishop Earl
Crans,oD OF Washington, D. G.
Another section. upon which tho
bishops have been at work since the
last general conference az I3aitlmore.
four years aso, viii be delivered to-
morrow
fIn-the last year" said the re-
port, 'the church has made d net
gain al bNt $1,000. which Is leas than
teo per cent as the outcome OF the.
years activities and the outlay of
many millions Of dollars. The stats
tlcai paradox glares us out OF coun-
tenance. Il shames and humiliatcs
us. What are honors OF offices worth
IN any army that does not win hat-
ties? No marvel that some are pro-
posing 20 reduce the major generals
TO post duty and let the army dis
solve into antique ecclesiastical
camps"
This was a reference 10 proposed
iimltine OF the activities 20 a locn
diHtrist % tho bishops whose iurisdlc-
tion IL now universal
Some of the reasons for the mcager
growth us set forth were laid 10 a
too strict application of the law of the
church demanding that an members
who remove from a given community
without their church letters be-
dropped from membership after one
year.
"a fair calculation" tho report
said, ''reveals tfe astounding fact
that probably not less than 500. 600
members disappeared from our rolls
by reckless uso of the dropping
process.
Nevertheless we sllil face the pat
ens fact that our distinctive doctrines
are not being emphasized as they
We're once or where preached are dis
credited for the time by "a RainsaylnB
world. drunk with vain philosophles
and aated with giuttonous induie-
ences."
Pleading for "a emphasis on the
distinctive Wesleyan doctrines, the
report said they we're the only power
20 save the nation against vice
Where b. the evidence that science
has over rogonorated one soul osI
that culture has redeemed one iiber-
tine. or taken envy. malice, pride,
jealousy or grood out OF any hear,
These utterances are not reacti0nary,
unless this world has ouigrown Jesus
Christ
sour second lapse Is that our sys-
tom is not being worked az Il former.
ly WAS Certain distinctive parts have
been abandoned. others modified.
Innovations. noxioue 10 our pastoral
as VET es 60 eur supcrvisl0nal meth
DDS, have interviewed 20 the hurt OF
BOTH
The report condemned the prac-
tice Of calling in cvangeliats 10 carry
on revival services az against the for-
mer custom which placed the local
pastor IN charge Of that work.
Turning from this the report con-
demnod tae HO-Callcd CONGREGATIONAL
system Of calling pastors for local
churches which was said 90 have be-
come general In Methodlsm,
Referring 70 dlscuealonE IN the
church publications.. the report said
I'VE understand the church main
taina a press FOR the advocacy of her
doctrines and thN defense ef her poll
Icy when asaolled not aa free forum
for the cagarief OF writer's who meas
ure an problems by their own door
yards or officially 20 sanction the proc
motera Of diaaffection. While we
would not restrain dignifled and ls-
gitimate discussion OF proposed
amendments or reforms. we dopre-
cate the admission Of ill-conaldored
and hItemporato criticisms of our poll
iiy on church agencies"
one of the proposals before this
conference A. that the bishops bel
placed % definite charge Of the work