Arizona republican., 1912-05-12
QUESTIONS BEFORE METH
 ODISTS.

The Methodist General conference. assembled at Minneapolis, probably to remain in session until near the end of this month is a quadrennial body, and represents the largest group of Methodists in the world, viz. the Methodist church of the northern states. There will come before it some of the most momentous questions which American Methodism ever faced. for no heresy is in sight, nor
 of possible division. for Methodism is united and becoming increasingly SO Indeed one of the minor questions. because less pressing. that will come up at Minneapolis is organic union with some other Methodist bodies.
 Probably the six matters that arouse greatest interest both among Meth odists and those outside of it are the following on many of them pro- longed debates are likely to be had.
 l. The election of new bishops, and their assignment to various cities
 Through death the number is now depleted and several new bishops must be chosen Just how many re- mains to be fixed by the conference itself The number will not be fewer than five or six, and may be as many as eight or ten. The smaller number is, however. the more likely one.
 ?. The districting of bishops. That is. the adoption of the diocesan plan
 locating d bishop either permanently. after the manner of Catholics and others, or at least between General conferences which would be for four years. A great increase in number
 of bishops would be necessary. and
 there would be required a readjust-
 ment of the duties of district super
 intendcnts There are many Metho-
 dIsts who favor the plan but few consider it likely of achievement at
 this conference.
 3. The restoration of the pastoral
 time limit. Mcthodism began in the early times in America as the circuit rider church, and because churches were unable to support pastors their support was undertaken by the church as whole. They were changed in assignments or charges every year. then every two years until for long period the limit was three years. In 1900, at the general ! conference in Chicago. the limit was removed altogether. Now there is a determined Clamor to put it on again Some say it will be done at Mime apOliS others say. it will not be. i. The admission of laymen to the annual conferences as full members At present laymen have membership il the general conference, and women too although the fight to secure | membership was a long one. and was obtained only in quite recent years | Now Iaymen declare the time has come when they should have seat and | voice in the annual conferences, over
 which the bishops preside and at l which assignments of ministers is made for the year The controversy 1 over this question is not, however l as keen as it is over some of the | others.
 l 5. The restriction of unauthorized | financial appeals. MethOdiSm claims l to be distracted almost to the point 1 of revolt over the great number of demands for money, some official but most of them free lances. The
 claim is made that the number of so-
 cieties doing official work and ask | ing churches for funds is far toe
 many The criticism does not come concerning amount of money asked | for With others Methodists are steadily increasing their cOntribu- 1 tions The complaint is about meth ! od
 G. The creation of a supreme court Methodsm has in it's local
 church. it's district conference. it's | quarterly conference, and last of al