Evening star., 1914-04-05
Volume Issued by Church Con-
Germ Makes Genesis Myth,
Says DR.. Colt.
MIRACLES DISCREDITED
PASTOR ALSO CHARGES
Attack Leads to Authorization of
1nvestigation-Much Conference
Business Transacted.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CUMBERLAND, Md, April 4.-Easily
the most dramatic incident OF the Balti-
more conference of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, In session here since Tues
DAY night. came when Rev. Dr. Don s.
Colt OF the Madison Avenue Church, Bal
timore, arose after Rev. DR.. Harry s.
France had plead for support for the
book concern, and with voice filed with
emotion asked if the book concern should
be allowed to print and distribute a publi-
cation such as he held in his hand, writ
ten along the line of German rationalism,
by the Rev. George P, Means. 1t made a
myth Of the story of Genesis and the
miracles of the Old Testament, ne de-
clared, and he moved a committee be
named by the conference to examine and
report. This brought debate in which Rev
Ut. A. 5. Mowbray and Rev. DR.. w. l..
Mcdowell both of Washington, took part
1T resulted in the conference accepting a
modif1ed motion that committee of three
De named to consult with the book au-
thorltIes of the church next week re-
gardtng this and other literature, espe-
clally that for the Sunday school, which
Bishop Berry said was more important to
look into than books in the hands of
men"
Billy Sunday Defended.
Billy Sunday had his inning late in
the session. DR.. Colt moved that he be
given a vote of welcome to Baltimore.
Several ministers objected and then Rev
Dr. w. r. Wedderspoon of Washington
made ringing speech in favor Of the
evangelist, and the Colt motion went
through almost unanimously. Bishop
Berry then related incidents showing
dous personality and expressed delight at
the action of the conference.
The following were made elders:
Thomas NJ. Dickey. Hamilton P. Fox.
G. Ellis Williams. Frank B. Hanson.
Frank steelman. Eugene Tucker and
John T. Creek.
DR.. Guth, president Of Goucher College,
Baltimore. and DR.. ]. o. Spencer presi-
dent of Morgan College, addressed the
conference. Tonight at the anniversary
OF the board of education and Freedmen s
Aid Society. Secretary w. S. Brovard,
New York and DR.. Spencer delivered ad-
dresses.
Changes in District.
Rev DR.. W. L. Mcdowell, superintend-
ent of the Washington district, read his
annual report. The personnel of the dis
trict has undergone few changes Arthur
w. Groscup. pastor at Woodside retired
from the ministry and church membership
and the vacancy was filled by the appoint
ment of supply. o. r. Bone. proba-
toner in the Puget Sound Conference,
was transferred to the conference by
Bishop Cooke and stationed on the Forest
vile circuit. In June. J. NJ. NJ. Gray, pas
tor at Hamine, was transferred to the
st. Louis Conference and little later
ba
Upper Iowa Conference and appointed to
Hamine. .
OF the forty-sx pastoral charges in the
district forty reported are increased in
the number of full members, five reported
a decrease and one was stationary. the
total net increase .aggresating 43o. All
the charges but six report conversions,
the total being 100. At the Anacostia re-
vival there We're 131 conversions. The
proba TONERS reported in the district num-
ber 4SO.
DR.. Mcdowell told Of the progress of
the Italian mission work, which has been
transferred from Wesley Chapel to North
Capitol. He says: Our institutions in
Washington continue their work and
make steady progress. The Home for the
Aged has had successful year. The new
building at sibley Hospital has been
opened and taken together with Rust
Hall constitutes a structure that may
well evoke the pride of any Methodist 1t
is announced that the American Univer-
sity will inaugurate its work on May
81 next and that the President of the
United States will grace the occasion
with his presence. The total spent in the
District for new buildings and better
ments is s15.4a6. including $4,000 for a
new Sunday school building at Falls
improvements. There has also been a
noteworthy clearing off of old obligations,
the amount of liquidation being 23,3O3
The highest amount was at Calvary,
$1,000
made pledges aggregating s11 300 to the
million dollar Goucher College fund, and
$500 has been paid. or about $500 be-
yond the amount required on the first
payment"