Evening journal., 1914-04-03
ministers PUT
Merger Debate
OVER TO MONDAY
Wilmington Conference De-
lays Action at Suggestion
of Bishop CranStOn
.LAYMEN'S VOICE AGAINST
union OF conferences

Special TO The LN EN INT JDD IN Al
BERLIN, Md, April 3.--This morn
ing's session OF the Wilmington
Methodist Episcopal Conference was
devoted to hearing the reports Of the
tour district superintendents, in order
10 clear tho calendar for the most
absorbing business Of the session
action on the proposal to merge the
Wilmington Conference with the
Philadelphia Conference, which Us
exported to occupy the greater part
Of Monday
VI was 10 have come up tomorrow
but late this morning was put over
until Monday, at Bishop Cranston's
suggestion
Or. t. L. Honocker. superintendent
Of Wilmington district: Dr. r. h.
Stephenson, superintendent of Dover
district: Dr.. Robert Watt superinteD-
dent OF Ilaston district, aud Or.
George p. Jones, superintendent of
Salisbury district, read lengthy re-
ports of the years work this morning.
The reports generally We're opumis-
tic showing advances in storal sup
port. the paying of of church debts.
attention TO the support Of retired
ministers aud reYiyals on all districts
that resulted in many conversions.
Each district reported at least a
thousand conversions during the
year DR.. Watt. in praising the
work OF the women OF AiddletOwn
church, expressed Wonder hat there
should be any question OF the quail
hcatioD OF such wOncn to vote.
The reading Of the four superln-
tendents reports occupied over two
hours o. this mornings session. At
tac conclusion ~ that business .eile-
tary Wise moved that, in view o. the
larRe amount Oe minute work on hand,
4 rpLcisl Conference session be held
al = o'clock this afternoon The ma
tion prevailed.
On, OF the meMhers asked 10 be
excused from lhis afternoon ani iu-
morrow mornings sessions, stating 9
that hc desired io leave his yot ON
rie merger quc3ucn with the secre-
fIrg Bislop Cransicn then su5Scste
hat The merger proposition Ds held
o.et until Monday morning. as Il " "
lgt regular Conference business and
he time tomorrow morning was
seeded for the regular work
notion was adopted that the die.
i ss'tr on tho. proposed merger bC
postponed until Monday
Dr. lIoncckcr's proposal to merge
he Wilmington Conference with the
Philadelphia Conference has beer
made special order for considera
ton Immediately after the session
opens Monday morning. A commit
mlttec representing the Wilmington
VI. Il. Preachers Association Will sub
nit to the Conference Dr Hofevkeri
merger rcsohiti01 which was cadors
ID by the Preachers Association
with "a recommendation that Confer
auce act. ON The proposition 10 merge
Dr. Hufeci1er tO mssg % length,
speech advocating The merger AM
Getting forth his rcasous Tor such
union Of the two conferences. IN
vii argue that merger would meal
bigger opportunity for Methodisr
and for the pastors Of the Whining
on Conference, as we'll rs solidiiy th
work OF the territory. The tendenc
b toward such cancellations, he vii
urge.
Or. Robert Watt, The Rev. Or. T.
Terry, the Rev George A. Cooke an
other ministers arc expected to ol
pose the merger Or. Watt has bee
writing against &C in church period
Gals for several weeks, and his Is ea
pected to be the principal speech l
opposition. Arguments will be ac
yanced that the Wilmington Confer
ence because Of its geographical pos
ton and because OF the distinctly
tyne Of its Methodism should not
merged with any other Conferenc
and II will be contended that PeniI
sula Methodism would be retarde
\ rather than upbuilt by such union.
Judging from the sentiment ca
pressed by the ministers the merge
proposition is doomed to defeat. Prit
IN the Wilmington Conference as
stands seems too strong TO sanctic
such consolidation Aside fro
that the Philadelphia Conference
It's recent session at Pottstown toe
no action on, and did not even di
cuss, the proposed merger The WI
mington Conference was carved FRO
the Philadelphia Conference in lS0
Added TO that, a significant stra
was speech before the Baymen's A
sociation today by its presider
Thomas \. Rawlins. opposing q
merger.
The devotional exercises this NOR
ing were led by Rev. W. y. Tompkir
y after which Bishop Cranston preac
ed a strong sermon upon death"
While the weather was cold al
rainy, the church was well filled.
The Rev. s. \. Pilchard. on behi
Continued on Page Two.)