The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-07-25
REORGANIZATION
OF METHODIST
Propose to Divide Country
Into Four Parts
DR.. Triple HONORED
DIR. Triple HONORED
Decorated by Italian King in Recog-
milton of Relief Work in Abruzza
Earthquake-Many Changes in
Catholic Bishoprics

New York, July 24.-(special. "A
movement is on foot to create the
American Methodist church II success
full, as now seems probable. it will
mean body of 5000, 600 actual mem
bers, possibly 5000 600, or a Methodist
population of Is 900, 900 to 10000 900. or
by far the largest religious body in
America. While there is opposition in
some quarters, especially in the north,
details are being ironed out. 1t is
said, and the plan is more than likely
to go through. The uncertainty in re-
gard 10 numbers is due to lack of
knowledge as to how many bodies may
come IN. All now talk favorably. II
all come in the larger number will be
the size Of this giant of religious bodies
American methodism has split over
slavery, the break coming as early as
1874 at general conference held in
New York city. Now the unique plan
is proposed, and already approved by
Methodists south, of creating one Meth
odist church that has four parts to IT.
Each of the parts will have its distinct
board Of bishops. and its own quadren-
NAL conference Then over all will
be supreme body, composed of dele
gates from the four general ones The
plan Is not a merger of methodism, but
the reorganization of all and the crea-
ton of a wholly new American Meth
odist church
The four bodies proposed are the
white Methodists of the south, the col
ored Methodists of the south, the Meth
ooiBts OF the east and the Methodists
of the west. Opposition has come from
some quarters over what looks like a
division of the great northern body of
Methodfsts as at present constituted,
but 1t Is said to be the growing opin-
Ion that east and west involve such
distances II not differences that for
mere matters of administration bishops
and general conference for each will
save time and expense, and lead to
closer supervision and larger growth
The question of general boards, so far
as determined. favors one of each kind
Tor all American methodism.
If that plan obtain. American meth
od'sm will possess the largest mission
airy, Sunday school and ministerial re-
lief societies in the world
1t Is the expectation of MethodIsts
who are favoring this plan that Meth
odist Professionals n body of some $780,
600 members, will come in within Il
few years. Then it Is also expected
that some colored churches of the
south will join with the colored Meth
odists. They are said to favor such a
union. The present Methodist enthu-
siasm towards union holds out there
are 1000, 600 or more such colored
Methodists to join. running the total
of this proposed American church up
TO the 100000 actual members already
mentioned There would then be a
board of Methodist bishops composed
wholly OF colored men. independent in
conduct Of their own affairs, but united
with all Methodists in general body
not yet named, to which all four Meth
odist bodies will send delegates
For some years Methodist union has
been talked of In its main features
this present plan was brought forward
by council of Methodists north and
south. The south has accepted it. and
now 1t is up to the Methodists of the
north who meet at Saratoga next year
There has been a good deal of oppo-
sition, but 1t is said now to be disap-
pearing. Leaders on both sides are
known to be working toward the plan
outlined.