The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-06-17

that will serve both the unity OF the
united Methcdism and the indepen'
dence OF the quadrennial confer
ences.
Each of these sectional confer
ences will elect it's own bishops and
administer its own work meeting
every four years. Midway between
the meetings OF these quadrennial
conferences, the general conference
would hold its sessions.
BY the idea OF territorial confer
ences the problem OF competing
churches is settled Immediately All
Methodist churches north OF a Ger.
tain line will 20 TO the Northern
conference. and those south of thai
line will go 10 the Southern confer
ence Local conditions viii be met
by the individual conferences.
The scheme is beautiful In IFS
simplicity and effectiveness, and
there is not the least likelihood oil
any recalcitrant body, such as has
particularly nuliifed other church
union schemes. There IL some talk
among the Presbyterians, especial
" in the south, OF a reunion OF
Presbyterianism or a similar basis
The relation OF the colored
churches has long been a problem
OF one sort or another 10 both
branches OF Methodism. The col
ored delegates. for example, are said
10 have been responsible for the
amusement clause" in the book OF
discipline. This issue was up nj
Saratoga, as was also that of Ne
gro bishop for Africa. On the other
hand. the Negroes themselves have
felt that the general conference was
not always considerable OF their
rights OF feelings. In the south. OF
course, the question takes on a dif-
terent phase.
An these issues are solved at
stroke establishing complete col
ored conference, having within It's
Jurisdiction all the Negro Methodist
churches In America, with their own
bishops and their own administra-
tive agencies. This, ii is assumed,
would make possible an early and
comprehensive union of several de-
nominations among the Negroes.
There are already three Negro de-
nominations with African Methodist
in their name. IL is contended that
the self.reliance and initiative Of
the colored churches would be en-
HANGED. and their race conscious
ness encouraged by the creation OF
Negro conference in affiliation
with the big Methodist body.
When organizations as alert as the
great religious denominations pro
pose a merger, all sorts OF Difficult
ties loom up. Each quadrennial
conference under this Methodist
plan may handle its local problems
independently. The most serious
establishments come in relation To
the national and international ell
terprises, such as missions, edu,a-
ton. publishing work, ministerial re-
lief, temperance activities and other
general causes. Naturally, all these
would be amalganatod, if not at
once, then gradually.
Local agencies, such as book
stores and UNCONVENTIONAL papers
would remain as heretofore. Some
form OF consolidation OF the major
boards that would make for unity
all along the line of worldwide
Methodism. would be found. Econ
omy would be promoted and eff
cheney increased, and II is the be-
lief OF all who are advocating a
union that a tremendous impetus
would be given TO the whole church
for larger service OF mankind.
The average newspaper reader
does not always have in mind the
and the elaborate organ
ization OF a religious denomination.
In the Methodist church there are
three and a half million members.
In the Methodist church South there
are more than two million members.
Including all the Methodist demon
nations in the United States, there
are seven and one-half million mem
bers. This tremendous force could
not fail to exert a mighty influence
upon the life OF America.
SO extraordinary an impression
did the prospect Of reunion make
upon the Saratoga conference thai
II left the way open for the next
conference. TO be held two years
hence, after the southern church
has acted on the reunion proposals.
A merger seems as sure as the
stars. II will be the most conspicu-
Gus sign on the religious horizon OF
still greater consolidation and co
operation among religious bodies.