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

1 II
the supremacy OF the quadrennia
conferences. About this issue con
siderable discussion and debate vii
rage. but there is no doubt abou'
an acceptable Issue being founC
that will serve both the unity OF the
united Methodism and the indepen
dence of the quadrennial confer
ences.
Each OF these sectional confer
ences will elect its own bishops anc
administer its own work, meetins
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 Ger
tain line will go 10 the Northern
conference, and those south or thai
line will go to the Southern confer
ence. Local conditions will be met
by the individual conferences.
The scheme is beautiful In It's
simplicity and effectiveness, and
there is not the least likelihood OF
any recalcitrant body, such as has
particularly nullihed other church
union schemes. There is some talk
among the Presbyterians, especial
iy in the south. OF reunion or
Presbyterianism on 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 boob OF
discipline. This issue was up al
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 considerate OF their
rights or feelings. In the scItN. oil
course, ne question takes OIL d.f-
scrent phase.
All these issues are solved at
stroke establishing a 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, 1t 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. II 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 afiliatioh
with the big Methodist body.
When organizations az alert as the
great religious denominations pre-
pose a merger, all sorts Of difficul-
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 en-
terprises, such As missions, edu IA
ton, publishing work. ministerial re-
lief, temperance activities and other
general causes. Naturally, all these
would be amalgalnatcd; II at al
onoe, 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
magnitude and the elaborate organ
ization OF a religious denomination
In the Methodist church there ar
; three and a half million members
: In the Methodist church South Their
: are more than two million members
Including all the Methodist demon
nations In the United States, ther
are seven and one-half million men
: bers. This tremendous force coul
not fail to exert a mighty innuenc
upon the life of America
So extraordinary an impressio
did the prospect OF reunion max
upon the Saratoga conference ths
II left the way open for the nes
conference, to be held two year
hence, after the southern churc
has acted on the reunion proposals
A merger seems as sure as tn
stars. II will be the most conspicr
Gus sign on the religious horizon o
still greater consolidation and ca
operation among religious bodies.