The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-02


Elected Secretary of the NJ. E. Cen
eraI Conference Today.
sThen the proposition was made that
asthird ballot be taken for a secretary,
Rev Dr. E. Johnston of northwest
Iowa, one candidate for office moved
the rules requiring a ballot be sus-
pended and that the temporary secre-
tary cast one vote for DR.. Edwin
Locke The other candidates. the Rev.
DR. E. M Mills of central New York,
and the Rev. M. E. Snyder of New
York, seconded the motion which was
carried. Dr. Locke after being de-
clared elected appointed Drs. john
sion, Mills and Snyder assistant sec
retaries.
Prom Topeka Church.
EDr. Edwin Locke. who was today
elected secretary of the Methodist
Episcopal conference at Saratoga
Springs, n. Y, is pastor of the Euclid
Avenue Methodist church in Topeka.
Word of his election was received at
his home, 1929 Bolles avenue, at noon
today.
@-Ir. Locke has resided in Topeka for
six=years. He had served one year as
pastor of the Euclid church and was
returned in March of this year. He
was prominent in the Kansas confer
ence of the Methodist church and is
we'll known in Topeka.
Conference Favors Move.
The recommendation of the board
of=bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
church for an organic union with the
Methodist Episcopal church south
aroused great enthusiasm today
among delegates to the general con-
ference. This recommendation was
contained in the Episcopal address,
the formal utterance of the board of
bishops to the conference, which was
read by Bishop John w. Hamilton of
Beston.
Bishop Joseph F. Berry of Philadel-
phia, who presided at today's session
Said:
This hearty and unusual demon
stration of the heart of this body con-
corning organic union is most signifi-
can't. 1t would seem most appropriate
that at this moment we bow our heads
and silently ask Gods blessing on this
movement and His guidance as to the
methods to bring it about"
The assemblage was hushed as al
the delegates bowed their heads il
silent prayer. The address in part fol
lows:
1.-The occasion requires the keenest
dhscernment and most tolerant appre.
citation of the opinions and feelings il
the several belligerent nations. This
is especially true of Methodists who
by their systems of church polity are
related to every nation at war"
The plan adopted four years ago O.
trying out the residential supervision
on the part of the bishops, whereby
each bishop has charge of the annua
conferences contiguous to his Episco
PAL residence, has been satisfactory t.
the bishops but they feel that it is un
desirable to group several such Epis
copal areas.
Favors Church Reunion
1t tends" the address sets forth
70 limit the experience and know
ledge of the bishops to restricted sec
tons to prevent a wise and prope
use of the transfer system (for min
isters) to hinder their (the bishops
most perfect service to those parts O
the church which are missionary il
character and their largest use of tn
church boards whose operations GOV
er the entire country
The proposal to reunite the Metho
dist Episcopal church and the Meth
odist Episcopal church south, whicl
divided about 10 years ago over tn
question of slavery, is approved in tn
address. The attitude of the bishon
on this question follows:
I'VE are convinced of the essentia
unity OF the two great Methodisns il
doctrine and life and this essentia
union must in due season express it
Without presuming to pronounc
upon term of union we decIar
ourselves earnestly in favor of the or
ganic church south and of other sue
Douies as may snare our common faitl
and experience. Moreover. we declar
ourselves in favor of such q unio
upon terms that shall provide an am
pie and brotherly protection of an
Minority
Condemn Child Labor.
The bishops praised the denomina
tienal activities among the negroes @
the south, the labors of the rnissio
boards and the study and criticism Q
the scriptures under the direction G
the Laymen's Missionary society
Child labor, the growth of Mormon
ism, the repeal of Sabbath observanc
laws in several localities and the liquo
traffic were denounced.