New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-29
Methodist General Confer
ence COnSecrates New
Church PrelateS.
BROTHERS ACT
FOR BROTHERS
Retiring Bishop Cranston Reads
Collect and Conducts For
NAL Examination.
tBy Telegraph 10 Tbs Tribune J

Conservation services for the nine
newly elected bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church were held this after
noon by the General Conference. The
collect was read by the venerable
Bishop Cranston, who will retire this
week because of age. Scripture les
sons were read by Bishops Hartzeli
and Warne, and Bishop Cranston con-
Quoted the examination of the new
bishops. The prayer of conservation
was by Bishop Berry.
A unique feature of the service was
that two of the consecrating bishops
officiateG in behalf of their brothers
Rishoo Edwin II. Hughes for Matthew
s. Hughes and Bishop John W. Hamil-
toa for Franklin Hamilton. The con-
secrations took place in the order OF
election.
Herbe,t Welch was presented by
Richard T. Stevenson and Charles NJ.
Van Pelt and was consecrated by
Bishops Cranston and Berry.
Thomas Nicholson, presented by Da-
vid G. Downey and John H. Race. was
consecrated by Bishops Mcdowell and
Leete.
Adna Wright Leonard. presented by
Edwin H. Todd and George NJ. Fowies'
was consecrated by Bishops Burt and
Wilson.
Matthew Simpson Hughes was pre-
sented by Albeit IS. Fisher and J.
Sumner Stone and consecrated py
bishops Edwin II. Hughes and Nicely
William Fitzjames Oldham, present,
cd bv Austin NJ. Courtenay ana
| Charles W. Drees. was consecrated by
| bishops Anderson and Nelson.
I CHARLES Bayard Mitchell was pre-
| scntsd bv Charles l.. Locke and Jonh
". Hancher and consecrated by DISH
OBS Quayle and Lewis. /,
Franklin Hamilton, presented pY
Iemucl ii. Murlin and Edgar BLAKE
was consecrated by Bishops john W.
Hamilton and Brisoi, missionary blsh-
oTs for Africa.
/ Alexander Priestly Camphor, pre-
sented by John W. f. Bowen and Ed
word NJ Jones, was consecrated by
Bisbops Stunt and Henderson ana
Miseionar- Bishops Hartzell and Seott,
Fben Samuel Johnson was presented
| bv Albert L. Craig and Ernest W.
! picbardson and consecrated by blsh-
ons Shepherd and Mcconnell and MIS-
| sionary Bishop Hartzell.
Most Important Conference
The conference is believed by the
doiogates one of the most important
ever held. principally because OF 'he
mans adopted, which are expected 10
| lead 20 the unifcation OF MetnodlSl
( churches North and South within Iour
wears and perhaps by 1919 ..
When the conference adJouFns 70,
r,orrow II will be 10 meet at the can
Of the bishops, thus giving opportuhi!y;
| for another session two years hence II
II Is believed advisable. The plans ioi
uni6cation then will be presented 10
the Southern Church by represeh,atlEes
Of both churches, who are TO arrange
tho details in the mean time.
THE conference has placed the
Church on record as favorlng renewed
effort in the foreign and home mis-
sionary field and has systematlIed 'he
management of both these branches
Plans have been adopted TO correilate
the financial appeals OF the various
boards A revised ritual is TO take the
Mace OF the form of service which mas
| been in effect for many years. Inc
missionary episcopacy, when some
delegates sought to eliminate, has beer
retained. III
Efforts are to be made TO raise WIN
in the next four years slO,OOO,OOC
pension fund for retired clergymen snd
their widows. The conference has
taken an advanced stand on several
questions. Members of the Church
were urged to ally themselves with poo-
litical efforts against the liquor traf'
( fc. A new section Of the discipline
will ask that members refrain from the
use Of tobacco.
Suffrage Endorsed.
Suffrage was Endorsed and polygamy
denounced. Efforts TO remove tne
amusement clause" from the discipline
again failed, and members still are Ina
BILE to expulsion if they play cards
dance or attend theatres.
Ministers who officiate at the mar
rage Of divorced persons are MADE
answerable to their conferences for ar
act of administration Previously
there was no penalty.
Regarding the labor problem, the
Church took action which gives recog
milton to collective bargaining and rec
ognizes the labor union as force IN
society which has brought great bene'
fits TO the lsboring man. Although an
attempt 10 secure the Endorsement OF
the preferential employment of union
labor failed, it is asserted that the
stand taken by the Church on this
question is greatly advanced.
Plans were set in motion 20 make re
newed missionary effort in Europe al
the close Of the war, pending which M
additions to the force abroad will be
made. The conference pledged tc
President Wilson the cooperation Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in ar