Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1918-05-07
METHODISTS CAN'T
UNITE BECAUSE OF
The NEGRO QUESTION

ATLANTA, Ca, May 7.-0ppostion
to the proposed plan of unifcatlon and
the abolition of the time limit is grow
ing among the clerical and lay dele
gates attending the quadrennial Sou
thern Methodist Episcopal general con-
ference in session here.
If the two branches of Methodism'
North and South, are united, it VIII
sound the deathknell of Methodism-
because the North will dominate the
South and finally absorb its ideals and
institutions and abolish its time
Init" declares Stonewall J. Brown, a
layman, of Miller's School, Va, In a
pamphlet opposing unification.
Twelve or fifteen years ago the
North abolished its time-limit. There
fore it isn't reasonable that they
should be willing to re-instate it, and
the laymen of the South would not
be willing to abolish the time-limit
without hard fight, and this would
cause fictions and functions" said Mr..
Brown.
Many of the church conferences rep
resented at the conference have pre-
scented memorials urging unifcation,
as have messages from the Methodsts
Of China, Great Britain, Ireland ami
Australia.
The one great obstacle to, the unfit
cation plan according to the commits
sion on unification which has reported
I'd the conference, is the negro prob
lem The Southern Methodists want
10 keep the negro churches independ-
emit To this the Northern church re-
fuses to agree, declaring that the ne
gro must be associated with the gen
eral conference and have representa-
ton.
The college of bishops In their
Guadrennial address urged the con-
ference to take some action that might
lead to unification or at least co-opara-
ton between the two great bodies.
1T is still our earnest hope that a
way may be found for some plan Q,
cooperation among the Methodists OF
America which shall, as far as posi-
bic, eliminate wastage of men and
money in the territory in which both
churches have established themselves, .
said the bishops in their address.
The movement to curb the exercise
Of autocratic powers of the bishops Is
also gaining impetus. Several mem
orials have been presented to pro
tect the church against ineffieiency
maI-administration or abuse of author
ity on the part of bishops" They arc
now being considered by proper con-
mittees
One of the most important plans be-
fore the conference is the proposal
ito raise large endowment fund of
probably 100000 to pension super
ANIMATED preachers, widows and fam
lilies of deceased ministers Enthus-
iastic support is being given tbs prop-
oston by both clergy ard Law dele
gates
Other memorials before the confer
ence for action pertain tot the follow
Ing matters: Better support of the
eotored Methodist Episcopal church,
creation of Episcopal districts, laity
rights for women, increased lay rer-
resentation in annual conference, lin,
iting terms of PRESIDING elders, con-
corning support Of home missiona-
ries and a minimum salary for mn
listers, increased lay representation
and better support for retired laymen.
There is also {. memorial before the
conference asking that the use of 10
bacco by Methodist ministers be pro-
KNITTED and also that preachers be re.
strained from Using language unbe-
coming a minister
The conference will hold great pa
trioLic meeting In the auditorium next
Saturday night. at which time secrc-
tfIy of the Navgi Josephus Daniels
VII give the o"in' pal address. Lcrd
Earl Reading. tie Piitish ambassador,
is also expected tn speak.
The conference will probably oe in
SESSION at least i've more weeks as it
has important business to take up for
ac.inn. The mary memorials :e now
IL committee and it will proba Jly be
F Gay before the house will begin d.
cate on the various measures. Final
acton will NJ 'er for several days
later