The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-04
METH0D|sTs IN SESSION.
OPENING OF GENERAL CONFER
ENCE MARKED BY PATRIOT
IC DEMONSTRATION.
The Bishops Address Was Read by
bishop Collins Denny and Was
Greeted With Enthusiastic Ap-
pIausc.

cd the opening session Of the general
conference OF the Southern Methodist
Church here today when the bishops
address. declaring. I'VE should be
less than patriotic and courageous
Americans II we failed to give him
president wilson) cordial support
In every way" was greeted by en-
thusiastic applause. Another demon
stration followed the declaration
protesting against the utterAnce OF
any word which might weaken the
president's hands or encourage and
comfort the enemy.
Tho episc opal address to the eight
eenth general conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. South,
was reod by Bishop Collins Denny.
Of Richmond. Va. mt the opening ses-
sion of the conference here today.
The address. which was written by
Bishop e. L. Hoss. and confirmed by
all the bishops. was one OF the
lsngthiest ever delivered to the gem
eral conference, reviewing the work
Of the church during the past four
years and making recommendations
for the future.
Commentator OF the action of
President Wilson before and after the
declaration OF war against Germany
was expressed by the bishops. who
declared I'VE should be less than pa
triotic and courageous Americans Ii
We failed to give him our cordial sup
port In every way"
1T is scarcely necessary for us to
say that the world Is now involved In
the most colossal war in human his
tory said the address. "The destruc-
ton Of property and the loss OF life
have already been appalling and there
10 no prospect. 30 far as we can sec.
TOR an early peace. But we feel en-
tireiy justified In saying that our own
country. though II has been drawn
into active participation In the con-
hict. Is in nowise responsible for
originating II. Neither our rulers nor
our people wanted II. AS a nation we
were more than content to live at
peace with all men. BY no act of
ours had we incurred the Just hostility
Of the belligerent powers. 1t gives
us the greatest satisfaction to affirm
that our president went to the utmost
possible limit to keep us out Of the
fray. If he Is censurable for anything
and we do not think he is-it Is for
having been too forbearing. Not until
h became entirely necessary for US to
night or else submit to the most vio-
lent and brutal outrages at the hands
OF the German kaiser and those who
are banded together with him for the
tyrannical domination OF the. world,
did Mr.. Wilson at last advise the con-
sress TO draw the sword. In our
Judgment he was fully warranted I'm
taking this extreme step. and we
should he less than patriotic and
courageous Americans IL we failed to
give him our corial support In every
way.
The impartial verdict of history.
which In the long run Is always right,
can hardly fail to approve the course
which he has pursued.
AT this particular juncture. when
so much depends on the harmonious
and united action OF all American citi-
gems. we protest against the utter
ance of any word that would either
weaken his hands or give the slight
est announcement or comfort to our
national enemies.
while we. of course. long and pray
for peace. yet we trust when II comes
IL will be a peace full OF justice and
Righteousness. II will be better to
night on and suffer on than TO capitu-
late to a despotism whose methods
recall the worst chapters of heather
barbarity."
The bishops strongly oppose the
movement TO restrict the areas Of the
bishops. so that while they are un-
limited as to the presidency OF an
nuai conferences throughout the whole
connection they must reside in GER
tain districts for. limited time and
be responsible for the development of
church work In that district and re-
port quadrennially to the general con-
ference. The address says in this con-
nection that "any scheme for limiting
their field or jurisdiction would be
sure to diminish the esteem in which
they are held by the general public
nd h., 70 oh