The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-05-17

BY an overwhelming vote the Gener-
al Conference of the Southern Meth
odist church formally cast a vote cn
Monday morning that removed the r.
ritating restrictions upon woman's
full recognition in that church and
gave to the women full compliance
with the demands made by them. The
matter was not disposed of though,
without hard fight, accompanied by
charges of unfairness, railroading and
steam-roller tactics. Considerable
feeling was manifested in the proceed
ure, and it is not positive certainty
yet that the matter will not be brought
up again before the final adjourn
ment of the conference.
During Monday afternoon and night
the big topic of conversation in the
hotel lobbies was concerning the wo-
mans rights question. Leaders in the
conference membership are found on
both sides, each equally sincere in his
convictions. Conservatives believe it
will react upon the standing Of the
church, bringing it into disrepute,
while sympathizers with the move
ment declare it is long stride on the
part of Methodists to bring the church
into actual contact with the spirit of
the day and make it more democratic.
The question was brought to the
conference in its regular order on The
calendar when the report Of the com
mittee on revisals, concurring in the
women's appeal, was taken up. The
committee recommended that the three
restricting paragraphs in the discip-
| line, 54S, 594 and GOA, be repealed, and
that all other wording in various parts
/ Of the discipline be changed so that no
distinction is made between males and
females, and that no sex lines be per-
mH4Ad to remain.
Linn Of Wisgelss aenelgs. lea the
debate, speaking in beAalf u Tag coHi-i
mittee.
Mr.. Linn confessea to his couyerrr
sion on the matter, Stree he has always
been opposed to women's rights. HeI
now judges it to be move toward de-
mocracy in thee hurch government,
'and," said he, you may think what
you will, but democracy is sure to
come. We are not content to give our
sons and men in war which is a
struggle against autocracy to make |
democracy safe in the world, and then
submit like slaves to autocracy in the
church."
Judge John S. Gambler made the
point of order that the whole report
was out of order, since it did not con-
form to rules and give the reading Of
the changed passages as they would
be in perfected form. Judge M. E
Lawson of Missouri made the point Of
order that Judge Gambler himself was
out of order, as he had not made his
point prior to debate after the pre-
vious question had been called. Bish-
op E. d. Mouzon, in the chair, sus-
tanned the Missouri mans point, which
met such universal approval that
Judge Gambler thought it futile to APP
peal from the chairs decision. Turn
ing to Judge Lawson he spiritedly ex-
claimed "You have ehoked and throt-
tied us without discussion. ask for
a vote by orders"
The conference voted heavily against
voting by orders. The main question
was put and carried, bringing to al
end, at least for the time the agitation
of many years and marking another
step in the progress made by the ag:-
tators of a more democratic church.
What the next step will be is unknown
Possibly it will be in connection with
the proposal of the laymen's appeal
that the lay membership in annual con.
ferences be so increased until one lay
delegate from each pastoral charge,
instead of the four, as at present, or
the ten as will be recommended by tie
committee.