Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-21
CONFERENCE CEASES
BUSY 15-DAY SESSION
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Commission viii Select Meet
ing Place for MethodiStS at
Conference to Be Held in
May, 1922

After fifteen days of business ses-
sions in Wesley Memorial church, the
eighteenth quadrennial general confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal church,
south, adjourned sine die at $50 o'clock
Saturday afternoon.
The next general conference will open
the first Wednesday in May, 1922, at
a place to be selected by a commission
named for that purpose.
Many of the conference delegates
left Atlanta Saturday night. Some of
the ministers will remain over to fill
assignments today in local pulpits, al
though others cancelled their engage
ments wnen they found that adjourn
ment would be taken Saturday.
In many respects the general confer
ence Just ended, declared by Bishop Z.
r. Hendrix, senior bishop, in his clos
ing remarks, to be mot only a progress
sive but a wise general conference.
has been one Of the most notable In the
history of the church. Two constltu-
tional matters were acted upon and
many other matters of legislation dis
posed of. The most important actions
taken were the following:
Actions Taken
The vote to change the Apostles
creed by substituting the words
"Christ's Holy Church" for Holy
Catholic Church" This, being con-
stitutional change, must be ratified by
three-fourths' vote of the annual con-
feIences before becoming effective
The decision to extend full laity
privileges to women. This also is sub
ject 20 confirm - IL: annual oCT-
ferences.
The division of the church into Epis-
coos; disrr cts VITA tie Recommendation
that each bishop be assigned for four
successive years.
LEGISLATION designed to promote the
great centenary movement to raise
within five years, $35,000,000 for home
and foreign missions and church extern
sion.
The decision to raise $1S,0oo,O00 for
schools and colleges and $5,00O,0oO each
for Emory and southern Methodist uni
versities.
The appointment of a war work COM
mission, headed by Bishop w. r. Lam
buth who is 10 devote all his time to
this work, and the decision to raise at
least 100000 a year during the next
quadrennium for this work.
The change from the assessment Of
various benevolent purposes to budget
system, and the apportionment of all
collections by a committee for this pur-
pose.
The change in the law relative to the
time limit on pastorates so that
pastor may remain at one charge more
than your years on the recommendation
OF his quarterly conference, majority
of the presiding elders concurrtng ana
the bishop approving.
Patriotism Runs High
The creation of a board to distr1b-
ute funds for superannuates and 20
provide better care for them.
The provision that the commission on
appeals may sit as a board of conflict
to settle differences between boards and
other branches of church authority.
The continuation OF the commission
on unification, with authority to nego-
tiate with a like commission from the
northern church.
The increasing of lay representation
at annual conferences from four to
eight for each presiding elders dis
trict.
Patriotism has run high throughout
the sessions, even to the closing prayer,
in which DR.. II. c. Morrison, of Will
more KY, prayed that the Lord will
confuse the kaiser; send Consideration
into his hosts; break the lines of his
army; break down and destroy Prus-
sianism; pity and save the souls OF our
enemies"
their praise of the reception accorded
them in Atlanta and have especially
commended DR.. J. H. Fakes as head OF
the committee on entertainment; DR.. j.
a. Sharp, pastor of the wesley Memo
rial church. and Bishop Warren A.
Gambler, the bishops residing in Allan
ia, for the part they contributed In
making the conference success
The two sessions of Saturday were
devoted largely to winding UP, with as
much speed as possible, the various I'M
disputed reports on the calendar.
Long before the afternoon session was
over there was far less than quorum
present.
Meet in Atlanta
The pla2 of episcopal visitation Tor
1918 and 1919, as announced by the
college of bishops through the secte-
tary, Bishop Collins Denny, set the
date for the North Georgia conference,
which is to be held in Atlanta, for No
venber 10. The South Georgia con-
ference will open in Valdosta on NO
vember 20. These and also the Florlda
conference, which meets in Jackson
willie December 4, will be presided over
by Bishop Warren A. Gambler.
The fall meeting of the bishops Will
be held in Shreveport November 70 o.
Following is a complete list OF the
episcopal assignments:
First District, Bishop E. r. Hendrix
Western Virginia conference, Septem-
Der 4, 1885, Virginia conference, Char
lottesvilIe. March 13, 1918; Baltimore
conference, March 26, 1919.
Second District, Bishop W. A. Gambler
North Georgia conference, Atlanta,
November IS, 1918; south Georgia con-
ference, Valdosta, November 20, 1918;
Florida conference, Jacksonville, De-
cember 4, 1918.