Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-04-26
LAYMEN To PROPOSE
To DEMOCRATIC"
METHODIST CHURCH
General Conference viii Con-
slider Question of CutaiIing
Authority of BiShOpS-Other
Radical Changes Suggested

ing and radical changes in the govern
ment of the church and which may
make the Atlanta conference the most
notable in the history of the church.
Two of the most significant move
ments. both of which, it is said, origi-
mated in Nashville, Tenn. are the pro-
posal to vastly curtaiI the authority
of bishops and to "democratize" the
church by giving laymen virtually as
much voice in clerical affairs as the
ministers themselves and the proposal
to grant women the same voice in
church affairs as men.
Other matters to come up will be
the election of from three to five new
bishops; the definite settlement OF the
question of Union with the northern
Methodist church; the question OF mt
ing the four-year limit of pastors serV-
ice at one charge and numerous other
important matters which can be dis
posed of only by the general conference
as the supreme legislative body OF the
Southern Methodist church.
vigorous Fight Likely
The question of possibly the greatest
!mpor; is that designated by some OF
the Iaymen backing the movement as
plan to "democratize the church" ana
on this subject probably the most
vigorous fight in the history of the
church will center.
This question has been summarized
by those advocating the change as be-
ing based on the three following car
dinaI principles:
One, the development of a great
er degree of democracy in the
church This would develop not
only additional recognition in the
councils of the church, but great
er degree of liberty for the minis
try also.
Two, the limitation of the au-
thority of the episcopacy, both as to
term of office and as to making
appointments, and the limitation of
episcopal functions to executive du-
ties only, whereas at present the
bishops are vested also with legls-
lative and judicial powers, thus
combining in one small group the
three functions of government.
Three. a clearer definition Of the
relation of the episcopacy to the
church and the general conference
boards especially.
The revolutionary proposals would fix
residences of bishops limit terms of
representation with clergy in the va
rious bishops vabinets. thus making
sweeping changes in the method of as
signing thousands of ministers through
out the country. 1t also is proposed
to take from the bishops the authority
of appointments to mission fields.
The laymen promoting the movement
have asserted that "as our church holds
the episcopacy to be an office. and not
an order. life tenure is an anomaly"
It also is proposed to do away with
'the unit rule and secret session Of
the episcopacy" It being contended
that "the bishops are the servants OF
the church: the church has a right TO
know what they do and why they do it"
Bishop Gambler Silent
Bishop Warren A. Gambler. the only
one of the thirteen bishops of the
church living in Atlanta, declined
Thursday to discuss the proposed leg
islation in any way. taking the view
point that it would be unbecoming of
him to express any views at this time
and preferring to let the entire matter
develop on the floor of the conference.
Some of those opposing the change,
however. contend that many ministers
hold the opinion that the movement was
inaugurated by "a small cOteTie of lay
men possessing an animus against the
bishops" These claim that the move
ment has only a small backing; that
the church at large is well satisfied
with present conditions and that the eff
feet of the proposals for such radical
will be negligible.
L.aymen backing the movement how
ever, claim strong support and have dis
tributed broadcast literature setting
forth their views.
In the conference laymen and minis
tiers will have an equal representation.
So the fight, provided the movement has
the momentum its adherents claim for
it, promises to be a strong one
Women Seek Privileges
The movement to give women of the
church the same voice in church af-
fairs as is now exercised b men also
is sponsored from NashvN by the
Woman's Missionary council. headed BY
Miss Belle II. Bennett, o. mat city
The council this month was called to-
gether in Knoxville and adopted a me
mortal calling upon the general confer
snce to strike out paragraph as, para
graph 594 and paragraph 6O4 DDS
,ipline 1914 and TO make such other
disciplinary changes as will grant full
lay membership TO the women Of the
Methodist Episcopal church. south"
Para graph as says: II is not n
harmony with the spirit of our law that
women be members Of a district con.
ference
Para gra pm 594 says. 1t is not law
full to elect a woman steward.
Paragraph 6O4 says: Il woman may
De elected a superintendent of a sun
lay school, but is not thereby a MEM
Der of the quarterly conference"
1t is estimated that the number #
women in the church aggregates 1850
100. They ask. according TO the coun-
ILL., that the above restrictions against
'ully one-half Of the membership OF the
,hurch be removed from the discipline;
hat the word Iayman' be interpreted
% include women; that the church 10
which they are giving their lives shall
grant them recognition as full members
IF the church of God and truly wei
,ome to all it's privileges. and for
he recognition and privileges which
ire inherent with membership"
They claim that the women OF the
Methodist Episcopal church, south, are
he only women in the world, save the
negro Methodist women, who are denied