The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-04-27

A partial list of laymen who are
going from this district to the M. E.
general conference in Des Moines, Ia,
which convenes May 1, was given out
by the Rev. Sommerville Light, dis
trict superintendent. Monday.
They include: o. F. Ward, of this
city; Oris L. Burr, Newcastle; Mrs.
w. H. Chandler, Pennville; Elwood
Starbuck, w. w. Martin, A. G. Neal,
Fort Wayne; w. B. Freeman, Wa
bash; Freeman Hall. Kokomo;
Charles Knapp, Anderson; President
George R. Grose, Of DePauw univer-
sity, Greencastle.
1t was the opinion of DR.. Light
that because of difference Of opinions
in the various conferences, Indiana
would not be made a separate epis-
copacy.
No session of the general confer
ence in recent years has held as much
interest for Indiana Methodists. The
general conference of the Methodist
church is regarded as one of the fore
most deliberative and governing
church bodies in the world and its
program of activity commands wide
attention outside the realm of Meth
odism. The assemblage will be COM
posed of $50 delegates, divided equally
between the clergy and the lay mem
bers. Indiana will be represented by
AZ delegates, Fl having been selected
by the ministers from their own group
and an equal. number by laymen.
Two matters which are of para.
mount importance to Indiana Method.
lists will be presented before the gen.
eral conference. The first is pro-
posal that the state of Indiana be des.
| ignated as a separate Episcopal area
with the establishment of a residence
and office for a bishop in Indianapo.
| lis. The other is the election of from
six to 10 bishops and the probability
that one or more Indiana clergymer
will be elevated to the bisphoric, the
highest honor within the gift of the
Methodist church.
Plan Considered Several Years
The plan of making Indiana a sepa
[ rate episcopacy has been under con
sideration in various parts of the state
for a number Of years. Under this
plan Indiana Methodism would be
brought under single control. At the
present time the three conferences
are divided between two areas. the
Northern being included in the Chi
cago area and Indiana under the Gin
| ClnnaLl jurisdiction.
The Methodist educational system
Is one Of the dominant features of itl
extension work. The rapid growth O
DePauw university at Greencastls
makes the institution one of the mos
outstanding among Methodist univers
tiles in the middle West. Last yea
Moore's Hill college was moved t.
Evansville and was reorganized will
a substantial endowment under tn
name Of Evansville university. TIL,
third Methodist institution of highe
training is Taylor university, at Up
land, which meets particular require
ments to which it directs it's specia
attention.
Other States May Follow.
Because of the diversified activitie
of the Methodist church in this state
many are of the opinion that Indian
should become a separate unit. Shout
dn Episcopal residence be located a
Indianapolis an expenditure of al
proximately $250,000 for the construt
ton of buildings and equipment fo
the proper and efficient administrs
teon of the affairs of the denominatio
would. be required.
The establishment of an episcopac
in Indiana is not overshadowed by tn
, interest in the election of new bishop
The number to be chosen will be fixe
, later. Several prominent Indian
Methodists are in the foreground IL
the bishophric.
Those who are in favor of a sep
rate Indiana episcopacy point out thu
]. the expense would be no greater tina
=. under the present plan. The thre
,, ! conferences in this state contribu