Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-06
METHOD|STS RAISE
DANCE QUESTION
Sweeping Amusement Resolution
Before the General Conference
at Des Moines.
,,,.ciai Dispatch TO Every Evening


The first attempt to bring up the amuse-
ment articles of the Discipline of the
Methodist Episcopal Church was made
Yesterday at the General Conference
when a resolution was offered asking the
committee on Judiciary To bring IN re-
port on the constitutionality Of the
article The resolution was referred to
the committee ON state of the church.
This paragraph makes it the duty
Of the pastor to demonstrate with Il
member who dances, plays cards, attends
horse races or violates the advice OIL the
church on various other amusements,
and to expcl the member from the church
in case of continued violations.
Another set Of resolutions opposed the
use of public funds for sectarian purposes.
In the debate il was alleged that II some
States money raised by general taxation
was being used 10 help support scctanan
schools.
A member Of the Chinese delegation
presented Il resolution asking that the
conference request the United States 10
investigate alleged smuggling Of opium
into China by Japahese and other alleged
acts of the japanese 10 which the Chinese
objected Inc committee on foreign
missions will consider the resolution.
India asked for 4 general supcrin-
ICIUcnI OI biSHtp- -htAtt3NiH ~ 'A's
delegation from that country SAID they
believed the time had arrived when the
missionary bishop in charge Of the church
work in India should be given the powers
and duties of regular bishop. The mat
ter went to the committee on eplscopacy.
The delegation from the Philippine
Islands introduced resolution favor
ing prohibition in the Islands. and calling
upon the United states government 70
extend the operation of the federal pro-
hibition law 10 their country. The reso-
luton was adopted unanimously and
copies were ordered sent 70 the President,
presiding officer Of the Senate and speaker
Of the House of Representatives.
Bishop J.. y Cooke of Helena. Mont.
rendered his resignation 10 the con
ference I'll health was gwen as the rca-
SON He is 65 years old and started IN
the ministry A. years ago.
The following resolution was adopted,
creating special committee to consider
the report of the commission on unilca-
ton and report its findings TO the General
Conference.
Resolved, That the report Of the COM
mission on unihcatlon hc referred 70 q
special committee to be made up as
follows:
Five bishops. to he selected by the
board of bishops,
Four representatives two ministers
and two layncn from each Episcopal
area in the United States, 10 be selected
bv the delegates from the respective
areas
Four representatives Two ministers
and two lavmen from Eastern ASIA.
-Four representatives Two ministers
and TWO laymen from Europe
Four representatives Two ministers
and two laymcn from LAtIu-Amerlca.
Two representatives One minister ana
one lavInan from Africa; To lie selected ~
the respective groups OF delegates.
Judge Fl. c. Conrad Of Delaware was
elected as one Of the lay representative
from the Washington area on the speci.
committee called FOR by the above resoiu- .
ton.
An opporttlne time in the transaction of
the business Of the conference was ac-
tcpted bv Dr Robert Watt for the intro
,luction Of the following resolution, and i
was adopted by a rising vote.
Resolved. That the members of tie
General Conference give expression to
their grateful apnrecIatlon Of the qlladrer-
NAL address presented by Bishop William
Fraser Mcdowell OH behalf OF the board
Of bishops As We listened to tins epochal
address VIC were impressed with its com
prehensive and sympathetic grasp Oi the
vital problems which our church i facing
in this new dav Of the world : history
with its lucid gripping statement of
urinciDlc@ rather than a recital OF status
ties: with its lofty ami dIgnItIed spirit
lending to its utterances the inspiration
1T the prophet rather than the scribe.
with lis intelligent and illuminating under
standing Of thc delicate and grave prht-
lens now teforc he church; with it,
fearless and loyal recognition 81 the
challenge Of q present day Providence;
with it, pledge 10 the Great Head oi the
church that the progeny of an honored
race are ready as much as in them lies 70
seek in the light oi the Holy spirit te
find the right way, the true path, which
according 10 His guidance, shall prompt
lIs to effective service III all that apper
tains to the building Of His Kingdom in the
earth This glorious declaration Of
principles appeals 10 the best that Is III Us,
and we, on our part JON n the faith and
spirit of this call TO service and pledge to
Bishop Mcdowell and his colleagues,
new allegiance to our Hing. Whose We
are and " hom We serve. Ne would also
express our appreciation OF the leadership
which, during the past quadrenni4m, oar
chief pastors have brought to the church
4 leadership which enheartened us when
the going was hard and inspired us when
the problems were difficult, and We con-
fdently believe that our great church
shares with Us the views herein expressed.
NEEDS OF THE NEGRO.
A resolution was passed and referred TO
the committee on epIscopacy creating a
committee consisting Of ore minister and
one lavrnan from each episcopal area 10
ie appointed by the bishops to inquire
into the leeds Of the 100000 members of
the African, descent from the 50 Negro
delegates. and from all other available
sources of information, and report 70 the
conference not later than today, and
make such recommendations as In their
Judgment will give some episcopal leader
ship of their own race