Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-28
OUADRENNiAl MEETING OF
METhoDisTs CONCLUDES
WORK.
MAY BE CALLED IN
EXTRA. SESSION SOON
Conference May Be Assembled to
Hear Final Report on Plans tor
Mercer With Methodist Church
South Much Important Work
! Transacted.

eighth uuadrepnial session OF the
general conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church came to close
yesterday afternoon at 1890 O'Clock
with the benedtction pronounced by
Bishop Frank w Warne.
The adjournment was taken sub
ject to the call of the board of bish-
OPS in order that, should the special
commission to be appointed by the
bishops in convention with like
number OF memne rs from the Meth
odist Episcopal church south reach
decision on uniticaton OF the two
branches of Methodism. special ses-
sion OF the general conference. may
be called by the general superintend-
ents to consider the report.
THE conference just adjourned was
remarkable in many ways. BY the
conservatives it is regarded as radi-
cal in some of it's tendencies, but
conservative in its enactments. BY
the proSressives 1t is regarded as
reactionary conference in Its legis-
lation.
Three Outstanding Features.
Three outstanding features in the
matter of enactment draw the line
were: First, the declaration of the
conference itself thai Question 8 in
the ritual. DO you believe in the
doctrines of the scriptures as set
forth in the articles of religion of the
Methodist Episcopal church?" was
constitutional despite the ruling oil
the Judiciary committee. Second, the
refusal TO accept the majority report
on the conference course of study.
Third, action on the amusement Ques-
ton. retaining the ban on certain
forms of amusement.
In, connection with the stand on
the course of study, DR.. Fl. p Sloan,
who charged that DR.. Franklin Rails
book on the History of the New
Testament taught improper concep-
tons of the virgin birth, the holy
spirit and the deity of Christ, was
called upon by DR.. Stuart, president
OF Garrett Theological Seminary, in
which DIR. Rail is an instructor to
either substantiate his charges and
prefer charges against DR.. Rail- or
viii draw his accusations.
Tho protest Was ordered printed
and became apart of the journal.
The proposed amendment of Judge
Spurlock. of Nebraska. that one bish-
op be elected by the bishops to pre-
side at the next session of the gem
eral conference, did not carry by the
required two-t thirds majority.
Outline of Work.
Thruout the work of the sitting
committee, reports were reduced to
the minimum and quick work was
made of most of them. Little or no de-
bate was cccasioned in the closing
session and a calmness which had not
Teen noticeable IN the preceding two
or three DAYS was in evidence. Fever
had apparently subsidized and when
the hour for adjournment came the
conference was ready for it.
The largest number of bishops ever
elected by any general conference is
the record. as it reveals the selection
of seventeen men for the office OF
general superintendent The elimina-
ton of the office of missionary bish-
op made necessary three of the cleo
tons to the higher office.
District superintendent will not
be under any time limit as to term of
Office in the future. since the six
year limit was. removed. The provi-
sion will work both ways. Heretofore
it has been the general understand
ing, altho there was no law covering
the point, that when man was
appointed to the office of district sup
erintendent he was in the office for
SIX years. He, could serve no longer
Under the new provision he shall be
re-appointed annually.
Two New Boards.
The creation of hospital board
and also an Epworth League board
is hailed as a victory by the repre-
sentaiives of these institutions.
Altho thoroughly committed
to the principle of equal political suf-
frage the conference was not quite
ready to grant full ecclesiastical
rights to women and was content
with licensing women, as local preach
ers with the right to baptize and per-
form marriages. when actually en-
gagged in the work of the ministry.
The serious objection registered
against feminine ordination was the
expressed danger of their coming to
the episcopacy, which some regard
ed as menacing.
The foreign mission committee re-
port called upon the Japanese gov
ernment to put a stop to all abuses
which prevail in Korea and China
and the conference in special resolu-
ton favored an American mandate