Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-05
MINISTERS REFUSE
LAYMEN'S REQUEST
~ J. Methodist Conference Re-
jects Vigorously Equal
Voice Resolution
STUDY COURSE ATTACKED

II Atlantic City, March 5.-The New
/, Jerzsy annual Methodist Episcopal Con-
f<rcnce at today's session overwhelming
II defeated an amendment to the con-
tfitution granting laymen equal poicc
IN the convention. The Rev. George W.
Ridout. of Taylor University, made II
brief comment. saying that ministers
should guard their own deliberations.
r. was feared that lay delegates might
possibly outnumber the ministers at CON
fcrences and also later influence the
ptshop's cabinet in regard to appoint.
ments.
IL -Four year Fight Lost
The lay amendment has been pending
Tor four years, but. it is believed, is
hnalIy rejected by today's action.
Charles VI. Lewiston, Antisaioon
League superintendent in the Camden
district, was received into the New Jer-
sey Conference by transfer from the
Baltimore Conference.
Linwood Miller, Linwood. and John
i. Pitt, Seabright. were admitted to
full membership at the executive session
this morning. Miller. Norman McCon.
nell, Riverside. and Il. II. Elinghousc.
Eatoutown, will be orda ined as elders
BY Bishop Berry on Sunday.
s The new course of study adopted at
the last general conference was char
terised as "flled with Unitarianism. So
cialism and German philosophy, afro
ciously contrary to the standard of doc
trines of our church, " by Rev Rid
ont in discussion over memorial re-
earding a change in the constitution
submitted by the Wilmington confer,
encc.
The Wilmington resolution to be sub.
mitted to the general conference would
clothe the bishops with greater power,
Including the rights of veto. The New
Jersey conference voted concurrence,
but the action was not carried unani-
mously. Doctor Ridout uttered his de-
nunciation Of the present course of
study.
Captain C. Oliver asked the ministers
TO urge enlistments from the ranks of
their congregations. The army today
presents even more opportunities TO the
right young men than is offered by the
successful in business life, he told the
conference.
The conference elected John II.
Mason, of Camden, secretary of the
conference claimants fund Alfred
Wngg, superintendent of the Bridgeton
district; NJ. L. Snyder, superintendent
of the Trenton district; J. d. Bills,
superintendent of the New Brunswick
district. and Harold p. Sloan, of Red
Bank as delegates to the general con-
ference.
Camden Man Rule Victim
Superintendent Alexander Corson, of
the Camden district, was denied the
honor as result OF a misunderstand-
ing. Superintendent COrson and his
father, Pennington Corson, of Pleas
antville, were both eligible. \ ruling
OF the election was that if there are
two men of the same name, the ballot
would not be counted unless there was
4 designation. The incident brought
rebuke from Bishop Berry, who bluntly
told the ministers that their stupidity
robbed a man of his election.
Tobacco, drugs, gambling, race
tracks, vencral diseases and drive for
uniform marriage and divorce laws
are included in the enlarged program
Of the board of temperance and prohl-
bit;on. The Rev. G.. G. Rarick. exec
utive secrtary, outlined the plans.
Extensive newspaper and magazine
advertising, the distribution of tons of
literature and press bureaus will be
used in the country wide Crusades. II
Is known that a bill which would sound
the death knell to racetracks is already
awaiting the proper time for prcSen-
tation at Washington.
President Wilson and Governor Ed
ward /. Edwards were roundly scored
by Doctor Rarck. The speaker charged
President Wilson with holding up war e
time prohibition for two years. and
added that he would now put into the
Office of Secretary of state man who
is friendly to the brewing interests, H
man whom he can manipulate.