Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-06-03

strong position, despite the smaller
financial showing in the recent campaign
than had been hoped for.
Bishop Berry, in closing the confer
ence, placed strong emphasis on the
worldwide vision which had characterized
the sessions
Among the most important actions,
taken by the General Conference are
the following ;. ;,
Endorsement of the Interchurch World
Movement.
Abolition of missionary episscopacy,
with accompanying distinctions between
home and foreign fields. ;.
Election of two Negro bishops, eliminat-
ING race boundaries in the churchs
highest office.
Election of II new bishops, the greatest
number ever created at one session. Inc
largest number previously created at one
session was eight.
Continuance of negotiations on UNI
hcation with the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, ignoring the plan pro-
posed by former committee.
Retention of the ban on dancing,
card-playing and theatre-going by much
larger vote than four years ago.
Created board to manage homes ana
hospitals of the church.
Created a commission OF l25,. repre-
senting all important church boards,
to have charge of centenary conservation
work.
Heartily Endorsed the great centenary
movement and its leaders.
Proposed change of name of age
honored quarterly conference to local
conference.
SET RETIREMENT AGE.
Set age when ministers may retire
voluntarily at IS Heretofore all proposed
retirements had TO be approved by
vote Of annual conference.
Refused to strike from the rules ques-
ton: "Do YOU believe in the New Testa-
ment doctrines of faith as taught in the
Articles of Religion of the Methodist
Fpiscoapl church," a question asked
of all candidates for membership.
Refused to merge certain advocates
into one stronger publication.
Endorsed the League of Nations, the
proposed Armenian mandate, and urged
the President and Senate to get together.
Decried efforts to embroil the United
States in the Irish Republic question.
Adopted policy of hberality toward
the missionary work, unprecedented IN
the history of the church.
Adopted conservative policy on pro-
posed appeals to the church Tor hnanclai
aid, all such appeals being referred 20
commission for further consideration
Defeated plans seeking to limit the
| power and term of bishops.
Took strong stand against attempts
to nullify the prohibition amendment.
| PROVIDED FOR WOMEN.
| Gave women right to become local
preachers, but defeated proposal 10
| ordain them as full-hedged ministers.
Ordered that no books should be
in ministerial course of study which
do not agree with the doctrines Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
| Bishop Berry, in the closing address
to the conference, emphasized the spirit
Of brotherliness and hard work which
have prevailed throughout the session.
Zone startling peril to the Method
ism Of our day, he pointed out, rs the
/ trend toward superfciality in the spiritual
/ life He suggested that the church
/ might be hurt by the scnsationalism
/ and superfciality of present-day evange-
/ listic methodist" Are We not, he asked
in the midst Of forces that, posing as
! religious movements. are really assaults
/ on the pure gospel Of Jesus Christ" He
/ warned the church against the subsiitu-
I ton Of great machine for spiritual
/ values.