Evening journal., 1921-04-07
M. P.
Church SURVEY
Suggestion, in Annual Re-
port, Will be Considered
at Newark Conference
"OPEN" SUNDAY
is CONDEMNED

NEWARK. y. j.. April Fol
lowing the formal opening OF the
Maryland Annual Conference OF the
Methodist Protestant Church in the
First Methodist Protestant Church.
Of Newark, the president. the Rev.
DIT. James II. straughn in his an
nual report. proposed a survey Of
all churches In the district with
view toward the regrouping Of coun-
try churches The board OF survey
would have advisory relations with
all future building enterprises Of the
conference and would be prepared
TO indicate in the future where
buildings may be needed.
This, with the proposal Of an
evangelization program for the con-
ference. and the recollection OF con
ference officers, marked the business
session OF the conference. In the
morning after the devotional exer-
cises and communion, the con-
ference sermon was preached by the
+ Rev DIR. George NJ. Clayton. Of Will
NNAA AA'AHA HAAAN AMMEEMn ANAINAINONRs
Memorial services for tho ministers
who died during the year were held
Tho presidents report was refer
red to committee and will be
brought up for discussion Friday.
Tho presidents proposal tends to
wider supervision OF the conference
in the matter Of sites. building and
rcmodeiing OF the churches. The
Methodist Protestant. Church in the
past, has left such local matters en-
tirely 10 each church. Under the
new plan, congregations contem
plating new churches will be able to
receive financial support from the
conference only by having their
plans approved by the board Of sur
vey. This will apply not only 10 the
building Of new churches. but like
wise TO the remodeling and extensive
Improvements In local churches and
even to the building Of parsonages.
change In the conference manual
being. suggested whereby each pastor
will be required 20 make report 20
the board of survey before consent
ing TO the plans Of the local church.
Many look upon the plan as the only
feasible measure TO counteract a
duplication OF the present duties OF
the church extension society and the
church extension committee. BY the
regrouping plan as also proposed by
the president every country church
wiki have a preaching service at
least once on Sunday.
In his report the president scored
the advertisement appearing I'm Sun
day School literature. Offering free
watches guns. diamonds and
Emusic made easy" etc. and said
Il wish very much this confer
ence would especially declare itseli
in the matter Of advertisements. II
We must have advertisements LET
them be of another sort or let us
have none at ALL"
He referred TO the summer con
ference and young peoples insti-
tutes at College Hill and said h'
"would be glad II conference could
IN some way say to the preacher
what the State says 10 the teachers
'-You must go TO school for a little
while each year."
"I have gone into some narson-
ages and been dismayed he said
~at the absence Of signs Of study
and research. The demand OF IN,
iaity IS for men that can preach ant
the most widespread criticism OF
preachers today is that they canno
preach. Such an observation should
challenge the pulpit anc 'hc bes
that is in u.s."
In his report he also voiced a pro
test against commerciaHsni Of sun.
day.
"Cead churches we're adversci.
criticised by the Rev. DR.. ID. G.. VI
Clayton, who said: "Moderns have
discovered a process Of eribalmini
dead churches by which they may b'
kept above ground. Such churches
however, are corpses still. and ar,
too common to be curiosities."
DR.. Clayton protested agains
those who speak Of the universe
church with an efectation of re
ligious liberty. yet who never TAX
part in making some particula
church a richer agency for effectini
the universal church. All tn
boasted. liberality, he said. may b.
only a pet name for laziness an,
general debility.
Officers reelected were: President
the Rev. DIR. James II. Straughn
Baltimore; secretary. the Rev. G.. ]
Humphreys, Washington; assistan
secretaries. the Revs. r. L. Shipley
X. X. Haddaway. +. l.. Ballard; con
ference steward, the Rev. j. A. Dud
ley. Denton. Nd; assistant steward
the Rev j. n. Link; conferenc
treasurer the Rev. c. p. Nowlir
Belair. Nd.