The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1921-09-29
ACETATE LIMITING
BISHOPS OFFICE

Now that the various annual con-
ferenees Of the Methodist Episcopal
church, South, says the Nashville
Banner, have begun their meetings.
which will be the last before the
quadrennial session of the General
Conference to be held at Hot Springs,
Ark, next May. number Of ques-
lions on which the latter body will
have to pass are being agitated.
Among these is the old question Of
electing the bishops for term of
four years instead of for life, as has
been the custom Of the denomina-
ton.
The Missouri conference, which
has already held its fall meeting,
without dissenting voice, adopted a
resolution proposing to memorabilia
the general conference to hereafter
elect tn e bishops for four-year
term. Resolutions for a similar
memorial to the quadrennial body
are expected to be presented to the
Tennessee conference at its session in
Springfield in October, and to all
the other conferences.
Many of the leaders of the de-
nomination have come out openly
and strongly for limitation of the
office of bishop.
Referring to the action of the Mis-
souri, conference and of the move
ment in general to restrict the ten
ure of the bishops office, DR.. ]. J.
Stowe, secretary of the stewardship
and tithing for the centenary com
mission, said he heartily approved
Of the purpose of the memorial and
expressed the sentiment that the
action of the conference in passing
the resolution by a unanimous vote
was very significant one.
"This discussion Of ceasing to
elect bishops for life time has been
under discussion in the church for
good many years." said he. "Of
those whom / have heard express an
opinion in recent months, at least
nine out Of 10 have favored electing
for four years instead of for life.
The widespread sentiment among
the ministers of the church cali
ing for change does not grow
out of an objection to the epis-
copacy, nor does it rise from SEEM
ingly arbitrary or unwise action on
the part of the bishops, for such oc-
currences have been rare, but it
grows out of the idea that such a
plan would be more in keeping with
the democratic spirit of the age in
which we live and would tend to
greater efficiency in our church
leadership"
DR.. Stowe said further that many
who favored the movement for elect
ing the bishops for four-year term
Of office, subject to reelection, if
desired, had asserted that this would
remove from the church any criti-
cism that Methodism is sacredotal
in its policy. He said that there is
no more reason for ordaining a
bishop than for ordaining a church
extension or mission board secretary.
AS the work of the bishop is admin
istrative, DR.. Stowe argued that the
election in state Or church of an ex
ecutive for lifetime is not a course
to commend itself to a thoughtful
man. AS an additional argument
for the limitation rule, DR.. Stowe
said that while the bishops in the
past had been called upon to exer-
else certain judicial functions, in the
future they would be relieved of
these duties, which would fall upon
other men selected for the purpose.
Regarding the action of the gen.
eral conference on the matter, DR..
Stowe gave it as his opinion that
there would be opposition to the
movement, but said that if the senti
ment he had heard from all types of
preachers in every part of the
church was expressed when the mat
ter came to vote, the proposed
measure would go through by an
ovarwhpluninU MATURITY