The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-13
NEW CHURCH UNION
IS SUGGESTED AT
M. E. CONFERENCE
Proposed That They Join In
terests With Church of the
United Brethren of Christ.
MAY ALSO UNITE NORTH
AND SOUTH BRANCHES
Triple Merger Considered Posi-
bic by Many Officials at the
Methodist Conclave.
feu &c AssoeIated Pressl

HOT SPRINGS. Ark, May IA
new church union of proportions loom
ed among the possibilities tonight as
a result of an unhearalded suggestion
made to the Nineteenth Quadriennial
General Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal church. South, here today,
that the denomination join interests
with the church of the United Breth-
rem in Christ.
The suggestion came through Bishop
H. H. Fout, of indianapolis, fraternal
messenger Of the United Brethren,
who told the conference that he was
empowered by the bishops of his de-
nomination to say that any steps to-
ward federating on the part of the
conference here would meet with their
hearty approval.
That the suggestion was coming was
known only to a few of the higher
church officials and it created a DEM
onstration which continued several
minutes. The conference voted to
send the suggestion to the COMMITTEES
on church relations.
All conference officials We're Of the
opinion that wide new field, for dis
cussion had been opened and ere was
much speculation over the possible
effect of today's proposal o. the unfit
cation of the northern and southern
branches of Methodism Many Off
cials We're of the opinion that triple
merger" had been made more probable
and described the territory of the
United Brethren church as forming
a Link between the northern and south
ern Methodist churches.
The United Brethren church has a
membership Of about 100000 and has
interests in many middle western and
eastern states, including Kansas, Mis-
souri,, Iowa, Indiana Ohio and Penn
sylvania. It operates a large pub
fishing house at Dayton, Ohio.
In presenting his message to the
conference, Bishop Fout reviewed the
history OF his church, asserted that its
origin and principles were strikingly
similar to those of the Methodist and
continued:
NI wish to say that IL in your wis
dom and official capacity. in response
to the sincere words I now speak and
speak with the authority of the Board
of Bishops of the church Of the United
Brethren in Christ, you should take
any steps towards a closed federation
or union with that branch of the
church of Jesus Christ which have the
honor to represent, you will find a
hearty and brotherly response.
..The relations between us have al
ways been most cordial but they have
been greatly strengthened in the last
year. / am not without the hope that
the time Is not far distant when the
springs which were so near to each
other in their origin and so alike in
the healing character Of their waters
may flow together in river which
shall make glad the city of God"
Bishop Fout was heard near the end
of a business session at which the
conference, after sharp debate, ac-
cepted 3. committee recommendation to
elect five nav bishops at this time.
A fight led by DR.. A. Q. ATillar OF
Little Rock, Ark, TO increase the num-
Der to seven failed, al did a proposal
to reduce 1t TO four. The conference
defeated. without roll call, amendments
to that effect and adopted the COM
nnittee's report by a large majority.
In speaking for his amendment, DR..
NIillar was applauded by the confer
ence when he suggested that legislation
should be enacted at this session re-
ouiring bishops, and certain other Of
ficers Of the church TO live in the dis
pressed the belief that such legisla-
tion probably would be placed before
this conference