The northwestern bulletin-appeal., 1924-05-17
1900 DELEGATES
Of A. ME-. GROUP
MEET IN SESSION
Many Gigantic Issues Considered
as Best Church Brain
Enter Conference.

The first Of the three weeks Of the
! African Methodist Episcopal Quadren-
hial Conference at Louisville, KY,
came to a close Saturday with a
group OF big issues under considera-
ton, all of which are destined to af-
feet deeply the future Of the church
and to decide whether its policy shall
be progressive, stand-pat or reaction
airy.
Amid the campaigning for official
position, which has been vociferous
and ever present, the church plat
form and program have still COM
manded the earnest attention of the
1900 delegates and the sessions, ac- .
cording to those who have followed
conferences for decades, will go down
as one Of the most interesting yet
held. Much is expected from their
deliberations, for in both the minis
! ters and laity is some of Americas
best Negro brain and ability, and
while sentimentality and mob psych-
ology occasionally grip the gathering,
on the whole 1t is a splendid, digni-
fed, deliberative body.
The question Of rotation of bish-
ops, limiting the time bishop may
serve in a district, easily holds the
spotlight in the legislative program.
Advocates OF this measure insist that
II will solve many Of the ills of pres
ent administration, preventing des-
potism on the part of Episcopal lead
ers, the development OF fayoritism,
and giving squarer deal to the min
listers. They point out that whereas
presiding elders are now largely fig
ure heads, they will be compelled to
be truly responsible for their dis
trtcts and that pastors in attractive
charges in large cities can no longer
play politics with some bishop who
favors them. Those opposing the
yearly rotation, however, contend
that 1t is impossible to become ac-
quainted with a district in so short
a time nor any policy successfully
completed and that the church
schools especially would be injured.
1t seems probable that a bill order
ing rotation every four years will be
presented.
Laity Wants More Representation.
Proponents of increased represen-
tation for the laity while believing
according to prominent lay delegates
that the pew ought to have equal rep
resentation with the pulpit as in 9TH
ler great Methodist bodies is willing
to accept at this time an increase of
their present quota of two delegates
to a district. Women have hereto
fore had no part in the conference,
but the question Of woman suffrage
is considered by leading figures from
various districts as being fundament-
ally sound and its acceptance is fore
cast with certain limitations. Better
schools and the Standardization of the
correctional, educational institutions,
with a slogan of "fewer schools IL
necessary but greater efficiency,
higher standards and sufficient en-
dowment to do creditable work" is
another issue much discussed. These
items. ih the legislative program are
to the:fore, while number of minor
measures, such as the raising of bish-
ops salaries, etc., are receiving their
share of attention.
Bishops to Be Elected.
Election of Bishops and general Of
ficers will start on Tuesday. While
but two vacancies actually exist, one
by death and one through the retire.
ment of Bishop Lee, evidence Of ex-
treme feebleness on the part of sew
eral occupants of the bench make it
likely, in the opinion Of those usually
well informed, that three or four as
pirants will be elevated to the rank
of bishop. Few political conventions
have witnessed a greater variety Of
candidates and methods used in
many instances have had a regular
political aspect. Trees. windows and
the streets are full Of placards, an
the virtues Of various "fa-
vorite sons" and astute looking gen.
tlemen are button-holing delegates
and whispering important informa-
CONTINUED on page ~