Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-07-03
ME THOD|STS DEBATE.
MOTION To ADJOURN
UNION CONFERENCE
Legality of Special Session
Questioned = Bishop
Gambler Presides
MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, Chat

MEMORIAL NJ, CNat-
tanooga, Tenn, July 2.-(By the
! Associated Press.)-The special gen
eral conference of the Methodist
Z Episcopal church. south, called to
consider unification with the north
ern branch of the denomination be.
gan this forenoon and recessed at
1880 p. M, until p. M, in the
midst of debate Oh a resolution
which if adopted would result in
sine die adjournment Immediately
The resolution offered jointly by
DR.. \. ]. Lamar, Of Nashville, and
Joseph E. Cockrell, of Dallas, Texas,
declared that in view of doubts as to
the legality of the special conference,
another conference be called by the
bishops Shy and with the advice OF
all the annual conferences
The Rev. A F. Watkins, of Yazoo
City, Miss, was reelected secretary
Of the conference.
Rules of order were submitted in
the form of a resolution. They were
virtually the same as those which
prevailed at the last general confer
ence, and were adopted. One of the
changes provides that sessions will
be held each day from 8 a. m. to
1880 p. m. land from 8 to 6 p. m.
BY separate resolution, the confer
ence voted to consider only the
unification proposal and to adjourn
sine die when it has been disposed of.
Bishop Warren A. Gambler read to
the conference a statement signed by
Bishop Collins Denny, Bishop James
E. Dickey and himself declaring
they did not sign the call OF the
bishops for the special conference
because they believed it illegal.
Bishop u. v. w. Darlington, of
Huntington, w. Va, will sign the
statement upon mis- arrival, Bishop
Gambler said He added that their
reasons for SO acting were well
known and that it was unnecessary
to repeat them.
Sentiment on Proposal
When memorials and petitions
were called for, many of the spokes-
men for the delegations took occa-
sion to report upon the unification
sentiment of the district conferences.
Nearly all so reporting said their
people favored unification. An Ar
kansas delegate said, however, that
so far he chad found only three per-
sons in his state who desired it.
Broad Street church, Richmond,
Va, was reported against unifica-
ton. DR.. M. H. Norton, of Tampa,
said six of the eight districts in Flor
ida had adopted resolutions urging
the union A memorial from the
Charlotte, N. c., district, asked that
the plan of unification not be adopt
ed. The Winston-Salem district in
the same state was reported as hav'
ing voted unanimously for union.
DR., James A. Anderson, of Para
gould, Ark, reported that at a mine
isterial conference in his state re-
Gently attended by more than 200
/ pastors, unification was adopted by
+ unanimous vote. He added that
the Epworth leagues had taken sim
liar action by a large majority.
Momentous Problem
The special conference was face tc
face with the greatest problem
the church has encountered within
the last eighty years-a proposal tt
united the 100000 Methodists il
the country into one great body.
The delegates were to determine
whether the unification plan, formu
lated by joint commission of the
northern and southern churches
should be submitted to the regiona
conferences which compose the
southern branch.
Should two-thirds of the genera
confere ce approve submission, eaci
regionss conference, at its next an
nual ms citing, would vote upon IN
proposa:; and. stouid three-fourth
of the So -Or bodies, act favorably
unificats~n would be an accomplished
fact, once the regional conference
of the northern branch had done like
wise.
Bishop Gambler Presides
The bishops of the church will
take little or no part in the pro
ceedings in the conference unles
/. the delegates invite them TO do so
1t was said early this morning thu
privilege of the floor might be of
fered, but that they might not SCI
fit to accept the courtesy.