Evening star., 1925-10-20
SKEPT|C BARRED
FROM M. {. CHURCH
LEADERS Demand Declaration
of Faith in Virgin
Birth.
Special Dispatch to The star.

Special Dispatch to The star.
RICHMOND, Va, October e0.-Ap-
plicants for admission to the Metho-
dist ministry in Virginia must be Wei
grounded in the faith OF the denomh-
nation and must declare their belief IN
T., the virgin birth OF Christ and His
divinity. Such was the ruling of the
conference here yesterday afternoon
when Wilbur y. Parker of Norfolk,
whose name had been presented and
referred to the committee, was called.
Mr. Parker had appeared before the
committee and had expressed views
contrary to the ideas of the examiners
as to the divinity of Christ, the virgin
birth and other matters. The COM
mittee had brought in a unanimous
recommendation that he be not re-
ceived.
The committee stated that Mr.. Par
ker was man of fine reputation, that
he was we'll educated. but that be-
cause of the fact that he did not ac-
cept the teachings of the church and
the full and complete acceptance OF
the tenets which have for years been
the foundat ton of the denomination,
the committee refused to make any
concessions.
Second Denied Post.
In another case a young man who
or two, a man of excellent reputation,
was exam by the board and rec
.S:nfsn,Ied for - imission. The COM
mittee stated, hA Yer. that the appli-
cant had not recc- the educational
training that would - '-e enabled him
to do his best work. a re conference
adhered to its stated policy of bring
ing into the ministry those men who
are suited for instructing the laity,
and despite the mans fine record he
was denied admittance to the pulpitS
of the church.
Reports are current here that the
advocates of unification are to press
for IA reopeninG of the issue by send
ing up TO the General Conference a
memorial to again submit the matter
to the conferences. 1t is believed that
the conference will adopt that memo
rial, for the reason that many OF the
lay delesateS-who stood the shock of
the attack on the issue when it was
voted on-hIVe gone to their homes
and are not here to vote. The report
further is that if the matter comes up
again a determined move will be
made to have the membership of each
charge register its views.
May Ask Bishops Retire.
There is some talk to the effect that
in case the uniticationists can have
their way IN the next General Con-
ference the retirement of Bishop
Warren G. Gambler of Georgia and
Bishop Collins Denny of Richmond
will be undertaken. These two have
been the avowed and open champions
OF opposition to unifcation.
There is a vast amount of work to
be done in the conference in order for
1t TO complete its labors late tonight
The report on tempera nee and the
passing of the characters of the 800
plnisters will occupy considera BILE
time, and there are other important
matters TO engage attention.
Bishop Gambler is having the cabi-
net meet him every afternoon and eve
ming to discuss the matter of appoint
ments for the coming year. The be.
lief is that Bishop Gambler is to make
many changes, for the reason that
some few of the charges have been
given the leading ministers and the
minor charges have had to accept
younger men and that many of these
are denied the right to get into the
larger charges.