The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-03-17
THE OPPONENTS OF
UNIFICATI0N MEET
PRESIDING ELDER OVERLY
AMONG BIG GATHERING OF
METHODISTS AT CORDELE.

AMONG BIG GA1 HERlNG OF
METHODISTS AT CORDELE.
A largely attended meeting of South
Georgia Methodists who are opposed
to the unihcation OF the northern and
southern branches OF the church was
held at Cordele Thursday Rev. E.
M. OVERLY, OF Dawson, presiding ell
der of the Americas district, was
among those in attendance, The Corr
dele Dispatch gives the following ac-
count of the proceedings;
The meeting OF the Methodists of
south Georgia at the Methodist church
Yesterday afternoon was full of enthu-
siasm. The meeting was opened by
singing "A Charge to Keep | Have.
Mr. Bob Mckinney, OF the Macon
News, led the singing. Rev. J. p
Wardlaw, chairman OF the local or
ganization opposed to unihcation, of
fered prayer, after which he stated
the purpose of the meeting, which was
then turned over to Col George S.
tones, chairman of the conference or
ganization opposed to the plan OF uni
hcation..
Col. Jones then delivered a telling
address against the present plan. He
pointed out what he said was only a
few of the many serious objections to
the plan. He was greeted with many
cheers during his speech.
Col. Jones pointed out that when
eve once vote our millions OF dollars
worth Of church property into the new
church there will never be any way
for us to get it out without the con-
sent Of the northern jurisdiction"
which consent he said could never be
secured again Col. Jones is the head
OF one of the largest firms in Georgia,
having nine other lawyers associated
with him, and his opinion on this mat
ter is considered OF the worthiest con-
siderations by those opposing the plan.
After the address, reports were call
ed for from the ten districts OF the
conference. The districts were called
in order. The eight presiding elders
who are opposed to this plan and who
were present are as follows:
Rev. E. NJ. OVERLY, Americas dis
trict; Rev. ]. P. Dell, Columbus dis
trict; Rev. |. ]. Tyson, Cordele dis
trict: Rev. J. M. Glenn, Dublin dis
trict; Rev. w. F. Smith, Macon dis
trict; Rev. H. c, Jones, McRae dis
trict; Rev. O. B. Chester, Townsville
district; Rev. c. w. Curry, Valdosta
district. All reported that the over
whelming majority OF the membership
Of the churches are opposed to the
plan of unihcation.
Col James NJ Rogers, prominent
Savannah lawyer and conference lay
leader of the South Georgia Confer
ence. and who was a member OF the
southern commission on unlhcauon,
reported for the Savannah district. He
reported that in that district the over
whelming majority OF the membership
OF the churches are opposed to uniflca-
ton.
Col. I. E Heath, prominent lawyer
OF Douglas and lay leader OF the Way
cross district, spoke. There, too, the
people are against the plan, and he
expressed confidence OF all the rest
that the Waycross district would be
against the plan
Reports from some 81 the individ-
ual large churches Of the conference
were made. Col. George S. Jones
member of the Nineville Methodist
church. Macon. where the pastor, Rev.
o. F. Cook, is in favor OF the plan
reported that the Vineville church IS
opposed to the plan five to one. This
was ascertained by having the mem
bers sign up on the question.
Mr.. W. R. Rogers, member OF Mul-
berry church, Macon, reported that
while he was not Boosting, his church
was against the plan
Mr.. S. B. Richardson reported that
the Valdosta Methodist church was
against the plan
Mr.. Frank Dudley reported that St
Luke church, Columbus, was against
the plan, -,
gave detailed report OF all the con
ferences of the Southern Methodism
showing that the opposition to the
n1an has an assured number OF votes
more than sufficient to defeat the plan.
All these reports were greeted win
applause. ,. -
the Cordele district were represented;
After this the audience was dismissed
and those present who were opposed TO
the plan held an executive session.
All the facts presented go to show
that there is a rising tide OF opposition
to the plan, which means its certain
defeat. according to those attending
the meeting.
POvAT ARCH MASONS