Richmond planet., 1928-06-02

on questions before the General
Conference, but on this they were
in agreement, both ably supporting
the plan for organic union. The
measure was carried almost unanl-
mously, amid great rejoicing.
Favors British Union Offer.
Another worthwhile accomplish
ment was the acceptance of the re-
quest for union made by the British
Methodist Episcopal Church OF
Canada. This union will end the
stubborn, un-Christian rivalry be-
tween the African Methodist Epis.
copal Church and this struggling
little Methodist body which refused
to enter when the previous union
measures were adopted.
| Laymen Defeated.
Time after time, in various ways
there came before the conference
the question of increased lay repre-
sentation in both the annual and
general conferences, but, as often
did the body vote it down, because
it is the coneensus of opinion that
the A. NJ. E. Church is not yet
prepared for such a measure. But
the laymen are not discouraged and
declare that they viii continue their
efforts until they succeed.
Some Wonderful Things.
| In the interest of economy there
was adopted a measure reducing the
membership of the General Confer
ence. Time limit for ministers was
increased from five to eight years
Presidents of the two missionary
societies were made members of the
General Conference. The Mission.
ary Department was given authority
to carry out its program for the
building of churches in the foreign
fields. South America was made 8
separate Episcopal district in the in
terest of the work there. The first
Sunday in June was made a "Con.
nectional Home Day., and it is re-
quired that the ministers shall Stay
stress on the value vi the home as
training school for children" and
for the restoration of the family
altar"
Other Things Done.
Among other things this genera
conference did were these: At the
last moment, after many delegates
had gone laymen shrewdly rushed
through measure granting equa
representation to laymen in the
General Conference; the salary o1
bishops was increased to a total OF
$4,000 per annum, and that of gen.
eral officers to $4,000; by vote Of
Ira T. Bryant 80 per cent of the
Dollar Money was set aside fol
superannuates and conference de-
pendants; each annual conference
was required to set apart $75 an.
nually to support a theological stu
dent; and the bishops were required
to hold only one session of the
Council of Bishops instead of two
thereby saving at least $4,000 an.
nually.
Charges Against Bishops Fail.
Much had been said and writer
concerning some of the bishops anc
the complaints against them. One
of these was Bishop w. T. Vernon
of the Fifteenth District, but there
was no great sensation as predicted
or expected.
On the other hand, Bishop Yer.
non was given a great ovation, one
of the greatest of the session, when
he took the gavel on his day to
preside. Many baskets of flowers
were presented and addresses were
made by DR.. D. A. Harshaw, At.
torney B. F. Ransom, and DR.. j
w. Saunders. These speeches com.
mended Bishop Vernon, told of the
success of his work, his brotherly
kindness toward the ministers, anc
especially did they tell of how the
missionaries had been benefited by
having their allowance raised from
S25 annually to $50 and then tc
$3.50. These testimonials and the
fact that the Episcopal Committee
reported that they found nothing
against the moral, religious or of.
fetal character of any of the
bishops made an end of these vague
and malicious rumors.
Carey Retains Both Jobs.
After all Bishop A. j. Carey re.
tains his position as Civil Service
Commissioner of the City of Chi
cago and also Bishop of the Fourth
District of the A. M. E. Church