Evening star., 1939-06-15
Methodists 10 Seek
Stricter Observance
OF Sabbath
Problems Arising From
Unificotion Discussed
At Baltimore

A report deploring the "encroach-
ment OF unnecessary labor and COM
mercialized amusements" on Sab
bath observance was unanimously
adopted today at the 155th session
here of the Baltimore Annual Con-
ference Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
THE church." the report said,
cannot compromise with an inva-
sion OF the Lords day that violates
the fundamental principles of wor-
ship and rest"
The conference pledged itself to
give more attention to Sabbath OBJ
servance in the education and
preaching programs of the church.
The last meeting before the uni
Tying movement with two other
branches of Methodism-the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South and
the Methodist Protestant Church
is carried through. the conference
concerned itself at today's session
largely with problems arising from
unlflcation. The conference is being
held at the Douglas Memorial
Methodist Church, Eleventh and n
streets NE.
DR.. Thomas A. Stafford of Chi
cago. executive secretary of the
Board OF Pensions, warned that it
may be necessary to settle manv
problems growing out of unification
in friendly court suits.
Group to Map Details.
The general property of the
church, DR.. Stafford said, NAV be
transferred without serious difficulty.
However, in the transfer of funds
OF the church and related activities.
DR.. Stafford cautioned against steps
which might leave trustees of such
funds personally responsible.
DR.. Stafford said details of the
merger as it directly affects this
area will be worked out by COM
mittee Of nine members. This COM
mittee will be composed of three
members from each of the three
conferences the Baltimore Confer
ence, the Maryland Conference of
the Methodist Protestant Church
and the Conference of the Methodist
Church South. Members of the
committee OF the Baltimore Confer
ence have not yet been named.
Bishop Edwin M. Hughes, lead
er in the unifying movement, Is pre-
siding over the conference. He
praised the part of the Baltimore
Conference in voting for unification.
At various times during the morning
session he interrupted the proceed
ings to introduce visiting leaders of
other branches of the Methodist
Church.
The report on Sabbath observance
was presented and adopted after
DR.. w. w. Davis, general secretary
of the Lords Day Alliance of Mary
land. blamed Legislative courtesy"
for the defeat of Sunday closing
law in Maryland during the 139
general assembly.
New Fight Pledged.
"Any moral legislation" DR.. Davis
asserted, before any legislative body
meets the opposition of legislative
courtesy" He charged that oppo-
sition to the Maryland Sunday clos
ing law was managed by the brew
ers."
DR.. Davis said the defeat was only
temporary and pledged a renewed
attempt to pass the law in the next
session or some succeeding session.
More than 400 preachers and lay
delegates are attending the confer
ence. It opened last night with the
Sacrament of the Lords Supper ad-
ministered by Bishop Hughes. The
opening address was delivered by the
Rev. James Shera Montgomery,
chaplain Of the House
Unif1cation and world responsible
ity will be the subject of tonight's
meeting. The speakers will be Bishop
James H. Straughn and Bishop
Jashwant R. Chitamber of India.
The appointment of pastors, most
eagerly awaited business of the con-
ference, will be announced at the
closing session Monday.