Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 241, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 October 1919 — NEXT SESSION [ARTICLE]

NEXT SESSION

THE METHODIST CONFERENCE PASSES LEAGUE OF NATIONS RESOLUTION.

Frankfort Crescent- News, Oct. 4.—Lebanon was unanimously chosen as the city to entertain the next annual conference of the Northwest Indiana Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. Charles A. Parkin, pastor of the Lebanon church, presented an invitation for the conference to come to that city, stating that it was fourteen years since the meeting had been held there. He stated that the Industrial Union, the ladies’ .organization of the church, had- proposed to entertain the visiting ministers and laymen and at as little expense as possible to the visitors, stating that there would be no pay lecture in connection. This was regarded as a rather doubtful precedent by several who spoke, because they hold that the lecture is such a wholesome-paft-dlAhe conference and should be maintained as a feature entirely separate from the sessions, which are for the conference members and from an entirely religious point of view. Dr. Parkin hastened to state that his mentioning that there would be no paid lecture was in no wise a criticism of the fact that thi seustom had previously prevailed, but was simply to carry out the proffer of the ladies of his church. Crawfordsville had planned to entertain the conference, but having learned that Lebanon wanted it had withdrawn in favor of that city. The conference accepted the invitation from Lebanon with an enthusiastic vote. During the morning session, which was largely devoted to the reports of, the committee on .. morals, word reached the conference that the condition of President Wilson was report to -tho conference and - asked all to stand while Dr. Gobin offered prayer and asked that the president’s life be spared. The appeal of the aged minister wasHmpressive and in asking that the president’s life be spared so that he might continue his work for God and humanity he asked guidance for all in determining the great issues confronting the nation and the world. The following message was drafted and ordered sent to Mrs. Wilson: “The Northwest Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church meeting in Frankfort, Ind., paused for earnestly devout prayer for the preservation of the life of our great president, Woodrow Wilson. We recognize in him a Christian statesman actuated by the highest patriotic motives and we extend sincere sympathy to him and his family. THOMAS NICHOLSON, Presiding Bishop. F. O. FRALEY, ~ Secetary.

__ _The special committee to which of nations had been recommitted when presented Friday, offered the resolution in a new form this morning. Rev. Parkin, the chairman of the committee, read it and moved its adoption. Rev. E. S. Shoemaker seconded the motion and the passage was without discussion and unanimous. The resolution follows: “Be it resolved by the Northwest Indiana conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in session at Frankfort, that we most heartily endorse the principle .of a league of iiatiorfs" based upon peace and good will to ipen and for the prevention of future wars. We declare the time is at hand for us to forget all party differences and to seek to 'serve the world in the spirit of sacrifice and brotherhood “We ask the senate of the United States to ratify the peace treaty and the league of nations without such reservations as will return it to . the ('conference at Versailles, provided they safeguard adequately the sovereignty of the United States . as expressed in the federal constitution. “Second, Resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the United States senators from Indiana by the secretary, signed by Bishop Thomas Nicholson and himself.’ 1 Several important matters before the conference were disposed of by way of memorials to the general conference, generally after discussions that assured the action met the approval of the majority of* the members of the conference. Among these matters was a memorial supporting the plan proposed by the East Greek M. E. conference which urged that no immediate action be taken to discontinue the authority for foreign speaking Methodist conferences within the United States. The issue was brought up by efforts coining from other conferences to discourage the foreign speaking conferences. ’ There was some discussion showing divergent opinions, but Rev. Edward W. Strecker made a speech. that was very effective in the action taken. He stated that his father was a German and came to this country when 14 years of age rand became converted at the altar of a German Methodist church and that his family of seven children were now all actively engaged in

Christian work within Methodist churches of America where the English language was spoken and that he held it important to lead all toward the English languoge. He believed there was no good to be gained ‘by abrupt action which might be interpreted as against some church of foreign tongue whose loyalty to every American . institution was unquestioned. \ The committee on memorials offered one to instruct the delegates to the general conference to urge the. amalgamation of - the various Christian Advocates, especially those of the Mississippi valley. One of the conference delegates is Rev. E. C. Waring, D. D., who is the editor of the Western Christian Advocate. The sense of the conference seemed to favor the consolidation of the publications as a matter of economy, but in deference to Rev. Waring and to the further views of a number who are not in favor of hampering delegates with instructions, the instruction was recommitted to the committee to be framed as a memorial. Rev. Appleby said he desired, to be relieved from the committee and Rev. Seaman thanked the conference ror the expression of He spoke of the work he was trying to perform as editor of the Advoconfidence which he said relieved him of considerable embarrassment, cate and that he wanted to make it impersonal but his interest was solely ministerial and for the welfare of the cause of Jesus Christ; He was applauded at several junctures of his address.

Another action of importance was the change of the constitution proposed to admit one lay delegate to pastoral charge? The Hymen at their meeting had voted against this, but the ministers after some discussion supported the proposed amendment by a vote of 105 to 4. Another memorial was for the written examination of ministers transferred from one conference to another. Another was for the amalgamation of home missionary societies. The conference was non-concur-rent on a memorial asking the appointment of a commission to study the English and Canadian methods of making ministerial appointments.