Show NEARER MY GOD TO THEE is SUNG mckindles Mc favorite hymn closes this weeks session of methodist Conference Principal question debated has been the 1 i ed tenure of pastorates Past orates y s v los angeles slay 7 the end ot the first the general conferences feren ces sees much preliminary matter disposed of and the great gathering nearly ready to take up the more important work before it all of tho standing committees have been organized many of them have appointed their committees subcommittees sub and mapped out the work to their special attention in the initial sessions of the leading committees one question above all others has been brought prominently to the fore jt Is whether the present conference shall restore the ministerial time limit ot three or five years or permit the present plan of unlimited tenure which was adopted at toe general conference tour years ago to continue the bishops in their annual addresses touched upon this question but refrained from expressing any opinion that could be construed by the conference one way or another and as yet there has been no authoritative statement made the committee on itinerary has this matter in charge and the temper ot the members as shown at the first meeting when the subject was broached indicates that all will not be harmonious in the disposition of jils problem many of the annual conferences have authorized tho general conference to take action on the matter and restore the three or the alvo year limits three memorials were read by the secretary of the committee on itinerary on the day of the first meeting there seems to be a growing sentiment in the membership of the church according to many 0 tho delogan delo gat ea that the historic system of an ittner ant minister Is dangerous and it has had its effect on many of the delegates in addition a considerable number of the ministers in the less desirable fields and an army of laymen who dad themselves in possession of the less popular pastorates past orates are clamoring for a time limit that will give them the benefit of a change on the other hand are strong conservative leaders like drs buckley Buck lcy king jay little and abo younger pastors like drs Eck nian and anderson and hughes who arc now serving beyond the old five year limit in their favorite parishes will endeavor to hold tho church to four years further trial of the unlimited service there are now before the conference a number of on various subjects to occupy a session lasting twice as long as the present one is planned for A favorite themo Is the amusement paragraph most of he memorials on this subject being against any change one memorial Is submitted from asking that the term tor which bishops are elected be changed from life to twelve years athla question haa been discussed before but it is akely that the matter will be given serious consideration by the present conference other memorials call for mere rigid discipline of personal conduct while others directly oppose it and favor a more liberal supervision tho carolina conference has presented a large memorial asking for the election of a bishop of african descent the conference of illinois ap leara to be supporting bishop in his desire to open the american university and has alicd for thare boval moval of the restriction clause against that institution the temperance question la also up tor discussion the minority report on the book committee signed by five members has been distributed among the delegates it la a ions report reviewing the history concerning the book one ot the farst things that came be fore the conference this morning was a resolution offered by J W bowen colored of chattanooga tenn prominently mentioned as a candidate for bishop on the death of president sic kinley who wag a member ot the methodist church the resolution sets forth that since the last session 0 the general conference the civilized na tiona of the earth evidenced choir deep sympathy and heartfelt american people in the untimely death ot our late president william mckan lcy and that the methodist episcopal charca churca represented i by itar conference records its high esteem for the lato president who as a member odthe methodist episcopal church was loyal to its every interest and who never was so happy as when bitting in the pews listening to the preaching of the gospel and because of his distinguished service to the nation aa one of its presidents the resolution concludes resolved that the common memorials appointed by this body he required to prepare a tribute to the precious memory ot our distinguished layman the resolutions were adopted by a vote and the entire audience sang nearer my god to thee dent favorite hymn |