EDITORIALS.                          513

  Whether the machinations of human ambition or the holy spirit of
service shall win is the great question that concerns us all.

  There is the question of our publishing interests to be adjusted; this time,
it is hoped, so that the drag of over half a century may become a source of
revenue, information and comfort to the Church.
Two distinct ideas are presented: continuation along the old long-tried
lines of two separate publishing interests, insufficiently sustained, with
several publications of a more or less official character administering to the
support of neither publishing house; or the combination of all publishing
interests under one management, but not necessarily in one place.
  This, we take it, is a fair statement of the two plans presented.
  The advocates of the first believe there should be no combination; on the
contrary, they think that the combination already attempted-that of
editor and manager in one man--should be abandoned in Philadelphia and
the Book Concern return to its former system of separate and salaried men
in each position; the advocates of one management oppose this and believe
it more business-like to concentrate the book publications under one head,
leaving the editorial heads as they are.
  Leaving out all questions of personality so far as candidates are concerned,
it is our opinion that a concentrated management is the best; first, because
concentration within proper bounds, is best for any business enterprise and,
secondly, because, in this case, it is lack of unity, continuity and a sufficient
market that has brought to us all of our financial distresses. We must rise
above our little local or personal prejudices and try to think for the general
church awhile.

  The aging of some of our bishops and the death of others make a new
election certain.
  The temper of the delegates will hardly stop to discuss the question
whether we need more bishops, for the enthusiasm of candidates, the
personal zeal of followers and the urgings of custom will all combine
to put the election of some more bishops beyond debatement. The real
question to be determined will be, how many? Most of the candidates
would say five; some four; but the church at large, if it could speak, would
say, not over three.
  Our agreement is with the great body of the church that three would be
sufficient, if they were vigorous, conscientious, God-fearing men of business
capacity and learning.

  Then comes the matter of rotation versus our present district system for
bishops. It is being agitated somewhat and the method of the Methodist
Episcopal Church is adduced in favor of rotation.




			

OHS/National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center Serial Collection

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 28, Num. 1

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  01
Date:  07/1911