The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-18
MORAL BRICKBATS FLUNG.
THE BdPTTsT CLERG YMEN's MOST
EXCITING MEETING.


TO that conference yesterday. At one OF their
weekly conferences the ministers voted to have
an essay from DIR. Jefory, but tho vote was after
ward rescinded on account OF bis abandonment
Of close communion. DR.. Armitage protested
against this action, and he was appointed chair
man Of a committee of eleven TO review the
question.
There unusually large attendance at
tho meeting yesterday. The Rev. DIR. Yerkes
occupied the chair. DIR. Armitage read the re-
port OF his committee. permitting DR.. Jefery to
read the paper on the 3lst instant. In their pre-
ambie the committee say that tho "hearing Of
papers by the conference does not In any way
commit the conference to any view or opinions
that may he held or advocated by the writer's"
This para graph drew forth the llvellest debate.
The Rev. DIR. Bright Of the Examiner and
Chronicle felt free to say that he didn't like the
report yet 1t was about all that could no expect
cd from one-sided committee. A report from
such a committee must he full Of compromises.
81 would invite Dr. Jefery to read the report
said Mr.. BRIGHT, hut only on the ground That
he Is a member OF this conference. l would take
the greatest pains TO prevent anv impression
that we sympathized with any man In things he
hss done that Hre suhvofsive OF a great baptist
prlnelple by lnNlt'nR sucn man no reau yVn
evil to establish theory that this conference
III Y hear any man on any subject
Dr. Aruitage said that the preamble did not
relate to any man but Reuben Jefferv, and not
to him as u member, but a. q reader Of an essay,
ana that essay the one he was appointed to read.
SLIGHTLY PERSONAL
Tho Rev. Dr. Thomas ~ Ilrooklvn. who IL a
member OF the committee, considered DIR.
liright's remark about the twU-sidedness OF the
committee entil els gratuituus. 1t was an impu-
tntion uron them Dr. Bright was sometimes
twor 'idod himself.
several members OF the conference, and
among them two members Of the committee,
spoke In favor Of altering the report,
Dr. Armitaga replied that ne didn't like tho
q IN n
to arcport and then turning tail upon II. II is
humili itng to come 90 report unanimously
and then have two Of the committee turn tail
upon It. =" don't sit again on committee with
brethren who act that way" said he.
Dr DuwltnV thought that since the committee
could not agree on their report thoy had Uettor
retire and reconsider It.
Or. Armitacc arose to offor on his own res pom
| sihlity pream l. aud resolution that should
leave n doubt In the mind Of the public In rcla-
u "a % we pos,.on Oh tniS conie,ehce ~ tne
| Is an divisiun in this body" said he, but
| desire tie world - know that We are united"
The reverend gentleman read;
E,soiod, That this insists that gospel bap-
u- hce.tsA.N guaNnc son iorthe snpper and d e
WIN Ho.r VINO do not %. sess mis- quan ,aton, A. IN
sm NJ ~ sfors ara enurchrs iened nv IT, cSmetf, lon
40 irie.y o,lrc. OF tas ,onieIence snd A. cneu'
The Rev. DIR. Bright thanked God that the res
| olution mad been offered. ITS matter OF hu-
imitation tu me-" said he, that aryuoty calling
Himself baptist should do ANYTHING to give
sUcCor ana aid 10 that p.rnitiOus movement
TIA taitus at breaking down our holy principles"
| As this last sentence evidently referred to DR..
| JeTery, every face was turned toward him. He
] seemed uuconscious OF what mad ban said.
| DR.. ArntaCe hoped that II was understood
| that the resolution applied 10 no particular
! csc, but Incicy to the attitude OF the CONFER
ence Oh the subject OF restrictive COMMUNION.
PU2zIiNG QUESTIONS.
| DR.. Jcffery hoped taat the resolution might be
so tresCrted that every pastor might take II
| horue mi consider II thOushtfully. Any way
ssS sIT %hst mss 70
| believe In immetsionI II YOU think that reso-
| luton refers " me, l ask, How much DO you
| know about me or my view2 l never express
CD NV sentiments here. Are you going to pass
| sentence on me without an investtgatonf
| Mon except once-lAst summer / did partake
Of the communion with DR.. Sturgeon in mis-
| church"
Dr. bright hoped that the conference would
aot defer Their v3,e Tor ne 1,doPsion o. Dr.
| % stors aweCk, said he, ITO determine whether
| they believe III these principles, then say, God
! leip tae poor people over whom they minister
! iC.tcs Of Hear heat;J principle Is worth
| more q an man any day. Lot US stand by our
| principles, 10 matter wno has 10 10.
Dr. Macarthur recOl cCted "A meeting at which
| document exercising hoera views was pre-
| pared. md DR.. JeGery was principal worker
| there, DR.. Macarthur would ask God to help
! hiin before he should enter church to which
he did not belong. " God help me-" id ne,
" from sticking myself into conference where
/ aui not wanted"
This address created tho utmost excitement.
and a low murmur partly Of applause ana part
| ~ Of ceusure greeted its conclusion. As DR..
down, d.. Jenaly, who II white haired aud looks
| not unlike Henry Ward Bsccber, arose aud
| addressed the conference.
The speecn OF the occasion has been deliv-
! cr"d," said he =" now IN 80 on
Or bright" No, no; protest =
Dr.; Miller, OF Greenpolnt-' Fair play, DR..
Br eht fair play"
/" Go on, 20 on = from the body OF the church
=. Yes, 60 on. Dr. JeGery," said the Rev. Or.
| Macarthur"
Confusion.
All the ministers spoke at once. DIR. Bright
| called to the cnair for permission II speak. Dr.
Miller shouted to DR.. Jeffefy to 90 on. ana whe n
some one lnyued Dr. Miller to shut up" DR..
| Miller replied. Mind your own business"
FIR five minutcs Dr. J fiery siruve to speak
but On Macarthur, Bright and Fulton inter
! ruptod hlm repeatedly, unttl the chair gave MIN
the right 10 speak and extended tue hour Of adj
Dr. Jcfcry began bv asking the pastors TO be
candid anu adult that the resolution was direct
ed toward him. lie had prepared the liberal
document TO which DIR. Macarthur referred. but
DR.. Macarthur WAS an attendant at the confer
ence from which IL emanated and 30 WAS Or.
Penterost, and 40 was Dc. Miller.
DE-. BIignt hoped that the Cnair would take
notes Of DR.. JcHeD's assertion that he wa
AIMED al hy the action II the conference.
Or. series Oh, hope Dr. Jefery will be al
Amen said Or. Miller. I'VE want no gag
IL. Jcfrcry sid that especial odium had gath
cred around him at the conIerricc that ID
been spoken or fiity Other clergy men were
preached IN DR.. Fulton's chur, h IN mat pastor s
absence. and Or. Fulton sent him a letter OF
tn nks which ms church had voted for him
Nv vile wds SICK; tho phYsiclaus said she
could not live unless she removed from Cinclu-
natl | wrote to Or. Fulton asking MIN to speak
of me to tho church NJ CambridRcport
In which there was a vacancy lie didn't
answer my letter, but another brother
did, saying that the church did not
want IN open communiOuist. | remained IN
Cincinnati" said nr. Jencry. soObing as hC
spoke, ANA | buried my Wife,
DIR. JEFFERY
then told how, gradually, the impression that he
was IN open communicate grew, although he
believed that any person who was not im.
| mtrssd ana yet partuuk of the communion
violated the ordinance Of CLrsts house
In my church," sail he, " said, and | re
peat It now, tn I'm regard To the privilege and
ngnt OF communion feet just MS | q O In regard
to the privilege and right OF preaching and on
prayer, that "A man does not derive his right L
perform those services from his baptism bui
from his faith In Christ, and TINT IL that opn
lon leaves me out OF this conference. say 30 Ike
men. | have been treated as "A sort Of mora
| iepcr. my manhood has been assailed, but al
| though you deny me, God has given me thS
smile Of his APPRECIATION. lot ! would take
every man To my heart-eXcept one.
Dr. Fulton-Mho ia that Onef
Dr. Jetfery-You, sir,
| AT the conclusion Of DR.. Jefery' speech, Or
| Fulton asked permission to speak. Dc. Bright
and the Rev. Mr.. Keid hoped that he would not
| But he did speak, denying that MS dscourtes
had awning to do with the death OF DR.. def
g.