The New York herald., 1876-11-14
MINISTER'S CONFERENCES.

That they might not be accused Of partiaty and
dcdness the Methodist preachers yesterday gave
their lay brethren q chance to be heard the ques-
tion OF praying bands, which they have had under
consideration for a few weeks past The laymcn did
not await themselves of this opportunity however to
tho extent that they might have DONE and hence the
Rcvs r. Brown, A. c. Morehouse d. A. Goodsell
Dr Kcteli aud others took hand in. OF the iaymcn
who spoke, Messrs Ncwland, Shipman, Or. Howe and
D. Gardiner maintained that praying bands had
done good and were stin dong good, and that they
should bc encouraged instead OF being discouraged.
Some OF them charged lack Of charity upon tho
preachers in this discussion and brother Shpman Of
Harlem boldly declared that he would not accept any
legal authority from The Methodist Episcopal Church
TO do the work that he believed God had called him
do. He cited case in Waterbury, Conn, where his
band in day had led sixty 1--WE souls to Christ and
in other places lesser number. Tho men engaged Ia
praying bands. Mr.. Gardner, OF Brooklyn, said,
were those who laborco most successfully In local
church work. They the most efficient class lead
ers in Washington street church, with which hc is
connected They are the bes. praying men in the
churches, ami the best cxhorters, too Though not
bana member himself, he denIed that praying bands
went out as representatives OF the Mcthoisi
Episcopal Church. They went Christisn
men. aud II is within the province Of any
Methodist minister 10 keep them out of his church.
They 60 only when they are invited. Mr Morehouse
exhibited a printed pamphlet, which contained tho
records Of two bands which had been successful within
OF years mot pamed in leading rs 900 souls into
tho Church He regretted that since tais discussion
commenced Samuel Haistcad's band had withdrawn all
their engagements Tor the prcseut ial and winter, and
they Will probably disband. Inquiries, however re-
vealcd that This action any way
lated to the discussion IN the preachers meeting, but
the result OF otEor causes. such MS death and
sickness OF members. DR. Keitcii dsabuscd his hrcth
rcn mind that Chrstian work" consisted IN praying
and shouting ana raising general hullabaloc inside
The altar OF the church Hc could tell them thcro
far wider range ot Christian work outside 0f church
walls. And some OF the most cody men never SO In
an altar and never prny In public. Tho Doctor
protested against thuking that this praying 10 order
tor day Is the only KIND of Christian work There
no demon nation where this Is done SO much she
Methodist Episcopal Church. mud there ~ whcro
the mo ra religious tone OF the people Is so low
II Is the most astounding satire and sar-
casm upon Christianity, and there is nothing
that Christian work means ho prayed God 70 him
from w. Brother Wins soilencd down the rising
psrics Of his brethren and thought there had been
no harm by The discussion and nothing said that
should provoke unkIndiy iceIings IN ono toward
other Brolhcr tsoodseil. who opened the discussion
al nrst, explained that his main position was that
praying bands were independent OF tho church ana
thai all other church agencies had sort OF cccc
siastical supervision. He did not think II was any
more degrading to layman 10 submit 10 such super
tions and two ordinations and after that annual
vrsteation OF their character Brother Parker wanted
10 Introduce resolution exenptiug Halstcad's band
from any criticism that had been made ihe discus
SION and thanking II Tor the work II had donc tho
past but Mr. Lloyd offered substitute, and Dr. Curry
misleading, AMI both resolutions were Withdrawn so
the stands practically where IL stood month
ago Those ho want praying bands will invite them
now ever and those who do not Will not.