Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-03-30
COMMUNICATES.
BENJAMIN F. CRONISE.

| r
the 10Th instant rather bad-tempered
communication respecting myself, sign
ed by the person whose name heads
this article. / must here apologize
somewhat for his spirit, and for fond
ness, it would appear, tor no,orlety.
Disappointed in all of his expectations
at the last session of the Baltimore An
nual Conference az Cumberland, it is
quite natural that he should feel like the
bear robbed of her whelps. His parch-
men.s as Deacon and Elder in the NJ.
E. Church taken from him, deprived OF
the privilege OF preaching, aud of read
ing badly other mems sermons to con-
grega,ions that really did not appreciate
his pulpit labors, and reduced to the
position Of simply member of the
church, it can be well understood why
he would kick and splitter. Under all
the circumstances Of his case, 1t would
be far more credilable to him to main
tain modest silence. But this his self
conceit, self.impor:anee, and selt-assnr-
auce have not allowed him to do; and
hence, he seems determined not to let
a settled question rest, and is ready TO
carry on war of some sort.
Mr.. Editor, allow me to say that the
idea of his "indipidunhfy, or that 81
am The man." has been the chief cause
of Mr.. Cronises troubles. / speak un'
derstandingly. My connection with his
case was purely ofiieial-nothing per-
sonal My high regard tor his most
excellent wife would have prevented
me from any extreme consideration OF
his weakness and blunders. wrote to
her last fall that feared her husband
had made 'rhs mistake of his life" by
voluntarily severing his connection with
the NJ. Z. Church. Of course Mr.. G.
could not see it them suppose he is
beginning to see and feel it now. lnev-
er thought that be appreciated the grav-
ity of bis act of Withdrawal. His pres
ent experience may prove of value to
him, as it has done to many Others.
/ confess, MIR. Editor, that / fail to
see the relevancy of what Mr.. Cronise
says about 'qhe most rsvengsm feni-
opsy" towards himself. We have never
been rivals in any sense-Dor do ! know
the man who was ever jealous ofhim, men-
tally or morally, or in point of liberali-
ty or of influence Mr.. G. must certain
ly be laboring under some strange delu
sion.
Again: Mr.. Cronise tells US that he
withdrew from the NJ. Z. Church for
cause, Of the strongest and eIso,est
character So far as | understand the
matter, the causes he speaks OF may
be summed up thus A failure on the
part of many to "recognize him as me
man to whom all others must submit
This, | think, however, is constitutional
with him, and he cannot well help il,
| make allowances.
Let me also say that Mr.. Cronises
memory is at fault respecting what took
place in. the Quarterly Conference, at
Smithburg, on the 10Th of last August.
lie tells us that when l asked him if he
intended TO piihdraW from the church,
aud he answered ME "Yes," that | then
said, "Then you must have your certifi-
cate The fact is, nothing was said
about certificate until after his name
was marked Withdrawn" and then lie
(Cronisel himself asked for certificate,
and promised and sent him paper
not as matter of right to Wifhdroun
person, but as matter of courtesy, and
to ease off the case as pleasantly as |
consistently could under the circumstan
ces. For reasons satisfactory 10 my
self / did not ask Mr. c. for return of
his parchments till later period in the
Conference year These reasons are
known to several parties. would pre-
fer not TO give them TO the public print.
Respecting the certificate that | gave
Mr. Cronise, dated Sept, s!b, 1877,
which he parades before the public as
his authority to preach and administer
the ordinances of the church, while he
was himself no member Of any Chris
tian denomination, | would say that it
expresses no more than il was intended
to convey, viz: that al the time of his
'piihdrawnr b F. Cronise was an sccepta-
bic Local Elder in the NJ. f. Church. 1t
was no certificate of "renropar from one
place TO another-no recommendation
TO any other society, and certainly 10
authority to constitute himself a church,
or to 60 out and preach, or poorly read
other mems sermons to those who might
be willing to listen to him. The l83rd
paragraph of our Discipline gave me no
authority to do that. Moreover, the
Annual Conference has pronounced
upon this whole subject against Mr..
Cronise.
Further: The Sharpsburg ex-Parson
tells the public that he was "informed
that the eeriifenfe (above referred TOY
i0as intended 10 carry oa It's face com
piimepfary aspect" &C.. and he lob
jects" to that because he is Opposed 10
adding 10 anything that is finished"
Let me say Mr.. C's. informant was
greatly mistaken. Whatever the "fn-
ishsd Thing" may mean, that Mr.. Gro
Mise refers to- whether himself or my
cerfifcne-I must here record that
would be wholly at loss toknow what
/ could compliment him for, A man of
his snake up" is not apt to be heavily
loaded with compliments.
Mr. Cronise censures me, not Cor my
ruling in his case, he tells US, bat for
''my allowing the business that was