The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-10-16

The Minister whom DIR. George Succeed,
Before the Conference.

The Minister whom Dr. George Succeeds
Before the Conference.
CHICAGO, October l5.-In the Rock River
Coaielence yesterday those not in sympa.
thy with the liberal views OF DR.. II. ".
Thomas endesvored TO dodge the ques-
tion and let the charges Of heresy against
him remain on the records OF two years
ago by tabling resolution OF his friends
to rescind the resolutions preierriug these
charges. But DR.. Thomas and his friends
were determined 10 have decision. He
was granted a personal explanation In
which lie said: "YOu pushed the matter
10 the utmost verge and put upon me the
heaviest censure possible almost, and left
me to bear it. Now, lRy sermons OF two
yearR since that Conference arc before the
world. II they are he!erodox, let the
fact be shown, II they transcend the
liberty allowed in the Methodist pulpit
let 1t be shown. Applause.
l have felt that 10 meeting the wants oi
the day, L had to take some position that
seemed TO me TO be compelled by the ne.
cessities 0i truth aud by the necessities of
fact, have felt that ] cOuld not stand in
The peculiar place occupied iu thus great
city, graphing with many doubtful minds
that God gave me. They came to me BY
the multiplied hundreds, 80 that could
not d. my bsst work for them without the
most honest and fair dealing. aud now
the question Is for you TO decide whether
a man in the Methodist pulpit is bound to
hold to the tiual theory OF the atonement.
1 do not hold II. Icannot hold 1t. A qnes'
ton for you TO decide is whether man IN
the Methodist pulpit Is got TO unqualified
ly affirm and preach the doctrine OF end
less punishment, not only for sin but Tor
Individual souls. That there Is no way
possible for tho soul to change its course
after the breath passes from the body.
81 cannot affirm that the question torYoa
to decide Ia whether man in the Meth
odist pulpit must affirm the verbal theory
OF the inspiration OF the Scriptures. can
not affirm that, ! say. Now. believe as
our articles say that "the Scriptures c,n.
tain all that Is necessary for salvation" 1t
ia expected that formal charges will be
preferred to-day, and that one OF the most
importantand exciting church trials which
ever occurred in America will decide
whether minister shall have the right to
preach convictions In opposition to the
doctrines Of his church. There Is much
division OF sentiment iu Conference. Some
want 10 let the matter wholly alone, conf.
dentthat DR.. Thomas can get no appoint
ment he will accept. Others want TO re,
affirm the action Of two years ago, and
some are for open war.
It would be erygratiiytng to the Shole
Conference II Dr.. Thomas would withdraw,
and save thsm the trouble OF doing any
thing; but Thomas wants specific decla'
ration on the theological poipts involved,
aud his promise to abide by the result OF
such q decision is equivalent to promise
to withdraw II the decision ts adverse.
But some OF the ministers do not believe
this, and cherish the opinion that the
Doctor wants to leave the church with the
eclat OF deposition for heresy.
RnCKFoRD. ILL, October 10 The Rock
River NJ. f. Conference this morning
made as the order for 10 o'clock tomorrow
set OF resolutions requesting the ce!e'
brated divine, Or. Hiram W. Thomas, to
withdraw from the ". Z. Church at this
session. The reasons set forth are that he
holds doctrinal views at variance with
the historic theology Of the NJ. E. Church
Ia avowedly conscientious in maintaining
them, aud his. doing so is q source of con.
tinued irritation tohimself. and disturb.
ance TO the peacs Of the church, and In.
furious to the cause Of religion.