The bee., 1882-12-23
THE BETHEL LITERARY .ASSO-
CITATION AND ITS ENGLISH
PRESIDENT.

CITATION AND ITS ENGLISH
PRESIDENT.
This association was started under
very good auspices and at time when
such an association was greatly needed.
Its founders deserve much credit it
has been kept nOn-sectarian, quite
liberal, and generally the meetings
have been orderly and respectable. The
general intelligence and high cultiva-
tiOn of this community made the asso-
citation at once success. Music, vocal
and instrumental, ESSAYS, papers on
important subjects, addresses from dis
tinguished, able and thoughtful men
and women have been part of the in
teresting programme of exercises of
this association. 1t hUS been peculiarly
American in its invitation to all and
exclusion of none worthy to attend its
meetings. But like all successes in
the right direction, it has ready band
Of vultures TO shape things for their
own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, glory and honor
Observing friends of this association
have for some time noticed the growing
tendency TO restrict and contract the
high purposes of its founding to de-
nominational man worship and gloriti-
cation. The facts have been lost sight
of, that an intelligent general public
and men AMI women outside of church
denomination, have made the Bethel
Literary Association success but
for the talent outside of the denomina-
tion whose officers started it, it could
not have succeeded without the valuable
material, however talented few
remaining members might have been.
1t would have degenerated into mere
church denominational petty associa-
tion," of no general Importance, hence,
it is pity to have the Bishops" of the
4. NJ. f. Church, whose authority in
that church and whose teachings from
the pulpit cannot be answered, gain
saved or denied at the time of utter
ance, to come into this association and
nearly at all times take a leading part
in debate, and expect not to be an
swered and to consider it disrespectful
to themselves to have the fallacy of
their views on the topics discussed
shown up by intelligent members and
invited guests it is all well enough
for them to hold forth from the pulpit,
because in that sacred place the bishop
and preacher can put forth ignorant
crude views and conclude themselves
to be wise and their doctrines to be ac-
ceptable, as no one would have the
10 object, or comment upon
what was said 10y the bishop or preacher
from the pulpit, but in the literary
where criticism is expected
and invited under its own rules. it
must not he expected that men of
ideas and brain force. of indi-
and reputation, will arcept an
to discuss matters presented,
and allow themselves TO be misrepre-
sented aud brought into public ridicule
10y the decisions of the president, in
violation of the rules Of the association |
and all accepted parliamentary law |
and usage, and of courtesy and good |
breeding, usual among well-bred people. |
The president of this association is very |
in his constant allusions TO |
the English people, society, and the
great public men of that country, as ,
5he superior models for the American
people TO follow. His peculiar English /,
may make him see a great |
horror in a simple man daring to at
lempt TO controvert the conclusions of !
l bishop; he, no doubt, as a we'll
,rained English subject, feels keenly
he embarrassment in having an ordin-
,ry man reply to a bishop, but he
should try to remember that he is now
n America, and as an act of gracious
he has been honored to preside
)ver a fine literary association of ladies
md gentlemen; therefore, subserviency
o high church officials, blind obedience
o their dictum, at the expense of good
ense and manners, and in violation of
he rules of the association, is an insult
0 the intelligence of the audiences
which have honored him with their
'resence, and is an outrage upon the
reedom and decency in debate. I'M
courtesy, dignity and true
oliteneSs should be characteristic of
he president of such an association. to
Thich this particular gentleman could
id with much personal advantage
he is SO self-conceited, that {
pon all occasions, and upon every
uestion, paper, essay, or address, he {