Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1884-10-25
Conference Glsaninrx.

Conference Gleanings-
To the Chronicle:
Nashville did not want the Con-
ference, il we are to Judge by the
extreme difficulty the committee
had i'm getting homes for the MEM
bers, and the small demand there
was for preaching during the ses-
sion. We expect to stay out OF
Nashville hereafter. My home was
with r. K. Brown, and of course l
was comfortable. One man was
willing to take two preachers, If
they tcere not scrubs. Others were
doubtless OF the same mind. Nash
vile Methodism is hfghfaIistial, in
part. The proceedings of the Con-
ference were well conducted by
Bishop McTyeire, and were inter
esting. Most OF the preachers SEEM
ed pleased with their appointments,
but some were deeply afflicted. l
remain on Spring Hill circuit, and
am among the pleased.
But / want to tell you of the bomb
shell that dropped into our midst
near the close of the session. Here
IL is: H
"Whereas, the modern dance, In
all its exhibitions, the theatre in all
its forms and the circus with or
L. IN
tons of the devil, the allied foes OF
christianity, the triple womb OF
uncleanness, and the joint harbin-
gers of social degradation; and
Whereas, Methodist law and the
vows of membership bind our peO-
pie neither to patronize, nor give
countenance to these satanic cOntri-
vances, and
Whereas, Methodist pastors are
held responsible, in their places, for
the faithful execution of the discip-
line, therefore,
ResoLUed, That we, the members
of the Tennessee Conference, Meth
Odist Episcopal Church, South, lay
and clerical, now assembled in Nc
Kendree church, Nashville, Tennes-
see, will, by the grace of God. re-
spect our laws, perform our vows,
and meet the grave responsibilities
that rest upon us touching these
denominations, and all Others OF a
kindred character keeping our
selves unspotted from them, waglng
and endless warfare against them,
and doing what we can to extirpate
them from the Church and from so
ciety."
This paper was prepared and pre-
sented by this correspondent, and
seconded by ]. r. Cockrill, a lay
delegate from the Nashville District.
Virtually it failed, though the Con-
ference, as body. is not chargeable
for the failure. Bishop McTyeire
gave his best efforts to its defeat,
DIR. McFerrin threw himself against
it, Duncan stood up and said he was
against it, Hughes, and others of
like calibre withstood it, while vol
ces without number cried out to me
Withdraw it! Withdraw itw /
have not witnessed such excitement
In our Conference before from any
cause, that can recall, the Bishop
himself mingling in it. My purpose
was to know the mind OF the Con-
ference, either by vote, or by the
weight OF opposition arrayed against
the paper, and not until defeat was
inevitable did 1 withdraw it; and
then, standing face to face with the
Bishop, announced that I with
drew it simply because it was virtu-
ally defeated, but recalled no senti-
ment nor utterance contained In it.
/ did want us to move as a body
against these innovations which are
roofing out the spirit OF Christ in
the church, but we are not yet ready
for it on the line indicated in the
above preambles and resolution,
and nothing else was offered for our
adoption. TO he sure, the discipline
is against them, but the discipline is
not enforced, and cannot be, as see
it, until we put shoulder toshoulder
In the work. Alone l have under
taken such things i'm the past, but
can hardly dare to do so in the flu
ture. i am where two seas meet
as pastor 1 am required to enforce
but the obstacles which
at present confront me in doing so
are more than 1 can surmount.
A. II. GOODLOE.