New-York tribune., 1886-04-02
TWO MINISTER'S TO BE TRIED.
BRIsToR BEFORE THE CONFERENCE.
lie PROTEST vGAINsT AN ECCLESIASTICAL. TRIAL
FAILING TO APPEAR.

lie PROTEST vGAINsT AN ECCLESIASTICAL. TRIAL
FAILING TO APPEAR.
Tn, twenty-ninth annual session of tht Newark
Methodist Episcopal Conference opened at a. m, yes
terday In the Lafayette Methodist Episcopal church in
Pacifc-ave Jersey City. Bishop Foster presided
The business session opened at 10 m. but when the
Rev. J. Todd secretary called The roll only about /"
thirds of the members answered. Among those who
answered was the Rev. George k. Brstor about whom
cent es large proportion of the interest OF the present
session. lie was sitting in the rear Of the church
reading a newspaper and when he anwercd here
to his name nearly everybody in the church turned
around 10 look at him. After the opening address by
the Bishop in which he mildly aliudcd to the Brisor
case az which grieve about but cannot AVOID
the preachers who hsd served fifty years u the minis
try invited TO take seats upon the platform The
Bishop resumed his address, saying that the confer
ence had unpleasant duty to perform and the sooner
1t was got rid of the better In order to save tine he
would call the name of George r. Brstor first and ask
if there was anything against him.
" There is answered Presiding Elder Craig, of the
Jersey City district The Presiding Elder then gave
IN detail the charges made against Mr. Bristor and the
esult of the inve.tgatiol. Mr. Bristor thanked the
Bishop for his kind words and said that he was more
interested in pending civil trial than in any ecceslas-
teal trial the conference might order. He thought it
would be unWse TO diyulge his testimony OK TINS tlle
and unfair To him 10 do IT, and he therefore desired
the appointment of a committee with instructions TO
in esgate the case the conclusion OF the trial IN
tue civil curt.
motion was made for the appointment of court to
consist of fifteen members to try Mr.. Brstor Alter
some discussion TO whether Mr. Bristor should De
tried for characterization the charges preferred
Iv Ida Downes. the motion was adopted. The ministers
selected 10 Compose the court were the Revs. a. IL.
Tuttlc +. A. Mason. W. =. Galloway f. V. king. j.
H. Ecbert C. f. Hull r. ii. Jacobus, q. T. Jackson,
Ihouus = ID ,jOups w Chamberlain, W. ii. kutn,
j. g. johnston X. b. Collins and \. Nj. Harris. Mr..
Brator made strenuous effort to the investiSa
ton put off until after TIE trial IN tie civil courts on
the ground q It result might prejudice bis case ana
warm discussion ensued. 1b, Rev. j. B. bryan
asked if the Investigation could not be laid oyer for
wear until after the civil courts through with IT.
rne question was answered by cries OF No! Nor
from all parts Of the church. Dr. Hubert held that
the result of the Conference trial could not affect the
trial in the courts and Presiding Elder Brice quoted
the Discipline to show tha. the Conference had 20
option but to proceed immediate trial The discus
sion became so heated that the Bishop finally said e
would be obliged although unwilling gly, to exercise ms
prero gatiye and order tho trial TO begir at once.
"T,at is entirely satisfactory" exclaimed several
ministers IN chorus.
~ entci my soemn'protcst" said Mr.. BIstor, that
is not fair"
Ai,cr conference the court decided to meet in the
ect re room of the Lafayette Ref f,rmsd Church. lie
Rev DR. pJttz OF the Drew Theological Seminary TaS
selected preside and the Rev. j. NJ Meeher To ac ~
secretary
The court convened at . D. In.. ana alted an hour
hut MI Bristor did not appear and it Is thought by
many that he will not consent TO be tried at this time
The court decided that the ia il 1t takes place Wii
be smelly private.