The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-13
DIR. BUCKLEY AND RICHARD GRANT.
Their Quarrel Over Bishop Taylor's Scheme
for Missionary Work in Africa.


presumably taking place to-day between the
Rev DR.. j. M. Buckley and Richard Grant.
They have had a bitter quarrel over the African
mission enterprise OF Bishop William Taylor.
When inquirer for particulars called on DR..
Buckley aud incidentally asked If he intended to
do anything to Mr. Grant. the clergyman re-
piled: 81 shall devote Sunday to praying for
him" When Mr.. Grant was told of this in
tended demonstration, he said: "Well I shall
have no secular business on Sunday, of course,
and shall pray for Brother Buckley" The be-
einnings of this big row were made when Bishop
Taylor first proposed to take an exploration
party Of missionaries into the heart of Africa.
and to do it without any appropriation of money
from the Methodist Missionary Society. He
had already established what he called
self-supportng missions in South Amer
lea, and now he aimed to Christianize
the Africans the same independents plan.
Several of the Methodist Bishops disapproved of
his course. and in the annual meeting passed
resolution wshing him godspeed, but expressing
no hope that he would GET it. DR.. Buckley is
editor of the Christian Advocate. the official
gan of the church. and to him Bishop Taylor at
tributes the disapprobation expressed both in
the paper and by the resolution of the society.
Richard Grant was personal friend and ardent
adinirer of Taylor and his project. Grant is
ttaarnfacturer of coopers' supplies. and is noted
for his uhcivi1 gruffness of manner, although an
earnest and energetic Christian. He was deeply
angered against Buckley then, and he declared
that he would see Bishop Taylor through at any
cost He became treasurer of the fund to trans
port missionaries and supplies to Africa, and
about 200 men, women and children have been
sent. in spite of the opposition by Buckley OF
late the official expressions regarding the self
supporting African missions have been kindlier,
attained by Taylor had silenced his enemies.
The matter stood in that way wnen, the day
before Christmas last, Joseph c. Waller. with
his wife and two children arrived by steamer
in this city. They were sick and destitute.
They had returned from African mission work
Waller went to Grants Office and begged for
money enough to feed and lodge his family for
day or two, until they could start for their old
home in Vermont. They were curtly refused so
much as aeent Grant bad already been ad-
vised that they were malcontents. and he would
not do anything for them. They were taken
into low sailors boarding house by tho hospit-
able landlord. and warmed and fed for several
days gratis. They told story of personal
grievance in Africa. and this was published, but
the more interesting assertions by them were
that the Taylor missionaries had gone to Africa
mainly as fortune hunters They counted on
sustenta tation evaneelists while seeking fort
unes by trading with the natives. Waller adj
mitted that his object was the same, al
though he professed sincerity, also. as to
the religious part of the scheme He declared
that the real object in refusing church aid di-
rect was to leave the missionaries legally if not
morally free to make money for themselves by
purchasing ivory. gold and diamonds from the
negroes. He went SO far as to say that the cal
culation was to pay for these articles by tuition
in the mission schools.
Now, Grant was the principal business pro-
moter and financial manager of Bishop Taylor's
affairs, and he was very acry and denunciatory
of such charges. He demanded OF DR.. Buckley
vindication in the Christian Advocate. Buck
lev replied that he was going to publish a state
1nent by Wallar, and was willing to accompany
~ hxro rar1r from Oman bio -
ire still more. and he refused to provide the re-
ply to be printed. while using all available in
huence to prevent the appearance of Wallar's
accusations These were printed, however but
they proved TO be rather mild criticism of the
management in Africa. Grant retorted with an
attack on Buckleys motives That is thssitua-
tion to- day.
AS to the subject of commercial traffic by the
Taylor missionaries in Africa. nothing to sup
port reflection the Bishops own purity OF
motives could be found. Methodist dignitaries
with whom your correspondent talked all agreed
that he was beyond suspicion of reproach-a
visionary and an impractical, some thought. but
which his missionaries go to Africa do Lot for
bid them to trade with the natives on their own
account or to go into any business ventures that
they q choose Indeed, they are expected to sup
located in Africa. They may do this
in any way they choose. And it is
certain that many of the volunteers
fortunes for themselves well to convert
the heather. They were not forbidden to traf-
fic in the natural riches of the country. nor
were they in the least bound to turn over the
profits to the missionary fund. All they agreed
to do was to preach the gospel among the At
ricans The Wallar exposure, followed by the
Buckley Grant personal quarrel. has already
had the effect of stopping nearly all contriou-
tions to the transportation and outfit fund, and
there is going to be big fight over the question
OF indorsing or repudiating Bishop Taylors mis-
sions by the forthcoming Methodist quadrennial
conference.