The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-08-20
A METHODIST MINISTER
Who Is dot Attending tho Camp Meeting nj
MOunl,VlIle Tells Why he Is Not,


One day last week a communication
from the Rev, William G. Riheldafer,
pastor Of the Ohapllne Street NJ, e.
church, was published, wherein the fol-
lowing Language was used, having refer
ence to his appointment on the Commit
tee on Public Worship fohthe Mounds.
vile camp meeting; ~ was appointed
on such committee without my knowl.
edge, and have notified the proper per
sous that will not serve propose 70
stand by the solemn obligation unani-
moutly taken by the West Virginia
Conference at Its last session."
Sincethe appearance ofthat communi,
cation there has been considerable spec,
ulation as to what Rev. Mr.. RiheldafTer
meant by his words, and what differ
epCes there were between the preachers
OF the Conference and the managers oil
the Camp Meeting Association. With q
desire TO furnish the public with all the
information to be had,.an INTELLlGENcRH
man called ppon Rev. MI. RiheldafieI
at his homo on Chapllne street last even.
The gentleman at 6rstseemed annoyed
THAT there should be anyone who could
not understand bis words, and still more
surprised when informed that there are
people who imagine that the church
sanctions and Is a party to the camp.
meeting. He explained that the last
Conference had adopted a preamble and
resolutions from which the following ID
taken:
"In our own Conference there are Ger.
tain camp meetings which encourage the
Dissertation OF the Sabbath by keeping
open gates on Sunday, by advertising
the Sunday service with posters and
hand.bills, by running excursion trains
to and from the grounds, and by Charg-
ing regular gate fees for admission,
thereby making tue Sabbath. a day oil
special attraction for purposes OF specu-
lation, aud involving the church In Its
PROCLAMATION, Therefore, in consider
alton Of these things,
"ReSolVed, LIST, That we reafirm and
indorse the action Of the last General
Conference on the Sabbath question in
which 1t uses the following ferclble
language: 1--WE condemn the practice
Of camp meetings and Sunday school
assemblies Of our church in keeping
open gates and charging admission fees
on the Sabbath day"
"Resolred, Cd, That 30 far as our own
Conference Is concerned, we will not at
tend, or cooperate In any way with any
camp meeting, or association, that per.
mits the dissertations which have already
been mentioned.
"ReSolrsd, Sd, That We will endeayor,
during the coming year, 70 educate the
people in our respective charges on this
question, 80 that they will have stronger
convictions Of the Bapredpess OF Gods
holy day.
"Resohsd, 4th, That we request the
ministers from other conferences to re.
spect our wishes, and not come within
the bounds Of our Conference to attend
such meetings as this report condemns"
Rev. MI. Riheldaifer then went on to
say that he considered It Of little use
that he should stay here and lift up his
voice against Sunday base ball, open "a.
looms and other Sabbath dissertations;
"while another part OF the church Is en-.
Couraging similar dissertations in the
name OF Christianity at Moundsyille,"
He cited the statement made 10
the effect that a mob Of people
lifted the gates of their hinges at
Moundsville on Sunday and, by force
similar to mob law, entered the grounds.
He further stated that some OF the min.
listers in the Conference felt that the
presence Of Bishop Joyce sufficient ex.
cuse for attending the meetings and tax.
ing part In them, but for his part, he had
obligated himself TO stay away this year
and he should do no, After the next
meeting Of the Conference he might be
relieved Of his obligation as a member
Of the Conference, but the moral
obligation would still exist.
Rev. Mr.. Riheldaffer seemed to be
very much In earnest and condemned
the action Of the Camp Meeting Associa.
ton, which he't6ok Occasion u say was
In no way connected with the Confer.
ence, In terms Of sincere reproach. He
considers the conducting Of the camp
meeting with open gates and advertised
sermons no less d Sabbath Dissertation
than many Of the other forms Of Sunday
amusement.