Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-02
METHODIST D|V|NES.
An Important Meeting of the Pitts
burg Conference Opens
at Greensburg.
CHARGES AGAINST CLERGYMEN
To be Investigated by Committees of
Churchmen Behind Closely
Locked Doors.
CHARGES AGAINST CLERGYMEN
APPLICATION OF THREE.YEAR RULES.
General Itsns Of Interest From NghbOring Towns in
Three States.
IrRou A STATE CORRESPONDENT. J

willard f. Mallalleu, OF New orleans, q
great revivalikt and one who believes that a
preacher can do in three years about all
that lies in his power for good in one local.
ity, presided. The three-vear rule is not
popular with those who feel that they can
work IN one locality more than three years
without turning the barrel upside
down, but as the denomination, as its
name implies, is devoted to meth
DDS each member is likely to have
his own view as to the best. A preacher who IS
able to interest congregation for more than
three years, and whose lines fall in pleasant
place with good salary. would not be human
if, other things even, he did not prefer long
appointment
the conference to whom this phase is specially
interesting 1t is understood that the nve-year
men. J. a. Ballantyne, of Ames, Pittsburg; S.
W. Davis, of McKeesport; ]. G. Gogley, of st.
Pauls Pittsburg; D. L. Dempsey, of Phillips
burg: W, A. Stewart of Derry Station and w.
{. Weaver. of Circlevllle, must move, and they
have naturally been anxious to know where
the next way station would be.
During the year the grim reaper robbed the
Conference of two well-known ministers, one
of whom was William p. Blackburn, who after
Sc years ministry, had been superannuated IA
years. He, like st. Paul, preferred life of
single blessedness. The death Of DR.. William
B. Watkins left large gap in the Conference,
he was scholar, an eminent preacher, and
was the author of several school text books and
Secretary of the Conference. There were also
TWO presiding elderships to fill.
WOMEN AS DELEGATES.
Another question for discussion that refuses
10 down is the eligibility, or non-elgibility, of
women as delegates to the General Conference.
Miss Frances Willard and Mrs. William Van
kirk, the latter of this city, had rebuff two
wears ago when the General Conference met in
ppnerD1 IN
two years. As Methodist women are especially
noted for their zeal in church work. they will
undoubtedly ge: there before the fight is ended,
as they will never allow 1t TO be called draw
Last evening the unusual number OF high
hats in GreenSburg testified that the heads of
the NJ. L. clans were on hand in force, and Rev.
Nm. Lynch of Turtle Creek. preached an in
Spring sermon to set The work agong.
This morning the work began by singing the
hymn beginning And are we yet alive?' Sub
sequent proceedings showed that they certainly
were. Presiding Elders Bell and Jones and DR.,
Nm. Cox were on the platform with Bishop
MallalIeu. DIR. Cox prayed, and Presiding
Elder Jones read the first chapter of ST. Paups
Epist,e to the Colossians. The communion was
then administered, and, as a wreck on the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad delayed the arrival of
many ministers. the time was occupied by sing
ing, and prayer by DR. c. A Holmes
n. z. Kerr was made Secretary, and chose as
assistants j. B. Uber, J. W. RICHTER and Will
lam Medley. NJ. NJ. Sweeney was elected Sta
y IT. y
StefE J. W. Fighter, j. Mcintyre, A ]. Ashe
aud II. ]. Altsman assistants
DR.. Horner was reelected Temperance Treas
urer, and chose S. keefier and w. g. Mead
assistants.
COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. -
The rules of last session were adopted, L. r.
bones was deputed to look after the interests
of the Methodist ReutetO.. Bishop Andrews
was introduced, as was also G. w. Terbush a
conference. q n.
ing in the Christ Church McKeesport where
Rev. R. B. Mansell lately officiafed.
Rev. J. 4. Riley asked for a committee of in
quiry into charges concerning his (Riey's)
character Mr.. Riley asked that Drs Holmes
and Petty be appointed his counsel. DR.. Will
lam Cox was appointed to represent the other
side.
1t was proposed that the Board of Stewards
receive and tabulate accounts of money con-
tributed by the congregations for various pur-
poses, but after discussion it was decided to
leave the work in the hands of the Conference
Treasurer
1t was decided that the leading counsel on
both sides of the Mansell case should be al
lowed to select the committee or jury. and Rev.
J. W. Wright asked that Revs. J. F. Core and
II. c. Beacon be made his assistants Both OBJ
jected, STATING that previous to the preferring
OF the charges they did not know the prose-
cutors except Brother Murphy. Rev. Mr.
Rich. counsel for Mansel, thought that owing
TO the connection of the brethren named with
the case it was not advisable that they take the
I'LL a d
sttute for them and the offer was accepted
DR.. a. Wheeler and ]. B. Rich were made coup-
sci for the accused. Rev. Mr.. Wright wanted
to resign as counsel and the Conference re-
fused TO let him.
TO SIT WITH CLOSED DOORS
The charges were referred to a committee,
the names of which we're not read at the morn
ing session. and Bishop Andrews was appointed
chairman. DR.. MItler proposed that the com
miItee SIT with closed doors, and his view pre-
vailed.
Brethren Small. of the Erie Conference,
Parsons, of the English Wesleyan Church, and
\. B. Smith, of the Central Pennsylvania Con-
ference, visitors, were introduced.
Dr.. Eaton, of Hurst and Eaton, representing
the interests OF a denominational publishing
house in New NOrk. made a short address, as
also did Bishop Andrews.
Brethren Kidney and T. F. Pershing were
granted leave of absence, and the announce
ment Of the meetings of the various commit
tees completed the work of the morning ses-
sion.
The laity were entertained this afternoon by
a peppery sermon by DR.. d. L. Dempsey. His
text was the last verse of the third chapter of
the epistle Of Paul to Timothy The leading
ideas of the sermon were salvation to all who
want it and opposition to evolution though he
allows the term development in lieu thereof,
At the o'clock meeting interest centered
largely in the selection of the jury to try Rev
r. B. ManselPs case. Several objected to sery.
ing, and Brother Davis was especially vehement
in his objections. He explained that he had
been burdened with much of such work in the
past and besides, was on The Examination Com
mittee. Bishop Mallalieu suggested that it
was complimentary to Brother Davis a recogni-
tion of his fitness.
Davis-It isn't recognized in my appoint.
ments. ILaughter.l
AGAINST EXCUsIEG ANYONE.
Rev. Mr.. Wright asked to be excused, as he
is witness in the case. Dr. Petty opposed the
release. Revs. Mr.. Connors and Thomas Pat
terson asked to be excused also, but Rev. Mr.
Beazell and Bishop Andrews objected to allow
ing anyone an excuse, unless for extraordinary
reasons. but nnally all the kickers were left on,
and the following gentlemen chosen the
jury: y. w. Johnston, Il. Cartwright, c. E.
Locke, j. A. BallantYpe, L. Mcclure, r. Ham,
ilton, a. Bush, j. {. McMinn, George Orbin, r.
J. Mckee, II. w. Camp, George b. Hudson
aud A. J. Rich
The court was directed to commence work at
O'Clock this evening, and to sit with heremetic-
ally sealed doors. DR.. Mansell was ianked
by strong force of supporters from McKees-
port, some ~ OF them belonging to the sister
hood, some of whom were irate when told their
testimony might not be heard.
Some routine business was dispos ed of papers
submitted on various subjects being appro-
priately referred.
DR.. Chapman announced that Rev. Mr..
RIley's trial would begin tomorrow afternoon
at O'Clock, and a gentleman on one of this
evenings trains said he on his way to Pitts
burg to make some people back their charges
Tonight Rev. S. H. Nesbitt, of Butier
preached historical sermon, telling of the |
work of planting and nursing the PittsburS
Conference, and embalming the memory Of |
Methodist workers, who labored prior to the |
organization of the Conference
While the organ played no part in to-davss
proceedings the White brothers, under the /
management OF Chaplain McCabe. sang some