Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-10-16
x ISLAND, FaIDAY, OCTOBER l6, 1891.
RAISED A RUMPUS.
Quite a Breeze in the Ecumeni.
Cal Conference.
DR.. LEONARDs POINT OF ORDER.

1t Never Was Stated, but Caused the
Brethren to Do Good Deal of Back
Talking''-The Paracy Discussed and
Generally Condemned-Opinion on the
Liquor Traffic Show a Strong Prohibi-
tion Tendency-Doings of the Ameri-
Gan Board of Missions.
RWAsHINGToN, Oct. l3-There was quite
Al rumpus in the Methodist ecumenical
conference yesterday, precipitated by
ruling of the chair, which DR.. Leonard, of
New York, refused for some time to sub
NIT to. The question up was Methodist
federation, which was advocated by DIR.
McLaren and Mr.. Kennedy, of Canada,
and DR.. Abererombie, of England, the
latter regretting that there should be op-
position to the movement in favor of
unity and quoting the lines:
Into a world of ruffians sent,
walk on hostile ground
The conference did not like the implica-
tion in this poetry, and DR.. Leonard in
sisted on recognition. alleging that he
rose to a point of order, although the
chair had awarded the floor to DR.. King,
the secretary.
Wouldn't BE Put Down.
DIR. Leonard continued to insist on be-
ing heard in spite of the comments on
his conduct made by several of the dele
gates, and of the appeals of the chairman,
who advised Leonard to real the rule,
when he would see his error. Many I'M
complimentary remarks were exchanged
by the brethren, and the scene was one
of confusion and excitement. DR.. Leonard
forced his way to the front, exclaiming:
"Mr. ChairmanI Mr.. Chairmanl" while an
English delegate said that if Leonard per-
sisted in his conduct he should be sus.
pended and an Irish delegate tried to get
the floor TO move suspension.
DIR. Leonard Finally Subsidies.
At last DR.. Hughes, of England, made
himself heard, and said that having
regard to the credit of a great assembly
like this, on which the eyes of the whole
world were resting, DR.. Leonard should
bring himself to obey the chair. If he
had anything to say on the subject he
wqhld have the opportunity later on. Il
beg DR.. Leonard not to bring the whole
assembly into contempt" cried DIR.
Hughes. Other gentlemen sustained the
chair, and Leonard abandoned his effort,
whereupon order reigned once more. DIR.
King moved to POSTPONE the federation
matter for the day, and the motion was
adopted.
Discussed "Romanism and Rum"
The rest Of the morning was occupied in
discussion of the Roman Catholic church,
the general tendency of the remarks being
that the influence of Rome had been evil,
especially the influence of the papacy. The
10, al-ar, in, ha of
noon. Rev. r. II. Mahon, of Memphis,
said that the annual cost of liquor to
the people of the United States was $780,
200, or sl4 80 per capita, and it exceeded
the cost of both meat and bread. The
church to be silent against the liquor traf-
fic would break her trust, and the fact
that liquor is protected by civil power
does not release the church from her work
against it, and it is none the less sinful
because it is lawful in the eyes of the
world.
saloons Potent Allies of the Devil.
The saloons, he said, were unknown in
primitive times and now they are potent
allies Of the devil. The manufacture and
sale of liquor as beverage stands direct
| ly against the kingdom of God. While
| the church should observe prohibition it
should not get into politics, as politics be-
longs to society at large, and the church
has nothing to do with legal prohibition;
| let her aim be her holy work. Men sold
| liquor, not to make men drunk, but for
gain, and they are willing to make money
at the risk of human souls. The duty of
| the church. he said, was to denounce the liq-
| or traffic, to set an example by their total
abstinence and to work against this great
| vice of modern times.
Believers in Prohibition.
The other speakers were for legal prohi-
| bition. Rev. Worthington, of England,
| said the state should not place temptation
| in the way of those the church tried to re-
| form. Rev. Phillips, of the A. NJ. E.
| church, declared it to be the duty of the
| government to prohibit the traffic. He
also spoke for international prohibition.
Rev. Jamer Pickett. of England, said the
| stale should annihilate the business. Bish-
| op Eaines, of Georgia, a. NJ. E. church,
dared a political party necessary to
| suppress the liquor traffic. 1t could only
be abolished as slavery was, by party.
Rev Lambley, of Oneida, n. Y, remarked
that every Christian preached against liq-
uor, but would go and vote for his party
candidate irrespective of his ideas on pro-
hibitiop. Several other short addresses
| aAi