Smyrna times., 1891-03-25

The looked for "breeze" that was to
stir the Conference did actually start
up on Saturday, but it fell far short of
a hurricane. 1t soon spent its force
however, and to those who saw it from
a distance it looked like q tame thing.
1t answered admirably to give vent to
some wind that apparently had long
been pent up. A lot of preachers had
a grievance against the Peninsula Meth
Odist, published by J. Miller Thomas,
of Wilmington, and edited by his
father, Rev. T. Snowden Thomas,
supernumerary preacher who, though
a Peninsula man, happened to be in
Pennsylvania when the conference was
divided. The paper had an uncertain
existence until it came under its pres
ent management, since which time its
existence has been unquestioned.
Just what is the cause of such hos
tile attitude it is difficult for one read
ing in the casual manner an editor has
to, to determine. There certainly has
been no evidence of rasping criticism'
personal invective or Onslaughts on
character. The preachers. who have
positions in the inner circle may read
things, possibly surmises, between the
lines that would not catch the atten-
ton of layman, but then after all,
what is an editor for if he is not to ex-
press opinions according to his COnVic-
tions? They certainly would not want
putty man as editor of what is and
must be their conference exponent
whatever paper bullets they may fire
at it, and just here may be the real
rock of Offense-the advocate of this
and that idea has tried to control it,
and couldn't.
The conservatism Of the editor may
have been too conservative, but infin.
itely better for the influence Of hi:
journal than if under the "whip and
spur" spirit of those men who would
like to attach the publisher aud bis
paper to their chariot. Any one o
these same men if occupying the chail
editorial would likely soon be as oh
noxious to as many men having differ.
ent ideas of how paper should be con
duc'sl Che present publisher o
thr And, it is very eyiden
where there are SO many heterOgeue
Gus ideas-.One man to boost bis prr-o1a
influence, another to sound iii4 Tran.
pet of great achievements, auothsi ~
awakened from a half ba < ii.
state in his new zeal would absorb
with sanctifcatiOn another With
spasm of temperance virtue wIul
make it q red hot third party paper
how long could such a paper command
respect and live ?
Presuming that the publisher Of th
Methodist is like others Of the trade
anxious to do himselfa business favo
rather than an injury, we do not douh
that he is ready TO grant any conces
sion consistent with dignity, provide,
of course be is asked and not heC
tOred.
The fact is very apparent, and it
one that should not be lost sight o
that the territory embraced ia III
Wilmington Conference is too small fC
several successful religious Journal
The people do not want them whe
they have representative papers tbs
so much better meet their religion
and intellectual wants. when che
take q minister and supply him an
bis family with an ample living the
do It With two specific purposes-th
work Of the pastor and seeing after th
spiritual needs Of his flock. and, in 8
full a.degree. the work Of the pulpi
the preparation in his study 10 presel
70 his congregation sermons that il
struct, nurture and edify them. \
man whose time Is largely divide
with editorial duties can successful
do both.
FoUR attempts were made Saturds