The National tribune., 1892-04-14
MR.. HUDSON'S DENIAL.
Rev. Riley Was Not Dismissed from The Wesleyan
Conference.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your issue
of March II, find an article headed {" Rev. e.
p. Riley-Another Account of Why He Was
Dismissed from Wesleyan Methodist Confer
encc." This account purports to come from
me. I wish to deny that l have intimated
that the Rev. Riley was expelled or dismissed
from the Wesleyan Methodist General Confer
once held at Grand Rapids. He had no more
connection with that Conference than the
Editor of TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. He was
there only as n visitor, and sought an intro
duction to the Conference, which was refused
him on account Of his connection with the
Grand Army. He had no reason to complain.
He knew our rule on the subject of secret So
cietics, and he knew that others in past years
had been refused on the same ground, and he
should not have expected any other fate, as all
who offered themselves who belonged to secret
societies were refused.
Now, whether our position was right or
wrong, he knew our position, and should have
had manhood enough not to have imposed
upon the Conference. Your heading is mis-
leading, for it conveys the idea that he was a
member, which / have twice before informed
you he was not, and hence could not be dis
missed from the Conference.
l do not wish 10 prolong any controversy In
this matter. | am not satisfied with your arti-
Gle, rs it leaves a false impression on the minds
of those who have read your first article, and
this publication leaves the same false impression.
We stand before the world opposed to all secret
societies, and hence have to meet all their
hatred and influence, yet we still live and ex-
pect to live.-A. N. HUDSON, Lowell, Mich.
I'VE simply published Mr.. Hudson's own
article. II he said anything in that which he
now denies, we are not responsible. The only
part of that communication for which we are at
all responsible was the headlines.-EDIToR Ma
TIONAL TRIBUNE.
An Ohio Comrades Opinion of the Rev.
Riley Episode.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I have Just
read in a recent issue the article of A. n. Hud-
son. Lowell, Mich, In relation to the treat
hands of the National (mark the world Con-
ference Of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, at
Grand Rapids, Mich.
This article was doubtless written In the
hope of palliating the conduct of that Cody
body when it sat down on Minister of Gods
holy word, whose only offense seems to have
been. he was member of the GAR. and did
not deny it.
Though charged with grave offensc, when
he asked permission to explain, the privilege
was not granted him, and the sublime Christ
ian who presided over the grave deliberations
of the immaculate few declined to hear him
further, or to permit fellowship with the here
tics. 1t does not matter whether these are the
words of the President or of your correspond
ent they are impudent insulting and assum-
ing. These old comrades who have associated
themselves together in Fraternity, Charity,
and Loyalty are heretics. Though they ac-
knowledge tho Christian God as their God,
they are herctics. Though man may be
Christian Minister, if he be member of the
GAR, then ne is hereto.
The grave mistake The NATIONAL TRIBUNE
made in the premises was in saying COmrade
Riley was expelled. There seems little doubt
but that he would have been had this Christ
ian Conference had that power. They did all
they could do; they refused Comrade Riley an
introduction. The spirit was there, and THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE was not far wrong. The
mistake is so trifiing that fail to see what in
justice you have done. The spirit of intoler-
ance was in that Conference, the spirit of pro-
scription was there.
The Catholic Church. as uncompromisingly
opposed to secret societies outside the Church
as it has been for ages, makes an exception az
to the GAR. Wby2 Because it recognizes
the spirit Of loyalty that dominates the Order
the patriotic influence it exerts; the comrade-
shipi promotes; the charity it practices. The
Wesleyan Methodist Church has not progressed
so far, either in liberation or patriotism.
There Is no mistaking the facts. Mr.. Hudson
was an eyewitness, he sayg, of this outrage to-
ward Comrade Riley, and of the insult prof
fered this most charitable. loyal, patriotic and
Christian organization over the shoulders of
our c0mrade.
Comrade Riley should come ont from among
so much bigotry, such narrowness. The God
that brought him safely through the sacrament
OF fire, in which was fused the shackles of the
slave has work for him.
That word hereto" sounds strangely Ike
an echo from the council chamber Of the Holy
InQuisition.-E. H. HAYS, Co. K, 32d Ohio.