New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-01

Society The Rev DR.. George e. Strobrdge will pre-.
side Address by Mrs. Albright.
p m-Reception to the members Of tho New.York Con-
ference by the Social Union OF New.York City in
Jaeger's Hall Flfty.ninth.st. and Madlson.ave
promptly at the time for opening the business
session OF the second day of the ninety third annual
meeting OF the New-York Methodist Episcopal Con
ference the ministers took their places yesterday morn
Ing and Bishop Foss called for the roll At the
vouona exercises, which preceded the opening. hardly
twenty clergymen were present, but the church filled
up with amazing rapdity. Almost the entire morning
was consumed by the members In discussing the
scandal which was reported in Tho Tribune of Wednes
day and yesterday. A committee of Investigation
was appointed by Bishop FN~s and the members went
into secret session at O'Clock and remained all
the afternoon. The members Of the committee again
met to the evening, and one OF its members said that
they might be in session all night since they were
Instructed to report before the vote should be taken
for General Conference delegates. That has been
made the order OF the day for 10 O'Clock this morning.
The order may be changed however, when the con
ference meets.
As soon rs the routine business Of the opening of
the session was over the Rev. a. IL. Ferguson rose
and presented the following resolution:
Whereas. An item was published In The Ncw.York
Tribune Of yesterday morning entitled scandal Among
Methodtts"; and whereas the substance Of IL
peated In this mornings paper and whereas this is very
serious charge. affecting each member of the conference
Be IL resolved that committee Of five be appointed TO in
Vestgate this matter and report TO the conference
A. II. FERGUSON.
ANDREW SCHRIVER.
The Rev. j. B. Cross moved the adoption Of the
resolution. For minnie everybody sat still and
then a dozen sprang TO their feet. The Rev.
Dr. Browning moved to lay the resolution OF the table.
DR.. McAnney next recognized by Bishop FoSS.
He said IN part: "df It is necessary to resort to
any such thing the conference ought 10 know about
It, We dislike TO be sconrged 10 acton by the new
papers. II there are any oiegerS in the woodple
we ought TO know 1t, without coming under the lash
OF The Tribune"
For two hours the discussion was hot and heavy
Among the speakers were the following:
DIR. Richard Wheatley-Is it necessary that This
conference should put itself or tiall We are
Christian ministers. The public ought to conclude
that are entirely above the practices alhded
to. / object 10 the accusation, SIR. MY
skirts are clear, and deny the right Of
The Tribune to compel me or my brethren to clear
my skirts in the sight of the whole world. (Loud
applause)
Bishop Foss-Bre,hren we need to be In deib'
eratve mood. therefore ask You to use your iudg-
ment and not your hands. Remember where you are
and show respect to your presiding officer BY relieving
me from calling your attention to this matter again.
The Rev. F. L. Wilson-The character Of each
minister in this conference was up for examination
in the order If business yesterday and II There were
any charges to bring against anybody, why was
nothing said then This does not seem to me 10 be
the time for such action. The time was Yesterday.
DR.. G. IL. GregOry-We are not being bounded In
this matter as of the brethren seem 10 think by
any representatives of the press by any newspaper
Facts are facts. Each member Of the conference Will
admit that what has appeared in print has real
foundation Some of the brethren have seen hit to
accuse me In connection with this matter. am not
willing TO rest under the imputation. Why one
brother actually wrote letter to me, in which he
said: al would rather have my face in the rogue's
gallery than be in the place where yon are" have
some rights In this matter. l am willing 10 have this
matter investigated We ought 10 purge ourselves OF
this stain Upon us. The meeting at POugiikeepsie
have nothing TO say about But the letter which
followed IL is a lie and libel. Let the guilty man
be found for it is admitted that he Is member "
this conference. Cries of How do you Know
] am Innocent Who Will believe me Goud cries
Of We all win") brethren it's time these things were
stopped. When minister resorts TO such dirty
practices as that; when he stabS member after mein-
Der among US. this conference ouGht 10 take action
&. Amen, from all over the church, There have becn
still other anonymous letters, and 1t is time TO cai
a halt.
Dr. G.. H. smith-what have got to work on
am against this investigation business Let us have
definite charges first. Dr. Ferguson here read the
editorial in yesterday TrlbuneD
Dr. j. r. Day Brethren, don't want definite
charges This resolution c0ntemplacs avoiding names
until man is proved guilty. II We are not able to
ethics to the people The Tribune SAYS that prom-
nent minister charged with this. Why, brethren
have been charged with writing the letter III question:
IAuelter) In one sense it IS a trinng Affair." but
don't like TO be under the imputation. The guilty
man should be found and will do more or
60 further than will to clear ally accused man who Is
innocent The New York Tribune IS very respectable
paper II carries weight with il and IT circl,aes in
the best families Of the land. We cannot afford TO take
this high and mighty air and ignore the warnings oil
The Tribune. We must acknowledge the power and
the voice OF the press. clear duty Is before US
Applause and cries of That's sol')
Again the Bishop asked the brethren TO cease from
clapping their hands, and urged them 20 confne
their remarks 70 The Tribune article. and
then DR.. Charles S. Narrower said " Does the
Bishop mean that must confne our attention TO
The features presented by The Tribune alonef We
want light. We want information. How can we
get it3 A clergyman wrote 10 me. asking II was
guilty OF going to that Poughkeepsie meeting and vot
ing for my SELF telling that If could not deny 1t,
he would hold me up 10 the ridicue OF the church.
I replied TO him. And all on the strength OF mat
ANONYMOUS squibl How fine! How scandalousl
You will at least sign whatever you write We have
one libel with sneak behind 1t. Give us one with
"a man behind Ii that shall not have TO hunt for
But l began TO hear 1t far and near and then
7 felt disgraced The Church which l honor was
injured. Not only the circular low but legal ana
also ministerial. What strnnge bedfellows tickery
does make for us And after some legal advice In
the matter Pm not so that 1t all legal,
for two OF the clergymen attacked were not present
at tho meeting In question, and think that the arti-
Gle is actonable I'm their Let US have this in
vestigation by all means"
A number OF others followed and then the Rev.
DR.. Clark Wright presented the following substitute
for the motion;
Whereas Certain rumors are in circulation derogatofy
20 this body therefore be IL
Resolved, That hereby appoint committee Of seven
ito be selected by the chain whom this matter be re-
ferred for igation and before whom and all per
sons having concerning meeting OF brethren
at and anonymous letter be and are re-
Quesd appear and the result Of such invesea'n De
reported for the conference before we pro-
coed 20 elect delegates the General Conference
The Rev. DIR. Wheatley then offered an amendment
LII Ilnd In or1e