Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-04-11
METHODIST PROTESTANTS.

terday. The report of the committee
on education, in view of the fact that it
would contain resolution bearing upon
the much-mooted question of religious
schools receiving aid from the public
treasures, has been looked forward to
with no little interest by tue conference,
SO that when the report was read every
one was all attention.
When the reading of the report had
been completed, an evident feeling OF
perfect satisfaction settled upon the con-
ference, and number at once arose for
recognition. The remarks made by the
speakers had no direct bearing on the
question in point. but only conveyed 4
hearty appreciation of the tenor OF the
resolution. With little or no TODD it
was passed with loudly expressed
ave" The resolution is as follows:
"With reference to the subject of the
public schools we cannot but be con-
earned at anything which tends to i'm
pair their integrity us being peculiarly
an American and Protestant institution.
The interference of the Roman Catholic
Church with the education ofthe young
Of this land has been persistent and per-
uicious. and would be alarming were
not public sentiment already aroused.
Scarcely any American institution is so
old, so honored and so necessary to the
perpeluity of republican principles as
The public schools, for over $50 years a
rccoe nzed arm of the public welfare
and II defense against ecclesiastical is-
norance and tyranny.
The parochial school, even IN lis
own showing, has been proven wholly
inadequate to meet the wants of Ameri-
can students, and the present attempt
to fasten it upon us as Il popular insti-
tuition under the sanction Of the State,
with only Roman Catholic teachers and
with religious instruction before or al
ter school hours by Roman Catholic
priests is but one more of those subtle
attempts to destroy our system of pub
lie education which the Vatican has SO
frequently of late been making. The
stability of our government is Deepen
dent upon the intelligence of the peo-
pie, and this. considering the environ
ment of our citizens, cannot be had
without public schools. Any attempt,
therefore, of a foreign power to dictate
the policy Of the public schools is in
tolerable, and should be promptly de-
teated."
The report also urges the constantly
growing necessity for the best intellec-
tually equipped men for the ministry,
and the need of n more liberal support
20 the educational institutions of the
conference. Upon the recommendation
Of this committee. Rev. DR.. L. w. Bates,
of the South Baltimore Station, was APP
pointed a professor of biblical history
and pastoral theology in the Westmins-
ter Theological Seminary.
The report Of the committee on the
presidents report created considerable
stir by stating that they greatly de-
plored the lack OF courtesy and CO.
operation as practiced by some ex-pas-
tors when upon their old fields Of labor,
aud earnestly trusted that the plain and
practical reference made to this by the
executive would be = stay to this I'M
wholesome, dangerous and unchristian
action 4 few of the speakers wished
the entire resolution cut out, while
others were in favor of leaving the
matter with the president for his action,
whenever such conduct on the part OF
a pastor should come TO his knowledge,
but the use of the word 'unchristian, =
stuck in the Threats off good many, it
being, in their opinion, somewhat too
hard an adjective to be used in the prem
ises. However, afterwards, President
Kinzer explained the situation, show
ing how the minister of a charge could,
and had been materially hampered by
the old pastor returning there on
visit, and not treating the then pastor
with that clerical courtesy which
should always be shown, but, at the
same time, stating he would defer to
whatever action the conference might
take. The resolution was adopted by
a large majority Rev. DIR. j. b. Jones
said, in the discussion, that all minis
ter had to do in this matter was to act
as gentleman and go to heaven with
clean boots.
The following were formally received into
tho itineracy by President Knzer g. VI.
Clayton, G. W. Hines. W. L. Jndeiind, 4. c.
McCoskcy, C. P. Nowlan, T. ?. Ravellc G. l..
Wolf and j. Mclean Brown. President Kin
yer in receiving them, made very impress
sve address.
The next meeting place of the conference
was decided by vote of 107 10 IL in favor
of Georgetown, the competitor being STAIR
Church, of Baltimore.
The report of the statisticitn showed that
the membership was 1887, an increase of
52G, practitioners 1,2lT, un;tationed minis
tiers and preachers rs, members received from
probation 1880, by certificate 800, with
drawn by certificate 365, discontinued $50,
Sunday schools 254, officers and teachers
1926, new scholars 2,7SG, total scholars on
roll 90, 151, conversions in schools 5000, in
congregations 1,S41, infants baptized 1,5OS,
adults 252, number Of appointments 2I2,
church 262. parsonageS 10, volumes III Sun
day school libraries 90, 800, value of church
property 81 1904 debt sos, Sl5.
The committee on foreign missions report
ed $612,5S5 had been raised by the confer
cnce during the past year, and that the mem
bership in Jal an was 305, Sunday school pill
pills 737, day school pupils 224. Rev. Benja-
min Stout addressed the conference on home
missions, and Rev. DR.. j. Berricn on minis
terial education.
The anniversary of the home missionary
meeting was held last night, Rev. d. w. An
stinc and Rev. B. F. Jester being the speakers.
EARTHoUAKE.-An earthquake oc-