The Indianapolis journal., 1894-05-12

Kept Out of an NJ. K. Conference Be-
cause He Wouldn't Pledge Himself.
Rast0n Herald

The case of the Rev. Dillon Bronson, of
Newton, who refused to pledge himself to
abstain from the use of tobacco, has been
settled for one year at least. Mr., Bronson
did not receive full admission to the New
England Methodist Conference, but will
remain on probation another year and per-
Church in Newton.
There has been a good deal of comment
case. 1t is safe TO say that the majority Of
the delegates to the conference in Wal
than did not agree with him, and had the
submitted TO vote Of the conference he
would have been admitted by large ma
jority. But the Bishop did not give the
conference an opportunity TO vote. He
ruled that if a candidate for admission did
not give an affirmative answer TO the ques-
be admitted. The Rev. Mr. Bronson was
told by the Bishop that IL he decided to
give an affirmative answer before the con-
ference adjourned he would receive full
admission
Mr. Bronson is popular among the minis
ters of the conference and is generally ad-
mired and respected as one of the most
successful young preachers and for many
Christian and manly qualities. and several
that he should receive full admission. Some
of the most prominent ministers OF the
conference think the Bishop was arbitrary
in his ruling; that the conference should
have been given an opportunity TO decide
whether the answer given TO the question
was satisfactory, and they believe that the
Discipline does not require that the an
swers should necessarily be in the affirma-
tive. but TO the satisfaction OF the confer
ence.
Bishop Fitzgerald. however, preferred TO
interpret the Discipline for himself and his
action has raised problem which will
probably be solved at the next General Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Several of the most prominent members
of the conference, when interviewed, said
they considered Ii OF great importance 10
know whether the Bishop the annual
conference should judge of the eligibility
of a candidate for full admission and that
the General Conference should give de-
cision in the matter.
The case was one OF the principal topics
of conversation at the conference in Wal
than, and various opinions were expressed
in regard 10 IL. Some of the older delegates
agreed with the Bishop. and thought the
young man presumptuouS in the stand he
took. while others thought him too pro-
gressive and liberal in mis- Views. Stories
were told. too about Mr.. Bronson, which
found credence with many OF the delegates
who did not know him personally. and these
stories gave a tinge of sensationalism TO
his case. IL was stated that he walked the
streets OF Newton smoking a meerschaum
pipe, and that the fact that he used to-
baccO had made him Objectionable to some
OF the members OF his church.
Yes. I heard some OF those stories.'' said
Mr.. Bronson yesterday, when questioned as
am sorry this matter has caused so much
talk, and L do not want to say anything
that Will bring IL before the public again.
There Is no truth In those stories however.
/ have not used tobacco habitually for eight
years. and do not intend 10. IL Is simply
question OF personal liberty. and explained
my position when before the Bishop. There