Evening star., 1894-03-24
DR.. MAYORS REMOVAL
Interest Felt in the Conference With
Bishop Hurst Tonight.
broader Principle Than That Of Ad-
herence to an Individual Involv-
ed I'm the Protest.

The pros and cons over the removal of
DR.. Naylor as presiding elder of the Wash
irgton district are becoming more and
more numerous as argument continues, and
the result of the conference between the
committee representing the Official boards
OF large majority OF the Methodist
Churches in the District and Bishop Hurst,
which takes place tonight, is being looked
forward to with interest closely allied 10
excitement. Speaking of the recent turn
in the course of this affair. a prominent
Methodist said this morning:
Those who criticise the laity for their
pronounced views upon the action Of Bishop
Fowler seem to overlook the fact that the
laity of the church represents the large
part of Methodism, and without co-opera-
ton the ministry would be the first to
realize the paucity Of their efforts in the
extension of the kingdom of Christ among
men Notwithstanding some of the men,
bers of the churChes deprecate the move
ment on the part cf a majority of the
official boards 10 seek to remove the stigma
placed upon DIR. Naylor, the feeling among
the ministry Is quite as strong as among
those in the humber walks While they
do not care to talk for publication, many
OF the preachers have not hesitated to
speak in no mild terms concerning the
action of Bishop Fowler, and they declare
their full sympathy in the efforts now be-
ments of resentment toward his unjusti-
liable act.
Not a Upanimity of Sentiment.
THAT there is not unanimity OF sentimen,
favoring the action taken by majority OF
the official boards Of the churches in this eft,
in endeayoring to secure the restoration OF
DR.. Naylor is not strange Growing out oi
Methodist church polity and the varied in
terests under its fostering care there viii
always be found some who, by reason oi
their position and close relations TO the
higher authorities, will refrain from active
participation In any movement looking to
the abridgfng OF power or questioning the
motives that may actuate those who, by
virtue of their Office, use their prerogative
to the injury of the church or to the over.
turning of plans, however helpful and pro-
motive of good. So in this movement there
are doubtless those who deprecate any ef-
fort TO right q wrong or Seek to ascertain
the motives that could induce the displace.
men of an official whose integrity is un-
questioned ana whose life work stands Out
conspicuous for the uplifting of every cause
that the church has under its control.
There seems TO be a widespread opirion
among the ministry as well as the laymen
that there was motive in the removal of
DIR. Neyior back of any reasons yet made
known. The giving Of another six years
service TO one OF the Baltimore elders, max
ing his term Il possible twelve years In
dicatcs the biased action of -he presiding
bishop, which can only be explained on the
hypothesis of some motive of which the
church is still In ignorance.
Bishop Hursts Duty.
II. as IL is asserted Bishop Hurst has
stated that he was neither consulted nor
did he approve Of the action of Bishop
Fowler. then these protests should not only
be pressed. but Bishop Hurst should esteem
1t a privilege as well as his duty to aid in
the unioing of an admitted wrong, and 10
what he can tC allay the apprehensive feel-
ing now agitating the minds Of the Meth
odists within the bounds Of his official sta
ton.
1t is stated by the promoters of this
movement that the efforts now being made
are not because Dr. Naylor is personally
involved, but upon a broader plane of re-
sentiment to the position taken by a bishop
who exercises his power to humiliate the
occupant of high Office, and bring cIscon-
tent into the minds and hearts Of the men,
bership at large. Under the economy Of the
church it is the laity upon whom fall the
obligations to give of their means to carry
on the work of the episcopacy. Each
church is assessed annually for the support
of the bishops, and when public sentiment
becomes aroused against the arbi-
trary exercise of power by the
constituted authorities feeling will
become engendered that will eliminate in
action by the general conference in securing
equal representation, where the voice of the
laity can be heard. and where power 10
bring harm upon the church will be greatly
restricted"