Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-27
DR.. MAYORS REMOVAL
Bishop Hurst Declines to Interfere in the
Matter.
His Interview With the Committee
From the Different Churches
Much Feeling Displayed.


The committee, composed Of one member
each from the official boards of nearly all
the Methodist churches in the Washington
district, called on Bishop Hurst last night
to request him to transmit TO Bishop Fowler
a protest against the removal of Rev. H. r.
Naylor as presiding elder of the district and
a request for his reinstatement. The gentle
men constituting the body were f. F. Simp-
son. Foundry Z. l. Booream, Hamline; Alex
ander Ashley, Union; James E. Evans,
Grace; b. T. Welsh. Waugh; ]. S. Power,
Gorsuch; w. H. Houghton Fifteenth Street:
Z. a. Williams, Twelfth Street; c. F. Wal
ston, Anacostia; A o. Latham, Nick endree,
and j. F. Stock, Kensington.
Refused to Interfere.
Bishop Hurst entertained the visitors for
over two hours, but refused to receive the
protest or to interfere in any manner in be-
half of the object for which the committee
was formed. He based his reasons for such
declination upon the grounds that the Off
cial boards of the various churches which
mad taken action in the matter had no legal
right to do SO according to the rules of
Methodist discipline. He was asked If there
would be any notice taken of the protest if
IL was made by the unanimous vote of the
members of the various churches and he re-
pied that even such action could not be
considered, as the acts of a bishop could
only be examined into by a general confer
ence and only then when charges of malad-
mlnistration were brought against him.
Much Feeling Displayed.
Hundreds of questions We're volleyed at
the bishop by his callers and while both
sides did their utmost to keep their COM
posture much feeling was displayed This
was particularly the case when Bishop
hurst, after disclaimng any connection
with the removal of DIR. Naylor or any
communication with him as to the deposed
elders reinstatement read three letters
from Bishop Fowler to himself in which
the bishop said he was familiar with the
movement in progress in Washington, but
that his action in DIR. MAYORS case would
have to stand. Some of the committeeman
wanted to know the cause of these letters
being sent. but Bishop Hurst did not
answer.
The Committees Intentions.
The committee now intend to send the
protest direct to Bishop Fowler, and there
is already a lively effort being made to
canvass the Methodsts of this district and
get them as a body to appeal to the next
general conference for relief from what
they openly claim is the one-man power in
the church. as shown, they say, by Bishop
Hurst's declaration that the combined and
unanimous request of every Methodist in
the District for Dr. MAYORS reinstate
would be illegal under the rules of disci-
pline and worthless, SO far as 1t could af-
feet past ruling of a bishop.
One COmmitteemnn's Views.
One of the gentlemen who was with the
committee last night said this morning:
1.-The bishops action in this matter plain
ly shows he has been active in his efforts
to secure from Bishop Fowler his views in
advance of the presentation of these formal
protests, and was therefore prepared to tell
the committee what they already suspected
that any effort the committee might make
was forestalled. Their cause had been tried
in advance of the evidence and judgment
given according to prearranged plans. 1t is
plainly evident that no effort has been
spared to counterfeit the movement of the
various churches. and to preclude. as far as
possible. any favorable action looking to the
restoration of DIR. Naylor.
Bishop Hursts contention that official
boards or quarterly conferences have no
power to act in this matter is hardly in con-
sonance with the well-known practice of
bishops, who receive and often ask for ex-
pressions from these same bodies as to their
wishes concerning the appointments under
their control; so that if no power rests with
these bodies in one case 1t must follow that
in accepting their petitions in others plainly
inculpates a bishop in a violation of the
very law which he so tenaciously claims
should be upheld. While Bishop Hurst re-
fuses to act for the churches who have
protested against the unjust act of his col
leagues. and declines even to forward their
petitions and protests. he does not hesitate
to accumulate evidence the other side,
nor does he refrain from telling the COM
mittee that he is in full sympathy with this
opposition, and makes use of the letters he
has received to show the committee that
the small minority against the movement
Is greater than the large majority tavorlng
1t, and that a small minority. with bishop
back of 1t, amenable to 10 one is TI!ghtier
VT 81, .,t,
alton.
At the Preachers Meeting.
AT the preachers meeting yesterday"
he continued "a resolution was offered in
sympathy with the efforts to secure the res
toration of DR.. Naylor, but the presence of
Bishop Hurst and Dr. Wilson, who spoke at
length, seems to have the effect for the
present at least of non-action. Evidently
the feeling though smothered, is abroad
among the members that the injustice COM
planned of by Bishop Fowler is not alone
shared by the laity
while the Methodist Church. with its
5000 communicates within the borders of
the Washington district, seems to have
been shorn of their rights in this matter,
there is a sentiment abroad that this ques-
ton will broaden and will eventually re-
suit in action by the general conference in
restricting the powers and authority of the
episcopacy. The agitation of the unwise
and arbitrary use of episcopal power will
in the end be productive of good.
"While Bishop Hurst declined to receive
or forward the papers presented by the
committed he gave them the address of
Bishop Fowler at Minneapolis, and sug-
gested that they forward the papers direct.
This course will be adopted, ard whether
Bishop Fowler acts upon them or not, he
will have before him the expressed wishes
of the official boards of those churches that
have taken action in the matter and will
know what the feeling is concerning his
action"