The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-09-23
REV. MR.. FORD's CASE.
Differences OF Opinion as His Recent


There is no doubt that great dissatis-
faction exists in the Methodist churches
over the re-a ppofntment OF Rev. 7. 3.
Ford as presiding elder. But so far the
charges against him seem principally TO
be that he desired to remain in Seattle,
got his friends 10 work for him and was
successful. The bishop knew him person
ally and was familiar with his record in
Arkansas, and seemed 70 have confidence
In him. His cousin. Rev. W. 7. Ford,
seems TO have gratefully worked up the
movement in his favor and certainly sue
ceeded in getting many people To say
good word for him TO the bishop Rev. W.
4. Ford had reason TO aid him IN return
for good service done him by Rev. T.
B. Ford. About February. 1894. Rev. T.
". Butler left Grace NJ. f. church. and
atterward Joined the Congregationalists
nt Everett. The members of Grace church
were without a pastor. They consulted
Rev T. b. Ford about sending for Rev.
Mr., -Bushong. but the former. so a mem
Der said yesterday, replied that he knew
of man at Baker City. naTnesake Of
his. who. from all accounts. would be
thoroughly reliable and give satisfaction.
lie did not mention. * is said, that w T.
Ford. whom he referred TO. was his own
cousin. but after a revival of several
weeks duration that namesake was duly
Installed as the successor of DR.. Butler
and holds the place still.
III 4ANAiNt 10 6et. W 4. = orc II SnOAld
be mentioned that he Is regarded as a
spirited pulpit orator. and he has become
so popular with his congregation that at
the last conference they petitioned for
his return. Rev. T. r. Ford seems to
have let his cousin stand on his own mer-
It's. so that his failure 10 mention the re-
lationship cannot be regarded as an Of
Tense.
Nevertheless. the OPPOSITION to Mr. t.
r. Ford finds expression. The following
letter from Rev. S. Alonzo Bright. form
erly Of Seattle but now OF Aberdeen, bears
upon one of the points made in a recent
letter Of Mr.. Ford:
Aberdeen. Wash. Sept. II. 1895.
To the Editor: Occasionally one meets
with new thing under the sun. and be-
cause Of the rarity Of such discoveries
we think they should be carefully noted.
In DR.. Ford's defense 90 in your issue
OF yesterday you will find this statement:
Rev. A. 5. Gregg, OF South Seattle, was
a newspaper man when In Arkansas. and
was licensed 20 preach by Or. S. A. Bright,
OF this city" In the first place while
cherfshing among my pleasant experiences
residence In your city, | do not now
have that distinguished honor. In the
second place, l fancy Methodism will rub
its eyes, and inquire Where are we at?''
on reading the statement from the author
ity 90 giving utterance 10 the above that
any one is licensed 10 preach by a pastor
OF a church. that being the only relation
the writer has sustained to Methodism for
twenty years. II this man who "renre-
sents the bishop viii turn 10 little book
called the Discipline of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. and to paragraphs
l9e and l9S OF said book he may learn
how one can be licensed TO preach in the
church. which. If this Is a specimen of
his knowledge. he woefully msrepresents.
| should have treated this as a mere
zip OF the tongue had ii not been that
this same man in a conversation with me
in Seattle during his first year in the Sc
attic district. while criticising the admin
istration of the presiding elder Of the Ia
coma district and his successor in the
Olympia charge. told me Of Brother
Greggs' being licensed to preach hence.
/ can but conclude that the misstatement
was deliberate and with what intention /
leave to the public for Judgment
am sorry to trouble your columns with
a matter such as this. but when a man is
reduced TO the necessity of defense. he has
no right to any but legitimate means.
Very truly. 6 ALONZO BRIGHT.
The following il a copy OF the rcsOlu-
lions passed by the Arkansas conference.
generating Or. Ford from charges OF
misconduct while residing there and fur
nished by him TO the Post-InteIligencer
for publication,
Whereas. There has benn an effort bv
certain parties TO injure the character of
Rev. r. r. Ford. n. n, late OF the Ar
kansas conference;
Resolved. That we, as members Of the
Arkansas conference. deem II our duty
and take pleasure in the same. 10 viclI-
cate his character. and declare that his
record stands clear in this conference.
His moral. Christian and 'riGlsteIi9l char
acter Is without reproaCh. and the door
Of the conference and the hearts % his
former co-labCrers are open for his return
nj any time II ne shall desire 10 do so.
Resolved That a copy Ct this preamble
and resolutions be forwar led 70 HIS con-
ference
The above IS a copy Of resolutions
passed by the Arkansas conference " the
NJ +. church ar Beebe. Ark. February
4. 1895. J. 2 HAWKINS. Secretary"
The whole matter Is eNceedin yly un-
pleasant and Is deplored by me members
% the church. II has assumed such pro-
portions. however, as 20 arouse interest
hevon1 tho Cr~fiuas IF The particular de-