The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-11
PITCHFORK IN CHURCH
ONE USED by NORTHWEST INDIANA
VI. e. CONFERENCE YESTERDAY.
Nasty Case from the Valparaiso Dis
trict-RepOrts of Presiding
Elders Presented.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, Sept. 10-The
Northwest Indiana Conference had to use
a pitchforh this morning, but it was a
quick movement that disposed of a presid-
ing elder, and the public, which, up to this
time. had not heard Of the case, is none
the wiser from what was said in confer
ence. Two months ago Elder Wilson, of
the Valparaiso district, sent his resigna-
ton to the bishop the ground of bad
health, and it was accepted. This much
disclosed by a brief statement of
Bishop Andrews this morning when the re-
port from the Valparaiso district was in
order. Samuel Beck was appointed TO sue
coed Wilson, and at the conclusion of a
brief report in regard to the churches in
the district, he moved that the resignation
of Wilson be received and that his name
be entered on record as withdrawn from
the church under complaint" Rev. A. A.
Gee, of South Bend wanted a committee
appointed to make report on the case to-
morrow, and the venerable DR.. Smith, of
Valparaiso the Oldest minister in the con-
ference, wanted the case disposed of with
out discussion. He knew the facts, he said,
and there would be nothing wrong in TAX
ing this summary action His idea pre-
vailed. The charge is immortality" but
no one will tell what he did. One minister
he replied that it was worse than that;
too awful to repeat
Bishop Bowman, who was present, pre-
sided part of the time at the morning SeS-
sion, which was wholly taken up with the
reading of reports by ministers of their
years work, with the exception of the ten
minutes when the conference had use for
the pitchfork.
Presiding Elder Buckles, of the Lafayette
district. reported there had been one thou
sand conversions in the district during the
year, The rains and floods had caused so
much loss in the wheat and oats crops that
collections had not been up to eNpecta-
tons. The aggregate for missions was
$500 He spoke of two new churches, one
at Lafayette to cost $4,000, and one at
Wiliamsport costing SIS. 900.
Presiding Elder Ogden, of the South
Bend district, reported sixty-three churches
and twenty-four parSonageS; that the con-
gregations and pastors were well housed; y
There was some increase over last. year s
5ay of bseS and in Th had0a
salary is $3.50. and the highest in the dis
trict. 5000. There were one thousand con
versions and eight hundred accessions to
the church. He spoke particularly of the
hospital at South Bend.
Presiding Elder Wood. of the Green
castle district, reported forty men under
regular appointment, including thirty-four
pastors in charge and two professors in
DePauw. The report showed new churches
springing up in various parts of the dis
trict and there has been marked degree
of success in meeting the expenses OF the ne
the collections, and every charge will
hold its rank in class first for the fourth
successive year.. The past year was one
of the best years in the history of DePauw
University. The zeal of the professors and
the discipline and department Of the stu
dents, and the economy and carefulneSS IN
administration and the care of the endoW-
ment are all deserving of mention. Ihere
never was a time when the university SO
much needed the support of every Metho-
dist minister to aid the trustees to pilot
through the interim between the time when
the 100000 was given by Mr.. DePauWe FOR
time when they will realize fully the total
gifts from the DePauw estate. too -, ho
half of the committee on education, moved
the appointment of a comn1Ittee or fve 70
to nj existing vacancies. Ii. L I<indig,
Rev Shoemaker w. H. Wise. S. 3. Town
and B. F. Switzer were appointed. Dr. ga
lem Town, of South Bend. reported for the
board of examiners that forty undergrad
yates and fifteen candidates for admission
had been examined The con, committee sub
mitted the following resolution:
Resolved. That certificates OF the char-
acter prescribed in the Discipline from any
Church, accredited by the university SEN
ate, shall be admissible, in lieu of our own
examinations, so far as said certihcates
DR.. Town stated that twenty-seven OF the
total f1fty-three candidates examined had
received exemption on one and one,half
was under a ruling of the last General Con-
ference, which gave such privilege to the
Inc IepOII VI inc SOiiiiiLiC
was adopted. On motion of DR.. Goblin
the committee was ordered to prepare a
plan for the extension of such credits.
Rev. Hilton. of the Indiana Conference,
the Chldren's Home Society,
addressed the conference. Rev, Thompson.
secretary of the American Sunday League,
also addressed the conference.
The anniversary of the conference Ep-
worth League first occupied the confer
ence at the afternoon session. Rev. H. M.
Campbell, of Thorntown. presided and in.
troduced Rev. w L. D. Wilcox. pastor of
Trinity Church, Lafayette, who delivered
the address for the occasion.
A meeting for the association of preach
ers' wives. widows and daughters was held
at 8 o'clock. Mrs. A. G. Mckinney, of Bra
I'll, was made chairman and Mr. Mrs eo 1. S.
Buckles. of Colfax, secretary. The follow
ing committee was appointed to formulate
a constitution and bylaws: Mrs L. G.
Buckles Mrs. A. II. Delong, Mrs. John l..
Smith, Mrs. Charles L. Harper and Mrs.
A. c. Mckinney.
At the church extension anniversary to-
night Dr. w A. Spencer, of Philadelphia.
of the society, delivered an add
dress.