The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-19
REV. DUFFY'S STATEMENT.
The Philadelphia Clergyman Scores His
Former Associates in the Methodist
Episcopal Conference.

EpiscOp0i conference.
Philadelphia. March 1S-Rev. J. =.
Duffy. who was not allowed to address
the Philadelphia Methodist Episcopal
conference yesterday in relation to his
conversion to the Baptist church, has
written the following letter for publica-
tion:
! was at the Philadelphia conference
of the Methodist Episcopal church this
morning, and asked to be heard i'm my
own defence. This right was refused me.
] am. therefore. compelled to reach the
public through the agency of the press.
On Monday morning Rev william NJ.
Swindells made an unwarranted and im>
pudent attack upon me because voted for
delegates to the general conference on
Friday last, knowing that | was to with
draw from the ministry and membership
OF the Methodist Episcopal church. He
also referred to the Baptist denomination.
Adullam's cave into which people not en-
titled to much respect among Methodis;s
retire. In answer to these statements I
would say ! was present on Wednesday:
knowing that | would be busy elsewhere,
made "A statement to that effect. and Of
Tered TO leave my vote with the secre-
tary Of the conference. This was refused
ent Friday and voted. DR.. Swindells was
present on Wednesday, heard my state
ment. and 1T was known generally that |
Intended to withdraw from the denomi-
nation. To say that | did not know of
this, when II had been subject of COM
mon report for nearly a year (wtnile Bish-
op Hurst. who had just come among us,
stated that he had heard the rumoD
shows degree of Obtuseness OH the part
of DR.. Swindells that is remarkabl Sand
demonstrates that as an editor he had
Il very poor nose for news. | voted on
Friday because ! had right to vote.
stt NOT EnfA f.R nr Sr,it, ,1A1ls h..., \
am not in favor of combines. municipal.
state or national, and especially ecclesias-
tical The result of the ballOting showed
my Judgment to be correct, and shows u
nipulation that better accOrds with meth
Ods in polSGcal life than among "a body
of ministers. The reference to Adullam's
cave as u type of the Baptist denomina-
ton was rather unfortunate-I Samuel,
xiii, ], .. tells who came to David. If that
Is type of the class that goes out from
Methodists, for some of their number
to be reduced to such state. and since
sixteen or eighteen have gone out from
Philadelphia Methodism within few
years, 1t would indicate that harsh treat
ment was the rule rather than the eX-
ceptiOn. The reference to Adullam's cave
was u gratuitous insult to a sister de-
nomination hOnored and loved for the
good 1t has done and Is doing. Methodsm
is to he cOmmiserated for having one
either as editor. minister or member of
such narrow prejudiced views as those EN-
tertaned by DIR. Swindells, whose spirit
OF ecceliastical bOssism is such (as has
been said of him before) it needs only IA
red hat to make him a cardinal.
] am glad of this opportunity to publicly
resent the attack of one whose chief oh
ject and inspiration Is place seeking. and
self gloriiication. and one who is widely
known as one who ever aims to strike
down those who refuse to train under his
banner. Respectfully submitted
(Signed) j. F. Duffy.