The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-21
THE sIETHoDIsTs.
A sermon Discussing the Question
of Amuscmcnts.

Cleveland. o.. May 2O.-Bishop Foster
presided at the session OF the general
conference OF the Methodist Episcopal
church this morning. A feature OF the
session was the discussion OF the amuse-
ment question.
Nearly a half hour was consumed In
changing the method OF nominating can
didates. During the debate on the sub
ject Or. Buckley said that the Cleveland
papers were right in saying that the ex-
element and confusion Of Tuesday dur
ing tho nominations was unsurpassed In
the history of Cleveland conventions.
Lewis Curtis was elected on the first
ballot as agent OF the western book con-
cern. with headquarters at Cincinnati He,
with the other agent TO be selected. viii
have charge of the Methodist book busi-
ness at Cincinnati. Chicago and st. Louis.
A resolution was unanimously adopted
recitlng that the sale of liquors in the
national capitol was a national disgrace
ana asking in the name OF 10000, 600 people
that congress abolish the practice.
The committee on the state OF the
church drew the conference into an OK
citing discussion by recommending that
that part OF the discipline relating TO
specific amusements be not changed. I'm
der the present law persons indulging IN
intoxicating liquors as a beverage, rent
ing property to or becoming bondsmen
LOT nqour dealers, dancing, playing at
games OF chance, attending theaters,
horse races, crcuscs and indulging IN
many other popular amusements shall
be expelled from the church unless the
onenders exhibit real humiliation. BY
an almost unanimous vote the confer
ence refused to make the change.
George Z. Mains OF New York east was
elected junior book agent at New York
on the fourth ballot. He succeeds SAN
FORA HUNT who died last fall. DIR. Mains
has been pastor Of the North avenue
the church extension board OF that city.
Henry G. Jennings of Minnesota was
elected junior agent OF the Western Book
Concern on the fourth ballot. Mr.. Jen-
nings Is presiding elder OF the Marshall,
Mimi. district
It was decided to proceed with the cleo
ton OF three missionary secretaries, 10
succeed Rev. Jonas Cramel Peck de-
ceased; 9. c. McCabe, elected bishop, and
the Rev. A. y. Leonard. Nearly twenty
nominations were made, during which
time there was great confusion. Bishop
Foster appealed TO the delegates to calm
themselves out OF respect 10 him.
After the recess Bishop Foster an-
nounccd that IN view of the fact that
Bishop Goodsell would he compelled to
leave before Ii came his turn TO preside,
he, Bishop Foster, would ask Bishop Good
sell 10 preside the remainder OF the morn
ing. Continuing Mr. Foster said: II have
received large number Of letters, de-
nouncing the action of the conference In
retiring me as cruel brutal and an out
rage. These letters come from the best
Methodists in the country, i want to say
that these good people are misinformed.
There comes a time In all mems lives
when they must retire and the conference
simply recognized this fact. They did
right, and j respect them for IT, i go Ia
retirement, but will carry the office Of
episcopacy TO the grave. / love my breth-
rem, and believe that most OF them love
me-"
Bishop Foster was given an ovation. The
conference and galleries rose to their feet
There was much waving OF handkerchief
and loud applause.
Rev. DR.. A. @, Palmer and Rev. Or. A.
B. Leonard were Reelected secretaries OF
the missionary societies on the first bal
lot.
Another ballot was taken for third sec
retary. on the first ballot Rev. DR.. John
Mitchell, presiding elder Of Cleveland re-
ceived IS votes.
Rev. A. j. Palmer is chairman OF the en-
tertainment committee Of the general con-
ference and Is one Of the best known
Methodists in the country.
The question of the revlsal Of the hymnal
was discussed for fully an hour. Many
earnest arguments were made. The hym-
nal will not be revised.
The second ballot for the third mission
airy secretary resulted In no choice.