The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-11
"A Methodist PreIate Who Lacks Dig
ufHed Manners, hut Has Character
fstics That Make Him Great.
WORK OF THE CONFERENCE
SCHEME TO ABSORB OTHER
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.
Bishops Opposed to the Plan. of Great
Candidates for the High Honor.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
CLEVELAND. May 1O.-The religious
services OF to-day still lacked that drawing
quality which I'm former years brought
crowds TO some one preacher. Though all
the announced preachers might well be
ranked high. there was no John p. Durbin
90 pack the house he might preach in.
hence the home people attended their own
churches as usual and visitors generally
dropped into the most convenient church
to hear a good sermon from an average
preacher. The only exception. If any, was
IN favor OF Bishop Fowler, who preached
90 full but very dark house at the First
Methodist Church Bishop Fowler can
hardly be ranked as model preacher or
lecturer, yet there are drawing character
istics in every sermon and lecture which
gives him pre-eminence as a preacher and
lecturer. He is seldom as dignihed in
manner as, In the popular taste. Is de-
manded OF bishop, even Of first-class
local preacher. but he has a way of fire.
uuently startling his audience by some
original and striking figure that makes you
forget or forgive his undignifed manners
The bishop to-day. of course. preached
pne of his old sermons. giving piquancy to a
side remark made by Chaplain Mccabe. who
said. on introducing his Libby prison lee
ture: This lecture Is thirty-two years old.
the oldest chestnut now In use, unless it be
Uome of the sermons OF the bishops"
Bishop Fowler's subject was the Adam
doned Tomb The sermon was thrillingly
Interesting In spots TO those who had never
heard II. or had heard il only two or three
times. heard good Judge of preaching
Day she would not give one such sermon
DR.. Cleveland was probably preaching at
the same hour IN Indianapolis for dozen
such the Bishop preached. The sermon
In the afternoon at the Armory by DR.. Rob-
lnson, of Ireland, on Perfect Love Casting
Out Fear was a striking contrast at every
point. 1t was dignified, pathetic and in
structive throughout. worthy the name and
the occasion.
A very startling proposition was made
yesterday in the conference. which for
the moment made those not in the
secret hold their breath, not knowing
but provision was about to be
made to absorb ~an. or near.y
all. sister churches. 1t is known TO al who
ere well posted that for long while Meth
odist doors are open to the reception of in
dividual preachers and members from other
churches. and that the conditions of men,
rational and convenient that both ministers
and laymep often come in by it instead OF
through the common way. For instance,
at Liberty. Ind. some time ago. a Method
ist-raised man startled the town by joining
che Presbyterian Church. and he gave
second surprise the next Sunday by pre-
senting letter from the Presbyterian
Church TO the Methodist Church Hts ex-
PLANTATION that he did not wish to be
held in limbo six months by the medieval
probation system of the Methodists. He
got in just as all Presbyterians and other
Christians may. but 1T was an individual
enterprise solely. Like resort is sometimes
made TO the provision for admitting minis
ters I'm order to escape the ironclad
conditions OF ordination in the Methodist
Church Thus. some time ago a local broth
er who wanted orders in the Methodist
Church for special emergency, but who
could not reach it for four years in the
regular way, joined the Congregational
Church and was ordained. and then he re-
turned to the Methodist Church in full or
ders.
But when. yesterday. brother began to
read a paper which provided for taking
whole congregations, pastors, property and
all into the Methodist fold. everybody he'd
his breath. fearing that an avalanche of
outside churches was contemplated Though
they were all in happy frame OF mind
because the church was growing rapidly,
there were inward suggestions that this
was likely to be too much of a good thing,
Just as the rains last week. which proved
TO be cloud-burst over this city. furnish
ing more water than the city was prepared
20 probably care for: but when IT was ex-
piained that 1t was general provision to
meet 1cecial case only, they breathed
easier 1t developed that church in Ge--
many, connected with the Wesleyan Church
OF England, wants TO be transferred in a
body. with all its property TO the Method
ist Episcopal Church. II is understood that
the English Methodists approve the trans
fer in the interest OF harmony and economy.
But the provision is so genera. that if any
Presbyterian congregation or other church
IN good standing wishes to come In the
door stands wide open ard they may come
The Bishops have sent answer to tn,
episcopal committee that they do not need
any more bishops for the work. but in view
OF possible contingencies II may be well to
elect two. but not more than two. This
will be surprise to those who hoped to be
bishops
resolution denouncing the law OF FIori-
da, which interferes with the work OF tn.
Southern Educational Society. was passed
with a 'whiri- 1t contained a provision fol-
testing the constitutionality of the law and
It's repeal
Dr. Talbot has presented and had re-
ferred 10 their appropriate committees sey.
eral memorials. one relating 10 Sne dis
tricting OF the bishops from the presiding
elders counties. one relating to the consoli
dalton OF benevoiences, one on the election