The Monitor-register., 1896-05-01
Alarm in a Conference.

INOPPORTUNELY = BROTHER BYNUM
A JUST CHARGED HIM WITH ERROR.
N THE BRETHREN o ANXIOUS, BUT
HE HUNG IT UP ON THE FIRST NALL
LATE MAY A PASTOR SLEEP.
sFrom the New York Sun, on Tuesday.
The Conference of the coIored brethren
of the Methodist Episcopal Church 10
New Jersey, which has been in session
for a week in st. James's Church,
Newark, was oD its last legs yesterday
when the first bit of excitement came.
The brethren have a committee On minis
terial ineficiency, and every year when
the annual Conference comes this com
mittee investigates the various pastors.
1t listens to any tales anybody has to tell.
and on the last day of the Conference,
before the appointments are announced,
it reports to the Bishop.
The committee reported just after the
Conference was called to order yesterday
morning. Two ministers, the Rev. w.
A. Pembleton and the Rev. T. B. Bynum,
had fallen under the investigating eye.
Mr.. Pembleton,s case wasn't serious, and
he pleaded successfully with the Confer
ence for a new trial. Not SO MI. Bynum.
He was accused of laziness, a sin against
God and man.
The brethren were all seated when the
committee reported. They promptly
a%JyaraHfd Dha 'eniad" oitearN Mt B istfH Pr
before he got up Bishop Tanner, who was
presiding, had said that he feared he
would have to send the gentleman hack
to Pittsburg Conference, whence he had
come. The Bishop himself was not in
very good humor. He had read some.
thing in a Morris county newspaper when
he came into the church, and on opening
the Conference had said testify: 1--WE
wish the white preachers of this county
would mind their business, They
are always talking about morality, but
they ought to tend to the morality in
their own church,"
When the Bishop made the remark
about Mr.. Bynum, Mr.. Bynum Jumped
up and said 81 know why they report
that l am inefficient; I can tell you."
Brother Bynum," said the Bishop
solemnly, "what time do you get up
mornings? ?"
Brother Bynum scratched his head and
replied: II usually get up between 6 and
Z O'Clock, but sometimes I'm up at 5 or
6 or 4 O'Clock. l am punctual."
This aroused Elder Sturges, who is up
at 6 O'Clock every morning. "Bishop,"
said the Elder, 'I've called at Brother
Bynum's home at 9 O'Clock in the morn
Jog, and I've been told that he wasn't up |
yet. I've beer told on these visits tina |
he didn't get up until II O'clock"
The elder spoke with emphasis and
shook the pew in front of him. He had
no sooner stopped than Mr.. Bynum cried: |
you're in error, you're in error, siri"
There was a combined 80 O o 90 o.op'
from all the brothers and sisters at this |
defiance of the Elder. The Bishop rap
ped and raped for order. The Elder had
seated himself. Now he got up and
deliberately took off his overcoat. He
stepped in the direction of Brother (
Bynum.
The excitement that instant was
intense. All eyes were on the pair. The
was pounding for order. The
ready for him. The Elder stopped
~ uhO LAACba la hO IA w 0ao h0uk ht6 1
coat on that. Then with the same ca |
ness and elaboration he proceeded back
to his seat and sat down.
A mighty sigh of relief went over the |
The Bishop sank down 10 his
chair, and said reprovingly: "The people |
might think you were taking off that
coat preparatory to fighting. l will
the floor to- Elder Sturges for him
to apologize to the Conference"
"A-a-a-men," said Brother Bynum.
"Brother Bynnm," said the Bishop, |
this is unbecoming; but such al exhibi-
ton of temper as was shown by Brother
Sturges shows an unfitness for the posi- |
tion. don't want to have that kind of |
a man represent me when he shows smell
an exhibition of temper"
All eyes turned on Elder Sturges then. |
There were looks of mingled disapproval |
aud disappointment. The Elder made a
graceful apology to the Conference and
the incident closed, Mr.. Bynum being
sent back to the Pittsburg Conference.
"What is your church rule about
pastors sleeping late ?" The San reporter
asked of Presiding Elder Newton later.
"Well," said the Elder, "a man that
doesn't get up till II O'Clock, he's lazy,
amt he And if he's lazy amt he
P"
sit looks that way" assented the
reporter.
preachers" said the Elder, Fought to
have their churches closed at 10 O'Clock
at night and get to bed. It's time people
were iu bed then, and they get q good
sleep and wake up early in the
morning for work. How can preachers
study and improve their minds to teach
heir people If they don't get up early
and improve the time ? How can they
be- qualified to teach unless they do this? ?"
sis it q sin to sleep late in the morn
ng !"
'sNot If you work half the night, but
preachers ought to have their churches
,losed at 10 O'Clock. The people they
minister to are Woodworking people.
That is late enough for the people to be
and the preacher ought to be in bed
shen his people are. There is nothing to
,eep him up"
This view was coincided in by other
lders. The Bishop could not be seen and
Bynum had gone home when the
eporter got to the Conference. 1t was
be almost unanimous opinion Of the
and sisters who were asked
the trouble that Elder = turges
did.do wrong ia taking on hts ,
az ak such d ~oriticaI moment, even i'll
8 was only warm and did only want to I
anR 1t on . nail. :
Owing to lateness Of the hour, the sale
( the personal property Of David III 4
aker. deceased. at ShnrDtOWn. Wa Al 4