The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-03
METHODIST CONFERENCE
Continued from First Page)
TIE MoRNING SESSION.


Some Interesting and f"inted Discussions
DIR. Buckley and the Madison Heresy
Trial-Examinations of Candidates. M
portant Resolutions Adopted.
The morning session of the second
day of the forty-seventh Methodist
conference now in session was enliven-
ed by some rapid cross firing between
the Rev. DIR. Buckley OF the Christian
Advocate and the Rev. f. S. Townsend,
chairman of the committee on the res
buttons, effecting the changes in the
manner of examining candidates for
the ministry.
Rev. Dr.. Buckley spoke in favor OF
the report, but questioned the legality
of one of it's features. He asked Bishop
Merrill to rule on the matter.
Rev. Mr. Townsend offered to give an
explanation.
DR.. Buckley yielded the floor and DR..
Townsend said that the legality of the
question could not be doubted, because
the plan was in operation in other con-
.ferences.
81 did not yield the floor for discus
sion of it's legality" interrupted DR..
Buckley.
Rev Mr.. Townsend-I simply wish to
give testimony
DR.. Buckley--It does not matter what
other conferences may do, because we
have here the chief law expounder of
the church, and / prefer to go to the
fountain head rather than take rulings
from Brother Townsend.
DR.. Townsend-I insist that did not
attempt to give rulings
DR.. Buckley-You gave testimony.
The discussion was ended by the
adoption of an amendment offered by
DR.. Buckley.
Dr. Buckley then offered a resolution
regarding the examination of candl-
dates by the conference. In support OF
his amendment DR.. Buckley said that
he desired that the candidate be exam
ined as to his personal belief as we'll as
in theology and literature. He SAID
that a heresy trial was the meanest
thing that ever afflicted a church. Re-
ferring to the recent heresy trial in
Madison, he termed some of the doc
trines endorsed by the consolation sit
ting in judgment as new, nebulous
theology"
Rev. Crandall J. North said there had
been occasion for a heresy trial in the
Methodist church in this district, which
had been avoided by timely adjustment.
It was learned that he alluded to the
case of Rev. Mr.. Peck of Wallingford,
who was going over to the Universal
lists. when Elder North brought him to
a realization of the error of his course.
DR. Buckley again addressed the con-
ference and was frequently interrupt
ed by laughter and applause Among
other things he said that every pro-
fessor must distinguish himself by dis
covering something new and that no
man could tell when the end would be-
There were he said, four or five schools
of theology in the Congregational and
Episcopal churches. In the former
church the Union theological seminary
of New York was radically different
from Princeton and the latter different
from the colleges of the south In clos
ing DIR. Buckley said he hoped his rhet-
ORIG would not influence anybody, be-
cause in rhetoric as in poetry there is
no absolute truth.
This led to, a humorous controversy
between DR.. Buckley and Rev. J. Ray
Thompson of Brooklyn, in which Rev.
Mr. Thompson challenged DR.. Buckley
to discuss with him at the weekly
church meeting in Brooklyn the ques-
ton of there being no truth in poetry.
The next amendment seemed at one
time likely to get the conference into
a parliamentary tangle. The amend
ment referred to the size of the COM
mittee to examine candidates. The re-
port provided that the committee con-
sist of one An amendment was offered
making the committee consist of two.
Several amendments, substitute mo-
tons and motions to lay on the table,
were offered and at one time Bishop
Merrill seemed the only man in the
house who comprehended the situa-
ton. Rev. Joseph Pullman Of Bridge
port DR.. Buckley, Professor Rice and
other prominent divines took part in
the debate. The previous question was
called for and the main question --the
report of the committeeman adopted.
There shall be board Of examin-
ers, consisting Of sixteen members of
the conference, which shall have charge
of all examinations prescribed in the
discipline for Admission on Trial for
Travelling Preachers and for Local
ORDERS" except that examinations not
in the English language shall be re-
ferred to special committees.
These examiners shall be elected
by the conference on the nomination by
the presiding elders. The term of Office
shall be four years, except that the
board first elected shall be divided into
four classes, equal in number, to serve
is thraa nd fnr1J
years At each session of the confer
ence thereafter four examiners shall be
elected to fill the vacancies caused by
expiration of terms, and other eXamin-
ers to fill vacancies caused by resig-
nation or death. Vacancies occurring
during the next conference year may
be filled until the next conference ses-
sion by the chairman of the board.