Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-15
METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Retirement OF bishops Causes an
Affecting Scene

Affecting Scene
CLEVELAND. O., May 1.-THE General
Conference Of the Methodist Church met
az $40 a. NJ. to-day. with Bishop MALTA
i.u I'M the chair. II was decided that d.
ronas from Methodist schools be ac-
csrtsI iu lieu OF the conference course OF
.r8.,s from candidates for the ministry.
Tho reports Of the Committee on Epis-
...ley were presented by Rev. DIT Buck
ley. Report 40. /. recommended the re-
tr,ment OF Senior-Bishop Thomas W..
bowman. and of Bishop Randolph S. Eos
f.r oil account of non-efectiveness. A
most impressive scene followed the read
i.1 OF the report Bishop Foster arose
.ri amid almost brcathless silence, SAID
De wished to relieve the conference from
any tOleacy iu acting as their judgments
dictated he asked permission 10 retire
I,.nr Bowman also asked TO be retired
as OF have lust learned" he said, that
am non-enecuve." Bishop George ii.
urI-auau offered "A substitute, when
provided that Bishop Bowman and Bishop
Foster bee not retired. and that tho Board
a.. Bishops be asked to give them lght
vors
Ir HrIeeman said that "thc report Of
t.a committee was unkiud Who are
These men that Or Buckley and his com
rttse propose 20 say 10 the Church, 10
brother churches. and 10 the world that
rsr are ron-efccuve? They have none
most for Methodism The majority re-
r..t would be exceedingly hurttul to the
Crch."
Ea, DR. j. j.. Sawyer. Of Troy, said
raf hr hoped the substitute would be
adopted. The adoption Of the committee
report would Doe "a needless humiliation
l those beloved bishops who have done
1 much for tho Church. The only OK
C.. that can be offered for their retire
..at s one OF expense, and in view
.f tt. great wealth Of the Methodist
Church. 90 counts for nothing.
$50 PLACE FOR SENTIMENT.
Row. Dr James T. Chanee. Of Mime
.4 said that unless the conference
wanted to De confronted with propoSi-
lions % this kind Of limit the terms OF
bishops DO must pass something along
fa.s Nra This As no place for sentiment
We must act according To our convictions
ana retire these men. painful as II MAJ
lt
Tt. discussion Of the report was the
feature of the conference up 10 this time.
'.tt o. VITO Ntl ltANN'H tN NtN "'''' ''''tN'tt
spoke u am earnest manner.
Ber joy. Lauahan. Of Baltimore. said
There De- a great deal OF honey In the
report The honey however, IS very
GOD Way 90 smooth the way the com
If.e aimed a. There are things that
fs"o been lot out Of this discussion that
fal better bc said.
fn.rk sir that the proceedings ot
ths Episcopal Committee have been I'M
1.aIeied iu the history or The Church.
Io- Che honor Of the Church. J hope II
i'F never occur again.
IlIs committee has been In secret ses
o. 10 was "a meeting for execution. !
think chat one Of the dangers Of our
Church to-day "a IN keeping secret what
otrat to Doe published What was 10 De
faiI about these great men? Have they
been guilty Of any improprietyT The com
mite. said co. the presence or visitors
liat they wished 20 Say thnEa that Should
aoi be made public ! will ask the chair
nam u the Committee on Episcopacy 70
say whether IL is so OF not"
pr buckley arose. and in very ag'-
lated manner said that be declined 60
oo Questioned. but that ne would rep'y
to tho most singular address al its close.
Tho previous question was ordered.
ur Buckley was given permission 20
reply 90 Or. Lanahan. He said: "our re-
port was voted for by ell OF our commit
tee Of 100 save 1--WE members These breth-
rem n thoy are not retired. are Official
residents Of the great episcopal cities.
we called tns secret meetings that
We might question these beloved bishops
when not surrounded by ever-thlrsty re
porters and persons totally incompetent
TO Judge the great principles OF Method
lam In the interest Of the Episcopal