The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-05-13
CALLS THEN IDIOTlC.
A Methodist Preacher Assails
Christian Endeavorers
FOR PRAYING FOR ,NosRsoLL.
Newspapers Give Prominence TO the
Attack and the Conference Gets
Into . Suarl Over 1t.

Cleveland, Nav is-The session % the
Methodist general conference to-day was
brief bat breezy. Considerable oratory
was sndulged In over the headlines Of one
OF the morning papers. which made it APP
pear that a conference delegate had de-
noarcss the Christian Enieavcr Society
as idsot9c because il had prayed for the
conversion OF Col Ingsrsoli. The storm
quickly blew over. however. The most
important matter brought before The con-
ference was EN- bodied in = resolution pro-
viding for the appointment % committee
20 prepare new constitution The Snort
ness OF the session to-day and the failure
OF the conference 10 transact much bust
ness was due TO the delay OF the committees
in preparing their report.
Bishop Fowler presided to-day. In
the call for memorials and resolutions
Rev. Or. Munger presented one of great
importance. creating commission on con-
stitution. to consist of two ministers and
two lsyllcn from each district. The menu
bers are to be over 50 years of age and viii
meet in Chicago on the first Wednesday
in August, when they viii organize by the
election OF a president and secretary.
They are 20 draw up constitution. and
after IL Is completed il IS to be PUBLISHED
twice in all the official papers OF the
church within thirty days The commits
sion is also authorized TO devise rules for
election. and not less than three or more
than six months afterwards the church
snail vote on the adoption of the consd-
tuition. Only those over y years of age
shall be permitted TO vote, and the result
shall be certified to the secretary of The
general conference. II adopted by ma
Jority of those voting the constitution
shall be effective at onee. The resolution
was referred to the committee on consti-
tuition.
The conference soon got into a snarl. In
which the local morning newspapers were
attacked and in which the meeting OF the
committee on the state of the church held
yesterday afternoon came out prominently.
In that meeting Rev. DIR. ouayle, in the
course OF his remarks about the Christian
Endeavorers In their attempt TO secure
recognition OF the deity in the constitu-
ton, used the language which appeared in
tne morning papers, which is as follows:
Not long ago that organization not only
made itself ridiculous. and all the churches
which 1t represented. but actually made
the religion OF Christ ridiculous by pray
ing for the redemption of Bob Ingersol.
Do YOU think that the Methodist church
would ever be guilty Of such an act OF
absolute iliocy?" Cries OF NO. no." were
expressed throughout the room.
F. ]. Cheney. Of Central New York. arose
and presented a resolution which recited
the fact that the local morning papers had
and d.scla.med any responsibilities for
such sentiment by the general conference.
He presented the resolution for adoption.
1t not only disciaimed responsibility. but
also Endorsed the Epdeavorers. As soon
as Ii was read, two motions were made.
one to refer to the committee on Epworth
League. and the other to lay on the table.
Bishop Fowler ordered the vote taken on
the motion to refer. A mistake was made
In the counting and second vote was or
dered- DR.. Buckley desired to report
substitute. but Bishop Fowler refused to
entertain it. The vote on the motion to re-
fer TO the committee on Epworth League
was then lost. 1e2 10 2s5.
Henry French. of California, moved its
adoption. when Rev. W. A. Quayle. OF
Kansas City. who had made the remark.
rose. He denied the use OF the language
attributed to him. Every attempt by Mr.
Cheney to get Mt the facts of the case was
howied down. Every denial of the article
called out wild applause, but Mr. Ouayie
said ne did say certain society was idiotic
and he thought that was the sentiment Of
the majority OF the members.
The resolution regulating the purported
language of DR.. Quayle by the conference
was laid on the table, Subsequently mo-
ton was passed to expunge from the rec-
ord all reference to the matter
Amanda Smith, one of the famous COL
ored evangelists. entered the hall and the
committee suspended business 10 receive
her. She was given the greatest attention
and was required to sing. The delegates
Joined In the chorus. and one song was in
sufflcient and second was called for and
given. She aroused the greatest enth,-
siasm- As none of the committees. how
ever, were ready to report. the conference
then adjourned
AT the meeting Of the committee on
ep'scopacy tonight DR.. J. F. Goucher. of
bsiumore. Tor the subcommittee to con-
slider the advisability of electing moro
bishops, reported that Bishops Bowman
and Foster and Missionary Bishop William
Taylor were worn out and inefficient. ana
recommended that two additional bishons
be elected to strengthen the board. DIR.
D. H. Moore. of Cincinnati. moved "a
make the number four. and his motion
was supported by DR. Graw. DR. Leonard
and DR.. kynett. Before action was taken
the committee went into executive session.
and when IL adjourned nothing could be
learned as 10 the results.
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