The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-05-28
CLEVELAND CONFERENCE.

Cleveland, o., May 24.-Bishop Tho
burn took occasion i'll Il sermon which he
delivered at the armory today, to lee
ture the delegates to the Methodist con-
ference for their indifference regarding
missions. Bishop Thoburn has long
been II labOrer i'll the mission fields of
India, and he took the conference to task
severely for not giving better financial
support to the work.
Some day." he said, eve shall all
stand before the great white throne.
and we shall be asked why, when we
were in Cleveland four weeks. we did not
do something for the mission cause. The
only answer that we can make will be
that we were so busy with previous
questions of privilege. points of order
and laying things on the table that we
could not attend to missions"
Bishop Thoburn said he had come to
tins country expecting something to he
done. and if the Methodist church would
only act the other Protestant dcnomi-
nations would follow it. 1t might be
possible. with proper efforts. to save
l,OOOOOO souls Il year in India. but even
at that rate if would take 200 years to
Christianizc the country.
The bishop said tonight that he did
not care for an assistant. Since the
hdrd times began the money of the mis-
sions has fallen off to such an extent
that it will be necessary to send home
from India one in six of the missions
rcS now there.
Bishop Thoburn has been quoted as
saying he would resign if the confer
cncc did not afford him help. He denies
that. He says. however. that if finan-
cal support is not provided by the CON
ference he will remain in this country
and cndeavor to raise the money needed
by personal effort.
SOME BLUNT STATEMENTS.
Saratoga, y. V. May 24-Moderator
Withcrow. newly elected to Office in the
Presbyterian assembly, preached sermon
today. In the course of his discourse he
made some very frank and blunt state
mcnts. while at the same time pleading
for moderation and Cancellation. His
Than Violent, Reveal Christ"
This COURSE. lie said. was illustrated in
the career of Christ, in the course of
Christianity in the world and in the con-
duct of Christians. With great emphasis
he exclaimed: "The horrihlest thing out
of hadcs is to see human beings trying to
hurt each other"
He expressed entire dissent from the
principles of those who declare 1--WE will
cleanse the church even II we split 1t
apart in doing So"
Christianity does not deserve the good
of the world while it uses the AK. Fight
ing churches are a laughing stock. Con
citation and mutual consideration are in
dispensable to healthy growth, and pro
gresS comes with peace.
The moderator's sermon has been the
subject of general conversation ever since
it was delivered, the liberal and moderate
classes applauding its spirit
Tomorrow will be a busy day in the as
sembly. The further consideration of
the report on the report on the young peo'
pie is an order for the morning, and the
floor has been accorded to Rev. G.. :.
Iange of Mount Vernon, y. v. who will
move to strike out the remainder of the
resolution and TO discharge the committee.
1t is threatened by the more active sup.
porters of the Christian Endcavor move
ment that they will move TO reconsider
what has already been done and to throw
the whole matter overheard. The report
of the committee appointed to confer with
the seminarieS in order to bring them into
closer relations with the assembly will
he presented tomorrow.