The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-19
THE METHODIST DISPUTE.
! Criticism on IA Critic Whose Criticism
| Was Not Critical.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
Methodist Layrnan says: when fifty of
the best-known Iaymen in Indiana united in
calling a convention on the 18th of Septem-
Der next, in which they might discuss the
interests of Methodism, having no other
time or place to do it, they little anticipated
so impairment a meddling with their scheme
as the paper of Rev. DR.. Colvin, of Rock
VILE in yesterdays Journal, is intended to
be-" Now, what word did S. 2. Colvin say
against that convention? His whole con-
tention was against the foolish threats of
persons signing themselves laymen. One of
these assertions, in effect, was that the
convention would smash the tyrannical ma
chine. Now, my vigorous critic strives to
unload the responsibility upon the conven-
ton. When that convention meets it will,
l think sing, Il Love Thy Kingdom, Lord, .
or some other good hymn, and read scrip
ture lesson, have prayer, and, like the good,
sensible brethren they are, will organize
and proceed to business. l hope the conven-
ton will be a large one, representative
one, so that in it there will be none of the
unmethodistic stuff uttered by some of
these whose name is Layman. he says
that I begin by characterizing it Ghe con-
vention) as threatening the preachers"
Where when, and to whom, did say that?
Was it in this sentence: Some of your cor
respondents are threatening the ministry of
the NJ. Z. Church with a convention of lay
men. They charge the ministry with OPP
pressive tyranny. They, the correspond
ents, and not the call for u convention, are
making the threats and charges. 1t looks
to me like this vigorous layman wants the
convention TO help him TO let go OF the old
man. Your correspondents seem to threat
en- either the constitution or the ministers
who acted under it. Well, rebellion Is not
religious or polite. do not IN TINS SEN
tence say one word about laymen In gen
eral but say it to those men who utter re-
bellious words against the pollty or the
church. Never did rebel OF Southland utter
tiercer words against the Constitution than
doess this man when ne says: he (ColVln)
callS us rebels because we are likely TO
defy that un-AmeTican pollty. IL tnat
means anything it means defiance OF or
ganic law, and that means anarchy When
you speak OF the quarterly conference, IN
It's makeup and work, 1t Is evident you are
not an official member, or a very oHgrun,
tied one. Read the discipline carefully and
you will blush. He says; How dlfferent
this echo from the tombs OF the buried
past sounds from the words uttered by DR.
Rawlins." Shades of the past! Am as
old as DR. Rawlins? This layman has not
been we'll raised. or he would not make so
much noise over the graves OF the dead. In
our conference there are not more imam q
dozen preachers older than l am VINO voted
ON this question. We did not cast the forty
five votes that were given against the lay :
men. 1t must have been done by some Oh
the wise and learned young ministers Oh
whom the faymen speak. When the vote
was taken / oraWled out OF the TOMB OF Inc
buried past and voted for the laymen why
did YOU not get some young laymen 10
head your call for a convention! why 90
YOU boast of the leadership OF men more
than old enough to be my father ana style
one of them the Grand Old Man Flo
ouentP'' | have read of some lnteingenL
Young men who Knocked one or Goa oiu
preachers and were eaten by bears ms
lavman need not fear; the bears Will not
eat him. | am so old that not one OF my
arguments has been answered stated
that if the matter was submitted 70 tile
laymen not one in ten would take the trou-
HE TO vote for it. / have as Intelligent
members as are found in the state; F.! nave
not heard one of them say one lhLlS III
favor of this measure. Theyspay more , lileell
twice as much per member for beneVolence
as the average in the East Indianapolis ulS-
trct and more than three tunes as much
as in the West Indianapolis dlstrlct. Con on,
vince the ministry that the maJoTlty u ~ w
loval Methodists want this measure ana the
1reachers will almost unanimously 40 as
This old fogy did-vote for it. Ihere Is no
answer to my showing the analogy between
the Senate and the House OF RepreSenta-
tives and that laymen could not nave IiloIe 7
Yovyer nv an increase in numbers. MAKE
he two orders equal in numbers ana oe-
strov the vote by orders, and the layIleu
wonid lose power Make the numbers egual
/and retain the orders, anu ne xebn DISMISS
the counsel of the mature and thoushtIul
know that the order is: Ola men Iol cou ~
sci and Young men for War-Grdht' NJ, ne
warrior and old Abe the cOulS tl co,,nsaI
ara these writer's who darkeneth couhsel
Nv words without knowledge! 1aIry a.
Tsricho tiu YOUR boards be grown ana theh
return" and write an argumehG6; o1 VIM
Who Voted for the Laymen.
June il.