The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-09-17

Louis Republic Of Sunday. We sre
assured, by one who ought 10 know,
that the reporter did not see bishop
nor did the bishop see the
reporter, but all the same IL is admitted
that the reporter made some shrewd
guesses, The reporter called TO see
the bishop, but friend OF the bishop,
at his request, answered the call.
II present indications count for any
thing, the Southern Methodist Episco-
pal Conference, 10 convene at DE Soto,
Mo-, the latter part Of this month,
will be one Of the most important for
st. Louis in The history Of Methodism
in Missouri. Long established prece-
dent will b. set uside and the business
Of the church transacted upon a scale
rarely seen in any religious body of the
west. The shake up will influence
nearly every church in st. Louis and
result in shuiiling of the most eminent
clergymen In the conference.
Bishop Gambler has been in St. Louis
for nearly two weeks looking over the
ground and taking careful review Of
the whole situation. It was known
that his appearance upon the field at
this juncture before the conference had
its meaning, yet few members of the
church have fully realized the signlfi-
cance of his visit. In an interview
credited to the bishop he is reported 10
have said:
"Conditions in the st. Louis church
have been satisfactory, in the main,
yet the time has come when there must
be radical change. Many of the
ministers have served full terms In their
churches, and many of them have lived
their usefulness in all the large St.
Louis churches Of our denomination,
and removals to other cities would be
better all round. Change Is the life
of Methddism and one OF the doctrines
upon which the church is founded.
To allow men TO remain In their
churches, or even in the same city,
any number of years, is not In accor.
dance with the itinerant system, and
therefore not to the best interests oI
the church.
sin regard 10 DIR. John Mathews
and Centenary church, there is no lega
reason why he should not stay with his
chosen congregation, but there hai
been displeasure all over The conference,
at his remaining there after his term
and | think it in accordance with tn,
best policy to remove him. To le
him remain would be to establish ,
precedent in the church which coulC
not be followed, and would cause nj
end of trouble.
SIN the churches of st. Louis ther,
is varied field which must be under
stood in order to appoint appropriate
pastors. Every man is a specialist ant
peculiarly adapted to his kind of work
Therefore a simple arrangement of st
Louis pastors would not answer th
necessary requirements for the harmo
nious conduct Of the church. Fo
instance a man who would build vi
one church might utterly fail IN anothe
and it is with this view that the mex
appointments will lie made"
There hss been much discussion owe
the Mathews situation and many hav
been the speculations concerning tn
final outcome, but not until yesterda,
could ii be learned what the probabl
result wonld be. DR.. Mathews i
credited with having said that il h
could not remain at Centenary b
would leave St. Lenis, and it SCENE,
that the doctor was the only man VIII
could hold the congregation together
Many Of the pillars Of the churcI
avowed they would desert il thei
veteran pastor was not treated witt
extreme Difference in the matter O
change.
A year ago DR.. Mathews had serve'
his longest term and at the urgen
request Of his church he was appointe
Sunday school agent with supply
This was virtually pastor, but was a
excuse for him to remain one year
when he could again be reappointed I
the pastorate. But things have nc
gone as was expected, and 1t ha
become necessary to change HIM,
1t it said upon good authority thd
DR.. Mathews will be transferred t
McKendree church, Of Nashville, Tenr
That is the conference in which Dl
Mathews began his labors as preache
over half century ago, and he ha
expressed some little pride at goin
: back to the home of his youth TO finis
up his life work. He is now rs yeal
u old, but still active in his work an
eloquent In discourse.
After surveying critically tho iiel
Bishop Chandler has about decide
how his appointments will be mad
and the following slate is believed I
be almost correct;
In the absence Of DIR. Mathews, Re,
DR.. Alonzo Monk, one of the bes
knnwn nraaohara nf tho Alabama Tn