Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
METHODISTS DEBATE
SESSION OF BALTIMORE CONFER
ENCE IN THE MONUMENTAL CITY.
THE ARGUMENTS BY VIRGINlLNS.
The Presiding Eldership Discussed
Epworth League Matters-Remarl<s
By DR.. Whitehe ad-Articles Of Re-
Iigion-Per.onal Points of Interest.

BALTIMORE. May 14-Special.)-Ths
Fourth Regiment Armory 10 still used for
opposing purposes. The General Confer
ence uses It to further the interests OF
the Church, whose mission is one OF
peace. and the soldier boys are using It
in preparation for war. In different parts
Of the building may be found in plentiful
profusion rifles. bullets, hymn-books.
haversacks. tracts, canteens. and all
equipments for war or peace.
The past week Of the conference has
been eventful, and Virginia preachers
have had prominent places in the great
debates. Drs. Sledd. Whitehead, and
Smith have figured on the floor with
more or less prominence.
FINE ORATORY.
The presiding eldership and the Ep-
worth League in reverse order have
occupied the greatest amount OF time
and called forth the greatest exhibition
OF oratory. The presiding eldership
question was brought before the body by
the Committee on REVEALS. which recon-
mended non-concurrence in the memorial
from the South Carolina Conference, to
limit successive service in the office OF
the presiding eldership to eight years.
There was a minority report. Dr.
Whitehead was In favor OF the majority
and made the closing argument Inc
vote was so large against the memorial
that DR.. Keener. who was the strongest
advocate for it, laughingly moved TO
make it unanimous. The counter vote
was 153 to 60.
THE EPWORTH LEAGUE
The great fight which went on for two
DAYS was upon the question whether
there should be two general officers OF the
Epworth League-an editor as well as a
secretary. DR.. Paul Whitehead and DR..
Smith, OF Virginia, were on opposing
sides. DR.. Whitehead favored the report
Of the committee which was against the
charge. and DR.. Smith was in favor OF
two officers. Both Of these divines made
fine speeches. The following are the re-
marks Of DR.. Whitehead:
was very much disposed during the
past year, and by my acquaintance with
the inward affairs of the Epworth League
and its paper, the cost of publishing, and
all that, to Join Brother wilson's resolu-
ton very heartily, and to oppose this re-
port, but have been thinking earnestly,
and I have changed base on that ground.
Applause) Not by anything that has
been said, brethren. Qaughter) i do not
mean to disparage Brother Anderson
remarks. We have heard them all. ex-
passions very forcibly and we'll put. But
I have not been changed by that speech.
But I feel like saying, as was said at
Marengo, when the general came on the
field and was asked what he thought OF
the situation: This Elttle Is lost. but
there is time enough to win another,
and they went in and won 1t. Now there
is a time when you have got to risk all
Brother Wilson puts the proof OF 1t to-
dav. You have lost 81, 600 already-sunk
in the Epworth Era. You propose now
TO have two officers instead OF one, ana
run the additional expense up TO perhaps
$500 We had better run the risk OF
$4,000 loss. or in the same ratio, the next
ouadrennium than to proceed in the same
line that we have proceeded already
We have lost one battle, but there is
time enough TO win another. II you VIII
cbaree with the dragons, and risk every
thing In the way Of expense. There Is
need oftentimes to risk everything In
changing men, and in the battle we must
do this. We made a mistake at the last
General Conference tnat nearly ruiheu
us in this line. But let us clean out, start
in a new man, and run the whole line at
the risk of expense, we may win, ana
probably will, a new battle.
Although the official administration OF
all the bishops has been approved, there
is a report that seeks to reflect upon the
administration of Bishop Wilson. 1t Is
reported that he gave a preacher in the
st. Louis Conference nominal appoint
ment as Sunday-school agent, and
appointed another minister to an i'm
portant charge, which this Sunday-school
agent has really been serving, though he
had just concluded term of four years:
II the facts be as charged, it is claimed
that the law has been evaded that limits
the time of a pastor TO four years.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
A matter about which a great deal OF
interest centered was the report OF the
ha