The San Francisco call., 1898-06-28
REV. DAVIS HAS BEEN FORGIVEN The Sensational Preach CT Will Quiet Down. WILL NOT ANSWER CHARGES DIR. W. S. URMY THINKS A BIG REVIVAL NECESSARY. He Says the Methodist Church Is in a State of Decrepitude-Other
 Denominational Meet
 ings.
DIR. W. S. URMY THINKS A BIC
 REVIVAL NECESSARY.

Edwards Davis, the young preacher who startled church-goers in this State by his repeated sensational actions, has suDs1d- ed and promises to err no more. The actor-preacher has been forgiven by his brethren and the glad hand of friendship has been extended to him, and he Is again back in the fold.
 The new condition of things was brought about yesterday at the meeting of the Christian Ministers Union after long and deliberate discussion. For the past month effort has been made to bring him before a proper body and try him for his peculiar conduct, but without suc- cess. Davis has always expressed Will ingness to stand trial but wanted spe- cific charges brought against him so that he could make answer to them. The mem bers of his old church refused to do this and the matter was held in abeyance
 Davis squared himself Sunday by ac- knowledging his mistakes before the con gregation of the Central Christian Church of Oakland, thus smoothing his way to reinstatement.
 About thirty interested members, com posing a committee, met in the r. M; '. A. building yesterday and were calieo 70 order by President T. D.. Butler DaNls lenting auditors. As final acton the following resolution was offered ana passed unanimously:
 Resolved. In view of the official statement of the Central Christian Church of Oakland to the effect that Brother Edwards Davis made public statement that the said church was justitiable in withdrawing rom ,ot nm on and .nS that he asked forgiveness and was recelVeo Into their fellowship again. that we dismiss our ment on the case and authorize the publication of this resolution as final and official state ment of the case
 ;,+a fha n membership during the year 1897 was the subject of Rev A. H. Needham's talk be- fore the Methodist ministers yesterday, and it brought forth warm discussion. The speaker said in part:
 Making all allowances for mistakes that have been made in statistics an'l other records it must be admitted that we have made small additions. We are settling down into the same kind of re- lgious life that emanates from many of our sister churches. One reason for this was the secular duties of the ministry they being so many that it rendered 1t impossible for them to keep well in touch with the spiritual part of the work" Rev w w. Case thought that preach CTS did not stand firmly enough by each ct other. IT.. If one strikes firmly out and at lacks some popular science he is not sus- tained in his heroic action. We need Wiling to be ground under foot in their efforts to suppress popular errors"
 pr. w s. Urmy said he believed the church was Tn d Sldle Ol utCIeplluue anu that vigorous revival should be insti- tuted such as was instituted by John Wesley for the national church.
 Rev. John A. B. Wilson considered that the Methodist church was not under date, hut was the ablest factor in the world for evangelistic work. ''So far as being a failure" he said, "the Methodists in the last thirty-three years have out etenped the Presbyterians. In the last len years they have grown beyond the Episcopalians, and in. the last nine years hevond the Congregationalists. This does Dof look like death or dissolution" He said the Bishops and presiding elders would always look out and give their ap- nroval and advancement to. those whom thev found progressive and deserving He was glad to see in the church a class of young men better educated and fitted for the work. -
 tha ministers in religious work at the camp at Richmond. She said the sol- diers needed spiritual consolation as much as social entertainment The lady sug- gested that the Methodists, erect a tent fn the Tennessee camp and J. W. Ells- worth. who was present, offered tent and half the expense of. fitting it out and this offer was accepted.
 The following officers were elected for