The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
AMID WARS ALARMS. =
Drs. Whitehead and Smith Lock Horns
on the Epworth League.

BALTIMORE. MD, May H.-Special-
Interest in the Methodist General Con-
fere increases day by day. In the midst
Of wars alarms the city turns aside to
attend the council Of the messengers of
peace, A curious contrast is seen in the
building in which the ecclesiastical gath
ering is held On the upper floor the
distinguished delegates are legElating for
the peace and prosperity Of Zion. On
the lower floor the Fourth Regiment IS
preparing 20 march TO the front. The
floors OF the various rooms are tuI OF
canteens, haversacks. small arms. coats
blankets etc, which are being distributed
to the various companies.
During the past week there have been
many interesting questions up before the
body. The congratulatOry message to
President Mckinley was passed, for
warded to him and a graceful and gra-
cious response returned, but the papers
have not told Of the warm discussion
that at last terminated in the adoption
Of the message.
VIRGINIA MEMORIALS.
There are more memorials from the
Virginia Conference than possibly from
any other.
Here is a partial list Of them:
Memorial 70 authorize unordained
preachers when IN charge TO administer
the sacrament ind perform the rite OF
matrimony. Memorial in respect to COM
putting the limit of the PASTORAL term.
Memorial 10 make certain changes in the
burial service Memorial to limit the
term OF the presiding eldership 10 eight
years successfully. Memorial 10 make
certain changes IN the law concerning
Epworth League. Memorial 10 make
certain changes in the law governing ex-
horters. Memorial 10 make certain
changes in the law in reference 10
preachers on trial in the annual confer
ences. Memorial TO make certain
changes in the law governing travelling
preachers.
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
The most interesting and able discus
sion so far was on the report recommend
ing that the Epworth League have two
general officers instead of one as now
these two officers to be secretary and
editor. The discussion occupied the best
part OF two days and was quite warm and
occasionally little personal. Drs
Whitehead and Smith took part and on
opposing sides. The former I'm favor Of
the report and the latter against 1t. The
report won the day. having been modi-
fed by a substitute which gives the book
committee power 10 employ editorial as
sistance for the general secretary.
Here is Or. Whitehead's speech:
! was very much disposed during the
past year. and by my acquaintance with
the inward affairs Of the EpwOrth League
and It's paper. the cost OF publishing and
all that. to join Brother Wilson's reso-
luton very heartily. and 10 oppose this
report. But l have been thinking earn
estly and have changed base on that
ground. Applause). Not by anything
that has been said. brethren. laugh
teri. l do not mean to disparage Brothe1
Andersons remarks. We have heard
them all, expressions very fOrcioly and
we'll put. But l have not been changed
by that speech. But l feel like saying
as was said at Marengo when the Gen
eral came on the field and was asked
what he thought OF the situation: This
battle is lost. but there is time enough
10 win another" and they went in
and won It. Now there is a time when
YOU have got TO risk all Brother Wilson
puts the proof OF it to-day You have
lost 81 600 already-sunk in the Epworth
Era, You propose now 10 have two Of
ficers instead of one and 10 run the addi-
tional expense up 10 perhaps S2o,OOO. We
had better run the risk OF $4,000 loss, or
i'm the same ratio the next quadrennium
than 10 proceed I'm the same line that We
have proceeded on already.
We have lost one battle, but there Is
time enough 10 win another IL We VIII
charge with the dragons and risk
everything 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 mistake at the
last General Conference that nearly ruin
ed us in this line. But let us clean out.
start in a new man, and run the whole
line at the risk OF expense and we may
win. and probably will, new battle.
DIR. Smiths speech was the longest and
posslbly the strongest against the report
Here is little sample OF his popular
WAY OF pleading his cause:
Mr.. President. / sometimes ind a good
deal of wisdom in that book that we call
"Mother Goose" These things eave sur
yived because they contain things that
are wise. And you will remember these
lines:
There was q man in our town. and he
was wondrous wise.
He dumped into bramble ousn and
scratched out both his eyes;
And when he found his eyes were OUT
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