Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-26
THE EPWORTH LEAGUES.
A Sensation I'm the Conference.-The
Book Committee Question.

NORFOLK, VA. June 25.-(Special)-
The days session Of the Conference OF
Epworth Leagues of Virginia was marked
by q sensation After the devotional ser
vice conducted by Mr.. w. Reginald
Walker, of Richmond, the general topic
Of the session, Christian Piety or Clti-
zenship," was taken up The first speaker
was Rev. G.. w. Dyer Of Lynchburg. His
theme was, Alienation OF the Wage
Workers from the Churches"
The speakers solution OF the question
his explanation Of the 'alienation"-was
that the churches were drifting toward
wealth and culture and away from the
poor; that the Christianity Of the present
day was not equal TO the occasion; that
the Church was not following Christ.
Great effort was being made on behalf
Of colleges, he said, but greater effort
should be made to carry religious instruc-
ton into primary schools. The methods
of the Church service were all wrong, in
his opinion. Many OF the preachers were
not prepared 10 fill the pulpits OF the city
churches. They spent their time at col
lege studying Greek and Hebrew ana
Church history, and knew nothing or So
cial sciance-of the needs OF the people
Church should throw itself In the breach
between the masses and the classes and
90 with the masses. The way. he said,
TO keep close 70 God was to keep close
TO the Door.
A REPLY.
AT the close OF Rev. Mr.. Dyers address,
Rev. DIR III. Il. Johnson, Of Norfolk. arose
I'm the audience and said he knew he
was out OF order, but that ne would Ike
to say regarding the address that had just
been made that there is no such aliena-
ton between the Church and the masses
as indicated in the topic discussed ana
I'm the address just delivered"
some one here made a point OF order
against DR.. Johnson. DIR. Johnson iEsist-
ed on being heard, but there was eVloeh'
disapproval on the part OF some IN the
audience of the course he was pursuing.
There was also, however, much applause
Rev. ]. c. Jones, of Roanoke, was III
the chair, and proved a cool preslulib
officer during the excitement.
THE president of the conference. Rev.
T. II rawlings, asked DR.. Johnson II he
wouIdn't retire and be heard later, when
be would be In order. Or. Johnson re-
nlied. Now or never" Rev. DR.. Garland
moved that the rules be suspended ana
Dr Johnson be heard. Rev. w. Z. Car
den. OF Big Stone Gap, Va, moved 10 Jay
DIR Garland's motion on the table.
Here Mr.. Dyer, whose address had been
called In question. expressed a willing
ness that DR.. Johnson should be heard'
bnt said he would reserve the risht "
reply TO him. A vote being taken, Dr'
Garland's motion was laid on the tapie'
which ended the incident.
THE League and the Street urenihS
was then discussed foreefuliy by D. ~
Johnson, OF Roanoke.
RESOLUTIONS.
The Committee on Resolutions then
| made it's report. on the teinpssraI'cS
question. II recommended the reaniIhd'
ton OF the principles OF the General Con
ference on this subject. Adopted.
Tho committee also recommended ina
the constituency of the State League Con
ference be not changed from state =
| conference. Adopted.
Rev. j. T. Mastin. OF Richmond, an,
others offered a resolution demandint
| from the Book Committee OF the Southeri
Methodist Church an explanation as .
| the publishing houses claim recent.
Granted by the United States Congress
and az 10 which false pretences IN sc
| curing same as charged. Referred 20 lh'
| cornmlttee on Resolutions.
Rev. Dr. Paimore. editor OF the 81; L oui
| Advocate, then spoke on the Leasu
| and saloon"