The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-07
CHURCH ABOVE REPROACH.
Richmond District Conference Acts on
the Methodist Book scandal.

the Methodist Book scandal.
SHACKELFORUS. va. aug. g.
Speclal.-Ihe Richmond District Confer
ence has just closed jus annual meeting
which was held this year AZ shackeif0rds
chapel on the East King and Queen Cir
cult.
Rev. j. A. Brown. D. D.. was The presil-
ing officer and Rev. r.. j. Beadics secrc-
tary. The attendance OF the preachers
and lay delegates was NOT very large.
Rev W. W. Lear of Manchester,
preached the opening sermon. lt was a
very practical and thoughtful discourse.
Sermons We're also preached by Ecvs.
j. II. Mastn r.. Il. Bcldlcs. -- Bucker,
j. S. Wallace and ]. H. McFaddcn Pro-
lesser j.. Sumpter Smith. OF the Randolph
Macon Academy at Bedford City. Rev.
T.. H. Rowe. OF the s0uthside Seminary
40 Bowling Green and Rev. James o..
Cannon, OF the Blackstone Female lnsti-
tute were present ana represented their
respective schools.
The following preamble and resolution,
offered by Reys j. ~. Mastin and W. W..
Lear were unanimously adopted.
Whereas, on the Oh day Of June. 1S9S.
the Senate OF the United states adopted
the following resolution:
Resolved That the Committee on
Claims be directed 10 inquire and report
90 whom the money was paid under the
claim OF the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South and also as 90 an the circum-
stances connected with the passage OF
the bin providing for the payment OF said
claim, and with the subsequent payment
Of the money under said act o. con-
gress.' and.
Whereas. 70 has been ascertainej that
the sum OF {2sSOJ1 was paid by the United
States Government to Barbee a. Smith.
agents for the Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. March IS. 1898. and that
on the next day the said agents paid 10
T.. j. stanlman 500 SOD, or s. per cent. Of
the whole. for services rendered in tho
passage OF tho Dill for the payment Of
said claim; and.
Where's. IL has been alleged by GER
tain Senators and representatives. IN the
lower house Of Congress that the said
bin would not have been passed without
an amendment prohibiting the beneficial
ries from wastefu. and improper use OF
the fund. If they CHE said Senators and
Reprl seutatives) bad not 90 deceived
and mlsled by certain letters and te.e-
grams from Mcssrs Baroee a. Smith
book agents of tne Methodist Episcopal
Church. South. iu whom they rep0scd lm-
piicit confidence, ana.
W tt'A NttIf OF hNt A".'--ttH f'rf N't-|
allegation. the Book Committee adopted
the following resolution.
Resolved, That We do net believe that
orr book AGENTS have. either in fact or
Intention. made any statement contrary
90 the exact truth.
Whereupon they appealed TO their
brethren % suspend judgment until, in
the fuller light OF officials facts they
should make good their denial OF any
wrong doing ly the book agents; and,
Whereas. having patiently waited FOR
the fuller light" and having carefully
weighed the official facts submitted 10y
The Book COMMITTEE in their lengthy
and able paper on lhe painful subject
We deeply regret o. observe that they
virtually admit the fact OF ths alleged
deception, and only attempt 90 show that
tho said deception was perpetrated by
Mcssrs. Barbee g. smith without intend
ing % DO SD. which falls far short or
their promised gInlicdtion. i5 t0 us as
disappointing as &C. must De humiiiatlnF
and distressing TO every member OF the
Methodist Episcopal Chuch. South; and
Whereas. under these distressing cOndi-
tons the College ~ Bishops has given
tho Church the following assurance.
while reanrming the business OF our
claim. payment az ehich has been sought
Tor TWENTY-FIVE years, we insist that the
Church cannot anord 90 accept IL as a
aratuitv or on conditions that reflect
upon It's honor. luasmLch, therefore, as
some Senators have affirmed on the floor
OF the Senate lhat they were induced 10
sunrort the claim by misleading state
rnents on the part OF The representatives
~ the Church-statemenis however,
which ala not affect the merit OF our
cl,irn-ve hereby give this assurance:
rbat II the senate by Affirmative action
declares that the passage OF the bin was
6,a IN such misleading statements. we
win take the proper steps 10 have the
entore amount returned 10 the Govern
ment;" therefore.
oction of the College OF Bishops is high
H. oratifvinr 10 rs and lifts from the
fofr name OF the Methodist Episcopal
church South. all possible reproach in
Pesoived. That in their efforts 10 make
,,aod their assurance the College OF
3JsSons should have the hearty support
"a co-operation % every loyal and low
frg Southern Methodist
Miss Hattie Hughes. q Richmond. IS
,-t.iftng Miss Alma Bland.
rev. William II. Flanagan has ac-
cented a call 10 the Baptist church at
orange and will leave At once 10 take
charge there.
The melon crop Is now being marketed.
AR Robert BOwdon, an enterprislng
young trucker. has the largest crop OF
yaternelpns syag gown in Shis section.