Middletown transcript., 1900-03-31
Sddlebun dJransulpt
ok MlLLlon METaoD,sTs

On0 QlVlSlOl Ol tlI6s 1dESSSb
branch of "those people called
Methodist" s"Lthe Methodist Epis-
copal numbering two and a-half
millions under one government
has just adjourned its annual
session, the Wilmington Confer
ence. The daily papers of Viii
mington evidently made excel
lent, correct, and full reports of
the proceedings which proved the
members of that body to be men
of strength, vigor and convict
ions. And the Lay Conference,
consisting of the same number,
one 1ayman from each charge,
gave evidence in its proceedings,
which were held apart from the
ministerial body, of loyalty to
the church which is in no way
restricted in independent thought
by the pulpit. Every member
of the church should be a student
Of the "minutes when they ap-
pear in pamphlet form, in 30 to
go days, and the more so because
the quadrennial law-making body
will be in session throughout the
month of May.
It is charged generally that the
clergy are "good politicians !"
and the accusation has been made
especially against members of
the Wilmington Conference. Ref
erence was made thereto several
times during the session. But
Notwithstanding the fractional"
feeling among the clergy-Meth-
odism grows on this Peninsula.
What would be the result of har-
mony on all lines cannot be told,
possibly an lease in Zion"
The differences seem to have
eliminated in charging Presiding
Elder Baker, of Dover District,
with not being friendly to the
Conference Academy, hence an
effort was made to oust him from
the eldership Bishop Andrews,
it is said, thought of making
Rev. G. A. Hill elder but con-
cluded to let Mr.. Baker remain.
In announcing the appointments
he began with Dover District
naming DR.. Baker elder. At
once Principal Collins of the'Aca-
DENY took the floor and while his
Judgment did not coincide with
the action of Bishop Andrews
"for the sake Of God and of
Methodism in ~6ur territory he
was willing to sink personal
judgment. He extended to DR..
Baker the hand of fellowship
which was received with appro-
pirate acknowledgment. Such
action shows the vital power of
the church. Of the incident the
Morning Netos said:
1t was a scene more dramatic
than any occurring in a Confer
ence session for several years,
and the graceful manner in which
each minister accepted the situa-
ton found ready sympathy in the
hearts of all who observed the
incident. /"
The chief political" feature
of the session was over the effort
made by Chairman Compton Of
the committee on temperance, as
he told Rev. r. Fl. Adams, to do
what he could towards defeating
President Mckinley for re-elect-
ion. He offered condemnatory
resolutions against the President,
who is a member of the Methodist
Church, for "tippling " in public,
upon a statement of Samuel
Dickie, editor of the Voice, the
temperance organ. Mr.. Dickie
says he saw the President drink
wine at banquet.
The debate was sharp and pro-
longed. Revs. Compton, Alfred
Smith, Swain and Coursey fav-
ored the resolution of censure,
while Revs. Adams, Watkins,
MacNichol, Carpenter, Collins
and Terry opposed. The resolu-
ton was lost by vote of SO to
Az. It is to be hoped none other
of the AZ yeas beside Mr.. Comp
toms was for such "small poll
tics" as he assigned. Rev. r. |
E. Adams deserves praise for his
exposure of Mr.. Compton's ex-
pressed motive. He has a right
to vote against Major Mckinley
he has a right to oppose by all
honorable, open means his re-
election, if he chooses, but he
has no right to use the church
for any such purpose. But
Methodism can stand many such
strains and grow.
The clergy and laity differed in
opinion and action upon the
method Of electing church trus-
tees. There has been consider