The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-06

The discussions yesterday at the one
hundred and fifty sixth session of the
Wyoming District Ministerial associa-
ton, held in Kingston. were remark
able for the candid expression of opin-
ion and the keen, thoughtful views on
many vital subjects. The review of the
general conference was intensely in
teresting. The questions eagerly asked
denoted the deeply inbred desire to be
fully acquainted with the underlying
principles of Methodism according TO
modern Interpretation, and the infor-
nation impaired by the delegates was
valuable in the extreme.
The morning service opened with de-
votional exercises conducted by Rev.
G. II. Reynolds. The first business
taken up was election of officers, those
Of last year being reelected. as fol-
lows: Rev. Austin Griffin, d. D., presi-
dent; Rev. w. L. Thorpe, vice-presi-
| dent; Rev. f. ID. Cornell, secretary ana
treasurer.
A discussion regarding the Wyoming
| camp meeting ensued. Improvements
have been made, and the prospects for
the camp services are bright. A num-
| Der of cottages are now for rent. The
meetings will begin August IA. DR..
| Parke Cadman. of the Metropolitan
church of New York, and DR.. Little, OF
| Orange, n. j., will be present. 1t was
voted to have a convention in October
to consider the problems of Methodism.
REV. SURDAM'S PAPER.
Rev. Charles NJ. Surdam, of Pittston,
| hn G,,1t ia.
| THE Orthodox Requirements Respect
ing Faith in the Scriptures" The ques-
tion was considered in conservative
fashion. He disapprOved of a few de-
structive critics being permitted to
| give authority for the relgious views
of the millions of true believers. 1t
was an excellent paper and seemed to
rather unusually fit in with the senti-
ments of the brethren. Rev. Will II.
Hitler, of Wilkes Barre, opened the dis
cussion which followed, and Rev. +. L.
Santee. of West Nanticoke, also spoke
on the subject.
Because of illness. Rev. DR.. Dresser
was not present to give his paper and
| Rev. w. l.. Thorpe was also absent
thus the next topic was the NET Re-
suits of the General Conference" by
Rev. DR.. Austin Griffin. He gave u
concise review of the great questions
which occupied the attention of that
body, speaking of the first movement
the seating of the provisional delegates
and referring to the withdrawal of on,
| woman, thus allowing the admission of
the equal representation without a dis
| senting vote. He then spoke of the
| appointment of standing committees
the hard work of delegates and the inn
portant part taken by those from this
conference. The discussion of the or
ganic laws of MethOdism, occasionin
| sharp debate, and the admission OF
women, according to the sanction OF
annual conferences, were touched upon
Rev. j. b. Sweet spoke in compn.
mentary way of the delegation from
Wyoming conference, in it's influence
and prominence at general conference
Rev. w. II. Pearce, d. D., as one OF
the delegates. gave a most interestina
account of the sessions. He said thai
for the comfort of those who could moi
go to general conference that it was
very hard and meant almost continu
Gus attendance upon committee meet
ings and general service, from $50 il
the morning until IL at night.
VOTE TO SEAT WOMEN.
The vote to give women seat il
the next general conference was sole
ly the work of men, as the womer
did not make any plea for such favor
The question of the famous "Arti
Gle 2iS' in the discipline was the caus,
of much warm discussion and many
queries were asked regarding tn,
present status Of the church on tht
subject of amusements. 1t was more
or less lucidly explained that Metho
dists are at present at sea on thi
matter and will not know where the!
ae "at" until the new dicipline ap
pears, with or without the irritatin.
clause.
| Dr. Sprague spoke with intense feel
ing on the amusement question as af
fecting the seminary, Many student
have parents prominent in the Metho
dist church, even Sunday school super
intendents, who ask permission TO
their children to visit the theaters
He has had numberless most pukzlin,
questions to decide regarding this sub
jcCt and confessed the embarrassment
which annoyed him at times. He be
lieved it possible, under certain cir
cumstances for young lady to jun
up and down, shuttle cards withou
being sinful yet the surroundings o
these amusements are in the majorit
sinful.
lie believed no level-headed paste
would exclude probationer on thes
questions. On the whole, he though
it would be wiser to enforce the dis
cipline and eXpel members than I
temporize as at the present, when tn
law is there but is a dead letter.