The Washington weekly post., 1900-11-20
s...l.r,a Ne wsshlar,oa Pos,

s9ssial 70 he washington Post
Norfolk. Va, Nov. ig-TO-day's session
Of the Virginia Methodist conference was
cBi.yened by a spicy and unconventional
spat between Rev. James Cannon, jr-, and
Rev Sidney Peters. Dr. Cannon resented
au iut.matiOn that his schOOl-Blacksburg
Female COnege-has proated to a greater
extent from the educational fund than any
other college. The row occurred over the
report Of the committee on education.
Dr. Whitehead moved 20 strike out 50
much OF the report as referred 70 State
schools. claiming that - feared the re-
port. which urged MethOdists TO support
their den0minational schools. might he
construed as opposing the public schools
Of the State lie did not believe In antaS-
oulziug the State institutions. ,
Dr. y. T. Brown. representing the Bib
heal department u the Vanderbilt Uni
yersity. addressed the conference in be-
half Of that institution. He claimed that
every preacher needed a thorough Biblical
course, aud said he had heard that some
OF the young preachers OF the Virginia
conference were driven to copy largely
from other preachers sermons.
Al the conclusion Of DR.. Browns re-
marks. Rev. r. NJ Maxey asked an ex-
PLANTATION in behalf OF the young men OF
the conference.
ApoIog lied for Saying Too Much.
DR.. Brown at once apolOgized for his ex-
preston. and said he had spoken too has
tlly and said more than he intended. That
closed that particular incident.
Rev James Cannon then took the floor
20 discuss his reports as secretary OF the
board Of education, and was interrupted
BY Or. Whitehead, who claimed the secre-
tary's report was not, properly speaking,
a report Of the board. and should not be
considered by the conference. The Bishop
ruled the point not well taken, and Mr..
Cannon proceeding, the spiciest discus
SION Of the conference ensucd.
Mr. Cannon endeavored TO explain the
statistical part Of his report but a num-
her OF the ministers wanted the details,
irtimating that the thank Offering fund
was not being distributed among the var
ious educational Institutions fairly, ami
that the Blacksburg College, Of which Mr..
Cannon is president, was getting more
than its share,
Mr., Lipscomb advocated the report. He
was surprised at the position taken by
DR. Whitehead and the views he enter
tanned Rev. Sidney Peters favored the
motion OF DIR. Whitehead to strike out,
and wanted a detailed report from the
treasurer Of the board showing how the
money had been expended
Dr. A. Coke Smith opposed the motion.
He said, Of course, there was competition
between the church schools and schools
OF the State. and of other denominations,
but that did not necessarily mean antagO-
Pism.
Charge of Dishonesty Resented.
Mr.. Cannon said the report of the treas
urer was open 20 inspection, as were also
his books, but he could not make a de-
tailed and itemized report TO the confer
ence for want Of time He would do that
10 the auditing committee Of the board of
education. He resented the intimatiOn
that he was not honest or that ne was
liar. and declared the charge amounted to
that, while it did not say so.
Mr.. Peters denied having intended to in
innate that Mr.. Cannon was dishonest or
had lied. and said mo man with a pure
heart would have put that construction
on his language"
Mr.. Cannon demanded 10 know what
he meant by pure heart" Mr.. Peters
said he had not meant TO give offense,
and would retraet what he had said.
Bishop Duncan interjected the hope
that at the proper time and place the
disputants would go and do as David and
Jonathan did"
Further discussion was cut short by the
ruling OF the bishop on point of order
raised by Rev. b. f. Lipscomb. who said
the general conference had given the
power 10 dispose of the thank Offering
funds 10 the various annual conferences.
II II was given as a thank Offering, IL
should not come with a string tied 10 it,
Ihe general board Of education, however
had agreed that contributors might say
what course their contributions should
take.
Plan of Examination Changed.
Rev. J. f. Deshazo offered a resolution
authorizing the committee on examination
10 hold examinations at such times dur
Ing the year as might be decided to be
convenient, on the ground that there was
not enough time during the session of the
conference 10 properly conduct such ex-
aminatiOns.
The bishop said this was an important
and unusual action, and he hoped the
conference would pay attention and act
adVisediy. The resolution was discussed
by Revs. J. I. Whitley and j. E. Deshazo
IN the affirmative, and Mr. Paul White
head In the negative. The resolution was
adopted by a vote of s. 10 73.
The bishop said the action of tba CON
ference was very unfortunate. He did not
think II could be carried out. All tba
members Of each class had a right Ia ba
present al the examinations He thought
great confusion would result
Dr. W. Il. Edwards secured the Aoor
and said he was surprised TO learn Thar
another service had been announced for
tonight which would interfere with the
missionary anniversary service 10 be held
in Cumberland Street Church. and ask
Cd that the announcement Tor this meet
ins be recalled. Action was deferred 1n-
III The committee on public worship could
Be conferred with.
Tuesday evening was set apart as the
Tine when the committee on memoirs
should report. The services will be limit
ta 70 the reading Of the memoirs and
prayer.
Twentieth Century Fund.
DIR, A. Coke Smith. chairman Of the
committee on education. reported the
canvass Tor the twentieth century thank
Offering had already borne fruit. This
OBJECT OF the movement Is not" the re-
I'r' read, "to pile up endowments. but TO
30 the schools for more efficient work i'm
training the young, and 10 rouse our peo-
Llr TO a better estimate OF this arm OF
Iower At the last session OF our con-
ference We reported $4,000 in cash and
subscriptions. This year We report $1,000
From this u Will be seen that our people
are not Indifferent 10 this appeal when
80 is brought faithfully 10 their attention.
From the secretary's report ii viii be seen
that of the $3.50 members or eur church
within the bounds of the conference
only 5G00 have gone 10 record as max
Ing a thank OffGfing 10 God upon the call
Ol the church"
The detailed reports showed that 30
preachers have subscribed sli.g0 and that
tH0 laymsu have subscribed about ssle01.
and that seventy-fiye preachers OF the
conference and $3.50 laymen of the
church have given nothing The preach
49,. ..-.-l