New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-05
CONFERENCE IN DISPUTE.
DEBATE ON QUESTION OF HELP FOR
AGED METHODIST MINISTER'S
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

this morning At one time half dozen members
were on the floor calling for recognition from the
Chair. Another lively incident Of the session re-
lated to a matter of discipline After confer
ence prayer meeting in the main audience room Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church. led by Bishop
Cranston presiding elder, J. E. Adams. of the New
Haven District, read request for withdrawal from
the conference from Walter F. Prince. that he
might become connected with the Protestant Eps-
copa Church Mr.. Prince is the assistant secretary
of the Law Order League of Connecticut Dr.
Adams said Mr. Prince desired the return OF his
credentials provided there objection. The
Rev DR.. J. NJ Buckley, however. objected, saying
that in Mr. Princes connection the credentials
would be "only barbaric reminiscence The
withdrawal voted. The credentials were not
returned.
The privilege of the floor given to the Rev
Dr. David ". Couch of Brooklyn to explain his
action in dealing with a member of his church
He remarked that he had violated the discipline OF
the Methodist Church. and in the circumstances
was glad of it. The Rev DIR. Buckley. arising to a
question of privilege. entered formal complaint
against Dr. Couch for viola ton of the discipline ana
moved his character be suspended and referred
to a committee. When DR.. Couch tried to explain
he was called order Bishop Cranston, however
assured him that he would nave an opportuiits
to state his
The Rev Dr. T l.. Poulson objected to the sus-
pension The Rev. DR.. George P. Mains said Dr:
Couch had made a mistake but everybody oeiieVeo
in him and he hoped the character or Brother
after quoting from the discipline to show the extern
Of the violation declared he had high regard lor
Dr. Couch who. he thought. was as sooo man
as himself If So DR.. Buckley congratulated nliii'
II worse, pttied him The conference on hio',o
Of DR. Mains voted its disapproval OF Dr Couch
violation of TIE discipline Replying to a question
as to his complaint DR.. Buckley said that' oS con-
sent of the conference 1t would De "ithola" A
was done Bishop Cranston hoped the preachers
especially the young men, would De careiui III oe'
ing the discipline to the letter
A lively discussion was preciptated by the report
of the special committee conference enoo"'''e
bv the Rev Dr. f. Mason North. It's chaAi iiA"-
the last conference the principle was approVed anu
adopted that each member holding the erecu'e re-
Iation should annually pay a pro rata amount =.
IT. GALAXY for the support of the superahfiuAteu
members their widows and orphans ms " 1
was to be equal to per cent OF MS salary - -
sive of house rent, annually, for THIS cause
North said that only one-thrd OF the members ha
,,id In this amount and that the committee recon-
mended that the members be urged 10 pay 49, nc aid
sessment at once: he himself. also mao nae, not pat at
the assessment although his check book was a.
hand. If the conference nIdS ragare1ce TO ADOPT
wise to continue this plan In preference u ao'pN
ing a different one. 49,. 4, m cir
The Rev. DR.. Buckley declared tAat III ~ -.
cunstances would ne contribute to the luio III 'i'
,o,,ar He wanted to have his own way IN CIV
ing as he disapproved of the pro rata prlncipie
He was willing to give as much as any one III lis
own way. -. -.
no necessary for men to come around for the per-
sonal tariff of members
You don't need to pay the assessment Ii you
don't want to-" he said. The report OF the COM
mittee Is subtly desired to undermine the resoiu
ton of a year ago. which would be or Value tiiis
wear The pro rata principle has been assaieo
but you cannot find fairer one
The Rev c. J. North said the list OF superannu-
ates was growing every day, and the question was
what was the most permanent thing that couio De
frpn
II Reattys maintained that the request Oh tho
conference pay this assessment aInou''eeo TO d
tax and every member with sense OF nlailnoou
would feel he should pay. regardless of his cir
cumstances The who could not pay "ouiu
ba going from brother TO brother. the defensive
DR. Beattys was willing TO pay every dollar ne
could TO the fund but he thought some other
method would be better. When he took his seat
half a dozen members clamored for recognition
DIT F. Mason North was recognized by the cha'r'
and he said:
There is no difference OF opinion on the part OF
the committee to the necessity or increasing t
members. and the suggestion that the eommi111ee
mas devised a subtle method to defeat the resolu-
ton OF the conference of a year ago Is untrue
The Rev Dr. Dowuey rising a question OF
prvilege-The effect OF the report was to defeat
the resolution.
The Rev Dr. North-The word subtle was used
twice Subtle is a strong word sir.
The Rev DR.. Downey-I disclaim the use or that
word with respect to the committee. but with re
spect TO the effect Of the report hold that the
characterization is perfectly in order
The Rev DR.. NORTH mad not supposed that DR..
Downey would make any reflection the COM
roit+ee The treasurer was not confronted With a
theory but a condition. There are men wait
ing before they 20 see whether there Is 20 De
co-operation The committee has recommended
that the members be urged to pay the assessment
at once. If there anything subtle in that have
been una BILE to discover IT, -,
hers 70 resolution
see how 1t operated. and then formulate another
The Rev c. s Williams said: We cannot raise
this assessment in any way without e9conn1er,ng
many of these superannuated members and their
much per cent irrespective OF our means and no.
body complains. An ideally perfect tax is impos,
by the assessment this at least
The for adjournment arrived. with the Gues-
The anniversary of the Woman : Home Mission
CONGREGATIONAL Church Mrs. ]. A ,secor presiding.
After devotional exercises conducted by Mrs John
Henry Bell the annual report of the corresponding
secretary. Mrs. a. r Glare. Was read 1t sad that
crease in membership i've hundred Addresses were
made by the Rev DR. John H WILEY pastor olr, Of
General Work of the WOmars Home M Esd na
coness Work in the Network East Conference
TEMPERANCE SOCIETY MEETING.
Torrington Conn April (speciaD.-The Metho-
dist Church was crowded tonight the occasion
of the anniversary Of the Conference Temperance
Society. An important and interesting address
was made by the Rev. DR. Howard II. Russell.
perintendent of the American Ant-SaloOn League,
on the work and future plans of the organization.
He said that a work be undertaken by the league
would be along the line of Gospel temperance work,
a revival OF pledge signing. The plan was to or
ganize companies in many towns. which would
he called Tine Abstemous Army of America
The pledge would consist of nine words only, Il
will abstain with Gods help, from Intoxicating
drink" There would be organized a brigade in