The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-28
The Case of Rev. Duncan
A. FutreII.
SIX new PREACHERS
Class Taken Into Full Connection
Charge of the Bishop---Address
of Or. Hammond, Secre-
tary of the Board of
Education.
Editorial Correspondence.)

Goldsboro, N. c., Nov. 27:-There was
quite debate in the conference today
over the application of Rev. D.,A. Futrell
to be admitted as a preacher. He was
once member of conference but with
drew to join the Sanctificationists. There
was an animated discussion over admitting
him again into the conference. His pre-
siding elder, Mr.. Bishop, said he was
thoroughly cured" Rev. L. NJ. Chaffin
said his sympathy in this case was against
his judgment Futrell had assailed the
Methodist church more bitterly than any
man 1 ever heard Rev. G. A. Oglesby
thought it unsafe. When in the ministry
he was not very successful. He was
tickle then. Few men change after they
pass forty.
-s~Rev. d. H. Tuttle thought it unfair to
put a man on circuit, and after he had
done faithful work, to bring all this
against him. God has honored his min
istry and when God does that, then 1 say
hands off, and let the brother back into
the conference
Rev. r. c. Beaman: He has a good
heart but the meanest liver of any man l
have known. He cannot be depended
upon.
Rev. R. E. Welch: Read the Bible
story of the Prodigal Son. The Bishop
said THE brother is out of order and al
most profane.' Then Mr. Welch said he
was sympathetic and he was sure of Mr..
F'utrells repentance. Il cannot see that
/ was profane.''
The Bishop: 1.-THE undertaking to bring
into debate the direction of the Holy
Cpiri ~ -
that others are not SO guided. No brother
has right to bring in that question with
reference to an office. That reminds me
of a story: A Quaker went to Erskine
and said: The Holy Spirit has shown to
me that it is your duty to enter a nolle
prosequi.' Erskine replied: Friend
Roger. the Holy sr rit al not do it, for
he knew it appeI ..lined to His office
OF the solicitor and not judge to enter Il
nolle prosequi.' Uaughter.) That was a
''sockdologer." With reference to the
question of repentance the Bishop asked:
Can intellectual instability be cured by
repentance" Ee said he would be glad to
hear some b~otier answer that Nobody
tried in the ong debate.
Rev, NJ. Jenkins: ''If the only thing
the matte with the brother is bad liver,
l move to buy some Simmons Liver Reg
ulator and we admit him.
The Bishop: rs that patent medi-
cine?''
DR.. Jenkins: mo; proprietary medi-
cine
DR.. Nash spoke for Mr.. Futrell and
said ne had made an error but had erred
in the right direction.
The Bishop: "It is a remarkable thing
for man to commit error and yet go in
the right direction.
Many people took part in the discussion.
Finally DR.. Gibbs who at first doubted
the wisdom of the admission, said that the
three presiding elders under whom he had
worked recommend his admission. There
fore he would vote for it. By substan-
tial majority Rev. d. A. Futrell was ad-
mitted.
The Bishop: 'Egotism never takes a
more dangerous form than when a man
thinks nobody has religion except himself
Processing anything does not guarantee
that man has got it. The Pharisee did
some fine talking, but was not justified.
Some Methodist will immerse a Calvinist,
sing songs of Roman Catholics and deny
their religion. will not read any man out
of Gods world by a technicality You
turn men out because they do not find
ways to save men than many of us dream
Of
When the question of admission was fin
ished. the Bishop made brief and telling
address He said he was glad to see that
God still calls men into the ministry.
They come from homes of faith-seldom
from homes of wealth, not of speculation,
ethe Financial or religious. I do not know
which is the worst.
Il have been afraid these prosperous
times would deny us prophets. Solomon
had prosperous times but there was no
prophet in that time He doubtless had
some little priests burning with infinite
precision the fat and two kidneys. But he
heeded prophet like Nathan. The lack
-" ministry is full of the most
1st have gos-
dominant age,