The Morris County chronicle., 1904-05-24
The EDITORS POWER
GREATER THAN BISHOP
DR.. BuclSIey's Talent as Knightiy De-
batter and LogicIan Makes Him
Force In Assemblies.

without question, leaving the bish-
ops out Of the case or counting them
in the bargain the most notable
and conspicuous man In the General
Conference is the Rev. DR.. James M.
Buckley, editor Of the The Christian
Advocate Of New York city, the most
influential and the most widely cireu-
lated denominational journal Id the
world.
1t is an open secret that again and
again within the past sixteen years,
/ when approached by friends Of great
Influence, who appealed to him to let
them put him forward in the race for
the Episc0pacy, DR.. Buckley has re-
piled, in substance This work Of an
leditor, with which I have been Ell
trusted by the church, cannot aban-
don of my own accord. 1t is a greater
| field Of influence and involves a wider
ministry than the Office Of d bishop.
Why should step down from such i
post except at the absolute bidding Of
/ the church l am serving ~
No one ca seriously question the
wisdom Of thi decision. Dr. Buckley
las an editor is a far mightier power
than he or any other man could be III
the Methodist Episcopacy.
Some of the elements OF his popular
ity and power may be briefly noted
He has, for instance, remarkably
vigorous and active intellect, avid of
knowledge, quick ia the perceptions
and singularly retentive of Its observa-
tions and experiences.
He has been from college days an
omnivorous reader, an inveterate
traveller, a mingler with men of all
sorts and conditions, and student of
nature, of politics and of human ma
ture. He was writer for the press
for many years before he was elected
to his present post In 1880, He pro-
lduces more original matter, week by
week, it is alleged than any other edi
tor Of religious paper in the world.
DR.. Buckley in the General Confer
ence is master OF assemblies. He
knows the history Of MethodisIn in
deed, he has written one, in two octave
volumes; he is unsurpassed in Che
STRATEGY and tactics of debate; he is
quick in repartee and gifted in argu.
ment, in marshaling facts, in answer
ing objections, and in the employment
Of all the rules OF parliamentary prac-
tice. He never uses personalities, Is
courteous and fair to his antagonists
IN discussions, speaks often, but never
except to throw light on the topic un-
der consideration is never tangled by
any complicated situation in debate,
knows when to give in, when to cham
pion and when to ignore cause and
he never makes an assertion without
being assured by careful consideration
that he has the data needed in the
case.
One Of the quickest and neatest pas
sages at arms occurred some years ago
in a General Conference debate, be-
tween Dr. Buckley and Bishop Fowler,
who is well known for his incisive wit.
his exhaustive humor and his readiness
in repartee.
The Bishop had made a ruling which
had threatened to cut off DIR. Buckley
from pursuing certain parliamentary
course, but which finally gave the lat
ter the floor, The Doctor suggested
that he was reminded of certain
promise, which assured the faithful of
exemption from the snare of the
fowler"
Eyes" " broke in the Bishop, sand
that verse says something too, about
a noisome pestilence pn
The applause which broke out could
| hardly be quelled.
DR. Buckley contended for years
against the right Of women to sit as
delegates in the General Conference.
He carried his point, after a long fight,
that they must not be allowed to do SO
until the church should change its
constitution and give them unchal-
lenged right to delegateship ; and after
that was done he accepted the situa-
tion with courtesy, philosophic COM
posure and serene good sense.
His latest notable achievement was
Ibis defense of DIR. Borden P. Bovine in
a trial for heterodox teachings in Bos-
ton University School of Theology As
DIR. Buckley has been in strong sense
a conservative, this action on his part
| namely, his service as DR.. Bowne's
counsel awakens surprise; but he
won a great victory and helped to as
sure the world, as well as his denom-
| nation, that the Methodism Of to-day
is not hidebound that her children
have the right to think as well as
pray, and that inside of the rights Of
lChristian liberty and Methodist orth-
lodoxy there is room for wide diyergen-
cies Of individual opinion and convic-
i tion, as long as man remains 0rth0-
dox In regard to the divinity Of Jesus
Christ and the authority OF the Word
of God. Los Angeles Examiner.
M. E. Bishops Retired, New Bishops
i Elected.