Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11
Discussed at Methodist Prot
estant Conference
AT SALISBURY TODAY
DISCUSSION OVER OVERTURE OF
PRIMITIVE CHURCH.
Remarks Pro and Con by Various
acknowledgements Fund
Society-Conference Adjourns.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
SALISBURY. Md. April 1.-THE Meth
odist Protestant conference opened yester-
day with devotional exercises conducted by
Rev Claiborne Phillips.
Rev. w ]. Nupier from the committee
on literature reported on the Book Direct
ory the Methodist Protestant and other
publications that they are in prosperous
condition, but recommended increased pa
tronage, particularly of the Sunday-school
literature.
The committee on fraternal relations rec
commended that Rev ]. S. Bowers be loaned
to Clark Memorial Church. Rev. F. T. Ben
son to ST. Johns, Baltimore, and F. H.
Lewis to the First Church in Pittsburg.
The question of making the loan of Mr..
Lewis gave rise to some debate, and the
point was made that in all loans there
should be an understanding that the super
animated collections should be attended to.
The president said that Mr.. Lewis did not
desire to transfer but he was not present
This item was laid over for statement by
Mr.. Lewis.
Rev DR. Randall. from the committee on
Sabbath observances. reported resolutions
condemning the efforts being made to IN
terfere with the proper observance OF Sun
day; condemning the so-called sacred con-
Certs on the Sabbath affecting the morals
of the community: condemning the loose
manner in which some camp meetings have
been conducted and urged an observance
of the rules of the church, eXhorting pas
tors to urge on their people the proper OBJ
servanCe of the day and on the second Sun
day in May that they preach on the subject.
After some discussion of the resolution as
to camp meetings the report was adopted.
Rev. A. w. Mather reported from the
committee on superannuates the appropria-
ton for the beneficiaries This was laid
over under rule.
A mi Sta ha 10 Dt his
dentials, given him thirty years ago, had
faded entirely and asked a duplicate. which
was voted
The report of ]. NJ. Dickey, education
steward. was read
The various missionary funds were re-
ported mostly in excess of last year. for
eign missions showing a total of SS,66S,
increase of $1,4T1, and general home mis-
sions. $3.50. The reports were adopted.
The overture as to the uniting of The
Primitive Methodists came up as unfinished
business, and Rev. w. NJ. Strayer spoke in
favor of its adoption, saying that he could
not see that the itinerant system was
endangered. There nothing to fear. he
said. One of the primitive conferences had
voted unanimously and the other was NOV
ing cautiously. Losing the thread. he said.
he had lost link in his chain. but if reach
ing he could go right on. He urged the
adoption of the overture warmly, and said
that 1t would be advantageous in every
way and prayed for the contamination OF
this union.
DR.. Herring was reminded by the speech
OF Or. Strayer of preacher who always
wandered from his text. always came back
10 the prodigal son. He cited that the prim-
tive conference did not enter in the mat
ter of agreement between minister and
church till there was some disagreement.
Opposed to Overture.
DR.. Herring said that it was not the kind
of itineracy we had and he could not go a
far as they. He was opposed to this over
ture and Endorsed DIR. Strayers remarks.
Rev. ]. l.. Straughn said the objections
were purely technical. Is not Rev. F. H.
Lewis making a similar arrangement to
the church in Pittsburg? He favored the
union; they were portion of the great
family of Wesley.
The singing of Nearer, My God, to
Thee broke in, the order of the day
prayers for the descent of the Holy Spirit
having arrived.
Rev Mr.. Straughn said in uniting 1000
of the sons of men who could not make
an impression on the mission fields and
they should be taken in by us, that the
mission movement would receive an i'm
petus. They already have our hymns and
If the ycame not with us they would go
to the NJ +. Church.
Rev. ]. b. Jones of Brooklyn said that
these people know. expect and desire our
name to be swallowed. He had no ldea
that the itneracy would be destroyed. He
did not like the clause of the primitives as
TO appointment of ministers. 1t was hodge
podge. he said.
Rev Mr.. Holmes read from the discipline
of the primitive church to show that the
stationing is by a committee elected by the
conference by ballot.
Rev. Mr.. Jones continued saying that he
was not considering numbers, millions or
hundreds He was for fishing not for num-
bers, not for money, but principle He had
a kind word for Washington GLADDEN. and
the congrega tionalists who put the Bible
in mems hands, but they needed Egament
which We could give them.
A member asked what this had to do with
the question.
Mr.. Jones-'what has the planet Jupiter
To do with the solar SYSTEM
DR.. Tagg's Remarks.
Rev DR.. Tagg. president of the general
conference, addressed the conference, say
ing that he favored an effective itineracy,
which we did not have as long as We al
low our ministers to make their own ar
rargements. 1t Is only effective when
man is sent to place and goes.
The Primitive conferences who have vot-
od have Endorsed he rlan. but the Pitts
burg members of that bCoy had not yet
acted and their delay, he thought. was
owing to an impression that We are giving
the movement a cold shoulder.
The Primitive Methodsts are a small
body and their churches, in consequence
are In danger of disaffection and disinte-
grafton They are looking to an alliance
that they may be able to stop this and
grow. They. however. do lot wish to be
put in the position Of asking TO be absorbed
but are willing for union, and he did not
believe II 1T was effected the polity OF the
church would be affected.
Rev. s. j. Smith favored the overture
1t was a proper one. but there was some
question to the feasibility. He was
not prepared for union with all churches
but as to those people of the great Meth
odist family they should be with us and
he saw no danger to our system They
were picus. spiritual people. allied to the
great body of Primitves in England and
he believed we would be benefited by the
union.
letter was directed to be sent to Rev
w. A. Grouse of Westminster sympa thizing
with him in his affliction Of himself and
wife
Revs. c. A. HILL ID. of Asbury NJ Z.
Church, w. w. White of the NJ. +. Church
and j. f. White of the NJ +. Church
South were introduced.
A recess was then taken
After the Recess.
On resuming business Rev. Dr. Lewis
presented a paper proposing to leave the
question of union for further discussion
and study. 1t declares union is not opposed
and there seems to be many reasons to
favor 1t. Nevertheless I'VE fear that the
mat for haa