The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-11
Rev. 1T. Netherlands Expressed
Opinions Are Attacked.
Wilmington Conference Calls
Him to Account.
He Is TOO ADVANCED.
MethOdists Object to His Posi-
ton on "Higher Criticism. .
Pass Resolutions DenOuncing
Sunday School Journal.


DR.. J. T. Mcfarland. formerly pastor
of the First Methodist church in To-
peka. now corresponding secretary OF
the editorial board Of the Sunday
school Journal. a national religious
periodical. has been denounced by the
Wilmington Methodist conference OF
New Jersey for publishing criticisms OF
the Sunday School Lessons in the Jour
nal. denominated by the conference 10
be not only incompatible with the doc
trinal standards Of Methodism, but as
tending toward inhdelity and atheism.
DR.. Mcfarland is attacked for hav-
ing Joined the ranks of the preachers
who believe in so-caned higher cr1tl-
cism.'
The Wilmington conference is the
state conference of New Jersey and ex-
erts wide influence all over the Meth
odist circles of the United States. Dr-
Mcfarland was vigorously hayed, ana
disapprovaI and protest were registered
in a resolution against him and his
writings.
DIR. A. w. Lghtbourne of Middle
town. Del, led the fight on the former
Topeka preacher. He said in part IN
his denunciation:
ssIyh ere is no more important matter
Grafton than this. When DR.. McFaI-
lands name was presented to the gen
eral conference for this ONCE thers
we're Obiectoins which were passed
upon his higher critical views Hlgn-
er critical views have no place IN
Methodist literature, but It mas the
least right in our sunday schOol Hte l =
ture. A large part of the comp lAlnI ~
against the men employed by Dr. NC
Farland, but DR.. Mcfarland hlnseiL is
higher critical and has stated Inat IN
the birth of Jesus Christ his divinity
was utterly humanized.
In continuing his attack Dr. Llg Mt
bourne went on to say that in his Judg-
nent this was one of the most gigantic
7)efravals of trust in the history OF the
world.
rupted to say: Il believe it too;
thought they would run against
rock"
Rev. Myers and DR.. Rhodes, mem
bers of the Sunday School journal
STAFF, employed by DR.. Mcfarland. were
present at the conference. But it was
plainly evident that at the conclusion
of DR. LightbOurne's speech, the con-
ference as a whole was indignant, and
that small sympathy would be accord
ed Rev Myers and Dr. Rhodes hey'
however took occasion to defend their
course Rev Myers stated that since
the charges were not specidc that II
would naturally be difficult 10 answer
Dr.. Idghtbourne Immediately took up
the matter again and stated that he
would be willing to furnish any num-
Der Of quotations from recent issues OF
the Sunday School Journal and make
his point good.
Read them came from the audience.
Lets hear them" DR.. Lightbourne
read. a number Of extracts in support of
his position. General cries of BIAS
phemy." and "Sacrilege." came from
the conference body. DR.. Rhodes then
took the floor and stated that the trou-
BILE lay in that DR. McFarland's writ
ings were misinterpreted. and that he
had no apologies to offer for anything
published which might be construed as
heterodox.
Then the conference got busy and
passed a resolution on the subject More
from it will probably be heard. DR..
Mcfarland is known for his fighting
qualities. The resolution follows:
Resolved, That we the Wilmington
conference now assem- bled, do hereby
express and record our hearty disap-
proval and most earnest protest against
the publicati ton of any and all higher
critical sentiments respecting the in
caruation and divine sonship of Jesus
Christ. such as were contained in the
Sunday School Journal for January
February and March 1906 and thai
this matter be brought to the attention
of the board Of managers Of the Sun
day School union. requesting them tC
investigate the matter and to urge DR.
Mcfarland, our corresp spending secretary
20 desist from the use of such danger
Gus materials. that our boys and girls
be not poisoned but saved.