New-York tribune., 1907-04-09
ELDERS TO BE ELECTED
NEW METHODIST RULES.
Call of Minister from Vest Upheld
-W. T. .Stead's .Rebuke.

The New York Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Union Church. in West 4sth
street yesterday received three distinct Shocks
the first being a proposition to make presiding
elders elective; the second making a call precede
the appontive power of the conference. and the
third came in the shape of dramatic rebuke from
William T. Stead. who addressed the gathering.
The conference when it quieted down. agreed that
elders should he elective. and that in the particular
instance before the conference where a call was
made TO supersede appointment. II should go this
time. But so far as Mr.. Stead concerned. his
vehement contention dsregarded.
The memorial TO change the selection Of preside
ing elders from appontive TO elective was pre-
sented by the Rev. Dr. James NJ King. secretary
of the Home Missionary and Church Extension
Society. DIR. Kings memorial places the New York
Conference on record as in favor of the change II
is addressed to the General Conference of the
Church, which meets at Baltimore next year and
asks that the General Conference adopt the
plan. The change in the method of selecting the
presiding elders is looked upon by many as being
preliminary TO abolishing the Office
Bishop Berry. at this time. in a personal state
ment said he had discovered an intense sentiment
if not conviction that the larger churches of this
city had been supplied with pastors from the
side 10 the serious disadvantage of men who had
been members of the conference for years.
Il stated in the announcement he said that
George c. Peck, a member of the wyoming Con-
ference. had been selected for the pastorate of ST.
Andrews and Rev. Andrew Gillies had been trans
ferred 10 the Troy Conference as an offset. These
men were OF the same grade. II the conference
moves TO request the retransfer of DR.. Gillies
VIII be glad 10 do it
The Bishop said that DR.. Gillies was crushed at
being forced out OF the conference and that Dr.
Gilliss was not TO accept pastorate but 10 engage
in outside church work.
In fthe afternoon DR.. Strobridge submitted his
proposition TO retransfer Dr. Gillies back to the
New York Conference Bishop Berry took IL up at
once He said: Il doubt If my action this morning
and my remarks were fully understood. Alta meet
ing OF the presiding elders before you convened
Monday I given to understand that the ad-
ministration Of my colleges. year after year
stretching over various years. had been unsatis-
factory, because men had been brought in for lead
ing charges. and no equivalent had been taken
out. And said then, that is unfair # is unjust
10 the young men OF this conference. who look
properly forward promotion in hlling these i'm
portant charges
when ! came I found that one OF the great
churches Of the city had passed a resolution call
ing as they say, or expressing preference for a
man outside the conference. / will confess TO Won
that the future of that church and interests and
the future OF denomination in that quarter OF
the city and in tho State Of New York had its
effect upon me, and made up my mind that TO
save the church the man whom they desired must
come in. How could he come in? Not unless a
man OF equal grade could go out And So as I
told you. l desired that Dr. Peck under all the
circumstances should come in, and I understood ia,
10 be the desire that should come In without
a man Of equal grade going out Hence / made
ne ann0unSement t6s clas. 1T tRs his morning
statement that has brought me back this afternoon
contrary to my plan. lie looked me in the face
That, sir. was trick
Joseph +. Berry. whatever NAV be his faults
IN e I PIsh%p sal9 IS haTdy guilty Of playing trick
you like a trick brothers. believe me now that
intended TO be frank and square with every one of
s5,9s one minister then suggested that Or Gillies
strict paTliamentaryr rightR IN fha
matter Bishop Berry said;
= will retransfer DR.. Gillies. will retransfer
him back, and think that l will be able to secure
the other transfer 10 Offset this"
opening his talk said i've come to this Country To to
s aIy 10 70 discover The Church Of Christ in America.
IN the city directory, and can't find it's Telephone
see if can hnd it in the Methodist Church '''
after After Mr stead had enumerated some of the
bad many Of YOU but not as ygu nrcb are iSy S as
want your assistance 10 ask the church Of Christ
IN America TO rallv as one 10 one end. 1t Is
ence The one thing that has interfered with the
success Of the Hague conference heretofore has
been the lack of sense-practical sense.
The recommendation has been made that before
war ~ r De deciaTed special mediators should be called
you members Of the Church of Jesus Christ In
actment of this Law and say that there shall be
oeiit rause before me dogs OF war are un-
leashedE' There were cries Of Amen from the
'Ameni" continued Mr. Stead ''oh nobody cares
a - for an amen, unless it leads you 10 do
something 10 put into effect your prayers"
Bishop Berry called for the usual announcements
of the meeting. during which minister proposed
a vote OF thanks for Mr.. Stead.
At this Mr.. Stead jumped away from the little
knot Of people who had gathered TO congratulate
him, and assuming his old position in front of the
audience, he stamped his foot and waved his arms
S he fairly shouted:
Il don't want a vote of thanks. I want TO know
what you going do. don't want you TO
make a mockery of this by passing n vote of
thanks and folding your hands in sanity fashion
and imagine you have done your duty"
Then Bishop Berry appointed the Rev. Drs Eek
man. Belcher and Anderson a committee to draft
a suitable resolution. The original mover Of the
of thanks insisted that it be thrown in and
carried.
DR. Alexander MacRossie. of St James Methodist
! Episcopal Church, invited the conference 20 meet
! fremont Methodist Church was also received The
invitation of St. James Church was accepted after
/ some discussion.