New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-07
METH0DISTS- THRILLED
TO WITHDRAW CRITICISM.
Minister Decides to Suppress His
Book Bishop Berg's Address.

the New York Methodist Conference in the Union
Church West 18th street received vibrating thrill
yesterday when a member. in speech Of dramatic
intensity, decided to suppress his book in the in
terest Of the Church. The thrill brief. but 1t
gave the conference a stir
Inc Rev. Dr. Benjamin c. Warren, pastor OF
centenary Methodist Church. washington avenue
and East 1eSth street. was the preacher in Ques-
uon HIS book attracted attention in nearly every
Methodist church south Of Albany.Sto Yonkers. 1t
IS said that many ministers were burlesqued under
hctitious names. The book interdicted in n
"omRns college up the Hudson, and 1t could not be
purchased. for reason or another m the book
stores of Poughkcepsie The Rev. Mr.. Warren was
at one time pastor OF the Washington Street
Church. Poughkeepsie.
When most of the regular conference business
had been transacted yesterday Bishop Berry arose.
Il believe that Brother Warren desires TO address
the brethren" he said
Dr. Warren walked down the aisle. For seven
teen long years. he said. IT have been preacher
IN the Methodist Church. For twenty-five years 1
nave been within her gates. Some years ago 1
wrote book. Recently, for sundry reasons. saw
mt to write another book. There were certain
evils 1t seemed to ME. which should be attacked:
there were certain evils against which there should
De cry. 1t appears that guilty in having
drawn certain characters too close to life. think
can have that book suppressed and the plates de-
stroyed. shall do it because of the honor and
esteem in which hold this body. 1 have been led
TO feel that in some fashion, wholly inadvertent.
have forfeited the esteem of my brethren in the
New York Conference. want to do everything
that can, to take every step that Is possible TO
remove every iota of blame and resentment that
may rest against me-
Then DR.. Warren said chat he would go to his
publisher at once to order the suppression of the
DOCK and the destruction OF the book plates. The
minister picked up his ovsrcoat and started toward
the entrance. Hands were thrust toward him, and
the apologist halted on his way to grip them
To-day is ordination day in the conference. and
number Of young to be made deacons
and elders. The preparation of the six young men
who are to take elders orders occupied of the
session yesterday and toward It's close Bishop
Berry lined them up before him. Then he made
them turn and face the conference members The
young men were the Revs. w NJ. Nesbit E. E.
Hart. Obed Mace J. 7. Van Barkaow A. a.
Vradenberg and w. L. Comstock.
Bishop Berry gave them practical talk. There
is scholarship he said. that is reverent and
prayerful, and when II finds little flaws a study
Of the Bible does not shout them from the house
tops To be. fossil does not make man a
Christian. We going TO allow large liberty
to the who studies. and also to personal Opin-
ion. We will cruelty man who seeks deeper
knowledge. fuller information. But will not
tolerate the preacher tho teacher who pro
claims his doubts We have for a who
shakes another IN the foundation OF his faith.
Now. boys. I want TO see you help relate the
Church to social duties. The Church must take
her place IN the social schedule. There are dark
clouds above US and the mutteringB of a coming
storm. Organized capital is often organized greed
and organized labor is often organised tyranny
The only thing that will solve the problem is re-
generation. for human selhshness is at the root or
the whole matter.
I'VE equal the Roman Catholic Church IN being
the church OF the people. Now. boys your work
sdu sS peope 6u, people who sa
mon. with greasy clothes. with gnaFled HANDS. ana
who live in the shacks on the back streets Iheee
are the people where Methodism has always TIL
umChed upon this earth: Snuggls up close 20 them,
There IS Methodism's place. We have got TO stop
praying and do something toward answering our
INTO poiitics surely Certainly That is where
II ought 20 be- II the people Will get together We
can have white Sunday. no sunday baseoa!i, 10
stamped out. The saloon will be hurled from the
heights on which It is 20 the depths OF the bottom
ies :b Pe' World continued the Bishop and espe-
ciay this country. Is in the thToes OF an aInuSe-
ment mania. In most communities particularly tne
large the search for amusement ls tile popu
lar and proper thing. ] say that We should fufI.u
recreation In the OF God. suppose shai
be severely attacked for that position We TnuSi
stop our efforts toward impossible prohibition
and direct II elsewhere. That - the way we VII
stop of the drift out OF Methodlsm fIoIeS.-
sional evangelism doesn't 1T into our machinery.
The conference Will hold ordination services To-
day A conference sermon will be preached Dy
Bishop Berry In Union Church this morning.
tiers yesterday regarding the resolution adopteu
the day before recommending the election OF pre-
Bishop and in this conference receive an average
salary OF 5000 year. The question VIII be set
| tied at the next General Conference at Baltmofe
| In May 1903. The appointments for this year WI
| be made on Tuesday by Bishop Berry. The present
| presiding elders OF this conference are the ,ReV
Drs. Arthur Jamieson, Of Newburg; n a Palmer
| OF PouEhkeepsie: i. l. WILSON, OF Kingston aho
| p. NJ. Waters. OF Yonkers.
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