New-York tribune., 1908-05-25
PRAISE DIR. C. l.. G00DELL
HIS Big Congregations Rebuke Bal
timore Conference Methods.

The Rev Dr. Charles L. GoodeIl, pastor Of CAL
vary Methodist Church. the votes for whom for
bishop greatly diminished in the Baltimore
Methodist General Conference when reports
spread that he had figured in divorce proceed
ings nearly a quarter of century ago, was the
recipient Of remarkable demonstrations OF anec-
tion and esteem by his congregation yesterday
morning. Nearly half the two thousand mem
bers almost single person. and hleo,
one by one, down the communion rail to shake
the hand Of their pastor and to wish him god
speed assuring him that he held their entire
confidence Many other waited, but saw no
chance to get near DR.. Goodeli, and finally de-
parted
At the end Of the Memorial Day service. con-
Quoted by DR.. GoodeI in the flag decorated
church in the evening, the scene Of the morning
was repeated. DR.. Goodells flock numbers 2,SOO.
and the church seats more than two thousand.
Every seat had an occupant last night, and
many obliged to stand.
DR.. Goodell had to cut short the morning
ception to attend a special meeting of the Off
cial board of the church in the parish house i'm
mediately after the service. In an executive
session which lasted for more than two hours
every of the thirty more members OF the
board, together with several others from the
congregation, praised Dr. Goodell in the high
est measure, and told him that his standing had
in wise been afYected-ra ther improved-on
account Of the attack. There was some discus
sion of the motive at the bottom of the attack,
but no names were publicly mentioned. APP
plause followed each demonstration of conf
dence. and finally Dr. Goode was called upon.
Il did not seek an election to the episcopacy,'
he said. II made no effort for IT. The first in
forward in candidacy was when 1 Informed
by the seventeen members of the California del
egation that they with all the time
l did not and do not seek the Office. but I thank
you for the expressions of regard which you
have given me-"
Immediately afterward a committee of seven
members of the official board was appointed
unanimously to prepare a statement expressing
confidence In Or. Goodell. The members were
Charles D. Pullen. chairman; Harry Bramley.
f. c. Keys J. A. J. Norman, J. W. Cassell,
Charles Henson and F. A Wheeler. Late In the
afternoon they met and issued a statement de-
nouncing the injustice done their pastor and
the "unchristan" methods employed at the Bal
tirnore conference. saying:
At the time of Dr. GoodeIr. coming TO Calvary
Church II fully understood by the official
board and many of the members of the church
that DR.. Goodell had been compelled to obtain a
divorce from his first wife. II also fully
known under what circumstances the of
action was had and the absolute and unquai
fed vindication of DIR. Goodell in the matter
After the evening service the official board
met again end ratified the action Of the COM
rnittee. again expressing Or. GoodelI
ances Of regard. The board also authorized the
sending Of a telegram TO fifteen Of the most
prominent members of the General Conference
John s. HuyIer. the candy manufacturer and
Calvary Church's representative in the General
Conference. being among them. to the effect
that the biggest church in Methodsm stands
by DR.. GoodeH," and asking them TO do all in
their power 10 obtain the election Of DR.. GoodelI
and to stop The scandalous stories circulated
about him. II is known that Mr.. Huyler, the
only member of the ofricial board not present at
the meeting is in accord with the sentiments ex-
pressed.
Mr. HuyIer also Informed that the board
had decided II necessary. to send 10 the Balti-
more conference a delegation to bring its senti-
rnents on this subject before the members Of
that body. and It was said that the church would
have another representative on the spot to-day
in J c. Downes, trustee and member OF the
Official board
gratifying feature OF the reception 70 DR..
Goodell was the presence Of some fifty Of the
member. of the Hanson Place Methodist Church,
Brooklyn the second largest Methodist congre-
CATION. OF which Or. Goodell pastor for
seven years. They came as representatives OF
the Brooklyn congregation express the cordial
support OF his former partshioners.
It was also said last night by OF the mem
bers of the board that the General Conference
had received unofficial expression from the
Methodist College OF Bishops. that DR.. Goodell.
were he elected would receive a hearty welcome
from that body
DR.. Goodell made reference to the Balti-
more affair from his pulpit. He said at the end
OF the board meeting:
II have decided that 1 shall not make any
public statement The pulpit is not the place
for 1t, and it would be a misuse OF my priv
ieges."
1t was said last night that the Iowa and Indi-
ana delegations in the Baltimore General Con-
ference. were working for the election OF DR..
Goodell. and that one of his stanchest supporters
Senator Dolliver.