The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-11
DIR. j. T. Mcfarland ExOnerated
by Kansas Conference.
Charges Were Preferred by DIR.
Geo. A. Cook.
HE'S SATROUBLEMAKE
Made Wholesale Attacks on
Methodist Ministers.
Allegations Aimed at DR.. Nc.
FarIand's Teachings.

-
At their meeting this morning the
members of the ffty-third Kansas
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church by their vote completely exon
Grated DR.. John T. Mcfarland. for
merly pastor of the Methodist church
in this city, of the hereical charges
preferred by DR.. George A. Cooke.
member of the Troy conference. DIR.
Mcfarland lives in New York and is
editor of the Methodist Sunday school
publications
DR. George A. Cooke issued PAM
phlet some months ago in which ne
attacked a number of the prominent
men of the Methodist church, includ-
ing a number of the bishops of the
organization. A number of these pam
phlets were sent to the members of
the Kansas conference prior to their
meeting in Topeka and a supplement-
was included in which vicious at
tack was made on the doctrines
preached by DIR. Mcfarland, who is
member of the Kansas conference
In this pamphlet DR.. Cooke also Sc
verely arraigns the pamphlets, 'Preser
walton versus the Rescue of the Child"
and THE Book and the Child" book
lets issued by DIR. Mcfarland. There
have been rumors for months past of
an attack on the teachings of Dr. Nc
Farland by DIR. Cooke though the
specific charges when preferred this
morning caused something Of a sensa-
tion among the ministers now In ses-
sion.
Much attention has been attracted to
DIR. Cooke of late on account of at
tacks which he has directed at Pres1-
dent Roosevelt and prominent MINIS
ters of the Methodist conference. Among
those against whom charges have been
preferred by DR. Cooke is Chancellor
Day of the Syracuse university, one of
the institutions which has received
large donations from John D. Rockefel-
Ter and other wealthy easterners- II
was DR.. Cooke who characterized the
donations made by John T. Rockefeller
and other wealthy philanthropists to
tainted money
Dr. Browne, editor of the New
York Advocate ard president of the
Boston School of Theology, also came
under the ban of DR.. Cooke and has
been charged with heretical teach
Mcfarland by DIR. Cooke were ad-
dressed to Rev. Edwin Locke, presid-
ing elder of the Topeka district of the
Kansas conference and are as follows:
1.-The undersigned a member of the
Troy conference complains to you of
H. a
Methodist Episcopal church and a
member of the Kansas conference
and accuses him of teaching and dis
seminating false doctrines in violation
of paragraphs 226 of the discipline of
1904
"With disseminating doctrines con-
trary to the articles of religion and
other standards of doctrine in the
Methodist Episcopal church. In the
pamphlet entitled Preservation ver-
- i Ill Is-I@
ed by Eaton and Mains in 1906. he
teaches views that in effect, deny and
overthrow the entire scheme of SAL
vation by faith, taught in the New
Testament and maintained in our
standards of doctrine.
.He teaches views on the subject of
depravity or corruption of human ma
ture: on the subject of sin: on the
subject of salvation from sin, that are
inconsistent with article 1 which treats
of Original or Birth of SIM" With
article which treats of Free WIFI and
tification of Man
by his own admissions he has taught
the substance of these strange and
unmethododic doctrines in many an
nual conferences. See f1yleaf of the
pamphlet enclosed. A comparison of
the views taught by Dr.. Mcfarland
in this pamphlet with the views OF
John Wesley as taught in sermons s.
"A and As will show that he has de-
parted seriously from the views taught
by the founder of Methodism.
More particularly the strange and
unsound teaching complained of is con-
tained in that portion of the pamph-
let between paragraphs beginning sc
we congratulate on page IL and end
ing with the words Increasing more
and more unto the perfect day near
the top of page 26. Signed George A
Cook. complainant"
hush fell on the assemblage of min
| listers for a minute after DR.. Locke had
| finished reading the charges made by
DR. Cooke and then as presiding elder
of the Topeka district, he said "As
there is nothing to substantiate the
charges made by DR.. Cooke I move that
the charges be not entertained as there
is not sufficient cause for an action
There was no discussion on the floor
and the charges as far as the Kansas
conference is concerned are dismissed
DIR. Mcfarland Explains.
When asked abuot the charges pre-
ferred by DR.. Cooke, DR.. Mcfarland
said: "They are absolutely groundless
and though I had been informed that
| they would be made at this meeting
| they have caused me no uneasiness
| There is absolutely no justification t.
! the charges. made and the teachings
. complained of are in perfect harmony
| with the doctrines of the Methodist
| Episcopal church
| "Dr. Cooke seems to be something
of a monomaniac on the subject OF
| bringing charges. I suppose that thif
! is his idea of attracting attention. par
| ticularly from the newspapers. as he
| has in the past directed his attacks
| against some of the most prominent
/ men of the country, and against the
| men prominently identified with Meth
| odism including number of oul
bishops.
| in the past to sending out pamphlets
| attacking different members of oul
| oonfarapces and while if NAV NOT he