The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-04-05
liberal and Prohibition
MethOdiSts Argue at
Conference.
COMPROMISE SUGGESTED
BY SOME DELEGATES
Many Others Would Give No
Quarter to the Liquor
interests.
CENTENARY INSTITUTE
MORTGAGE is LIFTED
Committee Is Named to Attend
the Funeral of the Rev.
Joseph A. Owen.

With men on their feet all over the
floor, the fifty-second annual session OF
the Newark Methodist Conference In
the Centenary Methodist Church this
morning looked and acted more like q
political convention than 1t. did like a
gathering of clergymen. The debate
was ON the liquor question. When the
subject was introduced it was like
waving red flag at an angry bull.
The Prohibitionists In the conference
were against any compromise with the
fight against the liquor interests. They
urged that the clergy should oppose
not the saloons merely, but any one
and everything interested in the liquor
trade. They wanted to fight the brew
er, the distiller, the wine grower, the
handlers Of all malt, spurious and
vinous liquors, the saloon and the de-
canter in the home
The liberal minded men, believing
that half-loaf was better than none,
wanted to compromise. The broad
minded ministers lost
Would Change Name.
The Rev. Warren r. Neff moved that
the name of the Total Abstinence and
Prohibition Society be changed to the
Anti-Saloon Society. This aroused q
spirited debate, members all over the
church jumping to their feet and OPP
posing the project. Bishop Neely Joined
the opposition, saying that the confer
ence wanted to advance the cause and
not to lower it, The debate was a live
ly one for few minutes and feeling
ran high, especially when a motion to
table the resolution was lost by vote
of 54 to ST.
Then motion to refer the matter to
the committee on temperance was in
troduced and despite an angry and
vigorous protest from all sides OF the
house it was railroaded through with
express speed.
A pleasant surprise occurred when
Colonel Z. L. Dobbins announced that
the mortgage Cor $4,000 on the Cen
tenary Collegiate Institute, which had
been in force since 1902 had been can
celed on March 81 through the liberality
of a man who had asked that his name
be kept secret. The announcement
caused universal satisfaction.
The visiting speakers today were
President Rice, of Wesley University
the Rev. ]. c. Floyd, of the Board Of
Foreign Missions, and the Rev. Charles
B. Boswell.
The Rev. DIR. c. L. Mead introduced
a resolution that the conference sermon
delivered on Sunday afternoon be print
ed in full in the minutes. This was
objected to, and finally after a spirited
debate was tabled. The conference
then adjourned until o'clock this aft
ernoon. when the Rev. Albert b. Rich
ardson presided. Most of this session
is scheduled to be taken up by nearing
reports of the various committees
which have met since the conference
opened.
Bishop Neely and the four district
snnerintendents are meeting this after
noon to discuss appointments.
DR.. Mead Speaks.
Addresses were delivered by the Rev.
Joshua Mead, Of 159 Plane street. this
city, and the Rev. Thomas q. Gordon
of New Providence, who each ceie-
brated the conclusion Of their f1ftiern
year in the Methodist ministry. the
golden jubilee sermons were largely
reminiscent, although the spirit OF the
giorihcation of God ran through both.
Both speakers described the troubles
they had met and overcome In their
first years in the ministry. 1t was de-
cidedly interesting to hear how the
two men, then in their prime, had per-
formed the duties they were ordained
for and had also done the work of the
sexton.
"Grace in the Pulpit was the topic
of Bishop Neely's address in opening
the business of the sixth day of the
conference this morning. He scored
those preachers who lolled all over the
puIpit and said that such actions were
daily driving men and women from the
church.
"our religion" said the bishop, "is
thing of grace and If our preachers are
ungainly and awkward in the pulpit
they detract from the service. Some
ministers are like jumping Jacks; they
never stay long enough in one place to
warm their chair. When you enter
your pulpit, stay there. Don't rush
down to shake hands with man you
hope is going to give you hundred
dollar subscription He will give the
money Just as quickly If you remember
that you are minister of God In
Gods holy house and act with becom-
ing dignity"
In calling the names of the members
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