The Detroit times., 1910-10-18


ing. In place Of social problems for
sermons, by the Rev. Francls
Church, Of Flint Mich.
ArraiQnment OF hypocrittcal
| Christians and plea for more lib
A. w. Wishart, Of the Fountain-st.
Baptist church, Grand Rapids.
Separation Of state missions
and Ann Arhor Guild fund.
These were the features of public
and private discussion during the
| Tuesday morning sessions Of the Mich
igan Baptist Ministers conference In
the North Woodward Baptist church
The fact that the Rev. Frederick Mer.
rifield. director of the Baptist Guild
! Ann Arbor, is 20 be commended. In
stead OF censured. In the State Bap-
tist convention, OF which the minis
ters' conference Is the forerunner, as
has been expected by many. was made
known by the Rev. T. w. Young. pas
tor OF the North Woodward Baptist
church. and member OF the convention
committee which investigated Mr.
Merrifeld.
1t had been reported that Mr.. Mer.
rified denied the divinity OF Christ
and the resurrection Of Christ. but We
have found that he did neither OF
these" said Mr.. Young to The Times.
He may have expressed certain
views in regard to the resurrection
which displeased some, but we find
that he has done nothing to warrant
our taking any adverse action toward
him. AS q matter OF fact. the commit
tee Is going to commend him. OF
course. some one may OFFER q resolu-
ton to condemn him or ask for his re-
moyal but that Is the only way he
could be dealt with by this conven-
tion. The convention could not try
him on the charge OF heresy. for eacn
Baptist clergyman Ia controlled by
the church which employs him. The
church Is a law unto itself In that
respect. We are different from other
churches In regard to the manner OF
dealing with clergymen who may hap
pen to hold views which are at vari-
ance with the fundamental principles
Of Christianity.
However. in regard to Mr.. Merri-
field. l don't look for any opposition
to our report. Mr.. Merrified is doing
good work in Ann Arbor, and we can
not do anything else but commend
him"
Mr.. Merrifeld himself was much In
evidence about the church. He was
warmly greeted by his many friends,
and showed no signs Of being worried
over the charges made against him
and the investigation which followed.
He IL a young man. who gives one
warm and tight Handmade on being
introduced. He also beams good
naturedlys On new and old acquaint-
ances alike, and gives one the I'M
preston that he has mind OF his
own and has the courage Of his con-
victions. However. he was not anx-
ious to talk about his own case when
approached by The Times.
81 don't think that II would be
wise for me to say anything just
now" he said. The committee which
made the investigation knows the
! facts in the case and Ii will doubtless
report fairly In the matter. I have
nothing to fear, however. II 10 sim
ply a case of much ado about nothing
III am quite willing to privately ex.
press my views on the principles OF
Christianity to any one who comes
to me with the spirit of God In his
heart, but l don't care to do 30 for
publication"
Mr.. Merrifeld's chief duty in Ann
Arbor il to look after the spiritual
welfare of the university students
who come under his care. In this
way he gets hold of many students
who do not belong to the Baptist
church. while the Baptists themselves
are not allowed to go astray.
For many years the guild. over
which Mr.. Merr1feld presides, has
been supported by convention FUND
which also takes care Of the state
missions. Some of the contributors
to the fund are in sympathy with the
state missions only, disliking the ides
of supporting the guild. For this rea
son there has been an agitation Il
separate the funds. and this will be
done. according to the Rev. T. w
Young, with but little opposition, II
any, at the present convention. There
is q general feeling. however. that
those who are seeking the separation
will be glad TO return to the present
plan, for the reason that much OF the
fund Is now given by persons who
favor the guild. II is thought thai
many Of the present contributors tc
the mission and guild fund will here
after give to the guild fund exclusive
ly. thus causing the state missions &c
! suffer.
An impassioned plea for the use o.
the old-time gospel In the pulpits was
made by the Rev. Francis church. o
Flint, Mich. in the course OF tall
on "Evangelistic methods" He didn'
think that the church people OF the
present day wanted social problems
take the place OF the gospel as IL was
originally taught and preached.
There Is no doubt that you can hole
your Job longer and get along better
IL you don't talk evangelism TO strong
ly," said Mr.. Church. but I dom
, think anybody wants to profit In thai
way"
In the discussion which followed
Mr.. Churchs address, the Rev A. w
wishart. of the Fountain-st. Baptist
church, whose liberal views split the
Grand Rapids Baptist association
took issue with Mr.. Church. He de
clared that what the church OF today
, needs Is more preaching along the
lines OF liberality
I'VE want men In the pulpits who
will tell certain protesting Christian:
in the congregations where they gel
on" shouted Mr. wishart. 1--WE have
, men I'm the churches who are Twins
: on the revenues they get from shan
a ties they own, and who otherwise act
IN the detrtuauf NJ tho noor w.