The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-22
PREACHER, UNDER
FIRE, LEAVES
MINISTRY
Rev. ]. w. Whitford, of Oxford, Who
Wrote Articles for "Wets" in Local
Option Campaign, Sends Resigna-
tion To Conference.
POLICY Of Suppression" Relative To
Superannuatcd Pastors Fund
Causes Lively Discussion.

The determination OF the present
Detroit M. Z. conference to keep all
unpleasant incidents and discussion
OF "backsliding preachers" and 80
forth out of the public discussion of
conference business put an effectual
stop to any further publicity with re-
gard to the Rev. John w. Whitford,
OF Oxford, whose letter OF resignation
from the Methodist denomination was
received. but not read, by Bishop Nc
Dowell, Thursday morning.
Mr. Whitford is the superanumer-
airy parson who wrote newspapers
articles during the recent local option
campaign which his Methodist breth-
rem construed as favoring vets" 1t
was the intention of the conference
TO demand an explanation. In his let
ter to the conference. Mr.. Whitford
gives as his reason for Withdrawing
from the denomination that he is un-
able. after~y Years. of deep thought and
study, TO longer conform TO the discip-
line of the Methodist church. Bishop
Mcdowell made the simple announce
ment to the conference that the letter
had been received, and that the resig-
nation would be accepted, which
closes the incident
A strong protest from the Rev. G.
l. Fee, OF Marlette, against the
policy OF suppression" as he called It,
OF the Superanuated Preachers Aid
society, with regard to the detailed
disposition OF the funds at its dis
posal, created a heated wave of argu-
For .,nf
thought that the financial transac-
tons OF the society should be printed
In detail in the conference minutes,
and declared that 1t was a matter that
should be brought home 10 every
Methodist, this smallness of the pit
lance given those who had grown old
In the service of the church.
bishops salaries are paid, the
preachers in large churches are paid,
missionary appropriations are paid
and every other item of church be-
nevolences well looked after, but the
money given to those who ought to
have first claim Is far. far less than
will keep them and their families in
the necessaries of life" said Mr.. Fee.
II believe, that greater publicity in
this matter would have the effect OF
increasing the amount given for this
purpose. Michigan conference has
raised $3.50, 900 as against $4,000 by
the Detroit conference for the super
anuated society and this conference
should be made familiar with the
actual facts
The Rev. John Sweet, secretary OF
the society. declared that II was not the
business of the conference or the laity
to know all of the details OF the So
ciety's expenditure, declaring that too
much publicity would sorely hurt
those to whom aid was given. Fol-
lowing brief speeches from confer
ence members on both sides OF the
question resolution was adopted ex-
pressing complete confidence in the
discretion of the society's officers and
empowering Secretary Sweet to con-
tinue to make public only those things
which he deemed wise.
ITO show you that there Is no
policy of suppression with regard to
society funds we will hold a special
meeting in this auditorium. Monday,
at o'clock, for the purpose OF free
and frank discussion OF everything
connected with the society and its
work." announced DR.. Sweet, follow
ing the adoption of the resolution of
confidence. "All of the books will be
(Continued ON Page TwO.)