New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-18
METHOD|STS LIBERAL
Ministers Listen Colby to De-
fence of Conservatism.
DIR. J.. B. HAMILTON AROUSED
Attacks Sunday School Litera-
ture, but Stirs Enthusiasm
Only by Sincerity.

What was considered indubtable proof
hat New York's Methodist ministers
evmpathized with and. in fact accepted
che liberal views of Bible scholars. popu-
i,rlv known as the higher criticism. q"
vas furnished at a meeting yesterday at
No 10 Fifth avenue. when the Rev. Dr.
Law Benson Hamilton. of Trinity Church
Harlem. "a leading Methodist pastor, spoke
At length I'm defence Of the conservative
views Of the Church, only TO encounter
GOODNESS. even active opposition
Al times his auditors interrupted with
applaust. nut the enthusiasm was palpa-
blv q tribute 10 the sincerity and elo-
1uence Of the speaker rather than an in
dicatlon of agreement with chis views.
The Rev W. Waldo Weller, of the New
York East Conference. arose in DR.. Ham
jlton's defence, but ne, too, failed 10 stir
the assembled ministers 10 anything APP
,roaching enthusiasm or interest. Other
sneakers declared either openly for the
now liberal doctrines or took the role OF
peacemakers without stating their opin-
ions.
The meeting. following so closely upon
tho controversy OF a week ago when the
Rev. Dr. George =. Mains defended him
self against charges made in the Atlantic
CITY conference. promised TO be a stormy
one. Despite the agitation in favor of an
men session. only clergymen were al
lowed 20 enter the auditorium. Dr. Ham
uton took the platform without delay
and launched forth III his defence OF the
established doctrines OF the Church and
denunciation OF the "trouble-nakers."
DIR. Hamilton called attention TO the eX
nerlence of the Methodist Church In Eng
land. which for the last six years has
been losing heavily in membership. He
asserted this was due directly 10 the un
rest created by the new scholarship. He
defended the Bible from Genesis 10 Reve-
lations and took occasion to attack the
Sunday school literature Of the Methodist
church and Or. Mains agent Of the Book
Concern.
Following the paper. the Rev. DR.. James
NJ. Buckley spoke for more than half an
hour. IIc cOunsellcd moderation and
urged the ministers not TO 20 to any OK
IRENE. but failed 10 state his own position
The Rev Dr. David G. DOwney, ono OF
the Book Concerns editors and promi-
nent candidate for bishop, mildly defended
Dr. Mains. but omitted 10 express his own
views on the controversy. Another speak
or was tho Rev. \. Z. Brown. Of the
Newark conference.
The Rev John =. Mcfarland caused
stir whom he arose TO defend himself
against the attack on Sunday school lit
crature. ~ which he is i'm charge. To the
commandment of applause from various
PARTS ol ,he house Dr. Mcfarland said
faa, h. did not stand for destructive
criticism OF the Bible but that ho be
h.yed tt. Christian scholars of tho world
wc.c doing much good. lie declared that
le embodied in his literature only What
wss taught in the seminarics.
-l.rerncu who discussed the meeting
following Us adjournment said that they
considered Dr llam.ltous references 20
,he Mains controversy and tho Methodist
Book Concern entirely TOO pointed and
that the liberal movement within thc
Church. which has so strikingly mani
tested itself recently. would have 20 be
met souar.Iy if the outcome were 10 be
conclusive