New-York tribune., 1919-06-16

. q s.8
conciliation movements, but he chafed
at the "scrap of paper" dictum. He
needed the advice of the President of
the United States and did not take ad-
vantage of his leadership to convert
people to his own views concerning the
conflict,
Went Abroad to Serve
when America went in he decided
there was just one thing to do-and
that was to get over as fast as he
could. He made arrangements with the
Y. M. c. A. to be sent over for special
work He had one message to deliver
and he wanted to deliver that MESSAGE
to the men at the front 1t was the
story of his own struggle-he had
hated war. He had wrestled with
some of the texts that had been seized
upon so gladly by the pacifists, and
flnally had overcome them by picture
of the Christ, the champion of rirht-
eousness.
81 have challenged myself with the
question, is a declaration of war in
harmony with the teachings of our
Master" There has come to me that
just word that the strong must bear
the burdens of the weak We do not
misrepresent our Lord. We represent
Him when we stretch forth our hand.
saying to tyrannous power, Thus far
and no further'"
The Bishop made a great impre ession
upon the fighting men. He inspired
them to new sense of this country's
obligation and the obligations of citi-
zenship.
Brings Pershing's Message
When he returned to this country
he carried with him message that
General Pershng instructed him to de-
liver to the American people in the
same ringing fashion in which he had
addressed their epresentatives in olive
drab. This was the message:
''Tell them that there is no ground
for the 'heresy that Germany cannot
be beaten. Germany can be beaten.
Germany must be beaten. And Ger
many will be beaten"
This message was brought TO Amer
ica in the dark days at the close of
1917, when it seemed as if this coun-
try's programme could not be carried
out, and as if the fight to overcome
German militarism must end in a
stalemate. 1t was the first personal
message of the kind from General
Pershing.
The same vigorous style that in
spired the soldiers has swept his own
clergy off their feet and made them
forget dignity in burst of applause.
With all the kindliness of a parental
counsellor and the same background of
a menacing punishment for those that
fail to heed, Bishop Wilson has laid
down definite policy for his minis
ters.
Policy for Ministers
One day he said:
Don't preach too long.
"Preach red-hot gospel
Don't give the peopel q sermon with
the flavor Of cold storage plant all
ever it.
Give them one with the odor of q
Sunday dinner especially prepared"
In the Methodist Episcopal Church
the Bishop can be autocratic-and his
clergy know it. If they fail to heed
his teachings they may find themselves
despite the protests from official
boards, transferred from parishes pay
than 81 000--with no alternative but to
smile sweetly and say "Thy will be
done" 1t takes a good deal of 6
philosopher to make the best of 8
situation like that, and most of the
ministers are not testing thier philos-
ophy unnecessarily.
The Bishop is not always militant
His manner is kindly. He has the
broadest sympathy and the most tender
solicitude. AS pastor he was an un-
qualified success, and there were many
who predicted that his elevation to the
episcopacy would mean losing gooc
pastor. But those qualities that made
for his success in parish have beer
just the qualities needed in his work
as an overseer.
Depends Upon Direct Speech
His voice is rich and mellow. He
uses few gestures, depending upon his
illustrations and direct manner o1
speech.
He is gifted as a writer Of verse.
When not exercising the functions Of
Resident Bishop he has been acting as
president Of the Anti-Saloon League Of
America. He is the nominal head OF
the movement that reaches it's climax
on July /. w. II. Anderson has been in
the limelight; but Bishop Wilson has
been in the background.
The same militnncy that moved him
to rouse his pastors led him into the
fight against liquor. Mono Of his
friends doubt that he lent hIs .10nius OF
organization to the work dono in Mr.
Andcrson's name. Only few of MIR
Anderson's moves have met with his
disapproval--and the Bishop is dodging