History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

ENDNOTES
1 Boehm says there was preaching at Light Street three times every day and on Sabbath, so that the
Conference must have been held at the new Eutaw Street.
2 "A Constitution History of American Episcopal Methodism," Nashville, Tenn.., 1894. 4vo. 414
pp.
3 Tigert's History," p. 329.
4 Tigert's History," p. 328.
5 Wakeley, in his "Heroes of Methodism," cites a well-known incident, though not found in any of
the regular church histories, strikingly illustrative of the domineering passion of the saintliest
hierarchy, and notably of Asbury. Worried by the persistence and ability of the advocates of an
elective presiding eldership, while Lee was leading in a speech on this side, Asbury, as presiding
officer, deliberately turned in the chair, with his back to Lee and the Conference. It would have
disconcerted a less heroic man, and withered into silence a weaker one, but Lee met it with a simple
uninterrupted continuation of the trenchant and vehement speech he set himself to deliver. One of
the preachers on the Asbury side interrupted him with the remark that no man of common sense
would have adduced such arguments as Lee." Lee replied, Our brother has said no one of common
sense would use such arguments. I am, therefore, Mr. President (addressing the back of Asbury),
compelled to believe the brother thinks me a man of uncommon sense.'' ''Yes! yes! '' said Asbury,
turning half round in his chair, "Yes! yes! Brother Lee, you are a man of uncommon sense." "Then,
sir," said Lee quickly, and without the slightest loss of temper, "then I beg that uncommon attention
may be paid to what I say." The Bishop again turned his face to the wall, Wakeley adding, '' the
Conference smiling as Mr. Lee proceeded to finish his argument." At what they could have smiled
it is difficult at this day at least to divine; the marvel is they did not weep. There was occasion for
it. Never did Asbury exhibit himself at such disadvantage, both as a professed gentleman and a
Christian, It was the last General Conference he ever attended. It was a case of deliberate insult to
the Conference as a deliberative body, and a sign of contempt for Lee. Deliberate, it is said, for after
the genteel but stinging rebuke of Lee's rejoinder, any man but a veritable bull of Bashan would have
been shamed into decent observance of the conventional proprieties; not so bishop Asbury. Was it
among the reasons the measure was defeated by but three votes? But you make too much of it.
Granted, there is danger of the extreme in that direction, and the writer may have fallen into it. But
what of the danger of making too little of it, and recording it among practical jokes ? Is it not a clear
case of the philosophy of the Absolutist teaching by example?
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