San Francisco Call, Volume 80, Number 146, 24 October 1896 — MINISTERS FAR FROM HARMONY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MINISTERS FAR FROM HARMONY

Rev. Dr. Wendte's MagicLantern Slides Enter the Controversy.

Rev. J. E. Bushnell, Lutheran, Defends the Position of the Unitarian.

RIV. DB. M'LEAN LED THE WAY.

It Was He Who First Proposed the Union Celebration of Lather's Day.

Oaklard Office San Francisco Call,) 908 Broadway, Oct. 23. i The action of the official board of the First Methodist Church in instructing Rev. Dr. Kummer and the church choir to refrain from participating in the union Lutheran festival next Saturday night at the Exposition Hall has created much feeling among other ministers. The assertion that Rev. C. W. Wendte, D. D., was given too prominent a place on the programme to suit certain evangelical ministers is scouted as absurd. It is recalled that a few months ago Dr. Kummer borrowed some slides from Dr. Wendte to illustrate his (Eummer'a) travels in Europe. Dr. Wendte complied readily and did not object to allowing his "Unitarian" slides to be exhibited for Methodist benefit, and he is somewhat surprised that any objection should be raised when he appears with his slides at a Lutheran celebration.

Rev. J. E. Bushnell, pastor of the First English Lutheran Church, is greatly Bur-

prised at the attitude of the First Methodist Church. "The first suggestion regarding the union Lutheran festival," said Key. J. E. Bushnell to-day, "was made not by myself but by my distinguished friend, Rev. Dr. McLean, who presided at the meeting. He gave due credit to Rev. C. W. W^endte for the oripinal proposal and cailed upon film to speak. When asked for my views I expressed a disposition to concur and co-operate cheerfully, since this service was in Keeping with "the recognized usage of the Lutheran church cf which I am a | astor. At a meeting of the committee appointed as you report the utmost harmony prevailed and each member vied with the other in a desire to have all the churches represented. A programme was arranged, based upon assured co-opera-tion. This was reported to the union last month, and then certain pastors who were conspicuous lor their former absence presented objections to riunday evening as a time and the Tabernacle as a place. To Buit these expressed objections I moved that the service be held Saturday, as this was approved oy Dr. Kunimer, who cordially seconded the motion. As a finai conclusion the whole matter was placed again in the hands of the committee, with full power to act. "This committee met, Dr. Coyle being chairman, and the Rev. Mr. Brown of the Congregational church, who iiad not been able to understand about the matter, was present by invitation. Mr. Wendte was not even present. Then a most harmonious agreement way reached in favor of holding the service in the Congregational church, which Dr. Kummer himself had seconded, and it was agreed that he should speak with others. It is but fair to Mr. Wendte to say that the marked courtesy which he has shown in the whole matter was expressed in a note when informed by the secretary, Rev. Owen Jones, as to the charges made. He expressed his disposition to co-operate and also explained that illness prevented his attendance. I have this cordial note before me. This much in reply to the statement that the 'executive committee placed Rev. Mr. Wendte in charge of the programme as he bad shown so much enthusiasm.' '■The programme supplied to you is not the one which the committee has prepared for publication, and it is not correct for Dr. Kummer or any one else to infer that 'too much prominence' was given' to any one minister. "I do not need to champion any one in this discussion, but rather express the hope that the Luther service will, as was intended, promote good fellowship among all lovers of religious and civil liberty without prejudice or preferment." Rev. Dr. Wendte will i.andle the delicate subject from his pulpit on Sunday morning.

GEORGE W. LANGAN, Chairman of the General Committee of Arrangements of the Republican Barbecue to Be Held at Haywards To-Day.