Morning journal and courier., 1888-04-05
mRrHanIsT oonFEKEnoEs.
The New York East-GOvernor Louns
 bury to Go to the General Confer


 bury to Go to the General Confer
 once.
 MIDDLETowN, April 4.-The New York East conference, Bishop Foss presiding, be- gan it's fortieth annual session here this morning. The New England southern, which includes Connecticut, east of the river, and Rhode Island, begins it's session to-mor- row, April 4, at Providence, Bishop Merrill presiding.
 The New England conference (Massachu- setts) also begins it's annual session to-day, April 4, at Medford, Mass, Bishop Andrews presiding.
 The Vermont conference meets at West Randolph April il, Bishop Foster presiding Others are: The Maine conference at Port land, Me, April Il, Bishop Fowler; the New Hampshire at Hilton, NH, April IS, Bishop Foster; the East Maine at Rockland, Me, April IS, Bishop Fowler. All will elect ministerial and lay delegates to the general conference which meets in New York city May 1.
 The New York East conference will be er- titled to five or six ministerial delegates. Rev. J. N. Buckley, editor of the Christian Advocate, will doubtless be elected as one, as will Rev. D. A. Goodsell, late pastor or the First church, New Haven, and who has been elected secretary of the conference for fifteen consecutive years. There are several prominent candidates for the remainder of the delegation. The conference is entitled to two lay delegates, one of which will be chosen from Connecticut. The candidates most prominently mentioned are: Governor P. O. Lounsbury, Professor J. M. Van Week of Wesleyan university and Hon John Ses- sions of Bristol. The election takes place on Friday next.
 
 conducted the devotional exercises which opened the days proceedings at 9 o'clock. After the reading of the 120th psalm, hymn 79S was sung, and the Rev. Dr. Albert s. Hunt, secretary of the American Bible society, offered prayer. The attendance at the exers cises, including the clergy and laity, was close upon 300 persons.
 Upon invitation of the bishop Presiding Elder B. M. Adams of the Brooklyn district, Iohabod Simmons of the New York district, Nathan G. Cheney of the New York East district, William H. Wardell of the New Ha- ven district and the Rev. MT. Roche of East Norwalk, assisted in the administration of the sacrament of the Lords supper.
 The Rev. A. R. Shockley, colored. of the Haven Memorial church of New Haven, was presented to the conference, having been transferred from the Delaware conference; also the Rev. Joseph H. Gill, from the North India conference; H. F. Kasteldick, from the NOrtl lQQla COuISI6RCO, w llllAn CarE, from the Illinois conference. Two preachers transferred year ago and not introduced at the last conference were introduced, the Rev. Dr. A. Kendig of Brooklyn, from the New England conference, and the Rev. F. Mason North, from the New York conference, the latter being pastor of the Middletown Metho- dist church.
 The Rev. Dr. Goedsell was unanimously reelected secretary of the conference with power to appoint his assistant. The rules of order of the last conference were adopted for the present conference. He selected as assist ants the Rev. Messrs. D. o. Ferris, CHI. Buck and A. B. Danford.
 nsuncing his probable absence from the con- ference by reason of the serious illness of his son Carl. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES FOR THE SESSION.
 These committees were elected for the com ing year:
 Statistical secretary-T. E. Gilbert
 Assistant statistical secretaries-A. J. Leach, w. H. Taft, E. D. Bassett, E. R. Fo- ley, H. Blatz, jr., w. E. Sco6eld, G. Tilman, J. Irons.
 Biographical eecretary-Q. K. Smith.
 Treasurer of benevolent collections-W. P. Estes.
 Stewards-T. M. Terry, B. T. Abbott, W.P. Estes, w. H. Russell.
 Presiding Elder Wardell in his report says: A remarkable debt paying movement has been going forward The First church of of S15, 900, one-quarter of which is already paid. Howard avenue church of New Haven has arranged a five years' installment plan for the removal of it's S2,770 indebtedness. Trinity and East Pearl street churches have constantly operative sinking funds that will soon relieve them of all incumbrances. The Haven Memorial church of New Haven, which came into our hands four years ago, districted by divisions, has paid it's entire debt Of $1,S00, stimulated by the offer of $500 from the Rev. A. s. Hill, and will rise to do much needed work among the colored people of the city.
 In church improvement somewhat has been done. The East Pearl street church of New Haven has expended 5000 upon it's audito rum and Sunday school room with excellent artistic effect.
 Westvi1le has completed the work that was in progress year ago, and has now both church and parsonage accommodations such as should stir every member to a new conse- cration. About $1 300 have been expended by the different charges of the city upon the parsonage.
 There has been more than usual evange1- 1 istic effort made, and over 100 conversions are reported.
 The Dixwell avenue church in New Haven was rallying with wonderful promise when it's fervent pastor was smitten with a sick ness that has laid him wholly aside for five months. The preachers of the city and vie cinity have generously taken care of his pulpit.
 West Haven has raised about $450 for lecture room, parsonage and grounds. At pended upon it's improved church, and number ot conversions are reported. South ingson has also reported over twenty con- versions