Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-01
I'd EDITION.
Latest I1lGglanS to The Star.
GREAT METHODIST GATHERING.
Opening of the General Conference In
New Ork TO.day-BishOP BOwnman's
Address.

Address.
NEW YORK. May 1.-The General Conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church opened its session
this morning In the Metropolitan opera House.
Long before the appointed hour the vast audi
forum commenced 10 NIL up with the ministerial
delegates. The bishops occupied seats on the
stage. The galleries were crowded with ladies
and gentlemen and the boxes with the wives Of
the delegates and their friends The proceedings
Msn singing and sns l0
the Bible and Rev. DIR. Quinn, OF Wisconsin, deiy-
cred the prayer. He prayed for the general well
fare OF the church and OF those present. Bishop
Bowman, the senior bishop, presided, ana con-
Quoted the exercises.
AT the conclusion of the religious exercises
Bishop Bowman said: 1--WE are at this hour In the
presence OF new surroundings, which call for a
new movement in the election OF delegates. At
first each candidate presented his credentials In
person, and in ordinary cases this simple method
OF procedure was satisfactory, but as the move
ment spread and the number OF delegates In
creased greater supervision and care became ne
cessary, especially when Information Is received
from reliable sources that a number OF those pre-
s sc themselves as Delegates are known ,Nil
year Is large one and contains many
names whose eligibility is not yet satisfactorily
established, and a number OF protests have been
lodged In our hands, TO be dealt with by the con-
ference when the question OF the election OF the
Candidates Is In order. Our general rules provide
that the names OF the parties challenged shall not
De called until quorum OF unchaienged delegates
shall be found 10 be present. The conference Will
we stand In the presence OF several important
questions requiring decision, and we urge upon
you the necessity OF patience and earnest prayers
Tor our guidance In determining what course shall
be most just and most likely to further the inter-
estS OF our church,
AT the close OF Bishop Bowmans remarks Rev.
DIR. T. Ii. Medley, OF Philadelphia, gave notice that
he had a statement to make when the question OF
the election OF candidates for delegates came be
delegates selected is 2sS and the number OF lay
delegates 10. Among the lay delegates are six
women, and there are also six women among the
reserve delegates. Every state and territory in
the Union Is represented, and there are delegates
from Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Africa, Italy,
Germany, sweden, Norway, switzerland, and
India.
on motion OF Rev. DIR. Olin, David s. Monroe
was elected permanent secretary. Rev. Dr. Lana
conference be adopted and that they be
amended TO give speakers twenty minutes
instead OF ten minutes. Before this motion was
put Bishop Bowman said that he understood that
an address OF welcome was 10 be delivered. The
question was set aside and the delegates discussed
the appointment OF committee 10 report
Wisconsin, suggested that committee OF one
from each district be elected to which the matter
might be referred. Rev. DIR. j. W. Hamilton pro-
posed that TWO committees be formed, consisting
of one clerical member and one lay member from
each district respectively, and that they be in
structed 10 report at 10 o'clock tomorrow MORN
Ing. Rev. Dr. DIN seconded this, and 1t was
adopted
Tie leading question to be settled by the COM
mittees are the admission OF women as delegates
and the admission OF delegates from foreign coun-
tries The women delegates are Frances Z. Will
lard, president OF the Women's Christian Temper
ance Association Miss Mary L. LathrOp OF jackson,
Miss; Miss Angelina +. Newman, VINO is promi-
nent In the antl-MOrmOn agitation; Mrs. Har-
riet a. Roberts, OF Nebraska, Miss; Miss Mary
Need Mrs. LINE Van Kirk, OF Plttsburg; Mrs.
Henrietta Hodgetts and Mrs. Rose H. Harding,
OF North Nebraska; Mrs Sallie NJ. Logan and
Mrs. Sallie y. Needles, OF Southern Illinois, Mrs
James Hartrough, OF Dakota; Mrs. Charlotte
Fisher, OF Colorado; Mrs Jennie X. Preston, Mrs.
&. k. Cleveland, and Mrs l. 5. Coleman.