The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-04-03
OUR HOME MH7HODISHS.
Presiding Elder Lowrie's
interesting Report on
the Jersey City
Churches.
STEADY GROWTH In ALL.
General News of the Newark Con-
ference--Lay Representation.

Methodist Conference in the Centenary
Church, Newark, began at $50 this morn
ing with Bishop Newman in the chair.
The first half hour was devoted to SER
mon to young preachers by Bishop New
man. On its conclusion, business was
taken up and the rule of order of the last
conference were adopted.
LAY REPRESENTATION
At the request of the General Confer
ence committee was appointed, con-
sisting OF the Bishop and his appointees,
TO nominate two preachers and two lay
men TO attend the next General Confer
ence. The matter of lay representation
was then presented in the form of letter
from the General Conference, which reads
thus
The General Conference Of 1888 took the neces
sary action to hand down to the Annual Confer
ence during the year 1890, a proposition to
change section of paragraph 63, discipline of
1889, SO that it shall read as follows:-
Section 2-The General Conference shall not
allow of more than one ministerial representa-
tive for every fourteen members Of an annual
conference, nor of a less number than one for
every forty nor OF a greater number
of lay delegates than there may be
ministerial delegates in the same annual confer
ence; provided, nevertheless, that when there
shall be in any annual conference faction of
two-thirds the nu1nber which shall be fixed for
the ratio Of representation, such annual confer
ence shall be entitled to an additional delegate
for such fraction; and provided also, that no
conference shall be denied the privilege of one
ministerial and one lay delegate''
This action Is thus communica ted to the an
nual conferences severally by order of the Board
of Bishops.
AS long debate on this question is ex-
pected, it was decided to postpone action
on the matter until half-past nine tomor-
row morning.
The Bishop then announced, at the re-
quest OF the General Conference, that in
October of the present year vote shall
be taken in all the Methodist churches in
the country to decide upon the eligibility
of women as lay delegates to the annual
diocese conferences.
DOWN ON COLLECTIONS
Another important matter was ap-
preached through resolution relative to
the taking of collections for various OBJ
jects at the conference as has been Gus
tomary. {much to the discontinue of
delegates with limited pocketbooks). The
resolutions condemn such action, and no
little surprise was caused when Bishop
Newman announced his approval of the
resolutions.
The matter was referred to a commit
tee of five, who were instructed to con-
slider carefully all requests for financial
aid, and to report to conference only those
of absolute necessity.
Interest in the young peoples church
societies was unaffected in motion to
have special committee of one from
each district appointed to look after the
"young peoples societies.
Dir. Brice, Presiding Elder OF the Eliza-
beth district, submitted an interesting
annual report. Among the items was one
to the effect that the average salary of
pastors in that district is $3.50.
These committees wer0 then an
nounced:-
Young Peoples Meeting Henry Spell
meyer, L. c. Muller and H. M. Simpson.
Lay Representation-C. R. Barnes. j..
r. Bryson and d. Halleron.
TO Select Delegates to General Confer
ence-A. Craig, M. ID. Church, G. Laren,
J. p. Fort and j. NJ. Freeman
JERSEY cITY's REPORT.
The report of the Jersey City district,
as submitted by Presiding Elder Lowrie,
was next listened to. Anon the portions
are as follows:
"Fifty-two ministerial brethren have
been in pastoral service this
year. AS touching these men of
God l may say without exag-
geration that many OF them are diligent
students. Some are keen debaters, others
are fluent writers, learned and eloquent
preachers, qniet, painstaking and faith
ful pastors. making, in some instances;
more than one thousand pastoral calls,
some are able organizers and ad-
ministrators and, last but not least, as the
records will show, many of them are
eminent and successful soul winners. 1t
has been my joy during another year to
stand side by side with my brethren in
holy activity. In tolls and in triumphs
we are one.
''The financial system of the district, we
think. is seadily improving. This is
shown first, in the fact that the salaries
of twelve of our preachers have been in
creased buring the present, year; second,
the methods OF collecting the salary and
paying the same are in advance of other
years. We have reason to thank God
that the places are getting less and less in
number where questionable means are
used to raise salaries. We have in our
district over four hundred stewards.
dtiesrs The great majority apracyY.ts Of these
sponsibility of their important
office, and do their work grandiy. But
there are some stewards VINO are wholly
remiss in their duty. The first and last
effort of such men is to cut down,
or keep down the salary, which
is barely enough, and in some
instances not near enough-for the most
economical Iving-witht the sparest ward
robe and the plainest table. My soul has
been sorely tried by the Indifference and
neglect of such stewards.
STEADY GROWTH.
1.-The W0rK done Dy pastors ana people
shows marked success along nearly all
lines. The membership has increased,
the class meetings are steadily advancing
in number and interest. We are sorry to
say, however, that good class leaders in
some places are getting to be as scarce
as good sections.
'..The Sunday School Department of our
district is success. 1t is regarded as
neither tue nursery nor auxiliary of the
church, but most important part of the
church.
A large number of our superintendents
are competent and successful worker, and
their schools are models of order and eff.
ficiency Our Sunday Schools will
contribute over s., 900 to the cause of mis-,
sions this year. Much time has been
given, but none too much, to methods ol
work among young people, resulting il
|. the successful operation OF some of the
best plans for work.
WELL ORGANIZED.
.sThe district reports itse'f'ns organized
| We have Oxford and Epworth Leagues
! Willing Workers aud Young Peoples
Associations. Chautauqua Circles, Tenl-
J perance Schools, Pastors, Helpers, King:
Daughters. Kings Sons and many other
! We night reportan army presidents and
| other officers OF these societies Each Of
| ganizaIiol demands time, influence. anC
money. Yet it is through these variou:
bodies that the church Ii utilizing lilel
I forces as never before LII adapting our
selves TO the spirit of the times we have
| largely changed our method of work
| while tine work TO be done remains thu
/ eafne The only fear Of this infrassaf