Evening journal., 1890-03-27


was read.
Bishop Bowman arrived this noon and
will be in charge during the remainder of
the conference
MILFORD, March 26-It is pity that
Bishop Andrews will not be able to re-
main until the close of the session of the
Wilmington Conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church now in session here,
He says he expects Bishop Bowman of
st. Louis to relieve him later in the
week. Bishop Andrews is model pre-
siding officer and under his guidance the
first days meeting, which is ordinarily
very dull, went along smoothly and was
almost as interesting as any one of the
conference meetings is likely to be.
The officers of the conference were
stated in yesterdays paper.
About Army Chaplains.
Rev. orville ]. Nave. post chaplain
United States Army at Fort Omaha, Neb..
and corresponding secretary of the corps
of chaplains, sent communication in
reference to the army chaplain matter
now before the church. There are 1876
army posts and but "a chaplains for all,
and the Methodist Church is making q
strong effort to have that number in
creased, The General Conference at its
last session appointed committee to lay
the matter before Congress. Rev. David
H. Carroll Of Baltimore, being member,
Rev. Mr. Nave inclose6 copy of a letter
from General Schofeld to Senator Plumb
in reference to the matter in which he
says in religion and morals the
War Department must allow to
all in the army the freedom
guaranteed by the fundamental princi-
pies of the government to all who are
under the dominion of its laws, exer-
cising only such restraint in respect to
moral conduct as is sanctioned by the
consent of the good people Of the United
States My impres sion is, continues
General Sehofeld, "that the best policy
would be to leave the various garrisons
of the army free to select religious min
listers Of their own choice, as other com
munities in this country do, the action Of
Congress to be limited to supplying the
necessary money to pay for their services,
and that of the War Department to regu-
lating the mode of their selection. Give
to the army religious liberty and assist
the men TO obtain the religious admins
tration Of which they feel they need, and
there will be the same interest In relig-
ion in the army as elswhere.
Rev. Mr. Nave's Criticisms.
OF this letter Mr.. Nave says it runs
athwart the recommendations of the
great majority of denominations. 'Its
practical effect will be, " he says ito turn
the army over to the Catholics and Epis.
eopalians through post authorities, be-
cause the moral license of these churches
is agreeable to the majority of any
officials. We cannot afford this, for the
Methodist Church in peace as we'll as
war furnished more soldiers than any
other church, except the Catholic, and
almost'as many as that church. What
the army needs is chaplaincy that shall
have controlling voice in moral matters
at military posts. Hitherto it has been
too much ignored. General Schofeld
says no exact code of morals is recognized
by the department There should be nc
intemperance, no gambling, no prostitu-
tion, no obscene vulgarity, no profanity,
no fraud of all forms, etc. In your re-
port urge increase in the number of chap
lains, and that they have the moral sup
port of all in authority as teachers o.
morality" The documents were re
ferred to special committee.
Tor the Freedmen's Fund.
A communication from Rev. DR.. J. G
Hartzell secretary Of the Freedmen:
Aid and Southern Educational Society
stated that the amount apportioned TO b(
raised by the Wilmington Conference fol
the cause was $5,512. A circular letter
from the treasurer of the episcopal FUND
stated that the amount received last
year from all conferences was $50, 600. SO
OF which Wilmington Conference CAV,
$l,4 44O. The entire amount expended
was $50, 71572. For 1890 Wilmington
Conference is assessed 81, ,S03. The deatl
Of three bishops during the quadren-
mum, the consequent reduction Of claims
upon the episcopal fund. created q sur
plus from which the deficiency of the
last fiscal year has been met. This sur
plus is now neraly exhausted, and unless
the conferences greatly increase theil
contributions the bishops salaries can
not be paid In full. Rev. T. f. Terry
of Dover, offered resolution directing
the board OF stewards of the individua
churches to raise the apportionments fol
the bishops fund in the same way tn,
ministers salaries are raised. This wa,
ooOptC0 Wy buC COulSrtuctt IL DelHR Lht
general opinion that in this way tn.
conference and church assessments coulC
be raised in full
The Presiding Elders Report.
The report Of Rev. T. o. Ayres, presid
ing elder of the Salisbury district, states
that within the year new churches hav,
been dedicated at Deals Island. Can,
Charles City, New Church, Bladesville
Barren Creek Springs, Plttsville and
Mount Vernon, the total cost beine
$40, 500, making the total expenditure Is
the districtsfor building and i'm proving
church property $1S, 141.
Conference Notes.
Rev. DR.. Homer Eaton made a furtbe,
statement of the affairs of the publish
ing cause, and handed over to Bishor
Andrews draft on the publishing house
Of 81, lab.
A resolution expressing the sympathy
of the conference with Bishop Fowler in
his illness was adopted and telegram to
that effect sent him.
The conference opened with a sermon
by Rev. ]. P. Otis of Port Deposit.
uILs- ..-,c -