Bridgeton pioneer., 1890-03-20
METHODIST CONFERENCE.
THE EsT-TY-EOURTEE ANNUAL
CONFERENCE.
Rev. George Il. DObb1ns Presents
~ FgOMrishing Report of the
E05 First District.

The fifty-fourth annual session of the
New Jersey Methodist Episcopal Con
ference convened in the First Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, of Millville yes
terday mornihg, Bishop Goodsell pre-
siding.
There was fair attendance of clergy
and laity at the opening exercises, a
large number of clergymen arriving on
the morning trains, adding greatly to
the attendance at the last hours of the
session Bishop Goodsell opened the
session by readn ,ths 1385h Psalm and
the I'd chapter of Ephesians. Hymn
797, "Blesr Be the Tie That Binds"
was sung and Rev Jefferson Lewis Of
fered the opening prayer.
The Sacrament of the Lords Sup
per was administered by the Bishop,
assisted by Presiding Elders J. B.
Graw, Milton Relyea, James Moore
aud George L. Dobbins and other
members Of the Conference.
This was followed by an address
FROM u e Bishop on the work, limita.
tations and respo asi biiities of Episco-
pacy.
The Bishop announced the transfer
OF Rev. a. B. Richardson, Pastor of the
Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church
of Camden, from the Wyoming Con-
ference, by Bishop Foss, of Philadel-
phia.
DR.. Homer Eaton, of the Methodist
Book Concern, was introduced, and
addressed the Conference on the work
of the Book Concern. He stated that
the profits tor the past year were
100000, of which $1,534 was appor-
toned to the New Jersey Conference.
Rev. Geo. B. Wright, of Trenton,
was elected Secretary, he having held
that office for fifteen consecutive years.
Rev. ]. L. Roe, journalist; g. E. Stan
ger, j. B. Haines. j. H. Payran and
George Reed we're elected Assistant
Secretaries. Rev. d. B. Harris having
held the position of statistical Secre-
tary of the conference for fourteen
years, emphatically declined re-elec-
ton, and Rev. Henry J. ZelIy was
elected. Rev. H. g. Williams was
elected Treasurer.
Rev. &. L. Dobbins was appointed
Chairman of the committee on public
worship, and Rev. John Handley is on
the Educational Committee.
Rev. George L. Dobbins, Presiding
Elder of Bridgeton District, read his
annual report, of which the following
is synopsis: There are in the district
so pastoral charges, so ministers, 70
exhorters, 1,100 probationers and 49,
600 members. There are SO churches,
SO Sunday schools and 38 parsonages,
valued in all at $540,000.
The churches were generally re-
ported in fourishing condition, al
though the churches at Clayton, Glass
boro and Salem had suffered some
from the strike of the glassblowers.
Rev. 6. T.. Sykes was reported in an
improved condition, and will be able
to resume his pastoral relations with
the Vineland Church, The Epworth
League was reported on the increase
in the district, and was said to be pro
ductive of much good in the Church.
Improvements were reported to have
been made to church property at Ce-
darville, Harrisonville, Millville, NAL
aga, Goshen, Cape May City, Fairview,
Monroeville, Zion, Bridgeton, Frank
linville, Unionville, Elmer, Clayton
and Woodstown. Churches were dedi-
Gated ut Bridgeton, Newtonville and
Millville, and the corner stone was laid
of the now Central Church at Bridge
ton, which will cost when completed,
about $4,000. Three new parsonages
were built at Malaga, Centreton and
Friendship. The benevolent collec-
tions were reported as being very fair.
Revivals of religion were reported at
Millville, Cape May City, Franklin
vile, Harrisonville, Centreton, Bridge
ton, Rosenhayn, Dennisville, Forest
Grove, Ocean City, Vineland, Sharp
town, Goshen, Salem, Canton, Port
Elizabeth, Quinton, Monroeville, Pleas
ant Grove, Dias Creek, Hancock's s
Bridge, Harmony Circuit, Malaga and
Pennsvile.
Rev. Socrates Townsend preached
at the Trinity Church in the afternoon,
and Rev. Charles H. Elder was ap-
pointed to take charge of the devo
tional exercises this morning. The
session was closed with the Benedic-
tion by DIR. Eaton.
The evening session cf Conference
was devoted loSrele brasing the ami,
versary of the Church Extension So
ciety. Addresses were made by the
Rev. A. j. Kynett, D. D., and others.
FRIDAY.
The morning session of the Meth