New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-03
AT ODDS OVER ST. PAUL'S.
METHoDISTs WARMLY DISCUSS IT'S SALE.
BREEZE IN THE NETWORK CONFERENCE
NOW IN SESSION AT YoNKERs.


NOW IN SESSION AT YoNKEEs.
After devotional exercises led by the Rev. D. II.
Burch Bishop FITZGERALD called the New-York Con.
ference to order at a. m yesterday in the First
Methodist Episcopal Church, Yonkers. The Rev. DR..
John Miley, Of Drew Seminary made an address In
behalf Of the seminary.
The Rev. DR.. A. J. Palmer presiding elder Of the
NewYork district then submitted his annual report.
He said there had been 3e36 conversions in his dis
trlct last year. Several churches had been bull
and dedicated. The Italian work at Varick Place had
been successful and eighty had been converted Four
teen acres Of land the bank Of the Hudson at
Dobbs Ferry had been purchased for St. Christophes
Home for Orphan Children. II would be ready for
occupancy In May. The vote on the eligibility OF
delegates TO the conferences resulted In 500
for and 1856 against admission. The numerical In
crease in NewYork DR.. Palmer said, had been small
1t was not comparable with the increase Of certain
other denominations.
The Rev. r. H. Travis presiding elder OF the Pough-
keepsie district also submitted his report for the year.
He said there had been extensive revivas, resulting
In many conversions The Epworth League had been
q power In the Church. Many churches had been
renovated and improved Mr.. Travis said the pastors
we're receiving better support than formerly TIE re-
suit of the vote on the admission OF women TO the con-
ferences was sol for and $50 against admission.
The Rev. DR.. c. c. McCabe then offered the follow
ing resolutions:
Resolved That this Conference has heard with sur
prise and grief of the sale of our noble st. Paurs
Chucch in NewYork.
Resolved That consider this sale as wholly IN
necessary and a betrayal of sacred trust by the
Board Of Trustees.
This resolution raised a storm Of discussion Sew
eral men sprang up and tried TO speak, but the Chair
waved them down. Chaplain McCabe had the moor.
DR.. McCabe said 1T is shame to sell the old
church. think there is need Of O Methodist church
there Brother Dxons church became too small for
his congregations. that he had to move into larger
quarters. DIR. Parkhursts church In Madison Square
Is always crowded. Instead Of moving uptown, the
face OF Methodism should be set toward the south.
"a roar OF amens" from the brethren)
The Rev. George IL. NcGrew, pastor OF st. Paurs
Church sprang to his feet and began earnest speech
against the passage OF the resolution lie said the vote
OF the trustees OF the church had been unanimous fo
moving uptown. The congregation had desired It
He ended by saying al have been in Methodist con
ferences for fifteen years, but have never before
heard such comparisons have been made here this
morning. l earnestly ask that the resolution viii
not be passed"
The Rev. Charles H. MoAnney, pastor Of the Wash
ngton Square Methodist Church, followed Mr.. McGrew
He said In part "Methodism in NewYork has been
getting up on stills. All the churches want 10 go up
| town. They chase pocket-books rather than souls
The souls downtown; the pocketboOks are up
| town. so the churches all moving up after them
Methodlsm has declined In NewIork for this reason
1t has conquered in every other part OF the country
and 1t viii conquer In the metropolis when Metiodlsn
returns to its primitive simplicity"
Several other ministers made short speeches. fof
and against the resolution and then the Rev. Dr
George Il. Crooks OF Drew Seminary moved to lay the
| resolution OH the table. vote was takep and The
resolution was tabled by a large majority 49,
The Rev. j. K. Day made short speech In wfcf
he said that the tide OF Methodism uptown could nc
be stopped than the tide OF the Atlantic up the
| Hudson.
The Rev. DIR. James NJ King chairman OF the com
mitee appointed at the last Conference to confer with
committees from other Protestant denominations con-
corning moral instruction In the public schools re-
ported the action Of the Conference held In New York
last November. The following committee for fuYther
| conference was appointed The Rev. Dr. James NJ.
King, chairman Dr. @. Il. Crooks, Dr. G. Ii. Gregory,
| f. S. Osbon J. T. Price and I. Lamont