Bridgeton pioneer., 1892-03-24
NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE.
FlFTY-SIXTHA HANNUALSES
ATNE WBRUNSyvaCEA.

The Conference Ends Hts Session
On Tuesday at NoOD.--The
Appointments.
NEW BRUNSWICK, N. j., March 16 -
The Fifty-sixth Session of the New
Jersey Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church convened in the
First Methodist Episcopal Church, in
this city, this morning, with Bishop
John H. Vincent, D. D. LII. D, pre-
siding. This is the sixth session of
the annual Conference held here since
it's organization in 1887, the last time
in March, 1885, with Bishop Warren
presiding.
The business session of the Confer
ence opened shortly after 10 o'clock,
and the roll call showed about 80 per
cent. of the members of Conference
present.
The devotional exercises we're open
ed with prayer by Bishop Vincent, and
the reading of the Scriptures by Pre-
siding Elder George L. Dobbins of
Bridgeton,
The Sacrament of the Lords Supper
was administered by the Bishop, as
sisted by Presiding Elders James
Moore, Milton Relyea, George Reed
and G. L. Dobbins.
A rather extended discussion took
place at the opening of the session on
the following, offered by Rev. Thomas
Hanlon, D. D., Rev. D. B. Harris and
Rev. J. R. Thompson:
"Resolved, That, while fully conced-
ing the Episcopal right to transfer
brethren from one Conference to an
other, yet, owing to the crowded con-
dition of our work, we respectfully re.
quest our presiding Bishop to make no
transfers into our Conference at this
session."
Revs. W. w. Moffett, J. B. Graw,
D. D., J. L. Sooy. Dr. Hanlon, D. B.
Harris, John Handley, Dr. Wight and
others spoke on the subject, and the
resolution was finally adopted by the
Conference.
At this juncture, owing to the
crowded condition of the calendar, it
was agreed to hold special session
during the afternoon.
Bishop Vincent announced that the
Treasurer could draw to the amount
of $1S40, the dividend for the New Jer-
sey Conference for Conference claim
ants, from the Methodist Episcopal
Book Concern.
Jesse R. Thompson was appointed
to solicit subscriptions for the Reuieau.
DR.. Boyd, of Newark, was introduced
to the Conference, after which the
morning session adjourned with the
benediction by Rev. George Hughes.
The afternoon session was opened
with prayer by Rev. DR.. Ballard. after
which the minutes of the morning ses-
sion were read.
The Bishop then called the Confer
ence roll of ministers, and with but
one exception the character of each
minister was passed, and the mission
ary collections announced.
The exception was the Rev. Eugene
F. Sherman, who left his charge at
Cold Spring, and fled to the West,
leaving his family in destitute circum
stances.
Presiding Elder Dobbins, in present
ing the matter to the Conference, said
that church trial was held at Mill.
vile, at which the charges against Mr..
Sherman were thoroughly inYesti-
gated and the committee sustained the
charges and had suspended the ac-
cused minister until the session of
Conference. Mr.. Dobbins further
stated that he had written to Mr..
Sherman and informed him of the
findipgsof the committee, and advised
him to withdraw from the Conference.
In reply Mr.. Sherman wrote the fol-
lowing to the Presiding Elder: II
hereby withdraw from the Methodist
Episcopal Church and from the New
Jersey Conference"
A motion was then made that he be
allowed the privilege OF withdrawing,
and the motion was passed and the
Secretary authorized to secure his
papers.
The annual reports of the Presiding
Elders showed an encouraging condi-
tion of affairs throughout the bounds
of the Conference and the work of
Methodsm ia New Jersey during the
past year was OF such a character as to
inspire its ministers with renewed zeal
in the various branches of Church
work
A large number of revivals of relig-
ion occurred during the Conference
year and hundreds were added to the
churches in all the districts of the Con-
ference
In Cand.n a great revival was held
in the Broad way Church, when some