The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-09-29
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
METHODIST MINISTERS IN SESSION
IN DETROIT.

Debate Over a Plan For Taking Care of
superannuated Preachers-The Confer
ence Receives "a Check From the Mich
igan Christian Advocate.
DETROIT, Sept. 21.-The first session
of the Detroit Methodist Episcopal con-
ference was held Wednesday morning
in the Cass Avenue Methodist Episcopal
church. 1t was preceded by the cele-
bration of the Lords supper, in which
nearly all of those present-and the
church was well participated.
Bishop Bowman presided. Rev. Will
lam Dave, formerly of the Tabernacle
church in this city, but now stationed
in Saginaw, was reelected secretary
and given power to select his assistants.
Rev. Mr.. Osborn was made treasurer.
A long and acrimonious dispute was
caused by a resolution to suspend for q
year the operation of the "New York
east" plan of providing for superannu-
ated preachers. The arguments be-
trayed good deal of dissatisfaction
with the scheme under which ministers
receiving only $500 a year were ex-
pected to contribute as much as those
who were being paid $4,000. The res
olution was adopted at last by vote OF
70 to 80.
DIR. Potts, editor of the Michigan
Christian Advocate, announced that
greeted the conference with check for
So, 253 90 out of the papers profits. He
said that The Advocate had a circula-
ton of 9,37S in the Michigan confer
ence; of 1903 in the Detroit conference
and 2,819 outside, making 1880 alto
gether.
Bishop Bowman acknowledged the re-
ceipt of draft of S2,734 from the
United States book fund.
The conference took recess at noon
until this morning. The afternoon was
devoted to committee meetings.
One of the important matters which
the conference is expected to settle is
the purchase of the residence on Cass
park now occupied by Bishop Ninde.
The church holds an option ON the
property for $4,000.
DETROIT, Sept. 22-The first bust
ness of Thursday was the appointment
of committee of nine to confer with
similar committee from the Michigan
conference with the purpose of dividing
Michigan into three conferences.
President Fiske reported on the work,
progress and prospects of Albion col
lege. The reports of presiding elders
were then received.
DETROIT, Sept 25.-Conference was
opened Friday by Rev. S. Clements.
The committee to confer on the New
York plan was announced; the petition
for the repeal of the Geary Chinese ex-
clusion act received unanimous vote:
the class for reception into full mem
1a, IN hni, Oh nd
admitted into full membership.
DETROIT, Sept. 25.-The fourth days
session was opened by Rev. James
Roberts. The districts were called and
the characters of the presiding elders
were passed. Rev, Seth Reed was ap-
pointed agent for the Superannuated
Preachers Aid society, The conference
voted to ask the board of bishops to fix
the date of the next conference in the
middle of September,
DETROIT, Sept. 26.-The calling of the
list of superannuates of the Detroit
Methodist Episcopal conference was
completed Monday morning.
John Evans was transferred to the
supernumerary list at his own request
and j. b. Russell was made effective.
In the afternoon the motion to recon-
slider the vote fixing the next place of
meeting at Sault Ste. Marie was laid
on the table. Devotional exercises
were conducted by Rev. j. J. Morgan
of Ypsilanti. The reports of the mis-
sion auditors and the committee on
Bible cause were accepted.
Horace Hitchcock and i. p. Davis
were reelected trustees OF Albion col
lege and j. f. Ferry and w. w. Wash
burn were reelected to the same po-
sition in the Northwestern college.
The following appointments of pre-
siding elders for the ensuing year were
read at the conference in the evening:
Detroit district, c. l.. Allen; Saginaw
district. William Dave; Bay City dis
trict. r. Woodlands; Flint district, W.
e, Bigelow; Port Huron district, j. e.
Springer; Lake Superior district, j, E,
Whalen; Adrian district, Lewis p,
Davis.
After the reading of the appointments
and minutes of the day the conference
adjourned to meet in one year at Sault
Ste Marie