Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1893-03-23

1t was decided to hOld the sessions
of Conference from g. 80 to 10, the first
half hour to be given up to devotional
exercises
Rev. DIR. Gray, representing the
University at Washington, was intro
duced and addressed the Confer
ence on the subject of educational
work and the great needs of advance
ment In that direction. In closing he
made an earnest appeal to the men,
bers of Conference to interest them
selves In this great work.
This evening the church was crowded
on the occasion of the anniversary of
the missionary Society, and several In
teresting addresses were made.
MT. HOLLY, N. j., March, 16-The
second days session of the New Jersey
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church opened at $50 this morning in
the Methodist church, with half hour
of devotional services, under the Rev.
William Walton, of Swedesboro. This
service was participated in by Bishop
Walden, the presiding officer of the
Conference, and he made an address,
which was listened to very attentively
by the large number of ministers pre-
sent.
The devotional services prior to the
opening of the business session is a
feature strongly advocated by Bishop
Walden and one In which he always
takes part when his otherwise num-
erous duties will permit.
THE BUSINESS SESSION.
Immediately after reading the min
utes of yesterdays session, Rev. Geo.
Hughes, editor of the Guide to Holiness
presented a set of resolutions, denounc-
ing the acts of the late legislature,
which was signed by Mr.. Hughes and
the Rev. A. E. Ballard, D. D.
REV. g. 8. SYKES CASE.
Before the morning session, Bishop
Walden called the name of Rev.
George 8. Sykes, who had charge of
the First Church at Long Branch, and
who suddenly and mysteriously dis
appeared several months ago without
giving any warning or notice to
| family or friends. There was no re-
| sponse when his name was called, and
Rev. w. P. @. Strickland, the Presid-
ing Elder of the New Brunswick dis
trict, in which Mr.. Sykes church
located, took the floor to make an ex-
PLANTATION. Mr. Strickland stated that
letter had been received from the
missing minister, in which he said he
would be able to satisfactorially ex-
plain his sudden disappearance and
his remaining away so long.
Mr.. Strickland further stated that
his family claimed that he had been
afflicted with dementia, and he had
gone away while in that condition of
mind.
The Bishop then appointed the
following committee to investigate the
case: Revs. ]. B. Graw, D. D., g. w.
Heisley, James Moore, D. D., w. 8.
The anniversaries of the Church Ex-
tension Society and the Epworth
League were held this evening, and
large audiences were present in both
churches.
MT. HOLLY, N. j., March 19.-The
session of the New Jersey Conference
attracted many visitors yesterday and
to-day, and, while no business is tran
sacted on Sunday, yet the annual SER
mon by the presiding Bishop and the
ordination of Deacons and Elders al
ways brings together large audiences,
which the church here was uuable to
hold, and the churches of other de-
nominations were also crowded at all
the services of the day, which were
conducted by the ministers of the Con-
ference.
The Conference had very busy
session yesterday, and disposed of
large volume of business, but for the
closing of the fourth day the business
of the Conference Is considerably be-
hind, and much work remains to. be
finished at the sessions of tomorrow
and Tuesday. It Is desired by the
Bishop and the members of Conference
that the session shall come to a close
on Tuesday, in order that the ap-
pointments may be read and the min
listers be able to leave for their homes on
Tuesday afternoon or evening, and it
Is altogether probable that the session
will be extended tomorrow SO as to
relieve the rush on Tuesday.
The session yesterday was the most
interesting of the four days, in point
of the Importance of matters consid-
cred, and while no very warm discus
sions eusued, the great interest of the
ministers was manifest throughout.
The case of the missing minister,
George 8. Sykes, of Long Branch. was