The herald., 1896-09-29

said that there were many more who
could not go to church If the street
cars did not run.
The discussion was practically closed
by member of the conference who rose
TO say that he thought it was an as
sumption in any brother to say positive
ly that people who ride on Sunday street
cars really do violate the law of God,
for 1T Is simply matter of individual
opinion. motion to recommit was lost
and the report was adopted.
Some other minor reports were pre-
sented and formally adopted, but when
that from the committee on benevolence
was read there was another animated
scene. The report read by J. H. Henry
of Lompoc, contained one paragraph
which recommended that the board of
church extension should not in the fu-
ture give any financial aid to churches
costing over $4,000 To that paragraph
Rev. G. c. Mclean of Simpson taberna-
Gle took vigorous exception, declaring
that it was an insinuation' against him
and his church for having borrowed
$4,000 from the Church Extension socl-
ETY.. He averred that the society had
wasted more money in building church
es in towns that existed only on paper
than it ever had in helping churches that
had cost over $40 900. But for the timely
aid of the society Simpson tabernacle
would have been sold under a foreclos
ure of mortgage, bought in by denom-
ination which Methodists do not consid-
er orthodox, and have been lost forever
to Methodism. His plea was to elimin-
ate that one paragraph that seemed like
personal attack upon him, which, con-
sidering the burden he has borne and is
yet struggling under he deemed unjust.
Mr.. Henry replied to show that the re-
port was not directed at Mr.. Mclean,
was not a fight of country against the
city and denied that money is wasted on
small churches. The proper way, he
said, to avoid these troubles is not to
build church until at least three
fourths of the necessary amount OF
money is secured. After some further
talk it was voted to recommit the report.
At 4:35 Bishop Foss appeared and took
the chair. The conference then went
into executive session to discuss the
propriety of admitting young men to the
ministry on probation.
THE EVENING SESSION
Simpson tabernacle was well filled a
last evenings session of the conference.
Rev. S. A. Thompson presided
After a prayer by Rev. A. b. Morrison,
the conference plunged at once into bus
iness, the nature of which afforded but
little chance for any lively tilts like those
of the afternoon.
Lie report VI Tie COillilllllcC oli
tistics was read. This gave much i'm
portant information about cash receipts.
expenses, membership and other facts of
the various districts, though the figures
too often showed a decrease, where the
contrary was expected. In the report of
the treasurer it was shown that the
total cash receipts of the conference for
the year showed an increase of some
thing over $3000 whereat the audience
arose and sang Praise God from whom
all blessings flow"
Reports were received from the COM
mittee on the state of the church, Wo
mans Home Missionary society, Bible
cause and Long Beach Methodist Re-
sort association.
The attempt of some members to bring
up other matters for consideration was
discouraged by the chairman, who said
the bishop had ordered that no miscel-
laneous business should be taken up at
this evenings meeting.
The deliberations will be continued
this morning.