New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-24
4 WEEK or RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS.

WEEK or RELihIOCS uiiHHhi'""'
Tho last week has been one Of unusual ACTIVE
itv in the rel !olIs world The Methodist Ten
oral Conference has practically completed Inc
re.lec,on of its general officers 1t has also re-
fused to change the rule In the discipline lor-
bidding church members 10 indulge In certain
.musements deemed inconsistent with the Chris
,i,r nrofesson II was pointed out by some
sneakers that the rule Is a dead letter IN man!
churches: but the Conference took inc grouhd
that any change IN the rule would be harfhlu u
the Church. The Conference is behindhand win
IT'S work and If it adjourns this week some IN
nortant questions will receive little or no consid-
Grafton.
The Presbyterian General Assembly AZ Sara
toca has elected DR.. Withrow Of Chicago, "a its
Moderator He is n conservative, but for som
reason not clearly disclosed the liberals V"'ed
for him In his appointment OF standing COM
mittees he has given general satisfaction. III
Davis Of this city. who nominated him. seems
10 be looming up as one of the influential eauers
of the Assembly. An important question came
up on Friday. For some time many Pres0y teri
ans have been alarmed at the growth OF the
Christian Endeavor movement In the Presoy-
tcran Church. This movement IS entirely undc-
nominational: and II was felt that its tendency
would be 10 weaken the loyalty 10 the Church OF
Presbyterian young people who Joined It. The
committee having This subject in charge recon-
mcndod that the scheme II forming Presby-
terrain Young Peoples Society. adopted by Il
previous Assembly. be considered by the Tres
bytcrics After an earnest debate vote was
taken on this recommendation. and II WAS de-
featcd This leaves Presbyterians free 10 organ
lie Christian Endeuvor societies, or 10 form d"-
nominational societies II they 80 desire. R"Solu-
tons calling for more strict observance ~ The
Sabbath were adopted. and two interesting meet
lngs of the Woman's Executive Committee OF
Home Missions We're held. This committee rep
rcsents more than 1000 Auxiliary Societies.
numbering about 10000 members. and It was
able 10 report a gratifying increase Ok zeal and
efficiency In the prosecution Of missionary work.
Most OF the present week will be taken up with
reports Of the various missionary and educa'
tonal agencies Of the Church.
The State Convention of Congregational
Churches held It's annual session in Canandai-
qua, y. Y. The churches generally were shown
10 be in a prosperous condition and the denom-
national agencies are doing an aggressive work.
During the week the Episcopal dIoceses Of
Long Island. Newark. y. J.; East Carolina, Ken
lucky. Nebraska. Quincy ILL.,; Ohio Southern
Ohio Virginia and Western Newlork have held
their annual conventions. In most NJ them only
routine business was transacted. An exception
was tho Convention Of Newark. which discussed
Il resolution to take the appointment Of rectors
from the vcstrles " parishes by giving the
Bishop the right OF nomination. After debate
the matter was postponed until next year While
many Episcopalans would favor such plan. as
in harmony with the genius OF the Church. II Is
feared that it would be declared by the courts
an invasion of the corporate rights Of parishes
guaranteed 10 them by the State. 1t Is a cause
Of cagrn 10 many churchmen that In some re-
specis their Bishops have much less power than
the General superintendent Of the Methodist
Church. who do not even claim the gift Of apos-
tolcal succession
Not the least important Of the great religious
gatherings Of the week have been the anniver-
sary meetings Of the Baptist Churches OF Ameri-
ca which have been held in Asbury Park Bap-
tis churches are congregational in their pOlity.
and therefore they have no National represent
| atiyc council with the power Of lcglslatng for
the denomination But IL Is the custom Of the
various working agencies Of the denomination
to meet once n year. and by presenting a record
: Of their work for the year give clear idea OF
| unconditional progress. The meetings held az
| Ashury Park this last week have been highly
successful in every way. and the statistics fur
niShel show that the steady growth Of tho de
nomination u disturbed by no vexng problems.
In numbers Il ranks among the greatest re-
| llgious bodies In the country, and in zeal and
| good works It is surpassed by none The dele
| gates To the meetings have been strengthened
and encouraged by personal fellowship with each
other. and they will go back TO their churches
with renewed zeal In the work OF Christian
| CHARACTERIZATION.