The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-01
NEW YORK METHODISTS
FOrty-Eighth Annual Confer
ence at New Haven Today.
Many Distinguished Clergymen OF
Denomination in Attendance.

New HAVEN, Conn.,, April 1.-The first ses-
sion proper of the 4Sth annual meeting Of the
New York conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church opened in Trinity Church in this
city this morning. The delegates to the con.
ference began TO arrive on Monday, and last
night at the celebration of the seventh ami
versary OF the Epworth League there were
about $50 clergymen and laymen in attend
ance. and when at o'clock Bishop Stephen
NJ. Morril: of Cincinnati opened the confer
ence there were about 400 delegates present.
After devotons Bishop Merrill administered
the holy communion, and at the close of the
celebration the business of tho conference
was taken up.
There are several matters OF great import
auce TO be considered by the conference dur
ing the weeks sessions. One OF the most
important is the question OF permitting
women to become lay delegates 20 the general
convention. A hasty canvass today indicates
that the conference will reject the scheme.
The action that may be taken with refer
ence TO Rev. DIR. Joseph Pullman OF Bridge
port, who was recently made the defendant
in suit for s25 900 for slander. brought by
actress Jane May. Is also matter Of interest
Along this line also is similar case, that OF
Rev. Crandali J. North, presiding elder OF
nearly year ago, was arrested for contempt
of the city court of New Haven. The presid.
ing Judge administered severe rebuke to
tho minister. and then reserved his decision,
permitting the clergyman to go UNPUBLISHED
after the matter had been in allegiance for
nearly three months. This action was vir-
tual conviction, and the action of the confer
ence now is session is awaited with great
interest.
The pulpit changes and the iterance cf the
pastors in the conference will occupy a large
part OF the attention of tho delegates, although
il is limited that the transfers will not be so
numerous as those made at the conference at
Stamford a year ago.
The first business of this mornings session
was the rollcall by Rev. George r. Mains of
Brooklyn. This disclosed that among the
prominent divines present are: Rev. Dr. J.
W. Hamilton Of the Southern Educational
Association; Rev. DR.. A. :. Hunr, secretary
of the American Bible Society; Rev DIR.
Homer Eaton of the Methodist Book Concern:
Rev. Bradford Paul Raymond. president Of
Wesleyan University; Rev. DIR. NJ. l.. Buell. of
Boston University. and Rev. ID. W. V. Kelley
Of tho Methodist Review.
Bishop Merrill called for the election OF a
secretary. Rev. DIR. Mains was nominated
for reelection, and vote by acclamation was
called for.
DR.. Buckley Of the Christian Advocate in
sisted upon a ballot, and his wishes were
respected, and Dr. Mains re-eiected.
Edwin Warriner was elected statistical secre-
tary, and George W. Servis was appointed
treasurer.
After these officers had been chosen, il was
decided that the business session of the con-
ference should begin OF O'Clock each morn.
ing, and adjourn at noon. When the long list
OF standing committees was read. n spirited
discussion was provoked by a movement 10
abolish the seamen's committee. At the con-
ference year ago this committee was abol-
ished, but today George Ii. Goodsell OF New
York begged the conference. in view of the
fact that 100000 seamen come to the port
nearly every year, 20 continue the committee.
and this was done. The greater part Of the
morning session was taken up by representa-
tives of the various endowment funds, educa-
tional institutions aRs~ The like, and IL was
IL 80 o'clock when the session was adjourned.
At $50 this afternoon began the anniversary
OF the womens home missionary society.
While this celebration was in progress, the
conference cabinet, consisting of Bishop Mer-
rili and the four presiding ELDERS Of the con.
Iehtnce, lts uFsb stSSlOn anu ntRon me
work OF arranging the pulpit appointments
for the coming year. Ia these sessions the
wishes cf the individual m, mhers of churches
are considered, and Adjustments are made, as
far practical, in accordance with the
preferences of the churches.
IL did not take long 20 discover this morn
ing that the appointment Of delegates TO the
quaorennial general convention is 20 be the
cause cf hot canvass, and considerable
eleo'ionecring is being done in behalf Of the
various candidates, the most prominent OF
whom are: Dr. James NJ. Buckley editor Of
the Christian Advocate; Dr. Kelley OF the
Methodist Rovlew; DIR. George p. Mains Of
Brooklyn; pres iding elder G. y. North OF the
New Haven divhion; president George Reed
ot Dickinson College: Dr. Joseph Pullman OF
Bridgeport; 1chaocd simmons Of Danbury,
and II. Mason North Of New York