New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-23

c.rAnt~d by contact and when the interests Of
the congregation demand a continuance OF the
relationship. To this cause Is attributed the
decay in a number OF congregations. especially
In the smaller towns where the pastor and his
flock are on more than usually intimate terms.
While there is considerable Of demand for the
repeal OF the rule. there Is also strong opposi-
ton TO the change, and the discussion VIII prob
ably be an interesting one.
Another matter to which a great deal OF at
tentjon will be directed IL the question OF the
admis son OF women delegates to the General
Conference While the Newark Conference can
take no legislative action on the question its
deliberations will be sent 10 the General Con-
ference which meets In Cleveland on May /.
The charges against the Rev f. D. Decker
who was suspended from the passionate OF tho
South Market Street Church OF Newark last
August on a charge OF frivolity will also be
considered II the accused minister does not
respond when his name Is called the trial will
proceed in his absence. but an intimate friend
declares that he will be on hand and will refute
the charges.
Besides debating these and other subjects. the
conference will select delegates TO the General
Conference There are many asprarts Tor
places on the delegation. among them being me
Rev. DR.. H. A. BUTTE. president OF Drew SEMI
nary: the Rev DR.. Sandford Van Benschoten,
presiding elder OF the Paterson District; the Rev.
Dr. s. J. Hammond. presiding elder OF the New
ark District the Rev. DR.. Henry Spellmeyer. OF
the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. New
ark, and the Rev. DR.. 8. l.. Baldwin. recording
secretary of the Missionary Society OF the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church
Bishop Foss. VINO will preside at the confer
ence. is one Of the most prominent clergymen
OF the Methodist denomination In the United
States Since his elevation 10 Ills present sta
ton he has taken an important part In all the
discussions that have come before the church
authorities and his opinions on all Of them have
received the most careful consideration.
Dr. Foss was born In Kingston. y. Y. sixty-two
wears ago His father was a Methodist preacher,
and slngularly enough, two OF his brothers are
also clergymen He was graduated In 1885, from
Wesleyan University. with the highest honors.
and for three years he was a teacher In Armenia
seminary. In 1857 he Joined the New-fork Con-
ference being first assigned to Chester. Orange
County Between 1859 and 1865 he was pastor or
three churches in Brooklyn. two years then being
the term OF pastorate. For the following eleven
years he served as the pastor or various
churches In NewYOrk. and while he vas N
charge OF st. Jamess Church he was elected
president OF Wesleyan University
At the General Conference In Cincinnati, In
$780, he was elected Bishop and for eight years
his home was In Minneapolis. since 1888 ne ha'
hved In Philadelphia.
The interest Bishop Foss has always displayed
In educational matters led to his receiving the
degree OF LII. d. from Cornell College and the
University OF Pennsylvania. He has peeh
sngularly honored by the General Conference.
having In 1873. been sent as a fraternal delegate
to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, ana
in 1885 as a representative OF America 10 the
Wesleyan Conference in Great Britain. AZ the
time OF the great ftreet railway tie-up In Phiia-
dephia Bishop Foss WAS one OF the members OF
the Peace Commission which arDitrated DE-
tween the railway companies and their en-
ployes In the discharge OF his official duties
Bishop Foes has travelled through every state
and Territory In the Union A. we'll az through
Mexico and six countries OF Europe.