The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-24
AT THE M. E. CONFERENCE
REPORTS OF THE PRESIDING
ELDERS OF VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
Rev. NJ. A. COuchman Robbed of a
Large sum En- Route Here-Mis-
sionary Sermon.

The three hundred Methodist ministers
who are in the city attending the Indiana
Conference seem to be enjoying the hospi-
talty of the city to their fullest ability.
and the fullness of their ability is not al
ways gagged by the yellow-legged chicken
standard, for there are other things besides
chicken which a Methodist minister enjoys
The various meetings at Roberts Park
Church during the afternoons and evenings
are largely attended by the visitors, and
the keenest enjoyment of the proceedings is
expressed in their faces.
During this conference the Methodists of
indianapolis are making unusual efforts to
treat the visitors well. The preachers are
scattered about over the city in the homes
of many of the leading citizens. Some are
in North Meridian street mansions and
some are in the cottages on the South Side
The conference has printed a little pamph-
let giving, besides the programme of the
week. the names Of all the members of the
conference and the names and addresses of
those at whose homes they may be found
in this city. There was some little shifting
from home to home on account of condi-
lions which arose after the assignments
had been made some weeks ago, but for
the most part the little book is a reliable
directory of the members of the confer
ence.
ONE MINISTER ROBBED.
The business session yesterday began
promptly at $3.50 o'clock. with Bishop
Fowler in the chair. and with but few alb
sentees. The morning was devoted to the
hearing of reports of presiding elders. Dur
ing the report of the presiding elder of the
Vincennes district Rev NJ. A Couchman,
of Farmersburg, rose and informed the con-
ference that he had been robbed of sum
of money while on his way 10 the city. The
statement caused commotion. He explained
that when he started from home he put $3.50
in an envelope and placed the envelope in
his hip pocket. He was accompanied by
his wife, and on the train he occasionally
put his hand to his pocket to assure HIM
self and wife that the money was there. He
did not take this precaution just before
reaching the Union Station. AS he and
his wife were walking up Illinois street she
asked him if the money was all right. He
felt for the envelope, but it was gone
The sad feature of the case, the minister
explained, was that the greater part of the
money consisted of church funds. which he
would have to make good by some means.
He asked that he be permitted to make
half of 4 up out of his salary during each
of the next two years. Several motions
were made regarding the case. One minis
ter thought the statement of the brother
fought to be investigated" Another wanted
the conference to pass resolution reliev-
ing him of the necessity OF paying the
money back, and still another wanted to
take up a collection for the minister's bene-
fit. The latter seemed to meet the approval
of the assemblage, though Mr.. Couchman
protested that he wanted to pay every cent
of it back, and only asked for time Bishop
Fowler suggested that he accept the collec-
ton and give much to charity during the
next year or two as possible. The bishop
held a S. bill in his hand ready to drop in
the lat when he made this suggestion. Then
it was discovered that a number OF men,
bers We're not present and 1t was decided
to take the collection to-day.
E der c. c. Edwards. of the Connersville
district, was the first to report in response
to the b shops call. He said his district
had twenty-three churches and twenty-five
preachers. One church, that at Brookvillle
will have to be filled by appointment at
this conference, owing to expiration Of the
time limit of the present pastors stay.
$500 of back salary is due the pastors A
new 5000 church is being erected at Car
thage. There is an Indebtedness of only
$1sOo on property valued at $20S,OOO The
district is well organized with the various
societies of the church.
EAST INDIANAPOLIS DISTRICT.
Rev. ]. w. Duncan. presiding elder of
the East indianapolis district, reported next
He reported that DR.. T. l. Coultas, of Rob
erts Park Church, had been transferred to
the Newark Conference, at Morristown, N.
j. Two ministers in the district, Thomas
b. McClaine and VIM. FL. Burton, both of
whom were on the retired list, died during
the year. The finances of the district are
in good shape. Collections for benevolent
purposes are increased over former years
centraI-avenue Church, of this city heads
the list The report of it's pastor DR.. Las
by, shows a total collection for benevolent
purposes of $2,554. the largest amount ever
collected by this church for such purpose
Roberts Park Church is not so well off
financially, but the report of it's condition
was received with applause when il was de-
clared that it would not go outside the con-
fe ence for It's new minister. Rev. c. e.
Bae on, presiding elder of the Evansville
district is 10 receive the appointment. Dur
ing the year Fletcher-piace Church. in this
city, has lifted a mortgage Indebtedness of
$40 The term of Rev. r. Roberts, of this
church, expires with this conference. In his
di tTict a total of $1,000 was paid in during
the year to decrease indebtedness. One
thousand and siXty-six people united with
the church during the year
he report Of the Evansville district read
by Presiding Elder G. Il. Bacon showed
that the ministers of the district had made
an Interchange of pulpits for the purpose of
max ng special effort in behalf of foreign
missions. The result was an increase of
contributions to this FUND, amounting to
$500 for the year. He told of the experience
of Rev. w. I. Wallace, of Orwell He be-
came discouraged because his salary was
not paid and resigned to go into the race
horse business. He entered a horse in one
race, won third prize and decided to go
back TO preaching The conference de-
We're built in the district and benevolent
collections showed an increase.
Presiding Elder r. A. Campbell, of the
Jeffersonvlle district, said he looked for a
good year, following the dawn of prosper
ity. Last year was a good one, and he ex-
pected a better one to follow. The collec-
lions for benevolent purposes had increased
all along the line Several new churches
are being built in the district One death.
that of George S. Conner, occurred during
the past year.
The report of E. L. Dolph presiding ell
der of the Moore's Hill district was in de-
tail and gave statistics There are twenty
seven charges III the district and 1910 ser
mons were preached last year. The minis
tiers baptized 49o people, held 240 funerals
and conducted seventy protracted meetings.
The present membership is .1009l, net in
crease of 307.
There was loud applause when F. s.
Tincher. for the preachers in Elder Dolph' S
I'M Of crplA