The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-10
CONFERENCE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING
INSOUTH M1NCHESTER

IN oOOIH MINCHESTER.
The Dates FOR the New England Southern
Are April l4-10-The Territory EN-
braoed-Probnble Changes Among Pas
tors,
Hartford, March 9.-The Methodist
church of South Manchester is making
great preparations for the accommo-
dation of the conference which is to
hold it's sessions there April 1919. The
title of the body is the New England
Southern Conference. 1t was formerly
known as the Providence conference.
1t embraces all the territory in Connec-
ticut east of the river of that name,
all OF Rhode Island and all of south
eastern Massachusetts, from the north
east corner of Rhode Island to MaSsa-
chuSetts Bay. 1t extends from Province
town at the extreme end of Cape Cod
to East Hartford 1t has a total of 210
pastoral charges and $50 ministers who
are members of the conference, besides
local preachers and probationers of
conference. Fall River, New Bedford,
Taunton and Brockton are among the
cities of Massachusetts which have
large and influential churches Most of
the work in that state is in the New
Bedford district. Providence district
includes the greater part of Rhode
Island. The churches in Connecticut
are in the Norwich district. The largest
charges in this section are at Norwich,
Naur T No PnnlS-
vile, South Manchester and Whitman
tic
Methodism in this state west of the
Connecticut river belongs to the New
York East and New York conferences,
and the tendency is to gravitate toward
New York City The eastern part of
the state is more intimately connected
with Boston and Providence This
division line of the river tends to sepa-
rate the two bodies and, in consequence,
there is less of state union than in
many other conferences which conform
more nearly to state boundaries,
Several things unite to give the COM
ing conference session peculiar interest.
South Manchester has never before en-
tertained the body and had as COM
petitor for the honor Thames Street
church, Newport, r. I. In consequence,
the citizens are cooperating, irrespec-
tive of UNCONVENTIONAL lines, to make
the meetings success in every way.
Most of the sessions will be held in
Cheney hall, the use of which is gen.
erously rendered by the owners. Trans
portation of members of the conference
to their places of entertainment on the
trolley lines is also given by the tram
way company. The presence of the
conference cannot fail also to give an
uplift to the religious interests Of the
community.
Bishop John P. Newman is the pre-
siding bishop. This is the first con-
ference he has held in New England.
His fame as an orator is second to that
of scarcely any one in America. His
books have made his name known on
all continents where the English Ian
guage is spoken. His personal init
macy with President Grant and his lee
lures on General Grant have given him
hold on people far beyond the limits
of his own church. His presidency of
the conference and sermons will be
looked for with deep interest.
Many of the leading men in the de-
nomination will be present at the differ
ent sessions to present the educational,
missionary church extension and other
correctional interests. Several of the
largest churches change pastors this
spring and deep interest is felt in the
prospective movements In this state
most of the larger charges have re-
quested a continuance of the present
pastors. The Rev. w. A. Luce of Will
limantic is supposed to be slated for the
First church, Taunton. Rumor con-
meets John Oldham's name, of Haven
church, East Providence, with Will
mantle for next year. Jacob Belts has
completed five years at East Glaston-
bury and so will move. The same is
true of W. G. Newell of Moodus
James Tregaskis of Thompsonville and
J. B. Ackley of Tolland are expecting
to take other charges. In other parts
of the conference A. j. Coultas is ex-
pected to go to Chestnut street, Provi-
dence, and j. H. Mcdonald of Thomas
street, Newport, to follow him at st.
Pauls, Fall River. B. F. Simon is
talked of for Grace church, Taunton, in
place of E. F. Clark, each having COM
pleted five years of service in his pres
ent place. c. S. Davis leaves Allen
street, New b6ulOIu; lNeNldllu
probably leaves Plymouth; w. E. Kug-
Ter finishes five years at Little Comp
ton, R. l.
A singular fact is noted, that of six
ty-three pastors of Providence district
only one is compelled to move by rea
son of the five years limit, viz, ]. E.
Johnson, Pearl street, Brockton, and
he is a probationer in the conference.
Many causes beside the time limit fire.
quently conspire to make changes de-
sirable to both pastors and churches.
The work of the bishop and the pre-
siding elders, E. E. Bass. T. J. Everett
and J. H. Bates, will be watched with
intense interest, while the labors of the
local pastor, J. S. Wadsworth, and his
people will have much to do with the
success of the conference.