The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-18
THE CONFERENCE
SEASON OPENED
Great Patriotism Displayed at Phlla.
deIphia.
BISHOP wALDENs STIRRING ADDRESS
Teeming with Patriotic Sentiment.
The NJ. T.. Conference Held at Dam
VILE - Bishop Andrews Presides.
Report of Increase in Church Mem
bership.

Dersbip.
Chester, Pa, March 17.-Todays ses-
sion of the Philadelphia Methodist
Episcopal conference was notable for
ringing declaration of patriotism by
Bishop John NJ. Walden, of Cincinnati,
and the outburst of applause with
which his remarks were greeted. The
bishop, who Is about to sail for Europe,
was warmly welcomed by the confer
ence when he appeared on the plat
form. In brief address he referred to
the pending difficulties with Spain.
He said the country is at n critical
period, but he had an abiding faith in
the sober judgment of the American
people and the president of the United
States. '"The influence of the church."
he said. should be on the side of
peace. There is enough influence on
the other side. The cause of our coun-
try will not suffer by the delay, and
somehow have come to the belief that
we shall preserve the peace and obtain
the freedom of Cuba. l am glad to see
the interest of our brethren in the flag
which ornaments this church. 1t is
right and proper that the church should
be so decorated, and /, for one, would
be glad to see the flag stand alongside
of the pulpit in every church in the
country. 1t means to us the guardian
ship of our civil and religious liberty.
Finally, brethren, while I deprecate
war, as most of you do, still l will
venture to say that if war should come
there will be as many Methodists
answer the call as there were in the
last time"
BISHOP GOODSrIL
Bishop Goodsell, Of Chattanooga, who
presided, endorsed all that Bishop wal
den had said, and added: 1.-THE spec
tacle of a great nation conscious of it's
strength, waiting patiently day after
day before it strikes. is most edify-
ing one. ] have seen war, and when
! say it is to be deprecated / know
whereof I speak and trust that none
of the brethren will join the ranks of
those who are crying for war. We are
men of peace, and we cannot afford to
see this glorious country of ours de-
scend to the level of those European
nations who grab each other by the
throat for the sake of gaining a little
more territory. Our cause must be de-
clared righteous one before we re-
sort to the sword
Apart from this feature of the meet
ing, most of the time was taken up by
the reading of districts reports, all of
which showed an encouraging condi-
tion. The question of lay representa-
ton was made a special order for
Monday. A resolution was also intro
duced providing that graduates from
the Methodist Episcopal colleges be
admitted to the ministry without a
second examination by the conference.
AT DANVILLB
Danville. Pa, March 17.-Today's ses-
sion of the Methodist Episcopal con-
ference was opened by Bishop An
drews. Devotional exercises were con-
Quoted by Rev. George Leidy, of Sun
bury.
Statistical Secretary f. NJ. Aller read
the names of those who handed in i'm
perfect reports and the bishop advised
such persons to consult with Mr. AL
Ter. Assistant Treasurer NJ. G.. Piper
read the names of those who handed
in incorrect financial reports After the
character of DR.. w. w. Evans had
been examined and approved, he read
his report from Harrisburg district. In
substance 1t is as follows:
Membership of churches increased
1900; 1000 converts, 1000 of whom
Joined the church; $3.50 increase in col
lections; aggregate $10,500; three new
churches built and one parsonage; sew
eral hundred dollars received for the
church extension society The bishop
then passed upon the characters of all
preachers in DIR. Evans district.
The bishop then introduced to the
conference Rev. Dr. Mains who rep
resents the Eaton & Mains book room
OF New York. He said the book room
Is fiourishing. 1t was founded one hun
cred and nine years ago, when the
managers borrowed 5000 Now it has
capital of $4,000 The first cata-
Iogue listed thirty volumes, which has
grown to 5000 volumes.
DR.. A. b. Leonard presented the mis-
siopary society's work.
DR.. j. w. Buckley presented the work
accomplished by the New York Chris
tian Advocate, Of which he is editor
At the afternoon session the annivers-
ary of the Sunday school union and
tract society in st. Paul's Methodist
Episcopal church was celebrated Rev
William Moses presided, and an ad-
dress was made by Rev. j. NJ. Free
man, d. d.