New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-28

men and represents a church membership OF about
ffty-fve thousand persons Territorally It en-
braces the greater part OF New FORK city and then
runs up the east bank Of the Hudson River taking
IN all the cities and towns up to and including
Hudson. 1, also runs up the line OF the Harlem
Railroad 10 Chatham. and digs into the
treme western end Of Massachusetts, and Connec-
ticut. On the west bank II the Hudson River the
Conference begins few miles above the Ncw-Jor-
sey line and extends to within twenty mile. of
Albany. running back into Rockland Orange IL
ster and Greene counties and then further back
over the knobs OF the Catskl Mountains in rugged
Delaware and Schoharie counties
II is easy 10 from this that the New-York
Conference embraces that portion Of the State
where the greatest wealth IS centred namely. New
York City and also holds within its grasp the rich
farming districts Of the Hudson River Valley
and OF Orange County. well tho bleaker hills
OF the Catskills. The New-York Conference is in
fact considered among Methodi,ts as the strongest
the wealthiest and the most influential Of AL the
bodies Of this kind IN the country. Centrng as il
does. around the metropolis Of America II is nat
uray looked up TO, also as the most progressive
and as. in a way. a leader IN the thought 81 the
Church on questions Of the day. II has produced
IN the last century OF its organization many names
illustrious in Methodism. and rs leaders % the
present day are known through the denomination
all the country FOR brilliancy of intellect and
oratory.
After the converting OF the Conference on
Wednesday next. at a. m. the organization and
selection OF recording and statistical secretaries
etc. will at once be accomplished and then the
Conference will be ready for business This bust
ness will he Of the most varied nature and impor-
tance. The Conference IS divided up into four dis
tricts. each in the general charge Of a presiding
elder. always a clergyman and generally one who
has been long connected with the Conference
its pgrff
ripe in years Of experience These presiding elders
report minutey 70 the state OF the districts
they represent. mentioning any news OF espe-
cal import or interest. such as a large revival AT
one place or the payment - heavy debt at an
other Then each clergyman has 70 report to the
financial secretary 10 the benevolent collections
The reception by the Bishop Of new members on
probation in full standing in the Conference Is
one Of the most impressive features Of the Confer
ence week. There are. moreover. a large number Of
auxiliary organizations connected with the Con
ference. and these all hold their annual meetings
for the election Of officers and for their annver-
sary exercises Meantime. a large number Of stand
ing and special committees Of the clergyrnen are !
being held for the disposal Of important work |
THE BISHOP AND HIS ADVISERS
Co-ordnately with all these varied forms Of |
work carried during the week Of Conference !
the Bishop and the presiding elders or his cab |
net" they are sometimes called are holding
daily sessions 10 decide the almportan, questions
OF the appointments. These arc never fixed upon
absolutely and definitely until the last moment and
for many OF the clergymen II is an anxious time
when, at the closing session OF the Conference the
Bishop arises TO read off the appointments For
some OF them the announcement is bound 10 be
glad tidngs but for others who find themselves
sent 10 serve some distant country charge with
meagre salary. there is bound be keen disap-
pointment. despite the fact that when they enter
the Church they understand that their lot may not
be easy
INCREASING WEALTH OF THE CHURCHES |
At the session that will begin next Wednesday
the annual reports that Will be made will show a .
most prosperous state 81 the Conference and will
indicate steady growth along the lines Of ad-
vanced Mcthodsm. In the last few years the IN
crease In tho material prosperity OF the churches
has been most marked. The estimated worth. for
Instance. Of tho churches and parsonages in this
New-York Conference alone IS Sc, $50 $50 while the
benevolent collections (entirely aside. OF course,
rom ministerial support from any OF the cur