Connecticut western news., 1899-04-13
AMONG THE MINISTER'S.
Report of the Four Days of the New York Conference ofthe M. E. Church at Newburg, N. Y.-Appointments Next Issue.
Conference Room

| Next issue.
 Conference Room, Monday evening, April 10, '99 Editor Beckley:-
 This is the (close of the) fourth day oi the Conference, and word has gone out it will not close before Wednesday; toe late for this weeks paper.
 Thus far the attendance has been large and the sessions without any great excite. ment, very much of the business of the Conference is ih the hands of the several committees who will report before the close of the Conference. The Bishop has won all hearts by his tact and kind, brotherly spirit. The usual discussion of the expected changes goes on in the church parlor or at the places of enter tainment; land let me say just here) the people of Newburgh are giving the Con- ference royal entertainment.
 At the camp fire of the G. A. R Vet erans Association on Tuesday evening Bishop o. H Fowler, D. D. gave is lbCLuE6 Ou hDFhuhiu IluCOlu h udkul- ficent production" at times thrilling the audience with his description of some event in the life of Mir Lincoln, and again convulsing them with laughter at some humorous story, of a masterly pic ture of great man, growing greater as the years go by. -
 On Wednesday evening Prof. M. s. Terry, D D. read carefully prepared paper on the Century of Methodism |" Dr Terry joined the Conference in 1868 but when appointed Professor at the Geneth Biblical Institute at Evanston, Ill, was transferred to 8 western Con- ference.
 On Thursday afternoon the cen tenial exercises were concluded at which pa- pers were read by Rev R. Wheetley, D D. on "The History of the Organization of the Conference Iu the early his- tory of the Conference it em braced part of the state of New York from the city of New York along the valley of the Hudson River to the Canada line-also a part of Connecticut and Massachusetts and one district in Upper Canada Other papers were read on Conference Benevo- lences and Revivals, and brief remarks of personal experience.
 Rev Isaac Lcut is the oldest of the effective preachers, having just closed 54 consecutive years in the ministry Rev David Buck and Rev J. N Shaffer are the two veterans of the Conference, having joined in 1885, but both have been on the retired list for several years On Friday the Layman's Conference was held at St. Johns church in this city and a reception was given them at the close of the morning session by the Conference. They came in, 102, and occupied seats in the center of the church. Bishop Joyce made the ad- dress of welcome, in which he spoke of their loyalty to the doctrine and policy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they responded "Amen Then he said as ''loyal Methodist, you will you say "Amen to that?" Amid much laughter there were several hearty amens. In the evening the Lsymen of the city furnished as an entertainment The Passion Play scenes" or the nov ing pictures. which had all the appear ance of li.e-like characters.
 The reports of the Presiding Elder stated some improvement in building and improving the church property, large additions to the church from re- vival efforts. But the support of the pastors and tLe benevolent collections would come short of last year on ac- count of the sickness in some cases and the unusual stormy Sabbaths the last three months of the conference year.
 Dr J. W. Hamilton represented the Freedman's Aid and Southern Educa- tional Society, stating the field had been enlarged by the late war with Spain, and over 15 millions added to his society as subjects of mission work of education and Christianization.
 Dr Leonard, secty, of the missionary society, made 8 strong address on Mon- day evening on the subject of missions, showing from the history of the church and the prophecy of the old testament scriptures. that the God plan embrac ed the whole world. This century now dawning upon us, was the opportunity of the Church to go up and possess the land.
 On Sabbath the Bishop preached at the Trinity church and ordained three as deacons. and in the afternoon at St. John's church ordained nine as elders Tpe pulpits of nearly all the protestant oh ur Ines in the city were supplied by n embers of the conference. On Mon- day evening Rev A Schriver, D. D.. Presiding Elder of the Newburgh d1s- trict gave reception to the preachers on his district at his house. Now the way is open for any one of them to be rem" we'd from the district, or let down easily in his appointment for another year.
 I must now close, and if the confer ence should close in time l will send you the dis appointments.
 Yours Truly,
 l.. H. J.