Evening journal., 1900-03-27

d plONlOeu Dy an act Ol lnt Legislature.
DR.. Murray's resolution created much
discussion, and he was called upon 10
lexplain. He stated that his object was
not to overthrow the present system.
which only permits the election OF
trustees who are nominated by the pas
tor or presiding elder of a church. but
to give the adult members of an indi-
vidual church who so desire the right to
elect trustees of their own selection,
provided, however, that the
pastor be given due notice Of such ac-
ton.
Rev. H. G. Budd opposed the reso-
luton strenuously. Rev. r. T. Coursey
also protested against its passage. He
wished that some church people had
showed the samel interest in suppress
ing the liquor traffic. He was not op-
posed to giving the laity their rights,
but he was opposed to changing the
laws.
Rev. George l.. Hardesty also made
a speech on the question, stating jok-
ingly that the only time the delegates
were enabled to speak was when the
bishop was away. Mr.. Hardesty's adj
dress was emphatic, but when he sat
down his hearers were unable to de-
cipher exactly which side OF the ques-
tion he took. Revs. j. ID. c. Hanna and
J George A. Phoebus spoke in favor OF
Dr.. Murray's resolution, as did Rev. +.
b. Short. Upon a ballot being taken
the resolution was lost by a vote OF
As to 3S.
Following are the resolutions offer
led by DR.. Murray:
Whereas, The last General Assembly
OF the State of Delaware repealed the
law authorizing the election Of church
| trustees, which had been in use for 115
| years; and
Whereas, The same body enacted in
lieu thereof a law referring the whole
matter to the laws of each denOmina-
tion and
Whereas, Our church law in such
leases takes the election away from the
laity and authorizes the pastor or pre-
siding elder to nominate, and the quar-
lterly conference to confirm; therefore
be it
Resolved, ], That paragraph 301 Of
the discipline be so amended that the
local church may have the right to vote
for trustees without nomination by the
pastor or presiding elder wherever the
membership Of the church shall so
elect
2. That our delegates to the General
conference be instructed TO present this
memorial and do what they can to have
this amendment adopted"
Rev. c. T. Wyatt presented the report
of the board of church extension. which
was read and adopted The Whining
ton Conference is asked to raise 81, 900
during The year for the work of church
extension.
Rev. w. r. MeFarlan presented the
Il report Of the Woman's Foreign Mis-
sionary Society, which was adopted.
STATISTICAL REPORT.
Statistical Treasurer w. r. Mowbray
read his tenth annual report, which
showed marked Improvements in all
branches of church work. He stated
that his totals and those of Treasurer
lC. A. Crise tailed exactly. the second
time this he's occurred since he has
been in office, the first session the fig
ures corresponded being last year.
Mr.. MOwbray asked that ministers
hand in their statistics early in the ses-
b sion. IS il would facilitate his work
greatly.
Rev Vaughan S. Collins offered a mo-
r tion that ministers be compelled to re-
turn their statistics at an early date
! each conference meeting, or no record
will be made in the minutes of the de-
, linquent or tardy ones. The motion
- prevailed.
Statistics for the entire conference
T are: Probationers, 5,S29, an increase OF
20SS; full members, 37,117. increase OF
. 10; local preachers, 1913, an increase Of A;
! children baptized. 2,261. increase OF
100; adults. $40, increase of 49; Sunday
: schools, 397, an increase Of /; officers
and teachers, 5,SS1, an increase Of Is;
= scholars, 44,S43, an. increase Of 1886:
laverage attendance, 81 ,977: increase OF
I ,6S2; churches, 396; value, 81 $50, ,12O
an increase of $4S,6 $50: parsonages, las
p increase Of 2, value S26S, $50, increase OF
81 $50; paid for Improvements, $500. AS
increase of S7,114; paid on indebted.
ness, S33,697. increase of S12,3O5; pres.
ent Indebtedness, $106,532, decrease o.
! lS1S,545; Sunday school members con.
= verted, 3,417. increase Of 1886; Ep-
(. worth Leagues, 166. same as previou!
y year; members, 9.O65, decrease Of 1917
= Junior Leagues, 50, increase of 12t
a sslmembers, G 1898, increase Of 81 paid pas
= tors support. $139, ,S29. increase Of IS,
Y pI17O; paid presiding elders, S7,379, an in
y crease Of S225; paid bishops, 81 ,474, al
g increase Of $40; total $14S,6S9, an in
i, crease CT So,4oO.
! EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY.
The Conference Educational Societ.
Is has elected the following officers: Presi
e. Sent, c. w. Prettyman; secretary,
I'd A. Hill; treasurer. Joseph Smithers
managers, w. e. Avery, Adam Stengle
3 V. S. Collins, W. L. S. Murray, w. W
% Sharp, r. X. Stephenson. T. A. H
e OBrien, r. NJ. Cooper, George "
,g Todd, j. Hatton, T. n. Rawlins, L.
~ Nielsen, Thomas l. Day and w. +
Finn.
FREEDAiAN'S AID.
r Last evening the anniversary Of tn
c. Freedman's Aid and Southern Educa
ce ton was celebrated. Henry c. Conra
d. presided, and addresses were made b
r Rev. NJ. c. B. Mason, secretary of tn
.s Freedmans Aid and Southern Educs
e. tion Society, and Rev. f. Wagner. I
We d., president of Morgan College, at Ba
ry timore.
lis In his address Rev. Mason said:
Sc AT the time of the civil war anon