New-York tribune., 1900-05-30
METHODIST SESSIONS END.
QUADRENNIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
COMPLETES BUSINESS IN CHICAGO
AFTER MONTHS WORK.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

General Conference of the Methodist EplScopal
Church has become history. At 1:30 p. m to-
day. Bishop Stephen NJ Merrill presiding the
Conference finally adjourned. after four weeks
session. Five Bishops occupied the chair in the
morning session. Bishop McCabe opened the
exercises: Bishop Cranston took the chair shortly
before recess and the time after intermission
was occupied by the Bishops-David H
Moore and ]. W. Hamton-and, finally, Bishop
Merrill in charge. Routine work occupied
the Conference almost the entire time. The
tediousness of reports Of minor committees, reso-
buttons, memorials and points OF order
Teved by the ten minute intermission, in which
time the Conference floor assumed the animated
appearance of an auction room.
DR.. Robert Forbes took the rostrum and sold
10 the highest bidder the table that has been
used in course of the Conference by the Bishops.
This table made by the pupils in the
Methodist Industrial School in Venice, Italy, and
the money paid for it will be used for the bene-
II Of that institution. Considerable competition
manifested between the Bishops and lay
men for this table. The first bid was $50 but
within ten minutes this raised to $500
n L. Woodcock. of the First Methodist Church
Of Altoona, Penn. and delegate from the Cen
tral Pennsylvania Conference was the pur-
chaser.
One delegate asked in course OF the bidding
whether all questions laid on the table went
with it. The time limit slipped off one cor
ner." answered DR.. Forbes but the amuse-
ment question stuck in the middle and is still
on the table. You welcome to it,
WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THE TABLE
AS Bishop Moore took the gavel Mr.. Wood
cock arose and said: "I wish to call the atten-
ton Of the Bishop to the way he hammers on
my table"
After the laugh that followed Bishop Moore
said:
I'D like TO ask, a question of high privi-
lege, whom that old bachelor is going to give
this table to-"
Mr.. Woodcock said he would put the table In
his home in Altoona. where it will be on exhibi-
ton for the benefit of the Sunday school of
which he is superintendent. and the Epworth
League of which he is president. Many re-
quests have to him to place the table in
institutions of learning. but he has not yet de-
terrnned what he will ultimately do with It.
George F. Washburn of Massachusetts, a lay
delegate from the New-England Conference,
bought the chair used by the presiding Bishops
for S100 He viii present it to the Peoples Tenn
pie Boston. Bishop Hartzell presented Bishop
Moore with ebony gavel. made by students
in the ST Paul River Industrial School, Africa.
Chairman ]. R. Day called by Bishop
McCabe to present the report of the Committee
w
Conference. objected because there was no pro-
vision so that the University Senate of the
Church would recognize other than Methodist
colleges The rule has been TO consider and ap-
prove the standing Of UNCONVENTIONAL institu-
tions only, in making the accredited list of
schools whose students may hand in their cred
its in presenting themselves for examination be-
fore annual conferences. After some discussion
the amendment offered by DR.. Jordan was ac-
cepted, and then the report was adopted. DR..
Day who is chancellor Of f=syracuse University,
explained that it would make an unending task
for the Senate tc investigate the standing of all
colleges.
SEEKING TO AVOID DELAY.
Bishop McCabe in hurry to close the
Conference. and made every effort to avoid de-
lay. DR.. P. II. Swift of Rock River, arose on a
question Of privilege, but the Chair did not rec
ognize him for time. and then said:
"oh. Brother Swift, wait until after 12:30,'
The Committee Itinerancy reported in IA
vor Of changing the paragraph relating to su-
pernumerary ministers that ministers unable
to perform full work for g. period Of five years
shall be located. The report was adopted. The
report OF the Committee the American Bible
Society made by DR.. Upham, adopted with
out discussion.
Soms amusement was occasioned when the
Committee Revisals reported. plea was
made IN favor of permitting young ministers,
not yet ordained elders, TO perform the mar
riage ceremony. DR.. Buckley opposed this be-
cause of the difficulties ii might cause.
1.-The young ministers have privileges enough
he said. "They entertained and received
with open arms by the people. for they do not
know but that they may marry their daughters
And sometimes these young ministers are fun
OF animal spirits. which is taken for spirituality
and force"
But DR.. Buckley's argument was Of no avail
for several amendments tabled and the
port favoring the new privilege for preachers
licensed but not yet ordained adopted.
The Committee Temporal Economy re-
ported z radical change in the election of the
trustees OF the church At present the minis
ters nominate, and the Quarterly Conferences
elect. The change as adopted gives the power
of nomination TO the church, instead Of the
minister.
TRUSTEES OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
Ex-Governor Pattison presented list Of
names for trustees Of the American University
lows: President Mckinley, Bishop Bowman
Michael Burnham. j. s. Carr, Homer Eaton
Bishop Fowler, H. H. Higinbotham, Bishop
Hurst John E. Andrus s. P. Cadman. A. B.
Duvall. NJ. G. Emory. B. F. Leighton, Bishop
Malalieu, w. H. Milburn, Ex-Governor r. E
Pattison A B. Brown. D. H. Carroll w. Con-
nell. Arthur Dixon. A Fowler, J. Frietz, C. c.
Glover, J. E. Herreu J. R. Robinson, Bishop
McCabe, L. z. McComas A j. Palmer, c. Scott
W. ". Smith, w. N. Springer, A. w. Wilson
c. W. Baldwin, H Price ]. E. Searles. T. w.
Smith. E. J. Summers: E. S: Towne' Bishop Vim
cent. D. B. Wesson, ]. o. Wilson. ]. B. Hobbs
J. G. Holmes. ]. w. Hill, G. r. Hukl ]. L.
Hulburt, J. s Huyler T. H. Pearse. B. H
Warner and T. D. Collins.
AS the hour for adjournment approached the
galleries and the boxes filled with interested
spectators Different delayed reports We're rap
idly introduced and quickly adopted or rejected,
under the previous question. Calls Of read"
and hurry up" were frequent. as the chairmen