The Forrest City times., 1900-05-04
METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Opening of the Twenty-Ninth Ger. eral Conference of the Metho-
 dist Episcopal Church.
IT WILL EXTEND OVER THIRTY DAYS.
IL Is Expected to be the Most Imb bOr- tnnt and Memorable Conference Since ISlt, When the Southern Branch severed Itself over the Question of Slavery.


 Chicago, May 3.-The twenty-ninth general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church-the twenty-third of the delegate congresses-began here. It will last a month, and is expected to be the most important of any con ference since the memorable one of church severed relations with the main body over the slavery question. The pit of the Auditorium theater was filled with delegates-from north and south, and east and west; Warne and Smith, from India, bronzed by the sun of the equator; Hagan and Camphor. from Liberia, and innumera- ble otbers representing Methodism in all parts of the world. Further back in the big hall where the conference is to be held, were the spectators and the provisional delegates, whose fight for admission to the conference is ex pected to occupy the first days of the meeting.
 The peals of the great pipe organ were still echoing when venerable whte-haired Bishop Thomas Bowman arose to declare the conference opened. Behind Bishop Bowman were the other bishops in the places of hon. or on the stage. They, in common with the remainder of the assembage, be- raised his hand.
 Briefly he called attention to the importance of the conference, coun- seled conservation. and the gravest consideration of matters which would be brought up, and then declared the conference open.
 Bishop H. w. Warren. following Bishop Bowman, announced the first hymn, which was sung with vigorous enthusiasm by the grea- audience.
 The apostles creed, led by Bishop !. NJ. Thoburn, of India. was recited by the audience, and then Bishop (. D. Foss delivered a prayer. This was followed by the reading of Psalm 46 by Rev. H. H. I.owrey, D. D., of the North China conference. The "Gloria" was then chanted. the second scripture lesson from the first chapter of Acts, first to fourteenth paragraphs. read ny Rev. Austin Griffin. of the Wyoming conference, and another hymn an- nounced by Rev. Harry Swan, of the West Texas conference. Prayer by Rev. Hilary A. Goblin, of the Northwest Indiana conference, followed and was succeeded by another hymn, an rounced by Rev. Jacob funkers, of the North Germany conference.
 As the last note of the hymn died away Bishop $. M. Merrill took the chair. the first move mad,. in the busi- ness of the conference. Grave qnes- tons confront the gathering The lay delegates demand vote for vote with inc clerical delegates, and there are Al provisional lay delegates awaiting action by the conference. A detern- ined effort will be made to raise ,he ban on dancing. card playing aud the ater going, and arguments advanced 1 for the consecration of bishops of limited jurisdiction, the dropping of inc time limit on pastorates and the referring of the election of confer ence editors. secretaries and book agents to the committees governing the different societies. It is also ex- pected that some steps may be taken looking to the rennitino of the South branch of the church with the main body. There will be a general morn- ing session of the entire conference every day except on Sundays.