Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-10
A CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE
BISHOP CANDLER's METHOD OF
RAISING NEEDED FINDS.
SessiOn of Conference of VI. f. Church
South-ActiOn ON Revolutions
Offered Yesterday.

Business at the morning session of the
Baltimore annual conference of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South today was
suspended for three-quarters of an hour,
during which time the presiding officer.
Bishop Warren A. Gambler. did not take up
a collection, but gave the brothers and sis
tiers an opportunity to contribute to the
building Of Methodist Church at Matan-
zas. Cuba" The opportunity was grasped.
and the sum of sa5i was quickly sub
scribed.
Rev. c. Sydenstricker of the Upperviiie
circuit opened the session at Mount Vernon
Place Church with devotional exercises,
after which the examination of preachers
was taken up. The characters of all whose
names were called were passed without OBJ
lection. Most of the reports from the pas
tors showed a healthy condition of their
charges.
Bishop Gambler took occasion during this
call to speak of the work outlined by the
church in the Island of Cuba He spoke of
the conditions prevailing there and the dire
need of religious endeavor among the peo-
PIE. With 5000 IN hand the bishop decIar-
ed. Methodsm could be established in Cuba
upon a self-sust tanning basis.
In less than year there have been about
1000 conversions in the island. A fine lot
in Matanzas has been bought by the
Niiuitii anu uIc'I tl1lS plot IL IS pfOpOSsu 10
erect the first Methodist editice in Cuba.
Bishop Gambler gave several illustrations
of the conditions existing in Cuba, especial
~ about the burial of the dead in rented
graves the remains being disinterred when
ever the rent became overdue. He said he
had never headed a collection. but would
give an opportunity to those present to do
as they felt inclined toward helping in the
work.
The Subscriptions.
Contributions began to come in pretty
lively. being called out from all over the
house, some coming from spectators in the
gallery.
Trinity Church. Baltimore, $50" called
out brother.
Trinity Church. Baltimore, $50 repeated
Bishop Gambler, inadvertently increasing
the contribution by $50.
THE brother said 500 corrected one of
the members in the front row.
Never mind, answered the bishop. I'm
going to preach there next Sunday and I'll
get the fifty
for preaching. suggested presiding elder
seated near the pulpit
Il preach free rejoned Bishop Gambler,
land charge only when l sing"
There was great outburst of laughter,
In which the bishop himself Joined.
Then subscriptions grew slack.
Il don't want to press anybody, but"
began the bishop.
1t was all that was necessary for the
| money began to flow in again in fives and
tens, many from the presiding elders. This
led Bishop Gambler TO remark that THE
elders have struck a SPELL and there was
more merriment. Altogether the sum of
1904 was raised.
A supplemental report from the Joint
board of finance was read and adopted, re-
considered and recommitted for the correc-
ton of ID slight error.
Adverse Report.
no OF
| offered by DR.. Wilbur Crafts placing the
conference on record as urging action upon
various matters before Congress and the
country, including the anti-polygamy and
| anti-canteen bills, and a reform in the di-
vorce laws of the District of Columbia. The
resolutions were submitted to a committee,
| as stated in The Star, which reported this
| morning adversely as follows:
THE committee. to whom was referred
the communication of Dr. w. +. Crafts,
begS leave to report:
THAT inasmuch as the law of our church
| explicitly prohibits ministers from
| sofemnizing the rites of matrimony be-
tween divorced persons except in the case
| of innocent parties who have been divorced
| for the one scriptural cause. we deem any
| further deliverance upon this subject I'M
| necessary.
| "While We do not hesitate to express our
| adherence of polygamy being contrary
i
\ and repugnant to the moral sentiment of
| the community. we do not judge it to be
our province as a conference to direct in
| matters Of civil legislation.
| I'VE recommend that much of Dr.
| Crafts paper refers to the question of
| temperance be referred to the committee
| on that subject"
| The report was signed by Munsey Smith
| son. J. G. Hutchinson and B. w. Bond.
| without discussion the report was unan-
| imously adopted.
Epworth League Board.
| The report of the Epworth League board
was received and adopted. There are at
present 2ll chapters of the league in the
| conference. with membership of 9244
| an increase over last year of 1,041. The
| board has appointed a committee to in
vestigate orphanages. training schools and
like philanthroptc institutions, to report as
a basis of future endeavor by the league.
| 1t is probable that the conference will
| adjourn tomorrow. the changes In pas
| torates being announced at the concluding
| session. 1t Is said there will be but about
! twenty-five changes this year.
| A meeting will be held tonight.