The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1902-12-16
M. e. Conference

While it is fact that the annual sessio
of the New Jersey Methodist Episcopa
conference is about three months off, yei
preparations are going forward for that
event which is a matter of much interes
to New Jersey Methodists
This will be the sixty seventh session o.
the body and the meeting will be helC
probably during the second week OF
March, 1908, in the First Church of As
bury Park, of which Rev. W. R. Wedder
spoon. d. D., is pastor.
Bishop Charles H. Fowler, of Buffalo,
N. Y, will preside. This will be Bishop
Fowler's first visit to the New Jersey con
ference.
Since the last session of conference
death has claimed five of the members Of
that body, as follows: George H. Neal
Sr., William s. Zane, Thomas D. Sleeper
w. B. Osborn and w. c. Stockton. Oh
this number w. s. Zane was in the effect
i've work, being stationed at Nays Land
ing. W. B. Osborn was supernumer
airy. and G. H. Neal, T. D. Sleeper anc
W. G. Stockton, superannuate.
In the death of Father Stockton, ia
miliarly known as "Uncle Billy" the con
ference, and New Jersey Methodism, los
one of its most earnest opponents of thu
gospel and the great Methodist Church
sustained a loss, which will be felt fol-
many years, at the campmeetings held il
Southern New Jersey.
Father Stockton was unique figure II
church circles, and was probably better
known to campmeeting goers than any
other man in the conference
Mr.. Osborn was also well known in the
evangelistic field and was one of the
church's most jealous workers. gooC
speaker, a devoted pastor, thorough
Christian and beloved by all with whom
he came in contact.
Death also claimed the wife of Rev
Henry G Williams, during the conference
year, her death occurring at Pitman Grove
during the late fall.
There will be at least one new presiding
elder selected at the conference session,
the term of six years, for Rev. J. L. Roe,
of the New Brunswick district, expiring
with the present conference year. Who
his successor will be, is at this time only
a matter of conjecture, although it is
understood that several ministers would
not object to being made an elder With
the opening of conference and the first
session of the cabinet, Bishop Fowler
will probably learn just how many mem
bers of conference feel that they are en-
titled to recognition-in the way of an
eldership-and, incidentally, learn just
how New Jersey preachers can fight for
what they want, whether they get il or
not.
From present indications-ev with
the time limit removed-there will be the
usual number of pastoral changes, and it
is limited that some unlocked for changes
in some of the large churches may be ex-
pected, but that is entirely a matter of
conjecture as yet
There will probably be few, if any,
changes in Trenton. The churches have
had prosperous year, and pastors and
people appear to be well content.
The ministers who compose the mem
bership of the conference and supplies
have served their respective charges as
follows: Ninety four are closing up their
first year; sixty-nine the second; forty
seven the third; thirteen the fourth; four
the fifth and two have served their present
charges six years. They are Alonzo
Chambers, on Silverton circuit, and ]. W.
Marshall, d. D., at Broadway church,
Camden.
DR.. Marshall has been requested to re-
turn to Broadway for his seventh year,
and has accepted the invitation, subject
to the appointing power, the bishop and
cabinet. DR.. Marshall is the first pastor
to be asked to return for the seventh year,
and it is highly probable that he will be
returned.
Beginning with next year, there will be
a new order of proceeding in the matter
of electing lay delegates to the general
conference. Heretofore they have been
elected by the quarterly conference, but
now under the new constitution adopted
by the the general conference, the dele
gates will be elected by the church mem
bership.
The First church of Asbury Park,
where the con ference will meet, is we'll
adapted to the purpose, being a new
church, commodious and well appointed,
its cost being about $65, 900. This will be
the first time the conference has as
sembled at Asbury Park, and the people
of that pretty seaside city will give the
members of the conference a royal well
come.
IL is very probable that the succeeding
session of the conference in 1904, will be
held in Trenton. The last session held
there was in 1897, at Central church, when
Bishop Warren presided.