Arizona republican., 1903-09-25
ARIZONA MISSION CONFERENCE
Twenty Second Annual Session Now
 in Progress.

The twenty second annual session of Methodist Episcopal church began it's | deliberations in Tempe last evening by | the delivery of the anniversary address of the representative of the Church Ex- tension society. followed by reception | to the bishop. The morning hours were spent in q drive to Mesa and various i points of interest.
 The conference is presided over by Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., IL. D., of Portland, Oregon. who has conducted all the western conferences this year. coming from Los Angeles to Tempe, and who at the conclusion of the Ari zona conference will go to Albuquerque. Bishop Cranston is a very talented man and popular preacher.
 The following brief sketch of his career from the California Christian Advocate will be read with interest by many:
 Bishop Earl Cranston was born in Athens, Ohio, about sixey years ago. graduated from the Ohio State univer- sity, and went as soldier to the union army, and began his ministerial career in 1865 He was a popular preacher in Ohio and Southern Indiana and later in 1OiOi dOO III 1oof lie WdS eleCteu SeIiOI book agent for the Western House. to succeed Dr. John M. Walden, who was elected to the episcopacy. It was in this capacity that Dr. Cranston re- vealed his abilities. From 1884 to 1888 the Western House made a profit of s342. 000 The like of this had not been known in the entire history of the Book Concern. He stirred the whole church | of the western states. The plant at Cincinnati was enlarged, and the West ern House pressed it's way to the front rank. Bishop Cranston had the rare in sight to know at a glance the character of literatu The order1iness of his methods put all departments at their best. He had the happy faculty of get ting the maximum results from every | thing he undertook. The very machin- cry recognized the touch of his genius. His thorough business methods were | tempered together with such kindliness , that harmony prevailed throughout the whole establishment. He not only mas | tered the business from a business standpoint, but made himself acquaint- ed with public sentiment on the line of ! religious literature until he was an ex- pert on that subject. He knew two | things well. He knew by a predeter- | mining insight amounting almost to an ! instinct, what the average reader want l ed, and he knew the best methods of supplying this demand. Bishop Cram ston was among the first to clean out i the old shelves at "any cost" and push new books. In 1888 and 1892 he was practically reelected by a unanimous | vote. In 1888 he received 216 votes for the episcopacy. In 1896 he was chosen to that high office. He has spent some time in China and Japan, besides hold 1 ing many of our conferences in this country and Mexico. His official resi- dence is in Portland, Oregon. Every
 where Bishop Cranston has shown him. self a fine administrator. He is thor oughly acquainted with the enthusias-
 tic spirit of the west. He has assisted in great campaign in the northwest, raising the debt on the Willamette uni versity, Salem Ore. He comes to Cali fornia with personal knowledge of our i Methodism and it's needs. We have no doubt but that he will give great satis- faction Tn the work of the California and Arizona conferences"
 The programme for the remaining days Of the conference session is as fol- lows:
 Friday-9 a. m., Sacrament of the Lords Supper, followed by organization and business; 12 m., adjournment; 3p. m., evangeliStic service; D. m., anni
 versary address by the representa- tive of the Missionary society.
 Saturday-9 a. m., devotional service
 led by J. H. Henry; 9:3O a. nl., business;
 12 m., adjournment; 3 p. m., evangelis- tic service; 7:30 D. m., anniversary of
 the Womans Home Missionary society,
 with an illustrated lecture on home missions by Mrs. P. H. Bodkin of Los Angeles.
 Sunday-9: 30 a. m., love feast: 1O:3O a. m., sermon by Bishop Cranston; 3 l D. m., ordination service; [ D. m., Ep-