The San Francisco call., 1904-04-26

The opening session of the semi an
nual conference of the Bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal church took place
at the Occidental Hotel yesterday
morning.
The session was attended by Bishop
j. N FitzGerald. Bishop j. NJ. Walden,
Bishop z. ]. Andrews. Bishop c. D.
Foss. Bishop C. H. Fowler. Bishop L.
w. Joyce. Bishop D. a. Goodsell and
Bishop ]. w Hamilton.
Bishop Hamilton of this city pre-
sided over both morning and afternoon
sessions.
The business transacted at both ses-
sions was of an executive nature, and
it was given out after the adjournment
that the greater part of the meetings
was occupied by the various Bishops,
who related their experiences and re-
ported the amount of work done in
their respective fields.
Bishop FitzGerald, who comes from
St Louis, was the first to take the
floor After making his report he made
an interesting talk on the preparations
now under way for the great Exposi-
ton to be held there. Other cities that
were represented were Cincinnati, New
York, Philadelphia, Buffalo. Minneapo-
lis. Chattanooga and San Francisco.
At the conclusion of the morning ses-
sion the party repaired to an informal
luncheon. after which they enjoyed a
couple of hours recreation.
While the two opening sessions of the
convention will figure of great import
ance, still the more interesting portion
of the convention is yet to come. Bish-
OBS from all parts of the world are due
to arrive within the next few days, and
it is expected that they will have some
interesting reports to make.
Among those looked for are Bishop
Morre from China, Bishop Warne from
Malaysia, Bishops Warren and Thoburn
from India and Bishop Hartzell from
Africa.
At the conclusion of the present con-
ference, which viii last until next Sun
day or Monday. the entire party of
Bishops will proceed to Los Angeles,
where they will attend the General
Conference, scheduled TO take place on
May and last one month.
An elaborate reception and banquet
/ was rendered the visiting Bishops by
the Methodists of San Francisco and
vicinity at the Occidental Hotel
last night. The reception began
shortly after o'clock and lasted
until S:45, when over $50 of the most
prominent Methodists of the city re-
paired to the large banquet hall, where
the supper was served. The large room
was well decorated with yellow
streamers of bunting, draped on the
walls of either side, while sweet strains
of music were heard above the babble
of many voices.
Rev F. NJ. Larlxin, Phi. D., acted as
chairman of the committee of arrange
ments and made the Introductory ad :
dress. He cordially welcomed the dis
tinguished prelates in behalf of the
Methodists of San Francisco, after
which prayer was offered.
Rolla V Watt officiated in the capac-
ity of POSTMASTER. The first toast was
responded to by Bishop z. G. Andrews,
d. D., Ii. D., who made a brief ad-
dress. Bishop Cyrus d. Foss was the
next to speak. He heartily thanked his
hosts for the cordial welcome he had
received on his arrival here. Others
that spoke were ]. A. Johnson and the
Rev. George B. Smyth, ID. d.
The committee of arrangements, un-
der whose auspices the pleasant func-
tion was given. was composed of the
following named: Rev. Francis NJ
Larkin, Joseph Forderer, Rev. Thomas
Filben, Rolla v. Watt, Rev. Elbert r.
Ollie. Rev. E. p. bennett and Rev. W.
S. Matthew.
The next session of the Bishops of
the Methodist Episcopal church will
take place at the Occidental Hotel at
10 o'clock this morning.