New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-23
NEW METHODIST BISHOPS
Eight Men Chosen Who Represent
FuUy activities of the Church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. through its leg
islative body, the General Conference which meets
quadrenniay. has this year at Los Angeles
added more bishops to its executive force than at
any previous time. This made necessary for
two reasons-the growing work of the denomina-
ton in all lands and the retirement of no fewer than
six of the bishops heretofore effective for work,
together with the loss by death of three in the
last four years. In 1890 there were four bishops
elected. This year it decided to add no fewer
than twelve; eight general superintendent or
bishops without restricted powers. and four mis-
sionary bishops. for the work OF the church IN
heather lands. The bishops who died in the quad
rennium were Drs Foster, Hurst, Ninde and Tay-
lor the latter missionary bishop for Africa. Bishop
Thomas Bowman. who still survives remains on
the retired list. and with him by his own choice.
now is Bishop Stephen NJ. Merrill. while by vote or
the General Conference. Bishops Andrews, Foss,
MaIalieu Vincent and Walden now also on
that list They are to receive full pay at 5000 a
year for six months and will then be placed on half
pay for life.
The new blood In the board of bishops includes
some Of the strongest in the denomination
several of whom had come near 10 being elevated
to this most important place in the Church be-
fore 1t is noticeable that the men chosen We're
all among those who received the highest hummer
of votes on the early ballots. Two-thirds OF lhe
nearly 700 clerical and lay delegates TO the General
Conference had TO vote for each successful candl-
date and several received in the neighborhood OF
500 votes.
The official ranks of the Church are fully repre-
scented in the new bishops. The list includes two
college presidents, Drs. James ". Bashford, OF
Ohio Wesleyan University, and james r. Day, or
Syracuse University; editor. Dr. Joseph r. Der
~ of The Epworth Herald: the head OF the
educational work OF the Church. Dr. William +.
Mcdowell, corresponding secretary OF the BOARD OF
education. who for ten years was chancellor OF the
University of Denver; another leading church oHl-
cial Dr. Thomas Benjamin Nicely, corresponding
secretary of the Sunday School Union and Tract
Society also editor of the Sunday school ana tract
publications of the Church. of the leading pas
tors of the METROPOLITAN district, DR.. Henry Spell
never who for third of century has filled lead
ing churches in and around Newark Baltimore
presiding elder, DR.. Luther b. Wilson, VINO mas
filled important pulpits in Washington; While the
foreign field IS represented by DR.. William Burt
WIN for eighteen years acted for the Methodist
Church in this country in its work in ltay ana mas
been personally honored at the hands OF King
victor Emmanuel III Dr. Burt is about hfty-one
wears old and was prepared for college at the
Wilbraham Academy. In 1915 he entered WESLEYAN
University at MiddletOwn. Conn. and was gradu-
ated with honors IN 1879. He then prepared TOT the
ministry at Drew Theological Seminary ana De
gan active pastoral work in the Ne"-ioIN Ids.
Conference. Among his pastorates were those OF
the Nostrand Avenue and the DeKalb Avenue
Methodist Episcopal churches in BROOKLYN IN 1000
he went to Italy to take charge OF lle Ale'houiSt
Episcopal churches in Rome and other Cities anu
was so successful that he has remained there ever
since save for brief trips to this country II is
expected that he viii succeed Bishop John II. IN
cent (retired) in charge Of the Work on the on
tinent and the headquarters VIII be removed HoHi
Zurich. Switzerland. to Rome 49,, ,. ~ +,;o
Chancellor James Roscoe DAY, me laS - o' 49,
list OF new bishops, who was chosen on the 1qur-
teenth ballot after his chief competitor Dr ItlGI-
ard I Cooke OF Tennessee, had Withdrawn ms
name has been the head of Syracuse UniveTsity
one of the largest Methodist colleges IN the coui-
try since 1884 He received the degree o. -, 10. ~
from Wesleyan University and from DicKhsoh
College and III. d from Northwestern University.
DIT Day Is a native OF Maine and In MS ntty-inth
wear In 1874 he was gradual ted at Bowdoln toiese
and entered the ministry of the Methodist Episco,
ueI Church He held the pastorates or Leading
Churches In Portland Me-, Boston and this city
before his election 10 the post OF chancellor OF
marked by great Increase In the eiooWInent ailo
the number Of students OF tnat 81 tb a,e
ton OF DR. Day to the bishopr1c on me groon0
that all OF his utterances were not IN haILnony
with the doctrines of the Church. but MS trlehds
succeeded In overcoming this although at one Time
he withdrew his name. but without diminishing
the zeal OF his supporters. -, -, !.
/ Sketches OF the other new bishops have ALREADY
! appeared In The Tribune. The four new mission
airy bishops will be selected early thls week