New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-06
GROWTH OF METHODISN.
Its Present Membership, Says
Bishop, Is 3,O3I,918.

Los Angeles May 5-The Methodist Geuerai
Conference held two sessions to-day. tie morning
session being devoted 70 the reading OF the quad
rennial address OF the Board OF Bishops OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church 10 the General Con-
ference. and the afternoon to the receipt and ref
ence OF memorials from the various annual con-
ferences- The morning session was presided over
by Bishop Warren and the afternoon session by
Bishop Walden
The various committees elected chairmen and
secretaries. Beginning tomorrow the General
Conference will hold sessions only In the morning.
thus allowing the delegates give their attention
IN the afternoon 70 committee work. Dr. George
Elliott OF Detroit presented a memorial TO the
effect that the Committee on EpiscOpacy consider
the ACCESSIBILITY OF the election OF coIored bishop
He said that he believed that the Methodist Episco-
pal Church had reached crisis in IFS relations
with the ColOred race Charles p McCleIIand- Of
New-York. a lay delegate. spoke in opposition 10
Dr.. Elliou's resolution He believed that the race
question had been brought before the conference
entirely too often. and he hoped the present con
ference would put end 10 this agitation
resolution was offered by the Rev Horace
Jacobs OF the Central Pennsylvania Conference
10 request the publishers Of The Daily Christian
Advocate the official organ Of the conference. TO
withdraw from its advertising columns all refer
ence 10 sunday newspapers. One OF the publishers
Of The Advocate gave assurance TO the con-
ence that If the resolution should be withdrawn
there would be further cause for complaint on
that score
The reading 81 the quadrenniaI address OF the
Bishops Of the Methodist Episcopal Church 10 lie
General Conference was the feature OF the days
session. Bishop cyrus D. Foss of Philadelphia,
read the address II deliberately reviewed the stats
teal records OF the last four years and before
the conference many OF the current problems
which the Church IS facing. The present mem
oershp OF the Church reported as 3.G31 9rS. an
increase of ISs025 in four years The Sunday
schools include aggregate OF s.1246A The
world wide scope OF the work OF the Church
indicated by the brief review Of the administration
Of bishops in foreign lands.
Three features of the last quadrennium were en-
phasized standing prominently-the TWEEN
tieth century thank Offering movement which
brought 100000 into the treasury OF the Church
FOR the work OF education. philanthropy and debt
paying; the open door emergency missionary re-
vivaI which has inspired the Church with new
generosity and the biennial observances which all
over the English speaking world commemorated
the two hundredth anniversary OF John Wesley's
birth.
The American University at Washington was
strongly commended. well the ,Woman's Col
lege Of Baltimore which indirectly suffered severe
losses in the recent fire in that city. The relations
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South were declared to be
growing more fraternal and intimate. common
hymnal. common catechism and uniform order
OF service are almost ready for publication and
these will draw the bodies still more closely to-
gether; The suggestion was made that some
transfer of ministers and members from one OF
these denominations 10 the Otnsr should De
pedited and made easy.
The question OF supervising foreign mission fields.
whether by occasional visits or general superin-
tendents OF this country. by the residence OF
OF them In a mission field for a period OF four
years at a time. by the permanent supervision
OF a missionary bishop, whose episcopal service
shall be confined 70 that particular field. urged
upon the conference as one OF the most important
questions 10 be considered The time limit in the
pastorate referred TO as one OF the matters
which would claim attention.
Warnings given against the current evils
OF the time. political corruption the liquor traffic
the tyranny OF trades unlonism. the greed OF I'M
scrupulous employers. Enchiug. the negro qUes-
ton and Mormonism A recommendation was
made that a chapter OF popular annusements
be added 10 the discipline admonishing Methodsts
10 guard their spiritual life and to avoid such