New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-07
Lax IN CONTRIBUTIONS.
Ne5carh Conference Urged to ActiU-
ity By Presiding Elder.

At the session Of the Newark Methodist Con-
ference in the Halsey Street Church. at Newark,
yesterday, reports were read by the Rev. Dr..
Daniel Halleron, presiding elder OF the Eliza
beth district. and the Rev. DR.. Charles NJ An
dersOn. presiding elder of the Jersey City dis
trtct Presiding Elder HallerOn depIOred the
removal of the time limit. saying it had created
state Of feverish unrest among the clergy.
especially the younger men. and a timidity In
making change on the part Of congregations.
He declared the churches in the rural districts
were decadent, owing to the decline OF agri-
culture and the increase Of mechanical and
mercantile pursuits. which drive people to the
cities.
DR.. Halleron's report said:
There are number Of our churches in the
rural districts which are slowly but surely
passing out The decline of farm property has
depleted the country and congested the cities.
These centres must be captured for God. else
our Christian civilization much perish. have
more than a score Of churches which In the
centres OF financial and spiritual power that are
to-day eking out pitiable existence, and are
compelled to adopt every possible method to
save themselves from determination.
We must have a home missionary society in
every conference. 1 wish 1 could speak with
pleasure as TO the reception OF our literature by
our people, but cannot. very small per-
centage of our members are regular subscribers
to the religious magazines and papers In care
md the paucity in giving to our regular char
tiles.
The annual report Of the Rev. DR.. Charles NJ.
Anderson. presiding elder OF the Jersey City
district, read shortly before the end OF the
business session. He announced a prosperous
condition Of the churches under his care. and
said that instead Of yielding to the prevailing
tendency TO divide charges. thereby weakening
them. the practice Of combining the smaller
appointments should be encouraged. There had
been LOO conversions. Seventeen churches
have increased the pastors salary in amounts
ranging from $50 to $500. with a total amount
Of increase Of about $2.1OO There are ninety
churches and fifty parsonages in the district
with no preaching places.
When the days session opened the Rev Dr.
Morris D. Church. of Newark. read the following
resolution:
We do most earnestly and respectfully request
the Bishop not to make any transfers in the
conference at this present session. except upon
the basis Of absolute equity in the exchange OF
appointments.
The Rev. James B. Faulks. Of Madison, OBJ
jected that absolute equity was very extreme
equity indeed" and moved that the word "ab-
solute" be stricken out. The Rev. Dr. Church
announced that he was willing TO have the mo-
ton amended. It was then passed.
URGES HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.
The Rev. A. K Kavanagh. general superin-
tendent OF Seney Hospital. Brooklyn. made an
appeal for the support Of the hospital Last
year, he said, there were 1852 patients in the
wards. and 1851 in the out patient department.
The ambulance treated S51 more, or IL O54 in
all A motion was adopted setting aside the
collections taken up at the communion service
IN May Of all the churches for the support OF the
hospital.