New-York tribune., 1906-04-06
BIBLE MYTHS UP.
Conference Nearly Driren Into a
Debate on 1braham.

A large attendance was present yesterday at the
morning session Of the New York East Conference,
/ in Brooklyn, where Bishop {. e. McCabe presides.
/ The report of the special committee the Hin
/ case Kil probably be presented to-day
Dr. S /. BELIEF. professor Of practical theology
in Boston University. represented Drew Theologi-
cal Seminar, and especially Boston University,
and reported THAI there $50 students in each
OF the institutions. After his brief address the
Bishop remarked that some schools were teaching
that certain Bible stories including the story Of
Abraham. were myths and quoted Scripture pas
sage emitting the name OF Abraham And a
myth went forth, not knowing whittier he went
How does that sound?" said the Bishop.
For a few moments 1t seemed as though an un-
timely discussion would be precipitated, but,
through the statement OF the privilege OF free de-
bate in the Conference by DR.. d G. Downey, and
the humorous reply of DR.. Beiler. that as Abraham
was the only name before them the matter was out
OF the question. But II was evident that Boston
was In the mind OF the Conference. and remarks
at the close OF the session concerning Dr. Mtchelrs
removal from Boston University insinuated that
the Bishop mus, have had in mind that institution
rather than Madison. y. J.
Dr. J. f. Adams, Presiding Elder OF the New
York District his report, which included prog
ress in contributions, 10 benevolences, improve
ments on church property and increased member
ship in the churches.
D.. W A Richard presiding elder Of New Haven
District read his report, in which he told Of the
great church building enterprise Of Hartford cost
ing $4,000 and the extensive improvements at
First Church, New Haven, amounting TO s36,oN
He also stated that Andrew Carnegie was con
tributing to the building of several organs in the
district.
When the names OF those who were retired from
active service were announced the Bishop declared
that the aged minister was a happy and the
outlook for him full OF cheer. Then after sew
eraI allusions TO the latter days of the famous
theologian. Dr. Adam Clark and others. he started
hC sir Of a appropriate hymn.
pr. J. T. Mcfarland, corresponding secretary OF
the Sunday School Union. represented the inter
csts Of the Sunday school literature Of which he
is editor in chief The increase in publications and
approval of all departments was a hopeful sign,
he said.
Bishop Andrews who now lives in Brooklyn, was
introduced by Bishop McCabe and for brief period
presided the conference. Visiting ministers
were introduced. among whom DR.. John Handley'
OF Long Branch. and DIR. 2. j. Cooke book editor
Of the denomination. In reference 70 the charge
that questionable advertisements had been printed
10y the Methodist Book Concern. DR.. Homer Eaton
said that some advertisements had appeared with
out the knowledge Of the agents. These, when their
meaning became known, were promptly condemned
and discontinued.
In the afternoon the twenty-nnth anniversary OF
the Wcman's Foreign Missionary Society Of the
conference was held Mrs. D; s L Baldwin for
william Anderson. Of Brooklyn reported the total
contributions OF the conference as 1881 81 The ad-
dress was given by Miss Laura NJ. White. OF Chin
kiang China, who told OF the renaissance OF
China. She stated that there was spirit Of IN
fng of idol worship. ana there was danger OF their
abandoning Buddhism for agnosucism.
The night session listened 70 an address by Dr.
Freedman's A!d and Southern Education Society.
The address in the interest OF the society lie
ted that they had tWeny-three negro schools IN
the South and 10000 members in their churches
and that t3ey e 30 hsd 5 2s students n IN taG schools &
had 900 white illiteratcs IN the South. lie
the schools