Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-03-21
TERRIFIC THUNDER
Shower RAGGED
TYR ONE, Pa, March 20.

OuuoE uclu&c VI TAIL duu dHlu
awful thunder and lurid lightning
the first anniversary Of the thirty
ninth session Of the Central Pennsyl-
vania annual conference of the Meth
odist Episcopal church began last
night In First church, Tyrone.
A STRIKING COINCIDENCE.
It was striking coincidence that
the first hymn of the meeting should
be There shall be showers Of bless
ing" A strong presentation Of ag-
gressive evangelism was made by the
Rev. DR.. T. 8. Henderson. field super
fntendent of the general conference
commission. He will conduct at
o'clock every afternoon the pentecostal
meetings of the conference.
A very large class Of applicants for
admission on trial to the conference
has already appeared.
IN STAR CHAMBER SESSION.
After @ preliminary meeting Of the
ave presiding elders. fortnight ago,
yesterday in Huntingdon, the cabinet
conference was resumed. Upon the ar
rival of Bishop W. f. Mcdowell late
yesterday afternoon, the real work of
canvassing the churches asking for
change Of pastors and the preachers
who wish to better their condition
was started.
The Rev. w. w. Evans, d D.,
former elder of the Harrisburg dis
-trict; 7. S. Wilcox, d. D., long sup
of the Methodist book
rooms b. @. Conner. are associated
as presiding elders with the Rev. E.
II. Stevens. the present elder of Har
risburg district and DR.. r. H. Gill
bert. These are the advisors of the
bishop and assist in making the ap-
pointments Of the $50 preachers to 800
churches, whose membership is almost
rs, 600. There are $40 Sunday schools,
manned by o, 154 teachers and officers,
with nm enrolment Of 70,9S4 The
estimated value OF churches is $3, 407,-
$50 and upon the 9i7 parsonages the
value is placed ut eS9l, 900.
In benevolence the conference stands
almost at the head Of the long list of
l45 annual bodies. The total sum con-
tributed this year will be 800, 900, Of
which t65, 600 will be for miss ions.
YESTERDAYS SESSION.
The first business meeting Bishop
Mcdowell called to order this morn
ing 1t 9 O'Clock. He conducted i'm
pressive devotional exercises and made
Q tender. forceful address to the con-
ference. Organization was effected by
the election of J. f. Anderson. of Pat
ton, secretary: J. E. Brennemsn, of
Liverpool, statistical secretary, and
John Horning. Of Costello, treasurer.
who named their corps of assistants.
Following minor routine business
the memorial session opened at II
O'Clock. This Is one of the most inter
esting hours of the conference week,
for brethren pay tribute to the me-
mory of their departed fellow work
!ngmen, and to the widows and wives
Of Methodist preachers.
Tender memories, prepared by loving
hearts, were read for William Schrib-
or, R. III. Wharton, John w. Rue. at
one time pastor of Fifth Street church;
George W. Stevens, who died in Har-
risburg, In the third year OF his eld-
ership. and who had so much to do
with the erection of Fifth Street
church and the development of that
congregation; and W. NICK. Kelley,
and for Mrs. w D. Ryan. Mrs. E. A.
Reese, who died in extreme age, in
Harrisburg; Mrs. Mary NJ. Graham.
Mrs. r. Meminger, and Mrs Mary
Switzer.
This afternoon the standing COM
mittees met for organization and out
lined the work of the conference.
Tonight the Foreign Missionary So
oiety holds its anniversary. Bishop E.
G.. Andrews is the speaker.
Yesterday afternoon the seven trus-
tees OF the conference were in session.
Their corporate Office is in the city of
Harrisburg, where their annual meet
ing 10 held on the fourth Wednesday
after the adjournment of conference.
They will report an increase Of $1,000
TO the annuity fund at THURSDAYS
corporate session.