Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-06
BIG CHURCH COUNCIL MEETS
F0RNAL CEREMONIES OF THE
II. E. CONFERENCE.
Opened at Baltimore Today-3,o OO,.
600 Communicates Represented.
Noted Churchmen Present.


Divine guidance fthe twenty-fifth delegated
session of the general conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church was begun
at the Lyric in this city today. At the
first sitting. which began at 10 O'Clock
and lasted a little more than two hours,
the formal ceremonies of the opening vert
gone through and organization was eff
fected leaving everything in readiness for
the vast amount of business that is ex-
pected to come before the body for dis
position.
When Bishop Henry w. Warren of Den
yer. Col. called the assemblage to order
this morning nearly all the delegates were
In their seats and the remainder of The
spacious auditorium was filed with in
lterested spectators of both sexes. who
followed the proceedings with the closest
attention. There are accredited to the
conference 567 delegates. who. with the
lraternal visitors. come from twenty-four
dlnerent countries and represent more
than 100000 communicates of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church.
Among them are men of national and
international reputation. conspicuous in
professional and business life: Bishop
warren made no set address. simply cali
ing the delegates to order and directing
attention to the ecumenical character of
the church. as shown in the devotional
exercises. These were led by Bishop John
H. Vincent Of Indianapolis. and taking
part with him were representatives Of the
church from Sweden. China and India.
An Impressive Feature.
An impressive feature of the meeting
was the roll call Of dead bishops, the
delegates and spectators standing mean
while. Following the roll call OF dele
gates Rev. j. H. Hinsely of Minnesota.
secretary of the last general conference.
was reelected to that ONCE by acclama-
ton. there being no opposing candidates.
A large corps of assistant secretaries
of the rules of order and the announce
ment of committees.
The conference will meet daily. Sun
days excepted. from $40, am. to 1890
committee meetings and the evenings are
left free to the visitors for the numerous
entertainments and other functions that
have been arranged by the local COM
mittee on hospitality.
This evening there will be a reception
to the delegates at the Lyric. Addresses
will be made by Gov. Crothers. Mayor
MahoOl and Rev. DR.. st. Clair of Baltf-
more to which responses will be made
by two Of the bishops. as yet unnamed.
Church in Foreign Lands.
There will be special representation of
the work of the church in foreign lands.
which has been under the superintendence
of the several bishops. Bishop ]. w.
Bashford will report for China. Bishop
Thomas B. Neeley for South America.
Bishop William Burt for Europe Bishop
F. w. Warner, Bishop J. E. Robinson and
Bishop W. F. Oldham for India; Bishop
]. C. Hartxell and Bishop J. B. Scott
for Africa. and Bishop N. c. Harris for
Japan and Korea. For United States ter
ritory acquired in recent years. Bishop d.
H. Moore will represent the Hawaiian Is
lands and Alaska and Bishop Wilson
Porto Rico. These reports will require
much time but each account IL anticf-
pated with peculiar interest.
Bishop J. C.. Hartzell will present a
plan to be adopted by the conference for
the celebration of the semi-centennial OF
the establishment Of missions in Africa
for the purpose of securing fund of
$500 600 for aggressive missionary work
in Africa and the assignment Of some
minister to take charge Of the move
ment.
Next in Importance to the reports OF
bishops concerning the status OF the
church is the election of general con-
ference officers. bishops. editors and Sec
for these varied places. and inquiry and
investigation will occupy considerable
time.
Telegram to Speaker Cannon.
just before adjournment. on motion OF
Rev. DIR. Frank NJ. Bristol of Washington.
the following telegram was directed to be
sent to. Speaker. Cannon of the national
House of Representatives against the re-
establishment Of the, sale Of Intoxicating
LIQUORS in the national Soldiers Home.
THE Methodist general conference. rep
resentinx 100000 members. urges con-
tinued exclusion OF Intoxicating liquors
from the branches OF the national Sol
diers Homes"
Word had reached the conference that
the question was before the House Of
Representatives today. and Rev. DIR. A.
B. Leonard. secretary Of the board Of
foreign missions. proposed a resolution
putting the general conference on record
with regard to the matter but on motion
Of DR.. Bristol the telegram to Speaker
Cannon was sent instead. Immediately
after the reading Of the journal tomorrow
will be the reading Of the Episcopal adj