The Washington herald., 1908-04-07

Refreshed by a days rest from matters
Of business, the delegates to the l2ith ses-
sion OF the Baltimore Annual Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church yes
terday renewed their work at Hamline
NJ. f. Church, and devoted the sessions
10 the consideration of annual reports
and Epworth League work.
Routine business occupied the greater
portion Of the morning session. Bishop
Cranston. who presided. presented Rev.
DR.. Wallace Radcliffe, Rev. DR.. spencer,
president OF Morgan College. Baltimore.
and Rev ". F. Davidson Of the Amer
lean University. Of this city They were
seated on the platform. Immediately
after the devotional exercises at $50
o'clock, the delegates went into executive
session, which continued until 10 o'clock.
Read Annual Reports.
At this hour the presiding elders of the
three districts read their annual reports.
DR.. Sumwalt, presiding elder for the
Washington district. told of the changes
in the personnel OF his district. and
complimented the brethren for the service
they have rendered.
He said an amount approximating $4,000
has been paid on Indebtedness. Every de-
tail relating to the church government
of this district was given.
In reading the report Of the West Balti-
more district, Rev. J. F. Heisse arraigned
the liquor traffic, saying that within the
next year Maryland would make an effort
for prohibition that would astonish its
most ardent supporters.
Statements that startled the meeting
were made by President Spencer, of Nor
gan College, in his speech appealing for
aid for educational purposes
He said: THE District OF Columbia is
10 be the battle-ground of the future be-
tween the forces OF Catholicism and
Professionalism.
''The Catholic University Is aware of
this, and. aided by that great Pope on
the Tiber, is obtaining FUNDS with which
10 build a fitting place in which TO con-
serve their ancient faith, Already they
have ten buildings on their grounds, and
they are building at least one year.
Professionalism Asleep.
Professionalism seems TO be asleep. It
Is failing TO grasp its opportunities.
The clergyman exhorted the delegates
10 Go all in their power 70 make the
American University an institution fitting
" representative OF the Methodist Church
Among the various announcements read
were the requests Of two ministers to be
transferred-Dr. c. G. Girelius desiring
TO work for the Presbyterian Church. and
Dr.. Shears wishing 70 return TO England
Both requests were granted.
On motion Of Rev. Dr. Herbert Rich
ardson it was decided to invite Repre-
sentative Sims. of Tennessee. TO be pres
ent this morning and address the conven-
ton. The session was closed with prayer
by Dr. Radcliffe
IN the afternoon the conference met TO
consider the memorial sent BY the New
York conference. dealing with matters Of
Importance 10 the general conference to
be held In Baltimore, May 6. After dis
cussion it was decided to adopt that part
Of the memorial making il possible for
the conferences TO elect their presiding
elders. Formerly this office has been
filed by appointment by the bishop.
The question as 10 whether the pastors
should be limited 10 a term of five years
in one parish was still under discussion
when the conference adjourned, and will
be taken up to-day.
Session Last Evening.
Beginning at o'clock last evening, a
special service was held under the direc-
ton OF Thomas G. De Ford After the
opening prayer by Rev. Charles G. Guth-
RE and special music by the choir, Ed
win NJ Randall, general secretary OF the
Epworth League Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. was introduced. and de-
livered q discourse on the uplifting OF
mankind.
Those elected officers of the Baltimore
Conference of the Epworth League for
the coming year are F. R Rochester,
Washington District. president; S. /. I4e
Compile, West Baltimore, first vice presi-
dent; Lee NJ. Bender, Frederick, second
vice president; ]. JOY Baltimore, third
vice president William Hail. East Bal
timoce, fourth vice president; Miss Helen
Smell Washington. secretary; John G.
Hermann, West Baltimore. treasurer.
and Miss E, Roberts, Frederick, super
intendent OF the junior league.
To-day the final sessions Of the con-
Fa-arga mill ~ hold