New-York tribune., 1908-05-07
METHODISTS MEET
IN GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Quadrenminl Session Begins in Balti-
more-Chmrmen of Committees.
fRy Telegraph to TIE Tribuns.l

IRy Telegraph Tribunsl
Baltimore, May 6.-The quadrennial ession OF the
General Conference OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church was opened this morning in Lyric Hail.
which filled with delegates and visitors There
accredited to the conference 7S1 delegates who
with the fraterna visitors. come from twenty-four
different countries and represent more than three
million communicates Of the Methodist Episcopal
denomination This is the twenty-hfth delegated
general conference of the Church and marks the
close Of one hundred years under the present con-
stitution and rules.
At 10 a. III. Bishop Henry ". Warren OF Denver
called the body to order. announcing the hymn
'An Hail the Power of Jesus Name The OPEN
ing prayers made by Bishop John H Vincent
Indianapolis. and Bishop Joseph C. Hartzeil. OF
Africa. The Scripture readings were by Bishop j.
NJ. Thoburn of India, and DIR. X. s. Jansson,
president of the Theological Institute. Sweden
There III delegates who responded to the roll
call.
Bishop Warren made set address, simply cali
ing the delegates order and directing attention
to the ecumencal character OF the Church as
shown In the order of exercises An impressive
feature the roilcall Of dead bishops, the dele
gates and spectators standing.
The Rev. j. II. Hingely. Of Minneapolis. secretary
Of the last General Conference was reelected TO
that office by acclamation there being opposing
candidate A large number of assistant secretaries
were named Then came the adoption of the rules
of order and the announcement of committees
Just before adjournment. motion of the Rev.
Dr. Frank NJ. Bristol, of Washington. the follow
Ing telegram directed be sent to Speaker
Cannon Of the National House of Representatives
against the re-establishment Of the sale OF In
toxicating liquors the national soldiers homes;
''The Methodist General Conference. representing
three million members. urges continued exclusion
of intoxicating liquors from the branches of the
national soldiers homes"
Immediately after the adoption of the journal to-
the order of day will be the reading of
the episcopal address prepared by the bishops
The conference will meet daily. Sundays excepted,
from $50 a. 10 1870 p. m. The afternoons will
be devoted to committee meetings and the
ings be free for the numerous entertainment,
and other functions that have been arranged by the
local committee on hospitality for the delegates
Following the adjournment of the session to-day
committee meetings for the purpose of organiZa-
ton were held and series of revival services.
which will continue daily throughout the session.
were begun in the afternoon. At the meetings Of
the committees the following chairmen were
elected:
On ep;scoRacy. the Rev, DR.. James n Buckley.
On itnerancy, the Rev. Dr. g. r. swift or chi
On boundaries, Bishop J. NJ. Walden. Of Gin
cinnati. -,
On temporal economy. the Rev. Dr. E. P Wilder.
on state Of the Church. tbs Rev. DR.. Daniel Dor
on temperance. Governor Js Frank Hanly CT
On Book Concern Professor W. Z. "AlHeoh- vi
On foreign missions. the Rev DR.. John F.
Goucher OF Baltimore -,
on home missions ard Church extension, the rev
DR. Frank Mason North. of New YORK
On education. freedmen's aid and Sunday SCHOOLS.
the Rev DR.. John H Race president or Grant
University. Chattanooga. Tenn. 80, ~, r.
char1es " smith editor OF The Pittsburs Chris
tian Advocate" Pittsburg.
To these committees will be referrej ali MEMO
rails resolutions and other matters except those
relating to questions OF law and appeal For a
year past hundreds of documents bearing on all
sorts OF subjects affecting the Church have been
accumuIatng from the annual conferences These
will be distributed among the twelve committees
for consideration. Interest attached TO the seec-
tor Of the chafrmen of the fact that these
officers are not only the mouthpieces Of their re-
snactive committees making their reports 10 the
main body. but they also have the last WORD IN
debates arising the floor concerning matters
.bev have reported. The committee episcopacy
,oted =, exclude representatives of the press from
its meetings.
Tonight the reception to the Conference vas
attended by an immense throng In Lyric Hail.
The father OF Bishop Wilson. Dr. H NJ Wilson
nresded and there was music by the Naval Brf-
yada Rand Addresses of welcome were made BY
the chairman Governor Crothers; Mayor Mahool
and the Rev DR.. J. ST. Clair Neal There were
responses by Bishop Warren and others OF the
h,sboDs in attendance the Conference