The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-05-06
NETHODISTS OPEN
WORLDCONF ERENCE
800 Delegates, From All
ClineS, Meet in
Baltimore.

BALTIMORE, May 6.-With 500 dele
gates present. and every region of the
civilized world represented. the General
Methodist Episcopal Conference was
convened at 10 o'clock this morning IN
sae Lyric Opera House by Bishop John
n. Walden. OF Cincinnati, for its
months deliberations
Long before the hour for the con-
Vening of the conference, the vast
auditorium was filled with lay and cler-
lcal delegates. discussing the work in
hand and plans for the labors which
are 10 be carried out in the ensuing
days. The completion OF the organiza-
ton. # was thought. would take up
the greater part OF the day.
Plans were made this morning for the
standing committees TO meet III various
churches thrOUg hout the city. 1t would
be an impossibility for the committees
10 attempt TO assemble in the ante
rooms about the theater. Following to
day the conferences will be called TO
order every morning promptly at $50
o'clock, with the bishops presiding in
the order Of their seniority. Accommo-
dat.ons are at a premium. and many
who never before thought OF roomers
are Vieing with one another to get
They know that conference delegates
IRE safe investment and there IS fear
OF loss OF money
Cigarettes Shock Preachers.
Never before has Baltimore enter
tanned such a cosmopolitan gathering.
All OF the countries OF the world are
represented. and all the races have
delegates in the conference India has
native ministers and laymen. The sub
jects of the autocrat of all the Russias
are represented. Some OF the older
ministers have been shocked by the
avidity with which Xome OF the Rus
slams consume cigarettes. There are
Chinese, Swedes, and Germans.
the business of the conference today
was not important. This afternoon the
standing committees are meeting, and
this evening at S o'clock there will he
"a reception at the Lyric. when addresses
Will be made by Mayor MehOOl. Gov
ernor Crothers. the Rev. DR.. j. St. Clair
Neal. and DR.. Henry NJ. Wilson. Tha,
epitomizes the campaign for today. The
delegates are awaiting the time when
tie conference settles down TO the dis
CussiOn OF two big subjects, namely
The length OF time FOR a pastorate. and
the theater as place OF amusement.
Episcopal Address Tomorrow.
There is a feeling Of intense eagerness
concerning the reading Of the episcopal
address, which viii be done tomorrow
morning by Bishop GodseH. Of Boston
The address gives a full and complete
statement Of the present condition OF
the church all over the world, and
makes recommendations to the church
on questions which have arisen. and
which will have TO be disposed OF
Among the questions which VIII oe con-
sidered Is the foreign mission field.
Bishop Hamilton. San Francisco. IS
a weIl-known figure here. Bishop Ham
Iton was presiding over a conference
in Vermont when his native city was
laid low by an earthquake. His family
escaped. but he lost his home, which
has since been rebuilt.
One Of the most interesting delegates
IS the Rev. William r. WhitlOck OF
Delaware, Ohio Mr.. Whitlock for for,
ty-fOur years has been a professor ir
the Wesleyan University.
II is expected that an effort viii be
made 10 elect a cOlored bishop at the
conference.