New-York tribune., 1908-04-01
METHODISTS TO MEET.
Three of Greatest Conferences of
Church Open To-day.

The annual sessions OF three Of the greatest
ferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church will be
opened this morning. The Newark Conference
meets at PIainfeId y. J: the New York Conference
al St James's Church. Manhattan and the New
York East Conference at Hanson Place Church.
Brooklyn. At each the opening session is set for
o'clock with the observance Of the sacrament Of
the Lords Supper.
II was feared that. owing 10 the general financial
stlngency there would be large falling off in con-
tributions to the Church be1evoences. but reports
indicate that while many were not able TO give as
literally as usual others have increased their gifts.
so that conditions favorable in finances and
additional Church membership
Bishop Henry Spellmeyer. who will preside at the
ffty-first session Of the Newark Conference. ce-
came member of that conference in 1871, coutinu-
ing therein until elected 20 the epsCOpaCy in Los
Angeles, l904- This is his first official visit to
his home conference.
Each OF the four presiding elders reports progress
The Rev. Dr.. Daniel FIaleron has completed six
years Of successful administration in the Elizabeth
district including the building Of several churches
and parsonaEes. the Improvement Of church prop
erty. the payment OF Church debts, the encourage
rnent Of revivaIs and large increase in member
ship He his term Of service with the affec-
tiorare appracia alton Of the conference.
The Rev. Dr. c N. Anderson, presiding elder q
the jersey City district reports nine hundred con-
verts during the yea. The district has purchased
new conesses' home in jersey City az cost Of
S6.GD 4 church has been dedicated Al Has
has Deen organized al Westwood. \. J Il the dis
triCt there has been net increase in pastors saa
-ies Of about $500 and church has reduced its
pastors salary THROUGHOUT the conference there
Is general desire for the reservation Of the pas
tora1 time limit.
The Rev Dr. / c. Muller presiding elder e the
Paterson district. closes his first year Of Office.
During the year there have been ore thousand con
versions. a new church, Wesley. a. Paterson. mas
been Dedicated costing S+4"0. has the First
-
have been built al Simpson. Paterson. costing S4Zl
and al Enbur~. Paterson. costing $500 and Church
membership has largely increased.
The second year Of Dr. Jonathan N. Meeker,
presiding elder Of the Newark District furnishes
encouraging news The total number received for
the wear is 652 on probation. ana from probation
into f4n membership 75l The amount paid for
building and improvements during the year IS $S4-
2n. rad On old Indebtedness S23.s54, for foreign
missions 81 25a. fer home missions $s,-Io; for
church music. $500 The increase in pastors (
salaries over last year was $3.50. The Newark /
District Church Society has paid for building and
support OF Italian church S645. besides sustain
ing other missions.
There viii be some unusual and unexpected
changes in the appointment Of ministers, but the I.
Bishops know edge Of the ministers and The con /
ference viii be OF great advantage Il is likely I
that some churches viii not receive the pastors /
invited but the rights Of all concerned will De /
favorably considered. Several names have been /
mentioned for Presiding Elder as a fitting successor
10 DIT haIeTon IN the E-ilZapeJn DlSElCt among /
them Dr.. " s Snodgrass. Dr. @ G. Wilding and /
" l, Hoagland.
Every provision has been made for the successful
entertainment Of the conference by the Rev. A c.
McCrea- pastor Of the First Church, Plainfed. /
The lay electoral conference will meet on Thursday
morning It's chief business is elect delegates TO
the General Conference
The Rev. Dr. Allan McRossie will entertain the .
New York Conference Bishop D. H. Moore, OF /
Portland, Ore. will preside. He is well known
to Methodsr a preacher, college president.
editor and wise administrator and the conference
viii feel at ease with him charge. The Rev.
George a Cooke, a member OF The Troy Confer
ence has preferred charges against Chancellor J.
P Day Of Syracuse University.
The Rev. DR. a. a. Palmer, Presiding Elder o.
PoughkeePste District, mas Witnessed advances.
in church property and additions
Of members. but has been sadly bereaved in the
death Of five ministers
The fun term Of six years Of service as Presiding
Elder has been given by DR. F. L Wilson in the
Kingston N Y District. The value OF church
property. including parsoEages, has been greatly
Increased and there have been many revivals.
The Newburg District has had a year 0f trl-
umph under the leadership OF DR. Arthur Jameson !
Presiding Elder. Every interest OF the Church
has been viglanJIy watched. and progress has been
made where Il seemed impossible.
The weaIthiest district in the conference is that
over which Dr. 2. NJ Waters presides. There is
an increase Of several hundred over the usual ad-
dtiofl Of probationers. The Chelsea Church has
purchased site for church cost $4,000 ground
to be broken May l. A church al Nspperhan
Heights costing SIS 900. was dedicated on March
l. and the fremont church has been reconstructed /
at A of S45,0p0.
. the famous East Side Mission. with the valuable