Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-04-03
LARGEST DAY AT
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Discussion on Open Sunday Question
DR.. Kaufman Presides at Literary
Meeting.

With all the preliminary business de-
tails out of the way. the annual con-
ference Of the Southern New England
Methodist Episcopal churches at the
First M. E. church, Pawtucket on Fri
day settled down to the second business
session.
AS has been the custom on the three
previous days Bishop Luther B. Wilson
Of Philadelphia opened the session
shortly after $50 o'clock Friday morn
ing with devotional exercises.
The attendance was the largest since
the conference opened. Every seat was
occupied and many Of the delegates had
to stand.
The report Of the Sabbath observance
committee stated that in Connecticut
the church denominations had combin-
ed in a movement for a more rigid
law. One was drawn up which they
considered fair. but II met with siren
uous opposition from politicians and
others. Among those who were most
prominent in the movement for Sunday
Iiberalizing laws were the mayors Of
Hartford and Wiuimantfc. While they
had no reason to believe the Sunday
observance bill would be returned for
favorable action they hoped that a
compromise measure would be adopt
ed.
Rev. Walter S. McIntire Of Rockville.
Sunday in Connecticut for the sale of
tobacco, ice cream and general grocer
les. The politicians had heard the cry
of the lower element and were catering
for their support. A plea for the al
lowance Of Sunday baseball had been
made in the state and professor Of
divinity at a Connecticut university
said that If the bill allowing Sunday
ball playing was not recommended he
would got out and play ball on Sun
day. even IL he had to go to prison for
doing so. This evoked loud calls of
Let him 60"
Although no resolution was propos-
ed, 1t was evident by the way Rev. Mr..
MoIntire's address was received that
no change which would favor more
open Sunday was, desired by the 1em-
bers Of the conference.
At the request Of the Pawtucket
Business Mems association the confer
ence put itself unanimously on record
as in favor of the preservation Of the
Appalachian Mountain chain of for
ests.
Bishop Addressed Candidates.
The closing feature OF the morning
session was an eloquent address by
Bishop Wilson at the admission of can
didates and those who have been
transferred from other conferences
Bishop Wilson declared that Meth
odism has a distinct organization. re-
viewing it's hundred years Of history.
He said that 1t could never become
congregational. He severely criticised
opinions expressed in the city Of Phila-
delphia concerning the power of the
executive of a conference. The power
of a bishop was delegated by the
church itself, he said. Speaking OF
preachers who feel it their duty to ex-
pound individual opinion concerning
the creed he said 1t was his belief that
if for conscientious reasons they felt
1t their duty not to harmonic with the
church they should step out in a manly
manner. The world shall be redeemed
by the simple doctrine of Christ, he
said in conclusion.
Rev. Matthias S. Kaufman of Trinity
church, Norwich, Conn, presided at the
literary meeting. Thursday, at which
Prof. Dallas Lore Sharp of Boston uni
verslty gave an address on the life and
writings Of John Burroughs.
The conference on pastoral evangel-
ism was in charge Of Rev. Walter F.
Buck Of New London. and addresses
were made by Rev. Sherman f. Ellis,
Attleboro; Rev. James I. Bartholo-
NEW, County Street church. New Bed
ford; Rev. Julian s. Wadsworth of the
Central church, BrOckton, and Rev.
Fay B. Hunt Of Tabernacle church,
Providence.