Evening journal., 1914-04-01
25O METHODIST
PROTESTANTS IN
milford Session
DR.. Bowers, in Opening Ad-
dress, Reports Years Gain
of 1850 Members
conference TO ELECT
OFFICERS IN Afternoon

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL
MILFORD, Del, April 1.--Notwith-
standing the heavy rain, the opening
session of the eighty-sixth session OF
the Maryland Annual Conference OF
the Methodist Protestant Church was
largely attended this morning. The
conference was called to order by
Rev. DR.. John S. Bowers, president
of the conference, who conducted the
devotional exercises. Prayer was on
cred by Rev. j. w. Strayer, following
which the visiting clergymen and lay
men we're welcomed TO Milford by
Mayor Thomas A. Kirby.
Mayor Kirby stated his pleasure as
well as that of the townspeople In
having the conference here. Rev.
Henry L. Burnstein, pastor Of the
Presbyterian church here, welcomed
the delegates IN behalf of the
churches Of Milford He briefly
stated the growth of the many de-
nominations now having church
buildings In Milford and his pleasure
In welcoming the Methodist Protest
ant among them. Rev. Mr.. Malloy re-
Piled In a short address. Dr. Bowers
In his report dwelt upon the fact that
three ministers had died during the
past year and that like number OF
prominent laymen had passed away
A short memorial service was held
IN their honor. He spoke of the
growth IN membership Of the
churches in his conference, a net gain
Of 1850 members being announced
He suggested that the ministers all
join the Conference Relief Society, In
which but little interest has been
taken.
The roll call showed $50 delegates
IN attendance. The principal busi.
ness Of the day will be this afternoon
when officers will be elected and or
ganization will be effected.
When the ministers special" will
nearly 200 Methodist Protestant cler
gymen and laymen, their wives an'
friends, rolled into the depot shortly
after 6 o'clock last evening, prac
tically the whole town was on han'
to greet them. The Rev. l.. A. Ben
nett. pastor of the Conference Churcl
here, met the party and they were es
corted to the Presbyterian Church, be
cause of It's central location and tn
ministers were assigned their home
from there.
The special started at Washingto
shortly after noon, with one coac
and about 80 passengers, two add
tional cars we're taken on at Bait
more and the number OF minister
and delegates increased to about 16l
This number was steadily increase
at Wilmington and on down the Dels
ware division until it became nece'
sary to attach still another coach. TIL
preliminary service last night was dis
pensed with.
President John s. Bowers, of th
Maryland Conference, came dow
with the ministers. He Is OF the opir
lon that the present session will b
one OF great moment to the denomir
alton, from the fact that the questio
OF church union with the Unite
Brethren will come up for a fin'
settlement. Practically all the oths
Methodist Protestant Conferences
the East and Southeast, as we'll q
the Middle West. have voted in fave
Of this movement and much depend
upon the action of this Conferenc
which is the largest of them all.
The ministers are very much d
vided on the question and unlel
there is a change in the basic prii
ciples of the union as obtain
present, It Is not believed the uniC
viii be recommended by this Confe
ence.