Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-18
METHODTSTS REPORT
$4,000 CONVERSIONS
IN LAST IL MONTHS
Conference, in Session at
Norristown, Applauds
Arrangement of Liquor
Traffic as "the Cancer of
Christendom."
trroM srArv connrsroNDEvr.1

NORRTsTOwN. March 1S.-Metho odis
ministers applaudcd a report read In to-
days session OF tho Philadelphia Con-
ference that of every eight converts re-
ported by churches Of the Northwest Dis.
trict only one was "trail-hittcr' from
the "Billy" Sunday tabernacle
The statement was made by the Rev
William Powick, superintendent of the
district, which includes charges in Man
ayunk, Falls of Schuylkill and Roxbor-
ouph, as well as churches in German
town and Chestnut Hill. The number Of
conversions I'm the district during tho
year was 1866, of which 42l were the re-
suit of the "Blly" Sunday services MIR.
| powiCk said that further recruits from
the tabernacle were expected.
The people of Pennsylvania we're never
so strongly in opposition to the liquor
traffic as they now are, Superintendent
| T. u. Burriss, of the South District, said
in his report. Applause followed his
arraignment of It as "the cancer of
| Christendom" and his prophecy that 1t
| would be killed.
Conversions to Christianity numbered
| $4,000 in the churches OF tho conference
during the last IL months,
BISHOPS ADDRESS
Only II handful of clergymen was
| present when Bishop McDowells gavel
| fell at $3.50 o'clock. An hour later the
S2j churches OF tho conference.
Bishop Mcdowell maze an address at
| the opening of the session. fun of crisp
and pithy phrases. He alluded to n shot
gun prescription, which hits anything that
| ails you"
Customary Christian humility Is as
ISOLATED with Jriah Heep instead of with
Jhn the Baptist he said, in describing
genuine humility.
The Illness of the Rev. Henry II. Bodne,
| at his home in Lansdale, was the sub
ject of a resolution of sympathy. Mr..
| Bodine is the oldest member of the Con-
ference, which he entered II years ago.
! The Rev. Henry Wheeler retired, and
living in Ocean Grove, ~ j., responded to
resolution passed in honor of his 60
years service in this Conference. He is
the oldest member in point of service
excepting Mr.. Bodne.
a resolution Of coincidence was sent to
the family of the Rev. DR.. j. Morgan
Reed, pastor of the Methodist Church OF
New Brunswick N. j., who died yester-
day.
Speculation as to how great a "shake-
up" will be made by the bishop in as
signing new charges to ministers became
more general when he declared this morn
ing that he had not known that Mr.
PowiCl automatically retired from the
superntendency of the Northwest District
because of the national rule limiting such
a term to six years.
St Luke's Church. South Broad street.
Philadelphia, promises to make strong
effort to house the conference sessions
next year.
a telegram from Billy" Sunday read
Mt the close of the session said that the
evangelist had not decided on what day
he would address the conference.
After the noon recess the ministers
went into executive session in the Cal
t1-t
from the Haws Avenue Church, while the
women of the conference conducted an
anniversary service of the Womens For
eign Missionary Society. Addresses were
made by Miss Laura NJ. White, of
Marking, China, who spoke on Chi
nese Girls" and Miss Susan G. Lodge, OF
the Philadelphia branch. on the topic
Our Conference Share in the Jubilee"
AsPentecostal service will be held, as
yesterday, at o'clock, conducted by the
Rev. Charles NJ. Boswell, with music di-
rected by j. Lincoln Hall.
The Rev. Freeman d. Bovard and the
Rev. C. NJ Boswell, corresponding secre-
taries, will address the evening meeting
on the work of the Board of Home Mis-
SONS and Church Extensions.
PROBABLE CHANGES DISCUSSED.
Discussion as to changes which may
be made in the assignment OF charges for
the ensuing year was the subject of con-
versation among scores of clergymen.
The rumors as to the probabls district
superintendents have narrowed the field |
down to four men. From these 1t Is |
thought two vacancies will be filled.
One is caused by the Rev William |
Powck's completion of his allotted six |
years at the head OS the Northwest Dis |
trict. The other is looked for on the |
suppOsition that the Rev. George II. |
Buckley, now superintendent of the North |
District, will be made secretary of the |
City Missionary Society.
The choice of these successors is
thought to nave narrowed down to the
Rev. DR.. George w. Izer, of Grace
Church, Philadelphia the Rev. George
w, Henson, Gethsemane Church, Phila-
delphia; the Rev. DR.. c. w. Straw, Re-
hoboth Church, Frankford. and the Rev.
Gladstone Holm. Church OF the Advocate
Germantown. Mr.. Hensons name figured
prominently in discussion. He has held
the Germantown pastorate 10 years, and
the feeling is that he will not be re.
turned.
The talk of Mr.. BickIey's appointment
to head the city mission work Is found.
ed on the project of increasing the scope
and Importance of that field. I'm order to
strengthen churches In the southern part
of the city. His reputation in the con-
ference has been increased by his chair
OF the billy Sunday Commit
tee.
RUMORS AT CONFERENCE.
The Rev. ]. G. Blckerton, who now is
city mission head. will be given pas
torate It is said.
The Rev. Mr. Powlck. it is said by many
observers. will be assigned to the Reho-
both pastorate
The Rev. William II. Smith expects to
leave st. Johns Philadelphia, where he
has been stationed six years.
Coatesvlle MethOdists think the Rev. t.
W. Mckinney will be succeeded by an
lther pastor.
The Rev. William G. Jones has said he
does not expect to return to the OAK
Lane Church. He may be sent to the
Tabernacle pastorate, this city, where the
Rev. A. Il. Crowell now is in charge.
The Rev. Mr. Gray has been at Oak Lane
seven years.