Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-30
bishops WARNING
ON WIRE PULLING"
AROUSES COMMENT
Delegates to Wilmington Con-
ference Interested in His Dis
regard of Artificial Bounds
in Assigning Ministers
MISSION WORK DISCUSSED

wTnNtNGToN. Del, March 40
When the Wilmington Conference reas
embled this morning the delegates were
ttlli talking of the warning given by
isishops Joseph f. Berry, Of Philadelphia
Who is presiding, against wiz pulling
methods" His address plainly Indicated
his disregard of purely artihcial' bounds
of conference in making appointments or
transfers OF pastors. This conhning oil
a minister within one conference all his
life said the Bishop, is not for the best
am administering the whole Philadel-
phia area II should be assigned TO the
conference next year and find conges-
tlon, would transfer a man or men out.
II you don't like that he continued with
smile, as he looked upon the serious
faces OF the listeners, Il can't help II, but
IT'S the policy
The Bishops hit at "wire-puling" to OBJ
tain appointments was embodied in these
words II like Individual advice and sug-
gestion, but do not like apparent propa-
ganda or campaigning. | will say that
this campaign has not been carried on by
minister or pastor, but my laymen'
The conference delegates last night took
up the question of foreign missions The
principal address was made by the Rev,
Dr. Bertram NJ. Triple of Rome, Italy,
IN which he outlined plans of "self-dental
week. which has been set for Passion
week. April IS to 23. He said that since
pressed with the activity of the laymen in
the foreign mission enterprise. contrasting
the Italy of former days with the Italy
OF today new Italy, an awakened and
enlightened Italy He explained that
lack of vision had been responsible for
Italy Of the past. but that the advent of re-
ligion based on something other than his
tory had brought about the changes.
Before the Home Missionary Society,
"a rd VNnplrlm nj Allpndlln n.
j., national corresponding secretary. de-
clared that Mormonism was creeping into
every section of the country and into the
churches. She said one of every 125 of
the population is n confessed Mormon
They are getting into our Methodist choirs
and into our Methodist colleges, she said
Presenting his annual report to the
conference today, the Rev. f. L. HoffeCker,
superintendent of the Wilmington district, |
predicted thar the city would become
great industrial, commercial and financial
centre, with large population The
Greater Wilmington. he said, probably
will include territory from below New
Castle across to Newport, Marshalton I
and Rockland, and all of Brandywiue |
Hundred to the Pennsylvania line. He ad- |
vised the Methodist Church, therefore, to !
plan comprehensvey and wisely so as to |
command stragetic positions as the popu.
lation grows. and thus maintain its in |
fuence upon the growing population.
The Rev. Robert Watt, superintendent |
of the Easton district, stated in his annual /
report that nearly 100000 was raised in |
that district during the last five years. |
The value of ofnChurch property increased |
S52,000- New, churches had been built |!
at Tilghman, Royal Oak. Sherwood and !
Bettertpn. Benevolences increased $4,000, |
and ministerial support $4,000. on debts |
more than $4,000 was paid.
The Rev. Frank E. Carpenter, the Rev. |
Vaughn S. Collins and Arley b. Magee !
and J, b. FoS laymen, were this morn /
ing elected managers of the Conference
Education Society.
The5Rev wilbur p. Corkran urged min. |
istersisfrom Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne |
and Talbot Counties ito get busy" |
against the race track bill pending in |
Maryland Legislature.
The Rev. Robert Watt, proposed for |
editor of the New York Christian Advo- |
cate, VIII be strongly supported in the Cen |
eral Conference for that position by the
northwest Doctor Watt is also being urged
to stand for corresponding secretary of
the hoard Of Conference Claimants, with
Headquarters in Chicago, to succeed the !
Rev Joseph B. Hingeey, d. D. who has
been proposed for the episcopacy. II is |
said Doctor Buckley. of the Philadelphia |
Conference, Is likely to succeed Doctor |
Blake as corresponding secretary of the |
Board OF Sunday Schools.
1t was learned today that Bishop Berry |
and hias cabinet already have made a ten
tative list OF pastoral appointments.
Commenting Doctor Hoffeckers re |
port, Bishop Berry remarked:
II like its optimistic tone: big business. !
big activity, great conquests. | like a !
gentleman, not a boOr Doctor Hoffecker !
knows how to behave like gentleman, |
Christian gentleman. He is an ideal |
Christian gentleman"
The bishop then presented Doctor Hof- |
fecl<er with 800 In gold as a token Of |
appreciation and esteem on behalf of the |
ministry of Wilmington.
Doctor HnffeclIer was overcome "I |
thank you" was all he could say.
BISHOP REBUKEs DELEGATE.
A public rebuke administered by Bishop |
Berry 10 the Rev George A Cooke, pastor |
OF Wesley NJ. Z. Church, was the feature |
OF today's session of the Conference. The
febuke was brought about by the Rev Mr. |
Cooke interrupting the Rev George p.
Mains, representing a New York book con-
cern, while the latter was speaking.
Recently, in an open letter, DIR. Cooke
criticized book which had been published
BY DIR. Mains and challenged him TO a de-
bate on the subject DIR. Mains ignored |
both the criticism and the challenge
When the hour for presentation OF me-
MORALS was reached, Dr. Mains vas intro.
duced and asked TO address the Confer
ence. He had spoken about ten minutes
when suddenly DR.. Cooke interrupted him
BY saying:
Without wishing to be discourteous to
DR.. Mains, call the attention OF the Con-
ference TO the special order"
Before DR. Mains could reply, Bishop
Berry came back at DR.. Cooke in crisp /
tones:
'If you want to be courteous you will
take your seat, III you want 10 be a bore /
Interrupt the speaker, who Is your guest"