Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-15


,ha philadelphia Annual Conference OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at st
!, James Church. Tabor road and Water
street Olney, today, at which resolu.
tIon proposing the union of the Methodist
trnIscopai Church and the Methodist
Episcopal Church South was offered.
(. The resolution, which came from the
Southern body, was received favorably
before being referred to a committee.
Rumors of strife and internal friction
predicted for the meeting were stilled by
Bishop Berry. president of the conference,
IN reply to an address of welcome.
ut has been said this Is to be a try
ing and turbulent session." he said. But
believe that this will not be the case
Everything will move along In quiet and
harmonious manner and there is no doubt
that we will have the most beautiful ses-
slon this conference ever held.
"Of COURSE" he continued. there will
be some dlsappointments when the as
slgnments for the coming year are an
nounced, but I think In the main that
things are going to turn out to please you.
| am inclined to think that there is
great deal of Unnecessary apprehension in
this matter. have not done much in
the last few weeks but to receive advice.
But nothing has been determined. All
the wisdom Is not confined within the
cabinet of this conference. however, and
there are many things that you know
that we should know in order to make our
action successful
Bishop Berry also said that he had
moved into the neghborhood in which the
conference is being held. and would de-
vote his entire time and attention until
the conclusion of the session to the service
Of the ministers in attendance.
FLORAL GIFT FOR BISHOP.
The bishops address was in reply to an
address of welcome by j. Sibley FELTON,,
president of the board of trustees Of st.
James Church. At the conclusion of his
address he presented Bishop Berry with
huge basket of flowers. that stood seven
feet high, on behalf of the women of the
church.
The lilies in the bouquet represent the
purity Of Bishop Berry's life," Mr.. FELTON,
said. THE yellow daffodils his golden
deeds and the perfume signifies the sweet
influence of his life"
Mr. FELTON, also presented the Bishop
with a gavel of walnut, cherry and oak.
The walnut came from the home of Jonah
Wentz one of the founders of st. James
Church; the cherry from the home of G.
H. Buckley, who for 80 years was super
ntendent of the Sunday school of the
church and whose father furnished IL
sons and grandsons to the ministry, and
ton, who was for SO years trustee Of
the church.
Mr.. FELTON, also announced that st.
James debt had been paid and the mort
gage burned 10 days ago. He said all cost
Of the conference would be borne by st.
James and called attention to the fact
that II is now celebrating its Tooth ami
yersary.
There were IFS ministers In attendance
Whan he f,1pruinR
BY noon there were more than 225 at the
church. The conference stood at reverent
attention while the secretary called the
names of those who died since the last
session.
CHURCH UNION PROPOSED.
The unifcation resolution was offered
oy the Rev. A. c. Kynett, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, proposing the
union OF the Methodist body of the United
States and especially the Methodist Epis.
eopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal
ehurch South by the method of reorgan.
iLation. The resolution called upon the
church to make a suggestion acceptable to
the entire church as a basis of possible
union A committee of five was appointed
70 consider the matter and report back
10 the conference which will then vote on
me matter and render its decision at the
qqadrennlal conference at Sara toga
Springs N. Y, in May The committee
consisted of the Revs. William G. Jones. |
ol Giace Church; C. w. Green, OF tho |
Chestnut Hin Church; N. B. Masters,
q the Lansdowne Church; Robert Craw-
FORD, Of the Fletcher Church; w. II. Smith. |
of the Port Richmond Church. 1t is |
thought probable that the resolution will |
% adopted, as II has been favorably |
viewed In previous conferences, when the |
matter came up.
OFFICERS REELECTED.
The officers at the 1915 conference were |
sseleeted y TO serve at the present session. |
lney are Robert C. Wells. secretary; W. |
r Haas, Richard Radcliffe, Henry |
i,a rankin and W. Sands Fox, assistants; F. |
I, =, Graen, biographical secretary; w. p. |
:. haas, railroad secretary; Maris Graves.
sAustieian; F. e. Graefr and Henry Hun, /
assistants; Thomas Kirkpatrick, treasurer
sneritus; w. A. Ferguson, conference
usasurer, T. w. Rushton, assistant; Cor
nelas Hudson, choTister
me annual reports of the ministers
ssre then read. In the gallery OF the
sAurch were many women who manifested |
zen interest In the preliminary work of /
ne conference. At later sessions they
WI. WI take part in the discussion OF mis-
sessions similar TO the one OF today will
- heid at st. James Church every week
say until next Tuesday, when the appoint
s.sh1 o.lu Tor the coming year will be made.
o.asr features Of interest 70 be taken
- ~ the meetings include the selection