The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-05
Methodist Conference
In Atlantic City
Public MOraIities In Pleasures
and Politics Discussed. Church
Union Progressing

dist Episcopal Church in New Jersey
opened in the First Church, Atlantic
City, Monday night with nearly three
hundred ministers in attendance and
with prospects bright for a lively
clash between the lay and clerical
members Of the denomination ver the
rights of the latter to participate in
the deliberations and vote.
The Rev. Edwin F. Hahn, of Tren-
ton, delivered the conference sermon
tuesday night in the First NJ. E.
Church. Rev. George T. Harris, who
has been pastor of First Church for
four years presided.
DR.. Hahn invited the congregation
to contemplate the first Council at Je-
rusalem in the early days of the Chris
tan Church. He said there was a les
son with a modern emphasis to be
found in that council. He stressed
the point that faith in the great truths
which the early fathers held should be
strong in our day and he pleaded for
a strong spirituality.
Read the Bible
Elsewhere in his address, DR.. Hahn
related how a minister of considerable
lame had been situated so for a time
that the Bible was the only book he
could obtain in his solitude. The min
lister on returning to civilization de-
clared he had derived wonderful wis
dom from his study of the Scriptures
and DR.. Hahn expressed the hope that
ministers as a whole would read nc
book but the Bible for a year. He
should like to see young ministers in
L IL oi,. oO,,r.cn howe hIIt cIyfu-C1V hnOkC
and those the s~ixty-six books of the
bible, ne reflected.
During his plea for a strong spirit
uality DIR. Hahn urged his hearers to
never cease preaching to the Jews n
then he said by way of pleading for a
united denomination:
Il wonder if the color of a human
face should separate Methodism when
the issue was settled so long ago
(meaning at the first Council of Jerus-
alem). The day will dawn when the
deliverance of those early days will
be really heard. No Luther will re-
fuse to clasp the hand of a Zingli;
white and black will be gathered to-
gether and the church will not be di-
vided."
Toward the close of the sermon DIR.
Hahn told of the regulation of abstin-
ence from flesh meat at certain times
chat was made by the Council of Je-
lusalem and delivered to the Gentlles
and he urged that every Methodist
practice self denial and dangerous
worldly pleasures:
Lobbying" Discouraged
Bishop Joseph Berry of Philadelphia
who now presides here, discouraged
during the past year the reception be-
fore Conference of delegates offering
suggestions and advice concerning
change of pulpits. He steadfastly adj
hered to the rule that such delegations
seeking to influence appointments
must approach him during Conference
week.
Although there is a growing move
ment to make Atlantic City the per-
manent meeting place, it is certain
that the next Conference will be held
in the newly completed First Church
at Asbury Park.
On Wednesday morning these offl-
GERS were elected: Secretary, Edward
A. Wells, Lambertville; statistlcian,
Walter l.. Shaw, Woodbury.; railroad
secretary, Daniel E. Clair, Bridgeton;
treasurer, Dewitt C. Cobb, Pleasant
Vile; auditor, Norman R. Mcconnell,
Riverside.
Melville E. Snyder, superintendent
of the Trenton District, was reelected
president of the Preachers Aid Socie-
ty. along with the other executive off
1ers. including Vice President D. H.
Shock. Secretary E. A. Wells, Lam
bertville and Treasurer J. K. Mason,
Camden. Doctors Wells, ID. wright
Ocean Grove, and Alfred Wagg, su-
perintendent of the B~ridgeton district,
we're elected managers, the latter tax
ing the place of the Rev. Holmes L.
Gravatt, Camden, who lately died.
Deaths During Conference Year
Members who died during the last
year werei The Rev. John w. Nickel
son, of Cape May; the Rev. Joseph u.
Reed, of Island Heights; the Rev.
Willis Reeves, of Asbury Park; the
Rev. Holmes F. Gravatt, of Camden;
he Rev. Joseph l.. Rue, of Ceilings
wood. and the Rev. Aaron +. Ballard,
president for more than fifty years OF
the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting AS
ISOLATION.
AUGMENTATION of foreign language
conferences within the United States.
adoption of the proposed plan for uni
f~cation with the Church, South, n
the elimination of the penalty clause
in the church discipline rules against
certain pleasures, making indulgence
oa amusements a matter for the lndl-
vldual concience, were the important
subjects of memorials to the 1920 gen.
erai conference after considerable de-
5atc by NJ. E. Conference on Thurs
day.
Conference also adopted a resolution
introduced by Rev. John Handy, OF
Long Branch, chaplain / n the army
overseas, urging the New Jersey
Senator's and representatives in Con-
gress ito support legislation Tor the
Organization of chaplain's corp, and
OF the same principal of rank and
promotion as is now provided for chap
Continued on page