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Show FACED PASTOR ' AND CHURCHMAN Bishop Merrill Greets Methodists. From All Quarters of the World They Gather in x Los Angeles. Most Notablo Gathering In History of .Protestantism in the United States. I j LOS"', ANGELES, Cal., May 4. The thirty-first geneal conference confer-ence of the Mcthodlst-Eplsco-pal church opened at Hazard's pavlllion in this city today. When Senior Bishop Stephen M. Merrill walked to the front of the stage and rapped for order he faced one of the most notable gatherings of churchmen In the history of Protestantism in America. Seated In the auditorium proper were. 7-iS representatives of Methodism, gathered ; fom the four quarters' of the earth, earnest In their zeal for the good of a common cause, and eager to discuss the problems of and to legislate for the welfare of the church. Upon'tho stage were the Governor Gov-ernor of California, the Mayor of Los Angeles, representative citizens of southern California and leaders of Methodism in this end of the continent, ready to extend a welcome in behalf of the State, the city and the church. In the galleries were' expectant crowds of visitors and citizens. Beautiful With Flowers. The great building was a bower of beauty, and fragrant with the bloom of California flowers. Fifteen thousand calla lilies formed a hedge extending entirely across the front of the broad stage, and beneath these a beautiful frieze work of smllax and ferns reached the floor. Around the railing of the galleries, with flags and bunting for a background, the same scheme of decoration deco-ration had been carried out. the whole forming a perfect bower of bloom, beneath be-neath which the delegates sat. The ceiling had been hung with immense Hags, drooping In graceful folds from c?2:'.'lr tn 'ho galleries and giving the appearance of a great sun shade. Ia the rear of the stage an immense flag of shimmering silk fell from celling to floor. Bishop Merrill cailed the conference to order In a formal manner and opened the day with a brief prayer. Rev. D. S. Monroe, D. D., secretary of the conference, con-ference, called the roll of delegates. The entire morning session was given up to the assignment of seats to the various rlflrin Mnrie Tt wns (mnn.qqlhlo tct Irnns. act any business during the first two or three hours, owing to the confusion that prevailed. Speeches Are Postponed. Owing to the fact that it was Impossible Impos-sible to secure any degree of quiet and composure among tho delegates and spectators, the speeches of welcome by the Governor, the mayor and representative represen-tative California Methodists, this part of the programme having originally been planned for the opening feature, was postponed until evening. There was n6 afternoon session of the conference proper, but the various standing committees, In which the Important Im-portant work of the conference will be. done, 'met in half a dozen different meetings. There arc fourteen standing committees commit-tees and their sessions will be almost as Interesting as the conference Itself, for It is these various bodies that largely large-ly determine both legislation and elections elec-tions In the Interest of the church. The committee on episcopacy will have as one of the first and most Important subjects sub-jects to' consider the number of new bishops to be elected at the present conference. con-ference. Dccljncs Secretaryship. Bishop Edward G. Andrews presided at the afternoon session, and secretary of the general conference. Dr. D. Y. Monroe of the central Pennsylvania-conference, Pennsylvania-conference, who arrived just In time "to take charge of his work at the afternoon after-noon meeting, called the roll of delegates. dele-gates. After finishing this task Dr. Monroe asked to make a statement to tho gene.ral conference. He wanted to ask, he said, to be excused from further service as secretary, not because he was in feeble health, as had been stated, although al-though he is 71 years old, but for other and sufficient reasons. Dr. Monroe told of his service aH secretary, extending over a period of twenty years, and asked the conference not to consider him as a candidate for re-election. Dr. James M. Buckley of New York presented a set of resolutions commending com-mending the great work performed by Dr. Monroe during his tenure of office as secretary to the, general conference, and expressing the appreciation of the church.' While Dr. Buckley was reading read-ing his resolutions a photographer set off a flash light. In the gallery and a sudden flash and report so startled the eminent New York churchman that he took occasion to express his condemnation condemna-tion of such methods. "I want to say," said Dr. Buckley, pausing for a moment mo-ment after the flash, "that tho man who did that may be a good photographer, photo-grapher, but he Is Ignorant of human nature. I trust that those in charge of this hall will not again permit such nerve-racking occurrences without due notice to thoHe present." "I shall ask," said Bishop Andrews, "that tho superintendent of the building build-ing and the officers of the law" protect us from another such shock." Dr. Hingeley Is Chosen. Dr. Buckley's resolutions were adopted adopt-ed unanimously, and a copy ordered presented to the retiring secretary. Nominations for general conference secretary being in order tho following names were put before tho conference: Dr. James B. Hipgeley of Minnesota, Dr. Stephen O. Benton of tho New Eng- land conference, Dr. E. M, Mills, Dr. C. C, Townsond of tho northern New York conference, nnd Dr. E. W. Lane. Threo ballots were taken beforo Dr. Hlngcey was selected, the first ballot giving him 146, the second 240 and tho third 351 votes. The subject of tho deaconess' work, which was brought beforo the conference confer-ence on a motion by Rev. Brushlngham of Rock River conference, stirred up a lively debate that occupied more than an hour. Rev. Biushlnham's motion was for a commltteo on deaconess work, composed of fifty members, one-half one-half ministers and one-half laymen, threo to be appointed by each of tho fourteen "district conferences and the remainder by tho bishops. This was amended by Rev. Dr. Hughes of St, LouIb, so ns to glvo the bishops power to nppQlnt tho entire membership of the committee. Tho Hughes substitute was carried by a largo majority, and tho committee will bo appointed by tho bisjhops. The Episcopal address was made a special order for tomorrow morning at 10.40 o'clock. Tonight, at Hazard's pavilion, Governor Gov-ernor Geor,ge .C. Pardee welcomed tho general conference In behalf of the' State of California. Mayor M. P. Snyder spokn for tho city of Los Angeles and for Pacific cost Methodism Blshpp Hamlin bade welcome wel-come to the visitors. |