The Methodist Conference

Three hundred preachers of the Detroit Methodist conference are in session this week in the local Methodist church. Today this iiurober was supDleniented by the arrival in the city of ;hree hundred lay delegates to attend the sessious oí the lay oouference,whiph meets once iu four ye"ars, and which is in session today. Tuesday evening the conference was informally opened by a reception to the ministers, given by the official board of the church, af ter which Dr. Joseph F. Berry, editor of the Epworth Herald, lectured under the auspices of the Epworth League, on "What a Tramp Saw in the Kmerald Isle. " Wednesday morning at nine o'clock the conference began in earuest with Bishop John F. Hurst, of Washington, presiding. After the sacrament, the roll of the conference was called, by Secretary J. E. Jacklin, associate editor of the Michigan Christian Advocate. He was unaniinonsly elected conference secretary for the second year, wich power to appoiut his assistants. He named Arthar W. Stalker, of Detroit, associate secretary, C. L. Adams, of Chelsea, finaucial secretary, Frank L. Osborne, of Tecumseh, haviug declined re-election to the office of treasurer, E. L. Moon, of Stockbridge, was elected in his stead. The regulation committees were appointed. The presiding elders began their reports, Presiding Eider Davis, of this district being the first. He had nothing but good to say of his pastors, and reported the district in excellent conditiou both spiritnally and fiuaucially. Collections were well np. The local church, under the leadership of Rev. C. M. Cobern canie in for special mention on the part of the presiding eider. Improvemeuts to the extent of $1,000 for this year were reported. He refered to the Ypsilanti liqnor war, and pleased óhe preachers by saying they supposed the Methodist ministers were responsible for it Wednesday af ternoon Eev. Seth Reed, of Northville, delivered his semi-oentennial sermón before a rather small audience, the ministers preferring to talk over the events of the year together thau to listen to sermons. Followiug the Sprmon,Se"retary Wade took the pastors in tow and showed them a part of the University buildings and grounds. [u the evening the anniversary of the Superannuated Peachers' Aid Society took place, Rev.W. H. Shier, of Detroit, the president of the organization, presiding. Good finauciai condiitons were reported. During the year, alost three thousand dollars have been distributed ainong the needy preachersof the superannuated list. The society has eudowrnent to the amount of $50,000. There have been many prominent men at the conference, and many are still to come. Among them are Dr. Earl Cranson, head of the western Methodist book concern, of Chicago, Dr. Kelly, editor of the Methodist Review, Dr. Buell, dean of the faculty of the theological school of Boston university, President Físke, of Albion college, Dr. Arthur Edwai-ds, editor of the Nprthwesten Advocate, Dr. S. A. Keen, of Delaware, Ohio, and many others. Yesterday moming was devoted to routine business. In the afternoon occurred the anniversary exercises of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society and in the evening the educational anniversary and the consecration of deaconesses. The conference will continue until Monday.