The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-06-10
WHOLE NUMBER ST,
Senefal Conference-Bishops Soule, An
drew, Capers and Paine.

General Conference-Bishops soule, An
drew, oapers and Paine.
Inc General Conference holds its sessions in
the Methodist Church, which is very spaciou.
ana eommodious. The Episcopal Board, CON
ns;ne In,s;;,ne Oh bishoPs soule Andrew, Capers and
IN the altar, and alternately preside. On their
lett, sits the able, erudite, and facetious DR..
summers, the popular Secretary, and his wor
thy assistant, Mr.. Erwin. The face and voice
OF Dr. D. Is an excellent antidote for asperity
OF temper and words
Grouped around and near the altar are thu
more venerable members of the body. Con.
sPicuous among these, are the veneratcd forms
OF the Rev. Drs. Pierce, Winans and Early.
and the Rev. Mcssrs. Crouch and McMahon,
large majority of the Conference is composed
OF men who have passed the meridian Of hu-
man life
DIR. Soule is the Senior Bishop. ALTHOUGH
burdencd with the weight of more than three
score years and ten his form is still erect, and
ms step hrnl. His intellectual powers seem un-
impaired. His hearing, sight md voice aro
gradually failing, yet his enunciation is clear
and distinct. In height, he is about six feet,
suited to the tolls andhardsllips of an itincrant
lie, which he has endured for half n century,,
His hair is quite luxuriant and less gray than
IS usual with men of his advanced age. With
characteristic digity, he occasionally addresses
few pointed and pertinent remarks to the
Conference, and the deep and solemn cadences
OF his voice always elicit profound attention
His eye brows arc remarkably heavy and over
hanging, and when excited by the inspiration of
his theme, the large blue eyes beneath glow
with the fires of other and bygone years.
Bishop soule is very properly regarded by
all with profound and pious veneration. When
he shall be gathered to his fathers, it will be-
long ere the Church will look upon his ike
again. He was consecrated Bishop in 1924
Next to Bishop Soule in age and Episcopal
seniority, is Bishop Andrew. His character.
though somewhat different is scarcely less
marked. Like his senior associate, he has a lib
eral endowment Of common sense, and Is emil
be. Of humble but highly respectable ances-
try, by the force and energy of his character
by his well directed efforts in the vineyard Of
Christ, he has made on indelible impression up-
on the genius and polity Of Southern Method
ism, as salutary as it must be enduring. &
>, There is nothing remarkable or striking in
the personal appearance Of Bishop Andrew
lie is about five feet ten inches high-has full,
open, good natured face, mild blue eye, and. :
j Strong preacher, and as descriptive writer.
has few superiors His manners are free and !!
easy, and in his toilet there Is an entire absence
of excessive fastidiousness. He would pass any,
where for good republican citizen. Few men i
know the masses better-and few are bet.
qualified to work out their moral and
intellectual elevation. q. His fine social quail,
tiles make his cotrpanionship most ge-
nial and refreshing. SUhder late severe men
tai and bodily affictpn, in addition to arduous
ministerial labor, his once robust constitution
begins to show marks decay, though his age
cannot exceed sixty years: He was elected
Next in Episcopal sehiorits is Bishop capers.
who was set apart 70 that Office in 1S46 after