The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-26
MORAYIAN CONFERENCE.

IhC RChnsIlNaUiO EEanch In Session at
the Second Church. at Frrnlxlin and
Thompson Streets-InterestIna Proceed
ings.
The first conference OF the Pennsylvauia
Branch of the Moraviau Church was held in the
Second Moravian Church, southeast corner of
Franklin and Thompson streets, yesterday
morning, at 10 A. NJ.
This Conference represents over $500 COM
municants. The object of its meeting is for
free conference and iraternal intercourse for the
purpose of advancing the work of the Church
in the district.
The conference organized ut 10 o'clock by
the selection of kev. ii. 5. Hoffman, pastor of
the Second Church as temporary chairman.
After prayer by Bishop Edmund De Schwinty an
election for officers was held, with the following re-
sult:-Chairman, Bishop David BigleT, of Lancaster
Secretary, Philip A. Cregar, OF Philadelphia.
on aking the chair Bishop Bigler returned his
thanks to the conference for this mark of affection
and esteem, ana asked the prayers OF the members
TO assist him in the performance OF the duties OF his
On motion the courteses of the synod were ex-
tended the representatives OF the press, The Rev.
MIR. Mitchell, OF the Central Presbyterian Church.
being present, he was invited to act an advisory
member Of the conference,
on motion, the chairman appointed Rev. w. H.
Rice OF York, and Bevs. II. A. BTickeustein and L.
f. Kampman, OF bethlehem, a Committee on Creden.
tials, and Bishop De Schweinitz, Revs. Sylvester
Wolfe, OF Bethlehem, and II, y. Hoffman, OF Phila-
delphia, Committee on Order OF Business.
During the absence OF the committee the confer
ence joined in the singing of the 729th Hymn
The Committee on Credentials reported the fol-
".
Weber, Jedediah Weiss, Thomas Jones, A. Giering,
M. G. Jones. NazareJh-Richard Beitei Rev. E. H.
Reichel YoTk-H Latmer, Reuben Beck. South
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Harlacher Graceham-
Bernard Collinower. Egg HarbOr, N. J.-Henry
Thesis. Litiz-N. s. Wolfe, j. Beck. Riverside, N
j. Ruppel. Phiadelphia-FiTst Church. z. a.
Cregar and Lewis II. Esser; SrcOnd, w. Il. WINS
andC. II. Kruder Palmyra-G. Hlntermelr. Leoa-
non-John Graed. Lancaster-Emanuel Weider,
Alfred Harney.
Ministers Iresent--Bishops b Blgler and &. De
schwenilz; Revs. r. De schweiutz, L. F. Kauf-
man. III. ~ BaClmHQ, T., Ii, SlultZ. H. H. Rrpken-
stein, G. L. Krke, II. J. Van Week, j. b ickensdor-
Rice, p. II. Gapp, 2. Rommel S. Wolfe.
The committee on order OF business reported the
following subjects for the consideration OF the
i. The State OF Religion in the District.
2. The Work of the Church In the District, viz. -
Home Missions, Foreign Missions, Bohemian Mis-
sons; Education, Theological Seminary In particu-
lar; Sunday Schools; Publications
3. The Enactments OF the Synod and how they are
carried out in the District.
The report of the committee was adopted.
The first head being announced for discussion,
Bishop De Schwenltz addressed the conference. He
spoke Of the condition OF the church in Bethlehem
There was much in the state OF religion In that
church that was encouraging and much that was
otherwise. There were three classes in the church
the older members, who were still under the iu1u-
ence of the former seclusve system, among whom
there were many who gave evidence OF vital piety
the younger members fervent and full Of vigor and
the nominal members: member the speaker depored the
lack OF true religion among the latter class, who
The elders Of the Church have used every endea-
promote accessions to their numbers, but certain
worldly advantages to be gained by joining the
Moravian Church in Bethlehem caused many to
become members whom 1t was impossible to pre-
vent unless man could read the heart OF his fellow.
Bishop De SchweinitZ alluded to the prevalent idea
that 1t was necessary for the young to forward
at a certain age for confirmation. This was great
error which he and Bishop Bigler had earnestly
combatted. But still these young people would
appear for that purpose, and IL they were refused
they would be apt to be at once and perhaps always
without the benefit of religious influences The work
Of the church was spoken favorably of. The diff
ferent societies were in a hourlshing con lition.
The state of religion in the South Bethlehem
| Church was reported by the Rev. II. |. Van Fleck
LitiZ, by Professor Beck OF the Boys Seminary al
| Litiz, and Mr.. Nathaniel Wolfe. and Nazareth by
While the Sunday schools connected with these
churches were last reported In flourishng cOnd
tion the prevailing tone of the speakers regarding
| the state OF religion in the churches themselves
was rather respondent. The hour for the meetings
| Of the conference was fixed at A. NJ. and 10 NJ
| and % to =. NJ
| on motion Of Bishop De Schweinitz, committee
was appointed consisting Of the pastors of the First
| to make arrangements for public meeting to-mor.
| row evening,
| 1t was resolved that the conference meet to-mor
| row afternoon for the purpose of attending the
laying OF the cornerstone of the Third MoraViaI
| Church at Harrowgate. Adjourned.
The union communion will be held this evening IL
| the First Church, corner Of Franklin and WOOD
streets.