The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-18

TIE DIsTIIoT CONFERENCE. Tho Co.
lumbia District Conference, which me!
at this place Thursday last, closed its
labors on Saturday. The Conference
was presided over by one Of the bishops
Of the Methodist Church South-the
Rev. George F. Pearce--and was largely
attended by ministers and laymen from
the adjoining country. The business ol
the church, 80 far us we can learn, was
satisfactorily disposed of, aud we IRE o1
opinion that everything which earnest
zeal could do for the promotion Of the
cause OF religion was done, and that re.
newed energies have been brought intC
play by the Conference in the good
cause. The attendance of members wat
very largo. over fifty being present. Re-.
ports from the charges were presented
by clerical and lay members. From
these, the following points wero re-
vealed: The spiritual condition Of the
church IN the district il good; the SUI.
day Schools were never known to be in
more hopeful state; the use aud sale oil
nrdent spirits is seldom indulged in by
members Of the church.; fnmily prayer is
generally and punctuuliy observed; some
improvement in the financial depart.
mont. The Bishop repeatedly addressed
| tue Conference Oh tho various topics
mentioned. Professor Carlisle, Of Wuf-
ford College, Rev. g. II. Pritclar,l, ol
Spnrtanbnrg. and others spoke freely
nnd forcibly.
The following gentlemen were elected
| delegates TO the annual conferences: Dr..
J. w. Parker, J. B. Ferguson, Rev 9.
Sem, S. M. Smith. Altcrnates: II. r.
Wright, John r. Shnler, Rev. a. B.
Brown, J. II. Kinsler.
| The religious exercises were couluct-
ed, morning and evening. III the Presby
tcrian Church, and attended by an unu-
sual copconrHe of people of nll denomi
nations Divine service WIS performed
every morning, on which occasions
Bishop Fearce preached the sermOus
He gavs his farewell discourse ON Mon
dny nigisa, having stayed over for IL lust
word to the people of Chester The
sermons on tho other nights were
preached by the Ruv. Mr.. Zimmerman,
the Rev. Dir. Creighton, the Rev. Man
ming Brown, aud the Rev. NIr. Pritchard.
The Methodist Church South is happy
in having for one OF its bishops such Il
man as George +. Peurce. We know OF
no more persuasive teacher or stronger
| advocate Of religion than ho is. Having
u fine presence. II noble coMntenance, q
rich and entirely sympathetic voice, they
serve to set off admirably powerful in.
tellect and highly cultivated mind.
The style of this minister Of the gospel
is ominently popular, and, therefore,
always powerful, by the impression
made. In this State, we have been dis
posed to look down upon my decidedly
popular eloquence from the pulpit, and
in oil the churches it has been the hnbii
to confino the style Of pulpit oratory tc
the strict rules of the rhetoricians
This, no doubt, is eminently proper and
entirely consonant with the rules of good
taste, but it seems to ns that the nearest
way to the hearts Of IN audience is III
the language commonly spoken, will
Illustrations, sometimes. almost of the
order of "homespun." It is great art
in highy-cultivated man, such as
Bishop Pearce is, to be able to arrive al
pleasant aud thoroughly popular styl,
of speaking without descending from
the gravity proper to religious discourse,
or offending against the rules Of goot
taste. = Chester Reporter.
/