, 1872-10-12
THE METHODiSTS,


tAAAAN144 4tAECAxAEs ~ 4AE RAUEh kk11GG
Conference.
Special Despatch to T1.< cftiea7o Tribune
ROCKFORD, IL, Oct. 11;-Ibis might be termed
one OF the big days in the history Of the Rock
River Methodist Conference. Promptly at the
hour Bishop Wiley opened the morning work,
and, from appearances. there Vas cloud gath
ering. The case Of the brethren On trial caused
the Conference some alarm, and at one time,
there seemed to be a host OF men
ready to spring to their feet and save the ship,
but the storm blew over, and the minutes Of the
official action taken in haste were expunged
from the records.
There was Ire1y competition in the choice
where the next Conference should be. Joliet
wanted it. She had open doors, good accomno-
dations. and was on firm foundation. Prince
ton put in her usual warm invitation, but Mem
dota bore off the palm, and 80 next year may
hare the privilege of entertaining Two or three
hundred clergyn1en and their wives.
Ten candidates for orders came before the
Bishop, and he proceeded to address them in
such manner that the remarks suited the Hhole
Conference IS well as them. Biahop Wiley ia
winning golden opinions among the brethren
hcra-
the Conference arose in its usual salutations.
Rev. H. C. Briggs. DID,, lately transferred from
Cincinnati to this Conference, came to-day,
and received q warm welcome It is understood
that his appointment will be to Evanston,
if the Lord and the Bishop are willing. The
good people Of that place may be assured Of =
genuine Gospel minister.
The Committee On Memoirs WAS instructed to
present memoirs Of the wires Of ministers rho
hare died during the past year
The semi-cennennial sermon to-day, by Rev,
Stephen r Blsgs, was scene long to be re-
memhered- This venerable hero preached the
first Methodist sermon in Fort Dearborn that
Was ever preached in the now great
City Of Chicago. As he recounted the scenes Of
tue post, tears and yolleys Of ssamens were in
terspersed With thunders of applause. His taxt
was: MANY shall run to and fro, and knowl-
edge shall be increased. The Lord gave the
word, and great vas the company Of them that
published it" In closing his remarks he said:
preached in the Rock River Conference, and it
may be the last"
After his remarks were over. good Bro. Mc-
Kown introduced Mrs. Anna Wittenmeyer,
she who was so efficient in the hospitals
during the war, and the Conference VAS melted
to tears by her strong appeals more vigorous
Tork in the Masters vineyard.
The following was unanimously adopted:
Resolced, That ne hare listened to tho able
address Of Mrs. Anna Wlttenmeyer, On the sub |
ject of the Ladies' and Pastors Christian Union,
with deep interest, and we hereby commend her |
good words aud works to all the churches, be- t
leging that she is called OF God, to awaken mora
activity in the work Of soul-saving-
Csigueo) JoHN O. Foster,
S. F. DExN1EG, !
r. H. WILKINSON.
The evening meeting wes in the Interests Of !
education. Every inch Of room IN the church /
vas occupied, and many could not gain entrance. |
The first speaker Was Rev. Griffith, and he Tas |
followed by Mrs Emily H. Miller, Who read a |
most telling paper full of rich thought. Dr. E. |
o. Haven came next. and, with his usual power J
over audiences, held this one in close at |
Ee1rion-