Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1872-10-04

The Holston Conference of; the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church met in annual COM
munication yesterday, at 8 A. M: in the
new M. %. Church in this city. Bishop ..
Merrill of Cincinnati, Ohio, is presl,
dent of the Conference AT the appointed
hour the Bishop took the chair, and after
calling the Conference to order, read the
Goth chapter of Isaiah, and also the 4th
chapter of I'd Corinthians. He then an
nounced the 229th Hymn, after the sing
ing of which the Bishop offered a very de-
VOut prayer. The earnest manner OF the
Bishop together with his devout spirituall-
ty made a deep impression upon those
who joined him in the opening services.
The appearance of the Bishop indicates
that he is earnest and devoted to his work,
whatever that may be. He is one OF the
youngest men in the episcopacy, having
worked his way up through the. various
gradations of the ministry. to his present
honors. In early life his surroundings
were not the most propitious but with an
indomitable will and strong faith in God
he surmounted and overcame them all.
For number of years he served appoint
ments in Ohio and Kentucky on circuits
and stations and was presiding elder. I'm
til the last fouryears he was editor of the
Western Christian AdUOcate at Cincinnati.
At the General Conference in Brooklyn,
n. Y. last May, he was elevated to his
present POSITION The Bishop isra clear
thinker and an impressive speaker.
After the opening exercises were conclu-
ded the Bishop declared the Conference
ready for business. The roll was called to
which Il majority Of the members respond
ed.
There are over 80 ministers i'll this Con-
ference, with membership of about 25,-I
600, which shows quite healthy growth
since the organization in 1865.
Rev. J. J. Marker was reelected Secre-
tary, with Revs. j. A. Ruble, J. S. Petty
and r. ID. Black, assistants.
The usual number of standing commit
tees were appointed.
Rev. Mr.. Haskell, of the Western New
York Conference, was introduced.
The questions relating to the supernu-
merary and superannuated preachers was
taken up and their characters examined
and passed and their relationship fixed for
the ensuing year, except in the case of
Rev. Mr.. Mahoney, who last fall united
with the NJ. E. Church South. In his case
there was no action necessary except to re-
cord the fact. E.issfF
Rev. J. F. Spence made q report of
the Knoxville District over which he
has presided for four years. ALI the inter
ests and departments of the church in that
district are said to be in n very healthy
and peaceful condition. The growth of
the church was reported rs encouraging as
to members as well as in material strength
in the erection of new churches and some
parsonages. The spiritual growth and
power of the church was reported as very
highly encouraging.
Pho names of the ministersz who arc el-
Clers in the church on that district were
called and their characters examined and
passed. ~
Various other items of minor importance
were disposed Of, after which the Confer
ence adjourned.
At P. NJ, Rev. j. i. Little, preached
an interesting sermon. IEEH Il z
THE CONGRESSIONAL CONTEST
is being carried on quite lively here to-day.
The three contestants are each trying their
powers Of Oratory at the court house.
There seemed to be quite large crowd
around the stand.
EBrr-rF-7 THE CORNER STONE
of the Episcopalian Church was laid to-
day. This is to be the most beautiful little
church in the State. 1t is not to be so
large as some, but it is to be very fine in all
its appointments. 1t is being erected as a
memorial church by Mr.. J. III. Craigmills,
whose little daughter was killed by an
engine on the railroad here on the 18th of
last October. The walls are being built of
the best brick ornamental with cut stone,
WHICH Will present Il very me eXUerlOr. Inc
interior is to be beautiful and inviting.
$500 REV. A. G.. WATKINS
who was few years ago member of Con-
gress, but is now member of the Holston
Conference, preached at night. 1t seems
little singular that on the day that three
men spoke, who would each like to be
| amember of Congress, this man who was
once a member shonld prefer to preach
| here. -t-' r. d. b.
| u CEApCII ID IuRnLn nIEEICIITIEc -.