The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-09-22
A. N. Z. ZION CHURCH.
Newport, tennessee.

newport ISnDeSS0cs
The District Conference of the AT
riean. Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, met at the above named
place on Thursday, September I'd,
inst. Elder T. 4. Hopkins presiding.
Conference opened with reading the
I'd chapter Of 1st Cor. and singing.
Rev. J. w. Elkins addressed the
Throne of Grace, after which Elder
Hopkins arose and greeted the Breth-
ren with words of Christian love
saying he was glad to meet the
Brethren one time more in confer
ence. and hoped that he might have
the cooperation of all to assist him
in the work of Him who is the Great
Shepherd and Bishop of souls. AL
so stating that he was happy to learn
all the Brethren of the district were
blameless in life and conduct. he
then urged upon the Brethren the
necessity of an educated ministry
saying, owing to the limited chances
and scarcity of means, we had not
made the advancement in science
we might have made. had it not have
been for those two hinderances.
Rev. j. w. Elkins preached the
opening Sermon form Per. 8th chap.
and l4th verse--''Why do we sit
still. -
The delegates. representing the
various labors, reported the same as
being in q prosperous condition, and
that those places that had no house
of worship of their own. were now
being built, and hoped to occupy
them soon.
The reports of the several Sabbath
Schools were very encouraging.
Some of the schools had not been
supplied with books. but proper
steps were being taken to supply
them. Several addresses were de-
livered upon the subject of and in the
interest of Sabbath Schools by Bros.
Hopkins, Elkins. Morris and others.
Elder W. II. Ferguson, of Athens.
Tennessee, delivered an address on
Education, that was highly appreci-
ated by all present. He dwelt large
Iy upon the necessity of educating
the ''rising generation and of the
Importance of the Church sustaining
an educated ministry. Elder Hop
kins followed likewise with able and
appropriate remarks.
On Sabbath, Elder Ferguson
preached at II o'clock. A. NJ, to a
large and attentive audience, from
Math. 9Th chap. I'd verse-"Lord.
if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me
clean" There was a profound still
ness during the entire services and
the people seemed to relish every
word spoken by the preacher down
deep from the bottom of their hearts,
while the true. living and just God
poured out His refreshing grace upon
them. The Lords supper was adj
ministered to the large multitude of
people whom humbly but freely did
partake thereof.
A collection amounting to $40 was
taken up. The total amount for the
day-S25.
Rev. j. W. Elllins preached in the
afternoon, and Rev. Moulden. of
Strawberry Plains, at night.
On Monday, September 9th, the
business of the Conference was fn-
ished, and vote of thanks were
rendered to the friends of Newport
for their kind hospitalities. Also it
was ordered by the Conference that
that body send forth its warm feel
ings and deep gratitude to the man.
ayers of the East Tennessee, Vir-
gHiia and Georgia Railroad Compa-
ny for their liberality in extending
excursion tickets on the occasion.
Elder Hopkins has the thanks of the
entire congregation that assembled
in his beautiful and spacious yard
on Sunday to give thanks and praise
unto the Lord and to listen to the
word of God being preached.
For full particulars Of the pro-
ceedings of the Conference, see
Minutes of District Conference.
On motion, of Deacon Chrismass,
it was moved that the business of
this Conference be published in the
MORRIsTOwN GAZETTE.
Conference adjourned to meet at
Messy Greek, September, 1876
time indefinite.
c.. A. HOPKINS,
a/TF14T 7g Chairman.
J. W. ELKTNs,