New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-07
METRODJST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
CONFERENCE.
Second Day.

Second Day.
The second day of this important confer
ence was held in Wesley Chapel, on Lib
erty street. Bishop Haven presided. Rev.
Scott Chinn led the devotional exercises.
Rev. Mr. Bryant, of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Hon. P. Landry.
we're introduced.
The chief matter Of business was the ex-
animation and reception into the confer
ence of the class Of young men who had
served out their two years of vacation.
The following class was called before the
altar: X. V. Overton, r. Anderson, S. E
Morant, j. Webb, P. King, A. Martin, J.
Kreule, T. E. Madden, A. Spears, Frank
Harvey, A. Legard, c. Thompson, Willis
Carr and Thomas Brown.
All these had appeared before commit
tee of examination, and one by one they
were called upon to report their collections
of missionary moneys, and then to retire,
while their characters were discussed, and
the vote taken on their reception.
Bishop Ravens address to the class be-
fore their reception. was most cOmpre-
hensive and eloquent discourse, in which the
character and work of the Christian
ministry was set forth. lie said, in sub
stance:
Brcthers-Your calling is the highest on
earth. Soldiers take an oath ON entering
the army. How much more ought you in
your heart of hearts solemnlv to give your
selves sacredlv to your holy work. Your
calling is not for an hour or day, but for a
lifetime. In other professions men may
change, and enter other fields of labor, as
their inclination or interests may decide.
Not so with the ministry; once in that holy
work and YOU can not leave it without III
Jury to yourself and reputation. As yet
YOU are only probationers in the conference
You are at the door, and may be received
or rejected, as your brethren may Judge.
We do not let men into the conference
easily. Societies have their initiatOry rites,
much more should the church. And if in the
one case they are impressive, to greater
degree are they in the church.
What you have now you have not created:
The Church was born ages ago. Some Of
you can trace your lineage in the Church
for generations, but it matters not. The
Church lived ages before you were born.
Some young men seem to think they cen
change the Church, and are uneasy and
faul:.fnding. If things don't go to suit
them, they step out, and think to better
themselves, but only to their hurt. You
can. white man out OF stick; much
less can you make a church. The Church
can live without you better than you can
live without it. at is hard to kick against
the pricks." Only the one who kicks gets
hurt. !,
After all, getting into the Church is the
smallest part Some seem to think when
once in the ministry, they can loaf during
the week and boiler an hour or two on
Sunday and succeed. Not SO. To be
minister means to work. A lazy minister
does not deserve as much respect as the
hard working washerwoman in his congre-
CATION who at least does her work we'll. We
can get nothing of value without paying
for it, Success is the result of work every
where.
A minister must have character. Paul
and the Apostles went among the most
corrupt Of the communities to preach the
Gospel. In the first chapters OF Romans
and parts of his letters to the Corinthians.
he gives Us pictures OF corrupt society IN
Rome and Corinth, equal to the very worst
of to-day. And vet such was the purity OF
their live that they deied the criticism OF
| their hearers.
a minister must be above reproach. He
| should 90 among his people with spotless
| character. He must not compromise him
| self. If ne attends the theatre or drinks
| wine his best people loose confidence IN
| him, and expect that he will do worse
Character has also an internal relation.
! We must have good report with those
about US, but must also have an inward
| purity. Character is the minister's main
| stock in trade. BraiLs, good address. Gull
| ture, are all desirable, but without char
| acter they can not give success. We DC
| not preach the Gospel from books. 1t If
| more matter of experiences. man can
| only testify on what he knows. Sermons
| without the relation of personal experience
in them have no power. We must have
| our internal life hid with Christ. The Lord
! Jesus builds up His Church by the testi
| mony of His children. If you have no ex
| perience in your heart we do not want you
A ministers you must have something
| more than character and heart experience
| All good Christians have these. You are
| called out OF the world by special divine
calling. Your profession demands wore
| The eight hour system will not do for the
| minister. The first business of the minister
| il to feed the flock of Christ, and to do thi;
| ne must have something to feed them with
| You are to prepare for this work by study
| You ought to read something each day
| And this YOU can not do without deli Der
| ate purpose. systematic your time, giving
at least three hours day to study. nc
| pastoral work among your people diligently
and prudently. Do it among all people; &c
| not neglect any. You must not only worn
| diligently yourselves, but You must put your
! church to work Instruct your church how
| to work. and one OF the best ways to Learn
| is to teach others.
| Another thing to be remembered ia tina,
tina church has an order and it is your duty
to obey that order. The men who obey
! the church are the men who obey its laws
| Don't get the big head; DO your duty
Speak the truth boldly, ont keep cooi even u,
| in this hour Of defeat, for the time being, OF
| some principle. Preach the Gospel and dt
| not worry. Remember that if other thingf
| are not right yOn too are not as right as yot
| ought to be- The sea captain does mo-
worry about the storm; he expects it. 81
! stewards and distributors OF the WORD O
| God and you shall have your reward.
The address was listened to by the larg'
| audience present with intense interest, ant
the speaker was frequently interrupted bl
| hearty amens.
This morning the chief interest will centre
| in the election of delegates to the genera
conference which assemblies in Baltimore
next Nav. 1t is is the order of the day TO
half-past ten o'clock.
Tonight Rev. DR.. Dashiel, missionar!
secretary. from New York, will deliver {
missionary address at the church III Which
| the conference is held.
Court Items.
All courts adjourned as mark OF re
spect to the memory of +. Filleul, Esq.
In consequence of ths retention of hi
position as minute clerk Of the House o
| pan.oaantatiues hv Mr.. Oscar ArrOIO, tn