The Cecil Whig., 1878-06-08
From The Wigs Special Correspondent
WILMINGTON DISTRICT CONFERENCE.

The seventh session of the Wilmington
District Conference convened in North
East, on Wednesday, June 9th.
A meeting of this character is one of
deep interest in a community so emnently
Methodistc as this town; since this assem-
blage has supervision of the local preach
ers and exhorters of the church, and has
power to revoke or renew the licenses of
these church officials and in addition, ex
amines and overlooks the labors, &C., of
class leaders and Sunday school superin-
tendents within the bounds of the Presid-
ing Elder district.
The attendance at this Conference was
quite large, consisting of some eighteen of
the travelling ministry besides large num-
Der of local preachers and exhorters and
others of the subsidiary officers of the dis
trict.
The Presiding Elder, ex officio chairman,
was present and presided.
The first session of Wednesday morning
was mainly occupied in listening TO a ser
mon from Rev l.. G. Matlack, ID. D., on
mans Immortality, from Job 7: II; which,
in its clearness and conciseness and gen
eral apt presentation of the thought of the
distinct and assured existence of spirit as
distinguished from the body of man, so
pleased the Conference that resolution
was passed, requesting the Doctor to pre-
pare copy for insertion in the Christian
Adgocdte and Conference Worker, and also
in The Cecil Wing; SO we may hope, MIR.
Editor, that your readers may shortly have
the privilege of reading in full this excel
lent discourse.
Following the morning discourse, the
routine disciplinary business of the Con
ference consumed the remainder of the
morning and considerable part of the
afternoon session.
The most interesting item consisted of
reports from the pastors of the various
charges of the district; the items includ-
ing membership, class attendance. condi
ton of Sunday schools, church finances.
&C., &c.
The reports were generally quite encour-
aging, and led to the confident belief that
at least in this section Methodism is not
declining.
The reports from Wilmington, in view
of condition of affairs there a year ago,
were especially encouraging, showing that
St. Paul's and Asbury had regained their
ancient hold on the attention and atfec
tion of the community, as testified by the
crowded condition of the edifices at the
preaching services.
Delaware City has church edifce nearly
completed, and Mount Salem a magnificent
cathedral begun, with the hope of compile
tion in October.
Three candidates for license to preach
were duly examined, their cases considered
in open Conference, and the whole number,
Levi Garrett, Robert Smith and J. f. Will
hanson, were licensed.
The latter part of the afternoon session
was occupied with discussion of the sub
,iect, THE value of Christian education
and relation to the same of our Conference
educational institutions"
The discussion was opened with very
interesting and quite able speech by Rev.
G. r. Bristor, of New Castle, in which he
sharply defined what is Christian educa-
ton and showed its Importance to our com
munity and showed how intimately con,
nected with it was the support of our own
Wesleyan Female College and Conference
Academy.
He was follow ed by Rev. J. B. Quigg in
very practical speech, giving statement
of the condition of these institutions and
showing their need of the sympathy and
assistance of the Methodists and other
Christian people of this peninsula; and the
discussion concluded with speech by Rev.
Mr.. Ridgway. of Elkton, referring to the
influence of the ministry with the people
and their duty in presenting the matter to
their people.
The evening session was principally de-
voted to prayer and experience meeting,
under conduct of Rev. F. A. Ellis, of Elk
ton, and opened with prayer by Rev. j. F.
Williamson, of Newark The meeting was
deeply interesting and thoroughly spiritual,
as might be expected from the character of
its conductor, and was attended by large
number of the citizens.
At the time of writing these notes the
second days session was still in progress
and consisted principally of sermons, Sun
day school matters and religious training
of children, by Rev. G. r. Brstor, in the
morning; and discussions of various topics
in the afternoon.