Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-10-04
THE NlETH0DISTS.
THE WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE,
In Session at MOrgantOwn-BishOp Simp-
sOn-0istinguished VisitOrs-PsrsOn-
nei Of the Conference-General
Conference Election, Etc.
From our special Correspondent

thirty-third session in the NJ. Z. Church
in MorsantOwn, this Wednesday, after
noon at P NJ, with Bishop Mathew
Simpson, ID. d., Ii. d., presiding. The
roll was called by the Secretary, Geo. Z.
Wilding, who, in addition 20 being a
good preacher, pastor and Sunday
school man, has a wonderful knack for
business, and as a Secretary is all that
could be desired. The Conference meets
in a famous Methodist Church. Nor
gantown MethOdism has been strong and
influential for more than hall century.
The remark is commonly attributed to
Bishop Simpson that he would sooner
be the pastor OF the Morgantown NJ. +.
Church than OF Christ Church in the
city Of Pittsburgh. Its pastors have
been strong men, such as DrummOnd,
Hunter, lson, MulleniS, Pitcher, Ryan,
White. Steele and SnOdgrass. II is still
n strong church, including among its
lea ling members men like Willy, Wag-
ner, Brown, Sturgis, LOrentz, Hagans,
BrOch, Wade, Shisler, Chadwick, Berk-
shire, and others. Ample and generous
preparations have been made for the en-
tertainment Of both the Conferences
Ministerial and Lay. The preparation
has been orderly and systematic, and
hence the absence of friction. Never
before in the history OF the West Nir-
ginia Conference have the arrange
ments been 50 perfect and satisfactory.
This is all due to the patient
AMI practical mind of the host OF the
conference, Rev. W. {. SnOdgraSS, pas
tor of the church. Philip Gilbert Ham
erton says that capacity Tor details Is
a characteristic OF genius, and We are
sure that this capacity makes the genius
of our friend Mr.. SnOdgrass. lie has
the conference we'll in hand, knows
every home and every preacher besides
superintending all the public services
every afternoon and evening. W. Z.
Sn1igrass is a man OF strength and
promise tie is man of affairs, and
aplstor, a student and 4 thoughtful
preacher of broad and catholic sympa-
thies. He has fought his own battles
thus far, and looks as though he would
be manly and courageous 20 the end.
The BISHOP AND DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
The President Of the Conference,
Bishop Simpson, is the CArysOstOm OF
Math0dism. Twenty-Scven years ago,
in the town OF MOrgantoWn, he met the
West Virginia Conference Tor the hrst
time, and il was also his first Confer
ence after his election 20 the EpiScopaCy.
Then he was fOrty-One, now he Is sixty
eight; then he was Just entering upon
his splendid public career, now his
work hastcus to q close. Mathew Simp-
son in the pulpit fully reused 10 his
work Is the granlrst preacher IN McthO-
dism. Bishop Simpson Is the guest olhls
early schooimJtc and lifelong friend,
Senator Wiley. The two old men elo-
Quent are worth luukiug at. IL IL eN-
pecttd that Bishop Simpson Will preach
on SUNDAY morning In the Commence
ment Hall OF tle ~.uc University.
Many distinguished visitors are eN-
pected during the session OF tGe Confer
ence. some ut whom are already here.
Chaplain McCahe will be the guest Of
Hon. j. VI. Ila.aus. Rev. DR.. Freeman,
of the :. :. Uuiou and Tract Society,
will be entertained by Hon. George &.
Sturyiss. Rev. DR.. Niley, OF Drew The
olOgical Seminary, will be at
Professor A. W. Lorentz's DIR,
l.. n. Bugbee, Of Allegheny College,
AT Prof. ID. b. Puriu,on's. Rev. DR..
Payne. Of Ohio Wesleyan University,
will be the guest OF j. X. Thompson,
AMI the Secretaries OF the Conference
will be entertained by Wm. Wagner,
Esl. We will have good singing, good
preaching, good leCturiug good talking,
good social cheer, good time IntelIcc-
tually and relgiOusly. Rev. DIR. n.
Wheeler, editor Ot the Pittsburgh CHRIS
han AirOc1is the man who believes that
awhite man ought not % b" dlscrlml-
mated against on account of his color,
lectured entertaiuingIy last night In the
University Chapel, to very
large and aPprcciative audience.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE CONFERENCE.
The West Virginia Conference IN scs-
sion is worth looking at aud studying.
No other body OF men in the United
States mas more moral hcrOlSm. That
man has moral herOism who, 20 render
supreme in life and conduct moral ideas,
deliberately marritS himself to poverty
AMI hard work This Is what the mem
bers ui the West Virginia Conference
have done. Their salaries 10 not aver
ags $50 per annum. Yet they are cheer
ful. hopeful and happy, ami
intensely devoted To their work.
They verify believe that Jesus
Christ called them % this ministry, and
in His service they know lie will IN
some WAY take care of them. To Snow
HIM, to love Him, to serve Him, =, with
them, rs with MacaUlav' Purluus, "the
great end Ot existence. I'll they are
not acquainted with the works OF phil
osophers and poets, they are deeply read
in the 0raclcs of God. Id their names
are not found i'm the registers of hera,ds,
they are recorded in the Book OF Lille.
ii their steps are not accompanied bya
splendid train OF merits, lcgiOuS OF min
isteung angels have charge of them. Their
palaces are houses not made with hands;
their diademS crowns OF glory which
shall never iaic away 10 has its men
of mark and influence who have con-
trolled its councils for years. There is
DR.. Gideon Martin, T. + OF the Cidrks-
bury district, who has been a member
Ol tltt NOulcItuCt lIoul llS biEtui1ttt'uf
and whose influence ON the Conference
has been second tono mans. james l..
Clark, z. r. Of the ParSersburg district,
who was Secretary Tor nine years, the
man who, though a hard worker, de-
clares he has never been tired in his
life; DR.. J. W. Bolton, vino delights in
doctrinal preaching, and IN the study OF
Methodist law; ID. II. h. Dix, a man be-
loved by mis- brethreuand member otthe
Church Extension and Mission Com
mittees; J. ]. Deliver, who in PRAYER
and exhortatiOn, especially at camp
meeting, is host in himself; Dr. A, {.
George, gifted versatile, popular, iull
Of keen wit, ready aucciOte and apt
ouotation, a man with church rePuta-
tion: I. b. Hughes, grave, serious,
sound hearted, clear headed, Metho-
fuI Presiding Eldership on the Buck
ba,,o, district. B. IsOn, profoundly