The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-03-13
THE N. E. CONFERENCE.
Special for the CARBON ADvoDATB.
Philharmonic March II 10

b, PHILADELPHIA, March IL, 1880.
:. The 93rd annual session of the Philadel
1 phia Conference of the NJ Z church, com.
e menced in the Union church, 4th street, in
this city, on Wednesday morning, March
} 10th Bishop Merrill presiding. This is the
first time that this worthy chief pastor has
appeared before this conference, though it is
: now nearly eight years since he was elected
to this high office the field OF bis labors
has been chiefly in the south and west. He
has already made fine impression by the
ease and ability with which be meets every
point in dispute, and commands the atten-
ton of the entire conference without effort
He was editor Of one of the church papers
before his accession to the Episcopacy, and,
like his lamented colleague the late Gilbert
Haven, he loves to write several works of
high literary and theological merit have
come in rapid succession from his pen.
This is one of the largest conferences in
the connection there are 90 in all this one
contains 25G members, besides q number OF
General Conference visitors; there is also
large attendance of laymen; they have
separate convention of representatives from
each charge, and elect delegates to the Gen.
eral Conference, which meets next May in
the city Of Cincinnati. The session o. the
Annual Conference which occurs before the
General, is usually Of more than ordinary
interest. The live questions before the church
are usually considered and recommendations
sent to the General Conference for legisla-
ton. This is an able body and when some
question of general interest arises the discus
sons that ensue are often of the highest for
ensic character. Some such subjects will |
come before this session, and spicy times are
expected before the week closes.
Much of the work of the conferencel is done
by committees. There were Eighteen stand |
ing committees appointed this morning,
more may be added as occasion may require
When they have consumated their work in
the committee room, their reports are sub
mitted to the conference for final action.
Immediately after the organization of the
conference, a committee of IL was appointed
to investigate the case OF Thomas r Miller,
whose Irregularities, and their exposure by
the Philadelphia Record, have made his
name notorious Thorough and decisive
work is expected in the matter. This con-
ference is too high toned to permit any
shams or crime in its ranks. Vm. Major,
whose name also appears in connection with
the unfortunate business, asked conference
to appoint special committee to investigate
the rumors prejudcal TO his character.
This has been, for many years, the banner
missionary conference, before the hard times
came, the annual contributions had reached
the round and noble sum of 500 900. They
have fallen considerably below that amount I
of late years, and will do so this year. One
noble feature of the missionary cause is, not
one dollar is returned to or appropriated
within the bounds of this conference. 1t is {
missionary money in the proper sense of
the word; separate collections are taken to |
assist in the home work. s
Among the most interesting features of the S
conference to the public are the anniversa- n
ries. They are generally held in the evenings ;
and afternoons. This year there are ten on
the programme. The Historical Society held
theirs on Thursday evening, in Union church. q
rhe object Of the society is to gather and pre- /
serve relics and facts of history material ont I
of which future historians will write their a
books. 1t is au important and beautiful mis- !.
sion to keep fresh in the mind of the living
1pVpfp1 lah
he fathers and founders of the church. The
speakers Of the evening were Rev. ]. Todd, t
d., of Philadelphia, and Rev. j. p. New
mann, OF New York, worthy representatives o
Of the Methodist pulpit of these two great /,
'ities' Dr. Todd's theme was 1.-THE place of
MethOdism In Histtry and DIR. Newman
poke on personal experience the element '
'f Methodist Success" DIR. N. has N 4tlon.
ii celebrity. He was chaplain of Congress, Il
md the pastor of President Grant, during his =,
and as his representative he
Visited the consulates Of the world. He is
poken of as the probable successor of the late II
IND lamented DIR. Dashill, in the office of c
Missionary Secretary. u
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society Ii
net on Wednesday afternoon. This was ad-
lressed by three gifted elect ladies, Mrs =,
Keen, of Philadelphia, Mrs. Wheeler, of Co. VI VI
umbia, and Mrs. Van Lennep, of SMYRNA, ID
Asia, b
The Educational Society met in the Arch
treet church on Wednesday. This meeting A
vas addressed by DR.. Warren, Dr. Foss and ~
Prof. Little. This church was crowded to its
ullest capacity. This meeting being held q
lere gave the numerous strangers in attend
lnce at conference an opportunity of seeing
his magnificent church structure. 1t is built u
4 pure white marble and cost three hundred II
housand dollars. Some will, no doubt, say
What waste of money. But when we remcm- :,
'er that it is In the shadow of public build "
ngs that will cost when completed, from ten d
o fifteen millions, the sum does not appear b.
90 largo to put into building devoted to b;
he glory of God and the salvation of precious M
ouls. One is to punish and the other to save
rom sin, and surely, prevention is better =,
han cure" salvation better than punish "
nent.