The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-11-18
Austin Conference Methodist EpiS-
cODaI church


cOpaI church
In spite of the inclemsnt weather,a soodly
number of the members and friends of the
Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal church met
at the church last night to give reception
10 the mem bers and visters in attendance.
The evening was spent most pleasantly by all
present in an informal reception snd hand
shaking. There are present representative
from nearly all parts; from the far southwest
to tho northeast, and from the Pan handle TO
the gulf. The regular exercises of the even
ing were opened by a song of welcome by
the choir, after which Rev. DR.. Mass, of
Emira, N. Y, led in iervent, devoted
prayer At the close the congregation united
in singing the old familiar hymn, "All Hail
the Power of Jesus Name" Mr.. w. ID.
Knowles, on the par Of the church, made
the following address of welcome, which was
responded to by Rev, L. Fl. Oarhart, presid.
ing elder of the Denison district, and for.
nerly pastor of the Tabernacle church.
The following is Mr.. Knowles address
Mr.. CHAIRMAN--Beloved bishop, brethren
and friends OF the Austin conference: Il
affords me great pleasure to extend to each
of you on behalf of the Tabernacle Methods.
Episcopal church of Dallas q cordial greet.
ing aud heartfelt welcome to our city, our
sanctuary and our homes.
These, sirs, are no mere idle or conven-
tional words, for knowing our membership
Cs we do, we but voice the sentiments of each
brother and sister when we say that every
one OF you, from our beloved bishop to the
most humble member of this body, has
very large and warm place in our grateful
hearts.
Werecogniza in you, men who have from
childhood oJrl.d u Q midnight oil, putt ng
forth vigorous, manly and Continued effort,
TO prepare your minds, men who have spent
no small portion of your time in earnes.
wrestling prayer to Almighty God for the
baptism of the Holy Ghost, the guidance of
the promised comfvrter and the thorough
preparation of your hearts to the end that
you might be clothed with the whole armour
ofGod, having on your hesds the helmet Of
salvation, your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel, your vital parts projected by
the breast plate Of righteousness, your loins
girt about with truth, your hands ready to
WELD the mighty sword of the spirit anI
your willing arms skilled in the use of the
preciC US shield Of faith
Thus panopi for the war, we behold in
you, my brethren, battle-scarrod veterans of
the cross whom tn, King of kings has hon
erel in that lie has called you to bear the
gbd tidings of great Joy which is unto all
people, thus making you co-workers with
Himself to bring salvation to lost and ruin
ed world And shall not we, the humble
laynel the private soldiers, open our hearts
and homes to those whom tho Great King
delights TO honor?
As we look into your earnest faces and re-
member how often your solemn ordination
Vows and a stern sense of duty Ms captains,
and colonies, and generals in the mighty
Army of the Lord has required you to sun
der the dear st lies of earth, 10 tear away
from all the sweet snl hallowed associations
of home, aud inbred and country, we can
but regard you as indeed pilgrims and strsnL-
ers in the earth, and trust that in the quiet
retreat of your homes and the frequent
gatherings around thes', our sacred affairs.
you may find, as it were, an oasis in life's
desert, and receive such rich baptism of
the Spirit such n dstiIlation of the sweet
dews Of heavenly grace as shall give you
renewed hope aud courage and nerve your
hearts for the conflicts of tho coming con-
ference year.
To you, our beloved bishop, we would
say that our prayers have assembled for 10
these many weeks, as the prayer of one
man, that Gods rich blessings would rest
upon you and upon this entire body, and
that the Great Bishop of souls would preside
in your cabinet, giving you grace. wisdom
and moral courage to discharge the respen-
sibls duties that devolve upon you. Nor
have we forgotten to present our earnest pc.
titions TO throne of grace in behalf of
our brethren and your fellow lsborers
in the gospel of the southern branch Of our
beloved Methodism, whose annual conference
IL now in session in this city. Many Of these
dear brethren we have learned to love, and
shall be proud to share with them the glories
OF the cross and the crown which the Lord,
the righteous judge, sdall give in that day.
There ls so much to say on this delight III
occasion that we hardly know where to stop,
but the time allotted for these exercises Is
short and there are SO many here from wide
ly separated fields, watchmen on the out
posts Of Zion, from whom we long to hear
what its signs of promise are.
And now in conclusion, dearly beloved,
you will perceive that am not sufficiently
gifted in language to express tho affection
and sympathy We oil for you in your lsbors, |
sacrifice, and privatons, but can only add
that we are all Methodists and have Metho-
dist hearts, Methodist homes and Methodist
alters; you know full well what these mean,
and all their hospitality and their wealth Of
social Joy and welcome is yours.
After singing by the choir Rsv. Mr.. Moss,
ofNew York made Il short address followed
by Bihop L 0. Haven, who made some very
fitting and appropriate remarks, which no
doubt found hearty response in the hearts
of many as he spoke of the trials Of the from
tier preacher, of those men who knew nothing
but to publish the good tidings of great joy
which was to be to all creatures and to shed
light and sunshine in It's path. The exercises
at the conclusion of the bishops remarks