Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-05-24

mate orator. It seemed to disinterested
listener as though he was taking soundings
! of the sentiments of his hearers on the
subject. If he finally concluded that he
had solid ground to stand upon the result
showed that he was greatly mistaken. The
probabilities are, however, that as he ad.
vanced he felt the ground slipping away,
but was determined to commit himself at
all hazards, trusting for his vindication to
the developments of the future. That he
did brave thing none will question. and
it must also be admitted that he did it
wisely and cleverly, for he distinctly an
nounced that he spoke for himself alone,
not for his church. If, as Shakespeare
says,
"ALL's WELL THAT ENDS WELL"
Then all was well with DR.. Ridagway's fra.
ternal address, for in his closing utterances
on the subject of union he carried the con.
ference by storm. He was aware, he said.
that it was very hard to knock apples from
tree while they were green, and when
they had been knocked off they always
proved to be very sour. When ripe, how
ever, they would fall off themselves, and
then were delicious to the taste. By.and-
by the apple of organic union would be
ripe. Then everybody would want it and
children would cry for it. Loud applause. ]
The doctor also referred to the difficulty
experienced in building the great bridge
which spans the river between Cincinnati
and Covington. The weather was cold and
the irons would not meet. A messenger
was dispatched to the place where the irons
hoJ II, - 1f
warm weather so distended these irons that
the workmen were able to bring them to-
gether. Instantly dispatch was sent to
headquarters, "They have met" the reply
being flashed back, "Clamp them" By
and dby, said the doctor, under the warm
rays of the Sun of Righteousness their two
separated Methodisms would meet, and he
felt sure that when they did, all would be
in favor of clamping them. This and the
comparison he drew in another part of his
address between the Methodist itineracy and
Ezekiel's vision of the wheels, were the
doctors two happiest hits. At the close
OF the address everybody was on tiptoe of
curiosity to hear what the chairman,
Bishop NJ M'TeYeire would say. His response
was short but very happy, the little catch
in it causing the audience to shake its sides
with laughter. "The conference" said
the Bishop,
'!wILL SEND REPRESENTATIVES
To your General Conference, in 1884, to
assure your church of our good will and
love. Indeed, we will not wait that long !;
we will send these by you. Meanwhile,
he said, I'VE will unite with you," adding,
after significant pause, sin singing an
ld-fashioned hymn, The Old Ship of
Zion.' Such, in brief, is the record of
the present Conference on the subject of
fraternity and union. 1t is very little,
compared to the large things some had ex-
pected, but when considered in the light
of the bitter past, it is great DEAL In
deed, the progress of the last twelve
years is almost incredible. 1t is one of
the marvels, all things remembered, of
this marvellous age. The next quadren-
mum will witness advancement on these
questions still more rapid, for in December
of 1884 the different branches of American
Methodism will unite in grand conference
and centennial celebration of the first or
ganization of Methodism in this country.
The Church South is the first to take off.
cial action in this movement, and it goes
into it heart and soul. Not only will
it send delegates to the Centennial
Conference, but it is making plans to raise
S2, 900, 900 that year in centennial con-
tributions from its people, the money to be
devoted mainly to the grand cause of
church extension. II. T.