Daily Los Angeles herald., 1883-12-15
the METHoDIsT CONVENTION.
Report OF the proceedings The Sub
jects Discussed-Tne Educational
Plans and Prospects, The Names
of the Speukers.

The Preachers District Meeting OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which has
Just closed its session ia this city, was
an important meeting Of the ablest men
in that denomination in the State. The
first evening Rev. P. +. Bresee, pastor
Of Fort-st NJ. E. Church, delivered
sermon on s'Christian Holiness, or
Specification. 1t ranks among the
most eloquent and able addresses ever
delivered in Fort-street Church. He
showed that the true scriptural and
Methodist doctrine on the subject was
the attainment Of such moral develop
ment that the individual was strong
enough successfully to resist sinful acts.
The power to sin remained: the tempta-
tions occurred as before, but the spirit
ual strength was such the power was
stayed and the temptation resisted. 1t
was such moral condition that no need
existed to proclaim it publicly from the
housetops, for the life that resulted from
1t, the fruit that grew on that tree was
such that all mon would realize instinct
lively that the person was holy. He said
that true Christians in California were
forced to hang the head in shame at the
reproach cast on this doctrine by the
reckless declarations and work of iniu-
dicious persons. That purported sancti-
fication which was the result Of an oral
formula was worse than sacrilege. This
line of thought was ably supported by
scripture and argument, and when the
address was ended the audience were not
aware that for an hour they had listened
spell-bound to the preacher. Mr..
Bresee's services are crowded with peo-
pie who go to hear the gospel preached.
He is doing good work.
On Wednesday the educational work
was taken up and discussed at large.
1t eliminated in the addresses of the
evening. Col. Wells delivered an ad-
dress in which he pointed out the re-
mnrkable success that had attended the
financial work Of the University Of
Southern California. He said that there
was no other institution founded on
the same financial plan. He also showed
the great necessity for full educational
facilities on this plan: that here would
be attained in the future results in
science, literature and art that would
equal anything that the world had yet
seen.
Rev. A. NJ. Hough followed with
masterly address. As agent Of the Uni
versity, he expected to raise not less
than si0O, 900 with which to erect and
furnish a building This was not sec
tartan school 1t was religious in its
teachings, but not ssctarian. In its fac
ulty were Presbyterians. Catholics,
Methodists and Others. The same was
true Of its scholars. The children Of
other denominations would return home
better and stronger members Of their
own church stronger in their religious
knowledge and faith but not influenced
in their belief as to the denominations
with which they preferred to go.
The great work of the pastors should
be to thoroughly understand the work
in hand, and aid energetically in push
ing it through. As educational workers
we must establish university here that
will stand shoulder to shoulder with any
university in America.
The coming population and civiliza-
ton demand and must have it. The
speaker also stated that soon the work
would be publicly inaugurated by sub
scription.
The work Of the Convention will re
suit in great good to the social and moral
powers of Los Angeles, and infuse new
vigor into every good work.