The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-05-06
THE CONFERENCE WORK,
A Review OF the Opening DnyB-Thc
bishops IN Attendance.

BlsrOps In Attendance.
Special Correspondence Of The In.eNt1sncsr.
PHILADELPHIA. May Sit is proverb!al
that largo bodies move slowly, and we
have an illustration OF this in the fact that
it has taken the General Conference OF the
NJ. E. Church three whole days to get itself
in shape for work. 1t did.no take long to
determine that the mantle OF the late Sec.
rotary, the genial, but now deceased, DR..
Woodruff, should fall by courtesy upon
the shoulders Of his first assistant, DR.. D. S.
NIunroe, for this was done by acclamgtion.
Then camo the iormality OF welcoming the
conference, which, but for the little fun
injected into it by General G. B. Fish, Of
the Newark Conference, who was called
upon to respond for the laity, would have
passed of in tho mos. sedate manner i'm
imaginable.
Tho General observed that he believed
all the good things that had been said of
Philadelphia; indeed, he did not see how
she could help being great and grand city
when she was just on the borders Of bis
own State Of New Jersey. Playiully, he
then be,poke for his fellow.deleeates the
best furniture and the best meals their
kind hosts could offer, and in return he
promised the ladies that none OF their visi-
tors would chew tobacco or smoke cigars
in their rooms, adding that If any had in
J tended to do this he hoped they would re-.
consider and swear of, at leest for the pre-.
sent, promising il any spare boxes Of cigars
were sent by these to his room he would
see that they were put to good use. This
was all jolly fun for the conference, and
many a hearty laugh was indulgediI.
In having as q delegate the youthful
Governor OF this State, who is the son OF a
Methodist preacher, the body was very fortu.
nate, and naturally the Governor took part
in these reception ceremonies. Hisspeech
was short, but quite to the point. He well
coined the delegatea, he said, not simply in
behalf Of the city, but for the whole State,
which YVES more proud Of its pre-. eminencc
in educational and religious mattels than
Of either its mineral resources or its manu-.
faeturing interests, Referring to the early
beginnings CT Methohiam, in contrast with
its subseqent triumphs, lie said that at first
| it was little flame, which breath might
have extDHuished, whereas Low it was
a great lamp, giving light to all the world.
| THE PLEASURE OF TIE CONFERENCE. .
Tho pleasure Of the CopierenGe in hay
ing its senior episcopate, Bishop Simpson,
present at the opening services was very
manifest. But it cost the venerable man q
great effort to be there, and he looked but
the shadow Of his former solf. The church
begins to realize now that Bishop simp.
sons work is almost finished, and that the
one who has ranked for yea,s as the mott
eloquent Of Americas pulpit orators must
soon join the silent majority. After the
opening ceremonies the distinguished in.
valid left The Conference and was driven
back to his home. To-day be is reported
to be little better.
Tho bishops preside in the order OF
seniority in office. Upon Bishop simpsons
retirement Bishop Bowman took the chair,
and since then it hes been occupied sue.
cessively by Bishops Harris, Foster, Wiley,
and Merrill. Bishop Bowman had severe
illness some time ago, but he looks fresh
and well now, and doubtless is good ior
many years Of active labor. Heis 4 small,
thin man, with sharp, clean shayen
features, and looks the very picture OF re.
fined intellectually. Bishop Harris is low
in stature, but built right up from the
grounds solid, heavy, forcib!e and good
natured man OF business. Twelve years oi
Episcopal work seem 10 have left him none
the worse for wear, though bis hair has
whtened under the ordeal. Bishop Foster
has all the dignity neces,ary to the Epieco
pal office, but he has other qualities al
well-culture, strength OF character, broad
acquaintance with tie world, and
withal, !: is said, very Kind heart.
| AN IEKsoME OFFICE.
The bishop finds tho details Of bis ollict
irkaome as years creep On; but for the gen
eral and essential work OF the episcopac,
he is as we'll adapted as ever. Bishop
Wiley has gained in flesh latterly, and ha
a better color; but his health 10 by n,
means good. Still, he does his work, an,
does 1t we'll. A man Of fine attainment
and ripe scholarship, he is nevertheless un
, assuming both in drcs1 and manners, an,
the lowliest Of Methodist preachers hay
no difficulty in approaching him. In tn
qualities o. condeccnsion and plannes,
however, the palm must be given to Bishol
, Merrill. Upon him honors cit as a we
trained Jockey upon q Thoroughbred. whic