Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-03-13

n
tions to our present forest forms; animal
life from the star like type, represented
generally by the sea urchin siong The
line of fishes, birds and mammals, to tns
grand ooasummGtion of organic lite, man,
the drowning glory Of Gods creative
genius. Geology, in her ancient ever
lasting hills, her craven tablets of
nature, favors this view. Iu subter-
ranean depths we find confirmation Of il
In the crude fauna and fora of those
cavernous recesses, where no ray OF sun
light has ever pierced. We trace thus a
law OF physical progression throughout
existing creation.
The human mind reaches It's climax Of
development through a similar graduation
OF steps. That pale and whimpsring
child which lies unconscious on it's
mothers bosom must patiently wait for
the long lapse OF hall century ,tediously
toiling through his 600,000,000 pulses
before he develops his form or unfolds his
latent faculties ere this world
oould gaze with astonishment snd
wonder on the mighty CorsiOan,
whose vigorous genius like the
surgings Of a mighty ocean, sported with
proudly rolled the tide Of triumph TO and
fro o'er trembling continent.
The same law Of progression is buslly
at work In the moral world. Christianity
holds an integral and commanding posi-.
tiou in the great universe especially io
the earth's histo y aud destiny. No lapse
of ages can subdue her energies it is az
everlasting Issue. Tims.. rolled on apace
after the divine inception the patriarchs
lived and died. Then cams long line of
conaecrated men, prophesying, but bs
holding nothing. At length the pre-
dioted hour drew near and the visible
Redeemer came. Angelic hosts heralded
Him with clarion ring OF "Gloria in
Excslsis Dso" loudly eohoing through the
silent, dark blue night | In His steps
followed the apostles. the loving, gentle
John, the fearless Pster charging the
covering jew with "whom ye also have
crucifed," cams the accomplished
Apollos, the nobler Paul OF suoh wonder
ful gifts and the "thorn In the flesh.''
How we'll have the sciences helped to
unfold the secrets OF revelation. Astro-
nomy paid homage al the cradle of Beth
lehem, it was the last to leave the oross;
the attendant OH the sgopies OF an incar-
nate God, refusing to see his maker die
and turning day into night. Chemistry,
too, paid homage. Its development ct
the death Of Christ is actually without a
parallel in history. 0ae of the grandest
triumphs Of Christianity Ia seen in the
transformaIioni it has broug bit bout in pub
lio opinion In Its relation to wioug doing.
True, even now In Christerdom there is
moral oorruptive as villa az was ever
known In history, but it is nowhere held
in public oomplacenoy aad approved as
formerly. No doubt there IL as vile
literature in circulation to day as can be
found in the vilest pages Of Horace, Ovid,
Cstullus or Martial, but 1t is now found
In the slnms aud sewers of our social exist
euos, while their posns were dedicated to
their emparors and gods, and were re-
cited by the most re6aed and polished as
b ing in harmony with the pnrsst taste.
To day, in our country, venality and
bribery in high places csrnot easily find
their parallel IL Roman snnale, bu. the
venal Indian sgt",t is not held unier q
sevOrer ,coial piliory or ostrsciam than
his would be eS0neratnr or defepder. The
Credit Mobilier, Uuiou Pacific aad Star
Route trsudS iound their parallel in
Roman history, bu. here its autiors, aids
ard sbettorB find social aud public con-
dempaticn too bee Tor them. Eveu some
who buld high religious preteusions and
whose public services we're OF sUknowl-
edged value, are now in grave Of living
death enduring self imposed agonies
What grsnd concession tnis is of public
conscience
This is an age OF ethereal and impalpa.
BILE forces, and Christianity by her
elemental faith EXHIBITS Ter electrical
impulses hy sometimes moving the masses
OF the moral world. Christianity is
rolling on In Nile like grandeur, drawing
tributary ctr cams from every direction.
The second days session of the Will
mipgton Methodist Conference was called
to order at o'clock Thursday morning by
Bishop Harris. There was large atten,
dance OF ministers aud lay delegates, and
by the conclusion OF the opening services
all the seats on The first Il nor aud in the
gallery were occupied, large number Of
ladies' beius interested auditors of the
proceedings.
The Rev. Charles F. Sheppard con-
Quoted deyotionsl exercises and the score
tsry, John D. Rigg called this roll and
read the journal of yesterday. Two cor
reetions were made 10 the minutes, one
with reference to communication from
the Conference Academy aud anott er re-
leting to the Rev. J Paul Cookies oollec-
ti0n. A minister arose to state thst the
secretary had. made an entry OF $72 II
his notes when 1t should have been
$72 27; another minister stated the sum
should be $72 n which brought the re-
sponse that the punched coin put III tue
hat had cut down the collection DO csnts.
A communication was received from the
board of trustees OF the Wilmington Con-
ference Academy, giving notice OF vsoan'
cies which will shortly exist In the board.
The bishop referred the paper to special
committee, comprising Messrs. Hutehin,
Caldwell aud Murray, to nominate the
ministerial trustees.
In response to an inquiry, II was stated
that the charter Of the Wesleyan Femsl,
| College had not been revoked.
A committee consisting of Messrs. Todd,
Price and Phoebus was appointed te
arrange for memorial services during con
ference. a.,
A paper from the Freedmsn's Aid
Society stated that 1t was desirous o.
increasing its appropriation from
$lO0, 900 to $125, 900 for additional work
OF which sum the Wilmington confer
enos's apportionment Is 5000. The mat
ter was referred to the committee Oh
freedman's aid.
A communication was received IRON
Bishop Stephens, introducing the Rev
d. p. Kidder's mission. DR.. ktdder, who II
secretary of the board OF education, made
a brief address with reference to thu
work in the Sunday schools, and enthu
siastically urged general Observance
and celebration OF ohildren's day in thu
churches. He gave general stateme
of the growth aud popularity OF tn
movement.
The Rev. ]. D. Miley Of Drew Theolo
gicsl Seminary WAS introduced to IN
conference and made brief address wits
reference to that institution OF learning
In closing his remarks he claimed tina
Bishop Asbury's retirement two years II
Delaware had been q great advantage l.
Methodism in this State.
On motion II WAS decided to refer til
case of the Rev. John Shilling to tn
board OF stewards.
Several visitors were then INTRODUCES
to the conference by the bishop. Tn
bishop also announced that messsg
had been received in reference to Bishol
Foster, stating that he had not yet bee
able to go to his conference, but upon Dr
Wiley's authority he was glad to stat
that the bishops health was improving
Under the stewards call, the followin
sums raised for conference claimants