Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-18
METHODISTS IN COUNCIL.
ASSEMBLING OF THE SOUTH
GEORGIA CONFERENCES.

The Opening Session in Wesley MOnu-
mental Chureh-BishoP Cranberry, of
virginia, neutrality-suspicious. and
Getting the Conference in MOtiOn-Re-
eeiving the DeIegates-The Meetings
Last NIght-The Sessions and Meetings
To-day.
TIE assembling in Savannah OF the large
body Of MethOdists. composing the South
Georgia Conference. Is an event Of much in
terest throughout the southern part Of the
state. At this period, when the church is
celebrating the centenary Of its existence,
it Is an interesting fact to know that the con-
ference Of South Georgia, with upwards OF 200
members. is in session almost on the very spot
where the great founder Of MethOdism
preached his first sermon in America. and
mfuistered TO the first cOlOnists las years ago.
The delegates represent the membership OF
the Methodist Church from a great portion Of
Georgia. and are men for the most part who,
bv their exemplary Christian character, their
earnest zeal. ability and experience, have
risen as leaders in the great body Of Christian
The -uiitorium Of the WESLEY Monumental
Church where the conference l. assem- Dleu-
Is arranged for the convenience and com
frf ~ 7be members. The walls bear the
| names Of former pastors OF the churcl
Cox. Wynn. Branch. simmons, Mac
Doreu. and the present pastor. Rev. " = N
| Haves-and the names Of Its beloved Bishops.
Asiurv. the first, and the revered aud
| lamented Pierce, the last. over the
platform. where the Bishops table stands,
/ are the last wOr5s, OF Bishop Pierce. Ret,
Peace and Happiness EOrevermOre." In the
Sundav-schOOl room a post once Is estaO-
Iished where mail matter IS received and
| distributed. stationery Is Kept, etc. Inc Yarl-
~ rooms adjoining the auditorium are
/ assigned to the committees The seats eX-
| tending half way 10 the entrance are Occu-
pied by the delegates The remaining por-
| ton Of the room Is free 70 visitors, VINO are
/ privileged 20 attend all the sessions.
| ASSEMBLING THE CONFERENCE.
! There was some delay in the assembling Of
/ the conference. many OF the delegates not
/ reaching the city until the morning trains
/ and requiring some time 10 be assigned places
! If entertainment There were few people IN
/ the church at 9 O'Clock. the hour nNed Tor
| ODeniug the session. Bishop Cranberry, who
| arrived 10y the fast mail from Baltimore. was
| also DELAYED. 50 that il was 10 O'Clock when
4 the gavel fell. By this time the auditorium
| was well filed. quite large number Of vis-
| frors among them many ladies. being present.
| There was no time lost IN getting 10 work,
| which was accomplished quickly and quietly.
In opening the conference Bishop Cranberry
| conducted the devotional exercises, reading q
| scriuturaI selection from the 10th chapter OF
| IT Matthew. He then read the familiar
| Methodist hymn, beginning;
And are we vet alive,
/ nd see each others face:
Glory and praise TO Jesus give,
| For his redeeming grace.
Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus praise we join,
| And IN his sight appear
| The conference sang the hymn unitedly and
| earnestly. without instrumental music, as il
| was lined by the Bishop.
When the last notes OF the hymn were sung
/ the Bishop kucrled and offered up feryent
| ami impressive prayer for the blessing of God
| uD1u TIE church and It's ministry, and upon
| tie pe0pIe TO strive to build up the cause and
| increase the church ia numbers and u al
| vance its work and spread Christianity all
over the world. He closed with the Lords
| Prayer, IN which he was joined by the confer
| enco.