Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-04-06
MARYLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE
N. P. CHURCH

rising followed by failing barometer.
MARYLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF The
NJ. P. CHURCH
After tho members of the conference re-
turned from Washington on Saturday even
ing where they had been 10 call on the
President, the anniversary of the Muiste-
rial Relief Association was held in the
church at night. Interesting addresses were
delivered by Rev. J. J. Murray, of S. John S
Church, Baltimore, Rev. J. u. kinzrr, ci
Westminster and Others.
The pulpits of the Methodist, Baptist and
Presbyterian Churches i'll this Gig were oc-
cupied yes erday 5y members OF the conier-
epce. Rev. DIR. S. B. Switzerland, OF
Lynchbutg, preached III the Methodist
Protestant Church in the morning, and at
ter the sermon Rev. J. NJ. Gill, who was
elected to elders orders on Saturday, was
ordained by the president of the conference,
Rev. J. T. Murray. Rev. J. ]. Murray
preached in that church at night.
TO DAY.
Conference met this morning, at 9 o'clock
when religious services were LED by Rev. L.
II. Coulbourne after which the itinerant
question was again resumed.
Rev j. B. Jones. said he was opposed for
ever to The tiuerant question. 1t is unna-
rural. I'VE" he said, ARE not citizens aud
| want to be a citizen; / want to Stay at a
place long enough TO take root"
Rev. J. NJ. Yingliug thought that the
itinerant system without restric;ious has
proven a failure. If we have no itinerancy
at all, by law the itinerancy will be IN
effect coutinuei. Further consideration Of
the question was then postponed Till this
evening.
The order Of tho day at II o'clock was
the reception offraternal messengers. Rev
J. F. ConaD, The editor Of the Sunday SchCoi
literature, made a statement of bis work.
Rev. Mr. Simonton, fraternal messenger
Of West Virginia district, and Rev. Mr.
Liggan, of the Virginia Conference, WHO
were introduced on Saturday, addressed
the conference in short and appropriate
speeches.
Reports from the committees on Statistics
Missionary Home Steward, Secretary of
Ministerial Education, Committee Oh re-
ports of Westminster Seminary and Yves
tern. Maryland College were received aEd
adopted.
Resolutions of sympathy for Revs. J. r.
Nichols and w. T. Livingston, who are
now sick, were introduced and adopted,
after which conference recessed till 2:30
o'clock.
Conference resumed its session at $50
annuates made a report which was reac!.
After the reading OF this report the tim
Grant question was again taken up. A long
and interesting debate followed and finally
on a vote being taken on the following res"
ulution
Resolved /, That no minister shall no appoint
ed to II pace for period exceeding four years
unless by two thirds vote of the Conference.
Resolved ,, That this rule shall not be changed
,Yr.rt by 81 thirds vote of the Coutcrcnce-
|, was dcfeated-ayes, 50; noes, 6S.
The conference WAS skill ia session when this
report closed.
The number of visito s to day has been larger
than any day siuce the beginning OF Con ference.
EAsTER-With Holy Saturday the pen;
tenlial season Of Lent came to close, ant
the churches put aside their symbols
of mourning to enter apon time Of r.Jolc-
Jug at the resurrection OF the Son Of Cod
AT the Catholic Church in this city the ce.e-
lnony of blessing tie Paschal candle was
performed, followed soon after by the bless
ing of the font containing the holy wate. /,
which was scattered toward the four quar-
ters of the world, to indicate the universal
ity Of the church aud the far-resching
efficacy of her sacraments. After the ser
vices the altar was given over to the ladies.
who devoted themselves to the work OF de-
Sunday with plants, ferns, lilies aud The
most beautiful Of flowers.
Yesterday the streets presented holiday
appearance by reason OF the thrcngs going
TO and from the churches, and during the
afternoon great numbers Of people prone
uaded the thoroughfares in the inviting sun
shine. The services in the churches Of
nearly every denomination were largely ut
tended.
Easter itself is the chief Of religious holi-
DAYS and among some of the Christians Of
Europe, as the Russians, for instance, it is
the great holiday OF the year. The celebra-
ton of a special Pascbal or Easter feast
among Christians is almost as old as Chris
,anty itself Concentrating the resur
rection of Christ, the joyful character OF the
time is marked in the services of the Cath
olic Church by the chanting Of the "Vidi
Aquam' instead of "Asperges" before mass
aud by the constant repetition of the ale
lula in mass and Office all through the Pas
chal season, or until Trinity Sunday.
At St. Mary's church the altar was brilli-
antly illuminated with candles, and beauti-
fully dressed with flowers, which were ex-
ceedngly rich, and arranged in the most ar
tistc manner. The music was rendered in
excellent style.
In the Episcopal churches the Easter SER
vices were impressive and interesting, ana
large crowds were in attendance. The mu-
sic selected aud arranged for the choirs en-
braced the most beautiful compositions Of
the great masters, aud was rendered in a
manner highly creditable to the soloists and
choruses in The various churches. The Ser.
mons were eloquent and treated of the res.
direction Of the Lord.
In the Methodist, Baptist and Presbyte-
rlan Churches services were conducted by
members of the NJ. P. Conference now III
session here and eloquent sermons were
preached in all of them. While these
churches do not celebrate the Easter festi-
Val appropriate illusions were made to the
event in many of them, and the discourses
delivered had special reference to theresur
rection of the Founder of Christianity.
The Sunday School celebration by the
children of St. Pau!'s Church in the evening
WAS of very interesting nature and large