The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-16
THE ELDERS.
After an Interesting Session the Con-
yention OF Presiding Elders Decide
to Adjourn at 4 p. m. Today.
Continuation Of Yesterdays Proceed.
ings-.-An Eloquent Address by
Bishop Fowler-..Wh0
We're Present.


1t is the fourth annual session, and it is
safe to say that the attendance here is
fully as large as the previous three con
solidated.'
The Question Box" proved a ripe and
interesting subject for discussion. Rev.
W. F. Clayton, of Missouri, made the
first address on "Revivals and the Presid~
ing Eldership," after which several breth-
rem gave Experiences of how Christian
ity had progressed in different localities
from the effects of revivals and earnest
work on the part of the elder. From all
reports the church is doing a glorious
work, and is saving many erring souls,
The committee on enrolment reported,
and the following gentlemen responded
to their names;
1llinois-Joseph Wardle, Freeport; G R
Van Horn, Rockford; w ASpencer, Ster>
ling; A H Miller, Rock Falls; c Z Vande~
vile, Oak Park; w r Goodwin, Quincy
] NJ Caldwell, North Evanston; II Bower,
Spurland; II Fl Hunter, Peoria; S S Kauf>
man, Milan; II P Laney, Princeville; B +
Tallman, Moline; J B Ollie. Presumption
A r Jones, Wyoming; r G Pearce, Rock
Island II d Russell, Streator.
Iowa-D L Shelter, Cedar Falls; G R
Norton, Sweetland; A G Maxwell, Gin
ton; E l. Miller, Marshalltown; w Lease
Davenport W Lewis, Morning Sun; J L
King. Lettsville; D l. Dunlavy, Columbus
Junction, T Crippen, Cedar Rapids; J
Z Conley. Burlington; J Albrook, Mt.
Vernon; II II Green, Dubuque; T ] My
ers, Burlington; 7 B Chenington, Mt
Vernon; II G Sedwich. Camanche; B f W
Cavier, Boone; w King, Mt. Vernon
r Swearingen, Elwood; E L Stafford
Muscatine; J W Clinton, Independence
W Webb, Des Moines.
Indiana-H Claypoul, La Fayette.
Nebraska-J w Shank, Central City.
The evening session began with a song
service, From Every Stormy Wind,
"Jesus the Name" and Crown Him Lore
of ALL" being successfully sung. Til,
Rev. w. T. Smith. of Council Bluffs, lee
in prayer, and the choir gave fourtl
number, ''Of Him Who Did Salvation,
all being from Chaplain McCabc'
Hymns of the Heart" A collection wa
then taken to defray expenses connected
with the convention.
Bishop Fowler began his promised re-
marks by saying that he was here to ut
tsr few convictions he entertained con
corning the work of the men who com
pose the centre and core of the convention
1t was to him one of the most impressive
audiences he had ever addressed Outsid,
of the faces of the elders present he saw
5000 Methodist preachers and $4,000
commandments who look to them TO
guidance. He felt the need of the hell
and prayers of the audience when hi
minds eye ranged over this goodly com
pany, larger than many historic host
which he mentioned. This great compa
ny is in line with one purpose-the saliva
ton of the world In this world thing
are done by the leaders, not by the fol
lowers. The forces of civilization consis
of the warrior, the statesman and thu
trader, whose respective Characteristic
and work were successfully sketched.
The warrior came first, the Statesman
second and the trader after society ha
been organized. In all these department
the work is done by the leaders. 1t is th
Lords order that the general should fgh
the battle; it is hard to realize that tn
followers whose heroism and sufferini
are conspicuous, are but instruments, bu
it is so. The record made throughout th
: centuries that the commander fights tn
, battle, Is the record of truth. The churc
that gets the wrong preacher finds itsel
crippled and cannot make any progress
> until it has got rid of him. He instance
S the Battle of the Wilderness as shown
e the dependence placed on the commander
and applause greeted the allusion to Gen
Grant, whose GOODNESS and determine
purpose were illustrated in a series of ar
: ecdotes Wars are fought out on th
t basis of the commanders. Step forwar
p into the civil government and the sam
order prevails 1t is not the voters c
Great Britain and Ireland but Gladstor
who holds England's purpose in his grasl
Towering abode the greatest of England
= statesmen was Oliver Cromwell, who es
tablished England's power and dignit
and secured religious liberty. Abraham
/, Lincoln was his type of American states
o men. His purpose in these remarks We
!" to show the responsibility of the Presto
ing Elders of the church, who will |
e damned to the lowest depths of hell
= they do not live up to the measure
e their duties.
Talking of traders, the bishop said Nj
ture has an memorable law and never fai
j; to exact the value or the penalty. Th
# speakers sympathies were ever with Il
e men at the bottom and he did not wal
to see any one stay there; didn't belie'
God intended any man to remain Their
d The seeming inequalities of life were col
trasted in the brakeman who constant
perils his life for others for 80 cents
day and the railway manager who rol
in his carriage to his Office where he r.
&c mains half an hour or so and then rol
. back TO his residence, but who gets sa
;, airy of $25, 900 year. Yet capital, Whit
- is selfish, pays this salary and does so b
i cause the manager is worth 1t. Belo
le him are other men of more or less expt
e rience who would be glad to take Il
Ie place at lower salary-bht the work
too important to be measured by the cor
pensation. 1t is the old law of leade
he ship and responsibility.
g He regarded Methodism as the be
d system ever invented for bringing Il
% world to Christianity. He loved the 0
ganization and its system of churt
, policy. The church was not faultles
but the machinery worked more smooth
than that of any other church. 1t was
system of superintendencies down to t
n Sunday school, to see that somebody el
10 does the work. Nothing is allowed to
70 at loose ends anywhere. Starting Il
:. years ago with almost nothing, the Met
IL odist church has yet pushed forward
he such an extent that it lacks but little
ID outnumbering all the other denominatio
ia in America put together. Its growth W
| J,,a IN ;to ,,ouor IN adIuct itoolf IN nj