The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1886-02-25
PROCEEDINGS
OF the Arkansas Conference o.
the M. Il. Church. held at
Russellville, Febru-
AIRY IS to 22d,
1886.


Methodist Episcopal church opened
it's 14th session in Russellville, Ark,
Feb. Is, 1886.
Bishop Thomas Bowman presided
over the deliberations of the Confer
ence. President E. s. Lewis, secre
tary of the last conference, called the
roll, and about 38 preachers answer
ed To their names. Rev. w. A.
Spencer, d. d. and Rev. j. G. w.
Coke, D. d. were in attendance at
the conference. the former represent
ing the Church Extension Society,
and the latter the Sunday Union and
Tract Societies OF the nj. +. Church.
The business Of the first day open
ed briskly and was transacted care
fully. Rev. +. b. Ford, p. 4. of the
Little Rock District, reported his
work as being in good, prosperous
condition. The Benevolent collec-
tiens were full. Rev. r. C. Meter,
p. E., reported the Fort Smith Dist.
as being in good state spiritual
" and hopeful in many other re-
spects. Rev. o. r. Bryant, P. E.,
OF the Rogers District, reported his
work and his work and his character
passed with those Of the preachers
OF his district. The Bishop called
the name of each preacher and as
nothing was alleged aga INST him, his
character passed and he made a re
port of his charge including his be-
nevolent collections.
Ga Thursday evening the Church
Extension Anniversary was held, at
which DR.. Spencer made a grand
church extention address, by which
he captured the people, both by his
eloquent array of facts and his clio
quent songs. At the close he took a
subscription for church extension,
amounting to over $500
The second day was gwen to hear
ing reports and answering the discip;
line questions. Several OF the preach,
ers passed satisfactory examinations
in their studies and they We're adj
vanced to the next class.
On Friday evening the anniver-
sary Of the Sunday School Union
and Tract was held, which was al
dressed by Rev. DR.. Coke, who made
q fine logical presentation of the
Sunday school work. Rev. DR.. Bates
also, made fine speech which was
we'll received.
On the third day the preachers
who were elected to orders in the
ministry were called by name and
they were represented by their p.
E.'s and committees oil examinations,
and those who were admitted into
full connection were elected to Dea
con 8 Orders, and addressed by the
Bishop in practical, able and elo-
quent manner upon the duties OF
the christian ministry. He clearly
set forth what Methodist preachers
must be and do TO be successful.
At night the Missionary meeting
was addressed by Rev. Duke Slavens,
one of the members OF the conference.
His address was full Of information
ana power.
Sunday was the great day Of the
conference. Bishop Bowman preach
ed grand sermon from the first two
verses Of the first Psalm. He made
deep impression and bis sermon
will long remain in the minds Of the
people. At 3 o'clock p. m, Dir. Coke
preached an able sermon from the
text what think ye OF CHRISTI"
At night President Lewis delivered
grand Missionary sermon.
Monday was given to hearing re-
ports upon various subjects. The
COME. ence proved to be the best
ever he'll by the M. +. church in
this State. Every afternoon con
secration service was held. Monday
night the Bishop gave an excellent,