Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-06-24
District Conference.


GAINESVILLE District Conference met
at Armstrong; Mills, Monday evening,
June Il. The opening services consist
ed of a sermon on l. John i'll, by Rev w
II Haskell, followed by the celebration OF
the Lords Supper. A large congrega-
ton was present, filling the house to
overhowing, many standing on the lawn
and listening to the services.
Tuesday morning the conference bad
a preliminary meeting for adjusting
com mittees. At 8 a. N. the Presiding
Elder, Rev Louis Paine, read selection
from the Bible, and the session was
opened with prayer by Rev w Darby.
G NJ Hollet was reelected Secretary.
Sixteen pastors responded to their names
at roll Call, and many laymen, mem Ders
of the conference, were it attendance
from abroad. Following some miscella-
neous business. reports were presented
by the pastors of the various charges.
Rev Paine read very complete and inter
esting report of the work in the district.
He may rightfuIly feel encouraged by
the results of the years labor, and he is
personally deserving of much of the
credit. His intelligent and faithful over
sight and untiring participation in ever
~ evangeisiic work has contributed
greatly to the wonderful prosperity.
There have been upward of 1850 con-
versions during the winter. Before adj
journment, the subject Of 'Children's
Glasses for Religious Instruction" came
up for discussion, and called forth an
interchange of views and considerable
interest. All recognized the vast i'm
portance of early religious training in its
relation to the future Christian life.
At the afternoon session, J w Robins
was chosen Recording secretary, and the
reports of pastors were resumed. The
Care of Converts" was discussed by l.
Binkley. Text and Preparation of
Sermons" was presented in well written
essay. The attendance at these sessions
was large and great interest was shown
in all reports and subjects presented.
The Importance of the class meeting
to the growth and spirituality of the
church was titly and ably discussed by
Revs W D Starkey and J c Smith.
Tuesday evening the church was
densely packed, and many listened from
the yard in front, and Through windows.
Rev r HissOm, of MorriStown circuit,
preached a sermon of intense earnest>
ness to deeply interested listeners, and
an invitation was extended for persons
to unite with the church. This was fol-
lowed by brief revival service. Rev j
E Garrett preached to the children from
Matth. WIG. II was a sermon in object
lesson, illustrated by means of candles,
which were lighted and used in many
ingenious ways to interest and profit the
children. The service left a, good and
vivid impression.
Wednesday forenoon the Rev Fl
Uoan presented the cause of the Freed
mems Aid Society, using the chart, which
has been prepared by the secretaries. He
discussed his topic with much ability
and breadth of facts and statistics which
made it very interesting to all. 1t is a
noble work and deserves liberal support.
Considerable time was consumed in
the minute business of the conference,
but time was given to the discussion of
the comparative merits of local option
and State prohibition, by Revs West>
wood, Fisher and Darby.
The annual meeting of the Barnes
vile Historical Society was held, and
SOu0 pIOSIcoS Was IcpOlbOu Oy oONCAoi
charges. The design of the society is
to collect historical data of the local
churches, and prepare brief and accurate
histories which shall be preserved and
form the basis of future and larger
work The object is one of great value,
as many facts of lasting interest will be
lost if net thus preserved.
Wednesday evening was the closing
session. The church extension and mis-
sionary causes were presented respect
lively by ReVs T Fl Taylor and j B Robr
bins, in well written papers, which
aroused general interest. This session was
a fitting close of very successful meet
ing of the District conference. All the
pastors were present except two, ,andmost
of them remained to the close. 1t was
the general verdict that no better con-
ference has been held for years. Much
credit is due the courteous pastor, S P
Lloyd, and hospitable people of Arm:
strong's and vicinity. Mr. Bert Arm
strong came forward and made an ad-
dress to the conference in very apnropri-
ate words and thoughts, expressing the
of all the services and ex
ercises by the people. The Presiding
Elder responded, and after appropriate
songs the conference adjourned sine die.