The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-21
LAGGARDs AT THE ALTAR.
The Conference Discusses Church AT
tendance.

LOUISVILLE, GA, April 20.-Bishop Key
arrived in time to open the Methodist Con
ference al 0 O'Clock yesterday morning. He
is in remarkably good health, considering
his constant and arduous labors, Next week
he goes to Tennessee. Hs is the peoples
Bishop. He is as plain and unassuming as
over. Some editor writing OF him, in
Texas said, He seems not to have learned
that he is Bishop
THE ORGANIZATION.
The conference organized by eecting Col.
Singleton, of Sylvania, secretary, and Rev.
j. w. Wytch, of Eden. assistant The fol-
lowing committees were appointed by the
chair: On the State of the Church, F.. Reid,
chairman; I'VE give only the name of the
chairman of eachJ Sunday Schools, A. NJ
Wynn; Finances, J. w. Cheatham; Mis-
sions, J. w Simmons; Temperance, ]. NJ.
Lovett; Advocate, J. II. McClosky; Educa-
ton, j. w. Weston. These with til If
associates will digest the reports from the
churches and give the result of their delib-
erations back TO the body as the business
session progresses.
Brief reports were rendered from the
eighteen pastors during the morning session.
Al IL o'clock Rev. Mr.. McCook, of Bruins
wick, preached very eloquent and forcfhle
sermon on the "Joy in Christian Religion. "
In his personal he resembles Rev. r. J.
Corley, once pastor in Savannah,
CHURCH ATTENDANCE.
The afternoon session was taken up in the
discussion of the question asked by the
Bishop: "Do the masses of the people, and
the children attend the ministry of the
word and if not in any given community,
what is the cause, and how can they be
brought to hear it,"
On inquiry it was conceded that a large
per cent. of the inhabitants of most every
portion of the country embraced in the ter
ritory of the district do not attend any
church. They spend their Sundays at
home, or in business, or in places of resort
not much conducive to morality In some
communities the non-churcn goers are more
numerous than in Others. While church
facilities are much better in the larger
towns and cities, yet these, it was shown, in
proportion TO population the attendance
is not so good. The country excels in mo-
rality. The attractions to stay away and
the tide Of evil rises higher in the cities, and
good young men from the country fall away
from church attendance on going to the city
Various causes were assigned d remedies
suggested. The discussion was co Quoted
by the Bishop and Revs Christian, Nc
Gehee, Wynn, Simmons, Reid. Gilmore,
Euoch and Scruggs The solicitude drawn
out indicates renewed effort likely to be put
forth on the part of ministers and laity to
bring in the non-church goers and the chill
dren. Special sermons for the young were
highly recommended.
DIR. j. o. A. Clarke preached at night on
the need of the Baptism of the Holy
| Ghost" He is at present presiding elder Of
| the Sandersville dist let. He has lost none
of his pathos and learned arguments He
is great worker as well writer. His
special pet now is the District High School
at Wrightsville. 1t is a fiourishing school
under the management Of a competent
corps Of teachers. He recently secured
81 900 from Mr.. WaIthsn, of Sandersville,
prominent lawyer. not a member of any
church Though UNCONVENTIONAL, the
school is not sectarian.
The business session of the conference will
adjourn tomorrow Saturday. The relig-
io1s services will continue over the Sabbath.
The Savannah ministers will return to fill
their pulpits.