Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-10-11
DAKOTA %RETH0DlSTs.
of the Confer
ence session of 1855,
New in Progress.
An Interesting Reception Last Even
ing--The Bishops Arrival
Delayed.
Roll Call this Morning and An
nouncement OF the Standing
Committees.
LAST EVENINGS RECEPTION.

LAST EVENINGS
The reception last evening called out a
very large crowd, the Methodist church
being literally packed. Prof. Stay not
being present, j. q. Beaver presided.
The exercises were commenced by
singing, ''Oome we that love the Lord"
Rev. VIM. Fielder offered prayer and
the choir sang the anthem, "How Beauti-
full Upon the Mountains"
WELCOMING ADDRESS.
The address of welcome on behalf of
the church was given by John O, Baker
In q lew well chosen words, closing SUBJ
stantially as follows:
Our church is not strong numerically,
but has q large heart to welcome the
clergy and lalty OF the DAKOTA confer
ence. We welcome You to our hearts
and hearthstones; to the fountain city
with its artesisn " ellis, a u.ly of churches,
colleges and educational INST sut ons and
a city of plp organs. We " l.ome you
to the Methodist church we love 40 we'll,
- hSNot StohkCk SpltlbuHtlJ
than now. In looking ever what has been
done in the last few years [ feel to ex-
CLAIM "What hath God wrought" We
feel that We need a lot Of Methodist
preachers among US tor the good you
will do us. and if there may not be as
many chickens on the roost, or as much
Hour in the barrel when you leave as
when you come you are most heartily
welcome.
RESPONSIVE REMARKS.
Rev. a. w. Atkinson, of Mitchell, re-
sponded:
In the name OF conference We thank
you tor this most generous and whole
souled welcome. The days of small things
are past. A little over q quarter of a
century ago Brother Ingham preached
the first sermon in Ysnkton to q remark.
able audience of two ONE and five
men. Eight years ego the Dakota mis-
sion conference met in this place with q
membership of 25 and a church member.
ship OF 1850. Now we have a member.
ship OF over 100 with q church member
ship of over 5000. 1t is no little matter
to entertain the Dakota conference.
You welcome us not as individuals but
6s members OF conference. We come aud
transact our business and go our way.
Our meeting has no political or
financial aspect, but the welcome
IS none the less generous,
for we have a common interest, faith In
the same gospel and a common heritage,
as heralds OF the cross and preachers OF
the gospel. Oar work IS to build ap
christian people. We rejoice that so
many have come and are saved by the
power OF the wondeFous salvation, and
that God has counted us worthy to be
heralds of the gospel. We come not simply
as the Dakota conference but as the arm
OF the great Methodist aEmy, numbering
two millions, spread aroand the world, 9
grand army doing grand work preaching
the word and honoripg God. But the
Methodist church is only a wing of O
grander army of -four hundred millions
ell over the world. IL is hopeful sign
that the christian host has doubled itself
In the last Lightweight years, but it
took ] 800 years to number two hundred
millions. The christian religion is grow
ing to-day Rs it never did before. We
love the Methodist church, it's plans of
work end institutions. Wherever we go
other denominations are along side of
us 30 we come not alone IS Methodists
bat as christians. We are en- organized
band with eternal enmity against the
saloons, ready to STRIFE O blow wherever
we can.
We wish to be Just as little trouble as
possible. Get all the good out OF us you
can. Again we shank you for your hearty
welcome.
THE BISHOP DELAYED.
A telegram was received from the bis
hop stating that he would not arrive
until the 10p m. train.
PIoNEE METHoDIsM.
In his absence Rsv. l.. Hartsough was
called on for remarks and said:
Nearly 20 years ago Methodism had 0
reception IN Ysnkton. This church
made its first raid upon Dakota, arriving
at Vermillion Oct. 10th, 1860. The fret
sermon was preached OF that place the
next Sabboth, Oct. 18th. The next
week Ysnkton was stormed, then q city
of two log cabins and two framed build
IinRs. The first sermon was preached
here by Rev. j. s. Ipghsm, the first
preacher IN the territory, Oct. 21st, to o
congregation of two women and five
men. The service was broken up by the
arrival OF o steamer at the dock which
attracted the whole population. To-day
over 100 Methodist preachers are here
representing less than half the territory,
CLOSING OCCURRENCES.
On motion, Rev. Hertsough was re-
quested to extend the greeting of this
conference to Bro. InRham, on the an.
r niversary of his first visit to Yankton.
Rev. E. E. Olough. OF Watertown
followed with q very interesting anc
lively talk. In answering the question
what does Meihodlsm mean? he asked
as an old engineer, what furnishes the
power? Not eloquent pulpits but col,
lection baskets. The different benevo
~lences Of the church were mentioned
and the work OF each explained. W,
regret that we are not able to give thi
admirable address in full.
The exercises closed by singing: Sal
Hail the Power of Jesus Name" afte
which there was q general hand shaking
Thursday Morning.
Conference assembled at s 80.
. Devotional exercises were conducted
by the bishop, John NJ. Walden, D. d.
prayer being offered by Rev. DR.. Brush
The sacrament OF the Lords suppe
d was administered by the bishop, assiste
b by the presiding elders.
ROLL OF MEMBERS.