Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-19

Bishop f. r. Hendrix was appointed to pre-
side at the afternoon session today and bev.
Thomas Allen of Sheffield and Bishop Hurst
OF this city to preside at the two sessions to-
morrow.
Mr.. i. l. McIaren of the committee on sta
tistics o. Methodism made the report of the
committee. showing that the increase in the
number of Methodi-ts since the last ecumen
zeal conference was about 80 per cent. twice
large as the average increase in population.
The report WAS adopted after considerable dis
cussion-
-HE NEXT ECUNESICAL CONFERENCE.
DR.. Hamilton Of the committee to consider
the matter of the third ecumenical conference
made the report of the committee. suggesting
that the conference be held in 1901 subject to
the revision OF the church 1t provided for the
appointment of executive Commission of
eighty members distributed through the diff
ferent sections of the church, fifty In the
western and thirty in the eastern section The
report nominated the members of this eXecu-
tive commission. DR.. Hamilton explained that
these members were only expected to serve
until such time their respective churches
could appoint their permanent delegates 10 the
Commission. The commission would serve as
sort Of line o. continually to connect the two
conferences The report drew forth consider
able debate on both sides. DR.. Hamilton
spoke in behalf of the motion. arguing the pro-
priety OF the course adopted in apportioniug
the members of the commission.
On motion OF DR.. hing the whole matter was
tabled and the conference proceeded to the
regular order of the day.
THE SUPPRESSION OF VICE.
The first essay YVES on the subject, illegal
Restraints on the Vices of Society," by Hon.
b. ". 3. Hill of the u. Z. church south In
his absence the paper was read by Rev. W. s.
Tudor OF Richmond. Va. The paper spoke in
the highest terms OF the act of Congress in sup
pressing the lotteries OF the land and said that
such acts went far toward making men moral
in that line. The law that legaiizes the many
saloons in Washington and the gambling rooms
sccreted above went far toward multi
plying and intensifying mems tendencies
In the direction of intemperauce and
the law precede OF follow public opinion as to
the legal suppression of vice? There are two
schools of thought as TO this point, some MAIN
tanning one and some the other ground. The
Mosaic code came from a source entirely ex-
tsrnal to the people If Jehovah had waited
until His people were ready to sustain His law
without infraction the Ten Commandments
would not have been delivered vet.
The general feeling Is that law may go at
least TO some extent in advance of the people.
There Is very little danger Of law being enacted
much ahead of public sentiment
Continuing. 9lr. Hills paper went on to saw
that the subject assigned him, Legal
Restraints" was broad enough to take in the
enactment and enforcement OF all law intended
TO suppress the vices Of society. In politics
and business there should be obedience to
moral and religious law much as there is in
the family 1t Is the duty of all good citizens
To use both their votes and influence on behalf
OF the pubic welfare. This is the patriotism