Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-11

The Work of the NJ. 4. Conference nj Last
Completed.
HAMIISE CHURCH CROWDED WITH THOSE INTER-
EsrED IN THE NEW APFoINrMESrs-soME M
rEREsrINa INCDESTs-DEBATE ovER THE
TEMPERANCE REPORT.

TEREsrINa INCIDENTs-DEBATE OVER THE
TEMPERANCE REPORT.
Hamline Church was crowded last night to the
doors and out into the passagewsys. IL was the
closing meeting of the one hundred and
seventh session of the Baltimore confer
ence and it was the meeting at which
the announcements of pastoral changes
for the coming year were made. This
was what everybody wanted to find out about,
and as a result there was such a crowd present
that it was impossible for any more 10 enter
unless they could have come in the upper win
dows. The aisles were crowded. the galleries
and choir loft were packed and people were
sitting in a solid phalanx inside the railing and
even upon the platform.
THAT BLACK-ANp-TAN DOC.
All who came were well repaid. however,
even if their churches did not get the appoint
ments they were after. There we're several in
cidents that enlvened the exercises of the
evening, and gave them, so far the audience
was concerned. a much more interesting turn.
In the hrst place there was minority report
from the temperance committee that receiveda
very poor welcome from the conservative ele-
ment of the conference. the Woman's Christian
temperance Union got an unexpected scorch-
Ing, the secular press had very narrow escape
from getting left on the usual vote of thanks at
the close. and last. but by no means least. there
was the dog. This latter. a member of the
black-andtan species got in under the legs of the
audience up near the pulpit, and whenever the
course of legislation did not go his way he
made it very clear that he was dissatisfied. 1t
was impossible TO put him out for the crowd,
so he had thingsall his own way. Whenever a lit
tie applause started it started doggie to bark
ing IN vigorous fashion, much to the amuse-
ment of everybody except the members of con-
ference.
THE PRELIMINARY EXERcIsEs.
These were but side issues however. The
main interest centered in the reading of the
appointments SO far as this city concerned
the people might just as well have stayed away.
Tor the announcement was only the confrma-
ton of the story of what would in all proba-
balty take place that was published in yester
sence of Bishop Joyce, who did not come until
late. The big choir sang the do1ology
to open the exercises with and prayer
offered by Rev. DIR. Wagner. He asked for
grace and a blessing upon all churches and
ministers; that this might be the best year in
the history of the Baltimore conference; that
all might increase in earnestness in the work
they mad undertaken. and that wisdom from on
high might dictate the appointments TO be
made. The congregation sang the hymn,
Rock of Ages" the secretary read the minutes
| of the morning session and the funds that had
been appropriated were distributed to the con-
ference claimants.
THE TEMPERANCE COMMITTEES REPORT.
This was but routine business. The real fun
began with the reading Of the report Of the
committee on temperance by Rev. A. J. Gill.
This report began by promising that the friends
OF prohibition are well-nigh disheartened and
almost paraly zed at the opposition with which
they have to contend, that their ranks are di-
vided and the prospect is anything but an en-
couraglng one Later on that Respondent in
PRODUCTION was showed under by a more hopeful
majority. The report went on to say that what
| Is needed is unity of action. The principle of
prohibition has been gaining strength, not
outstanding the action of its enemies. The
breaking of prohibition statutes is no longer q
matter OF public or legal indifference. The re-
port rebuked the government for its action in
| calling upon its consular agents in Spanish
America to make inquiries the subject OF
malt and other matters of interest to our
brewers In order to aid the liquor
traffic under the reciprocity treaties, thus max
ing the government drummer for the liquor
business. License is vicious in principle and
ineffective a remedy. 1t protested against
| the export of liquor to distant heather lands
| and then, coming somewhat nearer home. it had
nothing but good words fo- the action of Con-
gress in establishing the one-mile prohibition
limit around the Soldiers Home.
PROHIBITION THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.
And then it recommended the enforcement
of a suitable prohibition law throughout the
entire District. The idea Of no liquor at all
seemed to be too much for the dog. who made
himself heard at this point for the first time b :
! vigorous barking, but from that time on he
took very important. part in the proceedings
This started the disabilities of the younger ele-
ment who were seated up in the gallery. As the
little ripple Of laughter subsidized a small man
about half way back in the church rose to his
feet with the startling remark: mr.. Presi-
dent, am O few"
THE MINORITY's VIEWS.
The man who uttered this was Rev. W. T. D.
| GLENN, supernumerary minister from Balti-
more, who in a way has taken quite promi-
| nent part in the deliberations of conference
and he was up, as it was feared he would be- to
| read a minority report from the temperance
| committee He was the minority. but the ma
jority against him rolled up rapidly as he con-
| tinued with the reading of his report He pro-
tested against the introduction to the main re-
| port and took exception to the statement that
the friends OF prohibition are cast down or that
the prospect liz at all gloomy. A million and a
| quarter votes are recorded in its favor and if
there had been no distractions this number
would have reached 5000 900. Prohibition
| is the cannon ball. but a cannon ball must
have powder back of it to accomplish anything.
The ballot is this gunpowder, and so he added
a resolution that the conference should affiliate
with no party nor cast its votes for any can
uio"eS tiiil ID hoe pituseu W
| its enforcement by law throughout the coun-
| try. Politicians do not mind prayers or songs
or resolutions, but what they do mind is the
| ballot.
CALLED UP BY BISHOP JOYCE.
Mr.. GLENN rambled around somewhat indefi-
nitely, reading awhile and then talking for
time, while people in all parts of the church
were constantly rising to points of order on
him. But in spite of all the noise and inter-
| ruptions the Baltimore minister went on he
| rOically until he was called up short by Bishop
Joyce, who asked in a quiet but earnest tone:
brother GLENN, will you kindly tell us what
yon wantY'
After some colloquy between the two the
point was made that the minority was discuss
ing paper that he had not read aloud and the
bishop finally took the paper from him and
gave it to the secretary to read.
THE MINORITY REPORT LAID ON THE TABLE.
The report. it then became evident. Endorsed
| the W.C.T.U. in its efforts for the suppression
of vice on the ground that women alone can
bring the cure, and it resolved that the confer
ence ally itself with the woman suffragists.
Some one moved that the minority report be
laid on the table, and the Il second that mo-
| ton" was unanimous as was also the vote u its
support that followed.
PARTISAN AND NoN-PARTIsAN ". C. to.
Action now reverted to the original report,
and after good deal of debate the introduc-
ton was dropped and the report now COM
mences at the point 1--WE need a new consecra-