Evening journal., 1892-03-16
"AMEN!" THEY SAY
Methodist Ministers Agree to Hand
Their Charges TO Bishop Andrews

Opening Of the rwentY-fOurth Annual
session Of the Wilmington NJ Il. Con
ference In GRACE Church-Committee
Appointed and Onicers Elected-TO Go
Into Secret Session.
One Of the memorable events in the
history of Grace NJ E. Church OF this
city, was the meeting which began there
at 6 o'clock last evening and did n close
until 10 o'clock II was the formal vel
come rendered by the trustees and con
gregation of Grace Oh urch to the mem
bers and guests OF he Wilmington NJ. E.
Conference.
n the ministers aud laymen who are
attendiuy the conference do not feel at
home In Grace Church or do not feel
happy among its congregation, it is
certainly no fault Of the latter.
At 6 o'clock last evening, the formal re-
ceptlon began in the the sunday school
room Smiles played over the countenance
Of every person ia the room as amid
bowers of flowers, the enchanting
music Of Grace Orchestra and the hustle
OF neat.looking colored walters who
served splendid collation. the people
greeted each other. IL is estimated
that 1900 persons stood about the
tables in the spacious room and
partook Of the refreshments served
by Caterer FAlra's men under the direct
ions of Head Waiter Burnside Ander-
son.
The reception, conducted in such q
successful and pleasing manner. was the
delightful event of this conference, but
none the less cheering was the formal
welcome tendersd the guests from the
pulpit OF the 'ch atsr on In the even
ing. One Incl lent, however. seemed TO
mar the pleasure of the evening to some
OF the ministers That was the appear
ance in the room Of Professor 5. 7. Ford,
an elocutionist, well known among the
ministers, and who is regarded by many
of the anti Wilson men. as "a regular
Wilson spy, and a man who has no right
at the session.
WELCOMED FROM THE PULPIT.
When the ministers assembled in the
church below the building was filled with
Methodists from all parts Of the city.
Il A. Bradfeld's conference choir, num-
berirg fifty singers, arose and sang
"Gloria" from Mozirt's Twelfth Mass
John g. Baker chairman Of the recep-
tion committee then introduced Job b.
Jackson to preside over the meeting. The
entire congregation then sang with the
choir 30 For a Thousand Tongues to
Sing" after which Presiding Elder
Murray of the Wilmington district, made
a fervent prayer. Another hymn was
sung and Mr. Jackson came forward and
read despatch from Chairman William
NJ Field, dated Oakland Pier, California,
regreting his inability to be present and
preside at the meeting.
Mr.. Jackson said 81 regret tbstMr. Field
the chairman Of the board Of trustee ,'sn)t
present to preside. II Is, however, to me
a delightful privilege to preside at gath
eriDg of The members Of Grace Church to
gre.t and welcome the members Of the
Wilmington Conference. We have been
looking forward to this time with pleas
ure IN having such a body of Christian
ministers meeting in our church and
city. and having you in our homes
as our guests, believing that your
coming and presencs will advance
the cause OF Christianity in
our community, aud that the influence
OF the conference would be a power for
good in our city, our churches ami our
homes. You can and l am sure you will
max 1t such and we laYmen will stand
by you and work with you In every effort
insugurate for the advance Of the cause
you represent as teachers and ministers
Of the Gospel We will, therefore, be in.
terested In all your deliberations and
actions The interest will not be
confined TO us as Methodists; our fellow 70
workers Of the other branches Of the
Christian Church Of our city will watch
closely all your deliberations. Then the
public take great interest In all such
gatherings and the eagle eye Of the press
will be upon your every action, and viii
spread every morning and evening your
proceedings before q multitude OF read
ers, many of whom will be only too glad
to find reason to criticise you untavor
ably. We laymen are jealous Of the in
terests Of our church and are anxious fol
its prosperity. May we not look to yoJ
10 this session Of the conference to senC
joy to our hearts and prosperity to oui
common MethodlsmT
DIR. DOBBINs's IMPRESSIVE GREETING.
Rev. ]. Y. Dobblns, D. d., followed
Mr. Jackson, delivering the address Of
welcome on behalf Of the trustees and
congregation of Grace Church to thu
members and delegates to the conference
he said:
II am very sure that l speak the truth
when | say that tie meeting OF this con
ference has been anticipated with intens'
interest by the people Of Grace Church
This is true because Of the Importance OF
its deliberations to the church in this
conference, and because Of thl
relations which this church hold
to the conference. Il is thu
fruit Of the work Of The members Of thil
conference. SO we welcome you, not 81
much to the enjoyment OF something tina
Is ours, as to the enjoyment Of tha
which is yours. Grace Church belongs Il
you These words Of welcome are moi
mere words spoken because the occasion
is upon us and something must be said
they are spoken Ia remembrance of tn,
cordial welcome accorded to me oI
coming among this people These word
express the welcome Of the hearts abou
you can repeat the words OF Brother
Fields despatch "Welcome, thrice vel
come, you are welcome to the best VI
have, aud when you go away il viii b
with earnest prayers that God 60 witt
you.
THE BISHOP SPEAKS
Bishop Edward G. Andrews, D. D,
Ii D., the presiding officer Of the con
ference was then introduced. The bisho
is fine looking man Of commandinl