The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-05-07
BISHOP ]. M. THOBURN
Tolls tho Great Methodist Confcr-
ence about tho Work
IN THE MISSION FIELDS OF india.
Phenomenal Growth aud Need of
More Practical orsanlzution-.Wo.
man'sWorls Commcnded...Thc Tom.
pcrancc Committee Chairman...An
Interesting Day.


the Methodist Episcopal general con.
ference to-day. Row. William Curt, OF
tho italian Mission. otliciated in the do.
yotional exercises.
There has been aliycly contest in the
organization OF tho ten perance commit.
tee. Among those who desired to be
chairman, Rev. ]. G. Evans, Of Illinois |;
Prot. W. F. Whlllock, OF Ohio; Dr.. A. j.
Kynest, OF Philadelphia, aud Rcv. II. L.
Pendleton, OF Kansas, were tho most
active. Rev. J. q. Evans secured tho
election by majority of two votes.
The temperance committee is looked
upon ms q very important one.
Several delegates absent thus far in
tho conference, arrived to-day md an
swered roll call. DR.. Nccley, OF Phila.
delphia. presented tho conference with
a very handsome record OF tho constitu-
tion commission. Tho order Of the day
was taken up ut l0:30. being tho report
'of Bishop Thoburn OF India and May
ALASKA.
THE CHURCH IN THE ASrIroDEs.
The Methodist church, he said. was
teaching and preaching the gospel in
India and Mayalasia in thirteen differ.
ent languages.
DR.. Thoburn's report gave detailed
account OF the work done in tho three
annual conferences, the district confer
ences and women's conference in India.
1t stated that the work in India was in
excellent condition, but the need was
great. The working force from
America had fallen OF some. but the
work had continued to grow. Tho
membership had increased nearly 0.O00
during the quadrennial. The Metho.
dist Sunday schools in India now have
membership OF over IS 900, IN increase
OF $4,000 during the four yeurs past.
In the day schools the church has 90
600 native pupils OF India. People by
thousands were giving up their ideas
and the native ministry was rapidly in
crossing, both in numbers and efiicien-
cy. The report warmly commended
TIE WORK OF WOMEN
in the missions OF India. The church
has established three publishing houses
and is sending out, pamphlets and peri
odcals in nine different languages from
its own presses.
The report recommended thattttere
be five conferences Organized instead OF
three. The conferences are too large
at present, compelling some Of tho min
listers to travel two or three thousand
miles to attend them. The report urged
the necessity Of enlargins the work.
The day of small thing lis past" said
the bishop; 1--WE must take up the work
before US and carry practically the re.
sponsibilities laid upon US. We do not
know what may happen tomorrow, but
we do know that the sun never sets
in the morning. 1t is lust morning in
India. Let US up and be doin. while
the daylight lasts" =
At the conclusion of Bishop Thobnrn's
address, which was heartily applaudcd,
the conference sang .'The Morning
Light is Breaking"
CHINESE EXCLUSION.
On motion Of DR.. Hamilton, the re-
port of Bishop Taylor, OF Africa, was
made the order tor tomorrow at 10
o'clock.
The conference then requested the
committee appointed the previous day
to prepare resolution upon the
Chinese exclusion BILL TO report. Judge
Lawrence submitted the report, which
stated that tho committee had learned
that the bill had already been signed by
the President and it was therefore too
late to take action until the wording
and conditions OF tho bill should be as.
certained.
DR.. Swindells offered n minority re-.
port. to have the question referred to
the committee on tho state of tho
church. He feared the passage OF the
Chinese exclusion bill would ieopardize
the lives and property Of missionaries
in China.
During the discussion, DR.. Leonard
denounced the President and Congress
and said that the Chinese had the Same
right here rs other foreigners, notably
the Irish. He believed this conference
should take action IN no uncertain tone
in relation to it. y. !, III
Dr.. Buckley, OF New York, asked that
the matter be referred TO committee
instructing them to get copy pf the
bill and make clear report on tho sub.
ject.
EARNEST REMARKS.
DR.. Swindells again made an earnest
appeal. He argued that until some ac.
tion was taken tho country would re-
gard tho conference us approving the
bill. The bill, he said, was tho most
iniquitous measure ever passed by the
Congress OF this country. DR.. Edwards,
OF Chicago, later took tho floor. Hel
said it was n political measure. 'This
BILL" he added, "is sop to the steer
ages now unloading at Battery Park.
New York. 1t was rushed through a
Democratic house, passed by our noble
senators, and signed by our we'll nigh
unimpeachable President, solely for
political effect. -
lie moved to refcrto tho committee
on missions. lIa -.
DR.. Payne, OF Cincinnati, said tho
church should show that it was
d. .r- b. T.