The herald., 1893-09-20
ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
THE PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS
HELD LAST EVENING.
Bishop Andrews Reception at the First
MethOdist Church The
Addresses and
Exercises.

The parlor and auditorium of the
First Methodist church were thronged
by large crowd last evening, the
occasion being reception rendered to
Bishop E. G. Andrews and others who
are in the city to attend the annual con-
ference, which opens today. The inter
ior Of the church was tastefully deco
rated. Clusters of bamboo were placed
about the windows on the lower floor
and encircled the pillars under the arch,
which were also entwined with smilax.
The front of the. balcony was banked
with pepper leaves. Along the rail in
front of the pulpit extended line of
bmilax. The front of the pulpit was O
mass of geraniums and green leaves,
while just below and inside the rail
was table covered with hibiscus and
dainty fairy lilly buds. Pieces of tall
Japanese bamboo were on each side of
the table.
Bishop Andrews, Rev. VIM. Steven
son, Rev. g. W. White, Rev. Pane and
other guests and Rev. j. w. Campbell,
pastor OF the First church, who pre-
sided occupied seats in front of the pull
pit rail and facing the meeting. Every
seat in the gallery was occupied and
many persons stood.
During the course of the addresses
the crowd down stairs abandoned con-
yentionality and leading their seats
formed circle end stood around the
speakers for the rest OF the evening.
~ The exercises were opened with prayer
BY theS Hsva DR.. Samuel McClay, dean
Of the college of theology. Then fol-
flowed Daoisolo by Miss Clark, Sweet
SpiritIfear My Prayer, it being charm
ingly orendered. Rev. Mr.. Campbell
next introduced Rev. G. w. White, the
presiding,elder, who delivered the ad-
dress of welcome. Rev. White referred
feelingly to the occasion which caused
the presence Of the guests in the city,
and expressed the hope that the confer
ence session would be guided by the
Divine spirit. lie extended a hearty
welcome to the guests.
Miss Priest sang Why Not Today. Her
voice is very sweet, and her solos last
evening were rendered with exquisite
foftness and expression.
The Rev. William Stevenson respond.
ed. He expressed Limeelf as being
most happy to be present, and thanked
the people for their reception. He then
dvelt briefly upon religious questions.
Miss Priest then rendered the Trundle
Bed Song.
Bienop Andrews was next introduced
and responded to the welcome. He
spoke of how he missed being sent to
California when first ordained, and go
was now consigned to remain in the
east, and instead of being allowed to
look out upen the broad Pacific was
compelled to content himself with q
peep at the narrow channel which sep
arated this country from Europe. The
bishop spoke in happy vein and re-
ferred to the wonderful progress which
had been made in the United States
during the past 100. He eaid that where
come time ago there was but one Chris
tian p rotestant to every IA other inhab-
itants there were now one to eveyr five.
The country was now Christian gov
eminent, and the speaker eaid that in
this glorious work the Methodist church
had played no email part. Rev. Chas.
Il. Payne OF Ohio was introduced and
spoke briefly, paying high com mpliment
to California. The bishop dismiased the
meeting with short benediction, after
which he held levee and met the vari-
ous persons present. Bishop Andrew
and daughter are the guests OF Col. and
Mrs. G. Wiley Wells, of 1913 S. Hill
street.
The conference will begin its work
this morning at O'Clock.