The morning call., 1894-06-04
BY GODS SPIRIT.
Close of the SynodicaI
Conference.
TOPICS OF VITAL IMPORT.
Profound Influences of Divine
Inspiration Discussed.
PERSONNEL OF PARTICIPANTS.
Regret at the Termination of the
Meeting at the United Pres
byterian Church.

the sessions for the past three days.
1.-The Church and Its Field" was the
topic chosen for exposition, and the first
branch of it. The Church and the For
eign Missions" was taken up by DR.. w.
w. Barr of Philadelphia. He reviewed
the work that had been done from the in
ception of the work. and was euogstc
of the pleasing and satisfactory advances
made during the pas year. he was we'll
assured, he said. that opportunities were
widening in this field. aud that the church
was equal and ready to the task of grasp
ing them.
The Church and Home Missions" was
the next division. and was handled by Dr..
w. S. Ovens of Indiana, Pa, secretary of
the board # home missions The show
ing he made of the work already accom-
pished in this field was very gratifying,
and his prophecy as to its extension and
broadening was received with much
pleasure.
Or. A. G. Wallace of SewickIey, Pa.
secretary of the board of church extern
sion spoke Of the church's work in that
direction. Rev. J. W. WitherSp00n of
Allegheny City. Pa, spoke of the church's
efforts among the freedmen. and Rev. j.
c. Boyd of Lebanon, Pa, discussed the
other portions of the church's field.
In the Sunday-schOOi room there was
grand rally of teachers and scholars at 80
in the morning Mr.. Peter Dick If Pitts
burg, Pa, conducted the meeting, and
short talks were made by several of the
visiting pastors.
During the afternoon large number of
the visitors went over to Oakland and took
part in the dedication exercises at the new
Hanna Memorial Chapel.
At $50 o'clock union meeting of senior
and junior endeavUrers was held in the
church, presided over by the Rev. J. NJ.
n as n
was very LARGELY attended and full of vim
and spirit. Rev. j. ID. Rankin and a. l..
Little made short addresses.
Dr.. W. t. Meloy. pastor Of the First
Church OF Chicago, presided at the even
ing session of tue conference, and after
the scripture lesson and prayer announced
the topic for the evening, The Spirit of
the Holy Ghost" and introduced the Rev
y. ID. Rankin. who discussed the power of
the spirit. He held that the spirit must
descend into the church, else nothing can
be accomplished. in every conversion
there is certainly and wonderfully mani
Test the power OF the spirit Of the Holy
Ghost" said the speaker, land nothing
beyond"
He discussed its various manifestations.
taking. for instance, that noted one which
leads the pastor to select a certain text
upon which he is able 10 speak with more
effect in simple earnest way than he
could with al the aids Of art and 0ratory
Liz COuCIuuCu ny saying Lu6I IL was I'M
possible to have success in Christian work
save the power Of the spirit of the HOLY
Ghost Is possessed in its glory and power
The second speaker was the Rev. Dr.
McGill Of AlleghaDy City. Pa. He took
the Availability of the Spirit for his
portion. He asked the question, "Can we
have this power and if so how can we
have ftp" and answered it in the affirma-
tive. taking as his reason. In the light of
Gods word, in the presence of the two
great thoughts that God is mighty and
that he Is gracious, there is only one
answer to that question, and that is yes"
Too much praying for the Holy Spirit to
descend, the speaker thought, greatly
grieved God. In the light of Coos promise
it was clear that it was not question as
to whether the spirit would descend, but
was the person willing and ready to take
the Spirit.
DR.. r. H. Hanna closed the considera-
ton Of the tonic, taking as his branch.
The Application of the Power" The
church was poWerless without il and the
way to apply 1t was easy of knowledge.
1t could be gained from the lives of the
apostles. who lived Drayerfully and thank
fully, beloved of their followers and of
the populace. That was the way to apply
the power, and the speaker hoped and
prayed that the church and the pOssessOrs
of the spirit would pattern closely after the
apostles.
DR.. Meloy on behalf Of the visitors
thanked the Rev. N. NJ Gibson of the
First United Presbyterian church of this
city and the other pastors and people for
the hospitality furnished and good fellow
ship extended, and called upon the pastor
for few remarks.
Mr.. Gibson, in response. stated that his
only regret was that the pleasant COM
panonship of the past week were abont
TO be closed and the brethren who had
come out from the Easr, bringing the
light. were soon to depart from California
Their visit had done good, however, and
the flame OF the spirit which they had
brought would be famed vigorously here
and result, he hoped and knew, in great
good.
Among the representatives at the con-
gress are many dtVines of much note aud
number whose names are familiar in
many countries of Europe. Rev. W. S.
Owens, ID. D., Of Indiana is q well-knowu
ngure. For several years past he has oc-
cuped the position of secretary Of the
Board Of Home Missions. He is enter
prising. always at the front in every effort
and is deserving Of all the credit that has
been bestowed upon him.
DR.. a. q. Wallace OF Sewickley. Pa. is
another of the visitors whose name is
widely known. He is and has been for
some time secretary OF the Board of
Church Extension, and in that position is
virtually the financial head Of the church.
His management OF affairs has been
marked with much ability.
Rev. w. I. Meloy Of Chicago is one Of
the most noted dlvlnes Of the lakeside
city. He Is not unduly proud Of his news
paper ability, although he has made one
He is a preacher of note and leading
mover on advancing lines.
DR.. j. ID. Rankin of Denver is interest
ing, aside from the fact that be IS Young
and earnest. He has been married but a
few weeks, and with bis bride is now on
their honeymoon. Mr.. Rankin is a pulpit
orator OF splendid and growing ability.
and is confidently pointed out as a brother
who has before him successful career.
Rev DR.. McGill of Allegheny City, Pa,
occupies a prominent place among the
clergy in that city, and is looked upon as
one OF the strong men Of the church
Rev. T. Il. Hanna of Monmouth, H.,
has grown gray in the service of the Lord,
aud is one Of the leading preachers in the
church. His career has been remark bly,
successful.
Rev. j. A. Wilson of Wooster, Ohio, who
has recently taken the air IF history in
the Allegheny Theological Seminary, is
the man who was selected as moderator OF
the last assembly and has attained national
prominence and honor in the church.
DR.. j. w. WetheTSpooD. another OF the
visitors, is secretary Of the Freedmen's
Mission and is pastor of the Fifth Church
OF Allegheny City, Pa.
Rev. w. j. Reed of Pittsburg, Pa, is a