The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-04
THEY OBJECT TO TOBACCO.
AvOca Conference Passes q Resolution
Condcmning It's Use by CIcrgymcn-
Other business Transacted.

The conference of the Primitive Meth
odist church, now assembled at Ayoca,
met yesterday morning in closed ses-
sion, when the members were engaged
in examining the characters of minis
ters. Rev. f. M. Phillips, of Morris
Run, conducted the opening devotional
exercises, after which the first degree
Of A. M. conferred on Rev. j. j. ones,
pastor Of the Avoca church. was rec
ognized by the conference. The honor
airy degree of ID. ID. conferred on Rev.
+. NJ Bateman, of Girardville, was also
recognized, as was also the degree of
bachelor of theology conferred on Rev.
S. f. Nichols, of Mahanoy City.
They Must Not Use Tobacco.
An important feature of the session
was the discussion relating to the al
legged habit of tobacco-smoling in
dulged in by some of the ministers. A
majority of the delegates were of opin-
ion that the habit was degrading and
not in keeping with the dignity of their
office, and further interfered with the
discharge of their responsible duties in
setting a deplorable example before the
members of their various congrega-
tions. Finally, resolution prevailed
by which all ministers of the confer
ence We're absolutely forbidden using
tobacco in and shape or form.
A resolution was also passed by which
the ministers win receive the contingent
fund pro rata. and according to a ruling
of the president, the probationers will
receive their proportion of the fund.
At the Afternoon Session.
a. the afternoon session the report
Of the committee on the box agents and
of the committee on the book agents and
report were received and ordered to be
printed on the minutes. A discussion
ensued as to the Pacific Avenue and
Youngstown missions, and ultimately
a special committee was appointed to
report on the matter. Those comprising
the committee are Revs. G.. ]. Griffin,
David Savage and ]. j. Jones.
The affairs of the Jermyn church
were referred to the appropriations
committee. A recommendation was re-
ceived from the Schuyfkill district in
favor of creating new office, to be
called "TraVelng Missionary Secre-
tary" as referred to a special commit
of Rev. r. w. Wilson to supply the
Nanticoke charge was received by con-
ference, but action was held over until
the stationing committee had presented
their report. The communication from
the British conference requesting the
Pennsylvania state conference to raise
funds for the support of missionary in
Africa was referred to the special mis-
sion committee.
Temperance Rally.
Last evening a temperance rally was
held when Rev. G.. Lee conducted the.
services. The devotional exercises Were
conducted by Rev. NJ. f. Phillips. Dur
ing the evening forceful speeches were
delivered by Revs. S. Cooper, S. II.
Nicholas and w. II. Acornley and Mrs.
Coons, president of the Women's Chris
tian Temperance union of Luzerne
county
In all the speeches, the speakers eX
pressed their views fearlessly on the
evils of intemperance, and, in particular,
they dwelt on the fact that there was
much room for needed reforms in So
ciety. Crimes were constantly making
inroads upon our peace and the quiet of
the homes, Sabbath desceration
abounded in public places, while the
legalized liquor traffic fostered all kinds
of iniquty and destroyed the people by
the thousands, filling the poor-houses,
alms-houses, jails and lunatic asylums.
William Baker sang some excellent Sc
lections during the evening.
Programme for Today and Tomorrow.
Today and tomorrow the order of
business will be as follows:
Saturday, Q II. m.-Conference session.
3 p. m.-Holiness convention. Service in
charge of Rev. II. G. Buckingham. Ad-
dresses upon the following: IAN Expo
sition on the Higher Life" by Rev. d.
Savage; "When and How Attainable," by
Rev. w. b. Bentley. 7,30 p. m.-Confer-
ence missionary meeting; chairman, b. J.
Smith, Addresses by Rev. II. C. Bache,
Miss Il. De Merritt. Missionary reports
by Rev. G. Lees and S. Penglase
Conference Sabbath, a. m-Morning
devotions conducted by Revs. j. N.
Reseigh, ]. 1verson and j. McGinnis. a.
m.-Communion services conducted by
Revs. ID. Savage, II. G. Russell, NJ. Har-
vey. 1870 a. m.-Ordnation services Ser
mon by c. Prosser. Reception addresses,
by president of conference p. m-Sun-
day school rally; chairman, w. j. Will
iams. Addresses by Revs. ]. Walker, w.
j. Richards, j. Bath. $50 p. m.-Young
peoples meeting conducted by s. Cox.
Short addresses by Revs. II. Bell, w. II.
Holder, j. Sutclffe. Z p. m.-Evening
service. Conference sermon by Rev. Il.
M. Bateman, conducted by Rev. A. Wood
cock.