The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-12-01

North Carolina a Democratic State. 1t
is fitting that this town, full of bust
ness and full of progress, should bear
the name of this distinguished man
who blazed out new and better road
in political affairs.
Up to this time the conference has
been harmonious and free from excit-
ing incident. Everything has run
smoothly. the reports from the preach
ers as to increase in collections, growth
in all church interests and accessions
to membership The attendance is
dispatched without friction. The
preaching has been uniformly of a high
order, and the congregations have been
large and attentive and appreciative.
Reidsville is a religious community,
and it's people are of high type. They
enjoy religious discussions and reli-
gious exercises, and in cordial recep-
ton of the conference they have no
superior. The sessions are held in the
handsome new brick church.
There is but one matter discussed
that is likely to provoke much friction
or discussion or feeling. For some
time the trustees Of Trinity College
have been FESTIVE under the criticisms
OF the college for accepting the bene-
factions of Mr.. Washington Duke, al
ieging that it was improper for a
church college to accept money from
members OF the Tobacco Trust. The
open criticism for accepting this
money has been led by Hon. John II.
Webster and Rev, w. II. Ware,
the first of whom, in Webster's
Weekly, has given criticism through
the press. At the Conference last year
Mr.. Washington Duke gave a hand
some donation to the fund for the SUI
perannuated preachers, and Mr.. Ware
opposed its acceptance.
This year the trustees of Trinity
have filed formal protest against the
action of those who have criticized
their acceptance of the generous dona-
tions, and it is altogether probable
there will be an acrimonious debate in
regard to the matter. | have not been
here long enough to hear any of the
leaders speak about the matter, and
will reserve comment until a future let
ter.
There is some difference of opinion
about the Advocate and its policy. The
Trinity trustees are not satisfied with
it's course, that is some of them are
not. Its criticism of the bankers on
the money question and its eXplana-
tions has critics and defenders. Rev.
II. NJ. Blair will retire from the editor
ship and other changes are among the
possibilities. Rev. r. h. John and Rev.
John n. Cole, representing the Eastern
Conference, were requested to meet the
committe on books and periodicals and
discuss the paper question. 1t is un-
derstood that there is a strong senti-
ment in favor of the Conference elect
ing an editor, and rendering him to the
owners of the paper. But the prOba-
biIities are that there will be no
change in the plan
The charm of the conference is it's
presiding officer. Bishop Duncan is
very popular with the preachers. His
classic face, his mastery of those
things that make a presiding officer,
his originality and virility as preach
err. his sound common sense in the So
cial circle make him a man among men
and worthy of the highest Office in his
church. He wears the dignity Of his
holy orders with just conception of
his position, and with an ever present
sense of the fact that he is only a cir
cult rider on larger circuit, and that
he and the humblest man who rides
the poorest circuit are equals before
the great head of the church. He win
preach to-day, and all who hear him
viii feel that he has brought them a
message of good cheer, of wholesome
ness, and of helpfulness. J. ID.