Smyrna times., 1895-03-20
Twenty Seventh Annual Session Of the
Wilmington Conference.
AN INTERFERING EVENT.


The 9th Annual session of the Viii.
mington Conference met this morning
in Asbury Church this town, Bishop
John f. Hurst, of Washington, presid-
ing. The meeting of a Conference is
alwas a big event wherever held, both
religiously and socially. Its usual
time is about a week. About fifty of
the ministers came Monday, (thOse
still in their studies with their exami-
ners) and the larger part by the last
trains yesterday, and still others this
morning.
The lay members drop in any time
as suits their business, mostly the lat
ter part of the week, some only staying
a day or so. though Sunday is most al
ways included by this class. The
ministerial, lay delegates and candi-
dates number about 280 to be enter
tanned By comparing this conference
with the list of homes of the Conference
of 70 and '51, on our first page it will be
found that the list has baen consider
ably swelled by the recent years. To
add to these as guests of the town,
largely ladies visiting friends, are
nearly an equal number, or say 500 in
all
Most everybody is keeping open
house. Social restraint is largely
thrown off, and the Methodist COM
munity seems like one big family
quartered in different Judgments. 1t
does not come every year nor every
ten years, and the disposition of
guests and hosts seems to be to get all
out of it they can. The Mecca to
which every foot is turned is very
naturally the M. f. Church.
The first or introductory service was
last night-the annual Missionary SER
mOn-an able discourse by Rev. G. S.
Baker, of Crisfield. The conference
opened this morning at 8 O'Clock with
communion service conducted by Rev
A. Smith, followed by the regular busi-
ness of the session. Other mornings
the business will be preceded by a
Quoted by Rev. ). A. Keen. 1t is in
tend that devotional exercises shall be
a distinguishing feature of this con
ference. Sunday will be the peoples
day. 1t will commence with a Love
Feast at o'clock, conducted by Rev.
T. E. Terry; preaching at 1890 by
Bishop Hurst, ordination of Elders at
2 o'clock and Pentec0stal services at
both 3 90 aud 7.30 o'clock conducted
by Rev. s. A. Keen. As this church
and the Presbyterian are the only ones
open to the ministers of this body, and
as there will he a great many people
in town, it has been suggested that
services be held in the Town Hall that
! day.
An extract from the DAILY TIMES
of the conference here twenty years
ago, in speaking of Sunday says
Despite a chilly nor easter, the snowy,
drizzly atmosphere, and the icy rOadwaYs,
people drove in from all directions, while
many came from abroad by the late trains
of Saturday. A train also arrived from
Easton about 10 A. NJ, with about lO(
passengers Parties who took the trouble
to count, estimated the audience at the
| NJ. Z. Church in the morning (it was as
large in the evening" at 1000 persons"
Many churches elsewhere will bt
filled bv preachers who will 60 out or
the Saturday evening trains.
This afternoon semi-centenDial ser
mons by Revs. T. H. Haynes and w
E. England. Tonight, Anniversary o
Fredman's Aid, addresses by Drs
Hartzell and Wagner.
Tomorrow afternoon Anniversary o
Sunday school union address by DR.
Freeman. Church Extension at nigh
address by DIR. Kynett.
Friday, Anniversary of w. F. NJ
Society, address by Miss NJ. f. Dan
forth. At night, Temperance Anniver
sary, address by John G. WOolley Esq
Saturday, ? o'clock veterans Ami
versary address by DR.. Hamilton
Evening, Anniversary of Missionary
Society, address by Chaplain McCabe
Monday, 2 o'clock Anniversary O
w. H. NJ. Societv-address by Mrs
Mary Leonard Wells; 73O o'clock
Anniversary of EpwOrth League, ad
dress by Rev. DR.. Merritt Huiburd.
1t is expected the conference will
adjourn on Tuesday.