The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-09-26

In his talk on "Secularism and Chris
tianity' Thursday afternoon, DIR. Bovine
advanced line of thought that rather
staggered the clcrgymen present. He first
reviewed the purely secular philosophy of
life and showed how it failed to satisfy.
Something more was needed. There was
an inspiration lacking that the exercise of
the conscience, the mind and the soul in
contemplation of the great Creator alone
could satisfy. But while there was need
for religious sentiment, it was not all OF
life, and the minister who tried to build
up plan of salvation that was apart
from the world was making great mis-
take. There was much in secularism
that was beneficial indeed, the doctor
held that in all probability the secular in
fluence had in the past been better than
the religious. As q general thing the
leaders in religion had been barriers TO
progress The great advances made in
the world had been made, not Of the
church, but of the world. The doctor
said that the kingdom of God and the
church were two very different things, the
great majority of the clergy to the
contrary, Notwithstanding. He was of
the opinion that the ministry lacked
knowledge and influence in secular af-
fairs and said that in all probability, If
| the power TO legislate could be given TO
! the ministry they would do worse for the
whole people than the average secular
| body. They needed broadening out until
| they recognize the force of secular intu-
ences in building up character and life
WORK FOR THE FREEDMEN.
| Thursday evening the anniversary Of
the Frecdman's Aid and Southern Educa-
] at hn IA.
odist church The speaker of the evening
was the brilliant colored preacher DIR. NJ.
| c. b Mason. He pictured the illiterate
and degraded condition of the blacks at
the dawn of freedom. He said 1t was
charged at first that the negro could not
learn, but today it has been established
that he can learn. In thirty years great
progress had been made, hundreds Of in
stitutions Of learning had been estab-
lished, and thousands were learning the
ways of wisdom and righteousness. DR..
Mason was eloquent and impressive, and
made one Of the best addresses thus far
given at this conference.
Officers were elected for the Freedmans
society for the ensuing year, as follows:
President, 7. II. Armstrong; vice-presi-
dent, c. II. Carrick; secretary, Austin
Walton; treasurer, r. A. Cassidy.
Today's Meetings.
After the devotional exercises this
morning, Dr. Muller got the floor and
moved that the lay and regular confer
ence hold a joint session from IL 80 to ~
O'Clock The motion prevailed DIR.
Muller also moved that Rev. W. II. See
ley, who has completed fifty years of ser
vice as a Methodist preacher, be placed
on the superannuated list. The motion
carried.
NEW PREACHERS.
Bishop Vincent then called up the class
of young men who had passed their eX-
aminations and were ready to enter the
ministry The bishop gave the class some
excellent advice. The following were
then admitted to conference: William f.
Wykoff william NJ. Jeffers, Edward o.
Morris Charles NJ. Kirk, John ]. Meal
pine, Sheridan b. Salmon, Curtis W,
Smith, John A. Vinton, 6 w. Orchus.
James W. Vankirk was admitted to the
probationer class and Perry NJ. Phillips
was continued until next year.
ELECTION OF DELEGATES.
The matter of the election of delegates
to the general conference was then taken
up. Tell6rs were appointed, and a vote
taken by ballot. There we've six minister
ial delegates to elect.
While the tellers were canvassing the
vote upon delegates, DR.. Sanford Hunt,
of the Methodist Book Concern, spoke
upon the work of this institution. He
said last year dividend of sl20, 900 was
declared for Methodist work. He said in
the last 100 years, the Methodist book
publishing houses had published one-third
of all religious literature read
Dr. Mason, of the Freedman's Aid Bur
can, spoke of the work to be done to
bring up the South. lie said they were
not working in the South alone TO bring
up the poor Colored man, but to perpetu
ate American institutions and solve the
great social problems Of the nation.
DIR. Breckenridge, Of the Methodist hos |
pital at Brooklyn, said the hospital now
had over 81, 900, 900 of property.
DIR. Moore, of Cincinnati editor of the
Christian Advocate, spoke in favor of re-
ducing the price of Methodist family |
journals to 81 year. In closing, Dr. !
Moore set the conference to wild cheering |
by advocating the admission of women to |
the general conference.
DIR. Smith, editor of the Pittsburg !
Christian Advocate, said he was afraid to !
let the women into the conference.
DIR. Warner, president of Baldwin uni |
versity, presented the claims of the col |
lege for support.
Rev. George W. Pepper, who goes TO
Cleveland tonight to address the Italians,
was called upon and made the bearer of
the conference congratulations to Italy
for her anniversary celebration today.
The Joint Conference.
At II: 80 the lay and the annual confer
ence held a joint session at the First |
Methodist church. The lay conference
was ushered in by DIR. Mills, and Bishop
Vincent spoke a few words of greeting TO
the lay delegates.
Chairman Williams, Of the lay confer
ence, introduced Judge Mansfield, and |
W. f. Walworth, the delegates elect to the |
general conference, who responded TO the
words Of the bishop.
THREE DELEGATES SECURED.
4 The report Of the tellers Of the election
for ministerial delegates was then read as
follows; Total vote, $50. Necessary to
slect, 1l6.
ID. II. Muller, 147; L. II. Stewart, 140;
Il. ID. Holtz, III. These three were de-
olhred elected. Others voted for were as
follows; j. l. Wilson, ILL., E. r. Ed |
monds, 107, ID. @. Osborne, 95; w. H. |
Ryder, SO Il. p. March, 90; X. NJ. Fresh
water, 90; jay S. Youmans, 40; James
X. Mills, Al Levi Gilbert 86i j. j, Wal