The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-03
METHODIST
CONFERENCE.
Continued From Page 1.)

nounced, may be accounted for by 'sus-
pended animation"
Lo! oven an erudite, scholarly minister
of the conference used the word "Hust-
ler." How insidious and dominant is
the thing called slang.
Trinity M. Il. Church is the banner
church of the conference as to the largest
Epworth League as well as the largest
Sunday school in the conference.
The bishops reference to the flag which
elected such hearty applause did not
there. A beautiful bit of bunt-
ing drapes the pulpit this morning, also
flag about the orchestra.
At the communion service the bishop
we'll said " This is to the world, the wit
Messing sacrament of the church"
1t is noteworthy to observe the kind and
goodly fellowship among the men OF the
conference. Particularly the fatherly in
terest the older men take in the young
men.
Bishop Walden makes many helpful
remarks during the celebration OF the
holy communion, Some condemn this.
They think silence should prevail. The
bishops example will be q suggestive one.
SO far this is what the ministers call
'wet conference" They mean the
weather.
Epworth League Anniversary.
Last evening at 7:30 a large audience as
sembled TO observe the above anniversary.
The Scripture lessons were read by Il. w.
Thrasher. Prayer was offered by Rev. B.
4. Simon. The annual report was made
by the conference president, Rev. o. w.
Scott. Then Bishop Walden was in
troduced and spoke as follows: "Honest
confession is n good thing. AT this
meeting / expected TO be one of many to
speak and SO am not prepared for an ex-
tended address. Our way Is TO look back.
We find harmony of conditions out OF
which these things arise that they seem
providential. So in the future there
will be wonder expressed in regard to
these things as now. We rejoice that
TINS will grid the youth Of the church for
grander work. Your conference shows
rapid growth of Epworth leagues.
Unprecedented growth is seen here. 1t
indicates conditions in society and in the
church demanding this league work.
What necessity gave IL birth? Lines OF
Christian work constantly push out into
the surrounding darkness of the world.
With the more than 1000, 900 in our Sun
day Schools why do we need Ep-
worth Leagues. They have not de-
tracted but added to the
Sunday School. We are living in an ac-
tive age. Air is instinct with life even.
The age is ominently practical. We ask
OF thing not is 1t beautiful but will 1t
pay?' The Sunday School furnished but
little for the young to do as the leagues
do. That is why they are demanded.
Thus they get in harmony with this ac-
tive age.
"Grave problems confront US today. In
the cities we feel this, and we will in the
rural districts. Much to do to show the
world the church Is not behind. / am
not drifting toward the Institutional
Church. In order to be helpful the
church must be in the van. In the Bible
we find such thought sufficient for all
forward movements. Wesley's for
ward movement and so down to
Moody's all was suggested by the
teaching of the Scriptures. Hence
no need of novelties OF necessity. We
live also in very restless age. DO you
know the cause? The common school
accounts for it in part. People think,
and that makes the restlessness in part.
In the forces of Germany, in battle, brain
carried on the field won the victory often.
do not mean the restlessness OF anarchy,
but longing for something better. 1t is
not that we have SO much outward
change, but an inward change. The
church must adjust herself 10 these con-
ditions.
"We have literary department OF the
leagues. Because the direction as well as
quickening of the thoughts Of the young
is what we mustattend to. Leading them
to think on Christlike lives will bring
them into the best state to be useful.
america stands in the front. Foreign
ers have respect not for our fops and
dudes, but for our educators and reformers.
Wear the best fed, clothed, housed and
educated people OF the world. Let us not be
vain put proud. Hope shall see the flag
here tomorrow. (Applause.) IL stands
for more than any flag in all the world.
Mr.. Blaine gave me passport to Russia.
Our language the rag-hag OF all the
languages. always carry the Stars and
Stripes. The Russian inspector, l sup
posed, would 90 through my luggage.
Did not after he saw the flag on the top
when he opened my luggage. We may
be proud, too, OF our church. No brighter
chapter is written in the annals of the
worlds progress than Methodism has
written. Epworth Leagues do what
would not be done otherwise. Not one i'm
five officials have a discipline. Have the
Leagues2 They arc to be loyal to Christ
and the Church, too. Even in our schools
they study our forms OF civil government.
So should we know what we believe and
Why we believe. A political campaign Is
good thing. People listen TO political
speeches more than they read political ed
itorisls. May our youth be more knowing
as we'll as more loving, ss J. Wesley said.
This Epworth League only six years old,
leads new era. Love and loyalty TO the
church thus is iostered. That is not
bigotry. You will hear at the consecrd-
tion OF ministers next Sunday afternoon
that all our preachers vow TO use charity
toward all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Intelligence Is the basis Of our best piety
and best work. One Epworth League
Herald for every 10 leaguers (as your re-
port showed) Is not enough. Let US have
pure literary to make Methodist muscle.