The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-05-02
CONFERENCE AT AVOCA.
Work Done by the General Committee.
Candidates for the Ministry-Scrmon
by Rev. G.. II. HigginsOn.

Candidates for the Ministry-scrmon
by Rev. C. II. Higginson.
At o'clock yesterday morning the
second days session of the annual
state conference of the Primitive Meth
odist church was opened at Avoca by
meeting of the examining committee
who resumed the work begun on Tues
day afternoon and which occupied the
entire morning session. The committee
has considerable amount of business
to transact and will present its report
at later meeting.
In the afternoon at 2 o'clock the men,
bers Of the general committee met in
the auditorium of the church, when
Rev. c. Prosser presided. General
Secretary Rev. S. Penglase and Rev.
II. j. buckingham acted as secretaries.
After the devotional services, which
Were conducted by Rev. A. Woodcock
and Rev. Harris, a motion was passed
inviting all delegates and laymen to
sit with the general committee.
The reports of the various districts
We're then presented. Secretary jeff
ries, of the Pittsburg district, pre-
sented request from his district to be
allowed a distinct and separate dis
trict conference. After some discus
sion the request was referred to the
general conference. The reports showed
great progress in the central and larger
parishes, but in the outlying and
smaller parishes, owing to the depres-
sion in trade, the results achieved were
less satisfactory.
Candidates for the Ministry.
Rev. w. II. Williams. of Niles, O.,
was accepted as a candidate for the
ministry of Eastern district, and r. B.
Sharp, Of Homestead, who will act as
local supply, was also accepted An
application from the Shawnee church,
to be exonerated from their contribu-
tions to the conference fund, was dis
cussed and referred to the general con-
ference without recommendation 1t
was also decided to present the names
of Rev. II. Bell and Rev. w. B. Bentley
to the general conference subject to the
approval Of the examination commit
tee.
Considerable discussion of a practical
nature was held regarding the decrease
of membership at the Irwin Station
and Westmoreland parishes.
A public service was held in the even
ing, when Rev. w. F. Nichols conducted
the devotional exercises. Various Sc
lections were rendered in a tasteful
manner by the well-organized choir un-
der the leadership of John f. Blease
The members Of the chorus have al
ready won the hearty appreciation of
the delegates, who have expressed
themselves in favorable terms upon
their efforts.
Sermon in the Evening.
Rev. G. H. Higglnson. the appointed
preacher for the evening, spoke upon
the theme, "The Light of the World"
and in the course Of his sermon re-
marked that the world was degenerat-
ing and God in His purposes would
bring 1t back, but would employ human
agency as the medium, so that to full
fill the wishes Of the Master it was es-
sential that 1t should be achieved by
zeal, fervor and faith on the part of the
Christian.
The church stood for Christ in the
world, and in its aim it should follow
the example Of Christ, to save all men
for the glory of the Lord and for which
they were created. In forceful terms
he dealt with the necessity for spiritual
training in carrying on the appointed
work.
Notes Of tho Conference.
This morning the conference will hold
its session for organization at o'clock,
when the officers will be elected and the
routine business of the annual gather
ing will be transacted. The devotional
exercises will be in charge of the con-
ference president. At 2 o'clock a ses-
sion will be held to transact conference
routine business.
Tonight at 7.3O an interesting meet
ing will be held, when the ex-pastors
will hold sway over the platform. Rev.
II. G. Russell will preside and addresses
will be delivered by Revs. ]. B. Tyler,
G. Ball, j. Bath, A. Woodcock and M.
Harvey.
Rev. c. H. Higginson, who preached
the sermon of last evening, is gifted
orator, and his effort was unanimously
voted to be one of unusual ability. The
interest and attention of his audience
were maintained throughout.