The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-01
THE METHODISTS.
Grand Rally for Epw0rth League at
Fall River.
A Great Orstion by DIR. Davenport.
Opening Business Session.
The Providence Nxws BUREAU,
NEW ENGLAND SOUTHERN CONFERENCE
Fall River, Mass, April ., 1895.


New England Southern Methodist confer
ence convene in their city. Members OF
several other Protestant denominations
have taken members Of the conference
into their homes for entertainment dur
ing these days.
The Rev. w. W. Jubb, pastor OF the
Central Congregational Church, showed
his fraternal spirit by giving a sermon in
his pulpit Sunday evening last on
"Methodism, Its Place and Power in
Christendom." 1t was a courteous thing
to do, but DR.. Jubb is Christian gentle
man.
Fall River has six Methodist churches
and some 1900 communicates.
Through the push and generosity of
Mr.. j. ID. Flint, Fall River Methodism
has the first deaconess' home, so far,
within the bounds OF the conference.
Four deaconesses in building OF COM
fort and commodiousness makes a grand
center Of Christ-like influence and activi-
ties.
The examinations OF local elders and
local deacons, were held today. Some
fine young men were examined. AS this
is only preliminary to action by the con-
ference their names we reserve for the
time their cases are passed on in open
under the. chairmanship of Rev. G. w.
Holden OF First Church, Pawtucket.
MEMOIR.
The Rev. Elisha Il. Bradford, made the
senior minister of the conference by the
death OF Rev. j. B. Husted-we are re-
minded-has also joined the hosts beyond
the flood. AT the advanced age of S4
years this servant OF God passed to his
reward last September, so that he will no
more respond TO conference roll call.
PROBABLE CANDIDATES TO oENREAL
CONFERENCE.
Presiding Elder S. o. Benton is likely
to lead the clerical delegates to general
conference.
According to the table chat and an
swers TO inquiries, Mr.. j. h. &. Farnham
of East Providence and Mr.. Walker Of
Tunton may be the choice of the lay elec-
toral convention held Friday morning.
REV. S. s. CUMMINGS
This reverend gentleman, now the
senior member of the conference, i'm his
SD year has spent 56 years in the minis
try. He is still on the effective list and
appears as vigorous as need be. For the
past 2s years he has been agent OF the
Baldwin Place, now New England Home
for Little Wanderers. He has done work
for God in the Maine, New Hampshire
conference and now receiveySiis appoint
ment from the New England Southern
Conference renewed annually. AS the
agent of this home he has travelled with
company of the children from the home,
who can sing, and held services through
out many states, speaking in churches OF
all Protestant denominations. The SER
vices thus held number over 1000. He
has carried Is companies of children to
the West, where they have been adopted
in good Christian families. What vast
amount of good he has done.
EPwoRTH LEAGUE ANNIvERsARY.
This was held Tuesday at 1880 p. m, in
the First III. Il. Church. A good sized
audience was present. Rev. q. w. Scott
presided. The audience sang the Gloria
patri. Rev. B. 4. Simon, president of the
New Bedford district league, read the
Scripture lesson from the Proverbs.
Prayer was offered by Rev. j. L Barthol-
omew. president of the Norwich district
league. The choir rendered an anthem,
Wonderful Love-" President Scott gave
his annual report. One hundred and
forty-two leagues through the Conference,
and membership of 66S7. These are
only part of the great Epworth League
army of some one million and a halt
An offertory was taken. In front of
the platform was beautifully en- bell
=
program, medallion shaped, was distrib-
uted through the audience. About the
rostrum was choice profusion OF flower
ing and foliage plants.
The annual address was now given by
Rev. Fred NJ. Davenport of Yopkers, n.
destructive age. But when you look at
the forces gathering under the banner OF
redemption 1t seems as il Christ was
never 80. sure town as now. Think of the
harnessed forces. Even Niagara Is har-
messed now. Suppose an elegant church,
fine scholar in the pulpit; 800 folded
hands In the pews; 500 vacant faces; 500
sluggish souls, such church Is ira
vesty, burlesque on His reiig ion, who
went about doing good. We want the
realization OF the legend OF the iron egg.
Some way To touch the hidden strings in
Christian hearts. Then we'll have the
golden chicken, and diamond ring and
ruby crown. Young men and women,
full of sweetness, gentleness, nobility and
holy energy, we are raising up. The
leagues are giving us first. Intelligent,
enthusiastic, sacrificing benevolent young
disciples. Love wins; Is bound to. This
filling young women and young men
with the ambition to I'll other lives with
sunshine. "Greatness under ragsn
was what he called the big boy who
blacked mans boots for sick boot
black on Newspaper row, New York city,
and another hoy who said "buy OF the
blind paper seller"; saying to the man who
wondered: ''Boss, we've all pledged to
lick the boy who sells a paper on the
blind paper mans corner" The Christ's
spirit is getting into the boottlacks and
the newsboys.
And when that spirit gets into more
business men man will get a fair days
pay for an honest dsy's work. TIE kiss
the mother gave the man who saved her
boy at Balakava he said was worth more
than all the gold OF Britain. The league
is not bigoted, ii is formed to make us
better Christians, better workers, better
citizens and better home builders. Well
ington at Waterloo, while his soldiers lay
In the trenches, rode up and down,
saying, "What will England say 10 you
fail now?" An old seIdier says he said it
more than 10O0 times. We know what
they did and won the day. So Christ
Jesus Is leading forward. The army OF
leaguers will help to win the final battle
of the gospel.
After the address the pastor OF the
church, Rev. W. A. Luce. announced the
arrival OF Bishop Foster, from Brooklyn,
"a wbera ba Ind iuet olnaaI An