The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-23

ter how widely men may differ, the hne
of division in the two parties which the
negroes have made will divide the two
parties in the State-and there will be
only two parties after few years. The
recent methods of the Republican party
makes this certain unless the people of
the State, and their sons, who elected
Vance, have lost all race and State pride.
-
The conferecne was called to order
Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by the
presiding elder, Rev. e. A. Yeates, ID.
He does not look day older than he did
twenty years ago, and he has grown in
scholarship, wisdom, breadth and in
fluence until he is easily the foremost
man in the North Carolina conference,
and if there is an ADLER preacher in the
State of North Carolina Of any denomi-
nation it has not been my good fortune
| to hear him. DR.. Yeates is eminently a
man of originality. His sermons are
philosophical and often poetical. As he
grows older, they have a mellowness and
reserve power that mark the able rath-
| er than the eloquent preacher. He pre-
sides with dignity that is free from
stiffness, and has been a presiding elder
20 long that it fits him as if he
had been born a sure enough bishop. He
seldom refers to his early struggles-bis
trials on Hard-Scrabble and other hard
circuits in his youth, but when he grows
reminiscent-(all old men grow reminis-
cent at times and then they teach much)
lit is an interesting recital, showing
that he came to his present position in
| the church through many trials and
| tribulations. May he live long to bless
a people who love to follow his leader
ship in holy things!
The opening sermon of the Conference
was preached by Rev. G. f. Smith, of
Louisburg, on 1.-THE Conscience as
Great Guide to Right" l arrived too
late to hear the sermon, but it made
a deep and abiding impression on the
large congregation that heard it.
II At the session this morning, which
opened at 9 o'clock, Mr.. j. M. Turner,
principal Of Garner High School, was
elected secretary of the Conference, and
the following committees appointed:
On Education-Revs. j. w. jenkins,
w. c. Norman and J. M. Ashby.
Lay-Joseph G. Brown. G. S. Baker,
L. R. Hood and r. f. Jones.
To examine applicats for license to
preach, for ordination and for admis-
sion into Conference-Revs. w. s.
Davis, G. B. Perry, w. J. Crowson and
w. 8. Hester.
| MISSIONARY ADDRESS.
Rev. f. D. Swindell, d. d., Conference
missionary secretary, one OF the first
men in his church and one who stands
Iamong the first in missionary knowledge
and zeal in the ranks of the Southern
Methodist church, spoke on the subject
Of Foreign Missions. He held the at
tention and won the interest Of the large
congregation-more than the church
would hold-from the first sentence
Among other things he said:
1T affords me pleasure to be with you
For the first time l look upon Raleigh
District Conference. And L have the
privilege of speaking to you on subject
in which am deeply interested, because
it is one Of profound interest to the
church of Christ, the work of missions.
1t has been thought by some that there
is waning interest in this work. The
facts do not justify this conclusion. In
1920 the amount paid per capita for
missions was four-tenths Of cent; in
1850 six and four-ffth cents; 1890
Twenty cents.
From 1860 to 1890 farm products in
creased 100 per cent Church property
296 per cent; total wealth, 397 per cent,
while missionary contributions increased
400 per cent.
'The financial condition has affected
contributions, but there are evidences
of a growth of interest in the cause.
There is Indifference ON the part of
many of the church and opposition with
some, and what is done is largely by a
flew.
after a careful study Of the ques-
ton / am satisfied that the great task
Of awaking the church to its duty in
helping to save the world is of
paramount Importance All great
movements of the church have been
wrought out through the ministry.
Their position puts them in the place
of large influence. They are teachers.
Christ gave command to his disciples to
, teach all nations. The religious belief
of many is formed more from what they
hear from the pulpit than from what
they read from the book. To the people
they speak as an oracle Of God-and
the people hear and are influenced. They
are also leaders, whose business it is to
know, and emphasize the needs and
work Of the church.
'They are also to plead with the church
; for loyalty to Christ and fidelity to
humanity.
"In the missionary movement these
elements of the ministry, properly exer-
cised, will lead to the creation of mis-
sionary conscience.
1.-The mission and commission Of the
church is to preach the gospel to every
J creature. And the church cannot afford
to stop short Of her full mission.
"To advance the interest of missions
is to help the work at home. The light
} that shines brightest furthest off, shines
brightest nearest home. The basal
, point of all religious work is the saliva
ton of souls. When a church becomes
Christly enough to yearn for the souls
/ Of the heather, it will yearn for those
| about her. To do Christs work is to re-
ceive Christs blessing and the blessing
) of the Lord maketh rich"
Following the address Of DIR. Swindell
the sermon of the day was preached by
, Rev. j. II. Whitaker, of Raleigh, on