The herald., 1897-09-29
THE CONFERENCE OPENS
BISHOP NEWMAN SPEAKS TO THE
VETERANS OF THE g. A. r.
Southern California Methodists in
Convention Assembled-Pro-
gram for Today

Simpson tabernacle was entirely filled
downstairs and there was fair sprink-
ling through the gallery last night. when
the twenty-second session OF the South
ern California annual Methodist con-
ference was opened by an address of
welcoms by the Rev. A. M. Hough, and a
response by Bishop John p Newman.
Before the formal program was en-
tered upon, America" was sung by the
audience, and Rev. c. w. Tarr offered a
prayer. After another song to the air
of when Johnnie Comes Marching
Home Again." the presiding officer, Rev
J. B. Holloway Of visalia, introduced
Rev. ]. H. H. Wilson, who made short
address on some of the causes that led
to the war of the rebellion from West
Virginia standpoint. Rev. A. B. Morri-
son, native Of Ohio, followed with an
informal talk on some Of his war expe-
riences. and the remarks of both speak
ers, which were judicious mixture of
humorous and pathetic "reminiscences,
were followed with the closest interest
by the large audience.
After short hymn, Rev. A. M Hough
was introduced. Mr.. Hough explained
the Importance and meaning of the con-
ference about to be held and said the
brethren and preachers had been pre-
pairing themselves for II for the past
month by prayer ard petitions sent di-
rect to divine grace. He spoke Of the hun
dred and fifty ministers who had come
to the conference to report from their
respective fields of work, and he dwelt
at some length upon the significance
and sacred calling of the Methodist
preachers. The speaker drew some
rather fine distinctions between the
Methodist beliefs and those of other de-
nominations; he expressed his belief
that this conference was going to be
both great and royal, and closed his re-
marks with glowing tribute to Bishop
Newman.
Bishop Newman was next presented
and opened his address by saying that
he was to speak to the Grand Army of
The Republic and the members of the con-
ference, which he designated as the
Grand Army of the Lord" He touched
in passing upon the remarkable COM
prehensiveness of the Methodists and
stating that there would have been no
| republic without the soldiers, the speak
er referred to the commerce, the rail-
roads, the mints and art galleries that
are to be found from one end to the
other Of the republic, all of which are
due to the soldiers. He said he never
passed a soldier without feeling a sense
of gratitude-which is the noblest emo
tion Of the soul-of personal indebted
ness to those noble men who had the
courage to do and dare for their coun-
trys good.
From that point the bishop turned to
concrete instances, personal recollec-
tions, and he spoke of his association
with Sheridan, Sherman and Grant. He
spoke Of the former as Napoleon in
brain and courage" of the martial
| prowess Of "Tecumseh," and then of
that great man and great soldier
Grant He told at length of his linger-
ing illness, and gave graphic descrip-
ton Of his last moments; of the baptism
few days before he died. In closing
the speaker referred to the work that is
before them in the conference; expressed
his realization of the solemnity of his
responsibility in assigning men to their
oPPOii maui SOIue pertinent re-
marks about presiding elders and their
attitude to their brethren; invited any
one and everyone who so wished to come
| to him and ask for what they wanted;
advocated earnest prayer for the out
| pouring of the spirit ard then brace
himself for the Inevitable pleasure" of
Methodist conference hand-shaking.
Previous to the latter ordeal announce
ment was made by Rev. c. c. Mclean of
the program for today, which is as fol-
lows: $3.50 a. m, sacrament and open
ing services by Bishop Newman; 2 p. M,
statistical session; $3.50 p. m., missionary
sermon by Rev. c. A. Westenberg; 4:3O
p. m, organization Of committees; 1890
p. M, anniversary of Woman's Home
Missionary society; conservation of
deaconesses.