The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-07-22
LIVE QUESTIONS
ABLY DISCUSSED.
Sub-District Conference.

- wv oASSS eOS O~sse~s 49,
Correspondence to THE CoMMoNwEALTH.)
HENDERSON, n. c., July 13, '97.
Editor The Commonwealth:
BY authority of The Third Sub-Dis-
trict Conference OF the 1st-2nd Sub
District North Carolina Conference
Methodist Protestant church l offer
you some account OF our proceedings.
According to appointment we met at
Bethesda church, BrinKleyville, on the
Halifax circuit, Friday morning 9Th
inst. at 10 o'clock Rev. T. M. johnson
OF Henderson, the chairman OF the Dis
trlct, presiding. After Devotional ex-
ercises conducted by Rev. D. A. Bras
we'll of Albemarle circuit the Confer
ence proceeded to the business OF or
ganlzation-with good paper by one
of your own county's bright young
women, Miss Mamie Taylor of Brink
leyville, followed by a strong paper on
Method by Mr.. A. Braswell, one OF
Edgecombe county's most successful
farmers.
The Subject of Infant Baptism
was discussed by Rev. HI. S. B. Thomp-
son of Greenville circuit.
The doctrines and tenets OF our
church on this subject were conclusive
ly set forth, and after the feast OF the
morning we were no less averse to par
taking of another which had been
bountlfully spread under the shade OF
the trees by that hospltable people
within whose borders the Conference
had gathered.
The first discussion of the afternoon
was on amusements, and Rev. G. E.
Forlines, late from Western Maryland
College-assigned for the remainder OF
the year to the LaGrange work-sub-
stituted Rev. w. o. Davis who was ab-
sent.
The speaker clearly set forth the fact
that amusements have their place in
economy of the church. The question
was not so much a question OF what
sort of amusements as of their control
Sentiment has changed in regard te
many things, among others that OF thu
violin, an instrument formerly give1
over to the Devil but was now bein,
redeemed to the church. The speake
thought cards had not been sufficient.
elevated from vile associations to ren
der them fit to be INDUCED in byChrist
ians who would grow in grace.
A plea tor the better observance
the Sabbath was discussed in pane
by Mr.. III. M. Avent, one OF Nasl
j. countys bright young farmers. and tn
topic being open a number participate
! in 1t. Many existing evils were pointe
out, such as the Sunday train, Sunda
papers with their mammoth edition
} reeklng with filth and pollution, wit
illustrations and sickeniug details
: the most horrible crimes, while thel
l was a pretence OF few columns
! "Sunday Reading" and perchance
Y report of a sermon from some sensation
# al preacher, Sunday riding and drlvin
: with horses or on the wheel. Man
9 gave expressions of disapproval OF the
q things and discussed what was and w
n not admissible to be done on the Lord
!, day. It was the practice of some pr
IL sent whose ministerial work requir'
e the use of horse on Sunday to gl'
Is the horse some other day.
y On the Home Missions topic Rev.
= NJ. Andrews of Tar River circuit cle'
" ly and concisely set forth the opport
o. nity IN the fact of the greater enllghte
o. ment in education and the more
" vanced citizenship.
F.S. Harris of Henderson recognlz
the opportunity and argued that it "
q. a cali to more energetic and aggress1
effort. particularly in the larger tow
This requires better equipment II
st, we may more successfully comp
ct with the older and better establish
H. denominations We must educate,
ed must pay, as well as pray. We m
,ts set forth and make known our doctrl
, a and tenets which only have to be "
, a known to commend themselves.
ts. The evening service began with
Dis, song service.
,sy Then the solemnity OF our "Chu
nd vows' was earnestly urged by b
no VIM. Porter of North Granville c1rt
hts and .Our Policy" which was to be ia
all bv Mr.. E. G.. Harris was substituted
hat Rev. G. l.. Whitaker OF Granville
md cult. We stand for the equal right
,ro- Ministry and Salty and we are the
+bot hoe hoth the It'll