The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-02

duced to the conference, and was re-
ceiyed with rising vote. He spoke
briefly, saying in substance:
81 am thankful for the opportunity
of greeting this gathering of christian
ministers gathered to further the work
of orr common Master. Remembering
the history of your church, the great
things Won have done for Gods kingdom
and the mower you now have for ac-
complishing great results, | am glad to
hiring YOU christian greeting. In Gods
own time. we cherish the hope that
all christians may be in one great
church. | think Christ prayed for it.
7 do not know how it will come about
onv more than you do, but l have faith
that the time will come when all the
churches will come together"
Rev. Jno. r. Brooks and Rev. j. j.
Rem. of the Western conference, were
introduced.
TO VISIT BLIND INSTITUTION.
A letter from Prof. John r. Ray,
principal of the Blind Institution, in
wiling the conference to visit the lnstl-
tution and be entertained by the stu
dents at such hour as would SUIT the
conference. Accepted for Friday after
noon at o'clock.
COLPORTAGE WORK.
NaryTg r Gattis. of durham, who is the
colporteur for North and South Carollna,
reported that the aggregate OF SAFES
to $4,000 He said thar
sales in both States, owing to the hard
times and depression, have fallen on
from previous years. 1t has been the
hardest year since / engaged in the
work. Mr.. Culbreth asked: How many
books of our publishing house have You
soldY -,
THE STATE OF THE CHURCH.
The following communications from
tbe authorities appointed by the General
Ynnference were read and appropriately
referred:
REPORT OF BOOK AGENT.
The report Of the Book Agent showed
"a good report in a bad year" We are
that with the return or pros
perity to the country your publishing
house will become a very valuable prop
ertv" In the past decade the captal
has been increased so per cent and
S127 900 given to the superannuated
preachers. The total business OF the
wear has been 1926, 52S.26.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The report Of the Board Of Education
shows that $4,76S.29 was paid by the
church during the past year to this work
81 so from Children's Day colec-
ton; and $5,46S94 for Paine and Lane
Institutes. Thirty conferences have an
Education Secretary
II proceeds: You will be glad to learn
that our colleges, male and female, are
distinctively Christian; that revlvals have
been gracious at most of them; that at
tendance upon them has been better than
at any other time in our history, ana
that there are many indications that
our people are determining to give them
their patronage and increased financial
support"
Steps have been taken to secure SIT
nations for graduates of church schools
in order to promote the cause of Chris
tan Education.
The church has money in hand to be-
gin the erection of new building a;
Paine Institute. 1t is hoped that other
contributions will be made.
PARSONAGE AND WOMAN'S MIS-
SIONARY SOCIETY.
The Secretary read communication
from the Parsonage and Woman's Mis-
sionary Society. Progress has been made
in every line of work, the report going
into details showing missionary work,
schools in the mountains and among the
Chinese, and refuge homes for fallen
10, rfc Of hn nforn m
The report was signed by Miss Belle
Bennett, President, and Mrs. r. X.
Hargrove, General Secretary. 1t was
referred to the Board of Church Exten-
sion.
The report shows 81 organized confer
ence societies with membership of IT,
979. 1t extends over % States where
more than 80 nationalities are found. II
has aided in the past year 40 parson-
ages to the amount Of $4,000. The sup
ply Department has carried comfort to
1877 preachers homes. The Loan Fund
is increased to $13,740. City missionary
work has been carried on in ten cities.
Four homes for fallen women have been
supported. the largest in Dallas, Texas,
costing $4,000. Schools for mainten-
GERS have been established at London,
Ky, and Greenville, KY; for Cubans at
Tampa, Fla. with II teachers and 455
pupils; a Chinese school at Oakland,
Cal.
BOARD OF MISSIONS.
The Board Of Missions report an adj
vance over the last few years. Re-
trenchment has been necessary for three
years. The outlook in China was never
brighter In Japan. progress is being
made. The largest increase In member
ship has been in Brazil.
THE EPWORTH LEAGUE.
The report from the Secretary of the
Epworth League shows that there are
3.675 Leagues, a gain Of $40, with 1885,
1915 members.
SUNDAY SCHOOL PUBLICATION.
Nho 81 81.