Omaha daily bee., 1897-09-19
HAVE POWER AT THE POLL
John G, Wooley Urges Christians to AIRS
aud Crush Out the Salo1n.
NEED THE HOLY GHOST AT BALLOT BOX
DIR. Spencer of Philadelphia Gives
Interesting Figures TO Nebraska
Methodists on the Church
Extension Socict,'s work.

YORK, Neb, Sept. 1S.-(Specal Tele-
g5am.)-The subject of the address given by
John G. Woolley yesterday afternoon at the
, Methodist conference was christian Citizen
snip" His principal thoughts were on the
duty OF the Christian at the ballot box and
of his giving testimony of the faith and
| power within him. He laid down the state
ment that the liquor question is about the
most one-sided question before the people.
Nearly all sides OF a question have their ad-
vocates. Even slavery had its advocates,
and many Of them were honest in their opn-
ions. But the saloon is without an excuse.
''lf that's So why does not 1t die?" he said.
THE reason is 1t does not want to die and
kill it. There are 100000 or 100000 of
church voters, but they have no power.
Power is what you need. The bible says
that he has power who has the Holy Ghost
within him, but | have seen preachers who
talk long and loud of the Holy Ghost, who
preach 1t and teach 1t and pray it, but who,
on election day. are never suspected of hav-
ing any such spirit within them when 1t
comes to the ballot box. The church move
ment for better citizenship has been side
tracked while the saloon train goes by. The
saloon keepers have the road and the church
members are husting out of the way. There
is one thing about the saloon keeper that
commands my admiration. He always knows
how to vote. He votes just one way and
that way is in the interests of his own busi-
ness. He has more respect for his business
than the church member has for doing right.
The excuse the church member has for not
voting the way his conscience tells him is
that his vote will be OF no avail But ii
is important that the Christian vote right
not SO much for carrying an election, but to
give testimony OF the faith that Is in him. :"
In the evening the church extension So
ciety anniversary was celebrated. DR.. Hal
stead of Lincoln, Rev. Mr.. Kemper of Sew
ard and DR.. w. A. Spencer of Philadelphia
spoke. DR.. Spencer's address was the prin-
cipal event of the evening. Dr. Spencer is
the corresponding secretary of the uational
organization. His address was full of infor-
nation as to the great work the society is
carrying on. The object of this society, as
its name indicates is to establish churches
in new and unsettled portions of the country.
During thrty-one years, up to July 1, 1897.
the board of church extension has received
and disbursed over 5,S57 900 About two
thirds of this amount passed through the
general fund, available for donations to
churches, and one-third through the main
fund, of which over 81 017 900 is permanent
capital for use only by loans. With this
amount the board has aided over 10000
churches scattered throughout the United
steadily increased until the last four years
but the demands for aid have grown more
rapidly.
On the first day Of July of this year there
were on file granted applications, promising
donations of $42. 600, on conditions with
which the churches to be aided must first
comply, making the completion of the
enterprise reasonable certainty. But July
1, 1897, the general fund was overdrawn
$4,000, requiring to meet promises already
made an additional $45OO0 There were on
file at that date applications not yet consid-
cred. asking donations CT $4,000. The board
Of extension is behind the present need of
funds for donations to the amount of $50 900.
DR.. Spencer said that the Nebraska confer
ence had given to the board over $12 900,
but had received in donations over 500, 900.
a meeting of the local corps of the Grand
Army of the Republic was held last night
at the court mouse in honor of the old SOL
dier members of the conference. good
rousng campfire was held. at which personal
"reminiscences humorous end sad, were given
by many Of those present.
BISHOP GIVES ADVICE.
The principal feature of this mornings
session of the conference was the address
delivered by Bishop Ninde before the candi-
dates for admittance in full cor,ection.
There were five admitted to deaconship. Four
others, who had already been admitted to
deaconshp were admitted to the conference
passed. The words of the bishop were lis
tened to with close attention by all. He
spoke on the responsibility of the ministry
and of the necessity of fellowship and COM
panionship in and Gu. Of the conference
Great care should be exercised thought the
speaker, in choosing the ministry as a life
work No man should be in the
Methodist ministry who did not be-
long there and Who did not adhere to
all its tenets. Tho bishop further touched
on the work of the minister. He should
preach instructively, impressively and per-
suasively. Whcn a minister fails to keep his
audience awake it is because he is not
preaching to them in the right way. Give
the congregations new ideas, get them to
thinking to pastoral work, be companion
able, but be discreet. Every pastor ought to
be exceedingly careful in his relations with
the women. Many orders have been griev-
ously distressed through scandals brought
or by indiscretsn of pastors Associate with
business men and people outside the church
but do not prCselyte.
The anniversary Of the Woman's Home
Missionary society was celebrated this after
noon. The corresponding secretary of the
society, Mrs. j. r. Woodcock of Tecumseh
and Dr. Halstead of Lincoln gave the ad-
dresses.
This evening DR.. Mason, assistant secre-
tary of the Freedmen Aid and Southern Edu-
cational society spoke in behalf of that or