The herald., 1898-09-23
CnURCHMEN AT WORK
SANTA BARBARA'S WELCOME TO
THE M. E. CONFERENCE
Gage and Waters With Their Orators
Follow Maguire's Tracks-Death
of George W. Coffin

SANTA BARBARA, Sept. 22.-The South
ern California Methodist Episcopal confer
ence opened In this city yesterday al
M. being inaugurateG by the administra'
.ior of the sacramen. by Bishop Hurst. The
Rev. Mr.. c. A. Westenberg next escorted
Mayor Edmund NJ Burke to the pulpit aho
introduced him to the bishop. VINO theh
presented him 20 the audience.
Mr. Burke made brilliant address 10
the conference. Although the mayor Is
Catholic. he is of broad and liberal char
acter. and in his address spoke of The
Methodist cuhrch as that strong and
grand religious organization known
trouehout the world" Santa Barbara, he
said, is a typical California city OF the
old school; her primitive customs have not
been eradcated, anG, the quair, Originality
of by-gone days. which has long since as
appeared from other California towns IS
still to be found here in full force ana
yieor. Tho old mission today haroors me
Franciscan friars. just as 1t did liz years
ago. and YOU are received by native
MAYOR, whose father, in fact. was porn
here. Mid historic memories we welcome
YOU as heartily as we opened the gates 10
The American troops who came in the clos
lre favs of the Mexican period to preserve
our affairs and our homes. We love and
yenerate the elevating work in which the
church is engaged, and l am certain that
YOU will not lose confidence In our hos
pitaNty Il We cain a share In all the good
works performed by this conference The
MAYOR turned A very neat compliment 10
he present pastor of the local church by
saving In his closing remarks; The mem
hers Of the conference will be assured of a
safe departure from our city provided our
local pastor. Mr.. C. A. Westenberg. is
elected to remain with us another year
The bishop made a patriotic address in
response. He referred to California as an
important factor in national history, more
so now than ever before. california is
the connecting link between the Atlantic
and Pacific; nearest TO our new posses
sions in the orient: first 20 get the news;
last 10 clasp hands with departing sold
iers" The city * full of visiting ministers.
The delegates in attendance a the confer
ence are working early and late. Today's
session opened At O'Clock with devotional
exercises and The morning business ses-
sion was devoted to hearing reports of the
presiding elders, T. C. Miller Of the Fresno
district. G.. F. Bovari of the Los Angeles
district and E. w. Caswell of the San
Diego district, which completely covered
the ground of Methodism in Southern Calf
fornia and indicated the satisfactory prog
ress of the church. The consideration of
the new territory recently opened up as a
result of the war to evangelical missionary
work has been an important factor Of the
conference sessions, Dr. Palmer presenting
this topic in an interestin way.
DR.. Jesse L. Hurlbut. general secretary of
the Sunday School union and Tract society
and the Rev. W. A. Spencer of the Church
Extension society spoke at the afternoon
and evening sessions on Sunday school and
foreign missionary topics.
The Campaign
A reception was given late this after
noon at the Mascarel 10 Hons, II. T. Gage,
r. j. Waters, VIII A. Harris and Frank F.
Davis, the Republican orators who open
the campaign here tonight reported else
where in today's Herald). Such well-ad
vertised political gathering has never been
known in Santa Barbara, even in presden
tial years.
Judge j. G. Mcguire, accompa MED by E.
l.. Hutchinson and H. P. Andrews, opened
the Democratic campaign here last night.
The Judge made a telling speech, exhibit
ing finised oratory. His principal point of
attack was the railroad In politics, and he
charged the Republican leaders with con-
spring 10 sell their party to The Southern
Pacific this fall. His arguments were in
cisive and we'll sus: aimed. He refused to
engage the opposition on any Other issue
than this. claiming that single tax silver
and all other issues were not germane 70
the great fight which he characterized a
"Tha people VS.. the Southern Pacific" He
expressed the opinion that the rank and
file of the Republicans were In no mood to
be sold to corporate influences, and he did
not believe hey would submit to it. Messrs.
Hutchinson and Andre made brief ad-
dresses. Armory hail was crowded.
George Coftin's Death
George w Coffin, a pioneer of this city
died yesterday Of compiled lions, kidney
trouble being the worst symptom. De-
ceased was q rative of New York and
about, 50 years old. He leaves widow and
also a daughter In The east. The funeral
will be held from the Presbyterian church
tomorrow afternoon. Mr.. Coffin has re-
sided continuously in Santa Barbara since
1S72-twenty-s!X years. He came as the
of the Atlantic and Pacific
which even that early proposed to
build through this city. His brother was a
director Of that company. A grea; amount
of property has been owned here by Mr..
Coffin and many developments are due 10
his past efforts.