The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-02

sion of the Ministerial association of
the Wyoming district of the Wyoming
conference closed last night in the
Methodist Episcopal church at Wyo-
ming, where the session began Monday
evening. An essay by Rev. +. j. Doty,
of this city, on the Cuban situation at
tracted much attention and was gen.
orally discussed by the ministers pres
ent. Mr.. Doty believes that the United
States should do what it can to free
Cuba. If that unfortunate island can
be purchased. well and good; if it can
not, then other means should be adopt
ed. Our patience with Cuba is almost
criminal.
At the session were the following
clergymen: Rev. J. G. Eckman. ID. D.,
af this city, presiding elder of the dis
trict, and Rev. w. Treble, RN. J. X.
Peck, Rev. William Frisby, Rev. J. A.
Transue, Rev. j. Il. Sweet, Rev. w. g.
Simpson. Rev. Il. u. Singer. Rev. l.. u.
Cornell, Rev. w. II. Hitler. Rev. G. c.
Lyman, Rev. p. Houch. Rev. F. James.
Rev. j. c. Leacock, Rev. Thomas NJ.
Furey, Rev. +. l.. Santee, Rev. f. w.
Young, Rev. j. Benninger. Rev. f. p.
Doty, Rev. o. l.. Severson, Rev. A. l..
Chaffee, Rev. j. w. Price, Rev. G.. r.
Van Hoesen, Rev. a. V. Armstrong,
Rev. j. r. Wagner. From the Homes
dale district, Rev p. Il. Thorpe, Rev.
]. N. Stelman. Rev. w. II. Pearce and
Rev. II. NJ. Mogg The session was
marked by intense interest and much
practical good was accomplished.
THE FIRST SESSION.
The first session of the association
was held Monday evening, when the
auditorium of the church was well
filled. Rev. ]. G. Eckman, D. D.. pre-
sided. At 80 o'clock devotional SER
vice was begun and conducted for a
half-hour by Rev. j. X. Peck, of Kings
ton. Many of the ministers present
participated. The association address,
was delivered by Rev. William Frisby,
of Taylor. He chose as his subject
"a Successful Ministry" Mr.. Frisby's
thoughts were clothed in eloquent lam
guage.
He claimed that these successful min
ister was not the one that presented
large statistics at conferences. What
is wanted is not quantity but quality in
church membership. The demand of
the age seems to be for drawing man.
The work of the minister is spiritual
and inward work, first in man and
then it manfests itself outWardly. The
successful minister above all things
is the one who hides self and eXalts
Christ.
The session was opened with a deco
tional serVive at 9 o'clock yesterday
morning which was led by Rev. N. j.
Hawley. of Askam. After a few re-
marks by Presiding Elder Eckman, a
business meeting was held Rev. w.
II. Miller of Wilkes Barre, was elected
TO deliver the next association address
and Rev. Wilson Treble, the alternate.
Rev. A. f. Chaffee, of Asbury NJ. T..
church, this city VAS elected the
preacher for the next meeting and Rev
Frank James, alternate. The place to
hold the next district meeting was left
to be selected by the presiding elder
and the theme committee. Several es-
says were read during the morning ses-
sion, the first being a review of 1.-The
Life and Times of Christ''-Eder-
sheim's, by Rev. James Benninger, of
Lehman. The essayist regarded this
author as the prince of writer's of
Christs life Rev. j. T.. Warner, of
this city, read a very interesting essay
on THE Bible the Most Persistent
II OICG III l-lttldlule
MIR. EDGAR'S ESSAY.
At the close of the reading Rev.
Warner sang very touching hymn on
the Bible. A practical essay was read
hy Rev. William Edgar, of Providence
Methodist Episcopal church, on "The
Minister'S Systematic Study, Indepcn-
dent of Pulpit Preparation" A very
timely subject presented was in the
form of another essay on what Shall
he Done for Cuba" by Rev. f. p.
Doty, of Hampton Street Methodist
Episcopal church, West Scranton. He
gave a short sketch of Cuban history,
the course of the rise of the rebellion
and brief account of its duration, de-
picting the awful blood-shed aud suf-
ferings which war brings.
in answ erinG what should be done
for Cuba he wanted to be assured what
was under him, whether any mines or
tCrpedoes which might be exploded ana
blow him up while he spoke. He stated
that unless we wish to discontinue
peaceful relations with Spain we must
be very cautious as to how to deal with
Cuba. Our patience with Spain has
been remarkable if not criminal. The
time has come to strike. He discarded
all thought of our endorsing autonomy.
If possible to buy Cuba this should be
done. But if war must continue let us
do what we can to help Cuba gain her
liberty. The recent Maine disaster was
spoken of and the present situation
referred to. If it be proved that she
was destroyed by an external agency,
What shall we do with Span?" he
asked. This essay was freely dis
cused and highly commended.
Rev. n. j. Hawley, veteran of the
late war, said he was "ready to turn
over his pulpit to some tenderfoot and
free Cuba" The general expression
was that this is time for deliberate
thought and the action of the presi-
dent i'm his cautiousness was commend
ed.
IN THE AFTERNOON.
At 1.30 o'clock the afternoon session
was begun with a devotional service
led by Rev, Philip Houck, of Mountain
Top. Reports by pastors on revivals
showed that a large addition had been
made to many churches in the district
Four essays were read on subjects
which provoked considerable of discus
sion.
The first was by Rev. Abel Wrigley,
OF Carverton, on "The Anti-Saloon
League-Shall We Introduce 1t Into
Our Churches?" Rev. +. ID. Cornell
or Maple Grove, read an excellent pa