Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-03-25
METHODIST CONFERENCE.

AL yesterday session, IN HINTON, w.
Va, of the Baltimore Conference of the
NJ. E. Church South, reports from the
preachers of the work done on their
charges during the year occupied the
attention of conference for the greater
part of the day. Rev. j. T. Williams
reported 791 members for Alexandria,
with SIS 900 raised for all purposes.
When Bishop Wilson tried to get re-
ports from the examining committees
on candidates for admission and mem
bers of the conference classes he failed.
as the members had not completed
their work. This brought from him
the caustio remark, "Well, this is about
the slowest act OF committees l have
ever struck"
Bishop L. II. Holsey, of the Coiored
Methodist Episcopal Church, made a
fervent appeal for fund to build Hay
good Memorial Hall as part of Paine
and Lane Institute, Augusta, Ga. He
is trying to raise S25, 900 before gen
eral conference meets, in May,
and has secured $40 600, in ad-
dition to about $3.50 collected
V sterday from the Baltimore Confer
ence. In his remarks Bishop Holsey
referred to the colored man as relig-
ionist by nature. He said; Gwen if
he does steal chickens tonight, to-mor~
row he will pray, and, as we are tod
always to pray and faint not, there may
yet be chance for him. Then, too,
the negro believes not only in the Holy
Chest, but in ell sorts of ghosts, so he
ought to have the right one finally"
Bishop HolseY spoke of the work OF
slaves during the late war in protect
ing the homes and families of their mas
tiers, and concluded by saying: "Slave-
ry was not an evil to the negro race; it
was blessing in disguise. II in the
providence of God we have come out of
slavery, we have not come empty
banded, but with traces of education
and of Christianity" He was q slave
himself, and knows whereof he speaks
His maeter was Col. Richard Malcolm
Johnston, the author. now OF Baltimore,
On whose place, in Hancock county, Ga,
Bishop Holsey was raised. He remem-
bers with gratitude the kindness
of his old master and his family.
Last night the missionary cause was
given an eloquent appeal by the CORE
spending secretary, Rev. II. G. Morri-
son.
To. day a set of resolutions declaring
for peace were introduced in anticipa
ton Of the national crisis attending the
reception of the report of the Maine
board OF inquiry. The paper was re-
ceived with commendation by all 10
whom it was shown. The resolutions
declare that,
"Whereas in the past history Of ns-
tons differences have arisen which
have led to appeal to arms, but which
might have been adjusted by arbitra-
ton and sober counsel, and whereas an
ominous cloud of war seems now to
threaten the quiet Of our happy coun-
try, we, as ambassadors of the Prince of
Peace, would invoke His restraining
spirit and Illuminating grace that
those in authority may be so d.
rected ard controlled that any occasion
for the arbitrament of the sword and
the shedding of blood may be arrested,
if possible, and that our people may
still continue to receive the blessing of
peaceable and prosperous life In all
honor. Therefore be it
Resolved, That we respectfully re-
quest the Presiding Bishop of the con-
ference to suspend business at II o'clock
next Monday, and that he lead the coz
ference in prayer to the great Ruler of
Heaven and earth for the preservation
of peace and for His divine support of
our chief officers of State during this re-
sponsible period.
RESOLVED, That We inyite our peo-
pie throughout the bounds of the con-
terence to unite with US in invoking the
Father of us all that as country we
may live, as far as in us lies, in peace
with all nations and to the honor and
glory Of His name"