The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-13
HOME OF Gull URE
AND REFINE MENT
Washington's Welcome of
the Conference.
ITS PERFECT CLIMATE
AND UNSURPASSED BEAUTY OF
SITUATION.
ENCOURAGING RsPoaTs WERE MADE
As Regards All the Various Lines Of Church
Work. Increased Contributions for Home
and Foreign Missions. Satsfac-
tory Appointments.

y ~''fN'''~t'N~F
Washington, \. c.. Dec. 12.--(Edi-
torial Correspondence.l Last night the
most pleasant session of the conference
held in many years came to a close.
From the opening song
And are we yet alive"
The Methodist militant hymn, until the
last Praise God from whom all bless
ings flow" the proceedings were char
acterized by q spirit of harmony and
good feeling that left benediction
upon the members and upon the entire
community. There was not a debate dur
ing the session that left any sting or
unpleasantneSs, only spirit of brotherly
kindness and of devotion to the church
aud zeal for its honor and growth. The
older members who for nearly half
century have been meeting together say
that the occasion entities it TO be known
rs The Conference of Good Feeling
This spirit Of concord was in the hearts
Of all and the wise bishops Cody adj
monition and sweet spirit emphasized it
and excluded any act that might mar
the Ee;lce and concord of the week.
The conference altogether was an ideal
one, and the visitors all feel that it was
held In an ideal conference town. For
seven whole days every one of the 5000
people in this good town has been n
Methodist for all practical purposes.
The churches and the homes We're open
for service and entertainment, and if
the Methodist members took more In
terest in the proceedings or more de-
light in giving hospitable entertainment
to the visitors than those of other
churches or of no church it was not OBJ
seryable. DR.. Payne, Presbyterian
pastor, set the pace in his wonderfully
bright and happy speech to the confer
ence, and all Washington was like one
brotherhood or one great family 1T
is good to lie here" was the universal
verdict of all whose good fortune it was
10 enjoy the hospitality of these hospita-
bic people. In the rush and hurry of
the great cities, the Christian grace
given to hospitality seems to have
given place to the give-and take formal
invitations. Here it is seen in the per-
feet, fully developed flower. This grace
IS a plant that does not spring up in
a night. 1T grows like tree and must
send deep roots in the ground before
1t can give a grateful shade. Washing
ton Is one of the Oldest towns in the
State AID has history that is illus
trious. From the earliest settlement it
has been the home of culture and re-
finement, which find their best express
sion in hospitality which has about it
the SAVIOR of the Southern civilization
the best the world has known. In Sun
days paper | will have something to
say Of Washington in its business and
political aspects.
Conference met in the handsomest
Methodist church in Eastern North
arolina. 1t is a model of architectural
luty and of convenience 1t could not
duplicated for $4,000, though it did
cost more than $4,000 or $1,000.
congregation here is not noted as a
VI one though having many pros
and some rich members. 1t is,
the costliest church. however.
ID III the State by congrega-
no more wealth. A picture
tch heretofore published in
s, fails to give an adequate
legance and beauty. All
proud of it because it is
the place. 1t is built
site of the old church
e durine the war had
/ to ashes. 1t was
~ and allie raster
5. when the mac
= ,entad r. Rishor,
T.
II perfect-an
ideal AL to,,,,,
crown. 1,,ha,o =
80, iheIe =
Micro n. a'.los-
rior rho ~ a
and babn,, "a
n,ato one g.. - -
and braafbins -,
Drauchts of III ~.
health and Iong
,eorla Tbis &
.or.ns !, 49, c+a4a y
sucI waat1,e,. - has h1as.
the Washinetm n ls sbor,o