The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-15

He then, in brief and admirable adj
dress, reviewed the work of the year,
commenting upon the achievements with
thanksgiving, and exhorting the ministry
and laity to fresh conservation. The
machinery of Methodism is the most
perfect ever devised for carrying on
the work of the church." said DR..
Gibbs, "but it is worthless and inetfec-
tive unless it is blessed of the Spirit of
Cod The Holy Spirit must rest upon
it or it will be like mighty factory full
Of improved machinery, but without pow
er. We have the machinery in our polity
that is perfect 1t needs only the driv-
ing power of the Holy Spirit to make
it the greatest agency III advancing
His kingdom on the earth" He elabo-
rated and amplified that idea with illus
trations that Illustrate, and with scrip
tural comment most fitting.
Rev. n. Nj. ,Jurney preached on Thurs
day morning. and after the best sermon
he ever preached, and one that was
strong and effe ctive, presented the matter
of the debt due for the Craven Memo
rial Hall at Trinity College and his
heart was gladdened by Il liberal contri-
button.
In the afternoon, the helpful and up
lifting theme The Spiritual Condition
of the Church was the subject for dis
cussion, and it was led by Rev. John w.
jenkins, the oldest member of the con-
ference. He also preached at night in
the Methodist church. He not only
grows in grace but in preaching ability.
Both efforts were greatly enjoyed, the
one in the afternoon being one of the
ALI =,
to higher living and Bible experience
ever heard on the floor of a North Caro-
lima religious body.
This morning the most important work
of the session was undertaken. For
years the presiding elders of the Raleigh
district have either boarded, owned their
own homes, or lived outside of the dis
trict. The late DIR. Wilson had a home
in Greensboro; the late DR.. Black owned
a home of his own in Raleigh; Rev. DIR.
Yates, the last presiding elder, lived
in Durham during his four years term
of presiding elder. Heretofore there has
been no demand for Il parsonage for the
presiding elder of the district because
of the above state of affairs. 1t is situa-
ton that would never happen again, and
there is now need felt of parsonage
owned by the church for the presiding
elder of the district and sometime ago
a committee was appointed to look
into the matter of buying a parsonage.
The committee, through Mr.. Jesse \.
Jones and Mr. j. ID. Riddle. made IL
report today recommending that Il par
sonagc he purchased in Raleigh. They
presented a statement from Raleigh real
estate dealers by which it was seen
that a very comfortable home could
be purchased in Raleigh for $1,000.
After some discussion. a committee OF
Raleigh Methodists WAS appointed TO
buy parsonage at Il cost nor TO exceed
SD, 06O. The committee is composed of
Jesse A. Jones, w. II. Hughes. Joseph
&. Brown, w. n. Smelling. j. II. Rid
die, I. b. Eldridge and Judge Walter
Clark. The presiding elder, who has
made reputation as parsonage build
er, agrees to undertake to ra'se the
money. He will do it, He has habit
of doing what he starts out TO accom-
plish. and there is no doubt that lie
will shortly be living in Raleigh not in
his hired house, but in district par
sonage owned by the church. 1t is
forward movement. Raleigh Method
lists, who feel that the presiding elder
of the district ought TO live at the
capital of the State, will rejoice that
the district conference has begun this
movement to bring about that result.
+ -
The conference will be in session over
Sunday. Its sessions are held in Louis
burg Female College, and are largely at
tended. The hospitality of Louisburg
is up to the old time standard. Its
wonderful growth has not changed it a
whit from the old time generous enter
tainment that has characterized Louis
burg for an hundred years. Tomorrow
| will write about the transformation
of the town and the new life of Louis
burg Female College. j. ID.
is IT RIGHT