The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-17

Interest in the Methodist conference
proceedings yesterday centered in the
election of delegates to the general con-
ference which meets in Chicago May 1.
This is the regular quadrennial confer
ence of the church and is one of the
greatest religious bodies in the world.
There were several ministers who were
quiet candidates for the honor, but no
great strength appeared against those
who were elected. Rev. H. Watt, pre-
siding elder of the Wichita district; Rev.
G. W. Howes, presiding elder of the
Newton district, and Rev. e. G. Beach
of Newton were the three chosen The
election of Rev. Beach is a high tribute
to his work as a minister. He was for
merly pastor of st. PauTs church in this
city. .
The lay-electoral conference held a ses-
sion in the Plymouth Congregational
church, lasting all day, and it is said to
have been pretty spirited session.
There were more candidates for honors
in this conference than in the regular
conference The following were finally
elected: H. Jennings Of Winfield and F.
R. Chrisman of Hutchinson, regular dele
gates, and c. L. Davidson Of Wichita,
provisional delegate. The alternates were
Mr.. Hartley of Arkansas City and ]. E.
Junkfn of Sterling. The lay conference
will finish its work this morning and re-
port to the regular conference.
The anniversary Of the Veterans
League was held at o'clock the Rev.
D. D. AIKEN presiding. Addresses were
made by the Rev A H. Parker and the
Rev. NJ E. Mills, D. D.
The anniversary of the Women's For
eign Missionary Society was a very in
teresting service Mrs. H Imboden of
this city presided. Mrs. Edward Busby,
returned missionary from India, station
ed at Meerute addressed the meeting on
important facts relating to her special
work in the field. Mrs. Pollard Of Ster-
ling took the offering.
The third lecture by the Rev. Harry
Ward of Chicago, entitled Religion and
Industry" was delivered 10 a crowded
church. Rev. Ward is a philosopher. and
his lectures are among the best things of
the conference
The anniversary of the Educational So
ciety was held last night, Rev. D. w.
Phillips, d. D.. presiding. The Rev w.
H. Rose, president of the Southwest Kan
sas College at Winfield, addressed the
meeting on the benefits and needs Of the
college.
The principal address of the evening
was by the Rev. E. M Mills, D. D., of
Elmira, n. Y, corresponding secretary Of
the twentieth century fund. He spoke
principally upon the progress of the clos
ing century and gave many illustrations
Of how and why the world Is better at
the close than at the beginning OF the
century. DR.. Mills said:
1T is almost impossible in imagination
even to put ones self back a hundred
years, and If one who lived century ago
could return to our world he would ex-
claim: old things are passed away, and
behold all things are become new 1t has
been well called the wonderful century,
A review of these hundred years not only
furnishes food for instruction but for
courage and hope as well. Yet If we
were to condense what some Methodists
say in prayermeeting, in their homes and
places of business, it would be something
after this fashion: This generation and
age is going cross lots to destruction.
We do not know whether Satan or the
Lord Jesus Is the stronger but we hope
the dear Lord will at least keep up the
fight on earth till we get into heaven
Now it is a fact that there has never
been another century since Jesus founded
his church when he has been so rapidly
answering the prayer He taught His dis
ciples, The kingdom come, Thy will be
done on earth as ii is in heaven as in
the present one. I never contrast the
world as it was hundred years ago with
what it is now but thank God and take
courage. If you will go with me in re-
view over the century you will see why
we are called to make thank offering.
But in comparing the world at the OPEN
ing and close of the century I venture a
caution. Some people contrast the good
things OF past age with the Indifferent
or vile things OF our age and call that
making a comparison. They put John
Wesley up on a pedestal in a church saw
ing his prayers TO represent the past CEN
fury and John Sullivan in a prize ring to
represent our time. They exclaim: From
John Wesley to John Sullivan! What
fall" Compare the Saints Of our time
with any other age. I do not object. But
do not compare the sinners Of our time
with the saints of the past Again some
people make a superficial diagnosis. \
brilliant and dxspeptic woman has called
this the age OF the boomer and the
bloomer.' An English judge has said:
This is the age of mendacity and mendi-
city, Now all sach estimates of our
time are false and misleading.
This century has seen the system Of
human slavery abolished. This land Is
more free for white men even than it was
huu&red years ago. As late as IS5s a
Methodist preacher was thrust into prison
for having a copy OF Uncle Toms Cabin