The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-08

animating the North Carolina Conference
never was more manifest than now Ia
glorify God, and promote the welfare CT
men. 1t is a conservative body and 10
radical action may be look I'd for iii any
thing 1t is too early in the session ia
tell its progress with exactness but
enough is known from reports already
made to predict gratifying increase.
The Conference, and Church. will face
the new year with inspiring hope
MR. VI. S. DAVIS, President Of Louis
burg Female College: 1.-The Bishop has
the work well in hand. and all Confer
ence business is being rapidly dispatche
Nearly all the preachers report I'VE have
had good year, Bishop; collections all
up and many accessions.' One caurch
trial is threatened. With that exception.
perfect harmony and good feeling prevails.
Years work seems to be very satisfactory
ana the future promises we'll. The sibcr-
ality of the preachers in support Of be-
novolent and charitable enterprises is
something wonderful. One thousand dol
lars raised on the Conference tloor for
Fifth Street church, at Wilmington
REV. F. d. SWINDELL, Presiding Ell
der Newbern District: Despite the fail
ure of the crops there seems to have been
an increase in the finances, especially in
the missionary collections. The mission
airy spirit, think, is growing. The out
look for the year is very good, Think"
REV. A. M'CULLEN, of Oxford: .'The
North Carolina Conference is animated
by the spirit of Christi. e.--the< spirit of
faith, love, hope. We lave made Vine pro-
greSS in many ways. Souls have been
converted and money raised to further
the interests of the church of God The
outlook for 1902 is big with possibilities,
and bright with hope
REV. N. M. WATSON, of Chapel Hill:
From the presiding Bishop to the Con-
ference page spirit of good will and
brotherly love prevails. The tolls, strug-
giles and differences OF the year are for
the time forgotten. Undisturbed by tea
pot tempests and undismayed by proph-
cts of evil, Metholism, as here represent
ed, will more steadily go forward in her
work of preaching pure gospel and seek
ing the highest life. The closing year
has been one of prosperity. With faith
in God and good Will 10 men, We shall
receive our marching orders for 1902
REV. r. B. JOHN, Presiding Elder of
the Wilmington district: Joy that the
spirit of self-sacrifice still abides With
the itinerant, that material disasters
shake not the faith of Methodists, and
diminishes not their offerings, and that
sinners are converted and saints estab
lished."
REV. ]. NJ. RHODES, President Louis
burg Female College: 1.-The spirit Of the
conference is very fine, the reports are
among the best in several years, l
think. The statistics will show 4 large
increase in membership, and of course,
the outlook is always hopeful for Meth
odist preachers. / have seen number
of them at this conference to be out OF
their pockets almost the last So bill they
had to help build church or pay church
debt, and look as happy afterwards as any
other man would with a pocket full OF
money. This has been very trying year.
and | have seen more of the heroic spirit
displayed than / have even noticed be-
fore