The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-18
HUMoR AND PATHoS.
Scenes and Incidents on Floor Of the
Virginia M. E. Conference.

Scenes and Incidents on Floor Of the
Virginia M. E. Conference.
Richmond Dispatch.
Nothing has caused more amusement
during the session Of the Methodist Con-
ference than the report made by Rev.
John Harmon yesterday morning when
his name was called by Bishop Duncan,
who was receiving the ministers reports.
His fgurative language, in the use of
which he has few peers, was at times alb
surdy funny, and again exquisite in its
delicacy. DR.. Harmon is picturesque in
his personal appearance, and he belongs
to the impressionistic school of word
painters.
A Methodist minister who stands on the
floor of the Virginia Conference with the
doctrines of John Wesley grated in his
heart and soul; and speaks of the his
church as religious automobile" and
"a dream in brick" Is taking long
chances with the sensibilties and risibili-
ties of his colleagues. But that's what
DR.. Harmon also does. His personality
justifies it. His enthusiasm is unbounded
and without affectation; his sincerity is
beyond doubt and without fear; there
is no suspicion of cant in his religious
zeal.
Contrasted with the routine reports of
his brother preachers, his account of the
doings of Union station for the past year
was like holding wild squirrel in your
lap after petting the tame house cat.
Bishop Duncan could not keep twinkle
out of his eye, as he listened to what
DIR. Harmon had to say. When there was
any repartee DR.. Harmon was seldom the
second best.
John Hannon,' called the bishop.
Amen" was the reply, and the tall,
atWNfG ct
rose "Bishop, Union station is all right.
SITS a religious automobile, and 1t hasn't
got any rubber tires on it, either. You
can hear ii rumble all over Church Hill.
It's a dream in brick. There are no old
ladies of both sexes over there who get
frightened at vigorous gospel Some
times, bishop, you can smell birthstone
in Union station
Dangerous place" and the bishop. Il
want to come over there and see you all.
Yes, sir. We have wanted you for
long time, but the Philistines have pre-
vailed against us. There are, no frills on
Union station, but the plug hat and gold
cane of Epworth. Court Street. Broad
Street and Centenary are not in 1t with
us"
There is no way to depict the way in
which Brother Harmon said these things.
One must hear him to understand. He
switches from the most common place
SMILES to those that were gragrant with
the choicest diction.
Did you have to make all that speech
for Union station?" said Bishop Duncan.
Yes, sir, It's a big occasion "All right
Wen pass your character in spite of the
speech
Bishop, there's a big cyclone of opin-
ion moving along in Union station, with
its storm center in my heart that says
we don't want a change" Every humor-
Gus expression and catchy phrase set the
audience laughing. But beneath the light
vein of humor there was the solid bed
rock Of religious fervor. when DR.. Han
non gave thanks to God for the prosperi-
ty of his church.
There was sunshine and shadow during
the proceedings of the conference yester-
day Dr. lannon's humor brought
smiles. but when Rev Richard Ferguson.
of the Middlesex circuit, arose to make
his report there was evidenced the strong