The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-23

Talk about your heroes! The circuit
riders of America, Drawing hardships and
perils, went with the pioneer and where
the early settler pitched his tent there
the militant crcuit-rider stopped to
preach the gospel. With no earthly hon
ors and no reward this side the grave
the itinerant preacher laid the founda-
tions of healthy Christian civilization
in this Republic.
This is the first conference over which
Bishop Smith presides. He is fortunate
in having a short name and he is gen.
orally called Bishop Coke Smith" The
name sounds not unlike Hoke Smith, who
is nearly always given his full name It
is good thing for man named Smith to
have distinguishing handle. rather
amusing thing happened in the confer
ence yesterday morning. The Bishop
could not catch the name of a preacher
who was addressing him and several
lines said Il cannot understand the broth
er's name.'' The congregation thought
the name must be a jaw breaker. 1t
turned out to be Smith, and when the
Bishop recognized Brother Smith" a
smile went round the church.
Bishop Coke Smith, as 1 said, is a
freshman among bishops. This is his first
conference but he is holding it like
veteran. He is rather small of size and
belongs to the large company of men
of small build who have come into great
places in spite of short stature. He has
none of the helps that come from
commanding presence or an authoritative
voice He has been elevated to the
bjshopric because of his scholarship, his
abundant labors, his sweet spirit, his all
round capacity and cquipoise. He is the
soul of courtesy and consideration He
illustrates his doctrine that Christian
should be first of all gentleman--kind
considerate Of the feelings of others, cour-
teous and agreeable. On Friday at II
o'clock, the Bishop delivered an address
to the class of young preachers who were
received into full connection. 1t was
solemn hour. 1t is the most important
service at a Methodist Conference 1t is
the Appi Forum in the progress of the
young minister. He has been preaching
on trial. Now, after passing his exami-
nations he is to take his place as life
long itenerant The obligations he takes
are of the most sacred character. and
no man can sit and hear them without
feeling of solemnity 1t is the custom
of the bishops to impress these obl-
cations with an exortation, an admoni-
ton, solemn recounting of the VOWS. 1t
is in this address that the Bishop can
be best judged himself. 1t is on a much
larger scale than the charge of the up
right judge to the grand jury. an expo
sition of the law to the crowded court
house as well as to the men to whom
ip 4, -
judges. who regard this charge as
solemn duty to teach the people, per-
form a great duty and bless the people
wherever they go.
The class of young preachers received
this year is said to be composed of men
of approved worth and usefulness and of
great promise. The bore themselves as
men called of God to peach His word
Bishop Smith delivered his charge with
seriousness ard with power. 1t was sound,
it was practical, it was full of sense and
every day deligion. l wish it could be
printed in full. Here are few of the
sentences:
Il have seen some men who profcssed
such great love for God that they seemed
to be mad at everybody else, but this is
not the true idea
religion, but you can't build broad on it.
believe in an emotional religion, but
I believe in an intelligent religion as
we'll The heart won't go where the in
tellect will not follow
God has no place in this world for
lazy man."
Don't scold people from the pulpit.
but win them by personal contact. Never
a
chance to save him. Remember tha
never until the betrayal did our Lord
give up Judas Iscariot."
'You can't rule other people if you
are not willing to be ruled yourself. If
you are not willing to submit to au-
thority yourself you are not fit to use
authority yourself"
Don't think to save men by prohibi- |
tion or denunciation. Preach on lofty
themes, on the great essentials and don't |
waste your time preaching on little
things"
He was particularly effective his con-
demnation of judging men by appearances.
of measuring every man by the same
rule, of demanding n sameness in bearing.
in dress, in giving up He gave several
striking incidents illustrating and enforc-
ing his admonitions that were particu-
larly fine.
The best part of his address was one
for which he apologized He was speak
ing to the young men about marriage,
about the Importance of a minister mar
rying a woman who would be a true and
helpful preachers wife, and he made
tender and beautiful allusion to his own
little woman who all these
years has walked by my side and shared
my work. Every honor that has come
to me I have tax en- and laid at her feet,
for 1 owe it all to her helpfulness. That
was all-but that was enough to give
a glimpse into the soul of the devoted
husband and the mani 1t was in excel
lent taste and spirit, and touched every
heart
He inveighed against the narrow spirit
that wished conformity in outward ways,
a agairst the spirit of lecturing the people
for doing those things not in themselves,
wrong instead of seeking to lead them
upon such planes that would make them
Ind happiness only in the higher realms
Of pleasure
But took no notes and did not start
out to do the Bishop the wrong of re-