Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-09-10
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE
As Seen By a Layman Who Knows
and Understands.

To the Editor Of the Ledger
MEXICO, Mo-, Sept Al would like
to tell the other members OF the
LEDGER family LEDGER readers
should be one family--of some impress
sions received from my attendance at
the first meeting Of the Missouri
Methodist Church Conference, South,
held in this city, beginning last Tues
day evening, and to continue over
Sunday.
DR.. John Anderson, resident pastor,
was almost ubiquitous, yet wholly I'M
oStentatious and modest, In his en-
deayors to "do, the h~ospitable to the
three hundred disciples of John Wes-
ley who are within our gates, and then
within the confines Of the beautiful
new church building, the pride OF our
citizens. The more ! see OF this fol-
lower OF the lowly Nazarine the more
am impressed with his ability and
devoutneSs. But i started out to talk
Conference, and that it shall be,
acknowledged variety, too.
Dr.. Bishop, Of St Joseph, read an
able paper on John Wesley as a man,
disappointing some of US nonliterati
by not saying something about Mr..
Wesley's brother, Charles, whose
hymns have and will be sung as far as
civilization extends and time lasts;
hymns our forefathers sang, and
which, next to the Bible, have fur
nished to many a pilgrim more true
consolation than all else on earth.
Miss Maud Wallace. at the pipe
organ, land most admirably does she
play assisted by three braves and a
bevy Of handsome ladies, make music
that is certainly musical. Long live
the musicians.
Dr. H. X. Hinde, one Of Mexico's
most excellent citizens and really lit
erary men, welcomed the Conference
in a most royal manner Suffice tC
say it was worthy the head and heart
OF him who, in eloquent words and
better Kings English, gave welcome
to these men Of God in a regular Mis-.
souri, manner.
1t has been said that the last shall
be first and upon that hypothesis, ]
suppose, the presiding Bishop, Rev.
Chas. b. Galloway, delivered seyera
fine speeches, though he disclaimet
making any when he started his talk
which, ike the former, had Johr
Wesley as the evening topic. To me
the Bishop appears 10 have seen fifty
eight summers zephyrs and a lik'
number Of winters breezes.
Unlike Zaccheus, small OF stature
Bishop Galloway stands high up phys
ically as well as mentally and spirit
ually. His kindly eye, euphoniou
speech, indicate sincerity and devout
ness, In short, as Mr.. MicawbeI
would say, 1 liked the Bishop. He Il
a native Of Mississippi, and as much
as / would liked 10 have had him
Missoufian, love Of truth compels m'
to say that | am not informed tina
be ever even contemplated living her
Ia good old Audrain County. II m.
recollection seryes me, he has held hi
present position with the church fl
teen years. He is said to be ''thI
grand man eloquent" Of all the Bish
ops Of that church. AS said, his tOpi
was John Wesley" but he did no
stick so close to the text that on
could imagine that he thought tn
founder Of Methodism was the onll
pebble on the beach. Indeed, he CAV
TO another the honor OF putting int
detail the real practices and method
of the first Methodists, lauding, de
seryedly, too, the pioneers OF tina
grand body OF workers TO whom tn
world, and especially this country o
ours, owes so much for its ciyilizing
energizing and uplifting influences
No rancor or harsh words protrudeI
from his lips. He is, / imagine,
broad, liberal-minded and big-heartet
American citizen, able exponent o
the tenets Of his church, and living
every day at his best that the millen
mum may not be delayed by his un
worthiness as a steward.
From what / have said, it may mol
be necessary, like the boy who labeled
his drawing, to say that the first ses
sion of the Conference, as viewed b!
me, was, in the common v~ernacular
according 10 Hoyle, and bids fair to b.
a most successful and harmonious
meeting. OF course there is politics
In the air-and the closets, flying thick
and furious. Like other mortals the
ms want to stay In; the outs want In.
Twas ever thus, and probably will bt
as long as human beings roam thii
mundane latmos) phere.
Well, Mr.. Editor, methinks l heal
your melodious voice say ''ring or
and see your good right hand, blue
pencil therein, moving thusward,
hence ! will say good night; though ]
had thought il might not be wholly
u~ninteresting or Improbable TO re-
count some Of the history and the
achievements Of the Methodist
Church, since its real organization
one hundred and fifty years ago. But
/ must seek a muse with morpheus.
More anon NERITAs.
Mrs. Ogden Goelet announces at
Newport, the engagement Of her