Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-19
we must see while here excite oul
happiest anticipations.
Openna9of the Conference,

Opening of the Conference.
The great meeting commenced at 8
O'Clock Wednesday morning; May A..
1t was a. scene and an occasion of
beauty and solemnity never to be for
gotten and impossible to describe. The
great auditorium seemed to be small
world of itself, made up of palm trees
of many strange and rare varieties.
Delicate vines of smilax and the
feathery asparagus vine were twined
and festooned from these palm trees
and along ratings and up columns
from the ceiling were hung the flags
of every nation of the world and
shields bearing their coats of arms as
we'll Of course our own loved en-
blem, the Stars and Stripes, was
draped everywhere and over the great
platform hung portrait in Oil of he
roic size Of John Wesley the founder
of Methodism.
And now come to the greatest mar
vel of all. There were banks of Gala
lilies as high as ones head, all across
the front of the platform and on eth
er side. More than ten thousand
lilies were used in the decorations and
have no words in which 1 can tell Of
their beauty and the effect of the en-
tire scheme of decoration, all brilliant
ly lighted by electricity.
On every seat in the auditorium was
white or scarlet geranium and this
delicate courtesy is to be carried out
each day of the session - contribu-
ton of one of the largest florists Of
the city.
Bishop Merrill in the Chair.
The conference was called to order.
by the senior bishop, Stephen A. Mer-i
FIJI, who has a presence of great dig!
nifty and yet gentleness of manner. He.
stepped to the front of the platform,
raised his hand and at the same time
the clear sweet notes of a bugle rang
out the old sweet melody, "All Hail the,
Power of Jesus Name" Instantly more:
than two thousand voices were joining,
In the opening hymn, which was fol
lowed by prayer of apostolic fervor
and earnestness by Bishop Merrill. The.
great conference was opened and very
soon the delegates were seated in their.
respective places. They are seated in
groups of conferences. All delegates
are on the main floor, and visitors and
spectators are seated in two large gal
leries, which are around three sides
of the auditorium. The bishops all
have chairs on the platform. Here are
also seats for the missionary secretar-
les and distinguished visitors. The
father of Senator Dolliver is in con-
slant attendance, dear old gentleman,
very feeble but most deeply interested.
The conference has now been in SEES
sion five days. All committees have
been appointed and real work is pro-
crossing. but one session of the en-
tire conference is held each day from
nine until twelve o'clock, the commit
tees holding their meetings in the after
noon. Immense crowds are in attend
ance each morning.
Hospitable Los Angeles.
The people of Los Angeles are treat
ing the delegates and visitors with law
ish hospitality. Each day hundreds of
dozens of oranges are handed out as
gifts. From this large booth are also
givenlaowers to all who come for them,
and one wonders how so much lemon
ade can be made in such quantities and
at the same time be so delicious-all
provided free.
Comfortable rest rooms are furnish
ed, together with bureaus of informa-
ton, and 1t seems nothing has been
forgotten. Each day the decorations
vary. After the Gala lilies there were
hundreds of hanging baskets one day
and over six thousand carnations were
used in banking around the platform.
An0thnr lou 70 o1,inf
orations, and do not know how many
were used, but the number was very
great.
Women Accredited Delegates.
This is the first general conference
where women have been received as
delegates, and it is of deem interest to
Methodist women on that count and
marks an epoch in the church. There
are twenty-five women delegates, one
of them colored, and am proud OF
them all as women of much dignity and
refinement, a representative body. AS
yet they have been very quiet, but
1t is noticeable how deeply interested
and attentive they are. l am told they
speak freely in their various commit
tees and with good Judgment.
There are two Chinese delegates
intelligent appearing men. They wear
the full Chinese costumes and long
queue.
On Wednesday evening reception
and ovation was rendered the confer
ence at the pavilion where the meetings
are held. There were several speakers
welcoming the delegates to the city,
representing the state, the city, the
chamber of commerce and clergy and
laity of the church. The speakers all
enlarged upon the greatness of Cali
fornia, until the reception almost as
sumed the character of meeting for
the promotion of immigration to the
Pacific coast. Governor George G.
Pardee started it by telling all the var
ious wonders of the Golden state, well
known to Californians, but not SO well
known to visitors. He was followed by
Mayor M. P. Snyder, who told of the
great growth and prospects of the city
of Los Angeles. The next speaker
was Rev. John l.. Pitner, who continu-
ed the glowing tale of glories for the
visitors to see, and told them that they
were welcome to everything in Cali
fornia but the pulpits. He said that
there were now twenty-nine Methodist
congregations in the city, and one more