Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-03-23
CONFERENCE OPENED
LAST EVENING

The influx of ministers began on
Tuesday; from that time up until last
night they continued to arrive, scores
coming on every tIajn until at 6 80
O'Clock when of the 325 belonging TO
the Conference all were on the ground
bot lel
Arriving at Berwick all made their
way TO the Methodist Episcopal Church
where they wore received by the Rev.
Richard II. Gilbert, Conference host,
in his office. Rev Gilbert is an ideal
host with cordial handshake and q
kind word of welcome for each and
everyone. The beautiful church edifice
is the product Of his faith, PLUCK and
pers stenoe. A number of small boys,
who kindly volunteered their services,
conducted the ministers to the places
assigned to them as homes during Con-
ference.
Every thing ran smoothly without
the least suggestion Of hitch as in
quick succession the large groups of
people assembled. The church is an
ideal place for conference The audit
orium, which will be used for public
sessions, is spacious and magnificent.
The Sunday School room opening from
the auditorium is especially commod-
ious and we'll appointed containing
upwards of twenty class rooms. which
are temporarily changed into commit
tee rooms. Here is the Conference
Post Office, Rev. Gilbert's office, read.
ing and writing rooms, and rooms for
examination of candidates. In this
apartment all day yesterday ministers
cougregsted, shaking hands probably
for the first time since Conference of
year ago; here new acquaintances
we're formed along with the renewal
of old ones and pleasant hour was
spent by all.
DR.. s. O. Swallow was oonspicu-
Gus figure in Conference circles. Wher-
ever he went he was kept busy greet
ing old friends. He spoke most inter.
estingly Of the time, in lS64-5, when
as young minister he was stationed
in Berwick as junior preacher under
! the Rev. M. P. Crosthwaite. During
an interview with q representative Of
the press he spoke very enthusiastic-
ally Of new newspaper enterprise he
is about to embark upon. The journal,
which will be called the "Ohurch
Fornm" ia to suoccod his~Pro1one
publication, the Pennsylvania Metho-
dist " In the Forum" page will
be assigned to each church in Harris
burg, irrespective of creed, which is
permitted to have its own editor and
to express opinions at pleasure relst-
ing to any legitimate topic.
Bishop Fitzgerald, who presides at
Conference arrived at Berwick ON Mon
day night. He Is man of strong ex-
ecutive ability. extremely systematic
and is energetic in the extreme. He
has already conducted six executive
sessions of the Elders and nearly all
the conference arrangements have been
| completed
The first active business of the con-
ference began yesterday with eyamina-
ton Candidates taking examination
are as follows;
For admission on trial-tweive.
| Glass of first year-tive.
Glass of second year four.
Glass of third year-eight.
Glass of fourth year-twelve.
Examinations began on Tuesday
evening and lasted all day on Wednes.
! day. The choir Of the church has ar
ranged special music for the sessions.
The temperance anniversary last
night, which marked the first session
of conference, brought out large at.
| tendance. Three sliding doors, which
stand between the main auditorium Of
the church and the Sunday school
room, were drawn aside and the two
spacious apartments were thrown into
one immense auditorium, which was
filled on the occasion.
Devotional exercises began at 1880.
Rev. J. B. Mann leading in song and
Rev. William Moser reading the script
ure and Offering prayer, The music
was q great feature. An anthem by
the choir, "Father Oh Hear U.s." was
exceedingly fine. There was also
solo. Mothers Boy" by Isaac Abra-
ham. which was much enjoyed. Miss
Della Geisinger was organist.
Rev. DR.. E. L. Eaton of Allegheny
was the speaker at the Temperance
Anniversary. He was introduced by
the famous Prohibition advocate, DR..
8. O. Swallow, who made some very
| happy and characteristic remarks
The license of the liquor ira ffio he re-
CARDS as sin. So long as the govern
ment remains In profitshsring partner
ship with the liquor business 1t will
be impossible to overthrow the great
| crime breeder.
DR.. Eaton is an eloquent and con-
vinoing speaker presenting good strong
| argument and apt illustrations
Throughout a long address he carried
the large audience along with him
holding up before them In strong light
the evils of the liquor traffic. He dwelt
upon the aggressiveness of the liquor
men, their complete organization and
the rapid growth of the liquor interest
/ aud showed how the Prohibition move
ment, determined, Jealous and self
sacrificing as 1t is, will be futile in its
attempt TO overthrow the enemy until
all good people regardless of creed and
political parties flock to its standard.
/ Il r s