The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-12-01
ADDRESS or WELCOME
Delivered by DR.. G. r. Mente at the
Third Annual Session Of the Gulf
Conference Of the Methodist EpiScO.
pal Church Thursday Evening.

conference OF the MeINOulSt EpiSCoS
pal Church Thursday Evening.
Grand and impressive and beyond
all. ever recorded in history, will be
that glorious. transcendant chapter
which nnfolds in plain but positive
language, the birth and march to vic
tory, of the church founded by that
hero of the 18th century: John Wesley.
That man of God, daring to proclaim
to the dstonished world, the old story:
"Ye must be born again. No power
of mental conception or OF historic
portrayal inferior to the Divine, can
set forth the reSplendant advances and
triumphs of the church founded by
this, Gods nobleman.
A church is represented by you that
like the mustard tree of the parable,
has grown into mighty tree, its
branches extending from north to
south, from orient to oXident. Never
since the reformation has the world
been permitted to witness so superlat-
i've an illustration of the capacity OF
one cOnseCrated man, ifhe be filed with
a holy zeal born of God: and never
before, in the history of the world, has
the church in her unsurpassed enthuSi-
assn and unfettered spirituality, been
confirmed by achievements moresplen-
did and endearing.
Contemplating with the briefest sur
yey the phenomenal success of Method
ism, it can scarcely be realized today,
that even after a few decades had
lapsed since the coming of the new
sect, that there were prophets of evil
omen across the waters, the slaves and
devotees of priestcraft and enemies OF
religious liberty, who predicted that
Methodism was but the will o. the
whisp' of fanatic, the imagery of a
, diseased mind. which few rough
storms would dissipate; yea, that
Methodism like Jonah's gourd, grown
up over night, would perish in day.
But the spirit of the Master was
moving upon the waters OF unbellet;
and he who promised to feed the ra-
wins at the brook, honoured his
, word and in spite of ridcule
and hostility by the press, and
! the apocalyptic, luke warm Christians
The church you brethren represent
E stands today at the very van and
challenges the tribunal of the worlt
in the majesty OF the eternal princl
. pies of Meth0dism, embodied in bel
, declaration, eye must be born again
G Acknowledging the mighty redemptiy'
power of the past must be just ant
admiringly | exclaim: Methodism ha
. done much to make the world better
and it has been used by the Infinite t.
~ bring man nearer to God, and Heave
:, nearer to earth. All hail to the here
- after and without the slightest pan
4 of jealously, | pray that Jehova
70 speed your onward march until a
:, the world shall take up the refrai
, 'Peace on earth, Good will to men.
e And as | bid YOU welcome in beha
- of the Christian forces of this tow
and surrounding country: much ha
- been accomplished through your III
), firing labors of love, but much Ian
is vet to be possessed before the retul
y of our Lord to earth. You are 0
" dained by the Master to oppose Sill
" which is not peculiar to any age
nation, but abounds everywhere: al
our beautiful land, the greatest cou
try under the sun has many soci
,r evils which must be put away: b
&c thanks to God our land has not fallt
N as low as Israel of old There is Sti
at virtue in American homes, and viii
d: society has its corrupt and deIilir
g. fashions and its tinkling frivoltie
u. its fostering vices, yet American Mi
lie istry is indebted. Our spiritual lea
e. ers, as rule are pure and undetilG
en- and anxious to lead the nation out
spiritual bondage into the pure ar
e.. holy atmosphere of Righteousness
I'd which we are taught, shall exalt tt
wv nation.
ne We rejoice today with you in tt
mighty achievements accomplished
A. the members of your conference
to this beautiful south land. We thai
e. God for tue emblem Of your YOU
people "Look up, lift up" We thai
ad God for the mighty sword of the spi
an it welded by your members to sha
r. the destiny of the unconyerted al
~