Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-03

against the attempt of the Maryland leg
;slature to disfranchise the negro. and the
resolution OF DIR. Herbert to request Con-
gress to take action against the mormon
Church were returned to the conference
without recommendation.
Rev Dr. James E. Smith. pastor OF the
Grace NJ E. Church of this city. read the
report of this committee on the actuai
state of the church.
"There are two points of view from which
the subject may be considered, reao Ii;
Smith. 1.-THE one will give us superhciai
view. 1t shows US things as they appear
on the surface.
The other shows us things as they are.
It enables us to see the inner and hidden
truths From the first viewpoint there Is
much to encourage us in the present con-
dition of the church. 1t is better organ
lied than ever before. Indeed our machin-
cry seems to be almost perfect
Continuing the report, DR.. Smith SAD:
Facts are homely things. Sometimes
they are humiliating and painful; These
facts show that We have been jealous LOT
the conversion of souls and that we nave
been Indifferent to them after they were
gathered into the church. The mimi IS OF
the last five years tell us that 1900 souls
have been received into the churches OF the
conference on proba ton. In that tune S'o'4
have died leaving 16,47S, and yet the in
crease of membership in thai time mas
been but 1857. Where are the 14,62O souls
of which We have no account!
But more than tnlS, There Has peeu O.
general decline in the last five years There
are fewer churches, fewer Sunday schoois,
and fewer Epworth League chapters IN our
conference than there were five years ago.
Our benevolences also nave deemed; In
every instance but one-the Woman For
eign Missionary Society-the offerings nave
been less than five years ago.
Propounds Query.
ssWhat is the explanation of these facts?
The subject is too great for discussion here.
The Sunday paper, with it's gossip and
shine, has taken the place of the family
altar Prayer for the children, and with
them, is becoming obsolete. Our pety
must be more aggressive. Our watchflu-
ness must be more incessant. EpWorth
Leagues must do better work"
Many other ways to remedy the decline
were advanced by Dr.. Smith.
Further Consideration Deferred.
The consideration of this and other re-
ports was postponed until this afternoon at
2:3O o'clock.
Brief addresses were made by Rev. Drs.
R, W. Rodgers, professor of Drew Theolog-
zeal Seminary; George e. Reed. president
of Dickinson College. and Frank L. Hart
of Chicago, field superintendent of the
Methodist Episcopal board of insurance,
who told how a church property may be
properly insured
Bishop Moore called an executive meeting
of the cabinet for this afternoon.
Just before the morning session closed
Mrs. Jane Bancroft Robinson told the con-
ference of the deaconesS work in the
church.
The conference took recess at 1880 p.m:
to meet again at 2:30, when reports OF
committees were taken up.
An interested spectator at the conference
each day has been Rev. James j. Dolliver.
father Of United States Senator Dolliver OF
Iowa. Mr.. Dolliver is superannuatea MN IN
| lives in this city with his son at 1415 Mas
ca chusetts avenue. He has been in the
Methodist ministry since 1S43.
Each day he has occupied a seat on the
platform near Bishop Moore.
Bishop Moore's Sermon.
A sermon to the ministers of the confer
ence and the congregation of the Foundry
Church was delivered yesterday morning
by Bishop David II. Moore, who took Tor
his text eff children, then heirs" An in
heritance of millions of dollars is not to be
compared, he said, with that in store Tor
Christians in the next world
Partly on account of a rumor that Pres
ident Roosevelt would be present at the
services, the church was crowded TO the
doors and many had to be turned away. A
seat was set aside for the President, but he
did not appear.
were Rev. c. Herbert Richardson, presto
+. Heisse, DID,, presiding elder of the West
Baltimore district, who offered prayer;
Rishop ]. NJ Thoburn of India, who also
offered prayer; DR.. George Edward Reed,
president of Dickinson College, who led the
responsive reading; Rev ii. K. Mayor,
DID,, presiding elder OF the washington
district, who read the New Testament les.
son. and Rev Robert M. Moore, pastor of
the church.
Christian Inheritance.
spI,a
ance." said Bishop Moore in the course OF
his sermon, without diminishing our heav-
enly inheritance, our Heavenly Father gives
us day by day great and blessed portion,
which L. the bread of heaven. The eye OF
the Lord is everywhere. He gives us
blessed companionship, which is the begin
ming of a greater companionship later on.
In sorrow We have His hand. Sin we know
"a desperate, relentless. murderous robber,
loading us with cruel chains. ever devising
new tortureS and W. King new letters pind-
ing us down In the damp. dark. reeking
dungeon of wrath and uncleanliness. But
One cometh mightier than sin. We hear
the crashing blows He lays upon the yield
ing doors of our prison house. And then
He gives us life and light and hope. And
then He Journeys down LIES arduous path
ways, guiding, helping, comforting piess-
ing.
ise Of the life to come. We only have an
allowance now. The belief in Heaven, in
one way or another. Is universal It may
be the happy hunting ground of the Indian;
the panitheistic nfrvana vt the Hindu; the
sensual paradise OF the Nfohammedan- But
II is chiefly ia the Gospel that life and Inn
mortality are brought to Hght. Life Is .
probation efrngxsss trial sosroW, ~ Is