Smyrna times., 1907-03-27
CONFERENCE SUNDAY A BIG DAY.
Crowds Throng the Churches-ldeaI Weather
Greets the Visitors and Pulpit Oratory
PIeases the Large Congregations

ureets Inc flsltOrS anu PulpH Urat0ry
PIeases the Large Congregations
Sunday, Conference Sunday, was
memorable day in Smyrna and will go
down in history as one of the most de-
lightful of any Conference Sunday ex-
perienced in years. The weather being
ideal, springlike and balmy, drew large
crowds to Smyrna and by Saturday
evening the hotels were filled to their
capacity. Boarding houses and other
residences took the overflow and many !
who could not get entertainment came |
Sunday for the day. The town was
literally filled with visitors. Naturally !
the greatest interest centered in SER
vices in Asbury Church, the Confer
ence seat. The Rev. DIR. w. L. S.
Murray conducted the rousing love
feast which began at 8 o'clock. 1t was
an old fashioned meeting, with expert
ences ringing loud and true from the
faithful in all parts of the edifice.
Bishop Berry preached at 10 o'clock.
Prior to that hour the church was
thronged. 1t was estimated that 1900
persons were crowded into it. Hun
dreds were unable to gain admittance
and went to the Presbyterian Church
where the Rev. DIR. W. HI. Morrison
preached to large audience, and the
! Centennial A. NJ. E. Chnrcb, where
the Rev. DIR. Fl. w. Bolton discoursed
to big congregation. The Rev. DIR.
Robert Watt, pastor of the church,
Presiding Elders Koons and Morgan
and the Rev. DIR. W. S. Matthew, of
San Francisco, assisted in the service
in Asbury Church. Bishop Berry
preached. from the double text of Job
%: 3, "Oh, that 1 knew where [ might
find Him., and John IA: 9, ''He that
hath seen Me hath seen the Father"
1t was an able discourse, eloquently
delivered, of that mysterious spiritual
sense" through which the revelation of
God comes to mankind in manner as
unexplainable as admiration, love and
electricity which we know exist but
are intangible and mystical. Bishop
Berry is a master of the power of con-
vincing description, and some of his
illustrations, especially the story of
how he became converted after an OBJ
stinate resistance of religious convic-
ton, swayed the audience as it is sell
dom given to any speaker to do. At
the close of the sermon everybody rose
and sang ''Face to Face" Walter o.
Hoffecker singing the verse and the
congregation joining in the chorus.
Bishop Berry alluded to Palm Sunday
, and the waving of palms and requested
the congregation to wave their banker.
chiefs when joining in the chorus
"Face to Face" This was most i'm
. pressive and inspiring sight and will
live long with those who saw it. The
music was feature of the morning
service. Asbury Church has a choir o
! well-trained singers, directed by Wal
= ter Q. Hoffecker, and the singers die
!, themselves credit. Aside from the ex
! cellent leadership of Mr.. Hoffecke
i. much credit is due to the accomplished
renditions of Mrs. Marion Coverdale
: organist for the church, whose wor
!. with that of the choir was mucl
: praised. The opening anthem was ''(
; Be Joyful Unto the Lord" compose
by Charles YanLeer, of Seaford, an
) printed by the Seaford Publishing Co
1t called forth favorable comment
: Mr.. Hoffecker during the offertor,
! sang as a solo "Tbe Palms" Th
choir also sang "We Magnify Thee
The choir also sang at the other ser
7 vices of the day, when the rendition
:. were equally as pleasing. At the clos
of the morning service Bishop Berr
ordained the class ofyoung men electe
to deacons' orders, and in the aftei
as noon he ordained the clergyme
In elected to elders orders. Many a
re tended the evangelistic services at tt
/: Opera House in the afternoon whic
es was crowded to the doors.